WO2012112604A1

WO2012112604A1 - Target system methods and apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2012112604A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/025118
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bruce Hodge
Original assignee: Bruce Hodge
Priority date: 2011-02-14
Filing date: 2012-02-14
Publication date: 2012-08-23
Also published as: EP2676100A4; EP2676100A1

Abstract

A target system includes a resistive matrix target contacting a substrate and contacting a purely conductive buss to electrically connect the target to the buss. A conductive foil contacts the buss and is folded around the substrate to contact a rear surface of the substrate opposite the target. The conductive foil is electrically connected to the target and provides a buss of a larger surface area relative to the purely conductive buss and provides a more robust buss relative to an impact of the projectile due to the increased surface area.

Description

TARGET SYSTEM METHODS AND APPARATUS

Cross Reference To Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/442,612 filed February 14, 2011, entitled "Target Systems and Methods", and U.S. Provisional

Application No. 61/444,863 filed February 21, 2011, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Mannequin Lifter and Interconnection", the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference. This application also claims priority to U.S. Serial No. 13/042,351 filed on March 7, 2011, entitled Target System Methods and Apparatus, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This application is also related to U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,113, U.S. Patent No. 7,207,566 and U.S. Patent No. 7,862,045, and U.S. Patent Application No. 11/853,574, filed September 11, 2007, and entitled "Thermal Target System" the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by referenced.

Referenced Prior Art

[0002] In 1892 Carl Vogel was awarded U.S. Patent No. 474,109 entitled Self Marking and

Indicating Target. In the patent he describes a short circuit target that uses two conductive plates insulated by a non-conducting medium spaced in such a way that a bullet passing through the target will for a moment in time create a short between the two plates. By applying a voltage potential across those plates a short caused by a bullet passing through can easily be detected.

[0003] In 1971 U.S. Patent No. 3,580,579 entitled Electric Target Apparatus for indicating Hit Points was issued describing a technique of determining the X-Y impact location using short circuit target plates that are tilted in both the X and Y direction. By analyzing the time between impacts of each plate the projectile X-Y entry point can be determined. This patent technology will only work if the shooter is shooting perpendicular to the target plates. What my invention describes is a way to sense X-Y impact location from

360 degrees around a target such as a mannequin.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 6,133,989 and U.S. Patent No. 6,414,746 describe a 3D laser sensing system that can detect objects using a diffused pulsed laser beam and an optic sensor. The current embodiment of the non-contact X-Y impact locator is based on this technology. Using 3D laser technology round impact from land, air or sea can be determined. An interactive mannequin can utilize this technology to not only detect round impact X-Y and trajectories it can also be used to gain situation awareness and have the mannequin respond accordingly.

Copyright Notice

[0005] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent & Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

Technical Field

[0006] The present application relates to methods and apparatus for target systems that can detect impact location and produce life like reactions in response to the impacts as well as present a realistic thermal signature.

Background of the Invention

[0007] There is a need to produce mannequin targets that could determine location of impact for both penetrating and non-penetrating rounds and generate a human like thermal signature. Kill and non-kill zones need to be established to determine the lethality of impact or penetration. Current live fire mannequin target systems have no moving arms or legs and utilize knock sensors attached to High Density Polyethylene plastic target to determine if a target has been hit. When the mannequin is hit, the entire mannequin falls to the ground in a non-realistic manner and has no thermal signature capability. Thus, a need exists for target systems and methods for controlling targets which provide a realistic response and thermal signature.

[0008] There is a need to produce a thermal target system having a realistic human thermal signature from an aerial view. There is also a need to improve existing thermal panels so that they can survive 120 mm rounds as well as multiple small arms rounds without having the power buss severed. With the cost of conductive inks rising due to the price of silver there is a need for an alternate way of creating robust power busses. [0009] There is a need to determine the impact location of targets be it pop up, mannequin, or vehicle targets. Current target systems only allow engagement from the front of the target which is not realistic from a battle field point of view. Most targets are engaged from 360 degrees and therefore a 360 degree X-Y sensor is needed to properly assess the damage/lethality of the impact.

Summary of the Invention

[0010] The description herein depicts multiple embodiments of systems and methods to

thermalize targets. A method or apparatus for thermalizing a target includes a target having a heating surface which remains intact and functioning after impact by large projectiles. A method or apparatus to create a human thermal signature visible from an aerial viewpoint. A method or apparatus for creating robust power busses using alternative metals and application methods.

[0011 ] This invention also shows how to use both resistive and short circuit technology to create Omni-directional impact detectors that can locate the X-Y impact location of projectiles both entering a target system and exiting a target system.

[0012] Table 1 : Segment Identifying Resistance for Projectile Entering 2 Wire Omni

Directional Target

[0013] Table 2: Segment Identifying Resistance for Projectile Existing 2 Wire Omni

Directional Target.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] Figure 1 is an Unidirectional Elliptical Target Isometric View;

[0015] Figure 2 is an Unidirectional Elliptical Target Top View;

[0016] Figure 3 is an Unidirectional Elliptical Target Timing Diagram;

[0017] Figure 4 is an Unidirectional Conic Target with Front & Back Sensors Isometric View;

[0018] Figure 5 is an Unidirectional Conic Target with Front & Back Sensors Top View;

[0019] Figure 6 is an Unidirectional Conic Target with Dual Front Sensors Isometric View; [0020] Figure 7 is an Unidirectional Conic Target with Dual Front Sensors Rear View;

[0021] Figure 8 is an Omni Directional Cylindrical Target with Solid Inner/Outer Sensors Isometric View;

[0022] Figure 9 is an Omni Directional Cylindrical Target with Solid Inner/Outer Sensors Top View;

[0023] Figure 10 is an Omni Directional Cylindrical Target with Solid Inner/Outer Sensors Cutaway View;

[0024] Figure 11 is an Omni Directional Cylindrical Target with Segmented Inner/Outer Sensors Isometric View;

[0025] Figure 12 is an Omni Directional Cylindrical Target with Segmented Inner/Outer Sensors Top View;

[0026] Figure 13 is an Omni Directional Cylindrical Target with Segmented Inner/Outer Sensors Cutaway View;

[0027] Figure 14 is an Omni Directional Cylindrical Target with Resistive Rubber

Interconnection Isometric View;

[0028] Figure 15 is an Omni Directional Cylindrical Target with Resistive Rubber Inner

Sensor Isometric View;

[0029] Figure 16 is a Resistive Rubber Acquisition System Simulated using a Sense Resistor Circuit;

[0030] Figure 17 is an Omni Directional Cylindrical/Spherical Target Isometric View;

[0031] Figure 18 is an Omni Directional Cylindrical/Spherical Target Top View;

[0032] Figure 19 is an Omni Directional Cylindrical/Spherical Target Spherical sensor

Isometric View;

[0033] Figure 20 is an Omni Directional Cylindrical/Spherical Target with segmented Sensors Isometric View; [0034] Figure 21 is an Omni Directional Cylindrical/Spherical Target with segmented Sensors Top View;

