EP0146466B1 - In-door shooting training device - Google Patents

Abstract

A training device for indoor weapon-firing comprises a projector for displaying a sequence of moving images in visible light viewed by at least one firer and comprising a landscape with at least one target to be hit. Provision is made for at least one weapon equipped with a trigger mechanism and for an electronic computer assembly which has the function of controlling the emission of the infrared-radiation beam by means of the trigger mechanism. Another function of the electronic assembly is to stop the motion of projected images under the control of the trigger mechanism in order to interrupt the projection on one arrested visible image. A video camera serves to produce a video image of the arrested image and to selectively detect the trace of the infrared beam on the arrested image and to determine the trace location in its video image. A visible indication of the trace location is inserted electronically in the video image of the arrested image.

Description

The invention relates to shooting training equipment suitable for indoor exercises.

The device according to the invention is suitable for training one or more shooters. It comprises at least one weapon equipped with a device for firing by the shooter and with an infrared beam emitter, the emission of which is controlled by firing. The transmitter, of the laser transmitter type, can advantageously be mounted on any real weapon, whether for example semi-automatic or automatic individual weapons, individual anti-tank weapons, collective anti-tank weapons (such such as rockets, recoilless cannons, missiles), or weapons with ballistic projectiles under a turret.

In this context, we are more particularly interested in inexpensive basic equipment, implying minimal operating costs, this equipment being sufficient nevertheless to ensure a valid preliminary training of the shooters, before shooting exercises outside. Another peculiarity of indoor training is that it is often used for training in the handling of infantry weapons, in which case the small dimensions of the weapons do not allow mounting on bulky fire simulation devices.

The indoor shooting training devices for handling infantry weapons known in the prior art, are described in particular by American patent US-A-4 336 018 which relates to an electro infantry training device -optical. This device comprises two projection means, one presenting to the shooter's vision images of a field with at least one target to be reached, and a second, placed next to the first, having the function of simultaneously projecting onto the screen an infrared target.

On the other hand this device also includes on the weapon a detector element adapted to detect the infrared target. The output of each detector element is connected to an instructor station which includes a microprocessor computer which is programmed to tell an infantryman and an instructor whether the shooter has actually fired at the visible target. An infrared television camera detects the spots sent by the laser beam when the shot is fired and this camera is connected to a screen for viewing the target as well as the position of the spot of the laser beam. The device according to this document has the disadvantage of requiring the use of two projectors, one with infrared and the other with visible light, involving complex equipment, and the association on the aiming weapon of an element. detector comprising a large electronic assembly.

Another target device constituted by a projected image is described by French patent FR-A-2 456 933. This device comprises a target projection screen interposed between a projector and a gunner, equipped for example with a cannon or a 'a missile launcher. The target projection screen is a translucent projection screen. This device also includes a line of sight detector comprising optical means formed by pivoting mirrors and fixed mirrors. An impact point projector is also provided for projecting a visible light beam coaxially via the same optical means with pivoting mirrors. The apparatus of this document has the drawback of requiring the screen to be placed between the projection means and the shooter, which constitutes a significant use of space, as well as requiring complex optical and electronic means in order to be able to follow the aim of the shooter.

The present invention therefore aims to produce a training device for indoor shooting having simple apparatus which can be easily installed and making it possible to obtain a visualization of the point of impact on a video screen presenting the shooting range visible to the shooter. This simplification of apparatus is achieved by the use of a retractable visible light filter placed in front of a camera scanning the screen presenting the field. This retractable filter has two positions: a first position in which the camera detects the point of impact on the screen of the laser beam and a second position, passive, where the filter is removed and where the camera reproduces the landscape and the target seen by the shooter. Electronic means such as a microprocessor make it possible to transcribe the point of impact on a video screen.

