Simulation of tracer fire

Abstract

The invention relates to simulation of tracer fire from a weapon by means of a fire simulation means attached thereon. The proposed method involves projecting a light spot into a visual field of a user of the weapon, such that the light spot is observable by the user when firing a target. The light spot indicates a non-ballistic estimation of a point of impact for a simulated bullet from the weapon. The light spot is turned on at a first point in time (t 1 ) after triggering the simulated bullet (t 0 ) and turned off at a second point in time (t 2 ) after triggering the simulated bullet (t 0 ). A switched-on interval (t ON ) between the first point in time (t 1 ) and the second point of time (t 2 ) overlaps a laser interval (T laser ) during which at least one light pulse is transmitted from a fire simulation means to simulate the bullet fired from the weapon. Preferably, the light spot and the at least one light pulse are calibrated to one another such that the light spot indicates a point to which the at least one light pulse is transmitted. Thereby, the bullet's tracer effects are simulated to the user, such that he/she may be guided to control the fire towards an intended target.

1 . A method of simulating tracer fire from a weapon by means of a non-ballistic fire simulation means attached thereon, comprising: 
 projecting a light spot into a visual field of a user of the weapon such that the light spot is observable by the user when firing at a target, wherein the light spot indicates a non-ballistic estimation of a point of impact for a simulated bullet;    turning on the light spot at a first point in time (t 1 ) after triggering a simulated bullet; and    turning off the light spot at a second point in time (t 2 ) after triggering the simulated bullet, a switched-on interval (t ON ) between the first point in time (t 1 ) and the second point in time (t 2 ) overlapping a laser interval (T laser ) during which at least one light pulse (P L ) is transmitted from the fire simulation means to simulate the bullet fired from the weapon to the target.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first point in time (t 1 ) coinciding with a point in time at which a first light pulse (P L ) is transmitted from the fire simulation means.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to,  claim 1  wherein the switched-on interval (t ON ) being substantially longer than the laser interval (T laser ).  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein preventing a light spot from being turned on during an inhibiting interval (T block ) after that a previous light spot has been turned on (t 1 ).  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein varying at least one of the first point in time (t 1 ) and the second point in time (t 2 ) according to a stochastic algorithm.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the stochastic algorithm being adapted to reflect a bullet light-up parameter of a particular type of tracer ammunition.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the estimated point of impact representing an endpoint ( 420 ) of a line of sight ( 430 ) from the muzzle ( 415 ) being parallel to a longitudinal symmetry axis of the barrel ( 410 )  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the switched-on interval (t ON ) representing 1-20% of an estimated time of flight (t flight ) between the muzzle ( 415 ) and the estimated point of impact for the corresponding live bullet  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein calculating the estimated time of flight (t flight ) by means of a non-ballistic algorithm.  
   
   
       10 . A computer program directly loadable into the internal memory of a digital computer, comprising program code for simulating tracer fire from a weapon by means of a non-ballistic fire simulation means attached thereon, wherein the program code comprises sets of instructions for: 
 projecting a light spot into a visual field of a user of the weapon such that the light spot is observable by the user when firing at a target, wherein the light spot indicates a non-ballistic estimation of a point of impact for a simulated bullet;    turning on the light spot at a first point in time (t 1 ) after triggering a simulated bullet; and    turning off the light spot at a second point in time (t 2 ) after triggering the simulated bullet, a switched-on interval (t ON ) between the first point in time (t 1 ) and the second point in time (t 2 ) overlapping a laser interval (T laser ) during which at least one light pulse (P 1 ) is transmitted from the fire simulation means to simulate the bullet fired from the weapon to the target.    
   
   
       11 . A computer product in a computer readable medium having computer program code recorded thereon, wherein the program code includes sets of instructions comprising: 
 first computer instructions for projecting a light spot into a visual field of a user of the weapon such that the light spot is observable by the user when firing at a target, wherein the light spot indicates a non-ballistic estimation of a point of impact for a simulated bullet;    second computer instructions for turning on the light spot at a first point in time (t 1 ) after triggering a simulated bullet; and    third computer instructions for turning off the light spot at a second point in time (t 2 ) after triggering the simulated bullet, a switched-on interval (t ON ) between the first point in time (t 1 ) and the second point in time (t 2 ) overlapping a laser interval (T laser ) during which at least one light pulse (P L ) is transmitted from the fire simulation means to simulate the bullet fired from the weapon to the target.    
   
   
       12 . A fire simulation means for simulating tracer fire to a user adapted to be attached to a weapon comprising: 
 a light projecting means adapted to project a light spot into the user's visual field such that the light spot is observable by the user when firing at a target, wherein the light spot indicates a non-ballistic estimation of a point of impact for a simulated bullet, the light projecting means being adapted to turn on the light spot at a first point in time (t 1 ) after triggering a simulated bullet, and turn off the light spot at a second point in time (t 2 ) after triggering the simulated bullet, and    a laser unit adapted to, during a laser interval (T laser ) after triggering the simulated bullet, transmit at least one light pulse (P L ) in a direction of the target to simulate the fired bullet from the weapon to the target, wherein a switched-on interval (t ON ) between the first point in time (t 1 ) and the second point in time (t 2 ) overlaps the laser interval (T laser ).    
   
   
       13 . A fire simulation means according to  claim 12 , wherein the light projecting means comprises: 
 a light source adapted to produce visible light with a relatively narrow wavelength spectrum; and    a wavelength selective mirror surface adapted to reflect light within the relatively narrow wavelength spectrum, and permit transmission of a predominance of electromagnetic energy representing visible light of other wavelengths, wherein the mirror surface is arranged relative the light source such that the light spot occurs in the user's visual field when aiming at the target.    
   
   
       14 . A fire simulation means according to  claim 12 , wherein the light projecting means and the laser unit are calibrated to one another such that the light spot indicates a point to which the at least one light pulse (P L ) is transmitted.  
   
   
       15 . A fire simulation means according to  claim 12 , wherein it is adapted to be integrated into a standard sight means of the weapon adapted for aiming live bullets.  
   
   
       16 . A fire simulation means according to  claim 12 , wherein it is adapted to represent an additional sight means to any standard sight means of the weapon for aiming live bullets.