Marksmanship training device

Abstract

The present invention describes a marksmanship training simulator including, a weapon capable of firing a laser, a screen for projecting images including a background and a target thereon using a background projector for projecting a background scene and a target area projector for projecting a density of visible pixels on the screen such that the target image is at better than eye-limited resolution when viewed by the marksman through a and wherein the contrast ratio of the target image formed by both by the background and target area projector is substantially that of the target area projector. The screen reflects the laser and there is also a laser footprint detector directed to the target area wherein the density of the detector pixels for receiving the non-visible footprint and the intensity and size of the laser footprint is such that there is a predetermined accuracy of the detection of the location of the footprint.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A marksmanship simulator for the training of a marksman including:
 a target area projector projecting a density of pixels on the screen such that an individual pixel is not visible to the vision assisted or vision non-assisted marksman, wherein the pixels form a target image within the target area;   a screen for receiving and reflecting projected visible and non-visible radiation;   a background projector for projecting an image on the screen and over a target area, wherein the contrast ratio of the target image formed by both the background projector and target area projector is substantially that of the target area projector.   
     
     
         2 . A marksmanship simulator according to  claim 1  further including,
 a marksmanship training weapon for projecting a non-visible laser footprint onto the screen; and 
 a detector for detecting the reflected non-visible laser footprint on the screen wherein the density of the detector pixels for receiving the non-visible footprint and the intensity and size of the laser footprint is such that there is a predetermined accuracy of the detection of the location of footprint. 
 
     
     
         3 . A marksmanship simulator according to  claim 2  further including
 a processor for receiving the detector signal representing the location of the non-visible laser footprint and also knowing the location of the projected pixels of the background image and target area and determining the location of the non-visible laser footprint with respect to one or more of the pixels of either or both the background image or the target area. 
 
     
     
         4 . A marksmanship simulator according to  claim 2  wherein the detector is arranged to detect the non-visible laser only if it lies near or within the target area. 
     
     
         5 . A marksmanship simulator according to  claim 1  wherein the background projector maximizes the contrast ratio in the target area by minimizing the brightness in the target area projected by the background projector. 
     
     
         6 . A marksmanship simulator according to  claim 2  further including
 a mechanism for moving both the target area projector and the detector such that the detector is detecting the non-visible footprint in or about the target area. 
 
     
     
         7 . A marksmanship detector arrangement for use in a marksmanship arrangement having a screen for receiving and reflecting projected visible and non-visible radiation, a projector for projecting a density of visible pixels on the screen substantially within a target area and a marksmanship training weapon for projecting a non-visible laser footprint onto the screen, including
 a detector for detecting the reflected non-visible laser footprint on the screen wherein the density of the detector pixels for receiving the non-visible footprint and the intensity and size of the laser footprint is such that there is a predetermined accuracy of the detection of the location of footprint.   
     
     
         8 . A marksmanship simulator for the training of a marksman having a marksmanship training weapon for projecting a non-visible radiation footprint including
 a target area image capable or reflecting non-visible radiation, and   a detector for detecting the reflected non-visible radiation footprint from the target wherein the density of the detector pixels for receiving the non-visible footprint and the intensity and size of the laser footprint is such that there is a predetermined accuracy of the detection of the location of footprint.   
     
     
         9 . A marksmanship simulator according to  claim 8  wherein the target area image is illuminated. 
     
     
         10 . A marksmanship simulator according to  claim 8  wherein the target area image is illuminated by non-visible light.