Network-linked laser target firearm training system

• US 20030136900A1
• Filed: 02/03/2003
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rosa, Stephen P., Shechter, Motti
• Application Number:
  US10/356,532
• Publication Number:
  US 20030136900A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/222.1
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/02 Light- or radiation-emitting guns ; Light- or radiation-sensitive guns; Cartridges carrying light emitting sources, e.g. laser
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2655 in which the light beam is sent from the weapon to the target
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/02 Photo-electric hit-detector systems comprising a light-emitting device for simulating the firing of a gun F41G3/2622; detecting by optical means G01V8/10

Abstract

A firearm training system includes a training firearm (40) which includes a laser transmitter module (22) that emits a laser signal along a longitudinal centerline of the barrel (10) of the firearm in response to a mechanical wave generated from pulling the trigger of the firearm. A laser-detecting target (42) includes a planar array of laser light detectors capable of detecting the exact location that the laser signal hits the target. The laser signal transmitted by the training firearm (40) is preferably a modulated laser pulse that the target (42) can easily discriminate from noise and interference. The target is connected to a computer (44) which reports laser hit information and keeps track of a sequence of laser hits fired by a competitor or trainee. Computer (44) can be linked via a communications network to similar firearm training systems to enable competition between shooters at different geographic locations.

Claims

1. A firearm simulation system for firearm competition or training involving firing a training firearm toward a target without use of projectiles, wherein said training firearm includes an energy signal transmitter module that emits an energy signal in order to simulate firing of a projectile, said system comprising:

a simulator associated with said target to detect said energy signal from said training firearm on said target and to generate information indicating a hit location of said energy signal on said target, wherein said simulator includes a communication module to establish communications to facilitate transfer of data with at least one other of said simulator.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said simulator further includes:

a detector adapted to detect said energy signal on said target and produce a detection signal; and

a processor responsive to said detection signal for generating information indicating a hit location of said energy signal on said target.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said detector includes a camera.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said energy signal includes a laser signal.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said detector serves as said target and includes an array of laser light detectors adapted to detect said laser signal and to produce said detection signal.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said communication module establishes said communications with a communication network.

7. The system of claim 6 further including a plurality of said simulators each associated with a corresponding target, wherein at least two of said simulators are remotely located at different sites and linked via said communication network.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said communication module of said simulators permits coordination of at least one of a competition and training between users at said remote sites.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said communication network is a global communication network and includes a network site permitting users of said simulators at each remote site to communicate with users of said simulators at other sites.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said communication network includes a host system linked to said at least two simulators.

11. A firearm simulation system for firearm competition or training involving firing a training firearm toward a target without use of projectiles, wherein said training firearm includes an energy signal transmitter module that emits an energy, signal in order to simulate firing of a projectile, said system comprising:

a plurality of simulators each associated with a corresponding target to detect said energy signal from a training firearm on that target and to generate information indicating a hit location of said energy signal on that target, wherein at least two of said simulators are remotely located at different sites and linked via a communication network.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein each said simulator further includes:

a detector adapted to detect said energy signal on said corresponding target and produce a detection signal; and

a processor responsive to said detection signal for generating information indicating a hit location of said energy signal on said corresponding target.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said energy signal includes a laser signal.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein said at least two simulators permit coordination of at least one of a competition and training between users at said remote sites.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein said communication network includes a host system linked to said at least two simulators.

16. A method of simulating firearm operation for firearm competition or training involving firing a training firearm toward a target without use of projectiles, wherein said training firearm includes an energy signal transmitter module that emits an energy signal in order to simulate firing of a projectile, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) detecting said energy signal from said training firearm on said target and generating information indicating a hit location of said energy signal on said target via a simulator; and

(b) establishing communications to facilitate transfer of data between said simulator and at least one other of said simulator.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein step (a) further includes:

(a.1) detecting said energy signal on said target and producing a detection signal via a simulator detector adapted to detect said energy signal; and

(a.2) generating information indicating a hit location of said energy signal on said target via a simulator processor responsive to said detection signal.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein step (b) further includes:

(b.1) establishing said communications with a communication network.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein each of a plurality of said simulators are associated with a respective target and at least two of said simulators are remotely located at different sites, and wherein step (a) further includes:

(a.1) detecting said energy signal from a training firearm on said corresponding target and generating information indicating a hit location of that energy signal on that target via an associated simulator; and

step (b.1) further includes;

(b.1.1) establishing communications to facilitate transfer of data between said at least two simulators via said communication network.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein step (b.1.1) further includes:

(b.1.1.1) establishing communications to coordinate at least one of a competition and training between users at said remote sites.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said communication network includes a host system and step (b.1.1) further includes:

(b.1.1.1) establishing communications between said host system and said at least two simulators.