Virtual-reality positional input and display system

A virtual-reality positional input and display system, the system being mounted on a fixed base, the system comprising:

• a seat which, upon the exertion of force against the base by legs of a user sitting in the seat, rotates around an approximately vertical axis with respect to the base;
• seat-position means for providing a signal indicative of the seat's rotational position with respect to the base;
• display means, affixedly mounted with respect to the seat, for displaying a scene to the user seated in the rotatable seat;
• first and second joysticks, each joystick having a base and a movable portion, the base being affixedly mounted with respect to the display means, the movable portion being manipulable by a hand of the user seated in the rotatable seat, wherein each joystick is arranged substantially horizontally;
• first joystick-position means for providing a signal indicative of the position of the first joystick's movable portion with respect to its base;
• second joystick-position means for providing a signal indicative of the position of the second joystick's movable portion with respect to its base;
• and
• processing means, having an input in communication with the seat-position means, the first and second joystick-position means and a database defining a virtual world, for providing as an output to the display means signals for generating a scene in the virtual world dependent at least in part on the seat position and the positions of the joysticks,
• wherein actual rotation of the seat causes the displayed scene to represent a corresponding rotation in the virtual world, and
• wherein movement of the movable portions of the joysticks causes the displayed scene to represent movement in the virtual world without causing actual movement of the seat.