System and Method for Calculating a Projectile Impact Coordinates

• US 20080213732A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Laser Shot, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Laser Shot, Inc.
• Inventors: Doty, Charles, Manard, Paige
• Granted Patent: US 8,360,776 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/16
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/08 Infrared hit-indicating systems
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/10 Cinematographic hit-indicating systems cinematographic targets F41J9/14
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 9/14 Cinematographic targets, e.g. moving-picture targets F41G3/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A training system and method to calculate actual coordinates of a projectile impact at one or more screens has been disclosed. A projectile is launched at a screen. One or more targets are projected onto the screen. A calibrated sensor is directed at the screen surface. The sensor continually captures thermal images of a screen surface. The sensor comprises software to detect and isolate thermal images of the projectile impacting the screen. These impact images are transmitted to a computer connected to the sensor. A computer comprises software to calculate the actual impact coordinates relative to a projected target. The calculated coordinates are digitally sent to feedback devices for display purposes. The system further comprises virtual training scenarios that are triggered upon notification of actual impact coordinates. These training scenarios simulate real life situations.

Claims

1. A system for projecting coordinates of a projectile impact from a real physical space into a three dimensional virtual space, comprising:

a. an elastomeric screen adapted to receive a projectile;

b. a projector adapted to visually project a three dimensional virtual space image comprising a target onto the elastomeric screen;

c. a camera directed at the screen, the camera adapted to substantially continually capture a thermal image of the elastomeric screen;

d. a computer operatively in communication with the camera, the computer comprising an image processor adapted to receive images captured by the camera; and

e. software operatively resident in the computer, the software further comprising;

i. a simulator adapted to create a projectable simulated three dimensional visual image;

ii. an environmental factoring module adapted to calculate an effect of a predetermined set of environmental characteristics on an object located within the three dimensional virtual space in real time;

iii. an actual impact coordinate calculator adapted to use the images received from the camera and the calculated environmental effects to calculate a set of impact coordinates relative to the projected target in real time; and

iv. an illustrator adapted to create a digital illustration of the projectile once it transits from physical space into the three dimensional virtual space.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the target moves within the simulated three dimensional space.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the target further comprises a plurality of targets, a predetermined number of which move independently of the movement of other targets within the simulated three dimensional space.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera is a thermal camera.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera operates at a capture rate exceeding 500 frames per second.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the projectable simulated three dimensional visual image comprises photographic images and simulated photographic images.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined set of environmental characteristics comprise wind, distance, air density, object density, and gravity.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the illustrator further comprises a module adapted to project an image suitable for aiming the projectile at a location in the simulated virtual three dimensional space where the projectile is likely to strike the target within the simulated virtual three dimensional space.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a. a motion detector; and

b. a motion detection software module in communication with the motion detector and the actual impact coordinate calculator;

c. wherein;

i. the motion detection software module is adapted to determine a position of a projectile releasing device at the instant that the projectile releasing device fires the projectile; and

ii. the actual impact coordinate calculator is further adapted to use the detected position of the projectile releasing device while calculating the set of impact coordinates relative to the projected target in real time.

10. A method for determining the position of a projectile impact into a simulated environment, comprising:

a. using the camera to capture a baseline thermal image of a display screen using a predetermined set of coordinates of the screen;

b. projecting a simulated three dimensional image onto the screen, the simulated three dimensional image further comprising a target;

c. launching a projectile at the target projected onto the screen;

d. using the camera to detect a heat signature left by the projectile impacting the screen;

e. calculating a set of actual pixel coordinates of the projectile impact using the heat signature;

f. calculating a first predetermined set of environmental characteristics that can affect the traveling of a simulated projectile in the simulated three dimensional space;

g. determining a projectile path within the simulated virtual space using the projectile impact point in physical space, the first predetermined set of environmental characteristics, and a second predetermined set of physical characteristics of the projectile from physical space; and

h. projecting a simulated projectile path through the simulated three dimensional space onto the screen based upon the determined projectile path.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising calibrating a camera to compensate for lens distortion.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

a. determining a zone of probable impact of the projectile with the target within the simulated virtual space using the first predetermined set of environmental characteristics, the second predetermined set of physical characteristics of the projectile from physical space, and a third predetermined set of simulated characteristics of the target within the simulated three dimensional space; and

b. projecting a visual representation of the zone of probable impact onto the screen.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the first predetermined set of environmental characteristics that can affect the traveling of a simulated projectile in the simulated three dimensional space comprise wind, distance, air density, object density, and gravity.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein a predetermined number of objects within the simulated three dimensional virtual space are influenced in real time by the first predetermined set of environmental characteristics.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

a. allowing a plurality of projectiles, each from a independent source, to be fired at the screen; and

b. projecting a simulated projectile path through the simulated three dimensional space onto the screen based upon the determined projectile path for each of the plurality of projectiles.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

a. projecting a simulated three dimensional image onto the screen, the simulated three dimensional image further comprising a plurality of targets; and

b. providing independent movement of a predetermined plurality of the targets within at the three dimensional virtual space.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the independent movement is random.