U.S. patent application number 09/997469 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-06 for roller coaster based simulator for amusement and flight training.
Invention is credited to Dicicco, Thomas.
Application Number | 20020068641 09/997469 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27400473 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020068641 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dicicco, Thomas |
June 6, 2002 |
Roller coaster based simulator for amusement and flight
training
Abstract
An amusement device or simulator includes a vehicle arranged to
travel around a track having slopes and turns. The vehicle includes
an opaque canopy enclosing a user. A sequence of images is
displayed to the user on the interior of the canopy. The sequence
is time synchronized with the motion of the vehicle so that the
user experiences forces from the motion of the vehicle which are
coordinated with the displayed sequence of images.
Inventors: |
Dicicco, Thomas; (Smithtown,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER & BOTTS
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK
NY
10112
|
Family ID: |
27400473 |
Appl. No.: |
09/997469 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60251750 |
Dec 6, 2000 |
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60251710 |
Dec 6, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
472/60 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63G 21/04 20130101;
G09B 9/08 20130101; G09B 5/14 20130101; A61K 9/145 20130101; A63G
31/16 20130101; A61K 9/14 20130101; A63G 21/08 20130101; A63G 7/00
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
472/60 |
International
Class: |
A63J 005/02 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An amusement system, comprising: a track for guiding a vehicle
along a path, said path including horizontal curves and vertical
slops; a vehicle for moving along said track and including a
passenger compartment having an opaque canopy; and a display system
for providing visual display on the interior of said canopy, said
visual display being arranged to present visual images to a
passenger representing a vehicle experience, said vehicle
experience being coordinated with movement of said vehicle along
said track, whereby said passenger experiences visual images
coordinated with forces arising out of movement of said
vehicle.
2. An amusement system as specified in claim 1 wherein said display
system is arranged to present selectable visual images representing
a plurality of vehicle experiences.
3. An amusement system as specified in claim 1 wherein said track
is graded for at least some of said horizontal curves.
4. An amusement system as specified in claim 1 wherein said display
system includes a display projector in said vehicle for projecting
said visual display on the interior of said canopy.
5. An amusement system as specified in claim 1 wherein said display
system comprises a flat panel display on the interior of said
canopy.
6. An amusement system as specified in claim 1 wherein said vehicle
includes a track engaging portion and said passenger compartment,
and wherein said passenger compartment is arranged for angular
rotation with respect to said track engaging portion, further
including a rotation control system, coordinated with said movement
of said vehicle and said vehicle experience.
7. An amusement system as specified in claim 6 wherein said angular
rotation comprises angular rotation about three axis.
8. An amusement device as specified in claim 1 wherein said vehicle
includes a control unit operable by a vehicle passenger for
providing control signals, and wherein said display system is
responsive to said control signals for changing said visual images
in response to said control signals.
9. An amusement device as specified in claim 9 wherein said
rotation control system is responsive to said control signals.
10. An amusement device as specified in claim 6 wherein said
vehicle includes a control unit operable by a vehicle passenger for
providing control signals, and wherein said display system is
responsive to said control signals for changing said visual images
in response to said control signals.
11. An amusement device as specified in claim 1 wherein said
vehicle is self propelled along said track.
12. A vehicle simulator, comprising: a track for guiding a vehicle
along a path, said path including horizontal curves and vertical
slopes; a vehicle for moving along said track and including a
passenger compartment having an opaque canopy; at least one control
unit operable by a vehicle passenger for providing control signals;
and a display system for providing visual display on the interior
of said canopy, said visual display being arranged to present
visual images to a passenger representing a vehicle experience,
said vehicle experience being coordinated with movement of said
vehicle along said track and responsive to said control signals for
changing said visual images in response to said control signals,
whereby a passenger experiences visual images coordinated with
forces arising out of movement of said vehicle and responsive to
said passenger's operation of said control unit.
13. A vehicle simulator as specified in claim 12 wherein said
display system is arranged to present selectable visual images
representing a plurality of vehicle experiences.
