Abstract: A target system for laser marksmanship training devices is comprised of one or more photodetectors mounted on a target and sensitive to one or more pulses of the operating wavelength of a laser beam simulating the projectile of a weapon. An amplifier increases the power output of the photodetectors, and a frequency selective transducer is operated from the amplified output of the photodetectors. The transducer is attached and acoustically coupled to the target and produces a vibration signature simulating the vibration characteristics of a weapon-fired projectile striking the target. A microphone sensitive to the vibration signature of the transducer is acoustically coupled to the target, and a drive mechanism lowers the target out of the field of view of the weapon when the microphone receives a hit-indicating vibration signature from the transducer.

Abstract: The invention provides a light sensitive dummy cartridge for insertion into he chamber of a magazine-type weapon. A muzzle collimator is inserted into the barrel in alignment with the cartridge photosensor and the longitudinal axis of the bore. The power supply, audible scoring apparatus, and electrical circuit for the photosensor, moreover, are mounted in a dummy magazine. This combination provides an easy-to-install apparatus for temporarily converting a conventional firearm into a photoresponsive training device.

Abstract: Designs of prior art art not usable in efficient dry-run target practice with hand firearms. The greatest drawbacks are, for instance, that it is not possible by the method to monitor the result of the dry-run training; that the method or means is not liable on ordinary guns without special measures or not at all or the method is so complicated that its implementation in practice causes that the means is too expensive to be in the personal possession and use of shooters. In order to eliminate said drawbacks, the invention is mainly characterized in that by a transmitter/receiver means attachable to conventional arms is emitted an optical beam towards a surface serving as the target which is set off from its surroundings due to its optic radiation reflecting properties relative to those of its surroundings, the hitting or missing of the beam being observed with the receiver on the basis of the return beam.

Abstract: A laser operated transmitter is attachable to the barrel of gun and comprises a battery operated power supply; a first, hit-code pulse generating circuit capable of driving a laser optical system and producing a beam simulating a projectile hitting a photodetector target system; and a second inhibit-code pulse generating circuit, synchronous with the hit-code pulse generating circuit, driving a light emitting diode and producing a hit-code inhibiting wide-angle beam aimed towards a photodetector target system worn by the shooter of the gun.

Abstract: Equipment for monitoring combat vehicles, especially tanks, firing practice firing with simulated rounds. Each combat vehicle has a laser that emits a pulse of light when the firing button is pressed and devices to receive and display an arriving pulse of light. A television pickup is coupled to a monitoring or targeting device in each combat vehicle and can be connected through a video section with a television monitor at a director's post. At the director's post there are at least two television monitors, each assigned to a given group of combat vehicles. As long as none of the firing buttons in any of the combat vehicles are pressed, the image supplied from the monitoring or targeting device in a selected combat vehicle will appear on each television monitor. When a firing button is pressed in one of the vehicles, the image supplied from the monitoring or targeting device in that vehicle will appear on the monitor associated with the vehicle for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Optical aim-training apparatus 10 (FIG. 1) for a rifle 20, or the like comprises a CRT displaying a target image on a scanned line raster. The rifle is simulated and has photo-detection device 21 contained in a housing 22 located adjacent the barrel 19. The photodetection device has a detection axis 23, aligned parallel with the rifle bore axis, which 23 intersects the screen at detection point 34. The rifle sighting device has a sightline also parallel to the bore axis and detection axis intersecting the screen at aim point 33. The offset between aim and detection points is determined by a calibration procedure and when aim is taken at a target image and the trigger depressed a marker region of raster 29, displaced from the image by the calibration offset, is brightened temporarily. A series of light pulses due to scanning of the marker region raster is detected and the screen location of the center of the detector field of view i.e. detection point 34, found.

Abstract: Equipment to simulate the firing of at least one projectile from a gun at a target such that a beam of electromagnetic radiation replaces the projectile trajectory. A hand held simulator includes a projector for generating such a beam of light, the power of which is no greater than 40 mW, in response to the operating of a trigger. If aimed correctly at the target, which is retroreflective, the beam is reflected back to the equipment and the reflected beam is received by a receiver which includes a collection of components connected in series. In view of the low power of the beam and the large distance over which the equipment is designed to operate, the components forming the receiver are designed to differentiate a fairly weak signal form the background light.