[0035] Figure 22 is an Omni Directional Elliptical Target with segmented Sensors Isometric View;

[0036] Figure 23 is an Omni Directional Elliptical Target with segmented Sensors Top View;

[0037] Figure 24 is an Omni Directional Elliptical Target with segmented Sensors Vertical Cutaway View;

[0038] Figure 25 is an Omni Directional Elliptical Target with segmented Sensors Horizontal Cutaway View;

[0039] Figure 26 is a Mannequin HDPE Torso Isometric View;

[0040] Figure 27 is a Mannequin HDPE Torso with Front Only Sensors/Heaters Isometric View;

[0041] Figure 28 is a Mannequin HDPE Torso with Front Only Chest, Shoulder, & Head sensors Isometric View;

[0042] Figure 29 is a Mannequin HDPE Torso with Front Only Chest, Shoulder, Head & Kill Zone Isometric View;

[0043] Figure 30 is a Mannequin HDPE Torso with Enclosed Chest, Shoulder, & Head

Isometric View;

[0044] Figure 31 is a Mannequin HDPE Torso with Enclosed Chest, Shoulder, Head & Kill Zone Isometric View;

[0045] Figure 32 is a Mannequin HDPE Torso with Segmented Chest, Shoulder, & Head Isometric View;

[0046] Figure 33 is a Mannequin HDPE Torso with Segmented Chest, Shoulder, Head & Kill Zone Isometric View;

[0047] Figure 34 is a Mannequin HDPE Torso with Segmented Chest & Kill Zone Isometric View; [0048] Figure 35 is a Mannequin HDPE Torso with Segmented Chest & Kill Zone Top View;

[0049] Figure 36 is a Mannequin HDPE Torso with Segmented Head & Kill Zone Isometric View;

[0050] Figure 37 is a Mannequin HDPE Torso with Segmented Head & Kill Zone Top View;

[0051] Figure 38 is a Mannequin HDPE Torso with Segmented Sensors Cutaway View;

[0052] Figure 39 is a Mannequin Non Contact LIDAR Based System Isometric View;

[0053] Figure 40 is a Mannequin Non Contact LIDAR Based System Top View;

[0054] Figure 41 is a Mannequin Non Contact LIDAR SA/HD Sensors Isometric View;

[0055] Figure 42: Mannequin Non Contact LIDAR HD Sensors Isometric View;

[0056] Figure 43 is a Mannequin Non Contact LIDAR HD Sensors Top View;

[0057] Figure 44 is a Mannequin Non Contact LIDAR SA & HD Sensors Isometric View;

[0058] Figure 45 is a Short Circuit LOMAH Target Front Isometric View;

[0059] Figure 46 is a Short Circuit LOMAH Target Back Isometric View;

[0060] Figure 47 is a Short Circuit LOMAH Target Row Contact Pads Isometric View;

[0061 ] Figure 48 is a Short Circuit LOMAH Target Row Contact Pads 2^nd Layer Isometric View;

[0062] Figure 49 is a Short Circuit LOMAH Target Row Contact Pads 3^rd Layer Isometric View;

[0063] Figure 50 is a Short Circuit LOMAH Target Row Contact Pads 3^rd Layer Isometric 2D Wire View;

[0064] Figure 51 is a Short Circuit LOMAH Target Row Bottom Contact Pads Isometric View;

[0065] Figure 52 is a Short Circuit LOMAH Target Exploded Diagram Isometric View; [0066] Figure 53 is a Short Circuit LOMAH Target Front Columns with Resistive Rubber Isometric View;

[0067] Figure 54 is a Short Circuit LOMAH Target Back Rows with Resistive Rubber

Isometric View;

[0068] Figure 55 is a Short Circuit LOMAH Target with Resistive Rubber & Center Foil Layer Isometric View;

[0069] Figure 56 is a Resistive Trace LOMAH Target Front Columns Isometric View;

[0070] Figure 57 is a Resistive Trace LOMAH Target Single Power Buss Close-up Isometric View;

[0071] Figure 58 is a Resistive Trace LOMAH Target Back Rows Isometric View;

[0072] Figure 59 is a Resistive Trace LOMAH Target Right Side Isometric View;

[0073] Figure 60 is a Resistive Trace LOMAH Target Close-up of Row Traces Isometric View;

[0074] Figure 61 is a Resistive Trace LOMAH Target Close-up of Bottom Connection

Isometric View;

[0075] Figure 62 is a LOMAH Resistive Sensor on Thin Plastic Non-Kill Zone Front View;

[0076] Figure 63 is a LOMAH Resistive Sensor on Thin Plastic Kill Zone Front View;

[0077] Figure 64 is a LOMAH Resistive Sensor on Thin Plastic Kill & Non-Kill Zone Front View;

[0078] Figure 65 is a LOMAH Short Circuit Kill & Left/Right Non-Kill Zone Isometric View;

[0079] Figure 66 is a LOMAH Short Circuit Kill & Left/Right Non-Kill Zone Close Up Isometric View;

[0080] Figure 67 is a LOMAH Short Circuit Back Side Isometric View; [0081] Figure 68 is a LOMAH Short Circuit Aerial or Escalation of Force Target 3D Wire Isometric View;

[0082] Figure 69 is a B27 Target on Lane Runner Clamp Isometric View;

[0083] Figure 70 is a B27 Target Foil Faceplate Isometric View;

[0084] Figure 71 is a B27 Target Middle Layer Foil Rings Isometric View;

[0085] Figure 72 is a B27 Target Back Foil Pickup Traces Isometric View;

[0086] Figure 73 is B27 Target Pickup Traces & Foil Rings Close-up Isometric View;

[0087] Figure 74 is a B27 Target Clamp, Pickup Pins & Traces Close-up 2D Wire Isometric View;

[0088] Figure 75 is a B27 Target Foil Faceplate Pickups Isometric View;

[0089] Figure 76 is a B27 Target Exploded Diagram Isometric View;

[0090] Figure 77 is a B27 Target Foil Rings Single Wire Pickup using Resistive Rubber Isometric View;

[0091 ] Figure 78 is a Backside of a mannequin torso with foil power buss strips for thermal heater membrane and/or impact detection sensors;

[0092] Figure 79 is a Picture of electrical snap connectors for conductive ink/foil base wiring harness;

[0093] Figure 80 is a Picture of a foil base wiring harness;

[0094] Figure 81 is a Resistive matrix thermal panel with solid conductive power busses;

[0095] Figure 82 is a Resistive matrix thermal panel with matrix shaped conductive power busses;

[0096] Figure 83 is a Resistive matrix thermal panel with foil strip power busses folded over back substrate; [0097] Figure 84 is a Close-up picture of a resistive matrix thermal panel with foil strips folded over; and

[0098] Figure 85 is a Close-up picture of the edge of a resistive matrix thermal panel with foil strips.

