Electronic archery apparatus

Abstract

In one aspect, an apparatus is configured for inclusion in an arrow when the arrow is shot from a bow where the apparatus includes a processor configured to process data generated during a flight of the arrow and determine information concerning a performance of at least one of the bow and the arrow; and an onboard display coupled to the processor and operable to display the information concerning the performance of at least one of the bow and the arrow.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus configured for inclusion in an arrow when the arrow is shot from a bow, the apparatus comprising:
 at least one sensor configured to provide flight data concerning the arrow when shot from the bow;   a processor coupled to the at least one sensor and configured to process the flight data and determine information concerning a performance of at least one of the bow and the arrow; and   a display coupled to the processor and operable to display the information concerning the performance of the at least one of the bow and the arrow.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the display is configured to display numerical values concerning the performance of the at least one of the bow and the arrow. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the information concerning the performance includes at least one quantified performance value, and
 wherein the display is configured to provide a user with an indication of a magnitude of the at least one quantified performance value.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one quantified performance value is selected from a group consisting of speed, kinetic energy, momentum and vibration. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the display is selected from a group consisting of an LCD display and an LED display. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is selected from a group consisting of inertial sensors and magnetometers. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an arrowpoint configured to house the display. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus configured for inclusion in an arrow when the arrow is shot from a bow, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing configured to secure to the arrow when shot from the bow; and   a communication interface included in the housing and configured to visually provide information concerning a performance of at least one of the bow and the arrow, the information when viewed indicative of a quantified level of performance.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the communication interface includes at least one LED. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one LED communicates a level of performance reached by the at least one of the bow and the arrow. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the level of performance reached by at least one of the bow and the arrow concerns at least one of a maximum level of performance and a minimum level of performance. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the level of performance reached by at least one of the bow and the arrow is selected from a group consisting of speed, kinetic energy, momentum and vibration. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the housing includes a nock. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus configured for inclusion in an arrow when the arrow is shot from a bow, the apparatus comprising:
 a processor configured to process data generated during a flight of the arrow and determine information concerning a performance of at least one of the bow and the arrow; and   an onboard display coupled to the processor and operable to display the information concerning the performance of the at least one of the bow and the arrow.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the processor includes at least one algorithm that employs the data to determine the information. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the information concerns a performance metric selected from a group consisting of speed, kinetic energy, momentum and vibration. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising a communication interface including an electrical connection configured to connect the apparatus to an external device. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising an activation device configured to initiate a communication of data from the apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the apparatus is configured for inclusion in a nock.