Optical Drone Tracking for Marksmanship Simulation Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current simulation shooting systems, such as I-TESS, provide unrealistic training due to large simulated bullet diameters, lack of realistic cover and concealment scenarios, and the potential for cheating, and fail to accurately portray bullet trajectories and impacts, especially when targets are obscured.
Innovation Solution
A shooting simulation system that uses a combination of man-worn computers, optical systems aligned with the firearm's sight, GPS devices, and a drone camera to capture images and determine the trajectory and impact location of virtual bullets, allowing for accurate hit or miss calculations without the need for active sensors or emissions, and providing realistic training in marksmanship and cover/concealment techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If laser-based simulated bullet systems (I-TESS) are used for training, then training can be conducted without live fire, but the simulated bullet diameter is much larger than actual bullets causing inaccurate hit/miss determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical imaging to capture actual bullet impact locations on targets, creating a visual copy of the bullet's trajectory and impact point. This replaces the laser-based simulated bullet system with a system that actually tracks real bullet behavior, maintaining safety by using optical detection rather than live fire while improving measurement precision through direct visual confirmation of bullet impact locations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical laser-based bullet simulation system with an optical detection system that uses cameras and image processing to track and determine bullet impact locations. This substitution eliminates the need for large-diameter laser spots while achieving precise hit/miss determination through optical imaging and coordinate mapping
2Ease of manufacture
If laser beams are used to simulate bullets, then training can proceed without actual projectiles, but the laser beam does not curve toward the ground like a projectile and requires no leading of moving targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent captures actual bullet trajectories and impact locations through optical imaging, creating a faithful copy of real projectile behavior. The system records how bullets actually curve and travel through air, including their trajectory arcs and impact points on moving or stationary targets, thereby maintaining both simplicity of implementation and high realism of trajectory simulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-calculates and pre-positions the optical detection system to track bullet trajectories before firing occurs. The system is configured in advance to capture the complete bullet path from muzzle to target, including curvature and impact location, enabling realistic trajectory simulation without requiring complex real-time adjustments during training
3Productivity
If I-TESS laser systems are used for force-on-force training, then competitive training can be conducted, but soldiers may cheat by blocking or covering the infrared sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical imaging to capture visual evidence of bullet impacts and target hits, creating an undeniable copy of what actually occurred during training. This visual recording system prevents cheating because soldiers cannot block or interfere with optical cameras in the same way they could block infrared sensors, and the captured images provide permanent verification of training events
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical imaging intermediary between the bullet and target that objectively records the interaction. This intermediary system (cameras and image processing) acts as an impartial mediator that cannot be easily manipulated or blocked by soldiers, thereby maintaining the integrity and reliability of the training simulation while preserving competitive productivity
4Measurement precision
If optical systems are used to capture bullet impact locations, then accurate hit/miss determination can be achieved, but the system becomes more complex requiring image processing and coordinate mapping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses coordinate mapping as an intermediary mathematical framework to bridge the optical image space and the physical target space. By establishing coordinate transformations between the camera's image coordinates and the target's physical coordinates, the system achieves precise bullet impact location determination while managing complexity through systematic mathematical relationships rather than ad-hoc measurements
Data Source
AI summary
A shooting simulation system and method. The system includes a plurality of firearms. Each firearm is associated with a separate soldier having a man-worn computer, a location device for determining a location of the soldier, an optical system for capturing an image where the captured image provides information on a trajectory of a virtual bullet fired from a shooting firearm, and an orientation device for obtaining the orientation of the firearm when shooting the firearm. Furthermore, the system includes an aerial drone having a camera to capture a second image. The system also includes a shooter/target location resolution module for identifying a valid target and a target image recognition module for determining an impact location where a virtual bullet from the shooting firearm would impact within the captured images and determining if an identified target from the captured images is a hit or a miss.