U.S. patent application number 09/761102 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-31 for firearm simulation and gaming system and method for operatively interconnecting a firearm peripheral to a computer system.
Invention is credited to Kendir, Tansel, Rosa, Stephen P., Shechter, Motti.
Application Number | 20020012898 09/761102 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22641804 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020012898 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shechter, Motti ; et
al. |
January 31, 2002 |
Firearm simulation and gaming system and method for operatively
interconnecting a firearm peripheral to a computer system
Abstract
A firearm simulation system according to the present invention
includes a laser transmitter assembly and a computer system coupled
to a display for providing a virtual target. The laser assembly
emits a beam of laser light from a firearm in the form of a
cross-hair toward the virtual target. The display is surrounded by
detector arrays each disposed along a corresponding display edge to
sense the emitted cross-hair beam. The computer system receives
signals from the detector arrays and indicates the location of a
simulated projectile impact location on the display. Alternatively,
reflective strips may be employed to reflect portions of the
cross-hair beam, while a sensing device detects the beam
reflections and transmits detection information to the computer
system. The computer system may further include various gaming
software and enable the simulated firearm to be operatively
interconnected with the game to provide enhanced interaction.
Inventors: |
Shechter, Motti; (Potomac,
MD) ; Rosa, Stephen P.; (Ellicott City, MD) ;
Kendir, Tansel; (Sykesville, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EPSTEIN, EDELL, SHAPIRO, FINNAN & LYTLE, LLC
Suite 400
1901 Research Boulevard
Rockville
MD
20850-3164
US
|
Family ID: |
22641804 |
Appl. No.: |
09/761102 |
Filed: |
January 16, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60175829 |
Jan 13, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
434/21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F41G 3/2655 20130101;
F41G 3/2633 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/21 |
International
Class: |
F41G 003/26 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sensing device to detect an impact location of a laser beam on
a target relative to an intended target site, wherein said laser
beam is emitted by a laser transmitter assembly secured to a
firearm and projecting the laser beam in a direction in which said
firearm is aimed, said sensing device comprising: a plurality of
light processing elements disposed on said target outside the
confines of said intended target site to receive portions of the
laser beam projected toward said intended target site and to
provide impact location information to a processor to facilitate
determination of a laser beam impact location within said intended
target site.
2. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of light
processing elements includes an array of detectors disposed on said
target outside the confines of said intended target site.
3. The sensing device of claim 2, wherein each detector in said
array is positioned to detect the laser beam portions in a
direction transverse to the direction in which the laser beam is
projected by said laser transmitter assembly.
4. The sensing device of claim 1, wherein said light processing
elements include strips of reflective material disposed on said
target outside the confines of said intended target site to reflect
the received laser beam portions, and said sensing device further
includes a detector to scan said strips and detect the reflected
laser beam portions.
5. A firearm simulation system comprising: a target having an
intended target site; a laser transmitter assembly securable to a
firearm, wherein said laser transmitter assembly projects a laser
beam in a direction in which said firearm is aimed; a sensing
device to receive portions of the laser beam projected toward said
intended target site, wherein said sensing device includes light
processing elements disposed on said target and outside the
confines of said intended target site; and a processor in
communication with said sensing device to receive impact location
information from said sensing device and to determine an impact
location of the laser beam within said intended target site.
6. The firearm simulation system of claim 5, wherein said light
processing elements include at least one array of detectors
disposed on said target outside the confines of said intended
target site.
7. The firearm simulation system of claim 6, wherein each detector
in said array is positioned to detect the laser beam portions in a
direction transverse to the direction in which the laser beam is
projected by said laser transmitter assembly.
8. The firearm simulation system of claim 6, wherein each detector
array includes a filter to enhance the signal to noise ratio of the
laser beam.
9. The firearm simulation system of claim 5, wherein said light
processing elements include strips of reflective material disposed
on said target outside the confines of said intended target site to
reflect the received laser beam portions, and said sensing device
includes a detector to scan said strips and detect the reflected
laser beam portions.
10. The firearm simulation system of claim 9, wherein said
processor is disposed within one of said detector and a computer
system in communication with said detector.
11. The firearm simulation system of claim 5, wherein said laser
transmitter assembly includes a lens to disperse and project the
laser beam as a cross-hair image with end portions of cross hair
image components received by said sensing device at said light
processing elements.
12. The firearm simulation system of claim 11, wherein said lens
further disperses the laser beam to project a range line image on
said intended target site offset from a cross-hair image component
at the impact location, wherein said offset is proportional to a
distance between said firearm and said target, and wherein said
sensing device detects portions of the range line image at said
light processing elements to provide range information relating to
said distance to said processor.
13. The firearm simulation system of claim 5, wherein said target
includes a display device in communication with said processor and
having a display screen to display a virtual target as said
intended target site, wherein said light processing elements are
disposed on said display device outside the confines of said
display screen and said processor displays an impact location of
said beam on said display screen in accordance with the impact
location information provided by said sensing device.
14. The firearm simulation system of claim 13, further comprising:
a plurality of display devices in communication with said
processor, wherein said virtual target is displayed on a display
screen of each said display device.
15. The firearm simulation system of claim 5, further comprising: a
display device in communication with said processor and having a
display screen to display indicia representing said intended target
site, wherein said processor displays an icon on the indicia in
accordance with the impact location information provided by said
sensing device.
16. The firearm simulation system of claim 5, wherein said target
includes an electronic display having electronic ink and displaying
a virtual target as said intended target site, and said processor
controls the electronic ink of said electronic display to display a
simulated impact on said intended target site in accordance with
the impact location information provided by said sensing
device.
17. The firearm simulation system of claim 5, wherein said laser
transmitter assembly projects the laser beam in at least one of a
pulse mode and a continuous mode, wherein the pulse mode projects
the laser beam for a first selected time interval in response to
actuation of said firearm, and the continuous mode continuously
projects the laser beam and is interrupted for a second selected
time interval in response to actuation of said firearm.
18. A method of detecting a laser beam projected onto a target
relative to an intended target site from a laser transmitter
assembly secured to a firearm, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) placing light processing elements of a sensing device on said
target and outside the confines of said intended target site; (b)
projecting the laser beam from said laser transmitter assembly in a
direction toward said intended target site to simulate a projectile
being fired from said firearm; (c) detecting portions of the laser
beam impacting said intended target site via said sensing device;
and (d) transferring impact location information from said sensing
device to a processor to determine an impact location of the laser
beam within said intended target site.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said light processing elements
include at least one array of detectors, and step (c) further
includes: (c.1) detecting portions of the laser beam impacting said
intended target site via said at least one array of detectors.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein step (c.1) further includes:
(c.1.1) detecting portions of the laser beam impacting said
intended target site in a direction transverse to the direction in
which the laser beam is projected.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein said light processing elements
include strips of reflective material disposed on said target
outside the confines of said intended target site to reflect the
laser beam portions projected toward said intended target site, and
wherein said sensing device includes a detector, and step (c)
further includes: (c.1) detecting the laser beam portions reflected
by said strips via said detector.
22. The method of claim 18, wherein said laser transmitter assembly
includes a lens to disperse the laser beam during projection from
said laser transmitter assembly, and step (b) further includes:
(b.1) dispersing and projecting the laser beam as a cross-hair
image; step (c) further includes: (c.1) detecting end portions of
cross-hair image components via said sensing device; and step (d)
further includes: (d.1) transferring said impact location
information to said processor in accordance with the detection in
step (c.1).
23. The method of claim 22 further comprising: (e) determining an
orientation of said firearm in accordance with a location of each
detected cross-hair image component end portion.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein step (b.1) further includes:
(b.1.1) dispersing the laser beam and projecting a range line image
on said intended target site offset from a cross-hair image
component at the impact location, wherein said offset is
proportional to a distance between said firearm and said target,
and said method further comprises: (e) detecting portions of the
range line image at said light processing elements with said
sensing device; and (f) transmitting range line location
information to said processor to determine the distance between
said firearm and said target.
25. The method of claim 18, wherein said intended target site
includes a virtual target displayed on a display screen of a
display device in communication with said processor, wherein said
light processing elements are disposed on said display device
outside the confines of said display screen, and said method
further comprises: (e) inserting an icon onto said intended target
site in accordance with the impact location information provided to
said processor from said sensing device.
26. The method of claim 18, wherein a display device displaying
indicia representing said intended target site is in communication
with said processor, and the method further comprises: (e)
inserting an icon within said indicia on said display device in
accordance with the impact location information provided to said
processor from said sensing device.
27. The method of claim 18, wherein said target includes an
electronic display having electronic ink to display a virtual
target as said intended target site, wherein said electronic
display is in communication with said processor, and the method
further comprises: (e) displaying a simulated projectile impact
within said virtual target on said electronic display in accordance
with the impact location information provided from said sensing
device.
28. The method of claim 18, wherein step (b) further includes:
(b.1) projecting the laser beam in one of a pulse mode and a
continuous mode, wherein the pulse mode projects the laser beam for
a first selected time interval in response to firearm actuation,
and the continuous mode continuously projects the laser beam and is
interrupted for a second time interval in response to firearm
actuation.
29. The method of claim 18, further comprising (e) in response to
said determination of an impact location, detecting portions of the
laser beam impacting the intended target site for a selected time
period; and (f) determining a barrel velocity of said firearm in
accordance with the selected time period and a distance traversed
by said detected impact locations within said selected time
period.
30. A sensing device to detect an impact location of a laser beam
on a target relative to an intended target site, said sensing
device comprising: light processing means disposed on said target
outside the confines of said intended target site for receiving
portions of the laser beam projected toward said intended target
site and for providing impact location information to a processor
to facilitate determination of a laser beam impact location within
said intended target site; and securing means for securing said
light processing means to said target.
31. The sensing device of claim 30, wherein said light processing
means includes detecting means for detecting the laser beam
portions in a direction transverse to the direction in which the
laser beam impacts said intended target site.
