Method and apparatus for training in the detection of nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) contamination

• US 5,807,113 A
• Filed: 04/22/1996
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Army Government of The United States Department of The Army
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Groeber, Edward O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hafer, Robert A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rovnak, John Edmund
• Application Number:
  US08/641,136
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 434/218, 364/400, 364/578
• US Class Current: 434/218
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/00 Simulators for teaching or training purposes for the use of weapons F41; computing aspects G06; protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality H04L67/131

Abstract

A method and apparatus for training a user in the detection of nuclear, biological, and chemical contamination. Specifically, a fallout pattern generating algorithm is used to algebraically define an elliptical fallout pattern of contamination based on input provided by the user for ground zero location, wind characteristics, and fallout pattern characteristics as well as positional data for the user'"'"'s location derived from a global positioning system or comparable system. A contamination value, which is indicative of a contamination level for the user'"'"'s location at an elapsed time, is then calculated and displayed. This method and apparatus can be used to effectively simulate prompt radiation, arriving fallout or chemical/biological plumes, and hotspots of contamination. The apparatus can be implemented in several highly portable configurations that can be carried by a user into a training location to realistically approximate the appearance and operation of actual detection devices.

Claims

1. A method for deriving simulated fallout levels of nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) contamination in a training environment, comprising the steps of:

deriving coordinates automatically to define the location of a trainee;

obtaining data from the trainee which includes both the training environment and a NBC discharge;

programming a computer with the trainee'"'"'s data and location coordinates to algebraically define individual elliptical patterns, each of which represents an isopleth for a particular contamination fallout level;

programming the computer to assign a symbolic representation for the fallout level of each isopleth; and

displaying the elliptical pattern applicable to the trainee'"'"'s location and the symbolic representation for the fallout level thereof.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the trainee'"'"'s data relative to the elliptical patterns further includes wind characteristics and the position of ground zero.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the coordinates for the location of the trainee are derived with a global positioning system.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the trainee'"'"'s data further includes the location of a NBC hotspot and further comprising the steps of:

programming the computer to algebraically define a circular pattern for representing contamination fallout of a particular level at the hotspot;

programming the computer to assign a symbolic representation for the fallout level of the circular pattern; and

displaying the circular pattern and the symbolic representation for the fallout level thereof.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the programming step which defines the elliptical patterns utilizes elapsed time to relate time-factored fallout levels thereto.

6. The method of claim 2 and further comprising the steps of:

programming the computer to algebraically define a circular pattern relative to the position of ground zero for representing contamination fallout of a particular level at a NBC backlobe;

programming the computer to assign a symbolic representation for the fallout level of the NBC backlobe; and

displaying the circular pattern and the symbolic representation for the fallout level thereof.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein a clock timing step is further included and the trainee'"'"'s data relative to the elliptical patterns further includes a time of burst relative to a chemical/biological cloud, with those patterns being sequentially configured in accordance with the wind characteristics and time of burst.

8. An apparatus for deriving simulated fallout levels of nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) contamination in a training environment, comprising:

means for deriving coordinates automatically to define the location of a trainee;

means for obtaining data from the trainee which includes both the training environment and a NBC discharge;

means for programming a computer with the trainee'"'"'s data and location coordinates to algebraically define individual elliptical patterns, each of which represents an isopleth for a particular contamination fallout level;

means for programming the computer to assign a symbolic representation for the fallout level of each isopleth; and

means for displaying the elliptical pattern applicable to the trainee'"'"'s location and the symbolic representation for the fallout level thereof.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the trainee'"'"'s data relative to the elliptical patterns further includes wind characteristics and the position of ground zero.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the coordinates for the location of the trainee are derived with a global positioning system.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the trainee'"'"'s data further includes the location of a NBC hotspot and further comprising:

means for programming the computer to algebraically define a circular pattern for representing contamination fallout of a particular level at the hotspot;

means for programming the computer to assign a symbolic representation for the fallout level of the circular pattern; and

means for displaying the circular pattern and the symbolic representation for the fallout level thereof.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the programming means which defines the elliptical patterns utilizes elapsed time to relate time-factored fallout levels thereto.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 and further comprising:

means for programming the computer to algebraically derive a circular pattern relative to the position of ground zero for representing contamination fallout of a particular level at a NBC backlobe;

means for programming the computer to assign a symbolic representation for the fallout level of the NBC backlobe; and

means for displaying the circular pattern and the symbolic representation for the fallout level thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein clock timing is further included and the trainee'"'"'s data relative to the elliptical patterns further includes a time of burst relative to a chemical/biological cloud, with those patterns being sequentially configured in accordance with the wind characteristics and time of burst.