• 1) des moyens de projection sur un écran pour présenter à la vue d'au moins un tireur des images en défilement en lumière visible, représentant un champ avec au moins une cible à atteindre;
• 2) au moins une arme équipée d'un dispositif de mise à feu par le tireur et d'un émetteur de faisceau infrarouge;
• 3) une caméra vidéo pour reproduire une image video de l'image en défilement devant le tireur;
• 4) un écran vidéo de visualisation de ladite image vidéo;
• 5) un ensemble électronique de commande comportant un calculateur à microprocesseur constituant:
  • a) des moyens de commande de l'émission du'faisceau infrarouge par le dispositif de mise à feu de manière à simuler, par le faisceau infrarouge, un projectile,
  • b) des moyens d'arrêt placés sous la commande du dispositif de mise à feu, pour définir un instant d'arrêt du défilement des images projetées sur une image visible immobilisée,
  • c) des moyens de détermination de la position du faisceau infrarouge sur ladite image immobilisée,
  • d) des moyens d'incrustation électronique d'une figuration visible de cette position sur ladite image vidéo de l'image immobilisée,
  
  caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre un filtre escamotable de lumière visible transmettant seulement le faisceau infrarouge, interposé entre la caméra vidéo et les images en défilement devant le tireur et monté sur des moyens de basculement connectés audit ensemble électronique de commande, ledit filtre étant mobile par les moyens de basculement d'une position active de passage sélectif du faisceau infrarouge à une position passive hors du champ de la caméra vidéo, le basculement étant commandé par l'ensemble électronique à partir de l'arrêt du défilement de l'image dès que le faisceau infrarouge, après transmission, a été détecté par la caméra vidéo et que la détermination de sa position a été effectuée.

The present invention therefore relates to a device for indoor shooting training comprising:

• 1) projection means on a screen for presenting to the view of at least one shooter scrolling images in visible light, representing a field with at least one target to be reached;
• 2) at least one weapon equipped with a firing device by the shooter and an infrared beam emitter;
• 3) a video camera for reproducing a video image of the image scrolling past the shooter;
• 4) a video screen for viewing said video image;
• 5) an electronic control unit comprising a microprocessor computer constituting:
  • a) means for controlling the emission of the infrared beam by the firing device so as to simulate, by the infrared beam, a projectile,
  • b) stop means placed under the control of the firing device, to define an instant of stop of the scrolling of the images projected on an immobilized visible image,
  • c) means for determining the position of the infrared beam on said immobilized image,
  • d) means for electronically inserting a visible figuration of this position on said video image of the immobilized image,
  
  characterized in that it further comprises a retractable visible light filter transmitting only the infrared beam, interposed between the video camera and the images moving past the shooter and mounted on tilting means connected to said electronic control assembly, said filter being mobile by the means of tilting from an active position for selective passage of the infrared beam to a passive position outside the field of the video camera, the tilting being controlled by the electronic assembly from the stop of the scrolling of the image as soon as the infrared beam, after transmission, has been detected by the video camera and its position has been determined.

The device according to the invention comprises a certain number of elements which are known and used conventionally in similar applications. Thus, it includes image scrolling projection means, of the camera type, for presenting to the shooter's view the visible image of a field on which there is at least one target to be reached, whether it is fixed, or evolving on a landscape.

As regards these projection means, one of the advantages of the invention is that it is not necessary to have a recording of images of a particular type. A simple cinematographic recording on current film is perfectly suitable, as is a recording.

The device according to the invention comprises a certain number of elements which are known and used conventionally in similar applications. Thus, it includes image scrolling projection means, of the camera type, for presenting to the shooter's view the visible image of a field on which there is at least one target to be reached, whether it is fixed, or evolving on a landscape.

As regards these projection means, one of the advantages of the invention is that it is not necessary to have a recording of images of a particular type. A simple cinematographic recording on current film is perfectly suitable, as is a video recording. In either case, we can project the target (or targets if there are several), from a recording different from that of the landscape, which we superimpose on the landscape at the projection , the landscape itself can be fixed and reproduced from a single shot, or mobile on successive images. But we will often prefer the simpler solution consisting in projecting a landscape filmed in advance on which one or more targets were moving at the time of the shooting.

Preferably, means are provided for imposing a predetermined delay between firing and stopping the scrolling of images, so as to simulate by this delay the time that would take the projectile or the missile launched, in reality, to cover the distance between the weapon and the target. This delay can itself be determined by a computer, on the basis of data which can either be entered for example by the instructor or available in coded form on one of the magnetic tracks of the projected film normally intended for sound.