32. The sensing device of claim 30, wherein said light processing
means includes reflecting means for reflecting the laser beam
portions, and said sensing device includes detecting means for
detecting the reflected laser beam portions.
33. A firearm simulation system comprising: a target having an
intended target site; laser transmitting means secured to a firearm
for projecting a laser beam in a direction in which said firearm is
aimed; sensing means for receiving portions of the laser beam
projected toward said intended target site, wherein said sensing
means includes light processing means disposed on said target
outside the confines of said intended target site for manipulating
said received laser beam portions; processing means for processing
impact location information received from said sensing means.
34. The firearm simulation system of claim 33, wherein said light
processing means includes detecting means for detecting portions of
the laser beam in a direction transverse to the direction in which
the laser beam impacts said intended target site.
35. The firearm simulation system of claim 33, wherein said light
processing means includes reflecting means for reflecting said
received portions of the laser beam, and said sensing means
includes detecting means for detecting the reflected laser beam
portions.
36. The firearm simulation system of claim 33, wherein said laser
transmitting means includes dispersing means for dispersing and
projecting the laser beam as a cross-hair image with end portions
of cross-hair image components detected by said sensing means at
said light processing means.
37. The firearm simulation system of claim 36, wherein said
dispersing means includes range means for dispersing the laser beam
with a range line image on said intended target site offset from a
cross-hair image component at the impact location, wherein said
offset is proportional to a distance between said firearm and said
target, and wherein said sensing means detects portions of the
range line image at said light processing means to provide range
information relating to said distance to said processing means.
38. The firearm simulation system of claim 33, further comprising:
displaying means for electronically displaying said intended target
site as a virtual target, wherein said displaying means is in
communication with said processing means and provides indicia over
said virtual target corresponding to the laser beam impact
location.
39. The firearm simulation system of claim 33, wherein said laser
transmitting means includes pulse mode means for selectively
projecting the laser beam for a first selected time interval in
response to firearm actuation, and continuous mode means for
selectively continuously projecting the laser beam and being
interrupted for a second time interval in response to firearm
actuation.
40. An interface device to operatively interconnect a firearm to a
computer system, wherein said device detects an impact location of
a laser beam on a computer system display device relative to an
intended target site in the form of a computer generated virtual
target, and said laser beam is emitted by a laser transmitter
assembly secured to said firearm and projecting the laser beam in a
direction in which said firearm is aimed, said interface device
comprising: a plurality of light processing elements disposed on
said display device to receive portions of the laser beam projected
toward said virtual target and to provide impact location
information to said computer system to facilitate determination of
a laser beam impact location within said virtual target.
41. The interface device of claim 40, wherein said plurality of
light processing elements includes an array of detectors disposed
on said display device.
42. The interface device of claim 40, wherein said light processing
elements include strips of reflective material disposed on said
display device to reflect the received laser beam portions, and
said interface device further includes a detector to scan said
strips and detect the reflected laser beam portions.
43. A method of interfacing a firearm to a computer system, wherein
a laser transmitter assembly secured to said firearm projects a
laser beam in a direction toward a computer system display device
having an intended target site in the form of a computer generated
virtual target, said method comprising the step of: (a) operatively
interconnecting said firearm to said computer system by receiving
portions of the laser beam projected from said firearm toward said
virtual target via a sensing device disposed on said display device
and providing impact location information to said computer system
to facilitate determination of a laser beam impact location within
said virtual target.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein said sensing device includes an
array of detectors disposed on said display device, and step (a)
further includes: (a.1) receiving portions of the laser beam
projected from said firearm toward said virtual target via said
array of detectors.
45. The method of claim 43, wherein said sensing device includes
strips of reflective material disposed on said display device and a
detector, and step (a) further includes: (a.1) reflecting said
received portions of the laser beam via said strips disposed on
said display device and scanning said strips via said detector to
detect the reflected laser beam portions.
46. An interface device to operatively interconnect a firearm to a
computer system, wherein said device detects an impact location of
a laser beam on a computer system display device relative to an
intended target site in the form of a computer generated virtual
target, and said laser beam is emitted by a laser transmitter
assembly secured to said firearm and projecting the laser beam in a
direction in which said firearm is aimed, said interface device
comprising: light processing means disposed on said display device
for receiving portions of the laser beam projected toward said
virtual target and for providing impact location information to
said computer system to facilitate determination of a laser beam
impact location within said virtual target; and securing means for
securing said light processing means to said display device.
47. The interface device of claim 46, wherein said light processing
means includes an array of detectors disposed on said display
device.
48. The interface device of claim 46, wherein said light processing
means includes reflecting means disposed on said display device for
reflecting the received laser beam portions and detecting means for
scanning said reflecting means and detecting the reflected laser
beam portions.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/175,829, entitled "Firearm
Simulation and Gaming System and Method for Operatively
Interconnecting a Firearm Peripheral to a Computer System" and
filed Jan. 13, 2000. The disclosure of that provisional application
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention pertains to firearm simulation and
gaming systems. In particular, the present invention pertains to a
firearm simulation system including a laser transmitter assembly
attachable to an actual or simulated firearm for projecting a laser
beam therefrom and a computer system coupled to a display providing
a virtual target and visually indicating simulated projectile
impact locations in response to the laser beam striking the
display.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Firearms are utilized for a variety of purposes, such as
hunting, sporting competition, law enforcement and military
operations. The inherent danger associated with firearms
necessitates training and practice in order to minimize the risk of
injury. However, special facilities are required to facilitate
practice of handling and shooting the firearm. These special
facilities basically confine projectiles propelled from the firearm
within a prescribed space, thereby preventing harm to the
surrounding area. Accordingly, firearm trainees are required to
travel to the special facilities in order to participate in a
training session, while the training sessions themselves may become
quite expensive since each session requires new live ammunition for
practicing handling and shooting of the firearm.
[0006] The related art has attempted to overcome the
above-mentioned problems by utilizing laser or other light energy
with actual or mock firearms to simulate firearm operation for
training purposes. In addition, simulation of firearm operation has
been utilized for entertainment purposes, especially with respect
to amusement or video type games. These games generally employ
dummy or toy firearms, or may enable shooting by use of various
computer or other input devices (e.g., mouse, roller device,
keyboard, etc.). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,081 (Berke)
discloses a marksman training system including a translucent
diffuser target screen adapted for producing a bright spot on the
rear surface of the target screen in response to receiving a laser
light beam from a laser rifle on the target screen front surface. A
television camera scans the rear side of the target screen and
provides a composite signal representing the position of the light
spot on the target screen rear surface. The composite signal is
decomposed into X and Y Cartesian component signals and a video
signal by a conventional television signal processor. The X and Y
signals are processed and converted to a pair of proportional
analog voltage signals. A target recorder reads out the pair of
analog voltage signals as a point, the location of which is
comparable to the location on the target screen that was hit by the
laser light beam.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,281,142 (Zaenglein, Jr.) discloses a
shooting simulation training device including a target projector
for projecting a target image in motion across a screen, a firearm
or weapon having a light projector on its barrel for projecting a
cross-hair light pattern on the screen, a rectangular array of
sensors and a microprocessor. An internal device lens projects the
cross-hair's image from the screen onto the rectangular array to
activate two horizontal and vertical sensors. The sensor
information is relayed to the microprocessor for determining the
position of the shot and displaying the relative position of the
shot and target on a TV receiver.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,229 (Suzuki) discloses a shooting game
machine including a projector for projecting a video image having a
target onto a screen. A player may fire a laser gun to emit a light
beam to the target on the screen. A video camera photographs the
screen and provides its picture signal to coordinate computing
means for computing the X and Y coordinates of the beam point on
the screen.
[0009] The above-described systems suffer from several
disadvantages. In particular, the systems typically employ a
projector to project an intended target on a screen. As such, the
systems require additional components and circuitry to project the
image and determine laser beam impact locations on the screen,
thereby increasing system complexity and costs. Further, the
systems are limited to targets projected by the projector, thereby
severely restricting system application. Moreover, the Suzuki game
machine employs a laser gun to project a beam toward a target,
thereby degrading realism and generally being applicable for only
entertainment purposes.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
facilitate firearm training with targets generated and displayed by
a computer system.
[0011] It is another object of the present invention to employ an
actual firearm with computer games or computer generated
simulations to enhance realism.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to facilitate
use of an actual or mock firearm as an input device to a computer
system for enhanced interactivity with game or simulation
software.
[0013] Still another object of the present invention is to employ
an actual firearm with computer games to provide firearm training
with entertainment or gaming systems.
[0014] A further object of the present invention to detect laser
beam impact locations on a computer monitor displaying computer
generated targets for firearm training or gaming applications via a
detection system that easily installs on the monitor and readily
connects to the computer system to perform the training or gaming
activities.
[0015] The aforesaid objects are achieved individually and/or in
combination, and it is not intended that the present invention be
construed as requiring two or more of the objects to be combined
unless expressly required by the claims attached hereto.
[0016] According to the present invention, a firearm simulation
system includes a laser transmitter assembly and a computer system
coupled to a display for providing a virtual target. The laser
assembly is preferably configured for attachment to a barrel of a
user firearm and emits a beam of laser light in the form of a
cross-hair toward the virtual target. The laser beam may be visible
or invisible (e.g., infrared) and is preferably in the form of a
continuous beam that is interrupted upon trigger actuation to
indicate the moment of firing and compensate for firearm movement.
Alternatively, the laser assembly may be configured to transmit the
cross-hair beam in response to trigger actuation. The display is
surrounded by detector arrays each disposed along a corresponding
display edge to sense the emitted cross-hair beam. The computer
system receives signals from the detector arrays in response to
trigger actuation and indicates the location of a simulated
projectile impact location on the display relative to the virtual
target. Alternatively, reflective strips maybe employed to reflect
portions of the cross-hair beam, while a sensing device detects the
beam reflections and transmits detection information to the
computer system to determine the simulated projectile impact
location and indicate that location on the display relative to the
virtual target. The computer system may further include various
gaming software and enable the simulated firearm to be operatively
interconnected with the game to provide enhanced interaction.
