Abstract:
According to one embodiment, a target system includes a display module comprising a plurality of pixel elements operable to display target patterns. Each pixel element includes a display segment, a plurality of first charged pigments housed within the display segment each having a first charge, a plurality of second charged pigments housed within the display segment each having a second charge, wherein the first charge is opposite the second charge, and an electrical contact coupled to the display segment and operable to receive signals which cause an electric field to be present in the display segment. The system also includes at least one computer-readable tangible storage medium comprising executable code that, when executed by at least one processor, is operable to transmit signals to the display module that cause an electric field to be present in at least one pixel element of the plurality of pixel elements. In addition, the system includes a heating element coupled to the display module and operable to emit an infrared pattern that is modified by the plurality of pixel elements.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/105,933, entitled “System And Method For Dynamic Infrared Targeting,”, filed Oct. 16, 2008, by Kenn S. Bates, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to targets and more particularly to a system and method for target generation. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Target systems, such as infrared (IR) target systems, are useful for testing various types of equipment, such as weapons. However, static target systems provide only limited functionality for useful testing of some existing systems as well as newly developed technology. For example, a static target system does not allow for the target to change dynamically during testing. Further, target systems have suffered from being inflexible in that the target patterns are not programmable and cannot be easily modified. 
     Certain solutions to these issues have been unsatisfactory. For example, some target systems utilize mechanical means to provide for dynamic rather than static targets. Yet, these are custom, cumbersome, and can be expensive. Other examples include a resistor emitter array, which provides the ability to have a programmable target, but these are very expensive. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, a target system includes a display module comprising a plurality of pixel elements operable to display target patterns. Each pixel element includes a display segment, a plurality of first charged pigments housed within the display segment each having a first charge, a plurality of second charged pigments housed within the display segment each having a second charge, wherein the first charge is opposite the second charge, and an electrical contact coupled to the display segment and operable to receive signals which cause an electric field to be present in the display segment. The system also includes at least one computer-readable tangible storage medium comprising executable code that, when executed by at least one processor, is operable to transmit signals to the display module that cause an electric field to be present in at least one pixel element of the plurality of pixel elements. In addition, the system includes a heating element coupled to the display module and operable to emit an infrared pattern that is modified by the plurality of pixel elements. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one computer-readable tangible storage medium may include stored target patterns. The executable code, when executed by the at least one processor, may further operable to transmit a set of signals corresponding to a dynamic target pattern. The target system may also include a window coupled to the display module and operable to facilitate thermal transmission. 
     According to another embodiment, a target system includes a display module comprising a plurality of pixel elements operable to display target patterns. Each pixel element includes a display segment, a plurality of first charged pigments housed within the display segment each having a first charge, a plurality of second charged pigments housed within the display segment each having a second charge, wherein the first charge is opposite the second charge, and an electrical contact coupled to the display segment and operable to receive signals which cause an electric field to be present in the display segment. The system also includes at least one computer-readable tangible storage medium comprising executable code that, when executed by at least one processor, is operable to transmit signals to the display module that cause an electric field to be present in at least one pixel element of the plurality of pixel elements. In addition, the system includes an optics module coupled to the display module and operable to project a focal plane associated with the display module. 
     Depending on the specific features implemented, particular embodiments may exhibit some, none, or all of the following technical advantages. An inexpensive programmable targeting system may be realized. Further, an inexpensive dynamic or moving target system may be produced. Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, description, and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers represent like parts and which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates one embodiment of a system for generating targets; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates one embodiment of a portion of the display module of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of a computer system that may be used in the system of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of the operation of a target system according to the teachings of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a camouflage system that may utilize elements of a target system according to teachings of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates one embodiment of target system  100 . Target system  100  includes target assembly  105  coupled to computing device  140 . Target assembly  105  includes heating element  110 , pad  120 , display module  130 , and optics module  150 . Heating element  110 , pad  120 , and display module  130  may be coupled to each other utilizing adhesives or mechanical mounting. Computing device  140  may be coupled to target assembly  105  in a manner that allows signals to be sent from computing device  140  to display module  130 . Target system  100  also includes secondary heating device  160  in the illustrated embodiment. Wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of the two, may be utilized to couple display module  130  to target assembly  105 . As discussed further below with respect to  FIG. 1B , display module  130  may be capable of displaying patterns based on signals provided by computing device  140 . 