Detailed Description

[0099] Figure 1 shows a unidirectional elliptical target that is created using concentric

elliptical rings with a diagonal plate inside. Each of these rings and plates are comprised of two conductive sheets/foil/ink or metallic coating with a non-conducting medium. The distance between the plates is less than the expected projectile length ensuring an electrical short upon impact. The outer elliptical cylinder 101 is contiguous and is used to generate the first short circuit pulse need in determining the initial starting point of impact. The Inner elliptical cylinder 102 is spaced at a known distance and is used to generate a second pulse needed to determine the projectiles velocity at that instance i.e. distance/time = velocity. This inner elliptical cylinder is separated into 2 short circuit sensors by a distance that is less than the expected projectiles diameter. Each half of the inner elliptical cylinders are used to, in this orientation, determine the X location of impact. This is determined by looking at the time between the first and second impact of the inner elliptical cylinder. If the impact occurs in the center both halves of the inner elliptical cylinder will short simultaneously indicating an exact known X location. If the impact occurs between the outside of the inner elliptical sensor and inside the outer elliptical sensor then no pulses will be generated and the X position is either side of the target. By halving the outer elliptical cylinder similar to the inner elliptical cylinder the X position can be exactly determined. If the impact location is somewhere between the center and outer edge of the inner elliptical sensor then its X location can be determined by examining the time difference between the first and second pulse generated by the inner elliptical sensor. The diagonal plate 103 is placed in such a way to generate a pulse needed to determine the Y location of impact. This is done by comparing the time difference between the first or second elliptical sensor pulse and comparing the predetermined velocity described above.

[00100] Figure 2 shows the top view of the unidirectional elliptical target. The outer elliptical cylinder 201 and the inner elliptical cylinder 202 are spaced at a known distance. The diagonal plate sensor 203 travels diagonally from the front side of the inner elliptical sensor to the back side of the inner elliptical sensor at the opposite end.

[00101] Figure 3 shows a timing diagram of how the pulses are used to derive the X-Y impact point. The leading edge of the Outer Elliptical Sensor 301 and the leading edge of the Inner Elliptical Sensor 302 are used to determine the projectile's velocity. The leading edge of the Diagonal Sensor 303 is used to determine the Y position of the impact. The leading edge of the second pulse 304 on the Inner Elliptical Sensor is used to determine the X position of the impact. If you were to divide both the Inner & Outer elliptical sensor into smaller segments a more accurate X position as well as azimuth could be determined.

[00102] Figure 4 shows a Unidirectional target sensor system that is comprised of a front disk 401, a cone 402 segmented into four sections and a back disk 403. The front disk and the back disk are spaced at a known distance and are used to determine the projectile's velocity. The cone is used to determine both X and Y based on the time between the front disk pulse and the conic segment pulse. The segment generating the pulse determines which quadrant the bullet hit and the time between the front disk and the conic segment pulses determines where within that segment that the projectile hit. Again if you were to divide the cone into smaller segments a more accurate X-Y location can be determined. Figure 5 shows a top view of the Unidirectional Conic Target system. As you can see the front disk 501 and the back disk 504 are placed at a known distance. The upper left quadrant 502 and upper right quadrant 503 are positioned so that the projectile will enter and exit at a known angle making it easy to calculate both X and Y impact zone. Figure 6 shows another embodiment of the same invention. The front disk 601 has another disk 602 at a known distance behind it. The conic sensor 603 is behind the second disk and determines the X-Y as in the previous embodiment. Figure 7 shows the back view of the conic target system with four short circuit sensor segments upper right quadrant 701, upper left quadrant 702, lower right quadrant 703, and lower left quadrant 704.

[00103] Figure 8 shows an Omni-directional Cylindrical Target with contiguous outer 801 and inner 803 short circuit sensors placed at a known distance. Between both cylindrical sensors is a semi conic 802 short circuit sensor that is divided into two short circuit segments. Figure 9 shows a top view of the Omni-directional Cylindrical Target. When a projectile penetrates the outer ring 901 a pulse is generated. When the bullet hits the inner semi conic ring 903 a second pulse is generated in one of the four segments unless it is hit between two adjacent segments in which case X is position is known exactly. Next the inner cylindrical ring 902 is hit generating a third pulse. Then as the projectile exits a fourth pulse is generated by the inner cylindrical ring short circuit sensor and the semi conic ring generates another pulse. Finally the projectile exits generating a pulse on the outer cylindrical ring. Knowing which semi conic sensor segment is hit in the path of the projectile is used along with the time between pulses to approximate the X position and projectile azimuth. Correction factors are used to better approximate the trajectory path of the projectile. Azimuth approximation algorithms can be used to closely approximate both the velocity and X position.

[00104] Figure 10 shows a cutaway view of the Omni-directional Cylindrical Target. Between the outer cylindrical short circuit sensor 1001 and the inner cylindrical short circuit sensor 1003 is the semi conic short circuit sensor 1002. The slope of the sensor is calculated by measuring the distance across the top divided into the length vertically of the sensor. This sensor is used to determine the Y position of impact. As you can see when a projectile enters the target that has a trajectory path through the top of the target 1004 it will generate pulses, when comparing outer ring sensor to semi conic secondary ring, closer together then a projectile traveling through the bottom of the target 1005.

[00105] Figure 11 shows a multi segmented embodiment of the previous invention. The outer cylindrical short circuit sensor 1101 and inner cylindrical short circuit sensor 1103 are again placed at a known distance needed to calculate projectile velocity. The semi conic short circuit 1102 sensor is placed between the outer and inner cylindrical sensors and is used to determine the Y position of the projectile.

[00106] Figure 12 shows a top view of the segmented Omni-directional cylindrical target. The outer cylindrical short circuit sensor 1201, semi conic short circuit sensor 1202 and inner cylindrical short circuit sensor 1203 have all been divided into four segments and offset by 30 degrees. This target has the ability to more accurately determine the X position than the previous embodiment. When a projectile hits the outer ring which ever segment is hit determines the first X position approximation of entry. When the semi conic sensor is hit the second X approximation is determined and finally when the inner ring is hit the third X approximation can be easily determined. Then when the projectile starts to exit an even more exact X approximation occurs. Not only can the X-Y be readily determined the azimuth is also easily determined. The Y position of impact can also more accurately be determined due to the fact that an accurate azimuth can be calculated.

[00107] Figure 13 shows a cutaway view of the current invention. The outer cylindrical short circuit sensor 1301, semi conic short circuit sensor 1302, and outer cylindrical short circuit sensor 1303 are all segmented and shifted by 30 degrees. More than four segments can be used to achieve a more accurate position location of impact without deviating from the current invention.

[00108] To try and reduce the amount of interconnections to the segmented Omni-directional cylindrical target each of the inner side of each sensor can be manufactured as a single contiguous sheet of conductive material/foil or tied to each other so that only 1 wire is needed to power/sense all 3 sensors on the inner side.

