Indoor training device for weapon firing

• US 4,657,511 A
• Filed: 12/11/1984
• Issued: 04/14/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Giravions Dorand
• Original Assignee: Giravions Dorand
• Inventors: Allard, Jean-Claude, Briard, Rene, Saunier, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Application Number:
  US06/680,396
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 434/16, 434/19, 434/20, 434/21, 434/22
• US Class Current: 434/20
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2627 Cooperating with a motion picture projector
• 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

A training device for indoor weapon-firing comprises a projector for displaying a sequence of moving images in visible light viewed by at least one firer and comprising a landscape with at least one target to be hit. Provision is made for at least one weapon equipped with a trigger mechanism and for an electronic computer assembly which has the function of controlling the emission of the infrared-radiation beam by means of the trigger mechanism. Another function of the electronic assembly is to stop the motion of projected images under the control of the trigger mechanism in order to interrupt the projection on one arrested visible image. A video camera serves to produce a video image of the arrested image and to selectively detect the trace of the infrared beam on the arrested image and to determine the trace location in its video image. A visible indication of the trace location is inserted electronically in the video image of the arrested image.

Claims

1. An indoor training device for weapon firing, comprising:

a screen;

projection means in front of the screen for displaying a moving image including at least one target on the screen in visible light;

at least one weapon in front of the screen, the weapon having a trigger mechanism for operation by a firer and an infrared-beam emitter;

means responsive to operation of the trigger mechanism for causing the emitter to emit an infrared beam, whereby to simulate a projectile form the weapon with the infrared beam;

a video camera in front of the screen for transcribing a video image of the screen;

a retractable filter for passing at least one radiation wavelength of only the infrared beam so interposed between the screen and the video camera that the video camera transcribes only a video image of a trace of the infrared beam on the screen while the retractable filter is so interposed;

means responsive to operation of the trigger mechanism for stopping the projection means, whereby to arrest the moving image including the at least one target therefrom, and for retracting the retractable filter from being so interposed between the screen and the video camera, whereby the video camera transcribes a video image of the arrested image including the at least one target; and

means for electronically superimposing the transcribed video image of the infrared beam and the video image of the arrested moving image and displaying the same.

2. The device according to claim 1, and further comprising means for imposing a predetermined time-delay between the operation of the trigger mechanism and the response thereto of the means for stopping the projection means.

3. The device according to claim 1, and further comprising correcting means for correcting the position of the trace in a predetermined manner by the time superimposed in the displayed video image.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said device comprises means for correcting in a predetermined manner the direction of the infrared-radiation beam with respect to the line of sight of the weapon.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein provision is made for a plurality of weapons as well as means for distinguishing the traces of the corresponding infrared-radiation beams on the arrested image.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the projection means further comprise a filter for absorbing radiations therefrom having the wavelength of the infrared-beam of the emitter.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said device comprises a light-attenuating filter for simulating a nighttime environment in the projection means, said filter being retractable under the control of the trigger mechanism.