Abstract: Training apparatus for sporting equipment such as rifles in which at least one transducer which is pressure or weight sensitive is attached to the equipment at a position or positions where the pressure of body weight or contact is critical. The apparatus includes a display having an indicator or indicators connected to the transducer so as to give an indication of the body pressure or weight at the transducer. In one form of the invention, the indicators comprise a series of colored lights associated with each transducer so as to visually indicate insufficient, correct or excessive pressure or weight at the transducer.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of the invention provides marksmanship training in a realistic environment. A "light pen" is clamped to the muzzle of a weapon. The "light pen" and weapon are aimed at a microcomputer-generated target or videodisc-player-generated target on the screen of a television monitor. A trigger switch on the weapon is closed when the marksman perceives the correct orientation between the weapon and the target. The microcomputer calculates the proper trajectory of the simulated "round" based on the orientation of the "light pen" relative to the screen at the time the trigger switch is closed in order to generate and display the calculated shot impact point for the benefit of the trainee marksman.

Abstract: A firing weapon is associated with a laser radiation source mounted in proximity to the weapon and also with a detector which is sensitive to the laser radiation. The orientation of the radiation is adjusted independently of the aiming of the weapon in order to carry out continuous detection of the target as a result of detection of radiation by the detector after reflection from the target. The orientation and the time of transit of radiation between source and target are utilized in order to obtain target data relating to position in elevation and in azimuth as well as distance of the target. The data are processed in order to orient a real shot or in order to compare the data quantitatively with the position of a simulated projectile which follows a fictitious trajectory.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for combat simulation, in which each weapon carrying ombat participant has a laser transmitter, an optical measurement receiver, and an analyzer, and each target object combat participant has reflector elements, an optical information receiver and a device for evaluating the optical information. When firing is simulated, the target is tracked with laser pulses which are transmitted by the laser transmitter and reflected by the reflector elements back to the measurement receiver. The hit accuracy information is optically coded and sent back to the target. According to this invention, optical signals or beams for target tracking and for information transmission are spatially separated from each other by distributing the reflector elements in the vulnerable area of the target, but locating the optical information receiver separately, preferably in an exposed location. The reflector elements may be inexpensive disposable elements.

Abstract: An optic method for shooting practice in which a narrow light beam is used instead of a bullet. The light beam is provided by a light transmitter (2) of a visible or infrared area attachable to a gun, the ray transmitted by which transmitter is observed with a spot-sensitive optic detector (5, 6) from which is received continuous position information during aiming and discharging as well as, when desired, also the hit and the direction at the discharge instant (9). (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A simulated fire and hit indicator apparatus and method includes two opponent stations having a gun device and a target device and a master control unit. Each gun device generates a dispersed trigger-active signal and a focused bullet signal; preferably in the form of a modulated pulse burst powering infrared emitters. Detectors, preferably in the form of phototransistors, are mounted in each target to sense the bullet signals and each operates to produce a hit signal when struck by an opponent's bullet signal. The trigger-active signals are detected, again preferably by phototransistors, and produce fire signals corresponding to respective gun devices. Each station includes processing circuitry to produce uniform pulse bursts representative of the fire and hit signals of the station, and the signals may be mixed and may be used to enable a radio transmitter that broadcasts the fire and hit data to a receiver on the master control.

Abstract: An electronic game in which the game participant fires a hand held target weapon at targets and must evade simulated return fire directed at the person of the participant from hazard weapons. The targets include lamps which are momentarily energized one at a time by timing circuitry. The target weapon includes a trigger switch and a photosensor for detecting when the target weapon is accurately aimed at an energized target. Digital displays indicate the number of shots remaining and the number of target hits that have been recorded by the participant. The hazard weapons emit infrared beams at the body of the game participant and are activated one at a time by timing circuitry. The game is terminated when the participant has expended all of the allotted shots at the targets or when the beam from an activated hazard weapon is intercepted by the person of the game participant.

