Augmented Reality Marksmanship Training System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shooting simulators fail to effectively teach marksmen how to lead moving targets, as they require aiming at invisible objects or use complex and expensive systems, making the learning process difficult and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A virtual reality system that simulates a moving target at the same visual scale as seen in the field, using a phantom target positioned ahead of the real target, with sensors and a computer to track the target's position and the user's weapon, providing a phantom halo for accurate aiming and feedback on hits or misses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing shooting simulators are used to train marksmen, then training can be conducted in a controlled environment, but the simulators require aiming at invisible objects or use complex and expensive systems, making the learning process difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a camera to capture images of the real shooting environment and displays them on a screen, creating a visual copy of the actual target and surroundings. This allows trainees to see the target clearly while the system tracks the weapon position separately, eliminating the need for complex mechanical simulation devices while maintaining training realism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a computer as an intermediary that processes images from the camera and generates the phantom target overlay. This intermediary handles the complex image processing and target generation tasks, separating the visual display function from the weapon tracking function, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining training effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If existing shooting simulators are used to train marksmen, then training can be conducted in a controlled environment, but the simulators require aiming at invisible objects or use complex and expensive systems, making the learning process time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining effectivenessVSAvoidtraining time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a visual copy of the real target and shooting environment on a screen, allowing trainees to immediately see what they are aiming at. This eliminates the time required to adapt to invisible targets and speeds up the learning process while maintaining training realism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate visual feedback by displaying the phantom target overlay that shows the correct lead position. This real-time feedback allows trainees to quickly learn and adjust their aiming technique, reducing the time needed to master target leading skills

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If a phantom target is positioned ahead of the real target to teach leading, then the visual scale matches real shooting scenarios, but the system requires sensors and computer processing to track position and provide feedback

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual scale accuracyVSAvoidtracking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The computer acts as an intermediary that handles the complex task of tracking weapon position and calculating the phantom target position. By offloading these computational tasks to the computer, the physical tracking system can use simpler sensors while maintaining high measurement precision through software processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of the weapon position data and uses it to generate the phantom target position on the screen. This digital copying and processing approach allows for precise calculation of lead distance without requiring complex mechanical tracking devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11015902B2System and method for marksmanship training
Publication Date: 2021.05.25 SHOOTING SIMULATOR LLC
  • US11015902B2 patent drawing
  • US11015902B2 patent drawing
  • US11015902B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system for and method of use of an augmented reality display is provided. The preferred system is implemented by one or more tactical units calculating a target path from a weapon position and a range. A lead is calculated. A phantom target is displayed at the lead. A virtual laser and virtual tracer are provided to assist in target tracking. A spotter unit is also provided to supplement target path and range data. A neural network is provided to learn from tracking and successful lead data and to predict lead in the tactical theatre.