     Heating element  110 , in some embodiments, may apply heat directly to display module  130  thereby producing a detectable infrared pattern. Heating element  110  may be a rubber pad or Kapton heater containing resistive elements. Heating element  110  may also be implemented using heating blankets or ovens. Pad  120 , in some embodiments, may be utilized to assist in uniformly distributing heat generated by heating element  110 . Pad  120 , in some embodiments, may include aluminum or molybdenum. In some embodiments, secondary heating device  160  may be used in conjunction with heating element  110 . Secondary heating device  160  may be located outside of target assembly  105  and may direct heat such that it is reflected off of target assembly  105  into the path of a thermal imaging device, such as a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) device, or other detector viewing target assembly  105 . Infrared patterns based on what is present on display module  130  may be generated or enhanced through the use of secondary heating device  160 . In some embodiments, secondary heating device  160  may be used without heating element  110  to form an infrared pattern that is based on what is displayed on display module  130 . In some embodiments, heating element  110  and/or secondary heating device  160  may provide an amount of heat that is variable and user-selectable. 
     Computing device  140  may, in various embodiments, comprise equipment capable of generating electrical signals that may be sent to target assembly  105 . Computing device  140  may also include equipment (such as memory elements) to store target patterns or sequences. In some embodiments, computing device  140  may include facilities for developing target patterns or sequences of target patterns. The target patterns or sequences may be sent to target assembly  105  using electrical signals. Various embodiments of components suitable to implement computing device  140  are discussed below with respect to  FIG. 2 . 
     In some embodiments, optics module  150  may project the focal plane of display module  130 . This may avoid problems associated with parallax when equipment is viewing target patterns on display module  130 . This may also help equipment viewing display module  130  focus on display module  130  by, for example, making display module  130  appear to be further away from equipment than display module  130  actually is. Display module  130  may be at the focal plane of optics module  150 . Optics module  150  may include collimating optics such as one or more lenses, one or more mirrors, and/or a combination of lenses and mirrors. Suitable components of optics module  150  in various embodiments include a spherical mirror, a telescopic mirror, a convex lens, a planar-convex lens, a multi-lens system, and/or a multi-mirror system. Utilizing optics module  150  may place the target assembly at the focal plane of optics module  150 . Optics module  150  may be configured to project the focal plane to infinity such that light rays that exit optics module  150  may appear as parallel to observers of target assembly  105 . In various embodiments, optics module  150  may be adjustable such that the focal length may be varied. 
     In operation, in various embodiments, system  100  may provide targets for various equipment, such as weapons or detection equipment. Patterns displayed on display module  130  may serve as targets to this equipment. Display module  130  may include pixel elements  136  (of  FIG. 1B  as described further below) arranged in a grid or other suitable configurations. The configuration of pixel elements  136  may be processed by computing device  140  such that computing device  140  may send signals to form patterns on the configuration of pixel elements  136 . Optics module  150  may facilitate the use of the patterns present on display module  130  by adjusting the focal plane of the displayed pattern. In some embodiments, the patterns present on display module  130  may provide infrared targets when target assembly  105  includes heating element  110  (and, in some embodiments, pad  120 ). In some embodiments, target assembly  105  may not include heating element  110 , heating device  160  and/or pad  120  (i.e., such as when only visible targets are needed). In certain situations, such as when only providing IR targets, target assembly  105  may not include optics module  150 . In some embodiments, using target assembly  105  may be more cost-effective. 
     In some embodiments, target system  100  may be programmable. For example, computing device  140  may include one or more memory elements (such as one or more computer-readable storage mediums) that store patterns and may be instructed to retrieve one or more of the stored patterns and cause display module  130  to display the patterns by generating signals corresponding to the retrieved patterns and sending them to target assembly  105 . The stored patterns may represent targets in various spectrums, such as the visible and various IR spectrums (Near IR (NIR), Mid-wave IR (MWIR), Far IR (FIR), and/or other suitable IR spectrums). Computing device  140 , or other suitable devices, may be used to design target patterns that may be presented using target assembly  105 . 
     In some embodiments, target system  100  may provide dynamic targets. In some situations, computing device  140  may remain coupled to target assembly  105  such that patterns displayed on target assembly  105  may be changed according to stored programs or at the command of a user of computing device  140 . Computing device  140  may communicate signals corresponding to such dynamic target patterns using wired and/or wireless mediums. For example, computing device  140  may send signals that cause a shape to change its location on display module  130  over time. In various embodiments, computing device  140  may send signals that cause patterns displayed on target assembly  105  to change over time, such as by causing their size to change, their shape to change, and/or their location to change. 
     In various embodiments, target system  100  may provide various target patterns to calibrate or align aspects of equipment (i.e., weapons, guidance systems, and/or cameras). Patterns may be displayed in various spectrums, such as the visible and various infrared spectrums. Computing device  140  may be configured to manually or automatically display various patterns in order to facilitate calibration. Computing device  140  may store patterns that aid in calibrating various pieces of equipment. These patterns may be automatically displayed when input to computing device  140  indicates the type of equipment that is to be calibrated. In one example, to assist alignment, a cross hair pattern may be displayed on target assembly  105 . In another example, resolution may be calibrated by displaying patterns such as a three-bar pattern (i.e., in the visible spectrum) or a four-bar pattern (i.e., in the IR spectrum) of a spatial frequency or a chirp pattern representing various spatial frequencies at once. In some embodiments, the contrast may be calibrated. A pattern may be displayed on target assembly  105  and the focal length of optics module  150  may be varied such that the contrast of the displayed pattern changes. For example, the focal length of optics module  150  may be varied to be greater than the focal length of the equipment being tested. In various embodiments, equipment may be tested for distortion by displaying a regular pattern on target assembly  105  to detect the presence of distortion. The regular pattern may include a grid of regularly-spaced lines or dots. 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates one embodiment of a portion of display module  130  of  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1B  illustrates how patterns may be displayed on display module  130  in various spectrums, such as the visible and IR spectrums. Display module  130  includes pixel elements  135   a - d  coupled to window  139 . Pixel elements  135   a - d  each include display segments  136   a - d  and electrical contacts  134   a - d , respectively. Display segments  136   a - d  include first pigments  131   a - d , fluids  132   a - d , and second pigments  133   a - d , respectively. Electrical contacts  134   a - d  may be configured to change the electrical fields in fluids  132   a - d , respectively, using electrical signals received from computing device  140  of  FIG. 1A . 
     Each pixel element  135 , in some embodiments, may use similar materials as found in VIZPLEX imaging film produced by the E-INK CORPORATION. Pigments  131  and  133  may comprise common paints, welsbach materials, lampblack, aluminum, silver, and/or gold particles or any other particles that may be charged. In an example operation, first pigments  131  and second pigments  133  may be oppositely charged as they are suspended in fluids  132 . As a result, in some embodiments, first pigments  131  and second pigments  133  may be located at different ends of display segments  136 . Pigments  131  and  133  may also be configured such that they have different emissivity characteristics. For example, pigments  131  may have high emissivity while pigments  133  may have low emissivity. In some embodiments, the emissivity characteristics of pigments  131  and  133  may be appreciable in the 8-14 micron and/or the 3-5 micron bandwidths. A variety of solutions or liquids may be used alone or in combination to form fluids  132 . Such solutions and/or liquids should allow for the movement of pigments  131  and  133  in response to the presence of varying electrical fields in fluids  132 . Fluids  132  may include a solvent or alcohol. 
     In some embodiments, electrical contacts  134  may include one or more of: metal leads, pins, ports, serial connectors, parallel connectors, cable interfaces, and/or plugs. Electrical contacts  134  may receive electrical signals in a manner that causes a corresponding electric field to form in display segments  136 . In some embodiments, electrical contacts  134  may include suitable components to be coupled to computing device  140  of  FIG. 1A . For example, such components may include one or more of: cables, network interfaces, Bluetooth interfaces, interfaces that operate using any of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802 specifications, infrared interfaces, radio frequency (RF) interfaces, and wired interfaces. Electrical contacts  134  may also include converters such as digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters. For example, such converters may receive a digital signal and produce an analog signal that causes a particular electrical field to be present in display segments  136 . In various embodiments, electrical contacts  134  may also include converters that can form DC signals from AC signals and vice versa. 