With its great simplicity, the device of the invention nevertheless constitutes a tool of great precision, by the fact that it is the same equipment which ensures the detection, on the same screen, of the projected image of the landscape and of the target. and the point of impact of the shot. The corresponding information is found in the same video signal for the reconstruction of the superimposed images and the errors of drift, position, linearity have no effect on the assessment of the results of the shooting. Initial system settings are virtually nonexistent. All these advantages are obtained without the need to use a film of special design for projection.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the drive device comprises means for correcting, in a predetermined manner, either the direction of the infrared beam relative to the aim of the weapon, during firing, or preferably, the position of the beam trace detected on the immobilized image when it is embedded in the video image. This provision makes it possible in particular to take into account the impact that the ballistics of the projectile would have on the result of the simulated shot if it were real.

It will also be noted that the trace of the infrared beam which is detected and whose figuration is embedded in the immobilized image, can be either punctual (and represented by a cross for example), or linear and constituted by several points detected at different moments before the immobilization of the image, to materialize the positions of a missile.

As has already been suggested, the use of an appropriate calculator makes it possible to take into account in the firing result various information, such as the particularities of the weapon used and the ballistic characteristics of the corresponding simulated ammunition, aerological disturbances, information relating to the targets (distance, position, displacement, congestion, or other). Information of this kind can come from the projection device, which contains it for example on one of the sound tracks of the film.

• - La figure 1 représente schématiquement l'ensemble des organes essentiels constituant le dispositif d'entraînement au tir.
• - La figure 2 est un schéma synoptique dans lequel on a détaillé les fonctions assurées à l'intérieur du calculateur.

The device of the invention may also have other advantageous features, as will emerge from the description below. The device is described therein in a particular embodiment, chosen by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the figures of the appended drawings in which:

• - Figure 1 schematically represents the seems essential organs constituting the shooting training device.
• - Figure 2 is a block diagram in which we have detailed the functions performed inside the computer.

In Figure 1, there is shown an image viewing screen (1), a projector (2), of any conventional type as used in cinema for the projection of films impressed with evolving images, and connected to a sound baffle (18), a video camera (3), and a rifle (4), the barrel of which carries a laser transmitter (5), capable of emitting on command a brush of infrared light by pulses.

All these elements are oriented towards the same screen (1). The focus of the projector (2) is adjusted to produce a clear image on the screen (1), the camera (3) takes the image broadcast by the screen and scans it into a video image, the rifle is aimed manually by the shooter to aim at a target appearing on the screen. The arrangement illustrated by way of example supposes that this target is integrated into the projected cinematographic film, which represents a landscape in which it evolves. Naturally, the same landscape may as well contain several targets from which the shooter will choose. But the target (s) could also come from a different projector to be projected on the same screen superimposed with, for example, a fixed landscape from a slide projector. According to other variants which form part of the invention, the cinematographic projector could be replaced by a video projector, controlled by a video signal containing all the information relating to the landscape and to the target in order to reconstruct the corresponding images on the screen ( 1). And both the landscape image and the target image (or only one of the two) can come from images of real objects previously recorded, or can be produced by electronic synthesis in the video signal.

According to other variants, the cinema projector can be replaced by a slide projector for the landscape background, the targets and the impact figuration being generated synthetically by a video projector and superimposed on the landscape on the screen 1.

The same elements are all functionally connected to an electronic control unit, constituted by a computer (8) with microprocessors, associated with a control console (15) placed in the hands of the instructor who guides the exercises. A headset (9), also placed under the control of the computer (8), can be used to make the shooter hear a sound evoking a real shot when he operates the trigger of the rifle (14) to trigger a fictitious shot . In addition to the transmission of control orders which will be explained later, the computer (8) is essentially used for processing video signals. Thus, it continuously analyzes the signal from the video camera (3), while it determines the signal which controls the projection of the images on a television screen (11). The latter is arranged to be observable by the instructor, and preferably also by the shooter (s), so as to allow them to appreciate the results of the shooting. If there is more than one shooter, several video monitors can be connected in parallel.

