Patent Description:
<CIT> describes an athletic training system including one or more panels that present a rigid front surface covered by a translucent material behind which is an illumination or light source and a pressure sensor that can detect and measure the pressure caused by impact of a ball (i.e. a soccer ball). <CIT> describes a ball game training system based on a plurality of wall arrangements comprising walls and support structures. <CIT> describes a sensor unit comprising a housing adapted for removable attachment to a surface, means for detecting engagement of an object with the unit, processing means for generating a signal in response to the engagement, communication means for transmitting and receiving signals, and means for indicating an instruction to a user. <CIT> B describes a novel missed-hit detection and player proximity detection system for an electronic, automatically scored projectile target game apparatus. <CIT> describes an improved electronic impact detection method for the detection of an impact upon a toy or game surface.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an impact target for a sports simulator, the impact target comprising:.

Positioning the vibration sensor in the opening advantageously locates the vibration sensor closer to an impact surface of the impact target thereby improving sensitivity compared with an impact target with a sensor positioned on the rear surface.

The plate may be configured to vibrate in response to the impact of the sports projectile with the impact target.

The vibration sensor may be configured to detect a vibration in response to the impact of the sports projectile with the impact target.

The opening may extend through a thickness of the plate from the rear surface to the front surface. The opening may extend entirely through a thickness of the plate from the rear surface to the front surface.

The impact target may further comprise a cover plate overlying the opening on the front surface.

The cover plate may comprise one or more perforations.

The impact target may comprise a compressible seal arranged to separate the cover sheet from the front surface to provide the air gap.

The vibration sensor may be mechanically mounted on a mount plate. The mount plate may be mechanically fixed to the rear surface of the plate.

The mount plate may be mechanically coupled to the cover plate.

The impact target may further comprise a compressible seal between the mount plate and the rear surface.

The opening may extend partially through a thickness of the plate from the rear surface towards the front surface.

A portion of the plate between the front surface and the opening may be perforated.

The impact target may further comprise a cover sheet overlying the front surface of the plate.

The impact target may comprise an air gap between the cover sheet and the front surface.

A cross-section of the opening may be adapted to conform to a cross-section of the vibration sensor.

The vibration sensor may comprise a piezo sensor. The piezo sensor may comprise a sensitive surface that faces towards the front surface of the plate.

The vibration sensor may comprise an accelerometer.

The rear surface may further comprise a one or more further openings. The impact target may further comprise one or more further vibration sensors respectively positioned in the one or more further openings.

The impact target may comprise a damper for isolating the vibration sensor from ambient vibrations.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a sports simulator comprising any of the impact targets disclosed herein.

In the following description, <NUM> mph is considered to be equal to <NUM>,<NUM>/h. Sports simulators may be used for sports training and / or in an entertainment setting, and can include a simulated reality in which users experience various aspects of a sport or game. Use of a sports simulator may include a user striking a ball towards one or more targets. In some sports simulators, such as a golf simulator, a user may strike a stationary ball towards the one or more targets. In other example sports simulators, such as a baseball simulator or a cricket simulator, a projectile or ball may be launched towards a user who can swing a limb, bat or racquet in an attempt to strike the ball towards the one or more targets.

Some sports simulators may implement ball tracking with a series of cameras to determine a trajectory of a ball struck by a user to provide feedback to the user. The feedback may comprise a score based on the trajectory of the ball. The score may relate to a gameplay score in an entertainment setting or to a quality score in a sports training setting. However, camera-based ball tracking can be expensive and the required computational processing can result in a lag time between the user striking the ball and receiving the feedback.

The present disclosure relates to an impact target responsive to an impact of a sports projectile with the impact target. Such impact targets can include an impact sensor that provides the feedback to the user more rapidly than ball tracking. Examples of the present disclosure include impact targets with increased sensitivity to impacts. Additionally or alternatively, examples of the present disclosure include impact sensors that are both mechanically robust to high impact forces and have a high sensitivity for detecting low impact forces.

