US20080220397A1 - Method of Firearms and/or Use of Force Training, Target, and Training Simulator - Google Patents

Abstract

A three-dimensional imaging technique is used to create the illusion of depth in an image or in a video in order to present a more realistic training experience for a person undergoing firearms and/or use of force training. The three-dimensional image can be used in a target, a shoot house, and/or a training simulator.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of my provisional application No. 60/869,017 filed Dec. 7, 2006, of my provisional application No. 60/916,639 filed May 8, 2007, and of my provisional application No. 60/939,719 filed May 23, 2007. As far as possible under the rules, the prior applications are herewith incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention
• The invention relates to a method of firearms and/or use of force training for preparing a person, for example, a law enforcement officer and/or a military officer to react to a dangerous situation. The invention also relates to targets used for firearms and/or use of force training, and to a training simulator used for firearms and/or use of force training.
• 2. Description of the Related Art
• It is conventional to use a two-dimensional image printed on a sheet of paper as a target for firearms and/or use of force training. Such an image typically is in the form of concentric circles with a bulls-eye in the center or is an outline of a person or an animal. The image is attached to a frame in a shooting range such that a person can practice his/her marksmanship skills.
• It is also conventional to use training simulators that project two-dimensional images of various scenarios on a screen for training purposes.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method of firearms and/or use of force training, an improved target, and an improved training simulator. In accordance with that object, a three-dimensional (3-D) imaging technique is used to create the illusion of depth in an image or in a video in order to present a more realistic training experience for a person undergoing firearms and/or use of force training.
• It is an additional object of the invention to use a three-dimensional imaging technique to depict one or more images of real people in scenarios or situations that would create the need for a law enforcement and/or military officer to react.
• With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method of firearms and/or use of force training. The method includes steps of using a three-dimensional imaging technique to create an illusion of depth in an image, and providing the image as a target for firearms and/or use of force training.
• In accordance with an added mode of the invention, the person undergoing training acquires the target with an actual firearm and pulls the trigger of the firearm.
• In accordance with an additional mode of the invention, the person undergoing training views the image through 3D lenses.
• In accordance with another mode of the invention, the image is formed from photographic images of a real-life situation in which a law enforcement officer or a military officer will have to react. The real-life situation could be, for example, a traffic stop, an armed robbery, a hostage situation, a domestic disturbance, an abduction, a shoot/don't shoot situation, and/or a terrorist situation. The person undergoing training acquires the target with an actual firearm and pulls the trigger of the firearm.
• In accordance with a further mode of the invention, the image is provided in a shooting range.
• In accordance with a further added mode of the invention, the image is provided in a training simulator.
• In accordance with a further additional mode of the invention, the image is provided in a shoot house.
• In accordance with yet a further mode of the invention, the image is mounted in a shooting range, and the image is moved while the shooter acquires the target.
• In accordance with yet a further added mode of the invention, a stereographic video is displayed in a training simulator. The 3-D image is a part of the video. An actual firearm is modified to fire blanks. During training the actual firearm can be aimed and shot at the video.
• In accordance with another added mode of the invention, the image is printed on a carrier as an anaglyph image.
• In accordance with another additional mode of the invention, the person undergoing training decides whether or not to use an actual defensive weapon depending on the real-life situation depicted by the image.
• In accordance with another additional mode of the invention, the image depicts a person holding a weapon, and the image is printed on a carrier such that the weapon is directed towards a person viewing the image even as an angle at which the person views the image changes. In other words, if the person undergoing training moves in a manner that changes the angle of view, the weapon tracks the person undergoing training so that the person continues to sense a threat.
• With the foregoing and other objects in view there is also provided, in accordance with the invention, a target for firearms and/or use of force training. The target includes a carrier and a stereoscopic image formed on the carrier. The stereoscopic image depicts a real-life situation in which a law enforcement officer or a military officer will have to react.
• In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the image includes at least two spatially offset photographic images.
• In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the image includes a weapon aimed at a direction tracking a viewing angle even as the viewing angle changes. The image is printed on a carrier such that the weapon is directed at a person viewing the image even as an angle at which the person views the image changes
