Visual augmentation system effectiveness measurement apparatus and methods

A system for evaluating visual augmentation system effectiveness, the system comprising:

• a response time evaluation system including:
• a plurality of targets spaced apart from each other, each of the plurality of targets including a target radiation source visible to the user through a visual augmentation system, and a radiation detector, each of the targets having a unique target address;
• a user operated light emitter configured to be held by the user and emit a beam of light;
• and
• a controller in electrical communication with the plurality of targets, the controller including a library of the target addresses, an address control module configured to address one of the targets and define an addressed target, a trigger module to activate the target radiation source of the addressed target and define an active target, and a data acquisition module defining a hit target when the radiation detector of the addressed target detects the beam of light from the user operated light emitter and to provide a time stamp upon detecting the hit target;
• and
• a head scan angle tracking system in communication with the controller, the head scan angle tracking system including a head scan emitter for emitting electromagnetic radiation and supported by the head of the user, and a camera supported above the head scan emitter to detect electromagnetic radiation from the head scan emitter and track angular movement of the visual augmentation system.

A system for evaluating visual augmentation system effectiveness, the system comprising:

• a visual augmentation system supported for movement by a rotatable support, the visual augmentation system configured to produce a visible image to a user in a plurality of selective spectrum and intensity lighting conditions;
• a plurality of targets spaced apart from each other, each of the plurality of targets including a target radiation source configured to generate electromagnetic radiation visible to the user through the visual augmentation system, and a radiation detector for detecting an engagement signal, each of the targets having a unique target address;
• a user operated emitter operably coupled to the rotatable support and configured to emit the engagement signal, the engagement signal defined by a visible light beam configured to simulate a muzzle flash from a weapon;
• a controller in electrical communication with the plurality of targets, the controller including a library of the target addresses, an address control module configured to address one of the targets to define an addressed target, a trigger module configured to activate the target radiation source of the addressed target to define an active target, the trigger module being further configured to control at least one of the wavelength, the intensity, and the divergence of the radiation emitted from the target radiation source, and a data acquisition module defining a hit target when the radiation detector of the addressed target detects the light beam from the user operated emitter and to provide a time stamp upon detecting the hit target;
• and
• a scan angle tracking system in communication with the controller, the scan angle tracking system configured to track rotational movement of the visual augmentation system.

A system for evaluating visual augmentation system effectiveness, the system comprising:

• a visual augmentation system supported for movement by a rotatable support, the visual augmentation system configured to produce a visible image to a user in a plurality of selective spectrum and intensity lighting conditions;
• a plurality of targets spaced apart from each other, each of the plurality of targets including a target radiation source configured to generate electromagnetic radiation visible to the user through the visual augmentation system, and a radiation detector for detecting an engagement signal, each of the targets having a unique target address;
• a user operated emitter operably coupled to the rotatable support and configured to emit the engagement signal, the engagement signal defined by a beam of electromagnetic radiation;
• a controller in electrical communication with the plurality of targets, the controller including a library of the target addresses, an address control module configured to address one of the targets to define an addressed target, a trigger module to activate the target radiation source of the addressed target to define an active target, and a data acquisition module defining a hit target when the radiation detector of the addressed target detects the beam of radiation from the user operated emitter and to provide a time stamp upon detecting the hit target;
• and
• a scan angle tracking system in communication with the controller, the scan angle tracking system configured to track rotational movement of the visual augmentation system;
• wherein the scan angle tracking system includes:
• a scan emitter for emitting electromagnetic radiation and supported by the rotatable support to detect electromagnetic radiation from the head scan emitter and track angular movement of the visual augmentation system,
• a first camera supported vertically above the scan emitter for tracking angular movement of the scan emitter in a horizontal plane, and
• a second camera supported horizontally adjacent to the scan emitter for tracking angular movement of the scan emitter in a vertical plane.

A method of evaluating visual augmentation system effectiveness, the method comprising the steps of:

• supporting a visual augmentation system on a head of a user for producing a visible image to the user in reduced light conditions;
• providing a plurality of targets spaced apart from each other, each of the plurality of targets including a target radiation source visible to the user through the visual augmentation system, and a radiation detector, each of the targets having a unique target address;
• providing a user operated emitter, the user operated emitter configured to be held by the user and emit a beam of radiation;
• addressing one of the plurality of targets via the unique target address of the target, thereby defining an addressed target;
• activating the target radiation source of the addressed target, thereby defining an illuminated target;
• projecting the beam of radiation from the user operated emitter on the target;
• detecting through the radiation detector the beam of radiation from the user operated emitter, thereby defining a hit target;
• and
• providing a data acquisition module for recording a time upon detecting the hit target.