Target designating recognition and acquisition trainer

Abstract

A target designation system for use in training an observer to acquire and recognize targets is disclosed. A scenario with targets is displayed in front of the observer who aligns his line of sight so that a reticle is superimposed on the acquired target. The display system consists of film illuminated by a cathode ray tube. Film is used to provide color, resolution and realism not available from cathode ray tubes or any other display system. Light rays from the display are partially transmitted through a beam-splitter to the observer and partially reflected through an optical window onto a photodetector. In addition, the projected image of the reticle is reflected by the beam-splitter toward the observer. The photodetector and optical window are positioned so that light rays from the scanning spot of the CRT raster impinge on the photodetector only when the scanning spot occupies a point on the CRT screen corresponding to the location on the film at which the image of the reticle is superimposed. When the observer closes a switch, the photodetector outputs on electrical pulse to the deflection yoke circuitry in response to receipt of light rays from the scanning spot. The deflection yoke circuitry in turn outputs electrical signals corresponding to the position coordinates of the acquired target to a computer. The position coordinates and designation of every target are stored in the computer memory. Upon locating the position coordinates of the acquired target in the memory, the computer outputs the acquired target's designation to a display.