[00109] Figure 14 shows another embodiment used to reduce the amount of wires needed to sense the segmented Omni-directional cylindrical target. A resistive rubber strip 1401 is bonded with conductive adhesive to the outer conductive sheet/foil/ink of each sensor. The outer cylindrical short circuit sensor 1403 is bonded to all segments and has a gap 1402 between 2 adjacent segments. The resistive rubber strap does not have to be contiguous. It can be segmented into smaller strips that just jumper three of the four gaps. Now only one wire needs to be attached to each outer conductive sheet/foil/ink. The resistive rubber would take a projectile impact and only change its resistance by a small amount, if any, due to its self healing properties.

[00110] Figure 15 shows the inner cylindrical short circuit sensor with the resistive rubber strip encompassing all but one gap 1501. Notice the opposite gap 1502 is bridged with the resistive rubber. When the projectile shorts the conductive sheets/foil/ink a short is detected across only the segment that the sense wire is attached to. All other segments show up as a resistance increasing as you move away from the segment with the sense wire attached. If the segments where wired so that the left most segment 1503 was directly attached to the sense wire and the next clockwise segments, 1504, 1505, 1506 were bridged across each gap with the resistive rubber, the resistance would increase as you move clockwise away from the left most segment. For example say that the resistive rubber was lk ohms at each gap then the sense wire would see 0 ohms for the first left most short circuit sensor segment, lk ohms if the next clockwise segment 1504 was hit, 2k ohms if the next segment 1505 was hit and finally 3k ohms if the last segment 1506 was hit. By using an analog sensing circuit both the time and resistance could be used to determine impact location. Figure 16 shows a simulated circuit that displays the response of such a system. Notice that the pulse edges on the oscilloscope 1601 are well defined and can easily be used to determine velocity and Y position. Also notice that the voltage drop across the sense resistor 1605 is unique for the short circuit that occurs across each of the four segments. The relays 1602 and capacitors 1603 emulate the sensor conductive sheets/foil/ink and insulator. The digital word generator 1604 fires the relays in successive order and the oscilloscope show each pulse maximum voltage level is increasing as you move toward the sensor wired to the sense wire that is connected to the sense resistor 1605. A sense resistor is used to create a resistive divider network that can detect the change in resistance of the short circuit sensor. Therefore it is obvious to see that both the time of impact, from the leading edge of the pulse, and sensor segment impacted, from the amplitude of the pulse, can be determined from such a circuit. If different resistive rubber was used for each sensor a target could be produced that requires only two wires. For example: if, in figure 14, the outer resistive rubber strap had a gap resistance of 100 ohms with a 100 ohm resistive rubber strap connected to the next inner semi conic ring and the semi conic ring had a gap resistive rubber strap of lk ohms with a lk ohm resistive rubber strap connected to the inner most cylindrical segmented short circuit sensor which in turn had a resistive rubber strap with a gap resistance of 5k ohms a two wire target could be created. As a projectile passes through each layer a unique resistance would appear across the sense resistor 1605 shown in Figure 16 and using the leading pulse edge as well as voltage amplitude both the time and identification of which ring and which segment within that ring was shorted by the projectile passing through. In Figure 14 the outer ring would present a 0,100,200 and 300 ohm resistance depending on which segment 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406 is hit starting from the segment 1403 directly attached to the sense wire and moving clockwise. When the projectile proceeds into the next semi conic ring

segments 1407, 1408, 1409, 1410 a resistance of 400, 1.4k, 2.4k, 3.4k will be sensed by the two wire target respectively. Finally as the projectile enters the inner most ring segment 1411, 1412, 1413, 1414 a resistance of 4.4k, 9.4k, 14.4k, and 19.4k respectively. As an example a projectile entering the target from the front will hit outer Ring segment 4 and present a sense resistance of 300 ohm. Then Semi Conic ring segment 4 will be hit and present a sense resistance of 3.4k ohms. Next the Inner ring segment 1 will be hit presenting a sense resistance of 4.4k ohms as shown in Table 1. Upon exiting the target the Inner ring segment 3 would be hit presenting a sense resistance of 14.4k ohms. Next the Semi Conic ring segment 2 would be hit presenting a sense resistance of 14k ohms. Finally as it exits the Outer Ring segment 2 a sense resistance of 100 ohms would be presented on the sense wire. So the projectile trajectory can easily be reconstructed simply by looking at the analog voltage levels combined with the leading edges of the pulses generated by each segment.

Table 1 : Segment Identifying Resistance for Projectile Entering 2 Wire Omni Directional Target

Inner Cylindrical Ring Semi Conic Ring Outer Cylindrical Sensor Sensor Ring Sensor

Resistance 5000 1000 100

Segment Id

1 0 0 0

2 0 1 1

3 1 0 0

4 0 0 0

Sense 14400 1400 100

Resistance

Table 2: Segment Identifying Resistance for Projectile Exiting 2 Wire Omni Directional Target ] Figure 17 shows an Omni directional target that has the ability to not only determine X-Y but azimuth and elevation as well. The target is comprised of an outer cylindrical short circuit sensor 1701, inner cylindrical short circuit sensor 1702 and a multi segmented sphere 1703. The sphere short circuit sensor gives the ability to detect X-Y entry and exit points and it can be used to determine both azimuth and elevation of projectile trajectory path. Figure 18 shows the top view with the outer cylindrical short circuit sensor 1801 and the inner cylindrical short circuit sensor 1802 being spaced at a known distance. The inner sphere 1803 is segmented in both four quadrants and in half creating an eight segmented sensor as shown in Figure 19. Resistive rubber interconnections could be used to allow you to attach only one sense wire attached to only one of the segments. For example: the upper leftmost segment 1901 was directly wired to the sense wire and the resistive rubber strip traversed clockwise across the entire upper half 1902, 1903, 1904 then dropped down to the lower half 1905 and traverse counter clockwise ending on the front lower

segment 1906. When this target is hit from an elevated angle one of the upper segments will be hit upon entry and a lower segment will be hit upon exiting. Just by determining the order of which segments generate pulses, due to short circuiting, the elevation and azimuth can be determined. Figure 20 shows another embodiment of this Omni directional target. The outer cylindrical short circuit sensor 2001 and inner cylindrical short circuit sensor 2002 are divided into four segments and the spherical sensor 2003 is divided into eight segments. Figure 21 shows the top view of this target. The outer cylindrical short circuit sensor 2101 is offset by 45 degrees with the inner cylindrical short circuit sensor 2102 thereby increasing the accuracy of the X position. The Y position is calculated using spherical equations based on the time the pulse is generated from the inner ring and the sphere segment as well as the sphere exit time. ] Figure 22 shows an Omni directional elliptical target using segmented sensors. The outer elliptical cylinder short circuit sensor 2201, semi conic elliptical cylinder 2202 and the inner elliptical cylinder short circuit sensor 2203 are divided into four segments.

