Dynamically controlled vehicle simulation system, and methods of constructing and utilizing same

A system for simulating the operation of a simulated vehicle, comprising:

• a display device for displaying a sequence of visual images;
• a plurality of control devices for said simulated vehicle for manipulation by a first user;
• and
• processing means, responsive to manipulation of said control devices, for presenting a sequence of visual images on said display device which depicts said simulated vehicle traveling in a simulated environment;
• said processing means allows a second user to select said simulated environment to include precipitation, and presents said sequence of visual images so as to depict said simulated environment having precipitation following said selecting thereof by said second user;
• said simulated vehicle includes a simulated windshield in said sequence of visual images;
• and
• said processing means allows said second user to select falling precipitation, and presents falling precipitation hitting said simulated windshield of said simulated vehicle.

A system for simulating the operation of a simulated vehicle, comprising:

• a display device for displaying a sequence of visual images;
• a plurality of control devices for said simulated vehicle for manipulation by a first user;
• and
• processing means, responsive to manipulation of said control devices, for presenting a sequence of visual images on said display device which depicts said simulated vehicle traveling in a simulated environment;
• said processing means allows a second user to select said simulated environment to include precipitation, and presents said sequence of visual images so as to depict said simulated environment having precipitation following said selecting thereof by said second user;
• said simulated environment includes a roadway on which said simulated vehicle travels based upon manipulation of said simulated vehicle control devices;
• and
• said processing means presents fallen snow on said roadway, said roadway comprising first longitudinal roadway portions having a first amount of fallen snow accumulated thereon, and second longitudinal roadway portions disposed between said first longitudinal roadway portions.

A system for simulating the operation of a simulated vehicle, comprising:

• a display device for displaying a sequence of visual images;
• a plurality of control devices for said simulated vehicle for manipulation by a first user;
• and
• processing means, responsive to manipulation of said control devices, for presenting a sequence of visual images on said display device which depicts said simulated vehicle traveling in a simulated environment;
• said processing means allows a second user to select said simulated environment to include precipitation, and presents said sequence of visual images so as to depict said simulated environment having precipitation following said selecting thereof by said second user;
• said simulated vehicle includes simulated tires in said simulated environment;
• said simulated environment includes a roadway on which said simulated vehicle travels based upon manipulation of said simulated vehicle control devices;
• said processing means presents fallen snow on said roadway, said roadway comprising first longitudinal roadway portions having a first amount of said fallen snow accumulated thereon, and second longitudinal roadway portions disposed between said first longitudinal roadway portions;
• and
• said processing means calculates a rolling resistance of each of said simulated tires based on a position of said simulated tires relative to said first and said second longitudinal roadway portions.

A system for simulating the operation of a simulated vehicle, comprising:

• a display device for displaying a sequence of visual images;
• a plurality of control devices for said simulated vehicle for manipulation by a first user;
• and
• processing means, responsive to manipulation of said control devices, for presenting a sequence of visual images on said display device which depicts said simulated vehicle traveling in a simulated environment;
• said processing means allows a second user to select said simulated environment to include precipitation, and presents said sequence of visual images so as to depict said simulated environment having precipitation following said selecting thereof by said second user;
• said simulated environment includes a roadway on which said simulated vehicle travels based upon manipulation of said simulated vehicle control devices;
• said processing means computes a coefficient of friction for said roadway and incorporates said coefficient of friction computation into said simulated operation;
• and
• said coefficient of friction computation is based upon said precipitation being selected by the second user.

A method of simulating the operation of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• receiving operator data corresponding to manipulation of control devices of said vehicle;
• presenting a temporal sequence of visual images depicting the vehicle traveling in a simulated environment based in part upon said operator data;
• and
• receiving a request for said simulated environment to include precipitation, so that said step of presenting depicts said simulated environment including precipitation following said selection thereof;
• said step of presenting depicts said simulated environment having at least one roadway on which said vehicle travels based upon said received operator data, and fallen snow appearing on said roadway such that said roadway includes first roadway portions having a first amount of snow accumulation thereon and second roadway portions forming tire tracks on said roadway, in response to receiving said request.

A method of simulating the operation of a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• receiving operator data corresponding to manipulation of control devices of said vehicle;
• presenting a temporal sequence of visual images depicting the vehicle traveling in a simulated environment based in part upon said operator data;
• and
• receiving a request for said simulated environment to include precipitation, so that said step of presenting depicts said simulated environment including precipitation following said selection thereof;
• said step of presenting presents said visual images depicting a simulated windshield of said vehicle and said precipitation hitting said windshield in response to receiving said request.