[0017] The above and still further objects, features and advantages
of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of
the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof,
particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings wherein like reference numerals in the various figures are
utilized to designate like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a firearm simulation and
gaming system directing a laser beam from an actual or simulated
firearm onto a computer system display according to the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 2a is an exploded view in perspective and partial
section of a laser transmitter assembly of the system of FIG. 1
fastened to the firearm barrel.
[0020] FIG. 2b is a view in perspective of a lens for the laser
transmitter assembly of FIG. 2a.
[0021] FIG. 2c is a view in perspective of an alternative lens for
the laser transmitter assembly of FIG. 2a.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a front view in elevation of the computer system
display of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a side view in partial section of a detector array
of the system of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a procedural flowchart illustrating the manner in
which the computer system determines a simulated projectile impact
location based on signals received from the detector arrays
according to the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of an alternative embodiment
of the system of FIG. 1 employing an additional monitor coupled to
the computer system according to the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a front view in elevation of the computer system
display of FIG. 1 illustrating projection of a cross-hair beam and
one or more range beams from the firearm to determine a distance
between the user firearm and display according to the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a view in perspective of the system of FIG. 1
employing an alternative display device according to the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a front view in elevation of the display device of
the system of FIG. 8 indicating simulated projectile impact
locations relative to a virtual target.
[0029] FIG. 10 is a front view in elevation of the display device
of the system of FIG. 8 illustrating an alternative virtual target
in the form of a bull's eye.
[0030] FIG. 11 is a view in perspective of an alternative firearm
and simulation gaming system employing reflective strips and a
sensing device to determine beam impact locations according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] A firearm simulation and gaming system according to the
present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Specifically, the
firearm simulation system includes a laser transmitter assembly 2
and a computer system 50 having a display or monitor 54 providing a
virtual target as described below. The laser assembly is attached
to a simulated or actual unloaded user firearm 6 to adapt the
firearm for compatibility with the simulation system. By way of
example only, firearm 6 is implemented by a conventional hand-gun
and includes a trigger 7, a barrel 8, a hammer 9 and a grip 15.
However, the firearm may be implemented by any conventional (e.g.,
hand-gun, blazer, rifle, shotgun, soft-air type gun, etc.) or
simulated firearms. Laser assembly 2 includes a laser transmitter
rod 3 and a laser transmitter module 4 that emits a beam 11 of
visible or invisible (e.g., infrared) laser light in the form of a
cross-hair 12 (e.g., `+` configuration). Rod 3 is connected to
module 4 and is configured for insertion within barrel 8 to fasten
the laser assembly to the barrel as described below. A user aims
firearm 6 at a virtual target on monitor 54 to project laser beam
11 from laser module 4 toward display screen 68. The monitor
housing includes a plurality of detector arrays 60, 62, 64, 66 each
disposed adjacent a corresponding display screen edge to detect
cross-hair 12 and enable computer system 50 to display a simulated
projectile impact location as described below. It is to be
understood that the terms "top", "bottom", "side", "front", "rear",
"back", "lower", "upper", "up", "down", "height", "width",
"thickness", "length", "vertical", "horizontal" and the like are
used herein merely to describe points of reference and do not limit
the present invention to any specific orientation or
configuration.
[0032] Computer system 50 is typically implemented by a
conventional IBM-compatible or other type of personal computer
(e.g., laptop, notebook, desk top, mini-tower, Apple MacIntosh,
palm pilot, etc.) preferably equipped with monitor 54, a base 52
(e.g., including the processor, memories, and internal or external
communication devices or modems), a keyboard 56 and a mouse 58. The
mouse is preferably implemented by a conventional desktop mouse for
simulation applications, while gaming applications typically employ
a foot-controlled mouse to enable a user to provide input to a
gaming application and manipulate firearm 6. Computer system 50
includes software to enable the computer system to provide virtual
targets for simulation or gaming applications as described below.
The computer system may utilize any of the major platforms such as
Windows, Linux, Macintosh, Unix or OS2. Further, the system
includes components (e.g. processor, disk storage or hard drive,
etc.) having sufficient processing and storage capabilities to
effectively execute the simulation or gaming software.
[0033] An exemplary laser transmitter assembly employed by the
simulation system is illustrated in FIG. 2a. Specifically, laser
assembly 2 includes laser transmitter rod 3 and laser transmitter
module 4. Rod 3 includes a generally cylindrical barrel member 17
and a stop 19 disposed at the barrel member distal end. The barrel
member is elongated with a tapered proximal end and has transverse
cross-sectional dimensions that are slightly less than the
cross-sectional dimensions of barrel 8 to enable the barrel member
to be inserted within the barrel. However, the barrel member may be
of any shape or size to accommodate firearms of various calibers.
Adjustable rings 22, 24 are disposed about the barrel member toward
its proximal and distal ends, respectively. The dimensions of each
ring are adjustable to enable barrel member 17 to snugly fit within
and frictionally engage barrel 8 in a secure manner. Stop 19 is in
the form of a substantially circular disk having a diameter
slightly greater than the cross-sectional dimensions of barrel 8 to
permit insertion of rod sections proximal of the stop into the
barrel. The stop may alternatively be of any shape or size capable
of limiting insertion of the rod into the barrel. Barrel member 17
is connected to the approximate center of a proximal surface of
stop 19, while a post 21 is attached to and extends distally for a
slight distance from an approximate center of a stop distal
surface. Post 21 is substantially cylindrical and has transverse
cross-sectional dimensions similar to those of barrel member 17,
but may be of any shape or size. The post includes external threads
23 for facilitating engagement with laser module 4 as described
below.
[0034] Laser module 4 includes a housing 25 having an internally
threaded opening 10 defined in a generally cylindrical projection
28 attached to and extending from an upper portion of a housing
rear wall. The threaded opening receives post 21 for attaching the
laser module to rod 3. The housing, opening and projection maybe of
any shape or size, while the opening and projection may be disposed
at any suitable location. The laser module components are disposed
within the housing and include a power source 27, typically in the
form of batteries, a mechanical wave sensor 29 and an optics
package 31 having a laser (not shown) and a lens 33. These
components maybe arranged within the housing in any suitable
fashion.
[0035] The optics package emits laser beam 11 (FIG. 1) through lens
33 to disperse the beam at a suitable span (e.g., thirty degrees,
sixty degrees, etc.) and project the beam in the form of cross-hair
12. An exemplary lens 33 is illustrated in FIG. 2b. Specifically,
lens 33 is implemented by a pressed or flat lens and includes a
generally circular frame 16 and a plurality of microlenses 26. The
frame is basically in the form of a cap for attachment to laser
module 4 or other laser transmitters. The microlenses each
essentially function as an independent lens and are configured to
collectively manipulate the laser beam to form a particular image.
In other words, the microlenses serve as an optical mask to project
laser beam 11 in the form of cross-hair 12. The size of microlenses
26 determines the span angle for lens 33.
[0036] Alternatively, lens 33 may be implemented by half or
semi-cylindrical lenses as illustrated in FIG. 2c. Specifically,
lens 33 includes frame 16 as described above and half or
semi-cylindrical lenses 18, 20. The half-cylindrical lenses are
arranged within the frame in orthogonal relation with lens 18
extending along a horizontal frame diameter and lens 20 extending
along a vertical frame diameter. Each half-cylindrical lens 18, 20
reflects the beam as a line formed of a plurality of spaced dots
extending along the longitudinal axis of that half-cylindrical
lens. Thus, horizontal lens 18 projects a horizontal beam of spaced
dots, while lens 20 projects a vertical beam of spaced dots. Laser
beam 11 is directed through the approximate center or intersection
of the half-cylindrical lenses to project orthogonal lines from the
laser module forming cross-hair 12. It is to be understood that the
cross-hair may be formed by any conventional or other techniques.
For example, the cross-hair may be formed by dispersing the beam
and projecting it through a mask configured to form the
cross-hair.
[0037] Lens 33 is preferably constructed in the form of an
interchangeable cap for attachment to the laser module. Each lens
or cap may include a different configuration to project a
cross-hair having varying characteristics. For example, a series of
lenses 33 may each be configured to project the beam at a different
span angle to accommodate use of the system at various ranges.
Thus, lenses having greater span angles may be utilized for close
range shooting, while lenses having lesser span angles may be
utilized for shooting at greater ranges. The lenses may be
interchanged as desired to accommodate the particular shooting
conditions.
[0038] Referring back to FIG. 2a, laser module 4 may operate in
either of two modes. A first or continuous mode projects the
cross-hair toward display 54 (FIG. 1) or other intended target as a
continuous beam that is interrupted in response to detection of
trigger actuation by mechanical wave sensor 29. Specifically, when
trigger 7 is actuated, hammer 9 impacts the firearm and generates a
mechanical wave which travels distally along barrel 8 toward rod 3.
As used herein, the term "mechanical wave" or "shock wave" refers
to an impulse traveling through the firearm barrel. Mechanical wave
sensor 29 within the laser module senses the mechanical wave from
the hammer impact and generates a trigger signal. The mechanical
wave sensor may include a piezoelectric element, an accelerometer
or a solid state sensor, such as a strain gauge. Optics package 31
within the laser module generates and projects laser beam 11 from
firearm 6 in the form of cross-hair 12 in response to activation of
the assembly power switch (not shown). The optics package laser is
generally enabled continuously, and interrupted for a predetermined
time interval, approximately fifty milliseconds, in response to the
trigger signal. This enables the detector arrays to track motion of
the firearm and determine the location of the barrel despite any
sudden jerks by the user during actuation, such as hand movement or
recoil. The interruption interval serves as a delay to enable the
detector arrays to locate the position of the barrel at the moment
of firing (e.g. and not along any beam streaks or lines produced
from recoil or other firearm movement). Alternatively, the laser
module may include an acoustic sensor to sense actuation of the
trigger and enable interruption of the laser beam.
[0039] The second or pulsed mode of laser module operation projects
the cross-hair toward display 54 (FIG. 1) or other intended target
as a laser pulse in response to detection of trigger actuation by
mechanical wave sensor 29. Specifically, the mechanical wave sensor
senses trigger actuation and generates a trigger signal as
described above. Optics package 31 within the laser module
generates and projects laser beam 11 from firearm 6 in the form of
cross-hair 12 in response to the trigger signal. The optics package
laser is generally enabled for a predetermined time interval,
preferably in the range of 500-1,000 microseconds, to transmit the
beam in the form of a pulse. The laser module when operating in the
pulsed mode is similar in function to the laser device disclosed in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/486,342, entitled
"Network-Linked Laser Target Firearm Training System" and filed
Feb. 25, 2000, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety. The laser assembly may be constructed of
any suitable materials and may be fastened to firearm 6 at any
suitable locations by any conventional or other fastening
techniques.
[0040] Exemplary detector arrays for sensing the cross-hair emitted
from firearm 6 are illustrated in FIGS. 3-4. Specifically, detector
arrays 60, 62, 64, 66 are each approximately one-quarter inch deep
and are disposed on the display housing adjacent a corresponding
edge (e.g., top, bottom and side edges) of display screen 68. The
positions of the detector arrays generally provide an unobstructed
view of the screen and enable correlation between a detected beam
position and a location on the screen in response to detecting
cross-hair 12. The detector array positions further cover any
angular position of firearm 6 and enable detection of three degrees
of movement. Each detector array includes a substantially
rectangular casing housing a plurality of photodetectors 70 (e.g.,
typically 100, 256 or 512 photodetectors) that are configured to
detect cross-hair 12.
[0041] The photodetectors are placed adjacent each other within
each casing and are spaced apart by a distance less than the width
of the horizontal and vertical beams forming cross-hair 12. This
enables at least one photodetector within each detector array to
detect the emitted cross-hair. Each array casing includes a
substantially transparent covering 72 to protect photodetectors 70.
The array casings may additionally include a filter to improve the
signal to noise ratio of the incoming laser beam for enhanced
detection accuracy. The detector arrays are typically prealigned
with the screen, thereby enabling system operation without
calibration. The photodetectors may be implemented by any
conventional detectors capable of detecting the laser beam.
[0042] The cross-hair is projected by the lens typically at a
dispersion angle of approximately thirty degrees to enable the
cross-hair to impact the arrays. However, the dispersion angle may
be any desired angle capable of enabling detection by the detector
arrays, and is generally selected based upon the distance from and
size of the display. Firearm 6 is aimed and operated to project
cross-hair 12 at a virtual target on display screen 68. The
dispersion of the projected beam is sufficient to enable each end
of the cross-hair vertical and horizontal lines to impact a
detector array 60, 62, 64, 66. The arrays are generally connected
to a serial port of the computer system with each array providing a
signal indicating the particular photodetector(s) sensing
cross-hair 12. The computer system correlates the impacted
photodetector positions with the display screen to determine a
simulated impact location on the screen as described below.
[0043] The detector arrays may be configured for use with visible
or invisible energy. When visible laser light is projected from
firearm 6, a user has the additional benefit of utilizing the
visible cross-hair for aiming the firearm during the continuous
mode of operation, while the photodetectors and system function as
described above. In the event invisible energy (e.g., infrared or
microwave) is emitted from the firearm, the user relies only on the
firearm sighting, while the detectors sense the emitted energy as
described above to enable the computer system to determine a
simulated projectile impact location.
[0044] The computer system may include various gaming or simulation
software to provide virtual targets for a user, while the arrays
detect the laser beam and enable determination of an impact
location. The arrays are preferably connected to the computer
system serial port to provide detection information. Further, the
computer system may include any pre-existing or commercially
available gaming software, while the detectors operatively
interconnect the firearm to that game. The firearm thus takes the
form of a computer peripheral and replaces the functions of a
mouse, typically utilized in games to strike a target. Since a user
is distanced from the computer system and is holding the firearm,
foot mouse 58 (FIG. 1) is employed during gaming applications to
enable the user to navigate through game software.
[0045] The detector arrays may further provide additional features
for the computer system software, such as displaying moving or
stationary targets or displaying a tracking pattern for moving
targets. These features may be utilized for new games or with
existing games having mouse type inputs. Moreover, the detector
arrays may enable sensing of a third degree of motion (e.g., depth)
to provide enhanced realism of the gaming or simulated virtual
targets. A software module may be loaded into the computer system
to enable this additional degree of motion to be incorporated into
the game or simulation. In addition, the virtual targets may be
scaled to provide actual shooting conditions when the user is
positioned a scaled distance from the target.
[0046] The detector arrays essentially operatively interconnect the
firearm with the computer system for simulation or gaming
operations. The computer system processes signals to determine
simulated projectile impact locations as illustrated, by way of
example only, in FIG. 5. Specifically, the detector arrays sense
cross-hair 12 and provide signals in response to trigger actuation
to computer system 50 (FIG. 1). During the continuous mode of
operation, the array signals indicate the last photodetectors
sensing the beam prior to the beam interruption, while in the
pulsed mode of operation the array signals indicate the
photodetectors sensing the beam emitted in response to trigger
actuation. Each array signal, by way of example only, may be in the
form of a data word having a plurality of bits each associated with
and set when a corresponding photodetector senses the beam.
Computer system 50 retrieves an array signal at step 80 and
determines the impacted photodetectors within the array at step 82.
If more than one photodetector had been impacted within the array
as determined at step 84, the beam impact position between
photodetectors is determined at step 86 utilizing a particular
technique. For example, the beam position may be determined to be
the midpoint between the photodetectors sensing the beam. When a
single array photodetector senses the beam, the computer system
determines the photodetector location within the array at step 88,
thereby providing a beam position. The computer system subsequently
processes the signal from each detector in substantially the same
manner described above.
[0047] When each detector array signal has been processed as
determined at step 90, the computer system utilizes beam positions
within each array to determine a center or intersection point
(e.g., the point where the cross-hair components intersect) of the
cross-hair and correlates that position with the screen, thereby
providing a simulated projectile impact location at step 92. The
location is then passed to the simulation or gaming software for
processing and display at step 93. The process is repeated until
the system is shut down as determined at step 94. The
above-described procedure is typically implemented by a software
module that may be included within newly developed applications or
be used as an interface to existing gaming applications, thereby
replacing the mouse interface software for those applications.
[0048] The system further allows a user to shoot at varying side
angles relative to the display screen while providing accurate
projectile impact information. The computer system basically
processes the detection information received from the detectors to
adjust the impact location for the particular side angle of a shot.
The computer system and detector arrays may further enable
measurement of various firearm characteristics during trigger
actuation. For example, the system may determine the angle or cant
of the firearm at the moment of firing. Specifically, computer
system 50 (FIG. 1) retrieves the detector array signals and
determines the particular photodetectors sensing the beam in
response to trigger actuation as described above. When the firearm
is positioned without any cant or angular deviation (e.g., as shown
in FIG. 1), similarly positioned photodetectors within respective
arrays 60,64 and 62,66 sense cross-hair 12. However, a firearm
positioned at an angle enables differently situated photodetectors
within respective arrays 60, 64 and 62, 66 to sense the beam.
Accordingly, the cant of the firearm is proportional to the
deviation between the positions of photodetectors in respective
arrays 60, 64 and 62, 66 sensing cross-hair 12. The computer system
determines those deviations based on the detector array signals and
calculates the cant or angular deviation of the firearm for display
to the user.
[0049] In addition, the system may measure the velocity of the
barrel during recoil to provide an indication of user control of
the firearm This feature is preferably utilized during the
continuous mode of laser operation. In particular, computer system
50 (FIG. 1) retrieves the detector array signals and determines the
particular photodetectors sensing the beam in response to trigger
actuation as described above. The computer system determines the
initial position of the barrel based on the detector array signals,
and subsequently samples or retrieves signals from the detector
arrays at predetermined sampling intervals (e.g., one-hundred
microseconds). Generally, the recoil of the firearm forces the
barrel upward, thereby enabling successive upwardly adjacent
photodetectors within arrays 60, 64 to sense the beam. The computer
system samples the detector arrays until cessation of the upward
motion of the barrel is determined. This is usually identified by
the sampled signals indicating that the topmost photodetectors
within arrays 60, 64 sense the beam (e.g., indicating that the
recoil forced the beam beyond the display), or that barrel motion
has ceased or commenced downward (e.g., user resistance ceases
barrel upward motion with the same or successive downwardly
adjacent photodetectors sensing the beam). Thus, the uppermost
photodetectors within arrays 60, 64 sensing the beam indicate the
distance traveled by the barrel during recoil or trigger
actuation.
[0050] When cessation of upward barrel motion is detected, the
computer system determines the deviation between the positions of
photodetectors sensing the initial beam at firing and those sensing
the beam at cessation or the topmost point of the upward barrel
motion. This provides the distance the barrel traveled, while the
specific sampling interval corresponding to detecting cessation of
barrel upward motion indicates the amount of time elapsed for the
barrel to travel the distance. In other words, since the detector
arrays are sampled at predetermined intervals, the elapsed time is
equal to the quantity of times the detector arrays are sampled to
detect ceased upward barrel motion multiplied by the duration of
the predetermined interval. The velocity is subsequently determined
based on the elapsed time and distance traveled, and is displayed
for the user. Generally, the lesser the barrel velocity, the
greater the control exhibited over the firearm by the user.
[0051] Computer system 50 may be connected to a Local (LAN) or Wide
Area Network (WAN), such as the Internet, for various applications.
