Sound generator for virtual switches in a simulator
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorJohn Desmond Whelan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for managing a simulation. The method comprises detecting a user input manipulating a virtual control on a control panel displayed in a target output location on a display system in a simulator during the simulation of a platform. Further, the method comprises identifying a sound for the virtual control when the user input is detected. Still further, the method comprises controlling a speaker system to output the sound identified during the simulation in a manner that is perceived by a human operator to be from the target output location.
Claims24
A simulation system comprising:
- a display system having a target output location at which a control panel is displayed for a simulation of a platform;
- a speaker system;
- a computer in a first location remote from a second location of the display system and the speaker system, wherein the computer is responsible for controlling an operation of the display system and the speaker system;
- a volume mixer configured to reduce a volume of a first sound that is not associated with the simulation system;
- and
- a simulation controller that detects a user input manipulating a virtual control on the control panel during the simulation of the platform;
- identifies a second sound for the virtual control when the user input is detected;
- and controls the speaker system to output the second sound identified during the simulation in a manner such that the speaker system creates an impression that the second sound originates from the target output location.
An aircraft simulation system comprising:
- a flight deck simulator having a configuration that can hold a human operator for a simulation of an aircraft;
- a display system associated with an interior of the flight deck simulator, wherein the display system has a target output location at which a control panel is displayed for the simulation of the aircraft;
- a speaker system;
- a first computer in a first location remote from a second location of the display system and the speaker system, wherein the first computer is responsible for controlling an operation of the display system and the speaker system;
- a volume mixer associated with a second computer configured to reduce a volume of a first sound that is not associated with the aircraft simulation system;
- and
- a simulation controller that detects a user input manipulating a virtual control on the control panel during the simulation of the aircraft;
- and identifies a second sound for the virtual control, wherein the second sound is one made by a manipulation of a physical version of the virtual control, controlling the speaker system to output the second sound in a manner that creates an impression that the second sound originates from the target output location where the control panel is displayed.
A method for managing a simulation, the method comprising:
- detecting a user input manipulating a virtual control on a control panel displayed in a target output location on a display system in a simulator during the simulation of a platform;
- identifying a first sound for the virtual control when the user input is detected;
- configuring a volume mixer to reduce a volume of a second sound that is not associated with the simulation;
- and
- configuring a computer to control a speaker system to output the first sound identified during the simulation in a manner that creates an impression that the first sound originates from the target output location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.