System and method for target detection

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a target detection apparatus which attaches to a purpose-built or existing golf target placed on a driving range, golf course or other golfing facility for purposes of play or competition, whereby players attempt to hit their golf ball at or into the target. The invention enhances the targets functionality by enabling it to provide near instant feedback to players and others that it has been hit. Through the use of a sensor and indicator system, the target of a preferred embodiment can sense a golf ball hitting it or landing in it and draw the attention of the player or others through an indicator, which is currently a LED array. The design consists of an array of vibration sensors, each attachable to the target landing surface.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for indication of an on-target golf ball strike, said system comprising:
 a flexible landing surface capable of being detachably coupled to a target frame, said flexible landing surface configured to propagate at least a vibration from a contact of the on-target golf ball strike on the flexible landing surface and to direct a golf ball to a golf ball receptacle;   a plurality of vibration sensors detachably coupled to the flexible landing surface, said plurality of vibration sensors configured to detect at least the propagated vibration and to generate one or more contact signals indicative of the propagated vibration;   a processor operatively coupled to the plurality of vibration sensors, said processor configured to receive and process at least the one or more contact signals and to generate one or more output signals; and   a display configured to display the one or more output signals.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vibration sensors is located closer to a first side of the flexible landing surface than to a second side. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible landing surface is further configured to propagate a vibration from a contact of the on-target golf ball strike on a target frame to which the flexible landing surface is detachably coupled. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a target frame, said target frame oriented to hold the flexible landing surface substantially parallel to the ground. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a target frame, said target frame oriented to hold the flexible landing surface substantially perpendicular to the ground. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a target frame, said target frame oriented to hold the flexible landing surface such that it creates a ramp up from the ground. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible landing surface includes a plurality of grommets; and
 said system further comprising a target frame, said target frame including a plurality of protrusions, wherein the plurality of protrusions of the target frame are configured to insert into the plurality of grommets of the flexible landing surface.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible landing surface includes a first plurality of hook-and-loop material straps configured to detachably couple the flexible landing surface to a target frame. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible landing surface includes a second plurality of hook-and-loop material straps configured to detachably couple the flexible landing surface to a golf ball receptacle. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible landing surface is capable of being folded into a flat shape no greater than three feet wide in its longest dimension. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of vibration sensors is capable of being carried in a pouch when detached from the flexible landing surface. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible landing surface is air-permeable. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display is configured to stop displaying the one or more output signals after a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration sensors are configured to be attached to the flexible landing surface using an extended hook configured to further propagate the propagated vibration from the flexible landing surface. 
     
     
         15 . A method for indication of an on-target golf ball strike, said method comprising:
 tensioning a flexible landing surface across a target frame such that the flexible landing surface is configured to propagate at least a vibration from a contact of the on-target golf ball strike on the flexible landing surface and to direct a golf ball to a golf ball receptacle;   detecting at least the propagated vibration using a plurality of vibration sensors;   generating one or more contact signals based on the detected vibration;   processing at least the one or more contact signal as a display signal; and   displaying the processed display signal.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the flexible landing surface is further configured to propagate a vibration from a contact of the on-target golf ball strike on a target frame to which the flexible landing surface is detachably coupled. 
     
     
         17 . A means for indication of an on-target golf ball strike comprising:
 means for propagating at least a vibration from a contact of the on-target golf ball strike, wherein said means for propagating the vibration are capable of being detachably coupled to a frame;   means for directing a golf ball to a golf ball receptacle;   means for detecting at least the propagated vibration and generating one or more contact signals indicative of the propagated vibration, wherein said means for detecting and generating are capable of being detachably coupled to the means for propagating the vibration;   means for receiving and processing at least the one or more contact signals;   means for generating one or more output signals; and   means for displaying the one or more output signals.   
     
     
         18 . The means of  claim 17 , wherein the means for detecting at least the propagated vibration are located closer to a first side of the means for propagating the vibration than to a second side. 
     
     
         19 . The means of  claim 17 , further comprising a means for holding the means for propagating the vibration substantially parallel to the ground. 
     
     
         20 . The means of  claim 17 , further comprising a means for holding the means for propagating the vibration substantially perpendicular to the ground. 
     
     
         21 . The means of  claim 17 , further comprising a means for holding the means for propagating the vibration such that it creates a ramp up from the ground. 
     
     
         22 . The means of  claim 17 , wherein the means for propagating the vibration includes a plurality of attachment points; and
 said system further comprising a means for holding the means for propagating the vibration, said means for propagating the vibration including a plurality of protrusions, wherein the plurality of protrusions are configured to detachably couple to the plurality of attachment points.   
     
     
         23 . The means of  claim 17 , wherein the means for detecting at least the propagated vibration is capable of being carried in a pouch when detached from the means for propagating the vibration. 
     
     
         24 . The means of  claim 17 , wherein the means for propagating the vibration is further capable of being folded into a flat shape no greater than three feet wide in its longest dimension. 
     
     
         25 . The means of  claim 17 , wherein the means for propagating the vibration is air-permeable. 
     
     
         26 . The means of  claim 17 , wherein the means for displaying the one or more output signals is configured to stop displaying the one or more output signals after a predetermined period of time.