• With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a training simulator for firearms and/or use of force training. The training simulator includes a display screen, a projector projecting a three-dimensional video for firearms and/or use of force training on the display screen, and a controller controlling the projector. The video includes at least one real-life situation in which a law enforcement officer or a military officer will have to react.
• In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the three-dimensional video includes a plurality of stereoscopic images.
• Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
• Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a method of firearms and/or use of force training, a target, and a training simulator, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
• The construction of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
• FIG. 1 is a diagram of a target for firearms and/or use of force training;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a shoot house;
• FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a training simulator for firearms and/or use of force training;
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a pair of 3-D safety glasses; and
• FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for explaining a method of firearms and/or use of force training.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
• Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, toFIG. 1 thereof, there is seen a diagram of atarget12 for firearms and/or use of force training. Thetarget12 includes acarrier14, for example, a sheet of paper or plastic, upon which animage10 can be projected or printed. When theimage10 is printed on thecarrier14, thecarrier14 serves as a base material that is physically attached to the ink forming the image. When theimage10 is projected on acarrier14, thecarrier14 serves as a display screen receiving the projectedimage10.
• Theimage10 is made using a three-dimensional (3-D) imaging technique in order to create the illusion of depth in theimage10. By creating the illusion of depth in theimage10, a more realistic training experience is presented for the person, for example, a police officer or a military officer, undergoing firearms and/or use of force training.
• Although not previously utilized or known in the field of firearms and/or use of force training, the field of 3-D imaging is a developed technical field. A commonly used 3-D imaging technique is stereoscopic imaging in which a slightly different image is presented to each eye to create the illusion of depth. Many different stereoscopic imaging techniques are known for providing the eyes with slightly different images of the same object, scene, or scenario. It should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to any particular 3-D imaging technique. It should also be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to any of the particular stereoscopic imaging techniques discussed herein below and that these techniques are merely provided to present general information.
• Theimage10 may be a stereoscopic image that is made from twoimages16,18 in which oneimage16 is perceived by one eye and theother image18 is perceived by the other eye. In order to present a more realistic training experience, theimage10 can be produced using stereoscopic photography from photographs or video of real people in real-life situations, rather than by artistic or computer animation techniques. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, theimage10 may be formed from two photographs orphotographic images16,18 showing real people in a real-life situation.
• The real-life situation, for example, may be a traffic stop, an armed robbery, a hostage situation, a domestic disturbance, an abduction, a shoot/don't shoot situation, and/or a terrorist situation. The list is not meant to be exhaustive since one of ordinary skill in the art should now be enabled to conceive of other scenarios or situations that would create the need for a law enforcement and/or military officer to react. In this manner, a 3-dimensional scene of a real-life situation is presented and a more realistic training experience is presented for the person undergoing firearms and/or use of force training.
• A reaction to the real-life situation or scenario shown in 3-D in theimage10 could include, for example, the decision whether or not to use a defensive weapon. Well-known defensive weapons include firearms, such as, for example, handguns, rifles and machine guns. Other well-known defensive weapons could alternatively or additionally be used to test a person's reaction to the real-life situation shown in theimage10. Examples of other defensive weapons include TASERS™, which are manufactured by TASER International, and pepper spray canisters.
• The real-life situation or scenario shown in 3-D in theimage10 can be used in many ways to enhance the training experience. For example, theimage10 can be shown on atarget12, theimage10 can be shown in a shoot house, and/or theimage10 can be shown in a training simulator. Theimage10 could, of course, be used in additional situations and the preceding list is not meant to limit the invention in any way.
