System and Method of Simulation

Abstract

A simulation system includes a two-dimensional electrical grid installed in a floor or floor mat. Signals from boot mounted transmitters can be sensed via the grid to track boot locations in real-time during training exercises.

1 . A tracking structure comprising:
 a two-dimensional substantially planar grid; and   at least one wireless identification unit, which when located adjacent to a region of the grid induces an electrical signal therein.   
   
   
       2 . A structure as in  claim 1  where the grid incorporates a first plurality of conductive elements, the members of the first plurality extend linearly, spaced apart from one another, across the grid generally in a first direction and a second plurality of conductive elements, the members of the second plurality extend linearly, spaced apart from one another across the grid generally in a second direction. 
   
   
       3 . A structure as in  claim 1  where the grid wirelessly couples electrical energy to the unit. 
   
   
       4 . A structure as in  claim 3  where the unit, responsive to received wireless electrical energy from the grid, induces the electrical signal therein. 
   
   
       5 . A structure as in  claim 4  where the grid couples the induced electrical signal to control circuits which produce a multidimensional position indicating visual display indicative of the location of the unit relative to the grid. 
   
   
       6 . A structure as in  claim 5  which includes a source of varying electrical signals coupled to the grid. 
   
   
       7 . A structure as in  claim 2  where the members of the first plurality are substantially perpendicular to the members of the second plurality. 
   
   
       8 . A structure as in  claim 2  which includes a signal sensor coupled to at least one member of one plurality. 
   
   
       9 . A structure as in  claim 2  which includes first circuitry coupled to the members of the first plurality, the first circuitry senses electrical signals induced in respective members of the first plurality. 
   
   
       10 . A structure as in  claim 9  which includes second circuitry coupled to the members of the second plurality, the second plurality senses electrical signals induced in respective members of the second plurality. 
   
   
       11 . A structure as in  claim 10  which includes location determination circuitry, responsive to outputs from the first and second circuitry, the determination circuitry establishes a location, relative to the grid, of the at least one identification unit. 
   
   
       12 . A structure as in  claim 11  which includes a display unit, coupled to the determination circuitry for presenting a multi-dimensional image indicative of the location of the at least one identification unit relative to grid. 
   
   
       13 . A structure as in  claim 2  which includes a source of current coupled to at least some members of the pluralities, the at least one unit wirelessly receiving electrical energy therefrom. 
   
   
       14 . A structure as in  claim 13  where currents flow in opposite directions, relative to one another, in adjacent members of a respective plurality. 
   
   
       15 . A structure as in  claim 2  which includes a source of alternating current coupled to at least some members of the pluralities, the at least one unit wirelessly receiving electrical energy therefrom. 
   
   
       16 . A structure as in  claim 15  where currents flow in opposite directions, relative to one another, in adjacent members of a respective plurality. 
   
   
       17 . A structure as in  claim 1  where the identification unit includes a wireless energy acquiring element; and
 a transmitter of an identifier.   
   
   
       18 . A structure as in  claim 17  which includes a plurality of identification units, each of the units transmits a different identifier. 
   
   
       19 . A structure as in  claim 15  where the current has a first frequency and the unit includes an oscillator coupled to orthogonal transmitting antennas, the unit transmits an electrical signal at a different frequency. 
   
   
       20 . A real-time tracking system comprising:
 at least one elongated conductive member;   a source of varying electrical signals coupled to the member; and   a first location indicating unit having at least one antenna, the unit is movable relative to the member and responds to wireless electrical energy from the varying electrical signals coupled to the member, the unit carries an attachment element.   
   
   
       21 . A system as in  claim 20  which includes a visual output device coupled to the member, the device displays an indicator when the unit is proximate to the member. 
   
   
       22 . A system as in  claim 20  where the unit includes a transmitter, activated by received wireless energy, when activated, the transmitter emits a location indicating wireless signal. 
   
   
       23 . A system as in  claim 22  where the conductive member responds to the location indicating wireless signal and can couple a representation of that signal to an output device. 
   
   
       24 . A system as in  claim 23  where the output device comprises a multidimensional visual output device. 
   
   
       25 . A system as in  claim 23  which includes a second elongated conductive member, the conductive members are substantially perpendicular to one another. 
   
   
       26 . A system as in  claim 25  where the second conductive member responds to the location indicating wireless signal and can couple a representation of that signal to the output device. 
   
   
       27 . A system as in  claim 26  where the output device comprises a multidimensional visual output device. 
   
   
       28 . A system as in  claim 27  which includes first and second pluralities of conductive members, the first conductive member being a member of the first plurality and the second conductive member being a member of the second plurality. 
   
   
       29 . A system as in  claim 28  where the members of the first and second pluralities respond to the location indicating wireless signal and couple representations of that signal to the output device. 
   
   
       30 . A system as in  claim 29  which includes circuitry, responsive to the representations, to couple a sequence of signals to the output device which presents a multidimensional visual representation of movement of the unit relative to the first and second pluralities. 
   
   
       31 . A system as in  claim 30  where the output device presents the representation of movement of the unit in real-time. 
   
   
       32 . A system as in  claim 30  which includes a second location indicating unit having at least one antenna, the second unit is substantially identical to the first unit with the transmitter of each unit emitting an electrically distinguishable location indicating wireless signal. 
   
   
       33 . A system as in  claim 32  where the circuitry, responsive to representations of received wireless signals, presents a multidimensional visual representation of movement of the units relative to the first and second pluralities of conductors. 
   
   
       34 . A system as in  claim 33  where the circuitry presents color coded multidimensional representations of movement of the units on the output device. 
   
   
       35 . A system as in  claim 33  where the circuitry presents color coded multidimensional representations of movement and orientation of the units, relative to the pluralities of conductive members, on the output device. 
   
   
       36 . A system as in  claim 28  where the first and second pluralities are carried by one of a floor or a floor mat. 
   
   
       37 . A system as in  claim 28  where the unit includes a plurality of transmitting coils. 
   
   
       38 . A system as in  claim 37  where the transmitting coils are orthogonally oriented relative to one another. 
   
   
       39 . A system as in  claim 38  where at least one of the coils is responsive to wireless electrical energy from the varying electrical signals. 
   
   
       40 . A system as in  claim 39  where the varying electrical signals comprise alternating electrical signals.