Simulator with fore and AFT video displays

• US 8,123,526 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2003
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cubic Corporation
• Original Assignee: Advanced Interactive Systems, Inc. (Cubic Corporation)
• Inventors: Hoover, Steven G., McLean, David, Martin, Scott E., Halley, William J., Haynes, George W. T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hu, Kang
• Application Number:
  US10/352,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20040146840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,319 Days
• Field of Search: 434 16- 21, 463/2, 463 49- 57
• US Class Current: 434/21
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2627 Cooperating with a motion picture projector
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2655 in which the light beam is sent from the weapon to the target
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/003 for military purposes and tactics

Abstract

A simulated real-time environment employs a plurality of computer controlled video projectors and screens at least fore and aft of a participant-trainee to present life-size displays mutually coordinated to represent views of a same environment from a participant'"'"'s perspective, each screen representing the participant'"'"'s view looking in a different direction. In response to a participant'"'"'s actions, the computer seamlessly changes a projected video to match the participant'"'"' actions and maintain a scenario consistent between the two screens. The participant uses a light-emitting simulated firearm or his own firearm loaded with a light-emitting cartridge and/or other equipment with which he is familiar, such as a modified or simulated flashlight, taser, chemical spray container or the like, tethered or untethered by a communication wire, to respond to a simulated situation, which response detected and interpreted by the computer to direct a branch in the projected videos and even shoot back a simulated bullet. He may also use verbal commands.

Claims

1. A training simulator in which a participant engages in an environment simulated through projected videos about the participant, comprising,

a plurality of videos;

a plurality of screens, including at least a screen in front of the participant and behind the participant, wherein the simulator is adapted such that the participant can move about the simulator as part of his training;

a plurality of projectors adapted to project the videos on the respective screens presenting life-size displays mutually coordinated to represent views of a same environment from a participant'"'"'s perspective, each screen representing the participant'"'"'s view looking in a different direction, including in front of and behind the participant;

a detector adapted to detect participant actions within the training simulator;

a computer directing and controlling videos projected by the projectors, the videos mutually time-synchronized and situationally coordinated, the computer receiving input from the detector and programmed to logically branch as a result of user input through the detector to direct a different video from the database to at least one of the projectors, representing situational changes caused by participant action;

a weapon or simulated weapon as a participant input device employable by the participant and retained by the participant during participant'"'"'s engagement with the simulated environment, shooting of the weapon or simulated weapon causing it to emit light therein in response to a threat situation presented to the participant on a screen, which light is detected within the simulated environment, wherein the displayed videos at least in part present said threat situation to the participant and wherein said detector further comprises a light detector located at least one screen configured to detect light emitted from the weapon or simulated weapon directed at said screen;

and, a microphone connected to the computer and adapted to detect verbal input from the participant, the computer interpreting said verbal input as commands integrated as a response of the participant to the simulated environment.

2. The training simulator of claim 1 further comprising a detector connected to the computer and adapted to detect light emitted from a simulated chemical spray device directed by the participant.

3. The training simulator of claim 1 further comprising an acoustical speaker introducing sound into the simulated environment coordinated with the projected videos.

4. The training simulator of claim 1 further comprising a physical target introduced into the environment on computer command spaced apart from the screens.

5. The training simulator of claim 1 in which said light from the weapon or simulated weapon is detectable effectively as the light intersects a screen by detectors at the screen.

6. The training simulator of claim 5 in which said weapon comprises a firearm loaded with nonprojectile bullets configured to emit light from the firearm.

8. The training simulator of claim 1 further comprising a gun adapted to shoot a projectile at the participant in response to a participant action or by direction of a simulator operator.

10. The training simulator of claim 1 further comprising a device selected from the group consisting of a laser, a simulated firearm, a simulated taser, and a simulated flashlight, each of which comprise a light-emitting device detectable by said detector.

11. The training simulator of claim 1 further comprising life size displays 360 degrees around the participant representing a full circumferential life size scenario.

7. A training simulator in which a participant engages in an environment simulated through projected videos about the participant, comprising,

a plurality of videos;

a plurality of screens, including at least a screen in front of the participant and behind the participant, wherein the simulator is adapted such that the participant can move about the simulator as part of his training;

a plurality of projectors adapted to project the videos on the respective screens presenting life-size displays mutually coordinated to represent views of a same environment from a participant'"'"'s perspective, each screen representing the participant'"'"'s view looking in a different direction, including in front of and behind the participant;

a detector adapted to detect participant actions within the training simulator;

a computer directing and controlling videos projected by the projectors, the videos mutually time-synchronized and situationally coordinated, the computer receiving input from the detector and programmed to logically branch as a result of user input through the detector to direct a different video from the database to at least one of the projectors, representing situational changes caused by participant action;

a weapon as a participant input device employable by the participant and retained by the participant during participant'"'"'s engagement with the simulated environment, shooting of the weapon detected as a response to a threat situation presented to the participant on a screen;

wherein the displayed videos at least in part present said threat situation to the participant and wherein said detector is located at least one screen and configured to detect a bullet discharged from the weapon directed at said screen, in which said weapon comprises a participant'"'"'s own firearm loaded with live ammunition;

and, a microphone connected to the computer and adapted to detect verbal input from the participant, the computer interpreting said verbal input as commands integrated as a response of the participant to the simulated environment.

9. A training simulator in which a participant engages in an environment simulated through projected videos about the participant, comprising,

a database of said videos;

a plurality of screens, including at least a screen in front of the participant and behind the participant, wherein the simulator is adapted such that the participant can move about the simulator as part of his training;

a plurality of projectors adapted to project said videos on the respective screens presenting life-size displays mutually coordinated to represent views of a same environment from a participant'"'"'s perspective, each screen representing the participant'"'"'s view looking in a different direction, including in front of and behind the participant;

a plurality of rooms with at least one of said screens and at least one of said projectors located in each of at least two of said plurality of rooms, the simulator adapted to accommodate the participant moving between said rooms with the videos branching to adapt to the changing location of the participant;

a detector adapted to detect participant actions within the training simulator;

a computer directing and controlling videos projected by the projectors, the videos mutually time-synchronized and situationally coordinated, the computer receiving input from the detector and programmed to logically branch as a result of user input through the detector to direct a different video from the database to at least one of the projectors, representing situational changes caused by participant action;

a weapon or simulated weapon as a participant input device employable by the participant and retained by the participant during participant'"'"'s engagement with the simulated environment, shooting of the weapon or simulated weapon causing it to emit light therein in response to a threat situation presented to the participant on a screen, which light is detected within the simulated environment;

wherein the displayed videos at least in part present said threat situation to the participant and wherein said detector further comprises a light detector located at least one screen and configured to detect light emitted from the weapon or simulated weapon directed at said screen;

and, a microphone connected to the computer and adapted to detect verbal input from the participant, the computer interpreting said verbal input as commands integrated as a response of the participant to the simulated environment.