GB2524114A

GB2524114A - Battlefield simulation apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: GB2524114A
Application number: GB1405609.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Smith
Original assignee: THIRD EYE TECHNOLOGIES Ltd
Current assignee: THIRD EYE TECHNOLOGIES Ltd
Priority date: 2013-03-28
Filing date: 2014-03-28
Publication date: 2015-09-16
Also published as: GB201305781D0; GB201405609D0

Abstract

A projection display system for a vehicle simulator 1 comprises a simulated vehicle 2 at least two screens 4, 4 and a plurality of projectors which project images upon the screens. The screens are arranged upon a frame to enclose a space in which the viewer is intended to be situated to view the images. The system includes a processor to ensure that the images are contiguous with adjoining images on neighbouring screens and a speaker may be provided to enable accompanying sound to be played during image display. The display means may be isolated from vibrations emanating from the simulated vehicle by means of vibration isolators mounted between the vehicle and display.

Description

Battlefield Simulation Apparatus and Method

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to battlefield simulation apparatus and a method of simulating battlefield scenarios, and in particular to battlefield scenarios in which militar vehicles are present.

Background of the Invention

Battlefield simulathn has been used in various guises since military conflict began. One of the purposes of battlefield simulation is to permit military personnel to be trained, Military organisanons are interested in simulation because it alk)ws for training to be conducted at a much lower cost than live training. Of course, soldiers need to be as well prepared as possible. like more realistic simulated training can he, the more simulated training can be used to replace live training without compromising soliders' preparation.

Battlefield simulation can also allow personnel in different locations to take part in the same training exercise, Battlefield simulation may involve one or more vehicle simulators, \vhich may be armoured vehicles, An armoured vehicle simulator may be a generic armoured vehicle, or may be configured to simulate a particular type of armourect vehicle, For example, the defence establishment of the l_Jnited Kingdom operates what is known as the Combined A rms I actical I rainer (CAll). this facility includes 140 manned vehicle si rnulators, of which 70 are generic vehicle simulators and 70 vehicle specific, which provide high physical and functional fidelity for the training crews, and desktop devices that replicate sur&ce and air vehicles -from engineers and air defence to attack lielicoptet and fast-jet air support. a

CAll' accommodates upto 450 participants -so all elements of the battlegroup can practise individual and collective skills, for example b'v allowing training crews to operate simulated vehicles and aircraft -and interact with computer-generated civilians as well as friendly/enemy forces, CATT further provides for full after-action review -even of individual incidents -so that participants get the fit!! learning experience.

Whilst CAll is a very useful system, some of the components used to provide simulation are lacking in sophistication in terms of the simulated experience provided to the users. For example, the typically used means For presenting simulated imagery is by use of flat screens or wrap around Front projection screens.

It would he desirable to provide an improved vehicle simulator.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle simulator comprising a vehicle simulator component aiid mounted above or around the vehicle simulator component a surround vision apparatus comprising at least two screens, a plurality of projectors and at least one processor, the at least two substantially enclosing a space above or around the vehicle simulator component, tile plurality of projectors configured to project images onto the said at least two screens such that the said images may be viewed from within the said substantially enclosed space, wherein the processor synchronises the projection of images onto each screen such that the images are perceived by the viewer as being uninternipücl.

The simulated vehicle may he a land vehicle, a waterborne vehicle or all air vehicle. The land vehicle is typically an armoured vehicle such as a tank, The surround vision may he mounted above the vehicle, surrounding for example the turret of a tank, or the surround vision apparatus may be niounted around the vehicle surrounding, for example, the whole vehicle.

Preferably, one of the at least two screens of the surround vision apparatus provides a ceiling to die apparatus. More preferably, the surround vision is rectangular in plan view and includes four screens, the four screens being arranged to define the rectangular configuration.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a battlefield position simulator including a simulated hattlefleld posidon component aid a surround vision apparatus comprising at least two screells, a plurality oF projectors and at least olle processor, the at least two screens substantially enclosing a space above or around the simulated battlefield position, the plurality of projectors configured to project images onto the said at least two screens such that the said images may be viewed From within the said substantially enclosed space, wherein the processor synchronises the projection ofunages onto each such that the images are perceived by the viewer as being uninterrupted.

