Portable compact simulated target motion generating system

• US 5,064,376 A
• Filed: 04/01/1983
• Issued: 11/12/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Unisys Corporation
• Inventors: DeCrescent, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hellner, Mark
• Application Number:
  US06/481,284
• Time in Patent Office: 3,147 Days
• Field of Search: 434/2, 434/3, 343/17.7, 342/169
• US Class Current: 434/2
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/006 for locating or ranging of objects

Abstract

A portable compact target motion simulation system, adapted to generate simulated target motion for displaying, tracking, and controlling a plurality of simulated targets on a display device for training purposes. The system is operable to generate pre-programmed and dynamic exercises, for training trainees in operating tracking devices, to develop trainee skill in analyzing and responding properly to target motion.

The apparatus is totally programmable, and capable of providing targets in any matrix. It includes a target display generator, adapted to store, merge, and transmit timed data signals for driving a target-display device. It further includes a dynamic target motion generator, microprocessor-based, adapted to receive input data identifying the characteristics of particular operator-controlled targets and convert such data into dynamic target motion input data for driving the target display generator. A remote input device, microprocessor-based, enables the operator to interface with and control the functions of particular targets in the target display generator, by inputting target motion initiation and modification data into the dynamic target motion generator, for generating a display to train the trainee.

The apparatus further includes a pre-programmed target motion generator, microprocessor-based, operable in conjunction with a data storage and retrieval device, to generate pre-programmed target motion for demonstrating certain target motion functions, or as a background for dynamic target motion for driving the target display generator, or to store data from the pre-programmed target motion generator and dynamic target motion generator after display thereof, for subsequent debriefing purposes.

Claims

1. A portable compact apparatus for generating simulated motion on a display device, of a plurality of targets, each representing a movable object, for providing training exercises in analyzing and responding to simulated target motion, adapted to compute and generate data to be transmitted to the display device representing the incremental positions, as a function of time, of the targets in simulated motion, comprising:

(a) means for generating target displays, adapted to generate simulated target motion signals, to interface with the display device inputs, and to transmit the simulated target motion signals for driving the display device responsive thereto;

(b) means for generating dynamic target motion, microprocessor-based, adapted to receive controlled target motion data, initiating or modifying motion of controlled targets in real time, and to convert the target motion data into data for input into the target display generating means;

(c) means for remotely generating controlled target motion data in real time, microprocessor based, adapted to enable the operator to interface with, and control the functions of, the dynamic target motion generating means for initiating or modifying motion of the controlled targets in real time; and

(d) a portable compact device for storing previously-displayed dynamic target data received from said dynamic target motion generating means.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising means for generating pre-programmed target motion, microprocessor based, adapted to receive, and transmit to the display generating means, pre-programmed data for pre-programmed target motion, said portable compact device also storing data received from said pre-programmed target motion generating means.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2, further comprising a portable compact device for retrieving pre-programmed target motion data, for driving the pre-programmed target motion generating means.

4. An apparatus as in claim 2, further adapted for simultaneous real-time operation of the dynamic target motion generating means and the pre-programmed target motion generating means, to generate simultaneous real-time pre-programmed and dynamic simulated target motion.

5. A portable compact apparatus for generating simulated motion on a display device, of a plurality of targets, each representing a movable object, for providing training exercises in analyzing and responding to simulated target motion, adapted to compute and generate data to be transmitted to the display device representing the incremental positions, as a function of time, of the targets in simulated motion, comprising:

(a) means for generating target displays, adapted to generate simulated target motion signals, to interface with the display device inputs, and to transmit the simulated target motion signals for driving the display device responsive thereto;

(b) means for generating pre-programmed target motion, microprocessor-based, adapted to receive and transmit to the display generating means, pre-programmed data for pre-programmed target motion; and

(c) means for generating dynamic target motion simultaneously with pre-programmed target motion, microprocessor-based, adapted to receive controlled target motion data, initiating or modifying motion of controlled targets, and to convert the target motion data into data for input into the target display generating means, and means for remotely generating controlled real-time target motion data, microprocessor-based, adapted to enable the operator to interface with, and control the functions of, the dynamic target motion generating means for initiating or modifying motion of the controlled targets in real time.

6. An apparatus as in claim 5, further comprising a portable compact device for retrieving pre-programmed target motion data, for driving the pre-programmed target motion generating means.

7. A portable compact apparatus for generating simulated motion on a display device, of a plurality of targets, each representing a movable object, for providing training exercises in analyzing and responding to simulated target motion, adapted to compute and generate data to be transmitted to the display device representing the incremental positions, as a function of time, of the targets in simulated motion, comprising:

(a) means for generating target displays, adapted to generate simulated target motion signals, to interface with the display device inputs, and to transmit the simulated target motion signals for driving the display device responsive thereto;

(b) means for generating dynamic target motion, microprocessor-based, adapted to receive controlled target motion data, initiating or modifying motion of controlled targets, and to convert the target motion data into data for input into the target display generating means, said dynamic target motion generating means being further adapted to generate output data for transmission to the pre-programmed target motion generating means;

(c) means for remotely generating controlled target motion data, microprocessor based, adapted to enable the operator to interface with, and control the functions of, the dynamic target motion generating means for initiating or modifying motion of the controlled targets; and

(d) means for generating pre-programmed target motion, microprocessor based, adapted to receive, and transmit to the display generating means, pre-programmed data for pre-programmed target motion, said pre-programmed target motion generating means being further adapted to correlate previously-displayed dynamic and pre-programmed target data; and

a portable compact device for storing data received from the pre-programmed target motion generating means and dynamic target motion generating means.

8. An apparatus as in claim 7, further adapted for simultaneous operation of the dynamic target motion generating means and the pre-programmed target motion generating means, to generate simultaneous pre-programmed and dynamic simulated target motion.

9. A portable compact apparatus for generating simulated motion on a display device, of a plurality of targets, each representing a movable object, for providing training exercises in analyzing and responding to simulated target motion, adapted to compute and generate data to be transmitted to the display device representing the incremental positions, as a function of time, of the targets in simulated motion, comprising:

(a) means for generating target displays, adapted to generate simulated target motion signals, to interface with the display device inputs, and to transmit the simulated target motion signals for driving the display device responsive thereto; and

(b) means for generating pre-programmed target motion, microprocessor-based, adapted to receive and transmit to the display generating means, pre-programmed data for pre-programmed target motion, said pre-programmed target motion generating means being further adapted to correlate previously-displaced dynamic and preprogrammed target data;

(c) means for generating dynamic target motion, microprocessor-based, adapted to receive controlled target motion data, initiating or modifying motion of controlled targets, and to convert the target motion data into data for input into the target display generating means, means for remotely generating controlled target motion data, microprocessor based, adapted to enable the operator to interface with, and control the functions of, the dynamic target motion generating means for initiating or modifying motion of the controlled targets, said dynamic target motion generating means being further adapted to generate output data for transmission to the pre-programmed target motion generating means; and

(d) a portable compact device for storing data received from the pre-programmed target motion generating means and dynamic target motion generating means.

10. An apparatus as in claim 9, further comprising a portable compact device for retrieving pre-programmed target motion data, for driving the pre-programmed target motion generating means.