EP2159531A1 - Hit detection method - Google Patents

Abstract

For the simulation of firearms a laser beam (29) is used instead of a shot. For detecting a near by-pass, a high-intensity part (17, 18, 42) of the datum (9) impressed on the laser beam is emitted with increased intensity (I 2). Because of the bell-shaped intensity distribution, this part of increased intensity can still be detected at a greater distance from the beam center of sensors (27). Since the high-intensity part (17, 18, 42) is an integral part of the data (9) and therefore does not need its own time for the transmission, the detection of a near by-pass in the same time as the detection of a hit is possible. By taking advantage of the bell-shaped intensity distribution, the detection by sensors (27) with the same intensity threshold (I c) as for the detection of a complete date (9) in the case of a hit.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for detecting hits according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, it relates to devices for carrying out the method.

For combat exercises, it is known to use weapons in which shots are simulated by laser light beams. The participants in the exercises, but also possible target objects are equipped with sensors which, when a laser beam strikes, i. a simulated shot, give a signal. The occurrence of such a signal is used for the display of a hit. The evaluation can be done in several ways, e.g. by central registration, the signal e.g. transmitted by radio, local signatures (fire phenomena, etc.), acoustic signals, etc.

The laser light data is modulated. The modulation takes place by changes in intensity, in the simplest case by switching the light on and off. The transmitted data thus occur as light pulses.

Another aspect of using laser light is the safety of the participants. In general, the laser sources must comply with the highest safety standards, so that a direct view into the laser source with the naked eye or even through binoculars can not cause any damage to the eye.

It has been shown that the recognition of hits only has a substantial lack of realism. It is therefore desirable to detect even brief misses. Such a short miss can be indicated by optical or acoustic signals and, for example, draw attention to the fact that a bombardment takes place.

According to DE-A1-42 13 209 For this purpose, the energy distribution of the laser beam is utilized. The laser light sources commonly used have a bell-shaped distribution of the intensity over the cross section with the maximum in the center of the light beam. The sensors measure the intensity of the light beam from which they are hit. A narrow error (passing by) or a "hit" outside the range of the weapon is characterized by an intensity below a predetermined threshold. Hits with a light intensity above this threshold are detected as hits. A disadvantage of this method is that the sensors used must have an increased sensitivity in order to be able to detect even with the necessary certainty the lower intensity of a brief error up to a minimum intensity. As mentioned above, the intensity of the laser transmitter can not be arbitrarily increased because the safety requirements set an upper limit.

In the US-A-4,373,916 the amplitude or intensity of the laser beam is also evaluated. However, it is proposed here to use sensors with different sensitivities. Obviously, this has the disadvantage that an increased number or more expensive sensors are needed.

According to the US-A-3,588,108 the laser beam is pivoted by the weapon, depending on the angle to the firing direction other data are modulated. The receiver can thus derive from the data at what angle to the trajectory it is located and derive therefrom, whether a hit or a narrow error exists. A disadvantage of this solution is the increased effort in the laser source for the pivoting of the laser light and the dependent encoding of various data, the higher evaluation effort on the part of the receiver and the high cost, since in particular a complete swing cycle must wait for all positions until it is established that no hit at all is present.

In the GB-A-2 259 559 It is proposed to use two laser transmitters in the weapon, wherein the two laser light sources have different width intensity distributions. In particular, so that the light of a laser light source at a greater distance from the center of the beam is visible as a hit than that of the other. Thus, it can be concluded from the detection of the first-mentioned laser light source at the hit location and the non-detection of the second laser light source that there is a brief error. A disadvantage of this solution is the need to provide two laser light sources in the weapon. In addition, the temporal transmission of the data of the two laser light sources must be coordinated with each other in order to be able to reliably detect the impact of both beams for a direct hit.

The GB-A-2 290 483 provides additional data shares to detect small errors. These additional pieces of data are sent at a lower intensity. If these weaker parts are also detected in addition to the data sent with "normal" intensity, this is a hit. If, on the other hand, only the data without the weaker components is detected, this is a close error. A disadvantage of this solution is the considerably increased amount of data, which leads to a higher expenditure of time for the distinction between a small error and a hit.

Starting from the last-mentioned document in particular, it is an object of the present invention to specify a method which allows a quicker detection of a short error or a hit.

Another object of the present invention is the simplified detection of a short error.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the total energy of an energy beam used for shot simulation.

A method which at least solves the first object is given in claim 1. The other claims indicate preferred embodiments and devices for carrying out the method.

Accordingly, as usual, data for identification of the weapon is transmitted by pulses or intensity modulation of the laser. In addition, part of the data is sent with significantly increased intensity or increased modulation deviation. For example, this is accomplished simply by increasing the power of the laser during the transmission of these data parts.

By increasing the intensity of these data parts they are still detectable at a greater distance from the center of the laser beam, ie a sensor with a predetermined detection threshold can still detect it at a greater distance from the center. This particular piece of data is also an integral part of the data that is normally transmitted, so there is no extra time to transfer it. Preferably, the higher intensity transmitted data pieces comprise only a minor portion of the total transmitted data, so that the upper limit of the total intensity given for safety reasons, For example, the laser class I, can be achieved by only a small reduction in the intensity of the remaining data.