14. A vehicle simulator as specified in claim 12 wherein said track
is graded for at least some of said horizontal curves.
15. A vehicle simulator as specified in claim 12 wherein said
display system includes a display projector in said vehicle for
projecting said visual display on the interior of said canopy.
16. A vehicle simulator as specified in claim 12 wherein said
display system comprises a flat panel display on the interior of
said canopy.
17. A vehicle simulator as specified in claim 12 wherein said
vehicle includes a track engaging portion and said passenger
compartment, and wherein said passenger compartment is arranged for
angular rotation with respect to said track engaging portion,
further including a rotation control system, coordinated with said
movement of said vehicle and said vehicle experience.
18. A vehicle simulator as specified in claim 17 wherein said
angular rotation comprises angular rotation about three axis.
19. A vehicle simulator as specified in claim 17 wherein said
rotation control system is responsive to said control signals.
20. A vehicle simulator as specified in claim 12 wherein said
display system includes a vehicle display having a vehicle display
area on an inside surface of said canopy, wherein said display
system includes a stored sequence of said visual images, wherein
each image of said stored sequence represents a stored display
image over a stored display area that is larger than said vehicle
display area, and wherein said display system is responsive to said
control signals to select an image portion of said stored display
images corresponding to said vehicle display area, and provide said
selected portion to said vehicle display.
21. A vehicle simulator as specified in claim 12 wherein said
vehicle is self propelled along said track.
22. A vehicle simulator as specified in claim 21 further including
a processor for controlling said vehicle propulsion along said
track and coordinating resulting movement of said vehicle with said
vehicle experience.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to simulators and related
amusement devices which present the user with a simulated
experience. Current simulators and simulator amusement devices
present visual images to the user and also provide motion
simulation in coordination with the visual images.
[0002] In some devices the visual image may present the views the
user would see while riding in an airplane, for example in
air-to-air combat. To enhance the visual experience the user's seat
undergoes motion, for example tilting back to simulate forces of
acceleration, forward to simulate deceleration and to the side to
simulate the force of a sharp turn. Since the visual presentation
moves with the seat, the user does not realize that the seat is
tilting and associates the experienced forces with the visual
presentation.
[0003] While the experience is realistic, there are limits to the
forces that can be applied in current simulators, such as the
sensation of falling through space or being inverted.
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
simulator device that provides enhanced simulator experience.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the invention there is provided an
amusement system having a track for guiding a vehicle along a path,
including horizontal curves and vertical slops. There is provided a
vehicle for moving along the track and including a passenger
compartment having an opaque canopy. A display system is arranged
to provide a visual display on the interior of the canopy. The
visual display is arranged to present visual images to a passenger
representing a vehicle experience, the vehicle experience being
coordinated with movement of the vehicle along the track. The
passenger thereby experiences visual images coordinated with forces
arising out of movement of the vehicle.
[0006] In a preferred arrangement the display system is arranged to
present selectable visual images representing a plurality of
vehicle experiences. The track may be graded for at least some of
the horizontal curves. The display system may include a display
projector in the vehicle for projecting the visual display on the
interior of the canopy. Alternately, the display system may
comprise a flat panel display on the interior of the canopy. The
vehicle may include a track engaging portion and the passenger
compartment may be arranged for angular rotation with respect to
the track engaging portion. A rotation control system for
controlling the rotation is preferably coordinated with the
movement of the vehicle and the vehicle experience. The angular
rotation can comprise angular rotation about one, two or three
axes. The vehicle optionally includes a control unit operable by a
vehicle passenger for providing control signals, wherein the
display system is responsive to the control signals for changing
the visual images in response to the control signals. Alternatively
or in addition, the rotation control system may be responsive to
the control signals.
[0007] According to the invention there is provided a vehicle
simulator having a track for guiding a vehicle along a path
including horizontal curves and vertical slopes. A vehicle is
provided for moving along the track and includes a passenger
compartment having an opaque canopy. At least one control unit is
provided, operable by a vehicle passenger for providing control
signals. A display system provides a visual display on the interior
of the canopy, the visual display being arranged to present visual
images to a passenger representing a vehicle experience, which is
coordinated with movement of the vehicle along the track and
responsive to the control signals for changing the visual images in
response to the control signals, so that a passenger experiences
visual images coordinated with forces arising out of movement of
the vehicle and responsive to the passenger's operation of the
control unit.
[0008] In a preferred arrangement, the display system is arranged
to present selectable visual images representing a plurality of
vehicle experiences. The track may be graded for at least some of
the horizontal curves. The display system may be a display
projector in the vehicle for projecting the visual display on the
interior of the canopy. Alternately, the display system may be a
flat panel display on the interior of the canopy. The vehicle may
include a track engaging portion and the passenger compartment,
wherein the passenger compartment is arranged for angular rotation
with respect to the track engaging portion. The angular rotation
may comprise angular rotation about one, two or three axes. The
vehicle may include a control unit operable by a vehicle passenger
for providing control signals, wherein the display system is
responsive to the control signals for changing the visual images.
In addition, the rotation control system can be responsive to the
control signals. The display system may include a vehicle display
having a vehicle display area on an inside surface of the canopy,
wherein the display system includes a stored sequence of the visual
images, wherein each image of the stored sequence represents a
stored display image over a stored display area that is larger than
the vehicle display area, and wherein the display system is
responsive to the control signals to select an image portion of the
stored display images corresponding to the vehicle display area,
and provide the selected portion to the vehicle display.
[0009] For a better understanding of the present invention,
together with other and further objects, reference is made to the
following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings and its scope will be pointed out in the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a plan elevation view of a first embodiment of an
amusement device in accordance with the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the FIG. 1
amusement device.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of an alternate canopy
arrangement of the FIG. 1 amusement device.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a track for an amusement
device in accordance with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is an elevation plan view of an alternate embodiment
of an amusement device in accordance with the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the device of FIG. 5.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a top view of the device of FIG. 5.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a first arrangement of a
display system for the device of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control and display
system for the device of FIG. 5.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing one arrangement for a
power supply useful in connection with the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an alternate control and
display system for the device of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing one method of providing a
display for the device of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The present invention is an amusement device or simulator
that provides a vehicle for movement around a track, such as a
roller coaster or similar track. The vehicle includes an occupant
seat and an opaque canopy covering the occupant. One arrangement 20
for the device is shown in FIG. 1 wherein there is shown a track
22, carrying a vehicle 24. Vehicle 24 may be a conventional roller
coaster vehicle or alternately may be provided with wheels 30 which
surround track 22 to lock the vehicle 24 thereto even when the
vehicle 24 is subjected to forces that would tend to lift vehicle
24 away from track 22. Vehicle 24 includes a compartment for a
passenger 28 which is closed by canopy 26 after the passenger
enters the vehicle. Canopy 26 is opaque and arranged to provide
visual displays to passenger 28 on the interior surface
thereof.
[0023] One display arrangement is shown in the cross sectional view
of canopy 26 of FIG. 2. Flat panel displays 32 and 34 are provided
respectively on the front and side interior walls of canopy 26
forming simulated windows from which the user can view the
simulated surroundings. It should be understood that a sidewall
panel like panel 34 is provided on the unseen sidewall. The term
"flat Panel" display is intended to describe a known type of
display structure and not to imply that the panels 32, 34 are flat
in configuration. Such panels may be conformal to a curved interior
surface of canopy 26.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows an alternate configuration for a canopy. Canopy
26', which is shown curved in configuration has a portion of its
interior surface provided with a projection screen surface 36. One
or more projectors 38 are arranged to project display images onto
screen surface 36.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a track 22 having vehicle
24 for following a course around track 22. In one arrangement the
vehicle and track may operate as a conventional roller coaster with
the vehicle being initially towed to a high track area, and
thereafter operating under gravity and its own momentum.
Alternately the vehicle may be propelled around the track by its
own motor, operated by a battery or a third rail. The track 22
shown in FIG. 4 for purposes of illustration includes a first
upward vertical slope portion 40, followed by a downward slope 42.
In the conventional roller coaster mode the vehicle 24 is towed up
slope 40 and thereafter travels by gravity and momentum. The track
further includes curves 44, 46 and 48, which may be banked to
follow the forces on vehicle 24, but the banking may be arranged to
be under or overcorrecting depending on the effect to be simulated.
The track may further include up and down slopes 50 and 52,
respectively, and loop 54. A final curve 56 leads to the starting
position. It should be recognized that the track illustrated in
FIG. 4 is illustrative only, and the actual track may include other
features such as a roll or an Immelman maneuver.
[0026] In a first embodiment of the present invention the user is
presented with a sequence of images on the displays which are
coordinated with the motion of the vehicle as it traverses the
track. For example, in one arrangement, the display sequence may be
arranged to simulate a fighter jet intercept of an enemy aircraft.
The display would project the image from a cockpit facing a runway
until the vehicle engages the upslope portion 40 of track 22.
During the up-slope travel the image display might be of the view
as a jet accelerates down a runway and climbs to altitude. During
the vehicle travel on down-slope 42, the display might show a
sequence depicting a dive toward an enemy plane. The enemy plane
would be chased through curves 44, 46 and 48 as well as on further
slopes 50 and 52 and through loop 54. While viewing the displayed
sequence of aircraft combat the user is subjected to the forces
imparted by the motion of the vehicle around track 22 yielding a
very realistic experience.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown the components of an
exemplary display system for providing a display synchronized with
the motion of vehicle 24 in the embodiment of FIG. 1. The system
includes a first switch 82 which may for example be triggered by
the initial motion of the vehicle 24 as the canopy closes and the
vehicle moves toward the up-slope 40. Triggering of switch 82
initiates CD ROM reader 80 to start reading and displaying a video
sequence stored in memory, which may be a CD ROM, video tape or
other memory. The video data is provided to projection or display
unit 86 for display to the user. In the simple embodiment of a
display system as shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that the vehicle
takes a fixed amount to time to traverse the track and that the
initial synchronization using switch 82 is sufficient. It will be
recognized that synchronization of vehicle motion with display can
be achieved in other ways, particularly where a self propelled
vehicle is used where transit time may vary. It is possible, for
example to generate timing signals from movement along the track or
from rotation of the vehicle wheels or both to provide dynamic
synchronization of the display sequence to vehicle motion, it being
recognized that such synchronization need not be exact.
[0028] In one advantageous variation, there is provided a selector
switch 84 for selecting the display sequence the user is to
experience. One selection may be the fighter intercept sequence,
another a cross country 4-wheel drive race, still another a
dare-devil sequence, still another a voyage on a space ship.
Accordingly using selector switch 84 the user can experience
different visual stimulation while traversing the same track on
subsequent rides.
[0029] The basic apparatus of FIG. 1 can be enhanced to provide an
even more thrilling experience and to provide a realistic simulator
that can be used to train pilots in aerial combat. In a first
improvement the vehicle can be provided with one or more controls
68 (FIG. 5) that serve to modify the visual sequence according to
operation of the control. For example in one embodiment the
recorded video sequence may comprise a large stored display area,
such as area 180 of FIG. 12, which provides a view of a large area.
The actual image provided to the display or projector comprises a
portion of the display image area 180, such as area 182 shown in
FIG. 12. Operation of control 68 causes the area displayed to move
in the directions indicated by arrows 184, or rotation of the
display area 182, to simulate turning or change in roll or pitch of
the aircraft. Accordingly the user will visually see the view
change in response to his or her operation of control 68.