For example, software providing various gaming and other virtual
targets may be downloaded from a site on the network to the
computer system to enable simulation of a variety of firearm
activities. Further, a plurality of computer systems 50 may
communicate with each other over the network to facilitate training
or competition with other users located at different remote
locations. Moreover, the network may enable experts to remotely
view the impact location results and provide feedback on-line to a
user. In addition, computer system 50 may include a camera, while
the network enables an expert to remotely view a user operating the
firearm on-line and provide feedback to the user to enhance the
user skill level.
[0052] The system may further include an additional display or
monitor as illustrated in FIG. 6. Initially, computer system 50 and
detector arrays 60, 62, 64, 66 are substantially similar to and
function in substantially the same manner as the computer system
and detector arrays described above, except that the detector
arrays are mounted on an additional monitor 55. Specifically,
monitor 55 is connected to a video port of computer system 50 via a
video cable 51, while detector arrays 60, 62, 64, 66 are disposed
on monitor 55 adjacent the edges of the monitor display screen and
are connected to a port (e.g., serial, parallel, USB, etc.) of that
computer system via a cable 53. The virtual target is displayed on
monitors 54 and 55, where a user aims firearm 6 toward monitor 55
and projects a cross-hair beam toward the target displayed on that
monitor. The detector arrays detect the beam impact and provide
detection information to the computer system to determine the beam
impact location as described above. The beam impact location may be
displayed on monitors 54, 55 during system operation. The
additional monitor enables the system to utilize different types of
monitors or monitors having greater dimensions than those employed
by the computer system. Moreover, the additional monitor enables an
instructor to control training via computer system 50, while a
trainee performs a firearm activity commanded by the instructor on
additional monitor 55. Thus, an instructor may control the activity
and view the performance of the trainee during the activity at
computer system 50. In addition, any quantity of additional
monitors and corresponding detector arrays may be employed, where
computer system 50 effectively serves as a host to display targets
and process detector information from each monitor to accommodate
plural users for a firearm activity.
[0053] The gaming system may further serve as a complete sport
enabling users to train as well as compete. In particular, computer
system 50 (FIG. 1) may connect to other systems and/or a host site
on a web or network server. Several participants may engage in a
competition from a remote location, thereby eliminating the travel
and arrangements normally associated with such an event. Each
participant utilizes a computer system that communicates with a
host site to transfer information relating to that participant's
performance and the performance of others.
[0054] In order to ensure that a user is an appropriate distance
from screen 68, especially during a competition, the simulation and
gaming system may determine a user range as illustrated in FIG. 7.
Specifically, detector arrays 60, 62, 64, 66 are disposed about
screen 68 of monitor 54 as described above to detect beam 11
emitted from firearm 6. The laser module lens is modified to
produce cross-hair 12 and an additional horizontal range line 5.
Cross-hair 12 indicates a simulated projectile impact location as
described above, while range line 5 is utilized to determine user
distance. The detector arrays sense cross-hair 12 and range line 5
and provide detector array signals to computer system 50 as
described above. Cross-hair 12 and range line 5 are emitted from
firearm 6 through lens 33. The lens has an angle of dispersion
enabling the cross-hair and range line to deviate from each other
on screen 68 in proportion to the distance between the firearm and
display. The lens is configured to project range line 5 in a manner
enabling the range line to deviate from the cross-hair in a certain
direction (e.g., the range line may be projected above or below the
cross-hair horizontal component). Computer system 50 processes the
detector array signals to determine the range line and cross-hair
impact locations and the distance or deviation between the
cross-hair horizontal component and range line. The cross-hair and
range line are discernable to the computer system based on the
predetermined deviation direction of the range line relative to the
cross-hair. For example, when the lens is configured to project the
range line above the horizontal cross-hair component (e.g., as
shown in FIG. 7), the photodetectors sensing the range line within
arrays 60, 64 are positioned closer to the screen upper edge than
the photodetectors sensing the horizontal cross-hair component.
[0055] Computer system 50 determines user range based on the
measured deviation and the lens dispersion angle, and further
determines the simulated projectile impact location as described
above based on detection of cross-hair 12 (e.g., cross-hair 12
indicates the simulated projectile impact location). If the user is
not separated from screen 68 for at least the prescribed distance
for a scaled target or a competition event, the computer system may
inform the user via visual or audio indications. Thus, this
technique enables users at different locations to participate in a
joint competition or match under the same conditions, while
providing individual or competing users with an indication of using
scaled targets at the proper distances.
[0056] Alternatively, the lens may be configured to project
additional range lines for determining the user distance. By way of
example, the lens may project cross-hair 12 and horizontal range
lines 5, 14 that deviate from the cross-hair horizontal component
in a certain direction as described above. Range line 5 is
projected closer to the cross-hair horizontal component and is
primarily utilized for greater user distances. Range line 14 is
projected further from the cross-hair horizontal component and is
preferably utilized for close distances. Dual range lines are
employed to ensure that at least one range line is detected at
varying user distances (e.g., the range line deviations increase
with greater user distances such that range line 14 may not impact
screen 68). The computer system determines the impact locations of
the range lines and cross-hair based on the detector array signals
and deviation directions of the range lines, and calculates the
deviations and user distance as described above. Any quantity of
range lines maybe projected at any desired orientations (e.g.,
vertical, horizontal, etc.) and directions to determine the user
range. Further, additional cross-hairs may be projected by the lens
to serve as range lines in the manner described above.
Alternatively, range may be determined by employing ultrasound
techniques as disclosed in above referenced U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/486,342.
[0057] The firearm simulation and gaming system of FIG. 1 may
employ an alternative display as illustrated in FIGS. 8-10.
Specifically, computer system 50 is connected to a substrate 96
(e.g., paper, plastic, cardboard, etc.) via a communication line
(e.g., RS232, etc.) or other communications device (e.g., utilizing
infrared, RF, etc.). The substrate has a thickness of approximately
one eighth inch and contains electronic ink to display a target and
simulated projectile impact locations. Briefly, electronic ink is a
colored liquid including numerous spheres, commonly referred to as
"microcapsules". Each microcapsule includes a clear shell having a
colored dye and white chips. The microcapsule is disposed between
two conductive layers (e.g., electrodes) to control movement of the
microcapsules. Thus, each microcapsule may be controlled to display
white or the dye based on the charges applied by the electrodes,
thereby enabling the substrate to basically function as a
monochrome type display.
[0058] Computer system 50 controls substrate 96 to display a
virtual target, such as target 98. The substrate may be suspended
from a structure 97, such as a wall. Detector arrays 60, 62, 64, 66
are disposed adjacent a corresponding substrate edge to detect
cross-hair 12 and provide information enabling computer system 50
to determine a simulated projectile impact location as described
above. In response to determining an impact location, computer
system 50 controls substrate 96 to display impact locations 99
(FIG. 9) on the substrate. Further, the target and impact locations
may simultaneously be displayed on screen 68. The computer system
may control the substrate to display various stationary targets,
such as bull's eye 91 and overlying cross-hair 95 as illustrated in
FIG. 10. In addition, the system may determine user distance,
firearm cant and barrel recoil velocity as described above.
[0059] Operation of the firearm simulation and gaming system is
described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 8. Initially, laser
transmitter rod 3 is connected to laser module 4 and inserted into
barrel 8 of firearm 6 as described above. The laser module may
operate in either a continuous or pulsed mode. The continuous mode
generates a continuous laser beam that is interrupted in response
to depression of firearm trigger 7. The duration of the
interruption is sufficient to enable the photodetectors to
determine the position of the barrel at the moment of trigger
actuation, despite sudden movements of the firearm. The pulsed mode
of operation generates a laser pulse in response to trigger
actuation. The duration of the pulse is in the approximate range of
500-1,000 microseconds. A user operates computer system 50 to
execute the appropriate software and display a virtual target on
screen 68. The software may include new or current software
providing stationary or moving targets as described above.
Alternatively, computer system 50 may display a stationary virtual
target on substrate 96 disposed on a support structure 97 as
described above. Detector arrays 60, 62, 64, 66 are disposed about
the edges of screen 68 or substrate 96 to determine a simulated
projectile impact location as described above.
[0060] The user is positioned at an appropriate distance from
screen 68 or substrate 96 and operates the firearm to direct laser
beam 11 in the form of cross-hair 12 from the firearm toward a
virtual target. The detector arrays sense the cross-hair beam and
provide information to the computer system in response to trigger
actuation to enable determination of the simulated projectile
impact location as described above. The location may be displayed
on screen 68 and/or substrate 96. Further, the location may be
passed to gaming software for processing when the computer system
is executing gaming applications. Moreover, computer system 50 may
be connected to a network, such as the Internet, for facilitating
matches between participants located at different remote locations.
In addition, the system may determine a user distance, firearm cant
and/or recoil barrel velocity as described above and provide this
information to the user.
[0061] An alternative embodiment of the firearm simulation and
gaming system employing reflective strips and a sensing device to
detect laser beam impact locations according to the present
invention is illustrated in FIG. 11. Initially, computer system 50
is substantially similar to and has substantially the same
components (e.g., base, keyboard, monitor and desktop or foot
controlled mouse, etc.) as the computer system described above for
FIG. 1. Further, firearm 6 and laser transmitter assembly 2 are
substantially similar to and function in substantially the same
manner as the firearm and laser transmitter assembly described
above, where the laser transmitter assembly is preferably utilized
in the pulsed mode and projects a laser beam in the form of
cross-hair 12 in response to firearm actuation. Reflective strips
110, 112, 114, 116 are disposed on monitor 54 adjacent a
corresponding edge (e.g., top, bottom and side edges) of display
screen 68 in substantially the same manner as the detector arrays
described above. Each strip typically extends at least the length
of the corresponding display screen edge and has a width sufficient
to allow the strip to be disposed within the space defined between
the display screen and corresponding monitor edge. The projection
of the cross-hair beam from the laser transmitter assembly is
sufficient to enable a portion of the cross-hair vertical and
horizontal components to impact a reflective strip 110, 112, 114,
116. The strips may be constructed of any suitable reflective
material that sufficiently reflects the laser beam to enable
detection of the reflected portions by the sensing device.
