Wireless data communication link embedded in simulated weapon systems

• US 20040121292A1
• Filed: 05/23/2003
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InVeris Training Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Meggitt Training Systems, Inc. (Meggitt PLC)
• Inventors: Chung, Bobby Hsiang-Hua, Klusendorf, Kelvin William
• Granted Patent: US 7,291,014 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/11
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/00 Adaptations for training adaptations of barrels for recoil reinforcement F41A21/26; Gun simulators teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26 ; shooting games A63F9/02; military simulation G09B9/003

Abstract

A weapon simulator assembly having a wireless module provided in a simulated weapon to maximize the freedom of movement for the user and to provide complete diagnostics from electronic sensors for users of the firearms training simulator. The wireless module is embedded in the simulated weapon used in the simulator assembly and connected to various sensors to obtain operational information. The wireless data communication link is a wireless module using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technology such that the wireless module can fit in a small firearm simulator, such as a handgun or chemical spray simulator.

Claims

1. A weapon simulator assembly having a wireless connection to a central processing unit having a first wireless transceiver providing free motion for a user of said weapon simulator assembly, said weapon simulator assembly comprising:

an untethered simulated weapon;

at least one sensor affixed to said weapon to generate a sensor signal; and

a wireless module affixed within said simulated weapon, said wireless module having a second wireless module transceiver;

wherein said sensor is connected to said wireless module; and

wherein said second wireless transceiver of said wireless module transmits said sensor signal to the first wireless transceiver using a radio frequency based transmission.

2. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said second wireless transceiver receives commands from said first wireless transceiver.

3. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said second wireless transceiver is a frequency hopping spread spectrum transceiver.

4. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said simulated weapon comprises

a trigger;

and

a trigger sensor connected to said trigger and to said wireless module;

wherein operation of said trigger activates said trigger sensor to generate said sensor signal.

5. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said sensor monitors the state of said weapon.

6. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 further comprising sensor interface electronics, said sensor interface electronics connecting said sensor with said wireless module.

7. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 wherein the radio frequency of said transmission is substantially within the 2.4 GHz band.

8. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 further comprising aiming means for determining the position of said simulated weapon.

9. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 8 wherein said aiming means comprises a laser module connected to said simulated weapon.

10. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 9 further comprising laser interface electronics, said laser interface electronics connecting said wireless module with said laser module.

11. The weapons simulator assembly as described in claim 1 further comprising a microcontroller connected to said simulated weapon.

12. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 10 further comprising a power supply connected to said microcontroller.

13. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 further comprising an antenna connected to said wireless module.

14. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said at least one sensor comprises a mechanical switch.

15. A wireless weapon simulating system comprising:

a central simulation computer;

a simulated weapon;

sensor means for monitoring the operation of said simulated weapon, wherein said sensor means generates a sensor signal; and

a wireless module connected to said simulated weapon, said wireless module linked to said sensor means to receive said sensor signal;

wherein said wireless module transmits said sensor signal to said central simulation computer and receives commands from said central simulation computer using a radio-frequency transmission.

16. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 15, wherein said sensor means monitors the status of said simulated weapon.

17. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 15 wherein said wireless module is uses a frequency hopping spread spectrum technology.

18. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 15 wherein the radio frequency of said radio-based transmission is substantially within the 2.4 GHz band.

20. The method as described in claim 18, wherein step c) further comprises providing a frequency hopping spread spectrum technology to transmit said sensor signal from said wireless module.

21. The method as described in claim 18, wherein after step d) further comprising the steps of:

validating said sensor signal with the central processing unit to confirm the state of said weapon simulator; and

triggering the firing of a laser module affixed to said simulated weapon.

19. A method for monitoring the status of a weapon simulator by a central processing unit, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a detection unit to monitor the state of a sensor in a simulated weapon;

b) generating a sensor signal in said simulated weapon using said sensor, said signal corresponding to the state of said simulated weapon;

c) conveying said sensor signal from said sensor to a wireless module having a wireless transceiver affixed within said simulated weapon; and

d) transmitting said sensor signal from said transceiver in said wireless module using a radio-based transmission to the central processing unit.

22. The method as described in claim 19, further comprising the step of transmitting commands from the central processing unit to be executed by said weapon simulator.