Fig. 1

Schematische Darstellung eines Datenpakets in einem Zeit-Intensitäts-Diagramm;

Fig. 2

Schematische Darstellung eines Ziels mit Sensoren;

Fig. 3

Prinzipdarstellung einer Treffererkennungssituation;

Fig. 4

Schematische Darstellung einer Situation eines knappen Vorbeischusses;

Fig. 5

Blockschema eines Laserstrahlsenders; und

Fig. 6

Blockschema eines Detektors.

The invention will be further explained in a preferred embodiment with reference to figures.

Fig. 1

Schematic representation of a data packet in a time-intensity diagram;

Fig. 2

Schematic representation of a target with sensors;

Fig. 3

Schematic representation of a hit recognition situation;

Fig. 4

Schematic representation of a situation of a brief pass-by;

Fig. 5

Block diagram of a laser beam transmitter; and

Fig. 6

Block diagram of a detector.

The diagram 1 of Fig. 1 is a plot of time 3 (t) versus intensity 5 (I). The total time 7 (T = t ₁ -t ₀ ) of a data packet or data 9 is for example a few ms. More specifically, it includes a number 11 of data locations (eg, 8-128), each of which may be occupied by a pulse 14.

A pulse 14 consists of a light pulse of a certain duration. The pulses 17, 18 are transmitted at a substantially higher intensity I ₂ than the intensity I _{1 of} the "normal" pulses 14. The intensity I ₂ must, according to experience, be at least twice the intensity I _1, are preferred Values of at least three times to four times I ₁ with I ₀ as the zero point, in the simplest case corresponding to the intensity 0. The pulses 17, 18 can also serve to secure the transmission, since they also detect with greater certainty because of their much higher intensity become.

Obviously, no additional time is needed here for the additional detection of a short error, since the pulses 17, 18 are an integral part of the data packet 9. In addition, only detectors of a certain sensitivity and an evaluation with exactly one detection threshold are required, since the larger radius for the detection of a short error from the connection between the higher intensity I ₂ and the bell-shaped intensity distribution in the light beam 29 results. This situation is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 shown graphically. A target 25 (eg, a simulation participant or an object such as a vehicle) is equipped with sensors 27. The target 25 is hit by the laser beam of a weapon. The laser beam has a core zone 31 in which the intensity of the normal data pulses 14 is above the detection threshold. In contrast, in the surrounding zone 33, the intensity of the data pulses lies below the detection threshold, but the intensity I _{2 of} the bypass pulses 17, 18 above.

Fig. 2 represents a target 25 which is provided with sensors 27. The sensors 27 are set to emit a signal when hit by a simulated shot, ie the laser pulse emitted by the exerciser.

Fig. 3 represents the situation of a hit: One of the sensors 27, the sensor 35, lies in the area of the core zone 31 and can therefore receive the date 9. A number of others Detectors 37 are located in the region of the edge zone 33, but not the core zone 31. The detection of the complete date by the sensor 35 takes precedence over the signal of the sensors 37 and leads to the detection of a hit. The situation is different in the Fig. 4 In this case, none of the sensors 27 are hit by the core zone 31, only two sensors 37 are located in the area of the flyby zone 33 of the laser beam 29. The sensors 37 thus detect the presence of a gun laser beam, but none of the detectors can completely decode a datum 9. However, the higher intensity data portions (pulses 17, 18) may be decoded. As a result, the target 25 was shot past.

From the preceding account, namely Fig. 1 4, it can also be seen that in the case of a near by-pass, where only a small number of pulses 17, 18 are detected by the sensors 37, the complete information of the datum 9 is not available to identify the sending weapon. Nevertheless, a rough identification of the weapon, eg the assignment to a group of simulation participants or to a weapon type, is possible by evaluating the time span between the pulses. Pulse 17 is sent at time t ₀ , in this case at the beginning of date 9, while pulse 18 is sent at time t ₁ . From another transmitter (another type of weapon, the weapon of another participant in the exercise), instead of pulse 18, a pulse 42 is emitted at time t ₂ (in FIG Fig. 1 shown in dashed lines). The different time intervals t ₁ - t ₀ bwz. t ₂ -t ₀ can be used to get an indication of the transmitters of the respective data 9. It is also conceivable to send the pulse 17 at other times within the date 9. Since it is preferably used for the purpose of transmission synchronization or the like, it is preferably sent at the beginning of the date 9.

Fig. 5 shows the block diagram of a light beam transmitter. The controller 45 receives, for example when triggering a shot a signal 47 and then generates the control signals 49, which drive the light emitter 51. The light transmitter 51 sends out, under control of the control signals 49, the light beam 29 onto which the date 9 is modulated. The diagram 53 schematically represents the distribution of the intensity I over the radius r of the light beam 29. The curve 55 is the intensity of the data pulses 14, the curve 57 that of the pulses 17, 18 and 42 for a close pass-by. The line 59 is the intensity detection threshold I _{c of} the detectors 27. The points of intersection of the detection threshold 59 with the curves 55 and 57 result in the zones 31 (hit area) and 33 (near by-shot).