     In some embodiments, window  139 , may aid thermal transmission and detection of the emissivity of display segments  136 . Window  139  may be formed using one or more of zinc sulfide, zinc selenide, and/or germanium. In some embodiments, utilizing window  139  may provide for infrared patterns to be formed in the 3-5 microns and 8-14 microns spectrums. 
     As discussed above, in various embodiments, various signals may be present at electrical contacts  134   a - d  causing various electrical fields in display segments  136   a - d , respectively. Since pigments  131  and  133  are oppositely charged, the electrical fields present in display segments  136   a - d  may cause pigments  131  and  133  to be displaced. For example, in the depicted embodiment, display segment  136   a  may have an electric field that is different than display segment  136   b  because the electrical signals present at electrical contacts  134   a - b  are different. As a result, the location of pigments  131   a - b  are different within display segments  136   a - b , respectively. For similar reasons, the location of pigments  133   a - b  are different within display segments  136   a - b , respectively. 
     In some embodiments, the electrical signals present at electrical contacts  134   a  and  134   d  may be the same. As a result, in the depicted embodiment, second pigments  133   a  and  133   d  may be located in the same portion of display segments  136   a  and  136   d , respectively. Similarly, in the depicted embodiment, first pigments  131   a  and  133   d  may be located in the same portion of display segments  136   a  and  136   d , respectively. In yet another example embodiment, the electrical signals present at electrical contacts  134   b - c  may also be the same, causing substantially similar electrical fields to be present in display segments  136   b - c . As in the depicted embodiment, this may cause first pigments  131   b - c  to be located in similar portions of display segments  136   b - c , respectively, as well as cause second pigments  133   b - c  to be located in similar portions of display segments  136   b - c , respectively. 
     In some embodiments, when display module  130  is viewed, the line of sight passes through window  139  onto display segments  136   a - d . Thus, the pigments (either first pigments  131   a - d  or second pigments  133   a - d ) present on the portion of display segments  136   a - d  adjacent to window  139  may be viewed. This viewing may occur in the visible spectrum, the infrared spectrum, and/or other spectrums. For example, first pigments  131   a - d  and second pigments  133   a - d  may have different thermal emissivity characteristics such that a device may be able to detect which pigment is present at the portion of display segments  136   a - d  adjacent to window  139 . In various embodiments, this may allow display module  130  to display patterns (e.g., in the visible or infrared spectrums). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example computer system  200  suitable for implementing one or more portions of particular embodiments of a target system. For example, aspects of computer system  200  may be utilized to determine patterns for display, generate electrical signals representing target patterns, and/or storing and retrieving target patterns. Although the present disclosure describes and illustrates a particular computer system  200  having particular components in a particular configuration, the present disclosure contemplates any suitable computer system having any suitable components in any suitable configuration. Moreover, computer system  200  may take any suitable physical form, such as for example one or more integrated circuit (ICs), one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs), one or more handheld or other devices (such as mobile telephones or PDAs), one or more personal computers, or one or more super computers. Computing device  140  and other components discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the steps discussed in  FIG. 3 , and computing device  450  may be implemented using all of the components, or any appropriate combination of the components, of computer system  200  described below. 
     Computer system  200  may have one or more input devices  202  (which may include a keypad, keyboard, mouse, stylus, etc.), one or more output devices  204  (which may include one or more displays, one or more speakers, one or more printers, etc.), one or more storage devices  206 , and one or more storage medium  208 . An input device  202  may be external or internal to computer system  200 . An output device  204  may be external or internal to computer system  200 . A storage device  206  may be external or internal to computer system  200 . A storage medium  208  may be external or internal to computer system  200 . 
     System bus  210  couples subsystems of computer system  200  to each other. Herein, reference to a bus encompasses one or more digital signal lines serving a common function. The present disclosure contemplates any suitable system bus  210  including any suitable bus structures (such as one or more memory buses, one or more peripheral buses, one or more a local buses, or a combination of the foregoing) having any suitable bus architectures. Example bus architectures include, but are not limited to, Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association local (VLB) bus, Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, PCI-Express bus (PCI-X), and Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) bus. 