[0062] Sensing device 100 is preferably connected to a Universal
Serial Bus (USB) port of computer system 50 via a cable 102. The
sensing device is typically implemented by a sensory image type
camera employing charge-coupled devices (CCD) or CMOS, such as an
Intel Easy PC camera. However, the sensing device may be
implemented by any type of light or image sensing device and may be
connected to computer system 50 via any type of port (e.g., serial,
parallel, USB, etc.). Sensing device 100 is typically situated a
sufficient distance from monitor 54 to allow the device to capture
an image of the monitor including display screen 68 and reflective
strips 110, 112, 114, 116. A stand for the sensing device is
typically provided to support the device proximate monitor 54 and
at an appropriate angle to facilitate the capture of images
including the display screen and reflective strips. The sensing
device typically has a speed or rate of thirty frames per second
and repeatedly captures an image of the display screen and
reflective strips and provides image information to the computer
system at that rate. In other words, an image containing the
display screen and the reflective strips is captured by the sensing
device and provided to the computer system within a frame
approximately thirty times per second. Alternatively, the sensing
device may detect the location of beam impact on the reflective
strips and include a signal processor and associated circuitry to
provide impact location information to computer system 50 for
processing. This information may be in the form of X and Y
coordinates for each impact location on the reflective strips, or
the X and Y coordinates of a beam impact location on the virtual
target (e.g., center or intersection point of the cross-hair) as
determined by the signal processor from the impact locations on the
reflective strips.
[0063] The image characteristics of the sensing device enable the
device to capture images of the display screen and reflective
strips and any changes thereto (e.g., reflections of cross-hair
beam impacts) occurring between successive frame transmissions.
Thus, the sensing device facilitates detection of beam impact from
laser transmitters having a pulse duration less than the frame rate
(e.g., pulse durations as low as approximately one millisecond).
The computer system may measure the pulse duration of a laser
transmitter based on the quantity of succeeding frames containing a
laser pulse. The system and laser transmitter assembly are
typically configured for laser pulses having a duration of
approximately six milliseconds, where the system provides messages
to a user when lasers having other pulse durations are utilized.
The sensing device performs an internal initialization sequence
where the frame rate is initially low and increases to the
operational rate (e.g., approximately thirty frames per second).
Computer system 50 measures the sensing device frame rate (e.g.,
determines the quantity of frames received per second) and delays
system operation until the sensing device attains the operational
rate. Calibrations are further performed by the system to align the
sensing device with the display screen and reflective strips, to
define the display screen within the captured images and to adjust
for ambient light conditions as described below.
[0064] Computer system 50 includes software to control system
operation and provide a virtual target on display screen 68 for
training or gaming applications as described above. The computer
system monitors beam impact locations on the reflective strips to
determine the beam impact location relative to the virtual target.
Initially, the computer system performs a mechanical calibration
and a system calibration. The mechanical calibration generally
facilitates alignment of the sensing device with the display
screen, reflective strips and computer system, while the system
calibration enables determination of parameters for system
operation. In particular, the computer system preferably displays a
mechanical calibration graphical user screen including alignment
indicia (e.g., a cross-hair) and a window displaying the captured
images to initiate the mechanical calibration. The computer system
basically updates the captured image displayed in the window with
successive captured images as they are received from the sensing
device. The mechanical calibration screen further displays position
indicia (e.g., horizontal and vertical lines, cross hair, etc.)
that are generally similar to the alignment indicia and overlaid
with the received captured images within the window. The user
adjusts the position of sensing device 100 such that the device
captures images of the display screen and reflective strips and the
alignment indicia of the captured images are substantially
coincident or aligned with the overlaid position indicia in the
window. The user informs computer system 50 of completion of the
mechanical calibration in order to enable the computer system to
initiate the system calibration.
[0065] The system calibration defines the display screen within the
captured images and enables computer system 50 to adapt to ambient
light conditions. In particular, the computer system displays a
system calibration graphical user screen preferably including a
virtual target and a window displaying the captured images to
initiate display screen definition within the captured images. The
computer system basically updates the captured image displayed in
the window with successive captured images as they are received
from the sensing device as described above. The system calibration
screen further displays coordinates of a selected location within
the window and screen input mechanisms (e.g., arrows, buttons,
etc.) to enable a user to selectively adjust the displayed
coordinates. Basically, sensing device 100 faces, but is typically
positioned below, display screen 68 of monitor 54. Accordingly, the
sensing device captures images of the monitor, including the
display screen and reflective strips, having an upward viewing
angle. This angle causes the sensing device to produce generally
trapezoidal images of the monitor, where the lower section of the
monitor within each captured image has greater transverse
dimensions than those of the monitor upper section within the
produced images. The computer system compensates for the device
viewing angle and requests the user to indicate, preferably via a
mouse or other input device, the corners of the display screen
within the window of the system calibration screen. The coordinates
for a corner designated by a user are displayed on the screen,
where the user may selectively adjust the coordinates. This process
is repeated for each corner to define for computer system 50 the
display screen within the captured images. Alternatively, the
computer system may display indicia (e.g., colored dots or other
shapes) at the corners of the display screen to enable the computer
system to automatically identify the display screen within the
captured images based upon identification and location of the
provided indicia. The computer system basically correlates the
captured images with the display screen and virtual target as
viewed by the user to determine the beam impact locations. In other
words, the computer system compensates for the viewing angle of the
sensing device with respect to that of the user to appropriately
correlate the area captured by the sensing device with the display
screen.
[0066] The system sensitivity to the emitted beam and ambient light
conditions may be selectively adjusted by the user or may be
determined by computer system 50 based upon measured conditions.
Basically, the computer system determines a laser luminance or
density value of beam impact locations on the reflective strips
from the captured image information received from the sensing
device. Specifically, each captured image includes a plurality of
pixels each associated with red (R), green (G) and blue (B) values
to indicate the color and luminance of that pixel. The red, green
and blue values for each pixel are multiplied by a respective
weighting factor and summed to produce a pixel density. In other
words, the pixel density may be expressed as follows.
Pixel
Density=(R.times.Weight1)+(G.times.Weight2)+(B.times.Weight3)
[0067] where Weight1, Weight2 and Weight3 are weighting values that
may be selected in any fashion to enable the system to identify
beam impact locations on the reflective strips within the captured
images. The respective weights may have the same or different
values and may be any types of values (e.g., integer, real, etc.).
Beam locations on the reflective strips are considered to occur
within pixels of the captured image that have a density value
exceeding a threshold value. However, since a cross-hair is
projected by the laser transmitter, several locations along each
reflective strip are impacted by the beam. As such, the density
values of a plurality of image pixels may exceed the threshold and
identify several beam impact locations along each strip. The
computer system correlates the identified beam impact locations
within each strip as described below to determine a representative
location of the beam impact for that strip. The representative
locations of each strip are utilized to determine the center or
intersection point of the cross-hair and the beam impact location
on the display screen relative to the virtual target.
[0068] Since images from the sensing device are being repeatedly
captured and transmitted to the computer system at the sensing
device operational rate (e.g., approximately thirty frames per
second), certain captured images may not contain any beam impact
detections. Accordingly, the threshold basically controls the
system sensitivity to the emitted beam in relation to the ambient
light, and enables the system to determine the presence of beam
impact locations on the reflective strips within a captured image.
The threshold is generally increased to reduce the quantity of
false hits detected by the system during system operation. The
computer system determines maximum and average density values from
the captured image pixel values and adjusts the threshold
accordingly. The pixel density values of each captured image may
additionally be accumulated and/or averaged to provide an
indication of the ambient light condition or luminance.
[0069] During system calibration, the computer system displays a
luminance graphical user screen including a virtual target and
various system parameters. The computer system requests the user to
actuate firearm 6 and project a beam onto the target.
Alternatively, the calibration may utilize data collected during
system operation as described below. The computer system receives
captured images from the sensing device and determines the
detection speed of the sensing device, the ambient light condition
and the laser density threshold as described above. These
parameters are preferably displayed in the form of color coded bar
displays indicating the parameter values in terms of a percentage
(e.g., a percentage of the maximum acceptable values for the
parameters). However, the values may be displayed in any desired
fashion. Further, the luminance user screen displays horizontal and
vertical positional offsets that may be utilized by the computer
system to determine beam impact locations. The determined threshold
value as well as any desired positional offsets (e.g., horizontal
and/or vertical) may be selectively adjusted by the user via the
mouse or other input device.
[0070] The computer system may automatically determine the
threshold in the manner described above in response to detecting
changes in light conditions during system operation. In particular,
the computer system determines density values for the pixels of
each captured image during system operation. The values are
accumulated and/or averaged to provide a lighting value
representing the ambient light condition. If the lighting value
achieves levels outside an acceptable range, computer system 50
interrupts system operation to determine a new threshold value. The
computer system typically waits for the light conditions to produce
acceptable lighting values prior to determining a new threshold.
The settings determined by the calibrations and/or selected by the
user may be stored by the computer system for later utilization by
the system, thereby obviating the need to re-calibrate the system
when conditions remain in substantially the same state (e.g.,
lighting condition, position of the sensing device, etc.). The
mechanical and system calibrations are typically performed at
system initialization, but may be initiated by a user via computer
system 50.
[0071] Once the calibrations are completed, a user may commence a
training or gaming activity and project the laser beam cross-hair
image from the firearm toward a virtual target displayed on the
monitor display screen. Sensing device 100 captures images and
transmits the captured images to computer system 50 for processing.
The computer system processes the captured images to determine beam
impact locations on the reflective strips. Specifically, each
captured image received from the sensing device includes a
plurality of pixels each associated with red (R), green (G) and
blue (B) values to indicate the color and luminance of that pixel
as described above. The red, green and blue values for each pixel
are multiplied by a respective weighting factor and summed to
produce a pixel density as described above.
