We have developed an inexpensive, accurate, and reliable method of instantaneously determining a shooter's score.

The shooter takes aim, and fires. Close to the target, a shielded, low cost CCD TV camera that is monitoring the target at 60 images per second, transmits (via a low-power RF link) these images to a small notebook or laptop personal computer located at the shooter's position. When the PC's microphone "hears" the shot: a Delay is started (delay < TOF, Time-of-Flight*), at the end of that delay the last image from the camera freezes; than a much shorter second delay times out, and a second image is captured (total delay > TOF*). 

The PC then subtracts the two images--the first image before the bullet hits, and the image immediately after the bullet hits, interpreting the resultant video data. This interpretation takes the form of looking for the largest change, or difference between the two images: yielding the latest round's entry point.

After the round hits the target, the detection & scoring process takes about 300 milliseconds, and the information is instantly conveyed to the shooter via the system's graphics display; also--at the shooter's option--the PC's sound output "tells" the shooter the score via wireless earphones inside his hearing protectors. These earphones being wireless can be part of one's clam-shell hearing protectors, or earplugs. The voice is real recorded/sampled speech (the shooter's or whomever) using whatever terminology the shooter desires, e.g., "Ring Six, Seven O'Clock," or "Ring Six, Outer Edge, Seven O'Clock."

The graphical presentation (GUI) can be the PC's small Color LCD screen (and/or TV/VCR), showing the target and indicating the latest hit by a colored blinking red dot. The earlier hits can also be displayed and would be color coded relative to their arrival order, e.g.,_{* * * * * * *}.

* Note: Adjustment for Time-of-Flight will vary with type of Rounds & Distances.

User selectable System Output: 
       LCD Display Small Color 
         Aural Score Announcment is "spoken" into the shooter's Wireless Hearing Protectors.
         Heads-Up-Display (HUD) on a scoped rifle

The system Recalibrates 60 times per second, on the real target's rings. 

Super Accurate: It NEVER misses. (See Fluke) 

Score is presented in less than 300 milliseconds after round "Hits" Target.

The time interval between the "Before" and "After" images ~ 15 to 30 milliseconds. 

Scores Individual Rounds & Groups.

Scoring is Continuous; and Immediate Totals at the end of a session or tournament. 

System Recognizes allStandard & Custom Targets. 

Paper Targets need replacing Less Often. 

Impervious to Wind  & Lighting conditions 

The Computer Records all Shooting rounds, allowing video  RePlay. 

Built-in Chronograph 
 

* Note: Adjustment for Time-of-Flight will vary with Rounds & Distances.

Versions:  MS-DOS, MS-DOS 32, Windows 3.1, Windows95, Windows98, and Windows NT 

  Networked shooting stations:
Will enable better supervision and evaluation of shooters, as well as, facilitate competitive shooting.

Networked ranges: 
Use of the Internet or Intranets for simultaneous competition between disparate shooting ranges and organizations. 

Replays: 
Each session is recorded as /~.avi movies for replay and evaluation.

"Hogan's Alley," type combat shooting coverage: 
Scoring and recording an individual's progress through a combat course.  Use of multimedia to record multiple views (pictures in a picture) while "keeping score." Among the attributes scored, one is reaction time after presentation of one of the Hogan's Alley characters.

Shooting Style:
Use of Multimedia to record an individual's stance, positioning, coordination and reflexes while shooting; it's akin to  making a movie of a golfer's swing.

Scoped Rifle w/HUD:
Another adaptation could be the installation of a special form of a Heads-Up-Display (HUD) on a Scoped Rifle. 
This could be in the form of a Binocular style eyepiece arrangement where, in addition to the scope, there is a Video Viewfinder Display. To avoid confusion, the shooter would press a button located conveniently on the rifle to view the presentation in the left eye.

A kind of Chronograph:
Can be created by the use of two microphones: one located at the shooter's position and the second located near the target--the "bang mic" & the "thud mic." By timing the delay between the mics (and compensating for the distance of the "thud mic" from the target), a very accurate measure of each round's Time of Flight can be made.