     Computer system  200  includes one or more processors  212  (or central processing units (CPUs)). A processor  212  may contain a cache  214  for temporary local storage of instructions, data, or computer addresses. Processors  212  are coupled to one or more storage devices, including memory  216 . Memory  216  may include random access memory (RAM)  218  and read-only memory (ROM)  220 . Data and instructions may transfer bidirectionally between processors  212  and RAM  218 . Data and instructions may transfer unidirectionally to processors  212  from ROM  220 . RAM  218  and ROM  220  may include any suitable computer-readable storage media. Computer system  200  includes fixed storage  222  coupled bi-directionally to processors  212 . Fixed storage  222  may be coupled to processors  212  via storage control unit  207 . Fixed storage  222  may provide additional data storage capacity and may include any suitable computer-readable storage media. Fixed storage  222  may store an operating system (OS)  224 , one or more executables (EXECS)  226 , one or more applications or programs  228 , data  230  and the like. Fixed storage  222  is typically a secondary storage medium (such as a hard disk) that is slower than primary storage. In appropriate cases, the information stored by fixed storage  222  may be incorporated as virtual memory into memory  216 . 
     Processors  212  may be coupled to a variety of interfaces, such as, for example, graphics control  232 , video interface  234 , input interface  236 , output interface  237 , and storage interface  238 , which in turn may be respectively coupled to appropriate devices. Example input or output devices include, but are not limited to, video displays, track balls, mice, keyboards, microphones, touch-sensitive displays, transducer card readers, magnetic or paper tape readers, tablets, styli, voice or handwriting recognizers, biometrics readers, or computer systems. 
     Network interface  240  may couple processors  212  to another computer system or to network  242 . Network interface  240  may include wired, wireless, or any combination of wired and wireless components. Such components may include wired network cards, wireless network cards, radios, antennas, cables, or any other appropriate components. With network interface  240 , processors  212  may receive or send information from or to network  242  in the course of performing steps of particular embodiments. Particular embodiments may execute solely on processors  212 . Particular embodiments may execute on processors  212  and on one or more remote processors operating together. 
     In a network environment, where computer system  200  is connected to network  242 , computer system  200  may communicate with other devices connected to network  242 . Computer system  200  may communicate with network  242  via network interface  240 . For example, computer system  200  may receive information (such as a request or a response from another device) from network  242  in the form of one or more incoming packets at network interface  240  and memory  216  may store the incoming packets for subsequent processing. Computer system  200  may send information (such as a request or a response to another device) to network  242  in the form of one or more outgoing packets from network interface  240 , which memory  216  may store prior to being sent. Processors  212  may access an incoming or outgoing packet in memory  216  to process it, according to particular needs. In various embodiments, such activity may be used to implement aspects of computing device  140  and electrical contacts  134   a - d  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
     Particular embodiments involve one or more computer-storage products that include one or more tangible, computer-readable storage media that embody software for performing one or more steps of one or more processes described or illustrated herein. In particular embodiments, one or more portions of the media, the software, or both may be designed and manufactured specifically to perform one or more steps of one or more processes described or illustrated herein. In addition or as an alternative, in particular embodiments, one or more portions of the media, the software, or both may be generally available without design or manufacture specific to processes described or illustrated herein. Example computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, CDs (such as CD-ROMs), FPGAs, floppy disks, optical disks, hard disks, holographic storage devices, ICs (such as ASICs), magnetic tape, caches, PLDs, RAM devices, ROM devices, semiconductor memory devices, and other suitable computer-readable storage media. In particular embodiments, software may be machine code which a compiler may generate or one or more files containing higher-level code which a computer may execute using an interpreter. 
     As an example and not by way of limitation, memory  216  may include one or more computer-readable storage media embodying software (e.g., code) and computer system  200  may provide particular functionality described or illustrated herein as a result of processors  212  executing the software (e.g., code). Such a configuration may, in various embodiments, be suitable for implementing aspects of computing device  140  of  FIG. 1A . Memory  216  may store (e.g., in RAM  218  and/or ROM  220 ) and processors  212  may execute the software. Memory  216  may read the software from the computer-readable storage media in mass storage device  216  embodying the software or from one or more other sources via network interface  240 . When executing the software (such as target program  217 ), processors  212  may perform one or more steps of one or more processes described or illustrated herein (for example, operations of computing device  140  of  FIG. 1A , steps described in  FIG. 3 , or computing device  450  of  FIG. 4 ), which may include defining one or more data structures for storage in memory  216  and modifying one or more of the data structures as directed by one or more portions the software, according to particular needs. For example, patterns representing targets may be stored, retrieved, and designed utilizing processors  212  and memory  216 . 