<FIG> illustrates a sports simulator comprising one or more impact targets according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, the sports simulator is a cricket simulator <NUM>. The simulator <NUM> comprises a projectile launcher <NUM> for launching a sports projectile <NUM> (a ball in this example) towards a user <NUM>. In response, the user can strike the projectile <NUM> towards one or more impact targets <NUM>. The one or more impact targets <NUM> can detect an impact of the projectile <NUM> with the impact target <NUM> and provide feedback to the user <NUM>. The impact target <NUM> may provide a visual indication to the user <NUM> from the target itself or via a separate display screen <NUM>. In this example, the display screen <NUM> comprises an aperture though which the projectile launcher <NUM> launches the projectile <NUM> towards the user <NUM>. The display screen <NUM> may itself comprise one or more impact targets <NUM>. In this example, a further impact target <NUM>' may be arranged for impact with the sports projectile <NUM> in the event that the user <NUM> fails to strike the projectile <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate cross-sectional and perspective views of an impact target <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The figures illustrate various sections of the impact target <NUM> at various stages of assembly.

The impact target <NUM> comprises a plate <NUM> comprising a front surface <NUM> and a rear surface <NUM> opposite the front surface <NUM>. The rear surface <NUM> comprises an opening <NUM> which may also be referred to as a cavity, a pocket or an aperture. A vibration sensor <NUM> is fixedly positioned within the opening <NUM>. The vibration sensor <NUM> is configured to detect an impact of a sports projectile with the impact target <NUM>.

The impact sensor <NUM> may comprise an impact surface for receiving an impact from a sports projectile. In some examples, the impact surface may comprise the front surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM>. In other examples, the impact target <NUM> may comprise a cover sheet <NUM> covering the front surface of the <NUM> of the plate <NUM>. In such examples, the impact surface may be provided by the cover sheet <NUM>. The cover sheet <NUM> may deform in response to the impact and, in turn, the cover sheet may impact the front surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM>. Either way, the plate <NUM> is arranged with the front surface <NUM> towards an expected direction of impact.

Positioning the vibration sensor <NUM> in the opening <NUM> advantageously locates the vibration sensor <NUM> closer to the impact surface of the impact target <NUM> thereby improving sensitivity compared with an impact target with a sensor positioned on the rear surface <NUM>. Furthermore, by locating the vibration sensor <NUM> closer to vibration axes in the plane of the plate <NUM>, the vibration sensor <NUM> can undergo a larger vibrational displacement when the plate <NUM> vibrates in response to an impact, further improving sensitivity. In addition, the enclosed pocket formed by the opening <NUM> can concentrate, channel and / or focus air vibrations (or pressure waves) around the vibration sensor <NUM> which can further improve the sensitivity of the impact target <NUM>, particularly in examples wherein the vibration sensor <NUM> is a piezo sensor.

In this example, the vibration sensor comprises a piezo sensor <NUM>. However, in other examples the vibration may comprise an accelerometer or other vibration sensors known in the art. The piezo sensor <NUM> includes a sensitive surface <NUM> that faces towards the front surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM> and the impact surface. The sensitive surface <NUM> includes an aperture <NUM> that can detect vibration from acoustic waves or pressure waves of air incident on the aperture <NUM>. Such pressure waves may be provided by movement of the piezo sensor <NUM> relative to the surrounding air which may arise from: (i) movement of the piezo sensor <NUM> due to its mechanical coupling to the plate <NUM> which can vibrate in response to the impact of the sports projectile with the impact surface; and / or (ii) air pressure waves generated within the opening <NUM> due to the impact. The piezo sensor <NUM> can output an electrical signal in response to the detection of a pressure wave. The impact target <NUM> may use the electrical signal to provide feedback to the user in any way that is known in the art including visual, audio and haptic feedback.

The plate <NUM> may be considered as a chassis of the impact target <NUM>. The dimensions of the plate <NUM> can affect the sensitivity of the impact target. For example, thick plates with larger surface areas may be less sensitive to impacts, particularly for impacts located towards the edge of the plate <NUM>. Typically, there may be a trade-off between using a thick plate for robustness to high force impacts versus using a thin plate to enable a large surface area target. As described herein, the disclosed impact targets benefit from an increased sensitivity for a particular set of dimensions, thereby alleviating the plate thickness / area / sensitivity trade-off to an extent. The plate may comprise wood, metal, metal alloy or high density plastic. In one example, the plate comprises High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE). In some examples, the impact target may comprise a <NUM> x <NUM> HDPE plate. In other examples, the impact target may comprise a <NUM> x <NUM> plywood plate. In further examples, the plate may comprise a larger surface area and include multiple openings with respective vibration sensors as discussed below in relation to <FIG>.

