US 5,299,810 A · Vehicle simulator including cross-network feedback

Abstract

A vehicle simulator has tandem surfaces for supporting first and second users, who "drive" respective first and simulated vehicles through a simulated space. A solenoid is mounted underneath each surface for selectively impacting the associated surface to give the user the sensation of having his simulated vehicle hit by a projectile. Each user sits in front of a video monitor, and each monitor is electrically connected to a computer. Each computer has a "map" of a simulated space stored in its electronic memory, and the computers are linked through a common RAM. The computers cause their monitors to display a changing video image of the simulated space to model motion of the simulated vehicles through the space, in response to signals from controls that can be manipulated by the operators. Each user controls a trigger which can be pushed to initiate the motion of a simulated projectile through the simulated space toward the user's vehicle. The computer of the shooter sends a signal to the RAM to indicate that s hot has been initiated. The computer of the user being shot accesses the common RAM each game cycle to determine whether a shot has been fired, and if so, computes whether the shot has "hit" the associated vehicle. If the computer determines that a "hit" has occurred, the computer activates the solenoid of the seat of the user being shot to thump the seat and thereby model the effects of a hit on the vehicle.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A vehicle simulator for modelling motion of a first simulated vehicle through a simulated space having simulated objects therein, which comprises:

a first surface positionable in physical contact with a first user of said simulator for supporting the first user;
a first solenoid having a plunger movable between a spaced position, wherein said plunger is distanced from said first surface, and an impact position, wherein said plunger contacts said first surface;
a first video monitor;
and
a first computer for modelling motion of said vehicle through said space, wherein said first computer is electrically connected to said video monitor to cause said monitor to display a changing video image of said simulated space, said image corresponding to a view from said vehicle, said computer being electrically connected to said solenoid to cause said plunger to move from said spaced position to said impact position to contact said first surface and communicate an impact sensation to said first user when the position of a portion of one of said simulated objects coincides with the position of a portion of said simulated vehicle in said simulated space.

2 more elements

A vehicle simulator for modelling motion of a first simulated vehicle through a simulated space having simulated objects therein, which comprises:

a first surface positionable in physical contact with a first user of said simulator for supporting the first user;
a first solenoid having a plunger movable between a spaced position, wherein said plunger is distanced from said surface, and an impact position, wherein said plunger contacts said surface;
a first video monitor;
a first computer for modelling motion of said vehicle through said space, wherein said first computer is electrically connected to said video monitor to cause said monitor to display a changing video image of said simulated space, said image corresponding to a view from said vehicle, said computer being electrically connected to said solenoid to cause said plunger to move from said spaced position to said impact position to contact said seat when a preselected one of said simulated objects coincides with a portion of said simulated vehicle in said simulated space wherein said preselected objects are simulated projectiles;
first control means operatively engaged with said first computer and movable by the user to control the motion of said first simulated vehicle through said simulated space;
and
a second computer for modelling the motion of a second simulated vehicle through said space, said second computer being electrically connected to said first computer and having second control means operatively engaged therewith for manipulation of said second control means by a second user to initiate the motion of a preselected one of said projectiles through said simulated space.

4 more elements

A user-interactive vehicle simulator, comprising:

a first video monitor;
a first computer electrically connected to said monitor for causing said monitor to present a changing video image of a simulated space to model the motion through said space of a first simulated vehicle, said space including simulated movable objects therein;
first control mans operatively engaged with said computer and movable by a first user of said simulator for controlling the motion of said vehicle through said space;
first impact means in physical contact with the user of said simulator and electrically connected to said computer for communicating a tactile sensation to the user when the position of a portion of said simulated vehicle coincides with the position of a portion of one of said objects in said simulated space, wherein said first impact means includes a first seat for supporting the first user and a first solenoid having a plunger movable from a spaced position, wherein said plunger is distanced form a surface, and an impact position, wherein said plunger contacts said surface;
and
a second computer electrically connected to said first computer and having second control means operatively engaged therewith for manipulation of said second control means by a second user to initiate the motion of said preselected projectile through said simulated space.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Vehicle simulator including cross-network feedback

Life of this patent

Vehicle simulator including cross-network feedback

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21