Abstract: Improved marksmanship scoring device for use in weapons simulation. The apparatus compensates for equipment errors that prevent a marksmanship device from providing an accurate indication of a firearm hit or miss. To this end, a visual system (16), which includes an image generation subsystem (20) and an image display subsystem (22), is associated with a marksmanship scoring device. The invention provides correction apparatus which comprises a series connection of the visual system (16) with a photo sensor (24), an amplifier (26), a counter (28) and a comparator (30).

Abstract: Apparatus for discriminating at a distance between one or more colored symbols displayed on the screen of a television receiver from a plurality of other symbols of different colors includes a colored filter which corresponds to the color of the symbol which is to be discriminated.

Abstract: A weapons engagement simulation system includes a weapon simulator having a laser transmitter for transmitting pulses of directed coherent light in a characteristic temporal pattern and a receiver garment. A plurality of photosensitive detectors distributed over each of a plurality of discrete zones on the outside of the garment respond to light from the laser transmitter by producing electrical detection pulses systematically related thereto. Comparators compare the electrical detection pulses from the photosensitive detectors in a respective zone with a predetermined threshold level and produce discriminated detection pulses when said electrical detection pulses are greater than the threshold level. A decoder compares the temporal patterns of the discriminated detection pulses with a temporal pattern characteristic of the laser transmitter and produces a hit signal corresponding to a respective corresponding zone when the compared patterns correspond.

Abstract: A shooting simulation and training method for ballistic ammunition and mole targets. Before firing the shot, a continuously repeated measurement of the target by laser measurement pulses transmitted at the weapons side is performed. A determination of the target distance and target deviation from a reference line, and storage of data derived therefrom is then performed. At the time of firing the shot, a transmission of the stored data by coded laser signals to the target is accomplished, followed by conclusion of scanning of the target. After firing the shot and during the simulated projectile flight time, measurement of the actual movement of the target relative to the receiving direction of the laser signals is determined. A score is determined by comparing the transmitted data with the target position at the end of the projectile flight time.

Abstract: A simulated thermal sight utilizes a computer to store digitized video data erived from photographs of actual thermal images. The computer inserts video images formed from the data into optical telescopes, via a miniature TV and mirror system, to simulate a thermal image for a trainee. An IR detector and emitter, whose location corresponds to the apparent location of the thermal image, are used to measure aim error and provide an input to the computer.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning the barrel of a weapon and limiting the firing field of a weapon to a predetermined target area. The apparatus comprises at least one stationary transmitter positioned in or adjacent the firing field and at least one directional receiver rigidly attached to the weapon. A fire unblocking device coupled to the output of the receiver and to the weapon is actuated by the receiver to permit firing of the weapon when a signal is received from the transmitter thereby indicating that the barrel of the weapon is aimed toward the target area.

Abstract: A training system simulates thermal sight presentations utilizing miniature argets which have been painted with retroreflective paint in predetermined patterns corresponding to the thermal radiation associated with the target. The target is viewed through a telescope upon which a light source is mounted, light from said source being reflected into said telescope by the retroreflective paint. A pressure actuated switch in the eyecup of said telescope energizes said light source and background illumination. The system is designed for use with a simulated weapon and includes a TV camera mounted on said weapon with an associated light source for illuminating said target, thereby providing trainee monitoring capabilities.

Abstract: A device for evaluating the sighting of a target by a sighting unit along its line-of-sight during shooting simulation of a sight-controlled missile is disclosed. A laser transmitter/receiver unit is coupled to the sighting unit with independent movement therewith in at least one direction. The transmitter/receiver generates a reference light beam having a direction parallel to the transmitting direction of the transmitted laser beam. The reference beam is focused into the sighting unit and onto an angle measuring means which measures the angle between the radiation received from a missile and the line-of-sight of the sighting unit. The angle measuring means generates misalignment signals representing the angle deviation between the reference beam and the line-of-sight. These signals are then processed by a processing unit to evaluate the sighting of the target by the sighting unit.