     In some embodiments, the described processing and memory elements (such as processors  212  and memory  216 ) may be distributed across multiple devices such that the operations performed utilizing these elements may also be distributed across multiple devices. For example, software operated utilizing these elements may be run across multiple computers that contain these processing and memory elements. Other variations aside from the stated example are contemplated involving the use of distributed computing. 
     In addition or as an alternative, computer system  200  may provide particular functionality described or illustrated herein as a result of logic hardwired or otherwise embodied in a circuit, which may operate in place of or together with software to perform one or more steps of one or more processes described or illustrated herein. The present disclosure encompasses any suitable combination of hardware and software, according to particular needs. 
     Although the present disclosure describes or illustrates particular operations as occurring in a particular order, the present disclosure contemplates any suitable operations occurring in any suitable order. Moreover, the present disclosure contemplates any suitable operations being repeated one or more times in any suitable order. Although the present disclosure describes or illustrates particular operations as occurring in sequence, the present disclosure contemplates any suitable operations occurring at substantially the same time, where appropriate. Any suitable operation or sequence of operations described or illustrated herein may be interrupted, suspended, or otherwise controlled by another process, such as an operating system or kernel, where appropriate. The acts can operate in an operating system environment or as stand-alone routines occupying all or a substantial part of the system processing. 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart that illustrates various embodiments of the operation of a target system. In various embodiments, components described above with respect to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  2  may be used to implement the steps described in  FIG. 3 . In general, the steps illustrated in  FIG. 3  may be combined, modified, or deleted where appropriate, and additional steps may also be added to the example operation. Furthermore, the described steps may be performed in any suitable order. 
     At step  310 , in some embodiments, heat may be applied to a display module. In some embodiments, a heating element (such as heating element  110  of  FIG. 1A ) may be coupled to the display module and may be configured to generate heat. In various embodiments, a heating device not coupled to the display module (such as secondary heating device  160  of  FIG. 1A ) may apply heat to the display module. Applying the heat to the display module may provide a pattern in the IR spectrum. 
     At step  320 , in some embodiments, a pattern may be determined. The pattern may be retrieved from the memory of a computing device (such as computing device  140 ). The determined pattern may be designed by a user of the computing device. The pattern may be determined based on a calibration activity. In one example, to assist alignment, a cross hair pattern may be determined. In another example, when testing resolution, patterns such as a three-bar or four-bar pattern. In some embodiments, a pattern may be determined by analyzing images or video of surroundings (such as described further below with respect to  FIG. 4 ). 
     At step  330 , in some embodiments, electrical signals may be determined corresponding to the determined pattern. The computing device may determine the electrical signals based on the configuration of the display module. For example, pixel elements of the display module may be configured in a grid. The computing device may determine a mapping between the pattern determined at step  320  and a configuration of pixel elements of the display module. 
     At step  340 , in some embodiments, the electrical signals determined at step  330  may be transmitted to the display module. This may occur using wired or wireless mediums. The display module may include electrical contacts at the pixel elements where the transmitted electrical signals may be applied. At step  350 , in various embodiments, pigments within the pixel elements of the display module may be displaced as a result of the transmitted electrical signals. For example, each pixel element may include two pigments, oppositely charged, that are suspended in a solution. The display module may be coupled to the electrical contacts such that the electrical field present in the solution may be affected by the electrical signals sent at step  340 . As a result of the change in the electrical field, the orientation of the two types of pigments in pixel elements where the electrical field was changed may be changed such that the pigments are displaced. 
     At step  360 , in some embodiments, the IR pattern generated at step  310  may be altered. This may occur in response to the pigments within the pixel elements having been displaced. For example, the pigments in a pixel element may have different emissivity characteristics. When the pigments are displaced in step  350 , the different emissivity characteristics of the displaced pigments may alter the IR pattern generated at step  310  since the pigments have been displaced. In various embodiments, IR target patterns may be generated by displacing the pigments in accordance with the electrical signals generated by the computing device. The altered IR pattern may match or resemble the pattern determined at step  320 . 