The silnulahDd battlefield position may he the position of forward controller, or a field guil, or the position of any battlefield resource, and may include a simulator of equipment enibothed in the battlefield position.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a battlefield simulator thcluding a plurality of vehicle simulators according to the first aspect of the invention md/or hanleficid position simulators according to the second aspect of the invention, whetin the processors of thdividual simulators are networked together.

According to a fburth aspect of the invention, there is provided a simulated battlefield comprising a battlefield arena and a battlefield simulator according to the third aspect of the inventiolL Preferably, each surround vision apparatus is provided with at least one loud speaker.

Preferably, the surround vision apparatus is isolated From vibrations emanating from the simulator component.

[he surround vision apparatus may be isolated from vibrations emanating from the simulator component by mounting the surround vision apparatus such that it is supported by a structure separate to the sinvilator component.

Alternatively, the surround vision apparatus may be mounted on the simulator component by means o fvihration isolators.

[he surround vision apparatus may be mouiid rigidly with respect to the simulated vehicle or

battlefield position, and may be attached thereto.

[he surround vision apparatus controller may be configured to niove images displayed on the screens of the apparatus synchronosly with movement of the simulated vehicle or battlefield position, for example to compensate for vibration in the images resulting from vibration in the simulated vehicle or

batfiefield position.

Preferably, the processors are comiected to visual battlefield simulation software, such as \ZBS2, which is an interactive battlefield software system currently used by military forces.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided method simulating the operation ofa vehicle comprising the step of projecting images on the screens of a surround vision apparatus in the vehicle simulau)r according to the first aspect of the invention. The method may include the further step of playing sound in the surround vision apparatus.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided method of simulating the operation of battlefield position comprising the step of projectmg images on the screens ofa surround vision apparatus in a battlefield position simulator according to the second aspect of the invnetion. The method may include the further step of playing sound in the surround vision apparatus.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided method of simulating a battle in a battlc&ld simulator according to the fourth aspect of the invention, comprising the step of projecting images on the screens of a surround vision apparatus of each vehicle or simulated battlefield position and wherein the image of one or more simulated vehicle or battle position appears in the images projected on the screens of the surround vision apparatus associated with one or more other simulated vehicle or battle position. Ihe method may inlcude the further step of playing sound in the surround vision apparatus.

In the method according to die sixth embodiment of the invention one or snore of the vehicle simulators or battlefield position simulators may he situated in a geographically remote location from one or more other vehicle or hattie field simulators of the plurality thereof, \Xith regard to the third and fourth aspects of the invention, the surround vision apparatus of one simulator would see those other simulators within the hatdcflcld, which according to the visual hatflcficld simulation software, die occupants of that particular simulator are supposed to see, To expand, some of the simulau)rs may he out of view, hecause they arc over the horizon or hehind a lmilding, hut then may come mto new as the simulated battle commences.

The simulators of the four aspects of the invention provide a significantly enhanced simulated training environment, the prior art involves the placement of single or multiple flat screens, such as computer monitors in the line of vision of the personnel being trained. A more advanced system involves the use of a curved screen, These known arrangements do not provide a realistic simulated environment,

Brief Description of the Drawings

in the Drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and are by way of example: Figure 1 is a schematic representation oF a vehicle simulator accordi ig to the first aspect of the mvention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a battlefield position simulator according to a second aspect of the invention; all d Figure 3 is a schematic represenation of a simulator according to the third aspect of the invention,

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle sinuilator 1 comprising a simulated armoured vehicle 2 having a turret 3, and mounted on the simulated vehicle so as to surround the turret, a surround vision apparatus 4. the surrond vision apparatus is advantageoulsy a surround vision apparatus of tIle type descnbed ill granted patent GB2422500, which is incorporated herein by reference, The walls and the coiling of tho surround vision apparatus are roar projection screens as described in G112422500.

The. simulated arinoured vehicle 2 may be specific type of vehicle, or alternatively a generic vehicle.

As discussed above, the more realistic the experience provided by the simulator, the more valuable it can be. I lence, one of the functions of a simulator is to engender in the user of the simulator a belief that the simulator is real.

the simulated armoured vehicle 2, particularly when specified as a particular type of vehicle can give the user there of a very accurate impression of what is going on inside the vehicle, the turret 3 typically includes a plurality of horizontally elongate openings 3'. It is known WitIlill the art to provied eacll of these openings with a screen.

however, such prior art apparatus suffers two disadvantages. First, as the person inside the vehicle moves closer to the opening 3' the image on the screen Iillillg the opening 3' does not change, whereas in the real world, as the person moves closer to tile opening 3' the field ofview \vould increase. Second, the feeling of reality is destroyed as soon as a user puts his head out of the hatch of the turret 3. Attempts to present imagery to personnel looking out of the hatch typically involves mounting a single computer monitor on the simulated vehicle, Tn the illustrated example, the surround vision apparatus 4 comprises four vertically oriented screens 4' and a ceiling 4" connecting the four screens 4', the ceiling itself being a screen. Ihe screens 4', 4" are spaced apart from the wall of the turret 3. Tn this way, when a person inside the turret moves closer to the opening 3', the field of view increases and the person seeing a greater part of the screen 4' facing the opening 3'. Similarly, when the person puts his head out of the hatch 3a of the turret 3, instead oflooking at a computer monitor, he is surrounded hy the simulated scene, Advantagvously, the screens 4', 4" are positioned at least O.5m from the openings 3' and/or hatch 3a.

The surround vision apparatus 4 includes legs 4a on each side thereof for supporting the surround vision app a ra tiis. Tn this way the sl'rroiln d vi sum apparatus 4-is is ola ted fri mi the sinulla ted a rmoilnal vehicle 2. This may be important where the vehicle simulation includes making the vehicle vibrate or move, For example, the vehicle that is being simulated may vibrate due to the vehicle's engine, or may pitch, roll and/or yaw as it moves alo)ng. Simulation of such movement or vibration is advantageously acconMnodated in the surrond vision apparatus 4 in the same way as such movement or vibration would be accommodated in the real world, that is tIle vehicle vibrates or moves but the surrcnmding environment does not.

In such a case, if the simulated armoured vehicle were connected to the surround vision apparatus, vibrations and/or movements would be transferred freni the simulated vehicle to the surround vision apparatus and these vibrations could disrupt the images projected on to die screens, Tn die illustrated example, the surround vision apparatus 4 does not touch the simulated vehicle and is supported by the legs 4a.

in an alternative eniboctinient (not shown), the surround vision apparatus 4 may be mounted on the simulated vehicle by vibration isolators.

in a further alternative embodiment (not shown), the surround vision apparatus 4 may be mounted on actuators which adjust the position of the surround vision apparatus to accommodate movement of the simulated vehicle. Ihe actuators may be controlled actively. Ihe movement of the simulated vehicle would be programed aiid hence that same program could be usetl to control actively the movement of the surround vision apparatus Alternatively, the actuators may he controlled reactively, reacting to detected movement of the simulated vehicle.

in an alternative, rather than compensating fur movement of the simulated vehicle or hattlefield position by physically moving the surround vision apparatus, the surround vision apparatus controller may he configured to move images displayed on the screens of the apparatus synchronously with movement of the simulated velucle or battlefield position, for example to compensate for vibration in the images resulting from vibration in the simulated vehicle or battlefield position. As discussed almve, the movement of the simulated vehicle or battlefield position would be programed and therefore that information could be used to adjust the images displayed on the screens.

in the present apparatus the person looking out from the hatch 3 sees images all around him and in true perspective. lie controllers of the surrond vision apparatus ullay be configured to operate the VSB2 system winch provides a simulated amid interactive battlefield visualisation.

The simulated velucle would typically he a tank or armoured vehicle, but could also he a submarine with the surround vision apparatus being placed over and/or around the conning tower, Such simulation would allow sailors to practise bringing the submarine into port fur instance, Figure 2 illustrates a simulated battlefield position i' The simulated battlefield position is that of two foot soliders 6 situated withii a surround vision apparatus 4.

Figure 2 illustrates a simulated battlefield position 1', The simulated battlefield position 1' comprises a forward control station 5, with a surround vision apparatus 4 arranged over and around the fonvard control station 5.

Figure 3 illustrates a plurality of simulated vehicles 1 and simulated battlefield positions 1'. The simulated vehicles I and simulated battlefield positions 1' are grouped in pairs and may beat different locations, yet their controllers are networked together so that the users or the simulators 1, 1' may rake part in the sanle exercise.