DESC:Technical Field of the invention
The present invention relates to an intelligent target system and method for interactive target practice to a player.
Background of the Invention
Military education and training is a process which intends to establish and improve the capabilities of military personnel in their respective roles. Before any person gets authorization to operate technical equipment or be on the battlefield, they must undergo basic training and advanced training. In the advanced training, military technology and equipment is taught. Also, there are various equipment and field training provided during the advanced training. In the field training, one of the training includes a target shooting training. The target shooting training includes real-time shooting or firing activities on targets. The shooting or firing activities are carried-out in various ways on target systems. It is therefore desirable to have an intelligent target system and method that would provide real time and realistic target practice training to a player in a risk-free environment.
Brief Summary of the Invention
The object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent target system and method for interactive target practice to one or more players by simulating human actions with intelligent targets in a training exercise under combat environment in order to provide real time and realistic training to one or more players in a risk-free environment.
In accordance with a first aspect of a present invention, an intelligent target system for interactive target practice to one or more players under combat environment comprises a target holder for holding the target to stimulate human actions and provide an interactive target practice, a control unit connected to the target holder by a connector means for providing various moments to the target, a sensing unit arranged in the control unit to sense the behavior, position estimation and to detect obstacles within the training area, a detection unit arranged in the control unit for detecting bullet strikes or live/simulated ammunition hit, a base unit incorporated with a plurality of wheels for propelling the intelligent target to travel in a desired direction and an exercise control unit operated by an instructor to conduct, monitor, control, record and evaluate tactical training from remote location.
In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the intelligent target system further comprises a Global Positioning Systems (GPS) module to determine its own position within the training area and to navigate the intelligent target based on GPS location tracking, a compass module to determine present heading of the system for navigation purpose and a base station to receive data from plurality of indoor tracking systems and communicates the data to the exercise control unit.
In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the system comprises a plurality of intelligent target systems that are positioned in an indoor/outdoor training area to help in training plurality of players by sending commands from the exercise control unit which are given by an instructor..
In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, further the intelligent target system can be positioned at indoors and/or outdoors and can be operated through various auto/manual/autonomous modes for navigating the target system, wherein the modes includes auto mode, manual mode, autonomous mode. In auto mode, the intelligent target system travels in auto navigation mode with given GPS Positions at outdoor and it travel in a given indoor predefined path communicated by the control system at indoor. In manual mode, the intelligent target system travels by using RF remote control or by using PC as a base station at indoor and outdoor. In autonomous mode, the intelligent target system uses swarm mode/single lane mode to travel at indoor and outdoor.
In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, further the target holder of the intelligent target system is arranged with a target and the target is characterized to provide various moments namely pop up, pop down and rotation of a target in an angle ranging from 00 to 90o, 90o to 180o and 00 to 180o, etc. The indoor training area is incorporated with a plurality of target systems which are pre-configured with the information relating to the training area and performs simulated human actions.
In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the intelligent target system further characterized to be embedded with a plurality of sensors for sensing and detecting various operations performed by the system, wherein the sensors include but not limited to an obstacle sensor to sense any obstacle encountered in its path and take an alternate path to reach its destination, an indoor positioning sensor to track the system at indoor and a bullet hit sensor to detect the hit of the bullet on the target board.
In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, further the intelligent target system is incorporated with a sensing unit that transmits information to the control unit for controlling direction of movement of the intelligent target system and to avoid collision with one or more human or obstacle or other intelligent target systems.
In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, further the system is characterized to perform plurality of operations including executing commands and/or sending and/or receiving information to and from base station and exercise control unit to train the players.
