System, method and apparatus for relaying simulation data

• US 20070009859A1
• Filed: 01/26/2006
• Published: 01/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Universal Systems & Technology, Inc. (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Penner, Thomas, Kaprocki, Edward, Penrose, Charles, Preston, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 8,128,405 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

An apparatus for communicating simulation data is disclosed. The apparatus includes an assembly for mounting the apparatus on an edifice. The apparatus further includes a receiver for receiving simulation data from a plurality of players within a specified area of the edifice and for receiving simulation data from a central controller. The apparatus further includes a transmitter for transmitting simulation data to the plurality of players and to the central controller, wherein simulation data is transmitted to the central controller only when a simulation event occurs. In one alternative, the apparatus further includes an infrared camera for capturing video and still images of simulation events. In another alternative, the apparatus includes an infrared radiator for producing infrared light for illuminating video and still images captured by the infrared camera.

Claims

1. A computer apparatus for communicating simulation data, comprising:

an assembly for mounting the computer apparatus on an edifice;

a receiver for receiving simulation data over radio frequency from a plurality of players within a specified area of the edifice and for receiving simulation data from a central controller; and

a transmitter for transmitting simulation data over radio frequency to the plurality of players and to the central controller, wherein simulation data is transmitted to the central controller only when a simulation event occurs.

2. The computer apparatus of claim 1, wherein a simulation event comprises an event wherein a status of at least one player changes.

3. The computer apparatus of claim 2, wherein the assembly comprises a housing for accommodating the receiver and transmitter and an element for mounting the apparatus on an edifice.

4. The computer apparatus of claim 2, wherein the receiver receives simulation data from the plurality of players and the central controller over any one of radio frequency and infrared frequency.

5. The computer apparatus of claim 4, wherein the transmitter transmits simulation data to the plurality of players and to the central controller over any one of radio frequency and infrared frequency.

6. The computer apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a camera for taking a video or still image.

7. The computer apparatus of claim 6, wherein the camera is an infrared camera.

8. The computer apparatus of claim 6, further comprising an infrared emitter for providing back light when the camera takes video or still images.

9. The computer apparatus of claim 2, wherein the transmitter comprises:

a transmitter for transmitting video or still images to the central controller only when a simulation event occurs.

10. A simulation system on a computer, comprising:

a central controller for storing simulation data, the central controller including a transmitter and a receiver; and

at least one computer apparatus for communicating simulation data, the computer apparatus comprising;

an assembly for mounting the computer apparatus on an edifice;

a receiver for receiving simulation data over radio frequency from a plurality of players within a specified area of the edifice and for receiving simulation data from the central controller; and

a transmitter for transmitting simulation data over radio frequency to the plurality of players and to the central controller, wherein simulation data is transmitted to the central controller only when a simulation event occurs.

11. The simulation system of claim 10, wherein a simulation event comprises an event wherein a status of at least one player changes.

12. The simulation system of claim 11, wherein the assembly comprises a housing for accommodating the receiver and transmitter and an element for mounting the apparatus on an edifice.

15. The simulation system of claim 11, further comprising a camera for taking a video or still image.

16. The simulation system of claim 15, wherein the transmitter comprises:

a transmitter for transmitting video or still images to the central controller only when a simulation event occurs.

13. The simulation system of 11, wherein the receiver receives simulation data from the plurality of players and the central controller over any one of radio frequency and infrared frequency.

14. The simulation system of claim 13, wherein the transmitter transmits simulation data to the plurality of players and to the central controller over any one of radio frequency and infrared frequency.

17. A method on a computer for conducting a simulation, comprising:

receiving simulation data on a computer apparatus on an edifice over radio frequency from a plurality of players within a specified area of the edifice;

receiving simulation data on the computer apparatus from a central controller; and

transmitting simulation data to the central controller and to the plurality of players over radio frequency, wherein simulation data is transmitted only when a simulation event occurs.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of transmitting comprises:

transmitting simulation data to the central controller and to the plurality of players over radio frequency, wherein simulation data is transmitted only when a status of at least one player changes.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

taking a video or still images of the simulation event on a camera.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of transmitting further comprises:

transmitting the video or still images of the simulation event to the central controller only when the simulation event occurs.