Figure 23 shows the top view of this invention. Each elliptic ring is offset by 30 degrees 2301, 2302, 2303 significantly improving the ability to detect the X location of impact. Figure 24 shows a cutaway for the Omni directional elliptical target cut along the Y axis and Figure 25 shows a cutaway view of the Omni directional elliptical target cut along the X axis. Notice that the slope of the conic elliptical sensor 2401 and 2501, is the same for both cutaways. ] Figure 26 shows a high density polyethylene mannequin torso. This mannequin torso can be instrumented with the Omni directional elliptical target sensors as shown in Figure 27. In this embodiment the chest and shoulder is one short circuit sensor 2701 and the head is another short circuit sensor 2702. Now the sensor can also be a purely resistive ink/foil sensor that has two conductive busses running up the outer sides vertically and when hit the resistance will change. That change can be detected by the sense resistor circuit show in Figure 16. The same configuration can be used for thermal heaters to produce a thermal signature. The chest heater can be configured to produce a temperature 10 degrees above ambient while the head heater can be designed to produce a temperature of 20 degrees above ambient generating a human thermal signature. Figure 28 shows another embodiment where the chest sensor 2801, either short circuit or resistive based, shoulder sensor 2802 and the head sensor 2803 are individually sensed. This target can be hit from slightly less than 180 degrees and each zone can be detected. Figure 29 shows another embodiment of the invention with a cylindrical kill zone sensor 2901 running down the center of the target. If a short circuit is detected on this sensor a kill shot can be scored by the target acquisition system. Figure 30 shows another embodiment of this invention having the short circuit or resistive sensor wrapped around the entire torso. Each sensor chest 3001, shoulder 3002, and head 3003 are wrapped entirely around the torso to allow for 360 degrees of impact detection. A thermal heater could be produced in this configuration as well to give a 360 degree human thermal signature. Figure 31 shows an embodiment with a kill zone sensor in the center 3101. Figure 32 shows a multi segmented embodiment of the invention. The chest sensor 3201, shoulder sensor 3203, and head sensor 3203 are divided into 4 segments allowing the target to detect which quadrant was hit. Also by examining the projectile exit pulse generated by the change in resistance, for a resistive based sensor, or pulse generated by a short circuit sensor or even a piezoelectric film sensor the azimuth of the projectile trajectory can be determined. Figure 33 shows another embodiment with a kill zone sensor 3301 running down the center of the mannequin torso. ] The draw back from the previous embodiments of the mannequin target is that the X-Y impact location cannot be determined from the sensor configuration. Only an

approximation of the azimuth of the projectile can be calculated. Figure 34 shows an Omni Directional segmented mannequin chest and kill zone configuration. This target utilizes all of the primitive embodiments described earlier to detect X-Y impact location from 360 degrees. This embodiment utilized a torso that has a uniformly tapered torso creating a semi conic elliptical shape. By bonding a segmented short circuit/resistive/piezoelectric sensor to both the outer 3401 and inner wall 3403 of the HDPE plastic 3402 and embedding an elliptical cylindrical sensor in the center 3404 along with a segmented kill zone cylinder 3405 in the center a 360 X-Y target with kill/no-kill detection can be created. This target utilizes the fact that both the inner 3403 and outer semi conic sensors 3401 are parallel to each other and at a know distance needed to accurately calculate the projectile velocity. A thermal heater could also be placed inside the inner wall 3403 of the mannequin chest cavity to produce a human thermal signature. Figure 35 shows the top view of this invention. The outer semi conic elliptical sensor 3501, inner semi conic elliptical sensor 3502, inner elliptical cylinder sensor 3503, and cylindrical kill zone sensor 3504 are all divided into four segments and offset by 30 degrees with respect to each other. Figure 36 shows the sensors used to create the head and kill zone. The outer sensor 3601 and inner kill zone sensor 3603 are spaced a known distance apart and have a semi conic cylinder sensor 3602 between them. Figure 37 shows the top view of the current invention embodiment and again all the rings are divided into 4 rings and offset by 30 degrees. Figure 38 shows the cutaway view of the Omni directional X-Y target. You will notice that the distance from the inner semi conic elliptical sensor to the elliptical cylinder sensor varies from the bottom 3801 of the torso to the top 3802. This slope is used to determine the Y position of impact. Now in this embodiment the shoulder has no vertical reference need to determine the Y position of impact. A series of segmented cascaded elliptical cylinder sensors that stair step their way up the inside of the shoulder cavity 3803 could be used to create that vertical reference. By sensing the time of travel of the projectile through the shoulder outer semi conic elliptical sensor 3804 and inner semi conic elliptical sensor 3805 and determining projectile velocity then measuring the pulse delay time between the inner semi conic elliptical sensor as well as which vertically orientated cascaded elliptical cylinder sensor was hit both X-Y position, azimuth and elevation could be calculated. A thermal heater could be placed in the inner wall of the head and produce a thermal signature in the head that can be seen by aircrafts as a human head signature. By placing the mannequin on a MIT system and adding the ability for it to rotate as well as move up and down a very realistic running man target could be produced. One can change the offset angle and/or divide the sensors into a multitude of segments and/or use more concentric sensors and not deviate from the core essence of this invention. ] Figure 39 shows an embodiment of an actuating mannequin that has the ability to detect X-Y projectile impact and projectile trajectory using non-contact sensing

