Education and demonstration – Organized armed or unarmed conflict or shooting – Self-propelled projectile
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-07
2001-10-02
Cheng, Joe H. (Department: 3713)
Education and demonstration
Organized armed or unarmed conflict or shooting
Self-propelled projectile
C434S019000, C434S020000, C463S005000, C273S358000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296486
ABSTRACT:
DESCRIPTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns a missile firing simulator for training firers in the firing of missiles and immersing them in a virtual space and offering them different scenarios.
2. State of the Art
For training firers (also referred to as “pupils”) in the firing of missiles, it is known that simulation devices can be used. These make it possible to train firers by teaching them to aim and fire at a target without using real projectiles and, in particular, missiles. Generally, in these simulation devices, the projectile is an imaginary projectile; a computer defines the position of the imaginary projectile, compares this position with that of the target aimed at, and assess the quality of the firing by determining notably whether the aiming (or sighting) would, if the firing were real, lead the projectile to an impact on the target.
There currently exist simulation systems based on the association of a laser system for locating the direction of aim of the firer with video reconstruction effected either by projecting the landscape displayed by the firer on a screen, or by sending this landscape to a micromonitor integrated in the firing station. Such devices are described notably in patent applications FR-A-2 531 201, EP-A-0 151 053 and EP-A-0 100 719 of Giravions Dorand SA.
In these devices, the position of the firer is fixed, which means that only angular movements of the firing station are allowed. However, it is important that the firer has a broadened view of the firing field and that he does not limit himself to inspecting the sector situated just in front of him. This is because, at the start of the exercise, several positions, by default, are permitted to a firer, which must be preserved throughout the period of firing. However, for standing or kneeling positions, it is impossible to guarantee that the pupil will keep these initial positions throughout the period of the firing. A modification of these initial positions therefore gives rise to errors in guiding the missile. In addition, before initiating the firing exercise, the simulator must be harmonised so as to ensure the matching of the projected image, or the image sent to the micromonitor, with the acquisition space of the camera which locates the laser beam relating to the pupil. In addition, the pupil may experience sensations of unease due to the shift existing between what he feels at the moment of firing and what he sees on the screen.
Such devices therefore have the drawback of not offering realism and sufficient comfort in use for the firers.
These devices also have the drawback of requiring the use of a laser system, as well as an acquisition camera, which gives rise to difficulties in harmonisation and use.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The aim of the invention is precisely to remedy the drawbacks of the devices described above. To this end, it proposes a device for simulating the firing of missiles from the shoulder or on a tripod aimed at improving the realism and comfort in use of the firers during their training by immersing them in a virtual space.
More precisely, the invention concerns a missile firing simulator for training missile firers from the shoulder or on a tripod, on fixed or moving targets, which includes:
at least one firing station provided with means of triggering imaginary firings;
image display means;
image processing means; and
an instructor station, characterised in that:
the instructor station includes a video screen associated with decision means by which an instructor chooses a virtual scenario relating to the firing field, the type of missile and the firing conditions;
the firing station has spatial location means;
the image display means comprise a display device displaying virtual images, in actual size, representing the field of vision of the firer in the scenario chosen by the instructor and a micromonitor placed in the firing station and displaying the same images as those of the display device, but enlarged according to a predefined coefficient; and
the image processing means include a central processing unit associated with an image generator generating the images of the instructor station, the images of the micromonitor and the images of the display device.
Advantageously, the image generator is able to generate two images simultaneously on the instructor station, one of the images being a plan view of the firing field and the other image representing the field of vision of the instructor in the process of observing the firing scene.
According to the invention, the simulator is able to generate a different reticule for each type of weapon system. It can also generate images of the firing field according to a variable brightness, representing variations in climate and sunshine.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the simulator has means of reconstructing interference caused by the departure of the missile.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the instructor station has means of storing each firing exercise in order to allow a subsequent analysis of the result of the firing.
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Cardaillac Emmanuel
Weber Laëtitia
Aerospatiale - Societe Nationale Industrielle
Burns Doane Swecker & Mathis
Cheng Joe H.
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