Driver education system and method for training in simulated road emergencies

• US 10,713,970 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2018
• Issued: 07/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ivan Banga
• Original Assignee: Ivan Banga
• Inventors: Banga, Ivan
• Primary Examiner(s): Bullington, Robert P
• Application Number:
  US15/919,472
• Publication Number:
  US 20180204478A1
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 434 66
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/006 Mixed reality object pose determination, tracking or camera calibration for mixed reality G06T7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/042 providing simulation in a real vehicle G09B9/052, G09B9/058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/052 characterised by provision for recording or measuring trainee's performance devices for psychotechnics, e.g. for vehicle drivers A61B5/16, A61B5/18

Abstract

The “Reality Driver Education System” (RDES) combines different friction surfaces of an outdoor driving training area which extends a minimal length of 600 feet, and further comprises waterjet hazards and computer-generated, “augmented reality” images. RDES may be performed with the actual personal vehicle owned by driver or used in his/her employment. Several field devices and sensors integral to the training area send signals to a portable computer, which generate a variety of augmented and real driving hazards, including “water curtains,” to a head-mounted display worn by the driver. The driver/trainee drives the vehicle through various stages and simulations, thus exposing him/her to challenging emergency situations. Failing to perform proper maneuvers will likely result in losing control of the vehicle and probable spin-outs or sliding. Applying adequate steering, braking, and/or acceleration corrections will result in successful execution of each scenario.

Claims

1. A method for training and evaluating a driver'"'"'s skills in operating an automotive vehicle integrally equipped with an Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) jack and at least one mirror, when the driver encounters unexpected road hazards and emergencies, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an outdoor closed driving course comprising a length of straightaway, said straightaway having one/third of its length as a paved acceleration zone and an entry zone, and two/thirds of its length as an active training zone, the active training zone comprising (a) an innermost roadway, (b) length-wise running left and right side control zones immediately bordering the innermost roadway, (c) length-wise running safety zones outward of and on the left and right sides of the control zones, and (d) a plurality of quick-acting solenoid valves, said solenoid valves further being routed to water jets embedded in the innermost roadway, said water jets having orifices for the ejection of vertical water streams;

installing a plurality of vehicle electronic position sensors arranged at intervals along the length of the innermost roadway;

providing visual marker points along the length of the active training zone;

providing a control unit comprising a portable computer installed interiorly to the vehicle, the control unit further having software programmable for (a) the operation of said water jets in synchronization with the position of the vehicle as generated by the position sensors, and (b) the generation of specially-designed augmented reality images projectable onto the at least one mirror of the vehicle;

providing a head-mounted display (HMD) having an internal screen or lens for the projection of augmented reality images onto said screen or lens, said HMD for wearing by the driver of the vehicle;

providing at least one micro-camera affixed onto the HMD, or proximate the driver'"'"'s head;

connecting the control unit to the vehicle'"'"'s on-board diagnostics jack; and

providing a means for transmitting verbal or programmed electronic instructions to the driver to (a) don the HMD, (b) adhere to verbal or programmed instructions received through the HMD, (c) commence driving and accelerating to the entry zone, (d) maneuver the vehicle in response to the augmented reality images observed and the eruption of the water jets, and (e) repeat any exercise, as required.

2. The method as in claim 1, wherein said outdoor closed driving closed course is constructed on hilly terrain with at least one incline and at least one declination comprising the innermost roadway.

3. The driver training method as in claim 1, wherein the innermost roadway consists of a low-to-medium friction surface.

4. The driver training method as in claim 1, wherein the control zone comprises a surface of high-friction material.

5. The driver training method as in claim 1, wherein the safety zone comprises a layer of gravel extending to a depth below the top level of the control zone surface, and laid atop natural earth.

6. The driver training method as in claim 1, wherein (a) a head-mounted-display (HMD) is provided for wearing by the driver and (b) the control unit contains software programmable for generation of augmented reality images projectable onto the HMD.

7. The driver training method as in claim 1, wherein the straightaway comprises dimensions of six-hundred (600.0) feet in length and approximately eighty (80.0) feet in width.

8. The driver training system as in claim 1, wherein at least one axle-yanking device is installed on the surface of the innermost roadway.

9. The driver training method as in claim 1, wherein the control unit further contains coded marker points for indication to the driver specific areas and sectors of the active training zone.

10. An automotive driver training system for training a driver in coping with unexpected road hazards and emergencies while driving a vehicle which is integrally equipped with an Onboard Diagnostics (OBD) jack and at least one mirror, the system comprising:

(a) an outdoor closed driving course comprising a length of straightaway, said straightaway having (i) one/third of its length as a paved acceleration zone, and (ii) two/thirds of its length as an active training zone;

wherein

(b) the active training zone comprises (i) an innermost roadway, (ii) length-wise running left and right side control zones immediately bordering the innermost roadway, (iii) length-wise running safety zones outward of and on the left and right sides of the control zones, (iv) a plurality of electronic position sensors, and (v) a plurality of quick-acting solenoid valves, said solenoid valves further being routed to water jets embedded in the innermost roadway, said water jets having orifices for the ejection of vertical water streams;

(c) a control unit comprising a portable computer installed interiorly to the vehicle, the control unit further having software programmable for (i) the operation of said water jets in synchronization with the position of the vehicle as generated by the position sensors, and (ii) the generation of specially-designed augmented reality images projectable onto the at least one mirror of the vehicle;

(d) a main water supply line and secondary water supply lines;

(e) an axle-yanking device;

(f) a cable and connectors compatible with the control unit and the vehicle'"'"'s OBD jack;

(g) a head-mounted display (HMD) having an internal screen and or lens;

(h) at least one micro-camera, integrated into the HMD or affixed proximate the driver;

(i) an audio system synchronized with the control unit and vehicle speakers;

(j) a gyroscopic head-tracker; and

(k) coded and/or specific visual marker points along the active training zone.