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; 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 toward the participation zone in response to the return fire signal; and
an optically sensitive participant detector aligned to the participation zone, the participant 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.
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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
36 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; 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 toward the participation zone in response to the return fire signal; and an optically sensitive participant detector aligned to the participation zone, the participant 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. 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; a return fire weapon coupled for control by the central controller, the return fire weapon being aligned with 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; an obstruction positioned to obscure a first portion of the participation zone from the simulated return fire and to expose a second portion of the participation zone to the simulated return fire; and an optically sensitive exposure detector aligned to the participation zone, the exposure detector further being aligned to detect a portion of the participant within the exposed second portion of the participation zone, the exposure detector being coupled to provide an exposure signal to the central controller in response to the detected position of the participant with respect to the second portion of the participation zone. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. 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; automatically optically monitoring the participation zone for the participant; and directing a simulated return fire toward the participation zone in response to the monitored position of the participant. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification