Method and Apparatus for Determining and Retrieving Positional Information

Abstract

An apparatus for determining and retrieving positional information including a surface having a plurality of first elements and a plurality of second elements, a first detection element connected to at least one of the plurality of first elements, and a second detection element connected to at least one of the plurality of second elements. The detection elements may include light detection elements or impact sensing circuits.

1 . A system for determining and retrieving positional information, comprising:
 a surface including a plurality of first conductive elements and a plurality of second conductive elements, the first conductive elements and the second conductive elements overlapping at intersections;   a light sensitive material located at each intersection of the intersections, said light sensitive material at each intersection in contact with one of the first conductive elements and one of the second conductive elements overlapping at each respective intersection;   said material at each intersection allowing an electrical connection between one of the first conductive elements and one of the second conductive elements in response to an activation of said material by a light source; and   a device configured to provide a tactile stimuli to the user in response to said surface being impacted by light from the light source at each intersection.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface comprises a portion of a garment suitable for wearing by the user or attached to a garment to be worn by the user. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of conductive pads, wherein at least one of the plurality of conductive pads is located at each intersection, each conductive pad of the plurality of conductive pads located at each intersection is in contact with one of the first conductive elements and one of the second conductive elements at each intersection, and each conductive pad allowing an electrical connection between one of the first conductive elements and one of the second conductive elements in response to the impact of the light on the surface. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is overlaid onto a 2D or a 3D target and/or acts as a screen for a projector based interactive target system. 
     
     
         5 . A system for determining and retrieving positional information, comprising:
 a surface;   a positive supply voltage element coupled to the surface;   a negative supply voltage element coupled to the surface;   a processor coupled to one or more sensing elements, the one or more sensing elements configured to sense one of a quantity of voltage or a quantity of current across the positive supply voltage element and the negative supply voltage element;   the processor configured to determine an impact of a projectile or light from a light source with the surface based on the quantity of voltage or the quantity of current; and   a device controlled by the processor to provide a tactile stimuli to the user in response to said surface being impacted by the light or the object.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the processor communicates with a wireless transceiver which sends impact location information to remote host for processing, recording and playback. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the processor communicates with one or more of a GPS sensor, a Gyro sensor, a Compass, and an accelerometer to determine one or more of a location, a movement, a position, and an orientation of the user and the processor relays the one or more of the location, movement, position, and orientation back to a host or to the processor for processing. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the processor has a unique system id that is transmitted with data to allow a host computer to map the user to the system and to allow the system and a second system for determining and retrieving positional information to be tracked simultaneously by the host computer. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising indicators that inform the user of the location and lethality of the impact. 
     
     
         10 . A system for determining and retrieving positional information, comprising:
 a helmet that contains a distance measuring device, a GPS sensor, a Gyro sensor, a Compass, and an accelerometer to determine a location, a movement, a position, and an orientation of a user of the helmet; and   an embedded controller and/or wireless transceiver that communicates with the device, GPS sensor, Gyro sensor, compass, and accelerometer, and collects data therefrom.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the data from the Gyro sensor, compass and accelerometer are used to create dead reckoning position information when a signal is lost from the GPS sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein an onboard computer compiles the data and creates dynamic floor maps of buildings as users traverse a building. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the onboard computer collaborates wirelessly with other users to aggregate updated information that will assist them in navigating unfamiliar territory. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein a camera is attached to the helmet to record a user's point of view during an engagement. 
     
     
         15 . A method for determining and retrieving positional information, comprising:
 electronically determining a location of an impact of a projectile on a user using an impact detection system;   the impact detection system comprising a plurality of first conductive elements and a plurality of second conductive elements, the first conductive elements and the second conductive elements overlapping at intersections;   the impact detection system comprising a processor configured to determine the impact based on a quantity of voltage or a quantity of current at one or more or the intersections; and   electronically providing an indication to the user of the location of the impact.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the providing the indication to the user comprises providing a tactile stimuli to the user at the location of the impact. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the providing the indication to the user comprises providing an indication on a display. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  15 , further comprising displaying in real-time a floor plan and locations of the user, a second user and targets within the floor plan and an up status or a down status of each of the targets, and displaying the location of the impact. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  15 , further comprising displaying a topographical map with icons showing identification and status information representing the user and a second user actively moving across the map.