US6813593B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-optical, out-door battle-field simulator based on image processing
Assignee: RAFAEL - ARAMENT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Ltd
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Filing: 2000-11-09
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Granted: 2004-11-02
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Expires: 2020-11-09
Abstract
Abstract A simulator for simulating the firing of a weapon at one or more targets, each target having a respective shape. The simulator includes a housing substantially identical in size and shape to at least a discrete portion of the weapon. The simulator further includes a sensor, operationally connected to the housing, for acquiring a number of images of at least one of the targets. The simulator also includes an image processor for detecting and analyzing change among the images and for initiating control signals based on the analysis.
Inventors
- 👤 Yossi Berger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:59
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G3/00; F41G3/26; F41G3/2616; F41G3/2622; F41G3/2666; F41G3/2672; F41G3/2677; F41G3/2661
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A simulator for simulating the firing of a weapon at one of a plurality of targets, each target having a respective shape, comprising: a) a housing substantially identical in size and shape to at least a discrete portion of the weapon; b) a sensor, operationally connected to said housing, for acquiring a plurality of images of at least one of the targets; and c) an image processor for detecting and analyzing changes among said images and for initiating control signals based on said analysis d) for each target, an infra-red lamp that is alternatively: i) activated by one of said control signals to flash at a unique, respective frequency and ii) deactivated by another of said control signals: and e) a mechanism for transmitting said control signals to said lamps whereby analysis by said image processor of light produced by a said infra-red lamp and detected by said sensor indicates at which target from amongst said plurality of targets said housing has been, thus accurately simulating the aiming step of the firing of the weapon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A simulator for simulating the firing of a weapon at one of a plurality of targets, each target having a respective shape, comprising: a) a housing substantially identical in size and shape to at least a discrete portion of the weapon; b) a sensor, operationally connected to said housing, for acquiring a plurality of images of at least one of the targets; and c) an image processor for detecting and analyzing changes among said images and for initiating control signals based on said analysis d) for each target, an infra-red lamp that is alternatively: i) activated by one of said control signals to flash at a unique, respective frequency and ii) deactivated by another of said control signals: and e) a mechanism for transmitting said control signals to said lamps whereby analysis by said image processor of light produced by a said infra-red lamp and detected by said sensor indicates at which target from amongst said plurality of targets said housing has been, thus accurately simulating the aiming step of the firing of the weapon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
A system of claim 1 in which said mechanism is wireless.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 1 in which said mechanism is wired.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 in which said sensor includes a CCD television camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 , in which said sensor includes part of a guidance system of an electro-optically guided missile.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein said image processor includes a look-up table that includes data about shapes of respective said targets, said image processor being operative to calculate an accuracy of an aim at the target whereat the firing of the weapon is simulated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising: d. at each target, a pyrotechnic charge that is detonatable by a respective said control signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein said image processor includes a look-up table that includes data about shapes of respective said targets, said image processor being operative to calculate an accuracy of an aim at the target whereat the firing of the weapon is simulated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein said pyrotechnic charge is differentially detonatable in accordance with said accuracy of aim calculation.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
245 words
A method of simulating the firing of a weapon at one of a plurality of targets, comprising the steps of: a) providing: (i) a weapon simulator including a housing substantially identical in size and shape to at least a discrete portion of the weapon; (ii) a sensor, operationally connected to said housing, for acquiring a plurality of images of the target; and (iii) an image processor for detecting and analyzing changes among said images and for initiating control signals based on said analysis; (iv) for each target, an infra-red lamp that is alternatively: (A) activated by one of said control signals to flash at a unique, respective frequency and (B) deactivated by another of said control signals; and (v) a mechanism for transmitting said control signals to said lamps; b) aiming said housing at one of the targets; c) activating all said infra-red lamps; d) acquiring a plurality of images, at predetermined time intervals, of the target whereat said housing is aimed; e) passing said images to said image processor; f) calculating a flash frequency of the lamp on the target whereat said housing is aimed, by comparing successive said images; and g) identifying the target whereat said housing is aimed, by comparing said calculated flash frequency with a look-up table of said respective frequencies whereby said identifying at which target from amongst said plurality of targets said housing has been aimed is an accurate simulation of the aiming step of firing of the weapon.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
245 words
A method of simulating the firing of a weapon at one of a plurality of targets, comprising the steps of: a) providing: (i) a weapon simulator including a housing substantially identical in size and shape to at least a discrete portion of the weapon; (ii) a sensor, operationally connected to said housing, for acquiring a plurality of images of the target; and (iii) an image processor for detecting and analyzing changes among said images and for initiating control signals based on said analysis; (iv) for each target, an infra-red lamp that is alternatively: (A) activated by one of said control signals to flash at a unique, respective frequency and (B) deactivated by another of said control signals; and (v) a mechanism for transmitting said control signals to said lamps; b) aiming said housing at one of the targets; c) activating all said infra-red lamps; d) acquiring a plurality of images, at predetermined time intervals, of the target whereat said housing is aimed; e) passing said images to said image processor; f) calculating a flash frequency of the lamp on the target whereat said housing is aimed, by comparing successive said images; and g) identifying the target whereat said housing is aimed, by comparing said calculated flash frequency with a look-up table of said respective frequencies whereby said identifying at which target from amongst said plurality of targets said housing has been aimed is an accurate simulation of the aiming step of firing of the weapon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of: h) visually simulating a hit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein said simulating is effected by steps including: i) providing, at each target, a pyrotechnic charge; and ii) detonating said charge at the target whereat said housing is aimed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 12 , wherein said charge is detonated differentially.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of: h) determining an accuracy of said aim.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 14 , wherein said determining of said accuracy is effected by steps including: i) providing a look-up table that includes data about shapes of the targets; and ii) comparing said images of the target with said shape date.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said determining of said accuracy is effected by steps including calculating a trajectory from said housing to the target whereat said housing is aimed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-11-02 | 2008-05-03 | 2008-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-11-02 | 2012-05-03 | 2012-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-11-02 | 2016-05-03 | 2016-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |