WIRELESS IMMERSIVE SIMULATION SYSTEM

• US 20140023995A1
• Filed: 07/23/2013
• Published: 01/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cubic Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cubic Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, Michael, McKenzie, Fitz
• Granted Patent: US 9,715,834 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/11
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/00 Adaptations for training adaptations of barrels for recoil reinforcement F41A21/26; Gun simulators teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26 ; shooting games A63F9/02; military simulation G09B9/003
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/003 for military purposes and tactics

Abstract

Computer-based systems provide a wireless, high fidelity, real-time video and audio immersive environment for multiple users. A user may be equipped with a head mounted display device which wirelessly receives real-time video signals transmitted by a radio transceiver linked to a computer that generates the real-time video images. Aspects include body, arm and leg motion and orientation sensors in wireless communication with a radio transceiver linked with a computer. Video images may be generated using a portable array of user dedicated computers controlled by a single computer that is controlled by an operator.

Claims

1. A system for providing a simulated immersive training environment comprising:

at least one computer subsystem capable of generating at least one real-time video image sequence;

a first radio transmitter/receiver communicatively linked with the at least one computer subsystem and capable of transmitting the at least one real-time video image sequence;

at least one directional antenna communicatively linked with the first radio transmitter/receiver; and

at least one Head-Mounted Display (HMD) device configured to be worn on a user and comprising a second radio transmitter/receiver capable of receiving the real-time video image sequence transmitted by the first radio transmitter/receiver and of displaying the real-time video image sequence on at least one screen positioned before the eyes of the user.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second antenna distinct from the directional antenna and communicatively linked with the first radio transmitter/receiver, wherein the first radio transmitter/receiver is capable of simultaneously transmitting a first radio signal on a first radio channel using the directional antenna and at least one of transmitting and receiving a second radio signal on a second radio channel using the second antenna, wherein the second radio channel is distinct from the first radio channel.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first radio signal comprises one or more of the at least one real-time video image sequences.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second radio transmitter/receiver communicatively linked to the at least one computer subsystem and a second antenna distinct from the directional antenna, wherein the first and second radio transmitter/receivers transmit using distinct radio channels.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the real-time video image sequence comprises stereo images to produce a simulated 3-dimensional real-time video image sequence.

6. The system of claim 2, further comprising a hand-held training device comprising a sensor that transmits information about the hand-held training device on the second radio channel.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first radio transmitter/receiver uses a channel in the 60 GHz band.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer subsystem is capable of generating a plurality of real-time video sequences which comprise correlated image sequences of a single training scenario.

9. The system of claim 2, further comprising user-mounted sensors which measure and transmit orientation information to the first radio transmitter/receiver using the second radio channel.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the user-mounted sensors also measures and transmits motion information to the first radio transmitter/receiver.

11. The system of claim 4, further comprising a user-mounted microphone, wherein the microphone is configured to transmit a radio signal to, and receive a radio signal from, the second radio transmitter/receiver using the radio channel of the second radio transmitter/receiver.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer subsystem comprises a controller computer communicatively linked with a plurality of user-dedicated computers, wherein each user-dedicated computer generates a real-time video image sequence for a single user, and wherein the controller computer coordinates the generation of the real-time video image sequences by the plurality of user-dedicated computers.

13. A system for receiving a wirelessly transmitted simulated immersive training environment comprising:

a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) device configured to be worn by a user and that includes;

a display device capable of showing real-time video image sequences;

a battery powered radio transmitter/receiver capable of receiving a real-time video image sequence on a first radio channel and displaying the received real-time video image sequence on the display device, and capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving a radio signal on a second radio channel distinct from the first radio channel;

an orientation sensor communicatively linked to the HMD that provides orientation information to the HMD; and

wherein the HMD transmits the orientation information on the second radio channel.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the orientation sensor comprises an internal battery and an inductive charging device that charges the internal battery.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the HMD is configured to be attached to an exterior surface of a helmet.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the first radio channel is a channel in the 60 GHz band.

17. A system for transmitting sensor data from a user within a simulated training environment comprising:

at least one orientation sensor attachable to the user and comprising a battery powered sensor radio transmitter/receiver and an antenna;

a hub radio transmitter/receiver; and

a system radio transmitter/receiver;

wherein the at least one orientation sensor transmits an orientation measurement using the sensor radio transmitter/receiver to the hub radio transmitter receiver and receives signals from the hub radio transmitter/receiver; and

wherein the hub transmitter/receiver transmits signals to the at least one orientation sensor, receives the orientation measurement transmitted by the at least one orientation sensor, and transmits the orientation measurement to the system radio transmitter/receiver.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the hub radio transmitter/receiver is battery powered.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein at least one orientation sensor also senses motion.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the hub radio transmitter/receiver attaches to a device held by the user during a simulated training scenario.