Modular Vehicle Crew Training System Using HMD
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual crew training systems lack modularity and flexibility to accommodate both individual and collective training, and they often have limited fidelity and a large physical footprint, making them impractical for standard trailers or portable shelters.
Innovation Solution
A modular, computer-based vehicle crew training system (VCTS) that includes self-contained, reconfigurable crewman modules with a gunner module using a head-mounted display and a moveable weapon mock-up, allowing for 360-degree view and compact design, supporting individual, crew, and collective training across various military vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If video projection screens and fixed mount weapon mockup are used for gunner training, then training fidelity is improved, but physical footprint increases and field of view is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a head-mounted display (HMD) to create a virtual copy of the external environment, replacing the need for physical projection screens. This virtual environment copy provides unlimited field of view without requiring the large physical space needed for traditional projection setups, thus maintaining training fidelity while reducing physical footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional projection screen to a three-dimensional immersive environment using HMD. This dimensional change allows the trainee to view the training scene from any angle (360 degrees) without being constrained by the physical boundaries of a projection screen, effectively eliminating the trade-off between fidelity and physical footprint.
2Manufacturing precision
If appended trainers or crew station trainers are used, then training fidelity is improved, but modularity is reduced and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the training system into separate, modular crewman modules (driver, gunner, commander, etc.), each with its own HMD and control station. These modules can be independently configured, added, or removed based on specific training requirements, providing both high fidelity and full modularity that traditional integrated trainers lack.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal training platform where the same modular crewman modules can be used across different vehicle types and training scenarios. The standardized HMD-based interface and virtual environment architecture allow the system to adapt to various training needs without requiring purpose-built facilities, thus achieving both fidelity and versatility.
3Ease of manufacture
If desktop training systems are used, then cost is reduced, but fidelity is limited and modularity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses HMD technology to create immersive virtual copies of real-world environments and vehicle interiors. This allows the system to achieve high-fidelity training experiences comparable to expensive appended trainers, while using more cost-effective desktop computer hardware as the base platform. The virtual copying approach eliminates the need for expensive physical replicas while maintaining realism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical training systems (physical appended trainers, crew station replicas) with software-based virtual environments rendered on HMD. This substitution maintains training fidelity through realistic virtual graphics and physics while significantly reducing hardware costs and enabling greater modularity through software configuration rather than physical reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer based simulation system for virtual training for vehicle crews is disclosed. The vehicle crew training system (VCTS) simulates crew positions for different military vehicles. Two or more crewman modules are networked together to support a partial or full vehicle crew. The crewman modules are self-contained devices that are modular in hardware and software design, easily reconfigurable, and that require minimal facility space, allowing use in restricted environments such as trailers. The VCTS is modular at the crew position level; crewman modules are added or deleted as required to meet a particular training need. One of the crewman modules can be a gunner module, which provides an unrestricted view of the simulated environment to the gunner by means of a display and a simulated vehicle-mounted weapon.