Light Spot Tracking in Weapon Simulators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current weapon simulators face challenges in accurately and efficiently detecting and tracking points of light from multiple firearms on a projection surface, especially when multiple shooters move freely, leading to slow update rates and inaccurate assignments of light positions.
Innovation Solution
A method where points of light from all firearms are switched on and recorded at odd times to determine positions, and then assigned to specific firearms at even times, using a computer program running on the weapon simulator's processing unit to ensure timely and accurate evaluation of shots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If points of light from all firearms are continuously recorded and assigned in real-time, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection and assignment processes into distinct temporal phases (detection phase and assignment phase). During the detection phase, positions of all light spots are captured simultaneously. During the assignment phase, each light spot is systematically assigned to its corresponding firearm. This segmentation reduces processing complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of all light spot positions before performing the assignment operation. By capturing all position data first, then assigning them to firearms in a subsequent organized manner, the system avoids the complexity of simultaneous real-time assignment while ensuring accurate tracking.
2Productivity
If multiple cameras are used to track light spots from multiple firearms simultaneously, then productivity and update rate improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single camera that performs multiple functions: detecting light spots from all firearms, capturing their positions, and enabling systematic assignment to individual weapons. This multi-functional approach achieves the tracking of multiple firearms without requiring multiple cameras, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing device complexity.
3Reliability
If light spots from all firearms are tracked continuously, then reliability of shot evaluation improves, but loss of time in processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic detection cycles where all light spot positions are captured at regular intervals. Within each cycle, the system first detects all positions, then performs systematic assignment. This periodic structured approach ensures reliable shot evaluation while managing processing time through organized batch operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous tracking of all light spots throughout the detection phase, ensuring no shot data is lost. By keeping the detection action continuous and organized, the system preserves reliability of shot evaluation while efficiently managing processing through systematic assignment procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for precise and rapid assignment of light positions to individual firearms, enabling accurate tracking and evaluation of shots even with a large number of firearms, improving the realism and efficiency of training scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
the content of the projection surface, including the points of light, is optically recorded by at least one camera at specific points in time
Implementation Method 2
At least when 'firing' the simulated firearm, the weapon can emit a laser beam, the direction of which essentially corresponds to the departure direction of a fired projectile from a live cartridge. A point of light generated by the laser beam on the projection surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for tracking and detecting the positions of light points (5) generated, at least temporarily, by a number N, where N>1, of firearms (2) modified for simulation purposes, on a projection surface (3) of a weapon simulator (1), wherein the content of the projection surface (3), including the light points (5), is optically captured by at least one camera (6) at specific times. It is proposed that at all odd times (11) before the content of the projection surface (3) is captured, the light points (5) of all firearms (2) of the weapon simulator (1) are switched on and captured, their positions are detected, and corresponding position data is obtained; and that at successive even times (12) before the content of the projection surface (3) is captured, a light point (5) of a different firearm i (2), where i=1...N, is switched on and detected and assigned to the firearm i (2) and corresponding assignment information is obtained.