Weapon Simulator View Alignment Using Retroreflector Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shooting simulators fail to accurately simulate directed shooting at targets out of direct view or range, leading to inconsistencies between virtual and real-world views due to orientation, sighting, and database imperfections, which can disturb training scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method and simulator that utilize a rangefinder with retro-reflectors to measure angle-error and telemetry, compare virtual and captured images, and adjust orientation and sighting references to optimize the virtual image, ensuring accurate representation of real-world targets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a central system is used to link the shooter to the target via communication means, then shooting simulation beyond direct view is enabled, but positioning precision deteriorates due to communication latency and data discretization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces retro-reflectors as intermediary elements attached to targets. These retro-reflectors reflect laser beams from the shooter's weapon back to the shooter, enabling direct measurement of target position and orientation without relying on central system communication. This intermediary mechanism bypasses the communication latency and discretization issues inherent in central system-based solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the communication-based central system with an optical measurement system using laser rangefinders and retro-reflectors. This substitution transitions from electronic data transmission (prone to latency and discretization) to direct optical measurement, thereby improving positioning precision while maintaining the ability to simulate shooting beyond direct view.
2Adaptability or versatility
If terrain database and representative images are used to generate virtual reality image, then shooting beyond direct view is simulated, but coherence between virtual and actual views deteriorates due to database approximation and orientation imperfections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the laser rangefinder continuously measures the actual position and orientation of targets equipped with retro-reflectors. These real-time measurements are fed back to correct and update the virtual reality image generation, ensuring that the virtual view remains coherent with the actual physical situation despite database approximations and orientation imperfections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent attaches retro-reflectors to targets in advance as preliminary preparation. This allows the laser rangefinder to immediately and accurately determine target positions and orientations when the shooter aims, enabling real-time correction of the virtual view without relying solely on pre-stored terrain database information.
3Measurement precision
If laser rangefinder with retro-reflectors is used to measure angle-error and telemetry, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs retro-reflectors that passively reflect laser beams back to the source without requiring power, electronics, or complex mechanisms. This self-service approach allows the target to provide its own positioning and orientation information, improving measurement precision while avoiding the complexity that would arise from active sensors or transmitters on the target.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy of the target's position and orientation information by reflecting the laser beam back along its path. This copying mechanism allows the shooter's weapon system to directly obtain accurate spatial information about the target without requiring complex communication protocols or data processing infrastructure, thereby improving precision while limiting complexity growth.
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
Enhances simulation precision by aligning virtual targets with their actual positions, reducing discrepancies and improving training realism.
Implementation Method 1
a method and simulator that utilize a rangefinder with retro-reflectors to measure angle-error and telemetry
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a simulator and simulation method with increased precision, in particular a weapon system simulator, and weapon system provided with such a simulator. —The simulator (1) comprises a unit for generating a virtual image (I1) which is defined according to an orientation reference and a sighting reference, a unit for generating a so-called captured image from angle-error and telemetry measurements relating to one or more real actors (R1 to R4) each of which is equipped with a retroreflector (10), the angle-error and telemetry measurements being performed using a rangefinder, a comparison unit for comparing the current virtual image (I1) and the captured image so as to determine an error value representative of an orientation and/or sighting error, and a resetting unit for resetting the orientation reference and/or the sighting reference in order to correct said error value so as to create an optimised virtual image which is displayed on the vision element (2) in place of the current virtual image.