Automated improvised explosive device training system

• US 8,408,907 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2007
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cubic Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cubic Corporation
• Inventors: Herbert, Robert, Brisson, Chris, Haberman, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Utama, Robert J
• Application Number:
  US11/780,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20120214135A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,084 Days
• Field of Search: 434 11- 19
• US Class Current: 434/11
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/02 Light- or radiation-emitting guns ; Light- or radiation-sensitive guns; Cartridges carrying light emitting sources, e.g. laser
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 8/28 Land or marine mines; Depth charges
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/003 for military purposes and tactics

Abstract

A system and method for an automated improvised explosive device training is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the system utilizes an IED mock-up that embeds a processor and wireless modem. A separate processor and wireless modem is embedded in a trainee unit. A wireless network interface is provided, allowing for communication between the IED and trainee processors. Upon a simulated detonation, the IED processor queries each trainee unit for their current position using a wireless local area network message. The IED processor is configured to determine distance differentiation and casualty assessment data based on received signal strength of exchanged wireless messages or GPS coordinates. The trainee processor is configured to automatically signal casualty status to the trainee based on casualty assessment data.

Claims

1. A system for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment comprising:

an IED mock-up including an IED modem for network connectivity;

at least one trainee unit including a trainee modem for network connectivity;

an IED processor and trainee processor, wherein the IED processor is configured to determine a distance differentiation between the IED mock-up and the at least one trainee unit, wherein the distance differentiation is based on a received wireless signal strength of the at least one trainee unit;

a wireless network interface that communicatively couples the IED processor with the trainee processor; and

an IED manager coupled to the IED processor and configured to generate casualty assessment data based on the distance differentiation between the IED mock-up and the at least one trainee unit, and automatically relaying the casualty assessment data to the at least one trainee unit via the wireless network interface.

2. The system for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment as recited claim 1, wherein the IED mock-up is soda can, barrel, box, or any other hidden explosive compartment.

3. The system for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment as recited claim 1, wherein the at least one trainee unit is a solider vest.

4. The system for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment as recited claim 1, wherein the at least one trainee unit is a docking station for use on a vehicle.

5. The system for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment as recited claim 1, wherein the distance differentiation is based on global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the IED mock-up and the trainee unit.

6. The system for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment as recited claim 1, wherein the wireless network interface is ZigBee IEEE 802.15.4 standard.

7. The system for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment as recited claim 1, wherein casualty assessment is performed at the trainee processor.

8. An apparatus for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment comprising:

an IED modem for network connectivity; and

an IED processor configured to determine distance differentiation between the IED mock-up and a trainee unit, wherein;

the distance differentiation is used to process casualty assessment data; and

the distance differentiation is determined based on a received signal from the trainee unit.

9. The apparatus for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment as recited claim 8, wherein the distance differentiation is based on received signal strength.

10. The apparatus for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment as recited claim 8, wherein the distance differentiation is based on global positioning system (GPS) coordinates.

11. An apparatus for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment comprising:

a trainee modem for network connectivity;

a trainee processor configured to send and receive wireless local area network messages; and

a signaling device to alert a trainee of casualty status, wherein;

the trainee processor is configured to determine a distance between an IED mock-up and the trainee, and

the trainee processor is configured to perform casualty assessment based on the distance between the IED mock-up and the trainee.

12. The apparatus for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment as recited claim 11, wherein the signaling device alerts the trainee either audibly or visibly.

13. The apparatus for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment as recited claim 11, wherein the distance between the IED mock-up and the trainee is based on received signal strength (RSS).

14. The apparatus for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment as recited claim 11, wherein the distance between the IED mock-up and the trainee is based on global positioning system (GPS) coordinates.

15. A method for generating automated casualty assessment in an IED training environment, the steps comprising:

detecting an IED trigger event;

determining an IED mock-up position;

querying a trainee unit for a trainee current position via a wireless local area network (WLAN) message;

receiving the trainee current position via WLAN message;

determining a distance differentiation based upon a distance between the IED mock-up position and the trainee current position;

determining casualty assessment data using the distance differentiation; and

relaying casualty assessment data automatically to trainee unit.

16. The method for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment as recited claim 15, wherein the trigger event is accomplished manually from a trainer or automatically through the use of motion sensors.

17. The method for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment as recited claim 15, wherein determining a distance differentiation is based upon received signal strength of the WLAN messages.

18. The method for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment as recited claim 15, wherein determining a distance differentiation is based upon global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the IED mock-up and trainee unit.

19. A computer-readable memory containing program instructions for generating automated casualty assessment in the IED training environment of claim 15.

20. A method for generating automated casualty assessment in an IED training environment, the steps comprising:

receiving a request for trainee position information from an IED processor;

sending trainee position information via a wireless local area network (WLAN) message to the IED processor;

receiving casualty assessment data from the IED processor via a WLAN message, wherein the casualty assessment data is calculated based on a distance differentiation between the IED processor and the trainee position information; and

signaling casualty status automatically to a trainee based on the casualty assessment data.

21. A computer-readable memory containing program instructions for generating automated casualty assessment in the IED training environment of claim 20.

22. A method for generating automated casualty assessment in an IED training environment, the steps comprising:

detecting an IED trigger event;

determining an IED position and blast radius information;

sending the IED position and blast radius information to the trainee processor via a wireless local area network message;

receiving a wireless signal from the trainee processor via the local area network;

determining whether a trainee is within the blast radius by calculating a distance differentiation between the IED position and the trainee processor based on the wireless signal received from the trainee processor;

determining a casualty assessment for the trainee based on whether the trainee is within the blast radius.

23. The method for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment as recited claim 22, wherein the trigger event is accomplished manually from a trainer or automatically through the use of motion sensors.

24. A computer-readable memory containing program instructions for generating automated casualty assessment in an IED training environment of claim 22.

25. A method for generating automated casualty assessment in an IED training environment, the steps comprising:

receiving an IED position and blast radius information from an IED processor via a wireless local area network message;

sending a signal to the IED processor that indicates a relative distance from the IED processor;

receiving a casualty status based on the relative distance from the IED processor; and

signaling casualty status automatically to a trainee based on the casualty assessment data.

26. A system for generating automated casualty assessment in an improvised explosive device (IED) training environment comprising:

an IED mock-up including an IED means for network connectivity;

at least one trainee unit including a means for network connectivity;

an IED processor and trainee processor, wherein the IED processor includes a means to determine a distance differentiation between the IED mock-up and the at least one trainee unit, wherein the distance differentiation is determined based on a received signal from the at least one trainee unit;

a wireless communication means for bidirectional communication between the IED processor with the trainee processor;

an IED manager coupled to the IED processor including a means to generate casualty assessment data based on the distance differentiation between the IED mock-up and the at least one trainee unit, and automatically relaying the casualty assessment data to the at least one trainee unit via the wireless communication means.