System and method of simulation

[0001] The invention pertains to methods and systems for training individuals in responding to various types of high stress or emergency situations. More particularly, the invention pertains to combat simulators, fire fighting simulators, or policing simulators, all of which can unfold in an urban setting.

[0002] A need exists for simple systems for locating multiple participants in simulated urban combat. One technique for doing this is by using a floor that can read out the location of multiple participants' boots as they move around across the floor. None of the known systems are fully satisfactory for meeting the urban combat training requirements.

[0003] One known solution uses pressure sensors embedded in the floor to sense where the feet are positioned. This approach cannot distinguish between individual participants. Other solutions do not use an instrumented floor and depend on IR beams, magnetic transmitters and sensors, acoustics, and inertial sensors. They all have shortcomings because of cost, complexity, interference due to the all-metal enclosure where the training will take place, or other problems.

[0004] There is thus a continuing need for cost effective simple and reliable systems and methods for tracking individuals in a region who are participating in high stress or emergency situation simulations. Preferably information could be provided in real-time as to the location(s) of the respective individual(s). It would also be preferable if such systems could be implemented relatively inexpensively and readily installable in simulation locations.

[0007] While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, a floor is covered by a mat or carpet containing a rectangular grid of embedded wires, perhaps spaced about six inches apart. The participants carry pulsed or continuous-wave wireless transmitters affixed to their boots such that when a transmitter is close to one or more of the wires, currents are induced in the wires. By determining which wires are receiving the induced signals the location(s) of the transmitting boot(s) can be determined. Different participants have different-frequency transmitters so that each participant can be individually tracked.

[0009] The embedded wires can also carry an AC current so that the transmitters can be inductively powered from the grid thereby energizing the transmitters. As a result, the transmitters can be passive in that they do not require batteries. Transmitters emit RF, electro-magnetic, waves.

[0010] At the edges of the embedded grid the wires can be coupled to processing circuitry and/or fed to a central location where signals are extracted and the power input for inductive powering of the transmitters is applied. The powering currents have a frequency separated from the signal frequencies so that the signal frequencies can be extracted with a minimum of interference from the powering currents. The powering currents flow in opposite directions in adjacent wires, thus creating an array of magnetic loops which have their axes oriented vertically.

[0011] A transmitter module in accordance with the invention incorporates a coil with a vertical axis for coupling to the powering currents in the floor grid. The power generated is stored in a capacitor which acts as a battery to store the energy for use by the transmitter. The transmitter has an oscillator connected to a trio of orthogonal transmitting antennas, or, coils for maximum coupling to the embedded wires independent of the orientation of the boot, for example, if the participant is prone. The module is attached to the side of the boot by releasable tapes or other inexpensive easy to use structures. Each participant's transmitter(s), possibly one on each foot, operates at a different frequency so that they, and each of their feet, can be uniquely identified.

[0012] Embodiments of the invention are simple, low cost, and unambiguously track each participant's boot location(s) in real-time. Such embodiments can be installed very quickly and require no lengthy calibration of the location-determining equipment, as some of the known systems do.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a simulation and training region R wherein a system 10 in accordance with the invention has been installed. The system 10 incorporates a planar, two-dimensional mat 12. The mat 12 can be woven or molded all without limitation. The type of material used in the mat 12 is not a limitation of the invention.

[0014] In accordance with the invention, mats such as the mat 12, discussed in more detail subsequently, would be positioned in the regions in which the training and/or simulation activities are to be conducted. For example, if the facility is a multi-floor building mats such as the mat 12 can be installed on each of the floors as well as on the stairs. The mats function to provide position specifying and participant specifying signals to an associated control/display system 16. The system 10 can incorporate one or more programmable processors, such as the processors 16a, one or more graphical display devices 16b and control software 16c which can be executed by the one or more processors 16a.

[0015] To provide the above-noted signals to the control 16, mat 12 preferably incorporates first and second pluralities 20, 22 of embedded wires which are insulated from one another. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the members of the plurality 20, 22 are oriented at right angles to one another forming an X,Y type grid. Preferably the members of each plurality will be positioned relatively close to each other, on the order of for example of 6 inches apart.