technology. The HDPE mannequin 3901 has articulating appendages that allow it to mimic human response when shot. The mannequin is integrated into the bullet proof control box 3903 with mechanical control assemblies to actuate the mannequin movement and has, in this embodiment, three 3D laser sensors 3902. Figure 40 shows a top view of the system. The front left 3D laser emitter/sensor 4001 projects the diffused laser beam out at a 210 degree angle from the center of the mannequin and can sense a radius of 180 degrees. The back center 3D laser emitter/sensor 4002 projects the diffused laser beam out at a 90 degree angle from the center of the mannequin and can sense a radius of 180 degrees. The front right 3D laser emitter/sensor 4003 projects the diffused laser beam out at a 330 degree angle from the center of the mannequin and can sense a radius of 180 degrees. This invention uses the 3D laser sensor not only for X-Y projectile impact location it also uses this as a situational awareness system needed to monitor the engaging shooter to determine the mannequin's appropriate engagement response. Figure 41 shows this inventions 3D lasers sensing area 4101. As a subject approaches the mannequin it utilizes the 3D laser sensors to determine what the subject is doing. For example if the subject reaches for its holstered weapon the mannequin would respond by raising its weapon and firing. The 3D laser sensors also are used to detect incoming projectiles from 360 degrees. This system would work with any type of projectile paintball, simunitions, as well as live rounds and not be limited to a conductive one that is needed for the short circuit sensors. Also because this system is non-contact based the life expectancy would be significantly higher than a contact based target/mannequin. With this type of system the mannequin could be controlled in such a way that when a shot to the right shoulder is detected by that mannequin and it would be momentarily positioned so that it leers back toward its right shoulder and then comes forward and draws its weapon and shoots. Or it can frump to the ground if a fatal impact is determined. ] Figure 42 shows another embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment the three hit detection 3D diffusion lasers are mounted on the 3D laser sensor so that they face toward the adjacent 3D laser sensor. For example the front left 3D laser sensors 4202 is pointed toward the front right 3D laser sensor 4201. The front right 3D laser sensor is pointed toward that back center 3D laser sensor. And finally the back center 3D laser sensor has its laser pointing toward the front left 3D laser sensor. As a projectile 4203 passes through the frontal plane its X-Y entry point is determined and as it exits the mannequin it passes through the back right plane and its X-Y exit point is determined. With this invention not only can the projectile velocity be calculated but the azimuth, elevation, and projectile diameter can also be determined. This embodiment creates a triangular shaped web as shown in Figure 43. As the projectile 4301 enters through the front plane its position in space is detected by the front left 3D laser sensor 4302 and as it exits through back right plane its position in space is detected by the front right 3D laser sensor 4303. Figure 44 shows an embodiment that is the combination of the previous inventions. In this embodiment the situational awareness 3D laser sensors face outward and are used to determine how the mannequin is going to respond based on what the approaching subject does. The inner triangular hit detection is performed by a separate set of 3D laser sensors mounted in the same three 3D laser sensor housing. Another embodiment would be to mount the 3D laser sensor in the base control box and have it mounted on a high speed rotating servo system that would swing the 3D laser around sweeping the area. When an incoming projectile is detected both its entry and exit path can be reconstructed from multiple samples detected as it swings through the entry and exit area. The nice thing about this embodiment is that it requires only one 3D laser sensor. In another embodiment only the diffusion laser is mounted to the high speed servo and three or four, one for each side of the control box, laser detector would be permanently affixed to the control box. The laser would illuminate the area and each detector would sense activity in its area of view. ] Another embodiment of this invention would be to mount one or two 3D laser sensors in front of a stationary infantry target (SIT), moving infantry target (MIT), stationary armored target (SAT), or moving armored target(MAT). Each 3D laser sensor would detect projectile entry X-Y impact area and if two units are used the exit X-Y position can be determined along with velocity, trajectory path and projectile diameter. ] Figure 45 shows an embodiment of a location of miss and hit (LOMAH) target. This target utilizes short circuit technology as described by earlier inventions. The front of the target has vertical columns of conductive sheet/foil/ink 4501 that are bonded to a non- conductive target medium. The other side of the non-conductive medium contains horizontal rows 4601 of conductive sheet/foil/ink as shown in Figure 46. Making contact with the conductive columns of the short circuit LOMAH target is easy because they are accessible via the bottom of the target out of harm's way down in the target pit. The problem is how to access the horizontal conductive rows on the back side of the targets non-conductive medium. In this embodiment of the invention the system utilizes a set of insulating sheets with conductive sheet/foil/ink traces running down to the bottom of the target to access all the horizontal conductive rows. Figure 47 shows the next non conductive sheet 4703 that is bonded to the short circuit target with an adhesive. Exposed on the bonded side are 1 inch square pads of conductive traces which an optional conductive adhesive would ensure a solid electrical connection between each conductive horizontal row of the LOMAH short circuit target and the pickup pads. Because there are more rows needed to be brought to the bottom of the target than there are vertical column space available 2 sets of vertically orientated conductive traces are used with 2 sheets of electrical insulators or non-conductive medium to carry them. The lower set of conductive traces 4701 and 4702 are bonded to the first sheet that is bonded directly, with an adhesive, to the LOMAH conductive horizontal row back side. The rest of the conductive contact pads belong to the second set of conductive traces. Figure 48 shows the last insulating non-conductive sheet 4803 that carries the second set of vertically orientated traces to the bottom of the target. The conductive traces of the first set of traces 4801 are laminated to the front side of this third sheet 4803 and the second traces 4802 shown on Figure 49 are laminated to the back side of the insulating sheet. To better display the construction of this invention. Figure 50 shows a transparent wire drawing of the current embodiment. The LOMAH front most vertical columns 5001 can be see clearly and behind them are the conductive horizontal rows 5002. The three insulating non-conducting medium 5003 can be seen in upper right hand corner. The outer most horizontal pass through holes 5004 belong to the second set of vertical conductive traces. As you can see there are 2 sets of pass through holes for the vertically orientated conductive traces compared to the single pass through holes 5005 for the first set of vertically orientated conductive traces. This is because the first set of vertically orientated conductive traces only has to pass through one layer of insulation board whereas the second set of vertically orientated conductive traces has to pass through two boards of insulation. Now that we have brought all the signals to the bottom of the target a connector will need to access them. In this embodiment Figure 51 shows such a way. By recessing the last insulation board 5101 enough to expose the first set of vertically orientated conductive traces 5103 all needed contact points are available. The front conductive vertical columns 5102 are accessed directly from the front whereas the first sets of conductive rows of the LOMAH target are accessed via the traces exposed 5103 on the second non-conductive sheet. And lastly the remaining conductive rows of the LOMAH target are accessed directly on the backside of the third insulating sheet 5104. Figure 52 shows all the layers of the short circuit LOMAH target. As you can see the only purpose of the 2 insulating sheets is to prevent the vertically orientated conductive traces from shorting out to the previous layer. With an electrical potential placed across the vertical conductive sensor and the conductive horizontal sensors a short circuit will cause current to flow between the front impacted vertical sensor and the horizontal row sensor. By sensing all the rows and columns the projectile's X-Y impact area is known directly down to the minimum size of the intersecting squares. One inch is used in this embodiment because as you go smaller there is more of a likely chance that the sensor vertical or horizontal will get destroyed or severed, by multiple hits in a close proximity, preventing any further impact detections for that area. Also if a projectile where to hit the through hole directly and the trace width was equal to or less then the diameter of the projectile the vertically orientated trace that brings that signal to the bottom of the target would get severed and fail. One embodiment of an acquisition system for this invention would be to apply a voltage potential across the front vertical sensors and the back horizontal sensors. When a projectile shorts the front vertical sensor to the back horizontal sensor a current detection system would determine X-Y directly knowing which column and which row sensor draws current for that moment in time. As with the previous inventions the conductive sensor are spaced less than the expected projectile diameter so that if it were to hit between two adjacent conductors its exact location would be known. In another embodiment a conductive sheet/foil/ink could be laminated between and insulated from the front vertical sensor and the back horizontal sensors. Then the acquisition system would simply apply a voltage potential on the conductive sheet/foil/ink center and monitor each sense line both vertical and horizontal for a momentary voltage pulse. There are many ways to acquire X-Y location in an invention of this design and not deviate from the core essence of the invention. Figure 53 shows an embodiment of a LOMAH target that used the previously described resistive rubber interface to reduce the sense wires down to two wires. The vertical conductive sheet/foil/ink sensors 5301 have a resistive rubber strip 5302 running along the bottom of the target electrically bonded to each vertical sensor. Figure 54 shows the back side of the LOMAH target. The horizontal rows of conductive sheet/foil/ink sensors 5401 are insulated from the front vertical sensor by a non-conducting insulating sheet 5402 with a thickness that is less than the minimum expected projectile length. Running vertically down the target backside is a resistive rubber strip 5403. This strip shown in this embodiment runs down the middle of the back of the target but it could run offset from center or diagonal or utilize multiple resistive rubber strips and not deviate from the core essence of this invention. The acquisition system needed to sense this invention only needs to supply a voltage potential across one of the front vertical sensors and the back bottom horizontal sensor in order to determine the X-Y location of impact. In one embodiment a whetstone bridge as show in Figure 16 would be able to detect which front vertical sensor and back horizontal sensor was shorted by the projectile just by the unique resistive value across the sense wires. In another embodiment the LOMAH target could be constructed from an electrically non-conductive rubber sheet that is processed so that just the front and back surfaces are impregnated with carbon to create a known resistance per square on just those surfaces. This could be done by dissolving the rubber in a solvent containing carbon black. Then conductive sheets/foil/ink can be bonded vertically on one side and horizontally on the other. This type of target would have a long life expectancy due to the fact that the non-conductive medium was made from self healing rubber and act as a dual type of target because it would also respond to non penetrating impacts like paintball or airsoft rounds as a contact sensitive target. [00121] Figure 55 shows another embodiment of the same invention. This LOMAH target requires an additional non-conductive sheet 5501. A contiguous conductive

