Threat fire simulation system

Abstract

A threat fire simulation system ( 40 ) for simulating a projectile impacting a user ( 26 ) includes an electrical impulse element ( 44 ) configured for physical contact with the user ( 26 ). A controller ( 42 ) is in communication with the electrical impulse element ( 44 ). The controller ( 42 ) enables receipt of a signal ( 54 ) for activating electrical impulse element ( 44 ) to deliver a non-disabling electrical pulse ( 46 ) to the user ( 26 ). The electrical pulse ( 46 ) simulates an impact of the projectile on the user ( 26 ).

1 . A system for simulating a projectile impacting a user, said system comprising: 
 an electrical impulse element configured for physical contact with said user; and    a controller in communication with said electrical impulse element for enabling receipt of a signal at said electrical impulse element, said signal activating said electrical impulse element to deliver a non-disabling electrical pulse to said user, said electrical pulse simulating an impact of said projectile.    
   
   
       2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said controller is remotely located from said electrical impulse element, and is operable by an instructor.  
   
   
       3 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said electrical impulse element includes a receiver; and    said controller includes a transmitter, and said signal is generated at and transmitted from said controller to said electrical impulse element via a wireless communication link between said receiver and said transmitter.    
   
   
       4 . A system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said electrical impulse element further comprises: 
 an impulse generator for generating said non-disabling electrical pulse; and    a microcontroller interposed between said receiver and said impulse generator, said microcontroller performing a validity check of said signal prior to enabling activation of said impulse generator.    
   
   
       5 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said electrical impulse element is a first electrical impulse element, said signal is a first signal, and said system further comprises a second electrical impulse element in communication with said controller, said controller enabling receipt of a second signal at said second electrical impulse element, said second signal activating said second electrical impulse element to deliver a second non-disabling electrical pulse, said second electrical pulse simulating an impact of a second projectile.  
   
   
       6 . A system as claimed in  claim 5  further comprising means for linking an activation of said first and second electrical impulse elements to enable concurrent delivery of said first and second non-disabling electrical pulses.  
   
   
       7 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said electrical impulse element comprises: 
 a housing containing an impulse generator for generating said non-disabling electrical pulse; and    means, coupled to said housing, for securing said housing to said user.    
   
   
       8 . A system as claimed in  claim 7  further comprising a pair of electrodes imbedded in a user facing side of said securing means, said pair of electrodes being in electrical communication with said impulse generator for delivery of said non-disabling electrical pulse to said user.  
   
   
       9 . A system as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said securing means comprises a belt for encircling a portion of said user.  
   
   
       10 . A system as claimed in  claim 7  wherein said securing means comprises a clip coupled to an outer surface of said housing for attachment to said user.  
   
   
       11 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising means, in communication with said electrical impulse element, for adjusting a delivery duration of said non-disabling electrical pulse.  
   
   
       12 . A system as claimed in  claim 11  further comprising a duration timer in communication with said electrical impulse element for monitoring said delivery duration, said electrical impulse element discontinuing delivery of said electrical pulse upon expiration of said delivery duration.  
   
   
       13 . A system as claimed in  12  further comprising a secondary timer in communication with said electrical impulse element for monitoring an exposure limit, said exposure limit being longer than said delivery duration such that when said electrical pulse remains activated following expiration of said delivery duration, said electrical impulse element imposes a forced discontinuation of said electrical pulse upon expiration of said exposure limit.  
   
   
       14 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising an interval timer, in communication with said electrical impulse element, for controlling an interval between delivery of said electrical pulse and delivery of a second electrical pulse.  
   
   
       15 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said system is utilized within a simulation system that includes a screen displaying a scenario, said scenario including an offender holding a weapon, and said system further comprises means for coordinating delivery of said non-disabling electrical pulse with an instance of said offender discharging said weapon.  
   
   
       16 . A system for simulating a projectile impacting a user, said system comprising: 
 an electrical impulse element configured for physical contact with said user;    a controller in communication with said electrical impulse element for enabling receipt of a signal at said electrical impulse element, said signal activating said electrical impulse element to deliver a non-disabling electrical pulse to said user, said electrical pulse simulating an impact of said projectile;    means, in communication with said electrical impulse element, for adjusting a delivery duration of said non-disabling electrical pulse; and    an interval timer, in communication with said electrical impulse element, for controlling an interval between delivery of said electrical pulse and delivery of a second electrical pulse.    
   
   
       17 . A system as claimed in  claim 16  further comprising a duration timer in communication with said electrical impulse element for monitoring said delivery duration, said electrical impulse element discontinuing delivery of said electrical pulse upon expiration of said delivery duration.  
   
   
       18 . A device for simulating a projectile impacting a user, said device comprising: 
 a microcontroller for receiving a device activation signal;    an impulse generator in communication with said microcontroller for generating a non-disabling electrical pulse in response to said device activation signal; and    a pair of electrodes configured for physical contact with said user, said pair of electrodes being in electrical communication with said impulse generator for delivery of said non-disabling electrical pulse to said user, said electrical pulse simulating an impact of said projectile.    
   
   
       19 . A device as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said device further comprises a receiver in communication with said microcontroller for receiving said device activation signal via a wireless communication link.  
   
   
       20 . A device as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said device is utilized within a simulation system that includes a screen displaying a scenario, said scenario including an offender holding a weapon, and said system further comprises means for coordinating delivery of said non-disabling electrical pulse with an instance of said offender discharging said weapon.