Abstract: Training apparatus for sporting equipment such as rifles in which at least one transducer which is pressure or weight sensitive is attached to the equipment at a position or positions where the pressure of body weight or contact is critical. The apparatus includes a display having an indicator or indicators connected to the transducer so as to give an indication of the body pressure or weight at the transducer. In one form of the invention, the indicators comprise a series of colored lights associated with each transducer so as to visually indicate insufficient, correct or excessive pressure or weight at the transducer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device utilizing electromagnetic energy, within or close to the visible frequency range, and components sensitive to such energy to determine, indicate and record, without use of photographic technique or TV video recording, the aim of an object relative to a defined point at a defined instant or variations in aim during a defined time interval.One characteristic feature of the device is that an available aiming aid, for instance a telescopic sight, is used to pick up energy radiated from the point towards which the object should be aimed.

Abstract: A head position and orientation sensor system utilizes a head mounted protor of known scan pattern which presents a visual display to the observer. In order to maintain proper display orientation, the head position and orientation are measured by intercepting the projected light scan pattern at a retroreflective screen upon which the visual display is focused. A photodetector array mounted in said screen intercepts the visual display regardless of head orientation and position. A computational unit having knowledge of the scan pattern parameters correlates the photodetector array output to a unique head position and orientation.

Abstract: A training device for simulated anti-armor weapons system utilizes a microcessor system to perform a number of functions including solving dynamic flight equations of a simulated missile and determining the gunner's aiming error. A miniature terrain board having a miniature target with an infrared source provides the aim point for a gunner using a simulated weapon launcher. An infrared sensing device mounted in the weapon provides input to the microprocessor while a CCTV provides an instructor with a gunner's view. Sound, visibility, and recoil associated with weapons use are simulated by peripheral devices under the control of the microprocessor. The gunner's aiming error and view are displayed in real time on an instructor's console which provides for instructor input and recording of gunner performance.

Abstract: A system for scoring targets with a control module and plurality of timer modules connected thereto. The control module generates start and stop signals and the timer modules count the number of hits on one or more targets and the time required to make an adjustable number of hits. Each hit is detected by an electrooptic sensor. The start signal can be generated by a sound, by a pseudo-random generator or by manual switch operation.

Abstract: A laser weapon simulator target apparatus is provided having a conventional target formed of a material translucent to a laser wavelength and a laser radiation detector positioned behind the target on one end portion thereof and facing in a generally parallel direction to the back of the target so that scattered radiation from a laser beam penetrating the target will be received by the radiation detector to indicate a laser beam hitting the target. The target may have a back enclosure to prevent radiation that misses the target being reflected back onto the detector. The target allows a single laser radiation detector to be utilized and at the same time allows the target to be used for live rounds or with a laser weapon simulator without changing the target.

Abstract: Simulated shooting at displayed images on the screen of a television receiver using an untethered, simulated gun provides indication on the screen of where the gun was pointed at the time of trigger pull. This is achieved by flashing the screen white subsequent a trigger pull in order that a photosensor within the gun will be responsive to short segments of horizontal raster lines such that by counting vertical lines and time intervals with respect to vertical and horizontal synchronization pulses, respectively, identification of where on the screen the gun was pointing is achieved, permitting a symbol to be displayed upon the screen at that location.

Abstract: In a weapon effect simulator a low peak power laser projector emits one millisecond bursts of radiation, each burst having either pulse or continuous wave modulation at 170 kHz. A detector for sensing the radiation has several photocells connected in parallel to a single amplifier, and includes a band pass filter tuned to 170 kHz (chosen in harmonic relationship to the modulation frequency) and having a pass band of 2 kHz (inversely related to the duration of each radiation burst).

Abstract: Video images derived from a video recording medium (such as a video disc or tape) using a video playback unit are displayed on the screen of a cathode ray tube display simultaneously with video images generated from a microprocessor-controlled video game. The video game permits a user to manually control the position of some of the generated video images displayed. Signals in the horizontal interval portion of each field from the video playback unit are related to the video images in the pictorial portion of each such field and identify certain characteristics of the video images such as the location of the video images. This information is used in such a manner that the video images from the video playback unit can interact with the video images from the video game.

