Vehicle simulator with realistic operating feedback

A driver training system for a user of a simulated vehicle, comprising:

• a plurality of simulated input devices for controlling operation of the simulated vehicle in a simulated universe;
• a computer, responsive to the plurality of simulated input devices, for determining position information of the simulated vehicle in the simulated universe and for providing a plurality of control signals at least in part in response to the position information of the simulated vehicle in the simulated universe;
• a video display responsive to the plurality of control signals for providing the user with a view of the simulated universe;
• an input device feedback system providing feedback signals indicative of the operation of the simulated vehicle in the simulated universe through a selected one of the simulated input devices;
• and
• a low frequency sound feedback system, having a speaker positioned adjacent to the user, for providing the user with signals representative of physical sensations produced by the operation of the simulated vehicle, wherein the low frequency sound feedback system selects one of a plurality of signals stored in the computer in response to the position information, and provides the selected signal to the speaker.

A drive training system including a simulated vehicle, the system comprising:

• a plurality of simulated input devices, for controlling the operation of the simulated vehicle, including a brake pedal equipped with a sensor which produces force signals indicative of the force with which a user depresses the brake pedal;
• a computer, responsive to the plurality of simulated input devices, for determining position information of the simulated vehicle in the simulated universe and for providing a plurality of control signals in response to the determined position information;
• a video display, responsive to the plurality of control signals, which provides the user with a view of the simulated universe as the simulated vehicle moves through the simulated universe;
• an input device feedback system providing feedback signals indicative of the operation of the simulated vehicle in the simulated universe, wherein the input device feedback system includes a solenoid attached to the brake pedal and the input device feedback system causes the solenoid to vibrate the brake pedal when the sensor produces a force signal indicative of the user depressing the brake pedal;
• and
• a low frequency sound feedback system, having a low frequency speaker positioned adjacent to the user, for providing the user with signals producing a physical sensation representative of a sensation produced during operation of an actual vehicle in conditions corresponding to those influencing operation of the simulated vehicle, wherein the low frequency sound feedback system selects one of a plurality of signals stored in the computer in response to the determined position information and provides the selected signal to the low frequency speaker thereby producing the physical sensation.