In this example, the opening <NUM> extends through a thickness of the plate <NUM> from the rear surface <NUM> to the front surface <NUM>, as can be seen in <FIG>. Extending the opening through the entire thickness of the plate <NUM> can make the impact target <NUM> easier to manufacture.

In one or more examples, a cross-sectional area of the opening <NUM> may be dimensioned to conform to a cross-sectional area of the piezo sensor <NUM>. For example, a ratio of a cross-sectional area of the opening <NUM> to a cross sectional area of the piezo sensor <NUM> may be from <NUM> to <NUM>, for example, <NUM> to <NUM> or <NUM> to <NUM>. Conforming a cross-section of the opening <NUM> to the cross-section of the piezo sensor <NUM> can provide a snug fit and advantageously improve a coupling between the piezo sensor <NUM> and vibrations in the plate <NUM>. The snug fit may also increase the robustness of the impact target <NUM>. Minimising a cross-section of the opening may also maintain the structural integrity of the plate <NUM> and provide a robust impact target <NUM>.

In this example, the impact target <NUM> further comprises a cover sheet <NUM> covering the front surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM>. The cover sheet <NUM> may comprise a flexible material which can flex or deform in response to the impact of the sports projectile. The cover sheet <NUM> may be transparent, thereby enabling artwork to be displayed between the front surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM> and the cover sheet <NUM>. The cover sheet <NUM> can protect the artwork from scuffs resulting from an impact with the sports projectile. In some examples, the cover sheet <NUM> comprises Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG). PETG is both weatherproof and UV proof, thereby making the impact target <NUM> particularly suitable for outdoor use. The cover sheet <NUM> can protect the piezo sensor <NUM> in the opening <NUM> from direct impacts with the sports projectile.

The cover sheet <NUM> may be spaced apart from the front surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM> to provide an air gap <NUM> or spacing between the front surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM> and the cover sheet <NUM>. In response to an impact of a sports projectile with the cover sheet <NUM>, the cover sheet <NUM> will deform towards the front surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM> creating a shockwave or pressure wave in the air gap <NUM>. The shockwave may travel through the air gap in a plane parallel to the front surface <NUM>. The piezo sensor <NUM> can detect the shockwave as it travels through the air gap <NUM> to the opening <NUM>. The opening <NUM> may concentrate or focus the shockwave thereby increasing a magnitude or amplitude of the shockwave as it reaches the aperture <NUM> of the piezo sensor <NUM>. In this way, the cover sheet <NUM> can further enhance the sensitivity of the impact target <NUM>. For example, in a scenario where an impact force of the sports projectile hitting the impact target <NUM> is insufficient to cause vibration of the plate <NUM>, the shockwave generated by the cover sheet <NUM> may still generate a detectable pressure wave for the piezo sensor <NUM>.

The impact target <NUM> may further comprise a compressible seal <NUM>. The compressible seal <NUM> may be positioned between the front surface <NUM> and the cover sheet <NUM> to separate the front surface <NUM> from the cover sheet <NUM> and provide the air gap <NUM>. The compressible seal <NUM> may be placed around a perimeter of the front surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM>. The compressible seal <NUM> may provide the cover sheet <NUM> with a spring / elastic effect such that the cover sheet <NUM> and compressible seal <NUM> can deform in response to an impact before returning to its original shape. The compressible seal <NUM> may comprise foam, rubber or any other suitable material as known in the art. In one example the compressible seal may comprise ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).

In some examples, the impact target <NUM> may comprise a retainer <NUM> (shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) that clamps the plate <NUM>, the cover sheet <NUM> and the compressible seal <NUM>. The retainer <NUM> may clamp the items with the compressible seal <NUM> under partial compression. <FIG> illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view at an edge of the plate <NUM> of the impact target <NUM>. In this example, the retainer <NUM> is a retaining bracket clamping the compressible seal <NUM> between the cover sheet <NUM> and the plate <NUM> to provide the air gap <NUM>. In some examples, the retaining bracket may be provided around the perimeter of the plate <NUM> to hold the impact target together (see <FIG>).