sheet/foil/ink 5502 is laminated between the two insulating sheets. The acquisition system simply applies a voltage potential across the center conductor and both the front vertical sensor and the back horizontal sensors. Three wires are attached to this embodiment and the voltage difference could be measured by two sense resistor circuits as shown in Figure 16 one detecting X and the other detecting Y based on unique resistance, voltage or current levels.

[00122] Figure 56 shows a resistive based LOMAH target. Unlike the short circuit target this one depends on the sensors resistance changing when penetrated by a projectile. The vertical resistive sheet/foil/ink sensor 5601 is tied at the top of the target to a power buss and bonded to a non-conducting media 5602. Figure 57 shows the power buss with the non-conducting medium removed. As you can see the same power buss 5701 which powers the front vertical resistive sensors also wraps around the back of the nonconducting medium to supply power 5801 to the resistive row sensors 5802 as shown in Figure 58. One advantage of this invention is that a single power buss wrapped around as shown is significantly resistant to single point failure due to a severed power buss. No single rifle round can severe a buss of this design. Figure 59 shows the vertical sense wires that attach to each row resistive sensor on the back of the target 5903. Then inner most non-conductive medium 5901 sheet carries half of the row sensors to the bottom of the target while the other half is laminated to the outer non-conductive sheet 5902.

Figure 60 shows a close up image with both non-conducting medium sheets removed. The lower half of the resistive row sensors are electrically bonded to the conductive sheet/foil/ink sense wires 6001 and brought to the bottom of the target. The upper half of the resistive row sensors are electrically bonded to the conductive sheet/foil/ink sense wires 6002 and brought to the bottom of the target. Figure 61 shows the bottom target electrical interconnecting pads. The front vertical resistive sensors 6103 are connected to directly from the front. The bottom half of resistive row sensors are accessed on the middle non-conductive sheet exposed pads 6101 and the top half of resistive row sensors are accessed on the back of the outer non-conductive sheet exposed pads 6102. When a projectile passes through this LOMAH target it will remove a small amount of resistance in both the column and row resistive sensor. An acquisition system can be designed using a multitude of common instrumentation designs such as Wheatstone bridge, current sensing, or analog multiplexing to determine the X-Y point of impact. In another embodiment both the resistive column and row sensors could be replaced with

piezoelectric film sensors. The non-conducting media could be very thin and a contact sensitive paintball or airsoft LOMAH target could be produced. In this embodiment the buss bar is grounded and when the target is impacted both the row and column sensor generate a voltage spike due to the piezoelectric effect.

[00123] Figure 62 shows a LOMAH target formed from applying a resistive film/foil/ink 6203 with conductive film/foil/ink trace sense wires 6202 on thin plastic 6201. This invention contains a kill and no kill sensor. Figure 62 shows the no kill zone sensor whereas Figure 63 shows the kill zone sensor with the resistive sensor 6301 and the sense traces 6302. Figure 64 shows both sensors bonded to a thin plastic sheet with the non kill zone pickup 6401 above the kill zone pickup 6402 and with both sense traces shorted together on the other side 6403.

[00124] Figure 65 show a short circuit version of the same target with the exception of the ability to sense a left non kill zone 6502 hit from a right non kill hit zone 6503. The Kill zone 6501 as well as the other zones are formed from a conductive sheet/foil/ink on a non- conductive medium 6601 as shown in Figure 66. Figure 67 shows the backside of the short circuit kill/no kill LOMAH target which has a solid conductive sheet/foil/ink 6701 bonded to the back. The target detects which zone is short circuited using the previously described techniques.

[00125] Figure 68 shows a 3D wire frame image of a HDPE tech truck 6801 that can be used for escalation of force or aerial attack. Each of the short circuit LOMAH panels 6802 can detect X-Y position of impact at that plane. By placing them a known distance apart the trajectory of a projectile can be exactly calculated and re-animated on a remote computer screen. The actual damage due to the projectile can be reenacted knowing the trajectory path and typical response of a projectile of that type traveling down that trajectory. Also the sensor in Figure 1 could be laid on its side in front of the grill and act as a LOMAH X- Y detector for an escalation of force MAT vehicle mounted on rails. In another embodiment the short circuit panels could be placed inside a pop-up vehicle target and add LOMAH capabilities as well as realistic RF signature to aircrafts. A pop-up vehicle target is usually made from cloth and has bars and cables used to stand it upright. If these LOMAH sensors were placed across every support bar a LOMAH vehicle target with trajectory would be possible.

[00126] Figure 69 shows a standard B27 silhouette target on an overhead runner clamp 6901.

In this invention short circuit technology is used to determine which ring has been hit on a B27 target and to display it on a remote screen at the shooters station. Figure 70 shows a non-conductive medium 7001 with a conductive sheet/foil/ink 7002 bonded to the front side. Figure 71 shows that back side of the non-conductive sheet with concentric rings of conductive sheet/foil/ink 7101 electrically separated from each other by .2 inches.

Figure 72 shows the second non-conductive sheet backside 7202 with the conductive sheet/foil/ink traces 7201 running each ring sense signal to the top pickup. Figure 73 shows the back concentric rings 7303 with both the target and insulating non-conductive medium removed. The sense wires/foil/ink 7301 are electrically bonded to them and insulated from the other rings by the second, not shown, non-conductive medium. The center bulls eye target ring has a 2" wide sense wire/foil/ink 7301 brought to the top where the other rings have two 1" wide sense wire/foil/ink 7302 brought to the top. Figure 74 shows a 3D wire drawing of the top interconnections. The runner clamp 7401 has guide pins 7402 that allow the target to be properly aligned for the contact pins 7404 to make electrical connections with the sense wires 7403. Figure 75 shows the contact pins 7501 that make connection with the front sensor. Figure 76 shows an exploded diagram of each layer that makes this embodiment of the B27 ring sensing target. Lastly in order to reduce the complexity and cost of the B27 target a resistive rubber strip 7701 along with a conductive sheet/foil/ink 7702 can be used to create a 2 wire sensing target as shown in Figure 72. When a projectile hits the front sensor and proceeds through the non- conductive medium and makes contact with a ring a unique resistance will be presented on the two wire system representing that ring just as shown in the earlier LOMAH invention.