[0072] Since the reflective strips are positioned at the display
screen perimeter, the computer system may analyze the portions of
the captured images residing outside the area defined within the
images for the display screen. Thus, processing time is
significantly reduced due to the computer system examining a
selected and substantially reduced portion of each image.
Specifically, the computer system examines density values of pixels
within a captured image that are located outside the area defined
for the display screen. As discussed above, this area of the
captured image primarily includes the reflective strips. If a pixel
within the selected area of a captured image has a density value
that exceeds the threshold, that pixel is considered by the system
to contain a portion of the cross-hair beam impacting the display
screen. If the density value of each pixel in the selected area is
less than the threshold, the captured image is not considered to
include a beam impact. The projection of a cross-hair basically
results in several impact locations along each reflective strip.
Accordingly, the computer system identifies each pixel within a
strip containing a portion of the cross-hair beam, and determines
the coordinates (e.g., X and Y coordinates) of those pixels within
the captured image. The computer system processes the coordinates
of the identified pixels to determine coordinates within the
captured image of a representative location of the beam impact
within each strip. This may be accomplished by applying an
averaging or other desired function to the identified pixel
coordinates (e.g., multiply by weights, select the pixel nearest
the display screen, etc.). The representative location coordinates
for each strip are subsequently processed to compensate for the
sensing device viewing angle. In other words, the captured image
coordinates of the representative impact locations of each strip
are converted from a generally trapezoidal image produced by the
sensing device viewing angle to coordinates within a generally
rectangular image representing the view of the user and the display
screen. The computer system subsequently determines the impact
location of the laser beam on the display screen from the converted
coordinates in substantially the same manner described above in
relation to detector position within the detector arrays. In other
words, the converted coordinates are utilized to determine the
location of the center or intersection point of the cross-hair
beam, thereby indicating the beam impact location on the display
screen. The resulting coordinates are provided to the gaming or
simulation software for display or other actions as described above
for the detector array system.
[0073] In addition, the computer system may determine the pulse
width of the laser beam as described above and provide messages in
response to a user utilizing a laser having an unsuitable pulse
width with respect to the system configuration. The system
preferably is configured for laser transmitters emitting a pulse
having a duration of six milliseconds, and can be utilized with
laser pulses having a duration as low as one millisecond. However,
the system may be utilized and/or configured for operation with
laser transmitters having any desired pulse width.
[0074] The reflective strip system may accommodate users projecting
the laser beam at varying side angles relative to the display
screen while maintaining accuracy of the impact location. The
computer system basically determines the impact locations on the
strips as described above and applies compensation factors to
account for the angle. Further, the system may detect firearm range
or user distance to the virtual target by projecting and detecting
additional range lines or employing ultrasound techniques in
substantially the same manner described above.
[0075] In addition, the reflective strip system may determine a
cant angle of the firearm based on coordinates of representative
beam impact locations on each reflective strip. These coordinates
may be processed in substantially the same manner described above
in relation to detector position within the detector arrays to
determine the cant angle. Alternatively, the reflective strip
system may determine a cant angle of the firearm based on
information corresponding to beam impact locations on a reflective
strip. In particular, when a user orients firearm 6 at an angle and
projects a cross-hair beam onto the reflective strips, a series of
pixels associated with each reflective strip within the captured
image is identified as containing a portion of the cross-hair beam
as described above. The identified pixels of each strip form a line
that is oriented transversely along that strip at an angle similar
to the cant angle of the firearm. In other words, the cant angle is
related to the line formed by identified pixels relative to a
transverse axis of that strip. Thus, the cant angle may be
determined by trigonometric functions based on the length of that
line serving as a hypotenuse of a right triangle and the transverse
axis of the strip or strip width serving as a leg of the right
triangle. The angle between the leg and hypotenuse represents the
cant angle and may be determined as the angle having a cosine value
equal to the length of the leg divided by the length of the
hypotenuse. The cant angles determined from each strip may be
combined in any fashion (e.g., averaged, select a single angle or
strip, etc.) to determine the overall cant angle of the
firearm.
[0076] The reflective strip system may further determine the barrel
velocity of the firearm as described above by tracking the barrel
position or beam impact locations along the reflective strips
within the captured images. The pulse width of the laser for this
measurement is preferably substantially greater than the sensing
device frame rate. Basically, the computer system determines an
initial location of the beam impact within the vertical strips and
subsequently determines the distance along the vertical strips that
the detected beam impact locations travel. When the beam impact
locations are beyond the strips or upward motion of the barrel
ceases as determined from the beam impact locations within the
captured images, the quantity of frames received until detection of
either of these events provides the elapsed time (e.g., since a
frame is received approximately every thirty-three milliseconds,
the quantity of frames multiplied by the frame rate provides the
elapsed time). Further, the distance traveled along the vertical
reflective strips may be determined by the coordinates of the
initial and final beam impact locations within the captured images.
The velocity is determined based on the resulting distance and
elapsed time. Alternatively, this measurement may be utilized with
the laser transmitter having a shorter defined pulse width.
Basically, since the sensing device captures all changes in the
image between successive frame transmissions, the captured image
contains any movement of the firearm during firearm actuation. The
captured images may be examined as described above by the computer
system to determine the movement of or distance traveled by beam
impact locations on the vertical strips during the laser beam
transmission. This may be determined based on pixel coordinates of
initial and final beam impact locations as described above. The
velocity maybe determined based on the distance traveled by the
impact location during the time or duration of the laser pulse. In
other words, the velocity may be determined based on the determined
distance traveled and the pulse width of the laser beam.
[0077] The reflective strip system may further employ plural
displays or monitors and the alternative display device in
substantially the same manner described above. With respect to the
alternative display device, the reflective strips are disposed
around the display device, while the sensing device is positioned
to capture images encompassing the display device and the
reflective strips. The system is calibrated (e.g., sensing device
position, to define the alternative display device within the image
space, etc.) and functions in substantially the same manner
described above to determine the beam impact location on the
alternative display device.
[0078] It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above
and illustrated in the drawings represent only a few of the many
ways of implementing a firearm simulation and gaming system and
method for operatively interconnecting a firearm peripheral to a
computer system.
[0079] The firearm simulation and gaming system may be utilized
with any type of firearm (e.g., hand-gun, rifle, shotgun, machine
gun, soft air type gun, blazer, etc.), while the laser module maybe
fastened to the firearm at any suitable locations via any
conventional or other fastening techniques (e.g., frictional
engagement with the barrel, brackets attaching the device to the
firearm, etc.). Further, the system may include a dummy firearm
projecting a laser beam, or replaceable firearm components (e.g., a
barrel) having a laser device disposed therein for firearm
training. The replaceable components may further enable training
with blank cartridges. The laser device maybe utilized for firearm
training on objects other than the displays.
[0080] The laser assembly may include the laser module and rod or
any other fastening device. The laser module may emit any type of
laser beam within suitable safety tolerances. The laser module
housing may be of any shape or size, and may be constructed of any
suitable materials. The opening may be defined in the projection or
directly in the module housing at any suitable locations to receive
the rod. Alternatively, the housing and rod may include any
conventional or other fastening devices (e.g., integrally formed,
threaded attachment, hook and fastener, frictional engagement with
the opening, etc.) to attach the module to the rod. The optics
package may include any suitable lens for projecting the beam in a
cross-hair or other configuration at any desired dispersion angle.
The laser beam operating in a continuous mode may be interrupted
for any desired duration. Alternatively, the laser beam operating
in a pulsed mode may be enabled in response to trigger actuation
for any desired interval sufficient for the photodetectors to sense
the beam. The laser beam may be visible or invisible (e.g.,
infrared), may be of any color or power level, may have a pulse of
any desired duration in pulsed mode and may be modulated in any
fashion (e.g., at any desired frequency or unmodulated) or encoded
in any manner to provide any desired information. The laser module
may be fastened to a firearm or other similar structure (e.g., a
dummy, toy or simulated firearm) at any suitable locations (e.g.,
external or internal of a barrel) and be interrupted or actuated by
a trigger or any other device (e.g., power switch, firing pin,
relay, etc.). The laser assembly power switch may be implemented by
any conventional or other power switch and be disposed at any
suitable location on the assembly and/or firearm.
[0081] The laser module may be configured in the form of ammunition
for insertion into a firearm firing or similar chamber and
interrupt a continuous laser beam or project a laser beam pulse in
response to trigger actuation. Alternatively, the laser module may
be configured for direct insertion into the barrel without the need
for the rod. The laser module may include any type of sensor or
detector (e.g., acoustic sensor, piezoelectric element,
accelerometer, solid state sensors, strain gauge, etc.) to detect
mechanical or acoustical waves or other conditions signifying
trigger actuation. The laser module components may be arranged
within the housing in any fashion, while the module power source
may be implemented by any quantity or type of batteries.
Alternatively, the module may include an adapter for receiving
power from a common wall outlet jack or other power source.
[0082] The laser transmitter rod may be of any shape or size, and
may be constructed of any suitable materials. The rod may include
dimensions to accommodate any firearm caliber. The rings may be of
any shape, size or quantity and may be constructed of any suitable
materials. The rings may be disposed at any locations along the rod
and may be implemented by any devices having adjustable dimensions.
The stop may be of any shape or size, may be disposed at any
suitable locations along the rod and may be constructed of any
suitable materials. The post may be of any shape or size, may be
disposed at any suitable locations on the rod, and may be
constructed of any suitable materials. The post or rod may include
any conventional or other fastening devices to attach the laser
module to the rod.