In the illustrated example, the impact sensor <NUM> further comprises a cover plate <NUM> (visible in <FIG>) overlying or closing the opening <NUM> on the front surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM>. The cover plate <NUM> may be fixed to fastenings <NUM> on the front surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM>. The cover plate <NUM> may reside in a recess on the front surface <NUM>.

The cover plate <NUM> may vibrate or reverberate independently of, or as a superposition to, any vibration of the plate <NUM>. As the cover plate <NUM> is located directly above the piezo sensor <NUM>, the vibration of the cover plate <NUM> can advantageously increase a magnitude or amplitude of pressure waves incident on the piezo sensor <NUM> for a particular impact force. The cover plate <NUM> may vibrate in response to vibrations of the plate <NUM>. The cover plate <NUM> may cooperate with the cover sheet <NUM> and vibrate in response to the shockwave produced by the cover sheet <NUM>. In this way, the cover plate <NUM> may vibrate in response to impacts with an impact force, or position of impact, for which the plate <NUM> does not vibrate.

In some examples, the cover plate <NUM> can advantageously provide protection for the cover sheet <NUM>. In the absence of a cover plate <NUM>, a sports projectile incident directly over the opening <NUM> may deform the cover sheet into the opening <NUM> and cause the cover sheet <NUM> to fracture. The cover plate <NUM> can prevent such excessive deformation and prevent or reduce the likelihood of any fracturing of the cover sheet <NUM>.

In some examples, the cover plate <NUM> may be perforated (comprise one or more holes). A perforated cover plate may permit air flow into and out of the opening <NUM>. As a result, the perforated cover plate may advantageously transfer air pressure waves resulting from an impact through the perforated cover plate <NUM> into the opening <NUM>. In some examples, the perforations may transfer the shockwave, provided by the cover sheet <NUM>, into the opening <NUM>. This may advantageously concentrate or increase a magnitude of the shockwave.

In this example, the piezo sensor <NUM> is mounted on a mount plate <NUM> that is mechanically coupled to the rear surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM>. The mount plate <NUM> may be coupled to the rear surface by mechanical fixings and/or fastenings. The rear surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM> may have one or more nylon fasteners for mounting the mount plate mount plate <NUM> with corresponding fixings. Nylon fasteners may advantageously allow the mount plate <NUM> to vibrate and the nylon fasteners to flex without working loose from the rear surface <NUM>.

The piezo sensor <NUM> may be mechanically mounted on the mount plate <NUM>. Mechanically coupling the piezo sensor <NUM> to the plate <NUM> can provide a robust impact target <NUM> that can withstand high impact forces without dislocation of the piezo sensor <NUM>. The mechanical mount plate <NUM> may comprise a clamp <NUM> for securing wires of the piezo sensor <NUM> and wires of a connection port <NUM> to further improve robustness to high impact forces. Securing wiring of the impact target <NUM> can prevent wiring joint dislocation resulting from repetitive high impact forces.

In some examples, the impact target <NUM> may comprise a second compressible seal (not illustrated) between the rear surface <NUM> and the mount plate <NUM>. The second compressible seal can enable the mount plate <NUM> to vibrate or flex relative to the plate <NUM> in response to an impact with the target surface. For example, the mount plate <NUM> may tend to vibrate at a different natural vibration frequency to the plate <NUM>. The second compressible seal may also provide water ingress protection to the opening <NUM> aiding suitability of the impact target <NUM> for outdoor use.

In some examples, the mount plate <NUM> may be directly mechanically coupled or connected to the cover plate <NUM>. For example, one or more struts <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) or transfer studs may extend between and connect the mount plate <NUM> and the cover plate <NUM>. In this way, vibrations on the cover plate <NUM> may be transferred to the mount plate <NUM> and the piezo sensor <NUM>, further enhancing sensitivity of the impact target <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate views of the front of the impact target <NUM> fully assembled. Artwork is installed under the cover sheet <NUM> obscuring the view of the cover plate <NUM>. The retaining brackets <NUM> extend around the perimeter of the impact target <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the rear of the impact target <NUM> fully assembled. The mount plate <NUM> is installed over the opening <NUM>. The connection port <NUM> is accessible for connection to external circuitry. As discussed below, the connection port <NUM> can provide an output signal from the piezo sensor <NUM> in response to impacts of the sports projectile with the impact target <NUM>. The connection port may also provide electrical power to circuitry of the impact target <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the operation of the impact target <NUM> of <FIG> in response to an impact with a sports projectile, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In this example, a sports projectile in the form of a ball <NUM> impacts the impact target <NUM>. In <FIG>, the impact surface comprises the cover sheet <NUM>. The cover sheet <NUM> deforms in response to the impact force exerted by the ball <NUM>. The cover sheet <NUM> deforms such that the cover sheet <NUM> impacts the front surface <NUM> of the plate <NUM>. In this way, the cover sheet <NUM> can transfer the impact force of the ball <NUM> to the front surface <NUM>. The impact of the ball <NUM> on the cover sheet <NUM> produces a shockwave <NUM> in the air gap <NUM> between the cover sheet <NUM> and the plate <NUM>. The shockwave <NUM> travels along a plane parallel to the front surface <NUM> towards the opening <NUM>. The cover plate <NUM> may vibrate in response to the shockwave <NUM> to transfer energy in the shockwave (via an air pressure wave) to the opening <NUM> and the piezo sensor <NUM>. Any perforations in the cover plate <NUM> may also transfer and may concentrate energy in the shockwave (via a pressure wave) into the opening <NUM> and onto the piezo sensor <NUM>.

The impact of the cover sheet <NUM> on the front surface <NUM> of the plate, in response to the impact of the ball <NUM>, also produces a vibration <NUM> in the plate <NUM>. The plate <NUM> may vibrate about an axis <NUM> through a centre of the thickness of the plate parallel to the front surface <NUM>. The piezo sensor <NUM> can detect the vibration <NUM> of the plate <NUM> as it is mechanically coupled to the plate <NUM> via mount plate <NUM>. The piezo sensor <NUM> may undergo a large displacement in response to the vibration because of the position of the piezo sensor <NUM> close to the axis <NUM>. The motion of the piezo sensor <NUM> within the opening <NUM> relative to the surrounding air may further amplify the sensing effect.

In summary, the piezo sensor <NUM> is arranged within an opening / cavity of the plate <NUM> to enhance its sensitivity to vibrations <NUM> of the plate <NUM> and shockwaves <NUM> produced by the cover sheet <NUM>. Placing the piezo sensor <NUM> within the opening and closer to the front surface <NUM> than if it was mounted on the rear surface <NUM> can improve sensitivity to impacts of the plate <NUM>. In turn, this can enable a relatively large impact target to be produced that can adequately sense an impact at its periphery.

<FIG> illustrates an impact target <NUM> according to a further aspect of the present disclosure. Features of the impact target that are present in the embodiment of <FIG> have been given corresponding numbers in the <NUM> series and will not necessarily be described again here.

The impact target <NUM> comprises a plate <NUM> comprising a front surface <NUM> and a rear surface <NUM> opposite the front surface <NUM>. The rear surface <NUM> comprises an opening <NUM>. A vibration sensor <NUM> is fixedly positioned within the opening <NUM>. The vibration sensor <NUM> is configured to detect an impact of a sports projectile with the impact target <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the opening <NUM> extends through the entire thickness of the plate <NUM>. However, the impact target <NUM> comprises neither the cover plate nor cover sheet of <FIG>. The impact target <NUM> provides a simple arrangement with minimal components. In some examples, a cross-section of the opening may have a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the sports projectile. This can advantageously prevent the sports projectile from directly impacting the vibration sensor <NUM> and prevent it being damaged by the projectile.

Positioning the vibration sensor <NUM> in the opening <NUM> advantageously locates the vibration sensor <NUM> closer to the impact surface (the front surface <NUM> in this example) of the impact target <NUM> thereby improving sensitivity compared with an impact target with a sensor positioned on the rear surface <NUM>. Furthermore, by locating the vibration sensor <NUM> closer to vibration axes in the plane of the plate <NUM>, the vibration sensor can undergo a larger vibrational displacement when the plate <NUM> vibrates in response to an impact, further improving sensitivity. In addition, the channel formed by the opening <NUM> can concentrate, channel and / or focus air vibrations (or pressure waves) around the vibration sensor <NUM> which can further improve the sensitivity of the impact target <NUM>, particularly if the vibration sensor comprises a piezo sensor.

The vibration sensor <NUM> can advantageously detect vibrations in the plate <NUM> in the same way as described above in relation to <FIG>. In some examples, the vibration sensor may comprise a piezo sensor <NUM> which may detect air vibrations or pressure waves that travel along the front (impact) surface <NUM> in response to an impact with a sports projectile. The pressure waves can channel and concentrate into the opening <NUM> arriving at the piezo sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a further impact target <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Features of the impact target <NUM> that are present in the embodiment of <FIG> have been given corresponding numbers in the <NUM> series and will not necessarily be described again here.

In this example, the opening <NUM> extends partially through the thickness of the plate <NUM>. As a result, an integral cover <NUM> (integral to the plate <NUM>) separates the opening <NUM> from the front surface <NUM> and the impact surface.

In the same way as the examples discussed above, the vibration sensor <NUM> is located in opening <NUM> of the impact target <NUM> such that it has improved sensitivity. In this example, the vibration sensor is a piezo sensor <NUM>.

In this example, the impact surface comprises the cover sheet <NUM>. The cover sheet <NUM> may produce a shockwave in the same way as described in relation to <FIG>.

The integral cover <NUM> may have a natural vibration frequency different to a natural vibration frequency of the plate <NUM>. As a result, the integral cover may vibrate or reverberate at its own frequency directly in front of the opening <NUM> and the piezo sensor <NUM>. In this way, the integral cover <NUM> may function in a similar way to the cover plate of <FIG> and increase a magnitude or amplitude of air vibrations in the opening <NUM> and incident on the piezo sensor <NUM>. The integral cover <NUM> may vibrate in response to vibrations of the plate <NUM> and / or in response to the shockwave produced by the cover sheet <NUM>.

In some examples, the integral cover may comprise one or more perforations for transferring pressure waves from the air gap <NUM> to the opening <NUM> in the same way as described in relation to the cover plate of <FIG>.

In one or more further example impact targets, the vibration sensor may be an accelerometer or other vibration sensor known in the art. Although the example impact targets of <FIG> are predominantly disclosed in relation to a piezo sensor the features of each of the figures may equally apply to an impact target comprising a vibration sensor other than a piezo sensor. Only features that solely rely on the direct detection of an air pressure wave incident on the aperture of the piezo sensor may not apply to other vibration sensors such as an accelerometer. However, impact targets incorporating other vibration sensors such as an accelerometer may indirectly detect an air pressure wave. For example, if the piezo sensor of <FIG> was replaced with an accelerometer, the accelerometer could indirectly detect the air shock wave produced by the cover sheet in examples including a cover plate mechanically connected to the mount plate. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that all features of <FIG> not related to the direct detection of an air pressure wave can apply to impact targets comprising an accelerometer or other vibration sensor. For example, features related to: detection of the mechanical vibration of the plate; the mechanical arrangement of the impact target; the opening; the mount plate; the cover sheet; the cover plate; the first and second compressible seals; the transfer struts; the retainer, among others may be implemented in embodiments comprising an accelerometer or other non-piezo based vibration sensor.

The vibration sensor of all embodiments is arranged to detect an impact of a sports projectile with the impact target. The vibration sensor may detect vibrations of the plate and / or air vibrations or pressure waves resulting from the impact.

The vibration sensor may generate an electrical signal in response to detecting the impact. For example, the air pressure waves or acoustic waves incident on a piezo element of the piezo sensor may alter a resistance of the piezo element which can be detected by circuity. As a further example, an accelerometer can provide an electrical signal in response to mechanical vibrations. Such operations are known in the art and not described in detail here.

The impact target may comprise circuity for generating an output signal in response to the electrical signal. The output signal may comprise the electrical signal or may comprise parameters of the electrical signal, an amplified version of the electrical signal and / or a digital representation of the electrical signal. The impact target may comprise one or more transmission components for transmitting the output signal. For example, the impact target may provide for wireless or wired communication (for example via the connection port) for transmitting the output signal to a remote processor. The remote processor may form part of a sports simulator and provide feedback to a user. The feedback may comprise an indication that the impact target has been hit or a score dependent on the impact force, impact target location and / or a time of impact. The feedback may be provided by LEDs or a display screen.

In some examples, the impact target may comprise a visual indicator for providing the feedback directly to the user. The visual indicator may be directly connected to the vibration sensor or circuitry and provide near instantaneous feedback to the user. For example, the impact target may comprise one or more LEDs, LCDs or other display devices suitable for providing the feedback to the user.

