Simulated weapon training and sensor system and associated methods

Abstract

The combat training system includes a transmitter of a first electroluminescent signal representative of a projectile fired at a front of a structure, which is detected at the structure's front. An extent of damage that would be expected to be experienced by the structure is determined from the detected first signal. A second electroluminescent signal is transmitted behind the structure that is representative of the expected damage extent. A target behind the structure's front detects the second signal, from which an effect expected to be experienced by the target is determined.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A combat training system comprising: 
 means for transmitting a first electroluminescent signal representative of a projectile fired at a front of a structure;    means affixed to the structure front for detecting the transmitted first signal;    means for determining from the detected first signal an extent of damage expected to be experienced by the structure;    means for transmitting a second electroluminescent signal behind the structure representative of the expected damage extent;    means affixed to a target behind the structure front for detecting the second signal; and    means for determining from the detected second signal an effect expected to be experienced by the target.    
     
     
         2 . The system recited in  claim 1 , wherein the means for transmitting the first signal comprises a weapon-simulating laser.  
     
     
         3 . The system recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a processor adapted to receive a weapon signal from a simulated weapon, and wherein the means for transmitting the first signal comprises a laser under control of the processor adapted to emit a signal representative of the simulated weapon.  
     
     
         4 . The system recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first-signal-detecting means comprises a structure detector for converting the first signal into an electrical signal for transmission to the damage-extent-determining means.  
     
     
         5 . The system recited in  claim 4 , wherein the structure detector comprises an array of structure detectors for providing position-dependent data on the first signal.  
     
     
         6 . The system recited in  claim 1 , wherein the damage-extent-determining means comprises means for accounting for a composition of the structure.  
     
     
         7 . The system recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second-signal-transmitting means comprises a scanner positioned behind the structure having a controllable multidirectional transmission capability.  
     
     
         8 . The system recited in  claim 7 , wherein a solid angle of the second-signal transmission is controlled relative to the expected damage extent.  
     
     
         9 . The system recited in  claim 7 , wherein the second signal comprises a plurality of energy bursts, a number of bursts detected by the target detector correlatable to the expected effect.  
     
     
         8 . The system recited in  claim 7 , wherein the scanner comprises a projectile-simulating laser.  
     
     
         9 . The system recited in  claim 8 , wherein the second-signal-detecting means comprises a detector wearable by a human sensitive to a signal emitted by the projectile-simulating laser.  
     
     
         10 . The system recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a processor in electronic communication with the scanner and the wearable detector.  
     
     
         11 . The system recited in  claim 7 , wherein the scanner further comprises means for emitting a third electroluminescent signal representative of an opposing combatant firing.  
     
     
         12 . The system recited in  claim 7 , wherein the scanner further comprises means for altering a sensitivity of the second-signal-detecting means.  
     
     
         13 . The system recited in  claim 12 , wherein the damage-extent-determining means and the effect-determining means comprise software means resident on the processor.  
     
     
         14 . The system recited in  claim 10 , wherein the software means further comprises means for providing a report of the determined damage extent and effect.  
     
     
         15 . A method for combat training comprising the steps of: 
 transmitting a first electroluminescent signal representative of a projectile fired at a front of a structure;    detecting the transmitted first signal;    determining from the detected first signal an extent of damage expected to be experienced by the structure;    transmitting a second electroluminescent signal behind the structure representative of the expected damage extent;    detecting the second signal at a target location; and    determining from the detected second signal an effect expected to be experienced by the target.    
     
     
         16 . The method recited in  claim 15 , further comprising receiving a weapon signal from a simulated weapon, and wherein the step of transmitting the first signal comprises emitting a signal representative of the simulated weapon.  
     
     
         17 . The method recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first-signal-detecting step further comprises converting the first signal into an electrical signal and transmitting the electrical signal for the damage-extent-determining step.  
     
     
         18 . The method recited in  claim 15 , wherein the first-signal-detecting step comprises determining position data on the first signal.  
     
     
         19 . The method recited in  claim 15 , wherein the second-signal-transmitting step comprises multidirectional scanning an area behind the structure.  
     
     
         20 . The method recited in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of setting a sensitivity of the second-signal-detecting step to a first level for a target location outside the structure and a second level for a target location inside the structure, the second level lower than the first level.  
     
     
         21 . The method recited in  claim 20 , further comprising sensing the target location prior to the sensitivity-setting step.  
     
     
         22 . The method recited in  claim 15 , further comprising the step of providing a report of the determined damage extent and effect.  
     
     
         23 . A simulated projectile signal decoding device comprising: 
 means for receiving an electroluminescent signal containing information on a simulated projectile hit experienced by a structure; and    means for determining from the information damage expected to be experienced by the structure.    
     
     
         24 . A signal transmitter for simulating an effect of a projectile striking a structure comprising: 
 means for receiving a first signal representative of damage expected to be inflicted upon and behind a structure; and    means for transmitting a second signal behind the structure representative of the damage.    
     
     
         25 . A simulated damage signal decoder and transmitter comprising: 
 means for receiving an electroluminescent signal containing information on a simulated projectile hit experienced by a structure;    means for determining from the information damage expected to be experienced by the structure; and    means for transmitting a second signal behind the structure representative of the damage.    
     
     
         26 . A signal transmitter for simulating an effect of a projectile striking a structure comprising: 
 means for receiving a first signal representative of damage expected to be inflicted upon and behind a structure;    means for transmitting a second signal behind the structure representative of the damage;    means for determining from the second signal damage expected to be experienced in an area adjacent the structure; and    means for transmitting a third signal into the adjacent area representative of the expected damage thereto.