Light pen marksmanship trainer

• US 4,583,950 A
• Filed: 08/31/1984
• Issued: 04/22/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: James E. Schroeder
• Inventors: Schroeder, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Application Number:
  US06/646,322
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 273/310, 273/311, 273/312, 434/20, 434/21, 434/22
• US Class Current: 434/22
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2638 giving hit coordinates by means of raster control signals, e.g. standard light pen

Abstract

An illustrative embodiment of the invention provides marksmanship training in a realistic environment. A "light pen" is clamped to the muzzle of a weapon. The "light pen" and weapon are aimed at a microcomputer-generated target or videodisc-player-generated target on the screen of a television monitor. A trigger switch on the weapon is closed when the marksman perceives the correct orientation between the weapon and the target. The microcomputer calculates the proper trajectory of the simulated "round" based on the orientation of the "light pen" relative to the screen at the time the trigger switch is closed in order to generate and display the calculated shot impact point for the benefit of the trainee marksman.

Claims

1. A marksmanship training apparatus comprising, a television monitor having a screen for presenting target images thereon, a photosensitve device spaced from four to twenty feet from said screen and responsive to light emitted therefrom, a converging lens system for interposition between said photosensitive device and said screen for focussing the real image of said screen on said photosensitive device as a function of the distance from the lens to the screen and the focal length of the lens, a microcomputer coupled to said light pen and said television monitor for producing said target images on said screen and for indicating the relationship between said light pen and said target images, a videodisc player coupled to said microcomputer and said television monitor for producing said target images on said screen, a firearm attached to said photosensitve device and said converging lens system in which said photosensitve device transmits information to said microcomputer about point of aim of said firearm, and a trigger switch on said firearm electrically coupled to said photosensitive device to signal said microcomputer in response to trigger manipulation.

2. A training apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said firearm comprises a dummy firearm.