In some examples, the impact target may comprise a processor for processing the electrical signal from the vibration sensor. The processor may control the visual indicator in response to the electrical signal. Alternatively, the processor may control a communication module to communicate the output signal to an external screen, device or processor.

In some examples, the processor may apply one or more thresholds to the electrical signal from the vibration sensor. For example, the processor may apply a lower level threshold to the electrical signal. The processor may determine an electrical signal to correspond to an impact at the impact target if a level of the electrical signal is greater than or equal to the lower level threshold. The processor may determine an electrical signal to correspond to ambient noise or ambient vibrations if a level of the electrical signal is less than the lower level threshold. In this way, the impact target may avoid false positive impact detections arising from ambient noise or vibrations (for example a user walking past the impact target).

In some examples, the impact target may comprise one or more mechanical dampers. The one or more mechanical dampers can isolate the impact target from vibrations in its surrounding environment. The mechanical dampers may form part of a stand or mounting bracket for positioning the impact target. Isolating the impact target from vibrations in the surrounding environment can further improve the sensitivity of the impact target to low force impacts.

<FIG> illustrates a further impact target <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The impact target <NUM> comprises two assemblies according to the example of <FIG> mechanically coupled back to back. The impact target <NUM> operates under the same principles as the example of <FIG>. However, the back to back arrangement provides at least two opposing impact surfaces that are sensitive to impacts with a sports projectile. The impact target <NUM> may be particularly suitable for use as a backstop target in a baseball simulator or a wicket in a cricket simulator. The impact target may be sensitive to impacts from any direction making it particularly suitable for simulation of a run-out.

In this example, the impact target <NUM> comprises a plurality of vibration sensors housed in a respective plurality of openings <NUM>-A, <NUM>-B, <NUM>-C, <NUM>-D on the rear surface of the plate. In this example, the impact target comprises four vibration sensors arranged in four quadrants of the impact target. Providing a plurality of vibration sensors can be particularly advantageous for large area impact targets such as those used as the display screen in <FIG>. Providing a plurality of vibration sensors may also enable the impact target to determine a position of impact on the impact surface. In this example, each vibration sensor can produce a corresponding electrical signal. The impact target may provide an output signal as described above in relation to the other sensors. The impact target may comprise a processor for receiving the plurality of electrical signals. The processor may determine a position of impact on the impact surface based on the relative magnitudes of the plurality of electrical signals.

The disclosed impact targets comprise an opening in the rear surface of the plate that advantageously increases a sensitivity of the vibration sensor to impacts of the impact target with a sports projectile. As a result, the plate can be made thicker to improve the robustness of the impact target to high force impacts. Typically, a thicker plate responds less to a particular impact resulting in reduced sensitivity, particularly at the edges of the impact plate. A relatively thick plate can also be useful in enabling the impact target to house one or feedback components (such as a strip of LEDs) within its thickness. The increased impact sensitivity of the disclosed impact targets allows the use of thick plates that can withstand high impact forces such as a baseball or cricket ball travelling at a velocity of the order of <NUM> mph, while maintaining sensitivity for low force impacts.

Therefore, the disclosed impact targets provide a robust impact target that can withstand high impact force while maintaining a high sensitivity to register weak impact forces and avoid missing low force impacts and the resulting user frustration. In this way, the impact sensor can detect a wide range of impact force.

Claim 1:
An impact target (<NUM>) for a sports simulator, the impact target comprising:
a plate (<NUM>) comprising a front surface (<NUM>) and a rear surface (<NUM>) opposite the front surface, the rear surface comprising an opening (<NUM>), the plate configured to vibrate in response to an impact of a sports projectile (<NUM>) with the impact target; and
a vibration sensor (<NUM>) fixedly positioned within the opening, the vibration sensor configured to detect the impact of a sports projectile with the impact target,
wherein the opening (<NUM>) extends through a thickness of the plate from the rear surface (<NUM>) to the front surface (<NUM>), and the impact target further comprises:
a cover sheet (<NUM>) overlying the front surface (<NUM>) of the plate (<NUM>); and
an air gap (<NUM>) between the cover sheet (<NUM>) and the front surface (<NUM>).