Fig. 5 schematically shows a hit detection device 63. A number of detectors 27, which are located at a target 25, are connected to an evaluation unit 65. If one of the detectors 27 delivers a hit signal, that is to say a complete datum 9, the evaluation unit 65 detects a direct hit and triggers the corresponding actions. On the other hand, if the evaluation unit 65 receives from at least one of the detectors 27 a signal for the detection of flyby pulses 17, 18 or 42, but none of the detectors 27 displays a signal which represents a complete datum 9, it recognizes a near pass by.

• Es sind mehr als zwei Pulse 17, 18 mit erhöhter Intensität vorhanden, z.B. drei oder vier. Entsprechend steigen damit auch die Möglichkeiten bzw. die Genauigkeit, mit der der Sender selbst bei einem nahen Vorbeischuss identifiziert werden kann, und/oder die Sicherheit der Treffererkennung. Denkbar ist auch nur ein derartiger Puls 17, wodurch eine Identifikation des Senders ausscheidet.
• Es sind Pulse 17, 18 für die Erkennung eines nahen Fehlschusses mit verschiedener, jedoch deutlich unterschiedlicher Intensität vorhanden. Damit ergibt sich mehr als ein Vorbeischussbereich 33 um die Kernzone 31, wodurch in Stufen die Entfernung eines Vorbeischusses bestimmbar ist.
• Die Modulation muss nicht 100 % sein, d.h. zwischen den Pulsen, innerhalb der Pulse und/oder zwischen den Datenpaketen kann der Lichtsender einen schwachen Lichtstrahl aussenden. Entscheidend ist die Differenz zwischen dieser Grundhelligkeit I₀ und der Spitzenintensität I₁ der Pulse 14 bzw. I₂ der Pulse 17, 18 bzw. 42.

Starting from the foregoing description of the invention and a preferred embodiment, numerous modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is given by the claims. Are conceivable by name:

• There are more than two pulses 17, 18 of increased intensity, eg three or four. Correspondingly, the possibilities or the accuracy with which the transmitter can be identified even in the case of a close by-pass, and / or the security of the detection of hits, accordingly increase. Also conceivable is only such a pulse 17, which eliminates an identification of the transmitter.
• There are pulses 17, 18 for the detection of a close miss with different, but significantly different intensity. This results in more than one Vorbeischussbereich 33 to the core zone 31, which in stages the removal of a Vorbeischusses can be determined.
• The modulation need not be 100%, ie between the pulses, within the pulses and / or between the data packets, the light emitter may emit a weak beam of light. Decisive is the difference between this basic brightness I ₀ and the peak intensity I _{1 of} the pulses 14 or I _{2 of} the pulses 17, 18 and 42, respectively.

Claims (9)

A method for detecting hits in a simulation environment, wherein a directed energy beam (29) is emitted which is modulated with at least one datum (9) and has an intensity distribution (55, 57) according to which the intensity decreases from the center of the beam to the outside, characterized in that a high intensity part (17, 18; 42) of the date (9) having a much higher intensity (I ₂ ) than the remaining part (14) of the datum is impressed on the beam, so that the impact of the high intensity part with at least one predetermined minimum intensity on a hit area and the falling below the minimum intensity (59) through the remaining part of the date as a close pass by the target area is recognizable. Hit detection method according to claim 1, characterized in that the radiation (29) is laser light, preferably infrared laser light. A hit detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the imprinting is effected by an amplitude modulation of the intensity, in particular by switching the beam on and off, the beam intensity being transmitted during the transmission of the high intensity part (17, 18, 42) of the data (9 ) is increased. A hit detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the beam intensity during the transmission of the high intensity part (17, 18, 42) of the data (9) is at least twice, preferably three times and particularly preferably four times as large as that during the transmission of the remaining part (14) of the data. A hit detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the time portion of the high intensity part (17, 18, 42) on a date (9) is at most one fifth, preferably at most one tenth. A hit detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the high-intensity part (17, 18; 42) of the data (9) comprises at least two temporally separate time periods, wherein the time interval of the periods is useful as an indication of the transmitter of the energy beam , A hit detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the high-intensity part (17, 18; 42) of the data (9) comprises components of the data which serve to control the data transmission, preferably the synchronization. Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a transmitter (51) for generating the energy beam (29), which is in operative connection with a control unit (45), so that by the control unit the beam intensity ( I) is controllable and the control unit is capable of effecting the emission of a modulated energy beam by the transmitter depending on a datum (9) to be transmitted, wherein a high intensity part (17, 18, 42) of the energy beam modulates with increased intensity (I ₁ ) is. Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one receiver (27) for the energy beam (29) is present, which is in operative connection with an evaluation unit (65), wherein the receiver is capable of . determine whether a beam impinging upon it exceeds a predetermined intensity threshold (59), and the evaluation unit is adapted to deduce a near pass by at least one receiver (37) connected to it striking a high - intensity part (17, 18, 42) of the receiver Energy beam indicates, however, none of the receiver the impact of the remaining part (14).

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