• InFIG. 1, theimage10 is shown ontarget12. One option in this case is to print theimage10 on thecarrier14 and to attach thecarrier14 to a frame in a shooting range. If theimage10 is printed using a 3-D imaging technique requiring viewing through 3-D glasses, the person undergoing training will view theimage10 through a pair of 3-D safety glasses100 (FIG. 4). Thetarget12, which is formed by thecarrier14 and the printedimage10, could be used as a stationary target or could be linearly moved or rotated in a shooting range. Theimage10 could alternatively be projected onto thecarrier14 in the shooting range. In this case theimage10 could be a stationary image or a moving image, such as a video.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of ashoot house20. Theshoot house20 can be constructed usingseveral panels21 and22 in which eachpanel21 and22 has animage10 or23 formed thereon. Theimages10,23 could be formed, for example, as anaglyph images. Thesepanels21 and22 can then be affixed to the inside of ashoot house20 and when used with the3D safety glasses100, it will appear as if entry is being made into anactual room24 without the expense of having to furnish theshoot house20. In this manner, theshoot house20 can be made to appear as if the training is taking place inside an actual location. Another possible option is to create theimages10,23 as lenticular images using lenticular printing.
• FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of atraining simulator30 for firearms and/or use of force training. In this case, theimage10 will really be just one image of a sequence of images or of a video projected on thecarrier14, which is adisplay screen36. This is advantageous because a 3-dimensional simulation is presented to the person undergoing training. Thetraining simulator30 includes acontroller32 that controls aprojector34 projecting theimages10 on thedisplay screen36. The person undergoing training will use afirearm38 to acquire the “target” or “bad person” in the sequence of images or video being shown by thetraining simulator30. Thefirearm38 could be an actual firearm firing actual rounds or thefirearm38 could be modified to fire blanks in a manner such that thefirearm38 has a realistic response when thetrigger40 is pulled. Thefirearm38 could also be modified, for example, to fire a laser beam, another type of optical beam, or an electronic signal at the sequence of images or video being shown by thetraining simulator30.
• Not all 3-D imaging techniques require the person viewing theimage10 to wear special 3-D glasses, however a significant number of these techniques do require such glasses.FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a pair of 3-D safety glasses100. Thesafety glasses100 have been constructed for use in a shooting range by making thelenses102 and103 from a sufficiently strong material. Additionally, thelenses102 and103 extend to the side to protect the eyes of the person viewing theimage10 from flying debris that could potentially come towards the person from a side angle. Alternatively, a clip on attachment could be constructed to attach thelenses102 and103 to a pair of prescription eyeglasses or to an existing pair of safety glasses.
• Theimage10 is also particularly suitable for use with laser sights for target acquisition. During combat training, the person will not typically be able to aim through a sighting system. The target acquisition becomes considerably more dependable with a laser beam, and theimage10 of the target retains its 3-D appearance because both eyes of the shooter remain open.
• FIG. 5 is a flow diagram for explaining an exemplary embodiment of amethod200 of firearms and/or use of force training. It should be understood that this embodiment is provided as an example only and not all method steps illustrated need to be performed. Only certain portions of the exemplary embodiment can be used when they are determined to be appropriate for particular training situations. Step210 includes using a 3-D imaging technique to create the illusion of depth in an image.Step220, which is preferably performed, includes forming the image from photographic images of a real-life situation in which a law enforcement officer or a military officer will have to react.Step230, which is also preferably performed, includes selecting the real-life situation to be, for example, a traffic stop, an armed robbery, a hostage situation, a domestic disturbance, an abduction, a shoot/don't shoot situation, and/or a terrorist situation. Step240 includes providing the image as a target for firearms and/or use of force training and preferably includes providing the image in a shooting range, a training simulator, or a shoot house. If the image is provided in a shooting range, the image may be moved while the person undergoing training or the shooter acquires the target. If the image is provided in training simulator, the image may be a part of a displayed three-dimensional video. For example, the video may be constructed using stereographic photography.Step250, which may or may not be performed, depending on the particular 3-D imaging technique used, includes viewing the image through the lenses of a pair of 3-D lenses. Step260 includes deciding whether or not to use an actual defensive weapon depending on a real-life situation depicted by the image. Typically, the person undergoing training will already be aiming the defensive weapon at an assailant in the image before and during the time needed to make the decision whether or not to use the defensive weapon. If the person undergoing training has decided that use of force is not appropriate in the depicted situation, then the person will not actuate the defensive weapon as shown in step265. If the person undergoing training has decided that use of force is appropriate in the depicted situation, then instep270 the person will actuate and use the defensive weapon. If the defensive weapon is a firearm, for example, the person will pull the trigger of the firearm to shoot the firearm. Other actual defensive weapons that may be used include TASERs™ and pepper spray canisters. If such defensive weapons are provided and if the person undergoing training decides that use of force is appropriate in the depicted situation, the person undergoing training will actuate the TASER™ or the pepper spray canister. In the case where the image is provided in a training simulator, an actual firearm can be modified to fire blanks, to fire a laser beam, to fire a different type of optical beam, or to fire an electronic signal. The person undergoing training will aim the firearm at the video and shoot the firearm. Alternatively, the person could actuate another type of defensive weapon.
• Several examples of 3-D imaging techniques will now be discussed. As has been previously stated, the invention should not be construed to being limited to any particular 3-D imaging technique.
• One option for forming theimage10 is to create an anaglyph image in which two images from the perspective of the left and right eyes are projected or printed on thecarrier14 together as a single image. In this case, thelenses102,103 of the 3-D safety glasses100, which are shown inFIG. 4, will be constructed with special color filters so that each eye of the viewer will obtain the appropriate image. One of the twoimages18 is viewed with one eye through alens103 formed with a red color filter and theother image16 is viewed with the other eye through alens102 with a contrasting color filter such as blue, green or cyan. In this manner, each eye obtains the appropriately color filtered image. It may alternatively be possible to create theimages16,18 using other color combinations and to construct thelenses102,103 using color filters corresponding to these other color combinations. Good results have been obtained by forming theimage10 as an anaglyph image. One particularly useful application is to print theimage10 as an anaglyph image on thecarrier14 and to use theimage10 as atarget12 for firearms and/or use of force training.
• One advantageous feature that occurs when theimage10 is created as an anaglyph image is that theweapon15, which is shown as a firearm inFIG. 1 will appear to track the person viewing theimage10. In other words, if theweapon15 is directed towards the person who is viewing theimage10, the aiming direction of theweapon15 may appear to change as the person moves so that the weapon remains at least somewhat pointed at the person as the person changes the viewing angle. In this way, the person obtains a training experience that more closely approximates what the person will experience in an actual real-life situation.
• Another possible option for forming theimage10 is to use the technique of polarization. In this case, theimage10 is projected on thecarrier14 using two projectors with different porarizations. Linear polarization or circular polarization could be used. In the linear polarization case, one of the projectors projects the image through a lens polarized at a +45 degree angle and the other one of the projectors projects the image through a lens polarized at a −45 degree angle. In this case, thelenses102,103 of thesafety glasses100 will be provided with similarly polarized filters. The person wearing thesafety glasses100 with thelenses102,103, that have been polarized, will see the light coming from one projector with one eye, and will see the light coming from the other projector with the other eye. This will enable the person to see a 3D image.
• In the circular polarization case, one of the projectors projects the image through a right-handed circular polarizing lens and the other one of the projectors projects the image through a left-handed circular polarizing lens. In this case, thelenses102,103 of thesafety glasses100 will be provided with similarly right-handed and left-handed polarizing filters.
• Another well-known 3-D imaging technique that may possibly be used is based on the Pulfrich effect. This 3-D effect is based on fact that an image viewed through a darker lens arrives at the brain with a slight delay relative to an image viewed through a clear or lighter lens. When one eye views the image through a dark tinted lens and the other eye views the image through a clear lens, the brain “sees” the image as being temporally offset. If there is relative movement between the image and the viewer, the illusion of three dimensions is created. Pulfrich optics, therefore, may be more suitable for a picture series, such as, video. In this case, one of thelenses102,103 of thesafety glasses100 will be tinted while the other is clear.
• Another possible option is to create theimage10 as a lenticular image using lenticular printing. In fact, many other three-dimensional imaging techniques could also be used if desired to form theimage10. Two other well-known 3-D imaging techniques include autosteograms and wiggle stereoscopy.
• One advantageous feature that occurs when using atarget12 that requires the person undergoing training to view theimage10 through bothlenses102,103 of theglasses100 is that it forces the person to use both eyes when evaluating the scene and when using theweapon15. Encouraging the person to use both eyes when encountering a real situation is desired because this enables the person to better evaluate the entire scene or situation being presented. This also helps in avoiding tunnel vision, which is the undesirable trait of focusing on the offensive weapon, and the tendency of shooting at the weapon, rather than at the person or people in the situation.
• Another advantageous feature is that high definition photography is used to form theimage10. This produces a very realistic approximation or simulation of what the person might encounter in a real life situation.

Claims (20)

1. A method of firearms and/or use of force training, which comprises:

using a three-dimensional imaging technique to create an illusion of depth in an image; and

providing the image as a target for firearms and/or use of force training.

2. The method according toclaim 1, which further comprises:

acquiring the target with an actual firearm and pulling a trigger of the firearm.

3. The method according toclaim 1, which further comprises:

viewing the image through 3D lenses.

4. The method according toclaim 1, which further comprises:

viewing the image through 3D lenses; and

acquiring the target with an actual firearm and pulling a trigger of the firearm.

5. The method according toclaim 1, which further comprises:

forming the image from photographic images of a real-life situation in which a law enforcement officer or a military officer will have to react;

the real-life situation selected from a group consisting of a traffic stop, an armed robbery, a hostage situation, a domestic disturbance, an abduction, a shoot/don't shoot situation, and a terrorist situation.

6. The method according toclaim 1, which further comprises:

depicting a person holding a weapon in the image;

printing the image on a carrier such that the weapon is directed towards a person viewing the image even as an angle at which the person views the image changes.

7. The method according toclaim 1, which further comprises:

forming the image from photographic images of a real-life situation in which a law enforcement officer or a military officer will have to react;

viewing the image through 3D lenses; and

acquiring the target with an actual firearm and pulling a trigger of the firearm.

8. The method according toclaim 1, which further comprises:

providing the image in a shooting range.

9. The method according toclaim 1, which further comprises:

providing the image in a training simulator.

10. The method according toclaim 1, which further comprises:

providing the image in a shoot house.

11. The method according toclaim 1, which further comprises:

mounting the image in a shooting range; and

moving the image while a shooter acquires the target.

12. The method according toclaim 1, which further comprises:

displaying a three dimensional video in a training simulator, the image being a part of the video; and

modifying an actual firearm to fire blanks, aiming the firearm at the video, and shooting the firearm.

13. The method according toclaim 1, which further comprises:

printing the image on a carrier as an anaglyph image.

14. The method according toclaim 1, which further comprises:

deciding whether or not to use an actual defensive weapon depending on a real-life situation depicted by the image.

15. A target for firearms and/or use of force training, comprising:

a target including a carrier and a stereoscopic image formed on said carrier;

said stereoscopic image depicting a real-life situation in which a law enforcement officer or a military officer will have to react.

16. The target according toclaim 15, wherein:

the real-life situation is selected from a group consisting of a traffic stop, an armed robbery, a hostage situation, a domestic disturbance, an abduction, a shoot/don't shoot situation, and a terrorist situation.

17. The target according toclaim 15, wherein:

said image includes at least two spatially offset photographic images.

18. The target according toclaim 15, wherein:

said image is printed on said carrier and said image includes a weapon aimed at a direction tracking a viewing angle as the viewing angle changes.

19. A training simulator for firearms and/or use of force training, comprising:

a display screen;

a projector projecting a three-dimensional video for firearms and/or use of force training on said display screen; and

a controller controlling said projector;

the video including at least one real-life situation in which a law enforcement officer or a military officer will have to react.

20. The training simulator according toclaim 19, wherein:

the real-life situation is selected from a group consisting of a traffic stop, an armed robbery, a hostage situation, a domestic disturbance, an abduction, a shoot/don't shoot situation, and a terrorist situation.

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