WO2021145804A1

WO2021145804A1 - Simulation system with alignment device for aligning simulation axis with line of sight for a small arms transmitter

Info

Publication number: WO2021145804A1
Application number: PCT/SE2020/050035
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anders Johanson; Jonas Malm; Fredrik VALFRIDSSON
Original assignee: Saab Ab
Priority date: 2020-01-15
Filing date: 2020-01-15
Publication date: 2021-07-22

Abstract

The present invention relates to a simulation system (1) for the simulation of firing a weapon (3) comprising a sight (5) and a line of sight (7) thereof The system (1) comprises an emitter device (9) and an alignment device (11). The emitter device (9) comprises an emitter (13) for emitting an electromagnetic simulation beam (15) that moves along a simulation axis (19), and adjusting means (21) for adjusting an extending direction of said simulation axis (19). The alignment device (11) comprises fastening means (23) for selective attachment to the emitter device (9), a beam collector (25) and an aperture (27) for showing visual information to a user of the system when mounted to a weapon (3). The aperture (27) being movable relative the beam collector (25), by means of a link arm arrangement (29), which is arranged between the beam collector (25) and the aperture (27). The link arm arrangement (29) allows for positioning of the aperture (27) in the line of sight (7) of the weapon (3). The beam collector (25) and the aperture (27) are arranged in fixed and known relation with each other, wherein a first position of a centre of the simulation beam (15) in the beam collector (25) is seen as an indicator in the aperture, having a corresponding second position therein. The simulation system (1) further comprises a tracking indicator (31), which is seen in the aperture (27) of the alignment device (11), wherein alignment of the indicator and the tracking indicator (31) to the line of sight (7) of the weapon (3) corresponds to an alignment of the simulation beam (15) and the line of sight (7) of said weapon (3). The tracking indicator (31) in the aperture (27) is projected to the system (1) by means of a display (33) comprised therein.

Description

SIMULATION SYSTEM WITH ALIGNMENT DEVICE FOR ALIGNING SIMULATION AXIS WITH LINE OF SIGHT FOR A SMALL ARMS TRANSMITTER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a simulation system for a "Small Arms Transmitter" (SAT), which simulation system aligns and calibrates its simulation axis with the line of sight of a weapon.

BACKGROUND ART

For practice of usage of firearms so called SATs are commonly used. By means of using a SAT mounted to a weapon, a user thereof may "shoot" a simulation beam along an axis instead of using any type of ammunition for such a weapon. The simulation beam may then be detected by sensors arranged at the targets that are to be fired at.

Simulation systems of this kind are technically complicated devices that may be rather cost consuming to manufacture. Furthermore, such systems comprise an emitter device that need to be calibrated to the weapons, so a user of the system can rely on that a registered hit with the simulation beam would correspond to a proper hit of the target with real ammunition. Therefore, such simulation systems need to have an alignment function and/or device incorporated in the emitter device, or comprise an external additional alignment device to assist with alignment of the system before use. The addition of such alignment functions and/or devices entails extended costs relating to manufacturing and/or may limit the functionality of other functions of the system, due to how certain components may need to be arranged and interconnected to other and so forth.

By striving for accuracy and reliability for the system when used, which of course are of imperative importance, the system may also be restricted in its versatility with regards to usage with different types of weapons, as certain components and/or devices of the system may be suitable for one type of weapon and not another, and due to the need of accuracy it may not be possible to change and/or modify components within the system after manufacturing thereof. EP 1617164 B1 discloses a simulation system according to the state of the art. The system disclosed therein provides accuracy and reliable functionality, but there are still areas of improvement with regards to versatility of its usage, and cost efficiency with regards to manufacturing thereof. There is thus still a need for further development within this technical area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Despite prior art there is a need to develop a simulation system for the simulation of firing a weapon, which simulation system is versatile to use with a plurality of different types of weapons. There is also a need to develop such a simulation system, which is fast and easy to use and calibrate for an end user. There is even further a need to develop such a simulation system, which is cost effective to manufacture.

An object of the invention is thus to provide a simulation system for the simulation of firing a weapon, which simulation system is versatile to use with a plurality of different types of weapons. Another object is to provide such a simulation system, which is fast and easy to use and calibrate for an end user. An even further object is to provide such a simulation system, which is cost effective to manufacture.

According to a first aspect, a simulation system for the simulation of firing a weapon, comprising a sight and a line of sight thereof, is provided. The system may comprise an emitter device and an alignment device. The emitter device may comprise fastening means for selective attachment to a weapon, an emitter for emitting an electromagnetic simulation beam that exits the emitter device from an exit point thereof and moves along a simulation axis, and adjusting means for adjusting an extending direction of said simulation axis. The alignment device may comprise fastening means for selective attachment to the emitter device, a beam collector that is positioned over the exit point of the emitter device when the alignment device is attached to the emitter device, and an aperture for showing visual information to a user of the system when mounted to a weapon. The aperture may be movable relative the beam collector, by means of a link arm arrangement, which is arranged between the beam collector and the aperture. The link arm arrangement may thus allow for positioning of the aperture in the line of sight of the weapon. The beam collector and the aperture may be arranged in fixed and known relation with each other, wherein a first position of a centre of the simulation beam in the beam collector is seen as an indicator in the aperture, having a corresponding second position therein. The simulation system may further comprise a tracking indicator, which may be seen in the aperture of the alignment device, wherein alignment of the indicator and the tracking indicator to the line of sight of the weapon corresponds to an alignment of the simulation beam and the line of sight of said weapon. The tracking indicator in the aperture may be projected to the system by means of a display comprised therein.

This has the advantage that a simulation system is provided, which may be used for shooting practice in a large type of environments in a realistic manner, without the need to use real ammunition with the weapons used. Simulation systems of this kind always needs to be calibrated so as to be sure that a simulated hit of a simulated shot corresponds to a regular hit with real ammunition using the sights of the weapon. It is thus of the uttermost importance that the simulation system can be aligned with the sights of the weapon in an accurate manner, and that such alignment corresponds to a simulated shot behaves as a real shot would. To perform such an alignment, the simulation beam, the sights of the weapon and the tracking indicator need to be aligned with each other, wherein the simulation beam then would move in the same direction as the line of sights of the weapon. By means of providing the tracking indicator to the simulation system in the form of a projection from a screen, the system becomes much more versatile and easy to use. The tracking indicator may thus be projected at various locations on or from said screen. This makes manufacturing of such a system faster and more cost effective, as a perfect alignment of a mechanical tracking indicator would need to be meticulously positioned within the system during manufacturing. The system is also easier to use, as positioning and calibration of a projected tracking indicator may be performed by means of digital technology, which makes the system very precise and versatile to use. Furthermore, as the tracking indicator is projected and not fixed, it may also be modified and altered between a large plurality of different types of tracking indicators, with regards to size, shape and form. This makes such a simulation system versatile and user friendly, as the same type of system may be used for a plurality of types of weapons, without complex and time-consuming hardware alterations thereof.

According to an aspect, the display may be arranged in the emitter device. This has the advantage that the display is readily available for use in the system regardless of the type of alignment device being used. An alignment device for such an emitter device may also be made more compact as it does not need to house said display.

According to an aspect, the display may be arranged perpendicular to the emitter, wherein the projected tracking indicator may be aligned with the simulation beam by means of a beam splitter arranged along the simulation axis.

This has the advantage that the projected tracking indicator may be provided to the simulation beam and its emitted path in a simple yet reliable manner, wherein the display may be provided and arranged in the emitter device at a position separate from other delicate devices and components, such as the emitter.

According to an aspect, the simulation system may further comprise a control unit and a user interface, which control unit is configured to control the projected tracking indicator based on user input provided to the user interface.

This has the advantage that a user have direct and easy access to control over the projected tracking indicator, for control and/or modification of parameters such as; model/type of tracking indicator, positioning thereof, size and shape thereof, turning it on/off or other.

According to an aspect, the link arm arrangement may comprise at least one prism, arranged therein so as to guide the simulation beam and the projected tracking indicator from the beam collector to the aperture.

This has the advantage that a reliable and, in the technical field of optics commonly used device may be used in a fast and easy manner to manoeuvre the simulation beam and the projected tracking indicator from the emitter device to the line of sight of the weapon.

According to an aspect, the display may be arranged in the alignment device.

This has the advantage that the display, its components and manufacturing thereof may be becomes more cost effective for the simulation system as a whole, as the simulation system may be provided with the inventive concept of the simulation system according to the disclosure, but not provide a display for projection to each and every emitter device. As the emitter device is what produces and emits the signal that is used to simulate shots, each weapon that is part of a simulation exercise needs to be equipped with an emitter device. There is however no need to have as many alignment devices, as these may be swapped around between different weapons before such an exercise, and then be put away when all weapons are aligned with their emitter devices. By means of arranging the display in the alignment device instead, the system in its entirety may be more cost effective and easier to manufacture as the components of such a display is not needed for as many units of the system.

According to an aspect, the display may be arranged so as to be visible in the aperture of the alignment device, projected into infinity or another known distance therein.

This has the advantage that the information seen in the display may be seen clearly by a user when/if said user looks through the line of sight as he or she would do when using the weapon as he/she normally would for firing a shot. The simulation system may thus provide a very natural experience for a weapon, and a user does not need to constantly change focus between the projected info of the display and the regular manner of looking through a sight of a weapon.

According to an aspect, the simulation system may further comprise a position sensor device, which may be arranged at the beam collector of the alignment device, which position sensor device may be configured for capturing the simulation beam and provide the display with variables/coordinates thereof to the display.

This has the advantage that such a sensor device may capture information regarding the simulation beam that may not be visible with the naked eye of a user. Furthermore, such a sensor device may also be calibrated to the display, wherein no device such as a prism is needed to transfer the simulation beam and/or other such information to the line of sight of the weapon. The simulation device may thus be calibrated to a certain extent already at its manufacturing, which makes the system faster and easier to user for an end user thereof.

According to an aspect, the sensor device may be a camera.

This has the advantage that a commonly used and known type of technical apparatus may be incorporated into the simulation system as a part thereof. By means of using a camera and a display, the simulation system may be manufactured and calibrated in a fast and easy manner, using reliable and secure pieces of available technology, but in a new and inventive way.

According to an aspect, the aperture may further comprise a second lens, wherein the second lens and the display are configured so as to project the tracking indicator into infinity or another known distance in said second lens.

This has the advantage that the information from the display, may be seen clearly by a user when/if said user looks through the line of sight as he or she would do when using the weapon as he/she normally would for firing a shot, wherein said information is seen through said lens. The simulation system may thus provide a very natural experience for a weapon, and a user does not need to constantly change focus between the projected info in the lens and the regular manner of looking through a sight of a weapon.

According to an aspect, the alignment device may further comprise a control unit and a user interface, which control unit is configured to control the projected tracking indicator based on user input provided to the user interface.

This has the advantage that the control unit may be utilized to control the projected tracking indicator by the user in a very precise and reliable manner.

According to an aspect, the control unit may further comprise a memory, which memory may be configured to store settings corresponding to different types of weapons.

This has the advantage that the simulation system becomes more versatile and even faster and easier to use, as such settings may be saved and used repeatedly for various types of weapons the simulation system is used with.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Below is a description of, as examples, embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

Figs. 1 shows a schematic side view of a simulation system mounted to a weapon, according to an embodiment, Figs. 2 shows a schematic side view of a simulation system mounted to a weapon, according to an embodiment,

Figs. 3 shows a schematic side view of a simulation system mounted to a weapon, according to an embodiment, and

Figs. 4 shows a schematic side view of a simulation system mounted to a weapon, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description of the various features, and modifications thereof, according to the disclosure will herein be described in more detail with reference to the accompanied drawings. It is thus to be understood that embodiments comprising any of the described feature or a combination of features may be assembled in accordance with the description herein.

Figs. 1 to 4 show schematic side views of a simulation system 1 according to alternative embodiments of the concept disclosed herein. Even though they are different on a detail level, some basic concepts will herein be described with reference to all figures.

In each figure, a simulation system 1 for the simulation of firing a weapon 3 comprising a sight 5 and a line of sight 7 thereof is depicted. The system 1 may comprise an emitter device 9 and an alignment device 11, wherein the emitter device 9 is used for simulation of a firing of the weapon 3, and the alignment device 11 may be used in between simulations, so as to align and calibrate the line of sight 7 of the weapon 3 with the emitter device 9 of the simulation system 1. The emitter device 9 may comprise fastening means for selective attachment to a weapon 3, an emitter 13 for emitting an electromagnetic simulation beam 15 that exits, at least partly, the emitter device 9 from an exit point 17 thereof and moves along a simulation axis 19, and adjusting means 21 for adjusting an extending direction of said simulation axis 19. The emitter 13 that emits and provides the electromagnetic simulation beam 15 to the system may comprise various types of electronics, wherein the electromagnetic simulation beam 15 that is emitted may be a laser, a visible beam of light or other, depending on the desired usage or the system. The alignment device 11 may comprise fastening means 23 for selective attachment to the emitter device 9, a beam collector 25 that is positioned over the exit point 17 of the emitter device 9 when the alignment device 11 is attached to the emitter device 9, and an aperture 27 for showing visual information to a user of the system 1 when mounted to a weapon 3. The fastening means 23 are schematically illustrated in the figures. It should be noted that any type of fastening means suitable for selective attaching and de-attaching may be used to achieve said function. The aperture 27 may be movable relative the beam collector 25, by means of a link arm arrangement 29, which may be arranged between the beam collector 25 and the aperture 27, which link arm arrangement 29 allows for positioning of the aperture 27 in the line of sight 7 of the weapon 3, while the beam collector 25 is fixed at the exit point 17 of the emitter device 9. The beam collector 25 and the aperture 27 may be arranged in fixed and known relation to each other even if they are movable laterally to each other, wherein a first position of a centre of the simulation beam 15 in the beam collector 25 may be seen as an indicator in the aperture 27, having a corresponding second position therein. The simulation system 1 may further comprise a tracking indicator 31 (not explicitly seen in the figures), which may be seen in the aperture 27 of the alignment device 11, wherein alignment of the simulation beam 15 and the tracking indicator 31 to the line of sight 7 of the weapon 3 corresponds to an alignment of the simulation beam 15 and the line of sight 7 of said weapon 3. By means of aligning/calibrating the above mentioned tracking indicator 31 and simulation beam 15 to the line of sight 7 of the weapon 3, and thus achieving control over how the line of sight 7 correlates to the simulation beam 15, the weapon 3 may be used for target practice and/or simulated combat in a manner that is precise and accurate, in which the user can be sure what he/she is aiming at. Certain types of similar prior art systems have been known to provide a calibration functionality of the tracking indicator or the like to the line of sight by means of fixing said tracking indicator in a calibrated position with regards to the emitted electromagnetic simulation beam, wherein said tracking indicator thus is fixedly positioned in the emitter device, and calibrated therein as a step in manufacturing thereof. However, for the simulation system 1 according to the disclosure, the tracking indicator 31 to be viewed in the aperture 27 may be projected to the simulation system 1 by means of a display 33 comprised therein. The position of the tracking indicator 31 may thus be moved within said display 33, and may thus be calibrated electronically.

It should herein be noted that the simulation beam do not have to be a one-dimensional straight line, but rather have, and/or be modified along its path to cover a larger two- dimensional surface when taken as a cross section along the simulation axis of said simulation beam. The simulation beam may be provided in the form of a cone or a cylinder so as to cover a larger area at its intended end destination. In the various figures, this is depicted as dashed lines originating from the emitter 13, and then being shaped and guided through the system by means of various electrical and/or optical components. The simulation beam 15 may however be perceived as a straight line with regards to its centre of gravity or its centre, which is utilized by the system and a user when aligning the simulation beam 15 to a specific point. The figures in the disclosure therefore depicts the simulation beam 15 both as a direction along the simulation axis 19, by means of double straight line, and its exposed area along said axis, by means of the dashed lines.

The overall features of the simulation system 1 as presented and defined above may be further defined within certain variations. When turning the attention to fig. 1 specifically, it may be seen that the display 33 may be arranged in the emitter device 9. This may be perceived as similar to a prior art solution in which the tracking indicator is positioned in the emitter device as well. However, as the tracking indicator 31 is provided to the system by means of a display 33 instead of a physical element, calibration thereof is made faster and simpler as such calibration may be performed electronically, wherein an exact positioning of the display 33 may not be absolutely required. As may further be seen in fig. 1, the emitter device 9 may also comprise beam steering components and/or elements as at least part of the adjusting means 21 so as to adjust and modify the simulation beam and/or its characteristics. Such beam steering devices and components may be optical and/or electronic components, depending on the simulation beam and its characteristics. For example, components such as beam splitters, lenses, and/or prisms may be utilized in different manners to provide control over the variable characteristics of the simulation beam, its axis, size, intensity, spread and other variables such as these. In fig. 1, one such arrangement is presented in the form of a first lens 35 and two wedge prisms 37, the prisms being arranged in series so as to allow for adjusting the direction of the simulation axis precisely in a two-dimensional plane, by means of rotating said wedge prisms 37 in a controlled manner. The display 33 may then project the tracking indicator 31, which may be in the form of a reticle pattern suitable for specific weapons, into the simulation axis 19 of the simulation beam 15 so that the two are combined for viewing together in the aperture 27 when the system is aligned and calibrated. When displayed as a reticle pattern, the tracking indicator 31 may of course be displayed as any two dimensional reticle pattern within the capabilities of the display 33, wherein a particular pattern may be suitable for a specific type of weapon, and another pattern may be suitable for a different type of weapon. The emitted electromagnetic simulation beam 15 may furthermore be invisible to the naked eye, wherein it may be detected by means of optical components comprised in the system, and then shown to a user of the system by means of further optical and/or electrical components further comprised in the simulation system 1.

The display 33 may thus be used to show a centre of such an invisible simulation beam 15, so that a user of the system is aware of its location and direction, even if the simulation beam 15 itself is not seen by said user.

By means of utilizing a display 33 for projecting the tracking indicator 31, additional benefits and functionalities may also be achieved. The display 33 may be used to optically move the tracking indicator 31 laterally along its projecting surface, which can be used to provide a virtual alignment method to the system. Some types of weapons may not be suitable and/or possible to align by means of using the centre of the tracking indicator, due to flaring from the nozzle or other similar situations. The display 33 may thus be used to off-set the tracking indicator 31 temporarily so that a user may perceive a centred positioning even if the tracking indicator 31 and the simulation beam 15 are laterally moved off-centre during alignment.

Fig. 1 depicts one example of how to position the display 33 within the emitter device 9. The display 33 may be arranged perpendicular to the emitter 13, wherein the projected tracking indicator 31 is aligned with the simulation beam 15 by means of a beam splitter 39 arranged along the simulation axis 19. This allows for a precise positioning of such a display 33, while also providing an easy installation and maintenance feature, as the emitter 13 and other optical and/or electrical devices along the simulation axis are out of the way for handling of said display 33. With the tracking indicator 31 being projected into the simulation axis 19 by means of the beam splitter 39, the positioning of said tracking indicator 31 may thus also be adjusted simultaneously with the centre of the simulation beam 15, while at the same time said tracking indicator 31 may also be individually adjusted by means of controlling the display 33 and where the tracking indicator 31 is displayed on said display 33. For controlling the tracking indicator 31 on the display 33, the simulation system 1 may further comprise a control unit 41 and a user interface, which control unit 41 may be configured to control the projected tracking indicator 31 based on user input provided to the user interface. The control unit 41 is suitably arranged in the emitter device 9 if the display 33 is arranged in the same. The user interface may be arranged at an outer surface of the emitter device 9, but may also be in the form of an external user interface in the form of a remote control being in wireless communication with the control unit 41.

For examples of the simulation system 1 in which the display 33 is arranged in the emitter device 9, such as according to fig. 1, the simulation system 1 may comprise an alignment device 11 in the form of a link arm arrangement 29, wherein the link arm arrangement 29 may comprise at least one prism 43, which may be arranged in said link arm arrangement 29 so as to guide the simulation beam 15 and the projected tracking indicator 31 from the beam collector 25 to the aperture 27. A link arm arrangement 29 comprising said at least one prism 43 is depicted in fig 1. The link arm arrangement 29 as depicted is done so in a schematic manner herein, wherein it should be understood that it may comprise a more complex design having a plurality of link arm members, interconnected to each other, wherein each such link arm member may comprise at least one prism therein. The concept is however the same, at least one prism 43 may be arranged to collect the simulation beam 15 and the projected tracking indicator 31 from the exit point 17 of the emitter device 9, and then be guided by reflective angled surfaces 45 within said prism 43, and then exit from the aperture 27 of the alignment device 11. The at least one prism 43 may comprise a plurality of such angled surfaces 45, and/or the alignment device 11 may comprise a plurality of prisms 43 comprising similar angled surfaces 45. The plurality of reflective angled surfaces 45, regardless of being arranged within one prism 43 or multiple prisms, are arranged in such a manner that the simulation beam 15 and the projected tracking indicator 31 may exit the aperture 27 at the same angle they are oriented in when entering the beam collector 25, but having the opposite direction compared thereto. Said angle is to be perceived as an angle between the direction of said visual signals and a plane parallel with the barrel of the weapon the simulation system is mounted to. The alignment device 11 may more specifically comprise a last angled surface 45' comprised in the at least one prism 43, wherein the term last refers to path of the simulation beam 15 within the alignment device 11 in that the last angled surface 45' is the last surface the simulation beam 15 hits before it exits through the aperture 27 of the alignment device 11. The last angled surface 45' may be in the form of a alignment beam splitter, that provides the possibility of detecting the relative positioning of the simulation beam 15 (and/or other visual information) being provided from the emitter device 9, while at the same time allowing a user of the simulation system 1 to see past a mounted alignment device 11 along the line of sight 7 of the sight 5 of the weapon 3. Such an arrangement may provide a more versatile calibration procedure for said user, as he/she may view a surrounding environment simultaneously with the visual information from the emitter device 9.

Turning the attention to fig. 2, an alternative example of at least parts of the inventive concept according to the disclosure is presented. Fig. 2 depicts parts of a weapon 3 to which a schematic representation of a simulation system 1 is mounted. The simulation system 1 may, in accordance with the depictions in fig. 2, comprise the general components comprised in the simulation system 1 with reference to fig. 1, such as an emitter device 9 and an alignment device 11, wherein said two devices 9, 11 provide the same or similar functionality. However, the display 33 that projects the tracking indicator 31 to a user may herein be arranged in the alignment device 11 of the simulation system 1.

The display 33 may be positioned and arranged in the alignment device 11 in a plurality of ways when viewing the concept according to the disclosure in a general sense. Thus, the display 33 may be arranged so as to be visible in the aperture 27 of the alignment device 11, projected into infinity or another known distance therein. This may hence be achieved by means of positioning the display 33 at the aperture 27 directly, or by means of positioning the display 33 separated from the aperture 27 and guide the projected visual information therefrom to the aperture 27 by means of optical components such as reflective surfaces, lenses, prisms and/or other. By arranging the display 33 to project the tracking indicator 31 within the alignment device 11 a plurality of functions and advantages may be gained. Firstly, the simulation system 1 as a whole is easier and more cost effective to manufacture. As an alignment device 11 of a simulation system 1 may be used for a plurality of emitter devices 9 and thus a plurality of weapons 3 for simulation use, such systems are often provided to end users comprising a larger plurality of emitter devices 9 than alignment devices 11. Thus, by means of arranging the display 33 in the alignment devices 11 of such systems 1, the amount of displays 33 needed for a system 1 is reduced. Costs for manufacturing such systems 1 are thus correspondingly reduced as well.

Fig. 2 further depicts an additional feature that may be provided to a simulation system 1 comprising a display 33 arranged in the alignment device 11. Such a simulation system 1 may further comprise a position sensor device 47, which may be arranged at the beam collector 25 of the alignment device 11, which position sensor device 47 may be configured for capturing the simulation beam 15 and provide the display 33 with variables/coordinates of the simulation beam 15 to the display 33. The position sensor device 47 and the display 33 may be calibrated with respect to each other and their positioning, so as to achieve the same function as with at least one prism (as described with reference to fig. 1). If perceiving the position sensor device 47 and the display 33 to extend in individual two-dimensional planes, said planes may be arranged at a fixed relative orientation, wherein the positioning of the captured simulation beam 15 in the position sensor device 47 correlates to a corresponding position in the display 33. The transfer of such data between the two devices 33, 47 may then occur by means of a signal comprising relevant variables relating to said positioning, instead of being achieved by geometrically mechanical means, as is the case when using at least one prism. Thus, the alignment device 11, extending between the beam collector 25 and the aperture 27, may be made in a slimmer manner and having a more versatile design as the structural bulk of material needed for using at least one prism may be avoided.

In fig. 2, the display 33 is positioned horizontally aligned with the aperture 27 of the alignment device 11, and being oriented perpendicular thereof. The information projected by the display 33 is thus seen in a straight line along the line of sight 7 of the weapon 3 when the aperture 27 is aligned along said line of sight 7.

The position sensor device 47 may be a camera 47'. As cameras may be made in various models and having various features and functions, using a camera 47' as position sensor device 47 may in a similar fashion provide a versatile functionality to the simulation system 1. For example, a simulation beam 15 not visible to the naked eye may be used, wherein said beam 15 still may be detectable by means of a camera 47' capable of detecting such a beam, or a visible built in tracking indicator 31 in the emitter device 9. 15. The camera 47' may further be provided with a recording feature and/or a memory, which allows for saving data during calibration operations. Such a feature may further be combined with collected data from the emitter device 9 in the form of saved statuses relating to the simulation beam 15, and/or simulated shots fired, so as to achieve collected data that can be evaluated by users of such a system. Such a camera 47' may then be connected to the display 33 wherein the information collected by the camera 47' is seen in the display 33. In fig. 2, the camera 47' and the display 33 are oriented parallel with each other, so that the two components provide the same functionality as the prism as described with reference to fig. 1.

The aperture 27 of the alignment device 11 may further comprise a second lens 49, wherein the second lens 49 and the display 33 may be configured to project the tracking indicator 31 into infinity or another known distance in said second lens 49. The term infinity should herein be perceived as a virtual infinity relating to not having a distinct focal point at a distance from said lens. By means of projecting the tracking indicator 31 into infinity, a user of the system 1 do not have to focus at a specific focal point to see the tracking indicator 31 well. Such a projection also corresponds well to aiming a real weapon in a real combat situation, wherein the simulation system 1 provides a very realistic experience to a user.

For controlling the tracking indicator 31 on the display 33, the alignment device 11 may further comprise a control unit 41 and a user interface, which control unit 41 may be configured to control the projected tracking indicator 31 based on user input provided to the user interface. The control unit 41 is suitably arranged in the alignment device 11 if the display 33 is arranged in the same. The user interface may also be provided in the form of an external user interface in the form of a remote control being in wireless communication with the control unit 41. The control unit 41 may further be connected to the camera 47' as well as the display 33, wherein the camera 47' and its function similarity may be controlled based on user input provided to the user interface. The simulation system 1 may also be provided with even further additional components and/or devices that may be arranged to interact with the control unit 41 in additional advantageous manners.

For example, the control unit 41 may further comprise a memory 51, which memory 51 may be configured to store settings corresponding to different types of weapons. As there may be differences in how a simulation system 1 according to the disclosure is best used with different types of weapons, this may be utilized to make such differences easier to manage for users of the system. For example, one particular weapon may be best and most suitable to use with such a simulation system 1 by means of aiming to centre the simulation beam 15 and the tracking indicator 31 etc. dead centre in the sights 5 of said weapon 3 when aligning the system 1. Another weapon may instead require a user to perform the alignment off centre within the sights of said another weapon, due to circumstances such as flares from firing or other. By means of comprising a memory 51 connected to the control unit 41, swapping between such different types of weapons becomes much easier to manage, as settings suitable for the different types of weapons may be stored in said memory 51, and then be loaded from the memory 51 by a user when swapping the simulation system 1 between weapons. Additional personal settings and accompanied saved data may also be saved and handled by such a memory 51, making tracking of performance and evaluation of individual users possible and easy to manage as well.

Fig. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the inventive concept according to the disclosure.

The simulation system 1 may, as depicted in fig. 3, comprises an emitter device 9 comprising the emitter 13 as similar to the other figures, and comprises adjusting means 21 for orienting and steering the simulation beam 15. The simulation system 1 may further comprise an alignment device 11 comprising a collecting lens 53, arranged at the beam collector 25 thereof, for collecting the simulation beam 15 and focus said beam 15 to a specific position at a position sensor device 47 comprised in said alignment device 11. The data relating to said specific position is then transferred to a display 33 also comprised in the alignment device 11, wherein said display 33 projects the specific position and a tracking indicator 31 to a projecting lens 55, which projecting lens 55 steers the projected visual information to being oriented as parallel vectors over a two-dimensional cross sectional surface. The parallel vectors may then enter the link arm arrangement 29 that may comprise a prism 43, arranged for reflecting the visual information of the vectors up to the aperture of the link arm arrangement 29, wherein said visual information is further reflected through the aperture 27 and oriented towards the line of sight 7 of the weapon 3 to be seen by a user of the system 1. As is seen in fig. 3, the position sensor device 47 and the display 33 are positioned along the same vertical plane, at different relative heights within the alignment device 11, wherein the position sensor device 47 is positioned along the simulation axis 19, but the display 33 is positioned adjacent the same. Thus, by means of this arrangement the simulation beam may be utilized by a user to be projected past the alignment device at the same time as it is collected by the position sensor device and projected by the display to be presented in the line of sight of the weapon to which the simulation system is coupled.

Fig. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment of the inventive concept according to the disclosure. The simulation system 1 may, as depicted in fig. 4, comprise an emitter device 9 comprising the emitter 13 as similar to the other figures, and comprises adjusting means 21 for orienting and steering the simulation beam 15. The emitter device 9 according to fig. 4 further comprise a display 33 for projecting the tracking indicator 31, similarly to fig. 1. Like the embodiment as depicted in fig. 1, the display 33 is arranged perpendicular to the emitter 13, and is reflected into the simulation axis 19 of the simulation beam 15 by means of a beam splitter 39. The simulation beam 15 and the tracking indicator 31 may then simultaneously exit through the exit point 17 of the emitter device 9, wherein they may be collected by the beam collector 25 of the alignment device 11 coupled thereto. The alignment device 11 may, as according to fig. 4, comprise a collecting lens 53 and a position tracking device 47. The position sensor device 47 may be a camera 47', similarly to the simulation system with reference to fig. 2, but other sensor devices may also be possible to use herein. A transparent position sensor device 47 may for example be arranged therein, wherein the position of the tracking indicator 31 and the simulation beam 15 may be detected, but also pass through said sensor device 47 and be projected further out to the surrounding environment. The alignment device 11 may further comprise an additional display 57, arranged perpendicular to the simulation axis 19 and being arranged to project the information gathered by the position sensor device 47 as visual information up towards a control lens 59, which is arranged to shape the visual information to parallel light. The parallel and upwards directed light/visual information may then be reflected so as to align with the line of sight 7 of the weapon 3 by means of an additional beam splitter 61.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been furnished for illustrative and descriptive purposes. It is not intended to be exhaustive, or to limit the embodiments to the variations described. Many modifications and variations will obviously be apparent to one skilled in the art. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explicate principles and practical applications, and to thereby enable one skilled in the arts to understand the invention in terms of its various embodiments and with the various modifications that are applicable to its intended use. The components and features specified above may, within the framework of the disclosure, be combined between different embodiments specified.

Claims

1. A simulation system (1) for the simulation of firing a weapon (3) comprising a sight (5) and a line of sight (7) thereof, the system (1) comprising an emitter device (9) and an alignment device (11), the emitter device (9) comprises fastening means for selective attachment to a weapon (3), an emitter (13) for emitting an electromagnetic simulation beam (15) that exits the emitter device (9) from an exit point (17) thereof and moves along a simulation axis (19), and adjusting means (21) for adjusting an extending direction of said simulation axis (19), the alignment device (11) comprises fastening means (23) for selective attachment to the emitter device (9), a beam collector (25) that is positioned over the exit point (17) of the emitter device (9) when the alignment device (11) is attached to the emitter device (9), and an aperture (27) for showing visual information to a user of the system when mounted to a weapon (3), the aperture (27) being movable relative the beam collector (25), by means of a link arm arrangement (29), which is arranged between the beam collector (25) and the aperture (27), which link arm arrangement (29) allows for positioning of the aperture (27) in the line of sight (7) of the weapon (3), the beam collector (25) and the aperture (27) being arranged in fixed and known relation with each other, wherein a first position of a centre of the simulation beam (15) in the beam collector (25) is seen as an indicator in the aperture, having a corresponding second position therein, the simulation system (1) further comprises a tracking indicator (31), which is seen in the aperture (27) of the alignment device (11), wherein alignment of the indicator and the tracking indicator(31) to the line of sight (7) of the weapon (3) corresponds to an alignment of the simulation beam (15) and the line of sight (7) of said weapon (3), characterized in that the tracking indicator (31) in the aperture (27) is projected to the system (1) by means of a display (33) comprised therein.

2. The simulation system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the display (33) is arranged in the emitter device (9).

3. The simulation system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the display (33) is arranged perpendicular to the emitter (13), wherein the projected tracking indicator (31) is aligned with the simulation beam (15) by means of a beam splitter (39) arranged along the simulation axis (19).

4. The simulation system (1) according to any of claims 2 to 3, wherein the simulation system (1) further comprises a control unit (41) and a user interface, which control unit (41) is configured to control the projected tracking indicator (31) based on user input provided to the user interface.

5. The simulation system (1) according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the link arm arrangement (29) comprises at least one prism (43), arranged therein so as to guide the simulation beam (15) and the projected tracking indicator (31) from the beam collector (25) to the aperture (27).

6. The simulation system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the display (33) is arranged in the alignment device (11).

7. The simulation system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the display (33) is arranged so as to be visible in the aperture (27) of the alignment device (11), projected into infinity or another known distance therein.

8. The simulation system (1) according to claim 7, further comprising a position sensor device (47), arranged at the beam collector (25) of the alignment device (11), which position sensor device (47) is configured for capturing the simulation beam (15) and provide the display (33) with variables thereof to the display (33).

9. The simulation system (1) according to claim 8, wherein the position sensor device (47) is a camera (47').

10. The simulation system (1) according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the aperture (27) further comprises a second lens (49), wherein the second lens (49) and the display (33) are configured so as to project the tracking indicator (31) into infinity or another known distance in said second lens (49).

11. The simulation system (1) according to any of claims 6 to 10, wherein the alignment device (11) further comprises a control unit (41) and a user interface, which control unit (41) is configured to control the projected tracking indicator (31) based on user input provided to the user interface.

12. The simulation system (1) according to claim 11, wherein the control unit (41) further comprises a memory (51), which memory (51) is configured to store settings corresponding to different types of weapons (3).