Indeed, the device which is described here in a relatively simple embodiment, where it is operated by a single shooter actuating a single rifle, can be modified in designs obvious to those skilled in the art, for s '' adapt to several shooters working with the same instructor. If necessary, provision may be made in this case to distinguish the results of the different shots fired by the different shooters, either by the fact that they are aimed at different targets, or by appearing on the television screen (11) impact from different shots by different symbolizations, or by assigning to the laser emitters of the different rifles different codings of the laser pulse trains which are recognized by the computer during the firing. Of course, it should also be understood that the rifles can be replaced by any other kind of weapon suitable for indoor training.

In the case of the figures illustrating the present description, a single video camera has also been shown. This camera (3) is equipped with a retractable filter (12). It is a visible light absorbing filter, which is chosen to be selectively traversed by radiation of the same wavelength range as the ray produced by the laser emitter. As an example, it can be assumed that these are 0.9 micron infrared rays. In the active position, the filter (12) is interposed in front of the camera lens, which is therefore sensitive exclusively to this infrared radiation. On the other hand, the filter is mounted on the axis of a rotary electromagnet (13) placed under the control of the computer, which allows the filter to be retracted by tilting it away from the path of the light rays between the projection screen and camera. This tilting of the filter is controlled by the computer (8), at the same time as the latter also controls the triggering of the laser emission at the start of the shot, with however between the two sufficient time for the laser beam reflected by the screen is received by the camera and detected in the video signal, before the filter switches over.

It is understood that therefore, the detection by the camera (3) and the analysis of the video signal by the computer make it possible, in a first step, to detect the position of the trace of the laser beam on the projection screen and to determine the coordinates, before analyzing, in a second step, all of the information relating to the image projected by the projector (2), in at least the entire field of visible light radiation. This projection has nevertheless place, on the screen (1), during the entire time when the shooter prepares for aiming, before the start of the shot. To avoid disturbing the image then perceived by the camera in infrared radiation, it may be desirable to have in front of the projector, a filter (16) for absorbing infrared radiation which eliminates the latter, at least in the range of wavelengths that passes the filter (12) placed in front of the camera.

At the time of the start of the shot, the computer (8) also controls the stopping of the film running in the projector, so that in the projected images, both the landscape and the target then remain fixed in the position which was the them when the shot is fired. It is this immobilized image which is translated into the video signal and retransmitted by the computer to the monitor, for viewing on the television screen (11). The calculator also displays there, by overlaying in the video signal, a symbolic figuration of the point of impact, a cross for example, in the position previously determined by the calculator for the trace of the laser brush. On the television screen, the instructor and the shooter can therefore observe the results of the shooting and discuss them at leisure, on the image of the landscape and the target frozen at the time of the shot.

In the version which has been described so far, the device of the invention is suitable without restriction for training in the use of weapons such as rifles, producing direct ballistic projectiles, over distances which can be neglected. incidence. However, various improvements can be made to this device to adapt it to other uses.

In the case of a shot using lancets, it is advantageous to take into account the increase introduced by the ballistic trajectory, as well as the distance traveled by the projectile. The simulation of the distance effect can be ensured by programming the calculator so that it imposes at the end of the projection of the landscape and target images, a delay from the start of the shot corresponding to the travel time of the projectile over the distance evaluated beforehand, either by direct indication from the instructor, or by reading coded information from the projection film or other image support. As for the ballistics simulation, it can be carried out by correcting the value of the arrow, calculated for this distance, the position of the point of impact between its detection by the camera during the emission of the laser brush and its figuration symbolic in the display on the video screen. Different aerological or other disturbances influencing the trajectory of the projectile can also be introduced. Adequate coding of the laser pulses for each type of weapon whose firing is simulated allows the computer to apply the corresponding ballistic corrections; it is thus possible to simulate simultaneously shots fired from different weapons.

In other variants, it may be advantageous to use successive pulse trains of the laser emission. In particular, if the weapon is supposed to fire a missile that the shooter can guide relative to the line of sight, the recording by the camera of the traces produced on the projection screen by these successive laser pulses allows continuous memorization of the line corresponding to the aiming reticle, and one can make this complete line appear, by overlay in the video signal, on the landscape reproduced with the target in its position at the time of impact. Successive laser pulses can also be used to simulate a burst fire. It is possible, for example, to produce laser pulse trains at the rate of a submachine gun fire, and to insure the video signal by showing the various points of impact. As the image of the landscape is frozen, whether its immobilized position is that of the beginning or that of the end of the shooting, this implies that one neglects the evolution of the target or targets during the time of the burst.