[00127] Figure 78 shows the backside of a mannequin torso with foil busses 7801 running up to the head of the mannequin torso. These busses can supply power for a thermal heater or hit detector using resistive or short circuit sensor. In this embodiment the busses are constructed from conductive ink or foil strips laminated between a plastic sheet and double sided adhesive foam. Each end of the conductive busses are electrically connected to standard male snap 7901 connectors as shown in Figure 79. The eyelet 7902 is riveted through the polycarbonate plastic while the base makes direct contact with the conductive ink/foil. The double sided adhesive foam is then laminated to the bottom and bonded to the HDPE mannequin torso. The heater membrane or impact sensor is then riveted with an eyelet and a snap socket 7903 to mate with the conductive ink/ foil buss.

[00128] Figure 80 shows another embodiment where the conductive ink/foil busses terminate with molded power connectors.

[00129] Figure 81 shows a thermal heater/hit detector comprised of resistive ink formed in a matrix pattern 8101. The power buss 8102 is formed from purely conductive ink and is in direct contact with the resistive ink matrix. Both the resistive matrix heater/hit detector are bonded to a plastic sheet 8103.

[00130] Figure 82 shows the same resistive matrix thermal heater/impact sensor with power busses formed from a matrix of conductive ink 8201. The matrix based power buss uses purely conductive traces but because it is not solid it uses approximately 40% less conductive ink significantly reducing the cost while maintaining a robust buss that will survive live fire.

[00131 ] Figure 83 shows an embodiment that utilized aluminum foil to create a robust power buss. The aluminum buss is folded around the back of the plastic substrate for form a ultra wide buss. This foil can be applied to the plastic substrate prior to the printing of the resistive ink or in a post process where it is in contact with the purely conductive power buss as shown in Figure 84 The resistive matrix 8401 is in contact with the purely conductive buss 8402, which are both laminated to the front of the thermal panel 8405. The aluminum foil 8403 is in direct contact with the conductive buss and is wrapped around the back of the back substrate to form a very robust power buss that can withstand large projectiles passing through an not degrade its ability to supply power or signal. Figure 85 shows the close up view of the edge of the plastic substrate where the aluminum foil wraps around the back side.

[00132] In another embodiment snap connectors in Figure 79 can be used to electrically tie multiple sheets of different temperature heating panels to create a thermal signature of a vehicle such as a Tank or Tech truck. By offsetting the snap connectors a distance equivalent to the buss width the problem with cold bands running down a target can be avoided. The cold bands are created by the purely conductive busses which do not generate any heat but are needed to power the resistive heater. By offsetting them the conductive buss rides over the adjacent heater panel which heats the buss up thereby giving a homogeneous realistic vehicular thermal signature.

[00133] Using impact sensor technology such as disclosed in US Patents Nos. 5,516,113,

7,407,566 and/or 7,862,045, the mannequins described herein may be actuated to cause them to move from, for example, an upright position to a frump or fall position. For example, if an impact is detected on the mannequin, the actuator can be signaled from the processor associated with the sensing system to cause the mannequin to fall and/or rotate indicating that the mannequin has been hit by a projectile, such as a bullet. The movement of the mannequin, e.g., a fall and/or rotation, can be dependent upon the area of impact.

[00134] It would be understood to one skilled in the art that the above described examples of mannequin targets could be utilized with an impact detection system for determining when such a mannequin target has been impacted by a bullet, or other projectile (e.g., the systems disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,516,113, 7,407,566 and/or 7,862,045) and the mannequin targets may be lowered based on the determination of such an impact to present a realistic response to a shooter causing such impact distant from the target. The described mannequin targets may also present thermal images to present realistic targets to the user (e.g., during a training exercise). Examples of the use of such thermal images are described in co-owned U.S. Patent Application 11/853,574, filed September 11, 2007, and entitled "Thermal Target System" (Attorney Docket No. 1325.005)). The raising and lowering of the mannequin targets described above in response to the detection of an impact, or otherwise, may also be done using various mechanisms as described above and as would be known to one skilled in the art.

[00135] One skilled in the art of electronics and mechanical engineering could produce a

multitude of different variations and not deviate from the core essence or spirit of these inventions. While several aspects of the present invention have been described and depicted herein, alternative aspects may be affected by those skilled in the art to accomplish the same objectives. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such alternative aspects as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

The Claims:

1. An interconnecting buss system for a mannequin target comprising: a plurality of electrically conductive portions electrically connected to a buss configured to supply at least one of power and a signal to another portion of said mannequin target; said plurality of electrically conductive portions spaced from one another, each conductive portion of said plurality of plurality of electrically conductive portions electrically connected to said buss such that if a projectile penetrated a electrically conductive portions of said plurality of electrically conductive portions, a second electrically conductive portions of said plurality of electrically conductive portions remains electrically connected to said buss.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of electrically conductive portions comprise a plurality of rings made of at least one of conductive foil and conductive ink.

3. A target system comprising: a resistive matrix target contacting a substrate and contacting a purely conductive buss to electrically connect said target to said buss; a conductive foil contacting said buss and folded around said substrate to contact a rear surface of said substrate opposite said target, said conductive foil electrically connected to said target and providing a buss of a larger surface area relative to said purely conductive buss and providing a more robust buss relative to an impact of a projectile due to said increased surface area.

4. A mannequin target system comprising: a conductive target or thermal generator located on a front side of a torso of a mannequin, said target or generator electrically connected to at least one conductive foil buss located on a back side of said mannequin target, said foil buss laminated between two sheets of plastic.

5. The target system of claim 4 wherein said conductive target comprises at least one of a conductive matrix and a target using short circuit conductive portions spaced from one another.

6. The target system of claim 4 wherein said foil buss is electrically coupled to a molded power connector.

7. A target system comprising: a first conductive inner portion spaced from a second conductive outer portion such that a conductive projectile contacts said conductive inner portion and said conductive outer portion simultaneously to establish an electrical connection between said conductive inner portion and said conductive outer portion when said projectile penetrates said conductive inner portion and said conductive outer portion ; a controller coupled to said conductive inner portion and said conductive outer portion to determine a location of penetration of said projectile based on said electrical connection.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said conductive outer portion comprises a front portion and a back portion electrically connected to each other.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said inner conductive portion comprises a plurality of inner conductive portions electrically insulated from each other such that a penetration of said outer conductive portion and an inner conductive portion of said plurality of inner conductive portions allows the controller to locate a position of said penetration and a speed of said projectile.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of electrically conductive portions are located on a first surface of a mannequin target and further comprising a second plurality of electrically conductive portions located on a second surface of said mannequin target, said plurality of electrically conductive portions contacting said second plurality of electrically conductive portions to electrically connect said first surface to said second surface.