[0083] The detector arrays and reflective strips may be of any
quantity, shape or size, may be constructed of any suitable
materials and may be completely or partially disposed about the
display screen or alternative display device in any desired fashion
via any conventional or other fastening techniques (e.g.,
adhesives, hooks, brackets, etc.). For example, rather than
providing four detector arrays or strips arranged around the
rectangular display screen or alternative display device in the
exemplary embodiments, two or more detector arrays or strips could
be provided on appropriate sides of the screen or alternative
display device to determine the beam impact location, user range as
well as the cant of the firearm. The arrays may include any
quantity of any conventional or other types of photodetectors or
light sensing devices. Alternatively, the arrays may include any
type of detectors for sensing any type of emitted energy. The laser
beam position may be determined in any fashion when plural
detectors within an array sense the beam (e.g., midpoint, average,
weighted values, etc.).
[0084] The detector casings and coverings may be of any shape or
size and may be constructed of any suitable materials. The detector
arrays may provide any types of signals (e.g., digital or analog)
formatted in any fashion to indicate photodetectors sensing the
laser beam. The detectors may connect to any portions and/or ports
(e.g., serial, parallel, USB., etc.) of the computer system. The
filter may be constructed of any suitable materials and may be
implemented by any filter capable of enhancing the signal to noise
ratio. The reflective strips may be made of any material capable of
reflecting light or other energy for detection by the sensing
device. The laser beam cross-hair and range lines may alternatively
be sensed in various manners. For example, a thin overlay,
preferably constructed of fiber optic material, may be placed over
a display with leads extending to detectors. The detectors sense
the cross-hair and/or range line beams as described above. This
type of overlay may be contained with an anti-glare screen. In
addition, sensors may be placed on the firearm and directly
transmit the firearm position, cant and/or barrel velocity to the
computer system.
[0085] The sensing device maybe implemented by any conventional or
other sensing device (e.g., camera, CCD, matrix or array of light
sensing elements, etc.) suitable for detecting the laser beam
and/or capturing a target image. The sensing device may employ any
type of light sensing elements, and may utilize a grid or array of
any suitable dimension. The sensing device may be of any shape or
size, and may be constructed of any suitable materials. The sensing
device may be positioned at any suitable locations and at any
desired viewing angle relative to the display screen or alternative
display device. The sensing device may be coupled to any port of
the computer system via any conventional or other device (e.g.,
cable, wireless, etc.). The sensing device may provide color or
black and white (e.g., gray scale) images to the computer system
and have any desired frame rate. Alternatively, the sensing device
may include processing circuitry to detect beam impact locations on
the strips and provide coordinates of those locations to the
computer system or determine and provide coordinates of the beam
impact location on the display screen or alternative display
device. The sensing device maybe configured to detect any energy
medium having any modulation, pulse or frequency. Similarly, the
laser may be implemented by a transmitter emitting any suitable
energy wave. The detector arrays and sensing device may transmit
any type of information to the computer system to indicate beam
impact locations, while the computer system may process any type of
information from the detector arrays and sensing device to
determine beam impact locations.
[0086] The user screens maybe arranged in any fashion and contain
any type of information. The various parameter or other values may
be displayed on the screens in any manner (e.g., charts, bars,
etc.) and in any desired form (e.g, actual values, percentages,
etc.), while any of the values displayed on the screens may be
adjusted by the user via any desired input mechanisms. The
mechanical calibration screen may include any quantity of any types
of alignment and/or position indicia of any shape, color or size to
facilitate alignment of the sensing device with the monitor or
alternative display device. Alternatively, the computer system
image may be adjusted for alignment with the sensing device and/or
alternative display device. The display screen or alternative
display device may be defined within the captured image in any
desired manner via any suitable input mechanisms. The display
screen or alternative display device may be defined at any suitable
locations within the captured image or window, while the selected
locations may be indicated by any quantity of any types of indicia
of any shape, color or size. Alternatively, the display screen or
alternative display device definition may be accomplished
automatically by displaying or positioning any quantity of indicia
of any color, shape or size on the display screen or alternative
display device at any suitable locations to define the display
screen or alternative display device for the computer system.
[0087] The density value may be determined with any weights having
any desired value or types of values (e.g., integer, real, etc.).
The weights and pixel component values may be utilized in any
desired combination to produce a pixel density. Alternatively, any
quantity of pixel values within any quantity of images may be
manipulated in any desired fashion (e.g., accumulated, averaged,
multiplied by each other or weight values, etc.) to determine the
presence and location of a beam impact within an image. Further,
any quantity of density and/or pixel values within any quantity of
images maybe manipulated in any desired fashion (e.g., accumulated,
averaged, multiplied by each other or weight values, etc.) to
determine the threshold and light conditions. The threshold may be
determined periodically or in response to any desired light or
other conditions (e.g., light conditions are outside any desired
range or have any desired change in value, etc.), and may be set by
the computer system and/or user to any desired value.
[0088] The reflective strip system may alternatively utilize gray
scale or any type of color images (e.g., pixels having gray scale,
RGB or other values) and manipulate any quantity of pixel values
within any quantity of images in any desired fashion to determine
the threshold, light conditions and presence and location of a beam
impact. The beam impacts identified on each strip may be
manipulated in any fashion (e.g., average, select a particular
location relative to the screen, etc.) to determine a
representative location on that strip. The representative locations
may further be combined in any fashion to determine an impact
location on the display screen or alternative display device.
Alternatively, the beam impact locations from the strips may be
collectively processed utilizing any conventional or other
techniques to determine a beam impact location on the display
screen or alternative display device. The conversion between the
image spaces may be performed at any desired point in the
processing to determine the beam impact location. For example, the
processing may be performed to determine a beam impact in the
trapezoidal image space and then converted, or each coordinate of a
beam impact may be converted from the trapezoidal image space prior
to determination of the beam impact. The computer system may
analyze any suitable portion or the entirety of the captured images
to determine the beam impact location.
[0089] The reflective strip system may be configured for use with a
transmitter emitting a laser beam having any desired pulse width,
and may provide any type of message or other indication when the
pulse width of a laser beam detected by the system is not
compatible with the system configuration. The reflective strip
system may be configured to detect and process beam impact
locations at any desired shot rate. The reflective strip system may
utilize any conventional or other techniques to convert between the
various image spaces, and may compensate for any desired sensing
device position and/or viewing angle. The systems may be utilized
with virtual targets scaled in any fashion to simulate conditions
at any desired ranges, and may utilize lasers having sufficient
power to be detected at any desired scaled range. The systems may
further be utilized with any type of real target of any shape or
size, where the detector arrays, reflective strips and sensing
device are positioned relative to the target to detect beam impact
locations in substantially the same manner described above.
[0090] The systems may determine the cant, barrel velocity via any
conventional or other techniques based on the detected beam impact
locations. The systems may further measure and provide to the user
any desired firearm activity characteristics. The computer system
may display any types of virtual targets, while the alternative
display device may be of any shape or size, may be disposed at any
suitable location, and may be constructed of any suitable
materials. The alternative display device may include electronic
ink devices, projection devices or any other device providing a
target and display on a support structure.
[0091] The computer system maybe implemented by any type of
personal or other computer or processor. The computer system may
include any type of training, gaming and/or simulation software and
operatively interconnect the firearm for interaction with the
software. This software may be available on any type of storage
medium (e.g., CD-ROM, floppy disk, etc.), or may be downloaded from
a network (e.g., Internet). The software for calibrations and/or
determining beam impact locations for the systems may be included
within training and/or gaming application software and/or be within
one or more independent software modules to provide calibration
and/or detection information to those software applications. The
systems may display targets and/or beam impact locations and
provide scoring and feedback similar to the training systems
disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/210,595, entitled "Firearm Laser Training System and Method
Facilitating Firearm Training with Various Targets" and filed Jun.
9, 2000, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Docket No.
0208.0047C, entitled "Firearm Laser Training System and Method
Facilitating Firearm Training with Visual Feedback of Simulated
Projectile Impact Locations" and filed Jan. 10, 2001, the
disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
[0092] The computer system maybe coupled to any quantity of any
types of display devices for displaying virtual targets. For
example, the virtual target may be displayed on a monitor for the
computer system or on any other generally flat surface, such as a
wall. The virtual target may also be of any shape or configuration
and may include any type of indicia with any form of scoring zones
or factors associated with the indicia. Further, the systems may
detect the user range via any range detection devices (e.g.,
ultrasound, overlapping beams, etc.), while the range beams may be
of any quantity, shape, size or configuration and may be projected
in any manner and at any position relative to the emitted
cross-hair or beam. The computer system may be connected to any
type of network to accommodate plural users for training,
competition or gaming activities. The computer system may further
be connected to plural monitors and/or alternative display devices
via any connection devices (e.g., cables) or ports (e.g., video,
etc.) each having detection devices (e.g., the detector array or
sensing device and strips) to serve as a host to process and
accommodate plural users. The computer system may employ plural
monitors having detection devices for trainees to enable an
instructor to control and monitor trainees from the computer system
during firearm activities. The computer system may further employ a
camera or other image device to enable remote viewing of firearm
activity by an expert and enable on-line feedback from that
expert.
[0093] It is to be understood that the software for the computer
system may be implemented in any desired computer language and
could be developed by one of ordinary skill in the computer arts
based on the functional descriptions contained in the specification
and flow chart illustrated in the drawings. The computer system may
alternatively be implemented by any type of hardware and/or other
processing circuitry. The various functions of the computer system
may be distributed in any manner among any quantity of software
modules, processing systems and/or circuitry (e.g., including those
within the sensing device). The software and/or algorithms
described above and illustrated in the flow chart maybe modified in
any manner that accomplishes the functions described herein.
[0094] From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that
the invention makes available a novel firearm simulation and gaming
system and method for operatively interconnecting a firearm
peripheral to a computer system wherein the system detects and
determines the location of a laser beam projected onto a virtual
target within a computer system display from a laser transmitter
assembly secured to an actual or mock firearm for training or
gaming applications.
[0095] Having described preferred embodiments of a new and improved
firearm simulation and gaming system and method for operatively
interconnecting a firearm peripheral to a computer system, it is
believed that other modifications, variations and changes will be
suggested to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings set
forth herein. It is therefore to be understood that all such
variations, modifications and changes are believed to fall within
the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *