Electronically controlled weapons range with return fire
First Claim
1. An interactive weapons range environment comprising:
- an electronic central controller, the central controller having a first output for providing a return fire signal;
a participation zone;
an electrically controlled return fire simulator aligned to the participation zone, the return fire simulator being coupled to receive the return fire signal from the central controller, the return fire simulator being operative to emit simulated return fire toward the participation zone in response to the return fire signal; and
a participant detector aligned to the participation zone, the detector further being aligned to detect a participant within the participation zone and coupled to provide a signal to the central controller in response to the detection,wherein the central controller further includes an alignment output for supplying an alignment signal and the return fire simulator includes an alignment input coupled to receive the alignment signal from the central controller and wherein the return fire simulator is alignable to a selected location in the participation zone in response to the alignment signal from the central controller.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A weapons training range provides a simulated weapons use scenario including return fire. A microprocessor selects branches from a multi-branch program and causes an image projector to project subscenarios on a display screen visible to a participant. In response to the subscenarios, the participant fires at projected threats. Return fire simulators positioned behind the display screen return fire toward the participant. Obstructions are placed in the weapons range to provide cover for the participant. A video camera and X-Y position sensor identify the X-Y location of the participant and try to detect exposed portions of the participant. Based upon the identified X-Y location and any detected exposed portions, the microprocessor aims the return fire simulators to provide simulated return fire. To simulate real world aiming, the microprocessor induces time-based and response-based aiming errors. Additionally, the microprocessor may aim the return fire simulators at objects in the participation zone to produce deflected fire that may also strike the participant.
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Citations
54 Claims
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1. An interactive weapons range environment comprising:
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an electronic central controller, the central controller having a first output for providing a return fire signal; a participation zone; an electrically controlled return fire simulator aligned to the participation zone, the return fire simulator being coupled to receive the return fire signal from the central controller, the return fire simulator being operative to emit simulated return fire toward the participation zone in response to the return fire signal; and a participant detector aligned to the participation zone, the detector further being aligned to detect a participant within the participation zone and coupled to provide a signal to the central controller in response to the detection, wherein the central controller further includes an alignment output for supplying an alignment signal and the return fire simulator includes an alignment input coupled to receive the alignment signal from the central controller and wherein the return fire simulator is alignable to a selected location in the participation zone in response to the alignment signal from the central controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A virtual training environment, comprising:
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a participation zone; an image display, the image display including a selectable target area; a weapon adapted for use by a participant, the weapon being aimable toward the target area, the weapon being operative to emit simulated fire in response to participant input; an impact detector positioned to detect impact of the simulated fire at the target area; an electronic central controller; and a return fire weapon coupled for control by the central controller, the return fire weapon being aimable into the participation zone and operative to emit simulated return fire, the return fire weapon being responsive to a position the participant in the participation zone, the return fire weapon including an electronically controllable aiming mechanism coupled for control by the central controller. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of providing a simulated conflict situation to a participant in a participation zone, comprising:
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presenting a visually recognizable scenario to the participant; selecting threatening subscenarios; modifying the visually recognizable scenario by selectively presenting the selected threatening subscenarios; emitting simulated return fire in response to the selected threatening subscenarios; selecting regions of the participation zone based on a prescence of the participant with respect to the regions including monitoring the position of the participant within the participation zone and selecting the regions in response the monitored position; directing the simulated return fire toward the selected regions of the participation zone; detecting responses of the participant to the threatening subscenarios; aiming a return fire simulator toward the selected regions including aligning the return fire simulator to the selected regions; and
inducing a selected misalignment error. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. An interactive weapons range environment, comprising:
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an electronic central controller, the central controller having a first output for providing a return fire signal; a participation zone; and an electrically controlled return fire simulator aligned to the participation zone, the return fire simulator being coupled to receive the return fire signal from the central controller, the return fire simulator being operative to emit simulated return fire including projectiles toward the participation zone in response to the return fire signal, the return fire simulator including an electronically controllable aiming mechanism coupled for control by the central controller. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A virtual training environment, comprising:
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a participation zone; an image display, the image display including a selectable target area; a weapon adapted for use by a participant, the weapon being aimable toward the target area, the weapon being operative to emit simulated fire in response to participant input; an impact detector positioned to detect an impact of the simulated fire at the target area; an electronic central controller; and an electronically actuated projectile emitter coupled for control by the central controller, the electronically actuated projectile emitter being aimable into the participation zone and operative to emit simulated return fire including projectiles, the electronically actuated projectile emitter including an electronically controllable aiming mechanism coupled for control by the central controller. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A method of providing a simulated conflict situation to a participant in a participation zone, comprising:
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presenting a visually recognizable scenario to the participant; selecting threatening subscenarios; modifying the visually recognizable scenario by selectively presenting the selected threatening subscenarios; emitting simulated return fire in response to the selected threatening subscenarios; selecting regions of the participation zone; directing the simulated return fire toward the selected regions of the participation zone; and inducing a selected misalignment error into the step of directing the simulated return fire. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54)
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Specification