The point of impact which is mentioned throughout the description corresponds to the point of passage of the projectile in the vertical plane located at the level of the target and perpendicular to the axis of aiming shooter-target.

In an improved embodiment of the device described, the projection system is provided with an optical filter (17) attenuating light, which makes it possible to simulate a night atmosphere, on command of the instructor. It is then interposed in front of the objective during the aiming by the shooter, but it is retracted after the shooting, so that the camera provides a fully lit image for the observation of the result of the shooting. A control accessible on the desk allows the instructor to control its positioning by means of a rotary electromagnet (18).

In addition, the device can be equipped with various mechanisms at the level of the weapon to simulate particular effects. For example, a recoil effect at the time of firing can be brought about by a movement of the weapon triggered upon firing. A movement by shaking can be obtained in particular by a vibrating mass mounted on the weapon and controlled by an electromagnet or by an injection of air.

Finally, if we were mainly interested in the particular example described and represented, in the event that the scrolling of the images of the projection actually stops at the time of the shooting, this case is not limiting in a variant. which will often prove to be advantageous, in particular in the case of a simultaneous training of several shooters, the immobilized image is not examined on firing, but it is recorded. At the same time as the video image of the immobilized image, defined by the same stop instant as in the variant with effective stop, all the information necessary to characterize the corresponding shot and the overlay data relating to the image are recorded. 'impact. Scrolling is not stopped and registration continues for several shots fired by the same shooter or by different shooters. The results of the shots are examined by the instructor and the students in a later stage where the entire film is re-screened. It is then that the stop of the scrolling is effectively commanded at the instant corresponding to each shot to allow the examination of the position of the encrusted impact on the immobilized image.

Claims (7)

1. An indoor shooting training device, comprising:

1) Means (2) for projecting on a screen for viewing by at least one marksman a succession of images in visible light, representing a field with at least one target to be hit;

2) at least one weapon (4) equipped with a firing device (14) for operation by the marksman and with an infrared beam generator (5);

3) a television camera (3) for reproducing the sucession of images passing before the marksman on a television screen;

4) a television screen (11) for displaying the said televised image;

5) an electronic control assembly (8), comprising a computer with a microprocessor, constituting:

a) means for controlling the emission of the infrared beam by the firing device, so as to simulate a projectile by means of the infrared beam;

b) stopping means, subject to control by the firing device, to define an instant of stoppage of the succession of projected images on a visible immobilised image;

c) means for determining the position of the infraread beam on the said immobilised image;

d) means for electronic embedding of a display visible from this position on the said immobilised televised image,
characterised in that it comprises in addition a retractable visible light filter (12) transmitting only the infrared beam and interposed between the television camera and the images passing in succession before the marksman and mounted on tiltable means (13) connected to the aforesaid electronic control assembly, said filter being mowable by the said tilting means from an active position of selective passage of the infrared beam to a passive position outside the field of the television camera, the tilting motion being controlled by the electronic assembly from the instant of stoppage of the passage of the image as soon as the infrared beam, after transmission, has been detected by the television camera and its position has been determined.

2. An indoor shooting training device according to Claim 1, characterised in that it additionally comprises means for imposing a predetermined delay between firing and the instant of stoppage of the image movement.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it further comprises means for correcting in a predetermined manner the position of the said trace as it is being embedded in the television image.

4. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that it comprises means for correcting in a predetermined manner the direction of the infrared beam relative to the gunsight of the weapon.

5. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it comprises several weapons, as well as means for detecting the traces of the corresponding infrared beams on the immobilised image.

6. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the projection means comprise a filter (16) capable of absorbing the radiations of the wavelength of the infrared emitter.

7. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that it comprises a filter (7) capable of attenuating light so as to simulate a nocturnal environment within the projection means, this filter being retractable by the firing control means.

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