In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, further the system is provided with an exercise control unit to send commands and control plurality of target systems that are placed in indoor and outdoor for training plurality of players. The exercise control unit is operated by an initiator to initiate the target system to perform plurality of actions by sending plurality of instructions for interactive target practice, wherein the actions include but not limited to the movement of target namely forward, backward, left side, right side movement, producing sound on hitting the target or missing the target, movement of the target namely pop up and pop down and the rotation in an angle ranging from 00 to 90o and 00 to 180o or changes in velocity or deployment of special effects or firing or direction change or remaining static or performing target pop down upon hit detection.
In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, further the system comprises a base station that receives data from plurality of intelligent target systems and sends the same to the exercise control unit to generate and evaluate player performance. The base station acts as a wireless interface between exercise control unit and plurality of intelligent targets to receive and send various data like status of the intelligent targets, hit events, activating intelligent targets, read GPS position of intelligent targets, etc.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a method is developed in order to provide interactive target practice to one or more players under combat environment using an intelligent target system. The method comprises steps of arranging a target holder on an intelligent target system to hold a target to stimulate human actions and provide an interactive target practice, propelling an intelligent target in a desired directions through a plurality of wheels that are driven by an actuator, controlling plurality of actions transmitted by the exercise control unit to an intelligent target system through a control unit and receiving data from plurality of intelligent target systems and sending the same to the exercise control unit to generate and evaluate player performance.
In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, wherein a plurality of intelligent target systems are positioned in an indoor and outdoor training area which are helpful in training plurality of players by sending commands from the exercise control unit which is operated by an instructor.
In accordance with the second aspect of present invention, wherein the control unit and the plurality of wheels of the intelligent target system is protected from the bullet strikes by an armour sheet.
In accordance with the second aspect of present invention, wherein the intelligent target system is developed to provide a training exercise to the plurality of players under combat environment in order to feel real time and realistic training in a risk-free environment.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG.1 illustrates the perspective view of an intelligent target system according to the present invention.
FIG.2 illustrates the cross-sectional view of an intelligent target system according to the present invention.
FIG.3 illustrates the block diagram of an intelligent target system depicting the interactive target practice to a player according to the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description. The present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
On the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents. Various modifications to the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art, and can be made to the present invention within the spirit and scope of the invention.
The object of the present invention is to provide an intelligent target system and method for interactive target practice to one or more players by simulating human actions with intelligent targets in a training exercise under combat environment in order to provide real time and realistic training to one or more players in a risk-free environment.
According to the present invention, intelligent target system for interactive target practice to one or more players under combat environment comprises one or more intelligent target systems (100), one or more players, exercise control unit and a base station.
Referring to the drawings, FIG.1 illustrates the perspective view of an intelligent target system according to the present invention. The Intelligent target (100) comprises of a target (106) may include but not limited to any of cardboard sheet, mannequin shaped in human or animal or vehicle, a target holder (108) for holding the target (106), one or more wheels (104) for propelling said intelligent target system (100) in a desired direction of travel, wherein each wheel (104) is driven by an actuator (204) as shown in FIG.2, a control unit (102) for controlling the actions of intelligent target system, the control unit (102) can be adjusted to desired height by connecting the wheels (104) to one of the slots (202) of control unit with respect to ground clearance in the field as shown in FIG.2, further the control unit and wheels are protected from bullet strikes by an armor sheet, a power source for supplying power to the intelligent target (100).
Each intelligent target system (100) further comprises of a Global Positioning Systems (GPS) module to determine its own position within the training area and to navigate the intelligent target (100) based on GPS location tracking, a compass for determining the direction of target, a detection unit placed on the control unit (102) for detecting bullet strikes or live/simulated ammunition hit. The training exercise can be carried out using live or simulated ammunition.
The intelligent target system (100) further comprises of a sensing unit (not shown) placed on the control unit (102) for sensing behavior, for position estimation and for detecting the count of one or more human or obstacle or other intelligent targets and for their own position estimation within the training area. Sensing unit sends the information to control unit (102) for controlling direction of movement of the intelligent target so as to avoid collision with one or more human or obstacle or other intelligent targets. Sensing unit may include but not limited to be any of LIDAR, or infrared sensors or ultrasonic sensors or radars or cameras or sonar or motion detectors or pressure-sensitive floors or the like.
The control unit (102) of each Intelligent target system (100) performs plurality of operations comprising: executing commands and/or sending and/or receiving information to and from base station or exercise control unit, controlling target holder (108) to provide various movements of the target (106) namely pop up, pop down and rotation in an angle ranging from 00 to 90o, 90o to 180o and 00 to 180o, etc. Each intelligent target system (100) is pre-configured with information relating to the training area and performs simulated human actions. The control unit (102) controls the intelligent target system from performing plurality of actions based on the received information from all units, exercise control unit and base station.
The training exercise commands are initiated by an exercise control unit, the movement of the intelligent target system (100) is based on the commands send by the initiator or movement of human or obstacle or movement other intelligent target systems in the training area or based on the previously recorded information. The plurality of actions of the intelligent target system may include but not limited to any of movement namely forward, backward, left side, right side movement or sound producing or movement of the target (106) namely pop up, pop down and rotation in an angle ranging from 00 to 90o and 00 to 180o or changes in velocity or deployment of special effects or firing or direction change or remaining static or performing. The target (106) placed on the intelligent target system further pop downs upon hit detection, records the path travelled and type of obstacle faced by the intelligent target system (100) and uses this information to travel in the same path for smartly tackling the obstacles, hiding in particular location etc.
The exercise control unit is used for sending and/or receiving information to and from intelligent targets or base station. Exercise control unit is operated by an instructor to setup, conduct, monitor, control, record and evaluate tactical training from remote locations. Exercise control unit can be any computing display device (e.g., laptop, etc). Base Station receives data from plurality of intelligent target systems (100) and sends the same to Exercise control unit, the instructor operating the exercise control unit visuals the information of the players along with performance data. Exercise control unit is loaded with a customized user-friendly software. It is menu driven and displays live movements, operational status and other parameters of the participating intelligent targets. It allows instructor to change status of the intelligent targets like dead or alive, initiate/pause/conclude/replay exercise, conduct After Action Review, record and generate reports, evaluating player performance, etc.
Exercise control unit performs one of the below operations:
• Allow authorized users to access the system;
• Feed intelligent target details;
• Track intelligent targets and players on 2D maps. Maps are scalable and selectable; it can switch between different maps (i.e. vector and scalar). Instructor can select maps based on the training area;
• Displaying intelligent targets information such as operational status, hit, alive, dead etc. in 2D and 3D maps;
• Evaluating player performance;
• Record and store the hit event, firing distance, etc;
• Displays real time information about status of intelligent targets, power source levels, etc;
• Has a provision for Panning of map, Zoom in and Zoom out for a clear view of selected object;
• Path traversed by each intelligent targets can be viewed real time or later;
• Post exercise report, in terms of final status of each intelligent target along with final locations can be viewed or printed;
• Show session runtime summary;
• Record training session for replay. Post exercise, the session can be reviewed with After Action Review or Replay feature;
The base station as shown in Fig. 3 acts as a wireless interface between exercise control unit and one or more intelligent targets to receive and send various data, e.g., status of the intelligent targets, hit events, activating intelligent targets, to read GPS position of intelligent targets, etc.
FIG.2 illustrates the cross-sectional view of an intelligent target system (200) according to the present invention. The intelligent target system (200) is propelled in a desired direction through a plurality of wheels that are driven by an actuator (204). A control unit as shown in Fig. 1 is provided for controlling the actions of intelligent target system, the control unit (102) can be adjusted to desired height by connecting the wheels to one of the slots (202) of control unit with respect to ground clearance in the field.
Further, the control unit and wheels are protected from bullet strikes by an armor sheet and a power source is also incorporated on the target system for supplying power to in order to operate the intelligent target system.
FIG.3 illustrates the block diagram of an intelligent target system (300) depicting the interactive target practice to a player according to the present invention. The intelligent target system for interactive target practice comprises a target holder (306), a control unit (302), a plurality of wheels (304), a sensing unit, a detection unit and a base unit. The target holder (306) holds a target that stimulate human actions and provide an interactive target practice to the players. The target connected to the target holder can be moved in various movements namely pop up, pop down and rotation, the target can also be moved at an angle ranging from 00 to 90o, 90o to 180o and 00 to 180o, etc.

A control unit (302) connected to the target holder (306) through a connector means provides various moments to the target. The control unit (302) is also provided with a plurality of components like sensing unit and a detection unit, the sensing unit senses the behavior, position estimation and detects obstacles within the training area and the detection unit detects the bullet strikes or live/simulated ammunition hit. The target holder (306) and control unit (302) are assembled over a base unit, the base unit is provided with plurality of wheels (304) for propelling the intelligent target system to travel in a desired direction during interactive training practice.

A plurality of intelligent target systems are placed at indoor training area to train plurality of players. The intelligent target system is navigated at indoor through a predefined path communicated by the control system, while at outdoor a Global Positioning Systems (GPS) module is arranged to determine the position within the training area. Also a plurality of indoor tracking systems (312) are arranged at the indoor training area through which the movement of the target system can be evaluated by the exercise control unit while evaluating the performance of the player. The intelligent target system can be traveled either in a predefined path or can be travelled in its own direction while providing training to the players.

The commands are supplied to the intelligent target system through an exercise control unit (310) which is operated by an instructor. The instructor through the exercise control unit (310) can monitor, control, record and evaluate tactical training from the training area or from remote location. A base station (314) is arranged which acts as a wireless interface between exercise control unit and plurality of intelligent targets to receive and send various data. The exercise control unit (310) is loaded with customized user friendly software which is menu driven and displays live movements, operational status and other parameters of the participating intelligent targets. It allows instructor to change status of the intelligent target systems (306) like dead or alive, initiate or pause or conclude or replay exercise, conduct after action review, record and generate reports for evaluating player performance.

The trainer (318) standing at a firing point practices shooting practice on the intelligent target system. Each intelligent target system is provided with a code and is connected to the exercise control unit (310). Based on the code the instructor supplies commands to the target system, based on the received instructions the target system positions the holder (306) which helps the player to feel real time and realistic training in a risk-free environment. The to and fro communication is done through a wi-fi module (320). Through the wi-fi module (320) the instructor supplies command and receives data of the bullet hits done by the player.

Through the received data like status of the intelligent targets, hit events, activating intelligent targets, read GPS position of intelligent targets, etc. the instructor evaluates the performance of the player. This intelligent target system provides a training exercise to the plurality of players under combat environment in order to feel real time and realistic training in a risk-free environment.

In one embodiment, the method for providing interactive target practice to one or more players by an intelligent target system in a training exercise under combat environment comprises:
? arranging one or more intelligent target systems for simulating human actions;
? propelling said intelligent target system in a desired direction of travel by one or more wheels that are driven by an actuator;
? sending and/or receiving information to and from one or more intelligent target systems and base station to an exercise control unit, the exercise control unit is operated by an instructor to conduct, monitor, control, record and evaluate tactical training from remote locations;
? establishing wireless communication between exercise control unit and one or more intelligent target systems through the base station to evaluate player performance.
In other embodiment, the intelligent target system is incorporated with a target which may include but not limited to be any of cardboard sheet, mannequin shaped in human or animal or vehicle.
In other embodiment, the intelligent target system can be positioned at indoor and outdoor to provide a training exercise to the plurality of players under combat environment in order to feel real time and realistic training in a risk-free environment.
Therefore, the present invention has been described with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, which embodiments have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, such embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention.
,CLAIMS:1. An intelligent target system (100) for interactive target practice to one or more players under combat environment, comprises:
a target holder (108) for holding the target (106) to stimulate human actions and provide an interactive target practice;
a control unit (102) connected to the said target holder (108) by a connector means for providing various moments to the target (106);
a sensing unit arranged in the said control unit (102) to sense the behavior, position estimation and to detect obstacles within the training area;
a detection unit arranged in the control unit (102) for detecting bullet strikes or live/simulated ammunition hit;
a base unit incorporated with a plurality of wheels (104) for propelling the intelligent target to travel in a desired direction;
an exercise control unit (310s) operated by an instructor to conduct, monitor, control, record and evaluate tactical training from remote location;.
a Global Positioning Systems (GPS) module to determine its own position within the training area and to navigate the intelligent target (100) based on GPS location tracking;
a compass module to determine present heading of the system for navigation purpose;
a base station (314) receives data from plurality of indoor tracking systems (312) an communicates the data to the said exercise control unit (310);
wherein, a plurality of intelligent target systems (100) are positioned in a training area which are helpful in training plurality of players by receiving commands from the exercise control unit (310).

2. The intelligent target system (100) according to claim 1, characterized to be used in indoors and outdoors by operating through auto/manual/autonomous modes for navigating the intelligent target system, wherein the modes include but not limited to:
a. auto mode,
intelligent target system (100) travels in auto navigation mode with given GPS Positions at outdoor;
intelligent target system (100) travels in a given indoor predefined path communicated by the control system at indoor.
b. manual mode,
intelligent target system (100) travels by using RF remote control or by using PC as a base station at indoor and outdoor.
c. autonomous mode,
intelligent target system (100) uses swarm mode/single lane mode to travel at indoor and outdoor.

3. The intelligent target system (100) according to claim 1, characterized to provide various moments to the target namely pop up, pop down and rotation of a target in an angle ranging from 00 to 90o, 90o to 180o and 00 to 180o, etc.

4. The intelligent target system (100) according to claim 1, wherein each target system is pre-configured with the information relating to the training area and performs simulated human actions.

5. The intelligent target system (100) according to claim 1, characterized to be embedded with a plurality of sensors for sensing and detecting various operations performed by the system, wherein the sensors include but not limited to:
an obstacle sensor to sense any obstacle encountered in its path and take an alternate path to reach its destination;
an indoor positioning sensor to track the system at indoor; and
a bullet hit sensor to detect the hit of the bullet on the target board.

6. The intelligent target system (100) according to claim 1, characterized to provide a sensing unit that transmits information to control unit (102) for controlling direction of movement of the intelligent target system and to avoid collision with one or more human or obstacle or other intelligent target systems.

7. The intelligent target system (100) according to claim 1, characterized to perform plurality of operations including executing commands and/or sending and/or receiving information to and from base station and exercise control unit (310) to train the players.

8. The intelligent target system (100) according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of target systems are controlled by an exercise control unit (310) and operated by an initiator to initiate the target system to perform plurality of actions by sending plurality of instructions for interactive target practice, wherein the actions include but not limited to:
movement of target namely forward, backward, left side, right side movement;
producing sound on hitting the target or missing the target;
movement of the target namely pop up and pop down; and
rotation in an angle ranging from 00 to 90o and 00 to 180o or changes in velocity or deployment of special effects or firing or direction change or remaining static or performing target pop down upon hit detection.

9. The intelligent target system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the base station (314) receives data from plurality of intelligent target systems and send the same to the exercise control unit (310) to generate and evaluate player performance.

10. The intelligent target system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the base station (314) is a wireless interface between exercise control unit (310) and plurality of intelligent targets to receive and send various data like status of the intelligent targets, hit events, activating intelligent targets, read GPS position of intelligent targets, etc.

11. A method for interactive target practice to one or more players under combat environment using an intelligent target system (100), wherein the method includes:
arranging, a target holder on an intelligent target system to hold a target (106) to stimulate human actions and provide an interactive target practice;
propelling, intelligent target in a desired directions by a plurality of wheels (104) that are driven by an actuator;
controlling, plurality of actions transmitted by the exercise control unit (310) to an intelligent target system through a control unit (102);
receiving, data from plurality of intelligent target systems and send the same to the exercise control unit (310) to generate and evaluate player performance; and
wherein, a plurality of intelligent target systems are positioned in a training area which are helpful in training plurality of players by receiving commands from the exercise control unit (310).

12. The method (100) according to claim 11, wherein protecting the control unit (102) and a plurality of wheels (104) from the bullet strikes by an armour sheet.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the intelligent target provides a training exercise to the plurality of players under combat environment in order to feel real time and realistic training in a risk-free environment.