Wireless data communication link embedded in simulated weapon systems

• US 7,291,014 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2003
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: InVeris Training Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: FATS, Inc. (Meggitt-USA, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chung, Bobby Hsiang-Hua, Klusendorf, Kelvin William
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzuto; Robert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Saadat; Cameron
• Application Number:
  US10/444,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20040121292A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,628 Days
• Field of Search: 434/11, 434/21, 434/22, 434/23, 434/27
• US Class Current: 434/11
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/00 Adaptations for training adaptations of barrels for recoil reinforcement F41A21/26; Gun simulators teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26 ; shooting games A63F9/02; military simulation G09B9/003

Abstract

A weapon simulator assembly having a wireless module provided in a simulated weapon to maximize the freedom of movement for the user and to provide complete diagnostics from electronic sensors for users of the firearms training simulator. The wireless module is embedded in the simulated weapon used in the simulator assembly and connected to various sensors to obtain operational information. The wireless data communication link is a wireless module using a frequency hopping spread spectrum technology such that the wireless module can fit in a small firearm simulator, such as a handgun or chemical spray simulator.

Claims

1. A weapon simulator assembly having a wireless connection to a central processing unit providing free motion for a user of said weapon simulator assembly, the central processing unit having a first wireless transceiver, said weapon simulator assembly comprising:

an untethered simulated small arms weapon having a frame;

a trigger sensor mounted within said simulated small arms weapon to generate a corresponding trigger sensor signal;

a magazine sensor mounted within said simulated small arms weapon to generate a magazine sensor signal corresponding to the connection of a magazine with said frame of said simulated small arms weapon; and

a wireless module mounted within said simulated small arms weapon in continuous electrical communication with said trigger sensor and said magazine sensor to receive said trigger sensor signal and said magazine sensor signal, said wireless module having a second wireless module transceiver; and

wherein said second wireless transceiver of said wireless module transmits said trigger sensor signal and said magazine sensor signal to the first wireless transceiver using a radio frequency based transmission.

2. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said second wireless transceiver receives commands from said first wireless transceiver.

3. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said second wireless transceiver is a frequency hopping spread spectrum transceiver.

4. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 further comprising sensor interface electronics, said sensor interface electronics connecting said trigger sensor and said magazine sensor with said wireless module within said simulated small arms weapon.

5. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 wherein the radio frequency of data transmitted from said wireless transceivers is substantially within the 2.4 GHz band.

6. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 further comprising aiming means for determining the position of said simulated small arms weapon.

7. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 6 wherein said aiming means comprises a laser module connected to said simulated small arms weapon.

8. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 7 further comprising laser interface electronics, said laser interface electronics connecting said wireless module with said laser module.

9. The weapons simulator assembly as described in claim 1 further comprising a microcontroller connected to said simulated small arms weapon.

10. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 9 further comprising a power supply connected to said microcontroller.

11. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 further comprising an antenna within said simulated small arms weapon connected to said wireless module.

12. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said trigger sensor comprises a mechanical switch.

13. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said simulated small arms comprises a crew-served weapon housing.

14. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 1 wherein said simulated small arms weapon comprises a firearm housing.

15. A wireless weapon simulating system comprising:

a central simulation computer;

a man-portable weapon simulator having a frame and a magazine connected to said frame;

a trigger sensor connected to said frame for monitoring the operation of said man-portable weapon simulator, wherein said trigger sensor generates a trigger sensor signal;

a magazine sensor connected to said frame for monitoring the connection of a operation of said man-portable weapon simulator, wherein said trigger sensor generates a trigger sensor signal; and

a wireless module having a transceiver, said wireless module mounted to said frame within said man-portable weapon simulator, said wireless module electronically linked to said trigger sensor to receive said trigger sensor signal and to said magazine sensor to receive said magazine sensor signal;

wherein said wireless module transmits said trigger sensor signal and said magazine sensor signal to said central simulation computer and receives commands from said central simulation computer using a radio-frequency transmission.

16. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 15 wherein said wireless module is uses a frequency hopping spread spectrum technology.

17. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 15 wherein the radio frequency of said radio-based transmission is substantially within the 2.4 GHz band.

18. A method for monitoring the status of a man-portable weapon simulator having a discrete weapon housing using a central processing unit, said method comprising the steps of:

a) continuously monitoring a variety of sensors mounted in the housing of the man-portable weapon simulator with a detection unit mounted within the housing;

b) generating sensor signals from said variety of sensors to said detection unit within the man-portable weapon simulator corresponding to the state of said respective sensors said simulated man portable weapon; and

c) wirelessly transmitting said sensor signals from a wireless module in said detection unit having a wireless transceiver affixed within the man-portable weapon simulator to the central processing unit using a radio-frequency based transmission.

19. The method as described in claim 18, wherein step c) further comprises providing a frequency hopping spread spectrum technology to transmit said sensor signal from said wireless module.

20. The method as described in claim 18, wherein after step d) further comprising the steps of:

validating said sensor signal with the central processing unit to confirm the state of said simulated man-portable weapon; and

triggering the firing of a laser module affixed to said simulated man-portable weapon.

21. The method as described in claim 18, further comprising the step of transmitting commands from the central processing unit to said detection unit to be executed by said simulated man-portable weapon.

22. A weapon simulator assembly imparting unbound motion for a user of said weapon simulator assembly, the weapon simulator assembly having a wireless connection to a first wireless transceiver of a central processing unit, wherein said weapon simulator assembly comprises:

an untethered simulated handles weapon having a frame;

a wireless module mounted within said frame of said simulated handles weapon, said wireless module having a second wireless module transceiver; and

a trigger sensor mounted within said frame of said simulated handles weapon in uninterrupted electrical communication with said wireless module;

a magazine sensor mounted within said frame of said simulated handles weapon in uninterrupted electrical communication with said wireless module;

wherein said second wireless transceiver of said wireless module transmits said trigger sensor signal and said magazine sensor signal to the first wireless transceiver using a radio frequency based transmission.

23. The weapon simulator assembly as described in claim 22 further comprising a microcontroller connected to said simulated handles weapon.