Abstract: A weapon training simulation system comprising a firearm with a variable data transmission system mounted therein. The system includes at least one sensor to detect detonation of a blank round in the firearm, a variable data transmitter enabled by said sensor to transmit a signal comprising a weapon identification and, optionally, a direct hit/near miss selection, a power amplifier to amplify said signal, and a laser to project said amplified signal along the boresight of said firearm. The laser is mounted in the barrel of the firearm, and the other electronic components may be advantageously mounted in the handgrip or stock thereof. The system may include a firing counter to disable the transmitter once a number of transmissions equal to the number of rounds in a full load has been made. The system may also include a detector to disable the transmitter in the event that exterior sensors worn by the firearm user report that the user has been struck by laser light from a substantially identical system.

Abstract: A system for providing a simulated target and scene on a projector screen, wherein a first infrared (IR) detector senses reflected IR light from the screen to indicate an associated simulated weapon has hit the target and a second IR detector mounted in proximity to said first detector enables automatic sensitivity adjustment to different brightness backgrounds.

Abstract: An apparatus for simulated shooting is disclosed which includes a laser transmitter for directing a laser beam, as a simulated shot, towards a target; a receiver and evaluation device on the target for determining the deviation of the laser beam from the target in terms of magnitude and direction, and an impact indicating device on the target which is controllable by the evaluation device such that pyrotechnic charges are ejected in the determined direction of the deviation of the laser beam from the target and ignited so as to represent the light and smoke phenomena of the impact of a real projectile.

Abstract: A linear motion and pop-up target training system is disclosed for training a marksman to fire a simulated weapon. Located upon the terrain surface of a modelboard are six pop-up targets and three bi-directional linear motion targets, each of which emits, when activated by a first microprocessor computer, a pulsed beam of infrared light. Mounted upon the weapon is a sensor which will sense the pulsed beam of infrared light emitted by the activated target. The sensor then supplied to a rifle electronics circuit an analog signal proportional to the amount of light received by the sensor, and the rifle electronics circuit converts the analog signal to a digital logic signal to be supplied to a second microprocessor computer. The second microprocessor computer then processes the digital logic signal in accordance with a predetermined computer program so as to determine whether the marksman has scored a hit, a miss, or a near miss upon the activated target.

Abstract: An electro-optic infantry weapons training system for simulating the firing f a quintet of weapons at a visual target which appears upon a screen. A quintet of trainee riflemen, each of whom is holding a weapon, aim and fire the weapons at the visual target. A visual projector projects upon the screen a background scene including the visual target, while an infrared projector simultaneously projects upon the screen an infrared target. Each weapon includes a sensor element for sensing the infrared target whenever the weapon is correctly aimed at the visual target. The sensor elements are connected in a unique combination with sensor circuits, enable circuits, and an interface circuit so as to provide to a microprocessor computer and an eight-bit microcomputer data words which indicate whether each of the quintet of trainee riflemen have scored a hit upon the visual target.

Abstract: A marksmanship training device is disclosed for simulating long range weas so as to train a marksman in the use of the particular weapon being simulated. The marksmanship training device comprises a laser transmitter mounted within the weapon being simulated which, when activated by the marksman, broadcasts at a target a square wave beam of laser light having a predetermined frequency. A receiver, mounted upon the target, will sense only a square wave laser light beam having the predetermined frequency mentioned above and activate a buzzer so as to indicate that the marksman has scored a hit upon the target.

Abstract: A weapons training apparatus is disclosed for simulating long range weapons o as to train a marksman in the use of the particular weapon being simulated. The weapons training apparatus comprises a laser transmitter mounted within the weapon being simulated which, when activated by the marksman, broadcast at a target a square wave beam of laser light having a predetermined frequency. A receiver, mounted upon the target, will sense only a square wave laser light beam having the predetermined frequency mentioned above, and activate a buzzer so as to indicate that the marksman has scored a hit upon the target.