[0016] Ends such as ends 20-1, 20-2 and 22-1, 22-2 extend from the mat 12 and are interconnected and coupled to respective circuits 30-1, 30-2 and 32-1, 32-2. Circuitry 30-1, -2, 32-1, -2 can include multiplexer, de-multiplexer circuitry of types that would be known to those of skill in the art to enable the control system 16 to communicate with and receive communications from each of the members of the pluralities 20, 22 in the mat 12.

[0017] In accordance with the above, AC-type power signals of a predetermined frequency can be coupled to the members of the plurality 20, for example, members 20-3, 20-4. Preferably, these currents IC1 and IC3 will flow in opposite directions to one another, in adjacent wires, and as a result, create an array of magnetic loops which have their axes oriented vertically.

[0018] The electromagnetic fields established by the varying currents such as IC1, IC3 in the members of the plurality 20 as well as IC2 and IC4 in the members of the plurality 22 function as wireless sources of electrical energy which can be used to power transmitters such as T1, T2 which can be worn (for example on the boots B1, B2) of an individual I participating in the training or simulation in the region R. The transmitters T1, T2 inductively acquire electrical energy from the grid in the mat 12.

[0019] Each of the transmitter units T1, T2, emits identification signals at a substantially different frequency than the frequency of the energy supplying currents IC1, IC3, IC2 and IC4 as described above. Since each of the transmitters T1, T2 emits a different identifying wireless signal, which can be coupled to adjacent members of the plurality 20, 22 such as 20-3, 22-3 (adjacent to transmitter T1) and 20-4, 22-4 (adjacent to transmitter T2), location information, based on the intersection of 20-3 and 22-3, for boots B1, B2 is available in real-time.

[0020] Signals emitted by the transmitters T1, T2, inductively coupled to the members of the pluralities 20, 22 can be sensed at control system 16 via circuitry 30-1, -2, 32-1, -2. The location of the transmitters T1, T2 on the mat 12 can then be presented on the display 16b under the control of the software 16c. This provides a real-time display of the location of the boots B1, B2 of the individual I who is participating in the simulation.

[0021] As the individual I moves across the mat 12 in a direction D the presentation thereof on the display 16b also moves in real-time. The locations of multiple individuals in the region R can thus be displayed and tracked simultaneously.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a representative member of the plurality of transmitters Ti. The unit Ti incorporates receiver circuitry, for example, interface circuitry 40 which is in turn coupled to storage capacitor 42. The interface circuitry 40 is also coupled to a coil, such as coil C1, having a vertical axis when the transmitters, such as Ti, are coupled to the respective boots of the participant in the simulation. This coil, for example, coil C1 inductively receives electrical energy from the various AC-type currents in the members of the plurality 20, 22. The associated electrical energy is coupled via interface circuits 40 and stored on capacitor 42.

[0023] The transmitter unit Ti also incorporates a transmitter 44 of uniquely identifying RF signals which can be emitted wirelessly via a trio of orthogonal transmitting coils such as C1, C2, C3. It will also be understood that the coil C1 which couples energy to the interface circuitry 40 as well as emitting a position indicating a wireless signal could be implemented with two separate coils without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0024] Preferably the trio of orthogonal coils C1, 2 and 3 will be used to provide maximum coupling to the embedded wires, the members of the plurality 20, 22 independent of the orientation of the respective boot Bi. This provides continual coupling of position identifying signals irrespective of whether the individual I is standing, kneeling or lying on the mat 12. Each of the transmitting units Ti incorporates a housing 46a and attachment straps of 46b, c to attach the unit Ti to the individual's respective boot.

[0025] Those of skill will understand that the transmitting units Ti can be implemented with a variety of different circuitry and antenna all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. When both boots are identified the orientation of the individual I is also identified. If it is unnecessary to identify the location of both of the boots B1, B2 of the individual I during a given exercise, only a single transmitter unit Ti will be needed to supply the location of the respective participant. The participant identifying images presented on the display 16b can be in color and individual participants can be identified using color as well as alpha numeric indicators.

[0026] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.