     In various embodiments, steps  310 - 360  may be repeated if it is determined that the target pattern should be modified. The target pattern may be modified because the target pattern is dynamic, in various embodiments. The target pattern may be modified because a sequence of target patterns may need to be displayed. The target patterns may be modified based on the passage of time or based on activity by a user. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a camouflage system  400 . System  400  may provide an example of how the components and steps described above with respect to  FIGS. 1A-3  may be utilized in a camouflage system. System  400  includes vehicle  410  covered by cloak  440 . Vehicle  410  may include computing device  450  that is coupled to camera  430  and cloak  440 . Vehicle  410  may be in an environment that includes objects  420   a - d . In some embodiments, cloak  440  may generate patterns that resemble one or more of objects  420   a - d . This may be done by computing device  450  receiving signals from camera  430  and generating patterns for cloak  440  that are similar to the signals received from camera  430 . 
     In some embodiments, vehicle  410  may be an aircraft, a boat, a land vehicle (and/such as a car, truck, and/or tank) or other forms of vehicles. Vehicle  410  may, in some embodiments, represent stationary objects such as buildings, equipment, or people. 
     In some embodiments, objects  420   a - d  may include plants, animals, rocks, buildings, natural and/or artificial structures. Objects  420   a - d  may include objects whose infrared pattern is static or dynamic. Objects  420   a - d  may be stationary or mobile, in various embodiments. 
     In some embodiments, camera  430  may be operable to capture images or video in the visible or various IR spectrums (such as FUR cameras that may be used to implement camera  430 ). Camera  430  may be coupled to computing device  450  utilizing wired and/or wireless connections such that images or video captured by camera  430  may be transmitted to computing device  450 . 
     In some embodiments, cloak  440  may include an array of pixel elements that are operable to display patterns in response to signals received from computing device  450 . Such patterns may be in the visible and/or infrared spectrum. In some embodiments, cloak  440  may be rigid or flexible. In one example, cloak  440  may include structures similar to target assembly  105  as described above with respect to  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
     Computing device  450  may be coupled to cloak  440  such that signals representative of patterns may be transmitted to cloak  440 . Computing device  450  may include memory and processing elements that allow computing device  450  to store patterns, retrieve patterns, form patterns, and compare patterns. The memory and processing elements may also be used to analyze signals received from camera  430 . Computing device  450  may include structures similar to computing device  140  of  FIG. 1A  and computer system  200  of  FIG. 2 . 
     In operation, in various embodiments, camera  430  may capture images and/or video (i.e., in the visible and/or IR spectrums) of the environment around vehicle  410 , including objects  420   a - d . This information may be transmitted to computing device  450 . Computing device  450  may generate patterns that are similar to the captured images and/or video, and determine patterns that should be displayed by cloak  440  and transmits them to cloak  440 . In some embodiments, computing device  450  selects patterns that are similar to objects  420   a - d . The pattern transmitted to cloak  440  may be determined by compiling several patterns similar to objects  420   a - d . For example, computing device  450  may generate a pattern for portion  440   c  of cloak  440  in response to the information captured by camera  430  regarding object  420   a . In another exemplary operation, computing device  450  may generate a pattern for portion  440   a  of cloak  440  in response to the information captured by camera  430  regarding object  420   c . In various embodiments, causing the portion of cloak  440  to resemble one or more objects  420  that are behind that portion of cloak  440  may cause vehicle  410  to be camouflaged. Computing device  450  may also be configured to update all of cloak  440  or one or more of portions  440   a - d  in response to changes in any of objects  420   a - d  as detected by camera  430 . In such a manner, in various embodiments, vehicle  410  may be provided with camouflage capabilities. 
     In some embodiments, computing device  450  may store a pre-defined set of patterns and may use the information about objects  420   a - d  captured by camera  430  to determine which of the pre-defined set of patterns should be displayed on cloak  440 . 
     Computing device  450  may determine that the pre-defined pattern that matches closest to the information captured by camera  430  should be displayed by cloak  440 . In some embodiments, computing device  420  may store a pre-defined set of patterns and a user may select one or more patterns to be displayed on cloak  440  without use of camera  430 . In such and other embodiments, camera  430  may not be present in system  400 . 
     Although several embodiments have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be recognized that modifications and substitutions are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.