Abstract: A shot simulator using laser light is disclosed for simulating guided missiles. A laser transmitter coupled to a target tracking sight emits differently coded laser signals having different angular deviations from the line of sight repeatedly during at least a substantial portion of the time of flight of the simulated missile. A receiver for laser light reflected from the target is coupled to decoding and analyzing means for calculating the momentary angular deviation of the sight from the target and evaluating these deviations over a substantial portion of said time of flight. Hit indicating means are controlled responsive to the result of said evaluation.

Abstract: A weapons simulator for training a marksman on an anti-armor weapon. The pons simulator includes first and second broadcasting means for projecting on a reflective display screen a background scene, a visual target, and an infrared target spot in alignment with the visual target, and a two-axis laser spot positioning servo system for moving the aligned visual target and infrared target spot upon the reflective display screen. A matrix detector mounted within the weapon will sense the position of the infrared target spot upon the reflective display screen whenever the marksman fires the weapon, and then supply to a microprocessor computer digital information indicative of the position of the infrared target spot upon the reflective display screen. The microprocessor computer, in turn, processes the digital information so as to determine whether the marksman has scored a hit, a miss, or near miss upon the visual target.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser alignment device for aiming a laser light beam, broast by a weapon, along an optical light path such that the laser light beam is in alignment with the aiming direction of the weapon at a target which is located a predetermined distance from the weapon. The semiconductor laser alignment device comprises a tubular housing attached to the barrel of the weapon, a laser diode located within the tubular housing for broadcasting the laser light beam, and a projecting lens for collimating the laser light beam broadcast by the laser diode. Zeroing means connected to the laser diode positions the laser diode such that the laser light beam broadcast by the laser diode is in alignment with the line of sight of the weapon.

Abstract: Projected image target apparatus for gunnery and missile launcher training, comprising a screen onto which a motion picture target is projected from a projector, a light beam projector on the weapon for projecting onto the screen an invisible light beam along the line-of-sight of the weapon, a light beam projector for projecting a visible light beam onto the screen and a system for controlling the projector and light beam projectors. The control system tracks movement of the beam of invisible light and upon firing of the weapon automatically discontinues the tracking and utilizes the position that the invisible beam of light had at the instant of firing the weapon as a datum relative to which the visible light beam is moved automatically in accordance with the ballistic performance of the projectile to simulate trajectory drift and fall of the projectile over the simulated range of the target projected onto the screen.

Abstract: The effects of any errors in the preliminary tracking of a target, and of any subsequent changes in the velocity of the target, are included in simulated firing of a gun 3, by slewing a laser projector 2 in the simulator for the predicted shell time-of-flight at the rate assessed during the preliminary tracking and then scanning with the laser for hit/miss determination. The slewing is achieved either by having the gun control system slew at the required rate, or by having the gunner continue tracking the target, corrections for deviations from the required rate being automatically applied to the projector.

Abstract: For initial alignment of a simulator laser-projector with a weapon, the weapon is boresighted on a target, the projector is fitted and the laser beam is scanned stepwise across the target successively along orthogonal axes. The range of steps on each axis for which a return from the target occurs is sensed, and the step corresponding to the median of all the returns taken as the position for which the laser beam is centered on the target. These calculated positions are stored and used as the reference positions during simulated firing of the weapon. The detection of the position of a target for hit/miss determination is achieved with the same scanning and median selection procedure.

Abstract: A marksmanship training system has been developed which depends upon the mal levels of infrared radiation emitted from warm-blooded animals, such as humans. An infrared detector is mounted upon a simulated rifle or unloaded real rifle, or other weapon. This detector is mounted with IR lenses in such a way that a positive indication is given when the rifle is pointed at a suitable infrared emitting animal target. A second detector indicates when the trigger of the weapon is pulled. If a trigger pull is detected at a time when an animal infrared signal is present, the system generates an electronic pulse indicating that a target hit has occurred. This pulse may be used to drive a visible or audible signaling device to inform the user of success.