System and method of simulation

• US 8,098,154 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2008
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Young, C. Gil, Hogan, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hung T.
• Application Number:
  US12/191,415
• Publication Number:
  US 20090121862A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,251 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.2, 340/539.1, 340/539.13, 340/531, 340/686.6, 340/573.1, 340/825.49, 340/825.69, 340/568.2, 340/691.2, 340/539.23, 340/515, 342/448, 342/464, 463/39, 463/40
• US Class Current: 340/539.2
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/006 for locating or ranging of objects

Abstract

A simulation system includes a two-dimensional electrical grid installed in a floor or floor mat. Signals from boot mounted transmitters can be sensed via the grid to track boot locations in real-time during training exercises.

Claims

1. A simulation method processed by a processor, comprising:

establishing a substantially planar conductive grid comprising a plurality of conductive elements, wherein the plurality of conductive elements comprises a first plurality of conductive elements that extend linearly, spaced apart from one another, across the conductive grid, generally in a first direction, and a second plurality of conductive elements that extend linearly, spaced apart from one another, across the conductive grid, generally in a second direction;

coupling electrical energy to at least portions of the conductive grid and thereby providing wireless electrical energy in a vicinity of the conductive grid;

receiving by the conductive grid a wireless location indicating indicium relative to the conductive grid from a transmitter unit in the vicinity of the conductive grid;

determining a location on the conductive grid where the wireless location indicating indicium was received by the conductive grid; and

displaying the location of the wireless location indicium relative to the conductive grid.

2. The simulation method as in claim 1 which includes establishing a multi-dimensional display location.

3. The simulation method as in claim 2 which includes presenting at the multi-dimensional display location a multi-dimensional image of the conductive grid.

4. The simulation method as in claim 3 wherein the transmitter unit is powered by the wireless electrical energy provided in the vicinity of the conductive grid. indicator of the location relative to the grid.

5. The simulation method as in claim 4 which includes displaying a plurality of indicators of different locations relative to the conductive grid.

6. The simulation method as in claim 3 which includes displaying an orientation specifying indicator of the multi-dimensional display location relative to the conductive grid.

7. The simulation method as in claim 2 which includes installing the conductive grid in at least one of a floor or mat.

8. The simulation method as in claim 1 which includes dynamically displaying in real time an indicator of a moving location relative to the conductive grid.

9. The simulation method as in claim 1 where coupling electrical energy includes coupling at least one of a varying electrical current, or a varying electrical voltage to the conductive grid.

10. The simulation method as in claim 9 where coupling electrical energy includes coupling an alternating current to the conductive grid.

11. The simulation method as in claim 10 where coupling electrical energy includes causing adjacent alternating currents to flow in different directions in the conductive grid.

12. The simulation method of claim 1, wherein receiving by the conductive grid the wireless location indicating indicium relative to the conductive grid from the transmitter unit in the vicinity of the conductive grid comprises:

receiving, by at least two conductive elements of the plurality of conductive elements, the wireless location indicating indicium from the transmitter unit, the transmitter unit being powered by the wireless electrical energy.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the location of the wireless location indicating indicium relative to the conductive grid further comprises displaying a representation of a participant at the location relative to the conductive grid.

14. A method for tracking a participant in a simulation processed by a processor, comprising:

providing a conductive grid comprising a plurality of conductive elements, wherein the plurality of conductive elements comprises a first plurality of conductive elements that extend linearly, spaced apart from one another, across the conductive grid, generally in a first direction, and a second plurality of conductive elements that extend linearly, spaced apart from one another, across the conductive grid, generally in a second direction;

applying an alternating current to the conductive grid and thereby providing wireless electrical energy in a vicinity of the conductive grid;

receiving, by at least two conductive elements of the plurality of conductive elements, a signal from a transmitter unit worn by the participant in the simulation, the transmitter unit being powered by the wireless electrical energy;

based on the signal received by the at least two conductive elements, determining a position of the participant with respect to the conductive grid; and

displaying a representation of the participant at the position with respect to the conductive grid on a display device.