[0030] A still further enhancement 60 of the apparatus is shown in
FIGS. 5 to 7. In FIG. 5, the vehicle includes two vehicle portions,
a track engaging portion 62 and a passenger carrying portion 64,
which includes canopy 66. The passenger carrying portion 64 is
arranged to pivot in the yaw (elevation) axis with respect to the
track engaging portion. The pivoting is carried out by actuator 70,
which may be hydraulic or electric motor operated, such as using a
jack screw. This can enhance or reduce the forces experienced by
the passenger as a result of vehicle motion along the track 22.
[0031] Similar motion about the roll axis can be effected as shown
in FIG. 6, which shows a track engaging portion 62', preferably
having track engaging wheels 30A and 30B above and below tracks 22,
which are centrally supported by structure 23. Roll motion of
passenger carrying portion 64' can be provided by one or more roll
actuators 72.
[0032] FIG. 7 shows passenger carrying portion 64" which is
arranged to rotate about the yaw axis with respect to track
engaging portion 62".
[0033] Rotation of the passenger carrying portion in one, two or
three axes can be controlled as part of the simulator sequence,
wherein particular angular motions are sequenced into the system to
enhance the motion effects. In a preferred arrangement the angular
motions are also controlled by a combination of the simulator
sequence and the user's operation of control 68. FIG. 9 is a block
diagram of a system wherein the video display sequence and
rotational motion of the passenger carrying portion of the vehicle
are controlled by both the simulation program 102 in processor 100
and user operation of control 68. The system may include
synchronizing switch 106, which provides timing for the simulator
with respect to vehicle travel on track 22 and sequence selection
switch 108 which selects the sequence. Processor 100 responds to
both the selected program sequence and user operation of control 68
as interpreted by processor 100 to provide the resulting images to
display 112 via driver 110. In addition, processor 100 responds to
the selected program sequence and user operation of control 68 to
provide signals to servo driver 114 which operates servos 116, 118
and 120. The system may also control the vehicle speed where the
vehicle includes an onboard traction motor operated by propulsion
control 109.
[0034] FIG. 10 shows one possible arrangement for providing power
to operate the display and/or servo systems and/or traction motors
on a vehicle 24, 64. In simpler systems, a battery may be provided
on the vehicle which provides adequate energy to operate the
display system for the normal operating period of a day. The
battery is recharged when the system is not operating, or when
other vehicles are being used. Alternately, a third rail system may
provide power using circuitry to control contact noise, such as a
ferroresonant transformer. The arrangement illustrated in FIG. 10
provides for charging of a battery in Uninteruptable Power Source
(UPS) 132 during regular use of the vehicle. A contact shoe 130 is
provided to connect with a contact providing electrical current
during travel of the vehicle over a portion of track 22, for
example while the vehicle is between runs or being loaded with
passengers. The battery of UPS 132 is therefore periodically
charged and can be used to operate equipment 34, such as the
display, the processor, the servo systems and traction motor where
present.
[0035] In sophisticated applications, a large amount of processing
capability may be required. In addition, simulator operators may
wish to vary the experiences of the user during a simulator session
and record the reactions of the user. For, example in flight
training the actions of the user may be compared against ideal
actions and thereby used for further instruction and scoring. In
such situations it may be desirable to remove the main simulator
processor from the vehicle. The system shown in FIG. 11 provides
simulator controls 140 and processor 142 located off the vehicle.
Data for operation of the display and/or the servo is generated in
processor 142 and relayed by RF link 144 via antenna 146 to a
corresponding RF link 150 having antenna 148 on the vehicle. In a
preferred arrangement the RF link is bi-directional so that user
operation of one or more controls 68 is relayed to the off vehicle
processor 100 by on board CPU 152. On board CPU also interprets the
display and servo commands received from processor 142 via the RF
link and provides appropriate signals to the display 154 and the
servos 160.
[0036] While there have been described what are believed to be the
preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in
the art will recognize that other and further changes and
modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit
of the invention and it is intended to claim all such changes and
modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *