TRAINING APPARATUS FOR FIREARMS USE

• US 3,849,910 A
• Filed: 02/12/1973
• Issued: 11/26/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cae-Link Corporation
• Original Assignee: Robert B. Greenly
• Inventors: Greenly, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wolff, J. H.
• Application Number:
  US05/332,036
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 35/25 273/101.1,101.2,12.2RB 235/61.6 250/215 178/18T
• US Class Current: 434/22
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2694 for simulating a target F41G3/2627 takes precedence; moving targets per se F41J9/00
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 9/14 Cinematographic targets, e.g. moving-picture targets F41G3/26 takes precedence

Abstract

Training apparatus designed to train personnel in the use of firearms by simulating situations requiring the rapid exercise of judgment and accuracy. A screen, penetrable by a projectile, is disposed for displaying target images projected thereon by a cine projector. Electromagnetic radiation directed towards one side of the screen passes through any apertures made therein by projectiles and is detected to generate electrical signals indicative of the location of such apertures. Reference electrical signals are generated which define a target area within the target images, and a comparison means is provided for determining the degree of correlation between the location of the aperture and the defined target area. A memory addressable by the various frames of cine film moving in the projector may be employed for generating the reference electrical signals. Electronic circuitry is provided for measuring the amount of time used by a trainee to respond to a given target image.

Claims

1. In a process for simulating firearms use situations wherein a trainee discharges a firearm at a screen on which a target is displayed and a projectile penetrates the screen, a method of automatically scoring the trainee'"'"''"'"'s response, comprising the steps of:

a. providing first electrical signals defining at least one area of the target displayed on the screen;

b. directing electromagnetic radiation toward one side of said screen to pass through any aperture therein made by the fire projectile;

c. detecting radiation passing through said aperture to generate a second electrical signal indicative of the location of said aperture; and

d. comparing the value of said first electrical signals with said second electrical signal to determine the degree of correlation between said aperture location and said target area.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said detecting step includes scanning said screen in a two-dimensional raster pattern having M scan-lines of N elements per scan-line.

3. In a target practice system, apparatus for determining the locations of projectile penetrations into a target, comprising:

a. means defining a two-sided projection screen of such a material and thickness as to be penetrable by a projectile;

b. means for displaying a target image on one side of said screen;

c. means for directing electromagnetic radiation, having wavelengths which reside within a limited band, toward one side of said screen so as to pass through any aperture existing therein; and

d. detection means, responsive only to sAid radiation within said limited band, for sensing radiation passing through any such aperture and providing electrical output signals indicative of the location of said aperture.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said detection means is a television camera generating output signals representative of the location of any such aperture, and said apparatus further includes:

a. means for providing electrical reference signals indicative of a defined target area; and

b. comparison means coupled to said camera for determining the degree of correlation between any such aperture and said target area.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said displaying means is a projector for projecting visible light target images from film.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said limited band includes infrared radiation.

7. A training apparatus for firearms use, comprising:

a. means defining a two-sided target of such a material and thickness as to be penetrable by a projectile;

b. means for directing electromagnetic radiation toward one side of said target so as to pass through any aperture existing therein;

c. detection means responsive to said radiation passing through any such aperture to generate output signals indicative of the location of any such aperture;

d. reference means for providing electrical signals defining areas of said target; and

e. comparison means coupled between said detection means and said reference means for determining the degree of correlation between any such aperture and said defined areas.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said electromagnetic radiation includes light having wavelengths residing within the infrared region.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said detection means is a television camera disposed to view the other side of said target and having a two-dimensional scan raster with M scan-lines of N elements per scan-line.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9, further including:

a. means for sensing the discharge of a firearm;

b. an element-counting means having an incrementation input coupled to said sensing means and a first output coupled to a first input of said comparison means, whereby the count value at said first output of said element-counting means is an element xa residing within the range of a count of O to N and is representative of the first-dimensional location of said aperture;

c. a scan-line-counting means having an incrementation input coupled to a second output of said element-counting means indicative of a count value of N and a first output coupled to a second input of said comparison means, whereby the count value at said first output of said scan-line counting means is a scan-line ya residing within the range of a count value of l to M and is representative of the second-dimensional location of said aperture;

d. means coupling said sensing means to said television camera for starting the detection operation thereof;

e. means coupling said second output of said element-counting means to said television camera for synchronizing the detection operation thereof; and

f. means coupling a second output of said scan-line counting means indicative of a count value of M to said television camera for stopping the detection operation thereof, whereby said television camera starts detection operation in response to actuation of a firearm, synchronizes scan-line detection in response to counting N elements, and stops detection operation in response to counting M scan-lines.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10, further including means for displaying an image visible on said other side of the target which image includes said defined areas therewithin.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said reference means is a memory addressable by said displaying means and having a first output coupled to a third input of said comparison means and a second output coupled to a fourth input of said comparison means, whereby said reference electrical signals are retrieved from said memory in accordance with images displayed by said displaying means.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said comparison means comprises:

a. a gating network having an enable input thereto coupled to said television camera for operation in response to said output signal from said television camera and having inputs thereto and outputs therefrom, wherein said outputs being the output of said comparison means and being indicative of the degree of correlation between said aperture and said defined areas;

b. a plurality of binary comparators having a first input coupled to said first input of said comparison means, a second input coupled to said third input of said comparison means, and outputs therefrom coupled to a first of said inputs to said gating network; and

c. a plurality of binary comparators having a first input coupled to said second input of said comparison means, a second input coupled to said fourth input of said comparison means, and outputs therefrom coupled to a second of said inputs of said gating network.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 13, further including a storage means addressable by said first output of said element counting means and said first output of said scan-line counting means, said storage means having an output therefrom coupled to said enable input of said gating network and having a write-enable input coupled to said outputs of said gating network for storing the location of previous ones of said apertures, whereby said gating network is inoperative upon detection of previous ones of said apertures.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 14, further including:

a. a time counting means having an incrementation input thereto and a count value output therefrom;

b. a source of oscillatory voltage; and

c. a gating means coupled between said incrementation input of said time counting means and said source of oscillatory voltage, said gating means having an enable input coupled to a third output of said memory and a disable input coupled to said sensing means, whereby said gating means enables said oscillatory voltage to increment said time counting means upon retrieval of data from said third output of said memory and said gating means disables incrementation of said time counting means upon sensing the discharge of said firearm.

16. In a training apparatus for firearms use of the type wherein a screen is disposed for projectile penetration, and wherein said screen has displayed thereon images including therewithin at least one defined target area, the improvement comprising:

a. means for directing electromagnetic radiation toward one side of said screen so as to pass through any aperture existing therein;

b. detection means responsive to said radiation and disposed for detecting radiation passing through any such aperture, and generating output signals representative of the location of any such aperture;

c. means for providing electrical reference signals indicative of said defined target area; and

d. comparison means coupled to said detection means and said providing means for determining the degree of correlation between any such aperture and said defined target area.

17. In a training apparatus for firearms use of the type wherein a screen is disposed for projectile penetration, and wherein said screen has displayed thereon images including therewithin at least one defined target area, the improvement comprising:

a. means for directing electromagnetic radiation toward one side of said screen so as to reflect said radiation from said screen except where an aperture exists therein;

b. detection means responsive to said radiation and disposed for detecting radiation passing through any such aperture, and generating output signals representative of the location of any such aperture;

c. means for providing electricaL reference signals indicative of said defined target area; and

d. comparison means coupled to said detection means and said providing means for determining the degree of correlation between any such aperture and said defined target area.