PORTABLE IN-THE-VEHICLE ROAD SIMULATOR

• US 20160189560A1
• Filed: 09/04/2015
• Published: 06/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Konstantin Sizov
• Original Assignee: Konstantin Sizov
• Inventors: Sizov, Konstantin
• Granted Patent: US 10,217,374 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/15 Vehicle, aircraft or watercraft design
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/14 Traffic procedures, e.g. traffic regulations
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/167 Control of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/065 Combinations of audio and video presentations, e.g. videotapes, videodiscs, television systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/042 providing simulation in a real vehicle G09B9/052, G09B9/058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/05 the view from a vehicle being simulated G09B9/052, G09B9/058 take precedence

Abstract

The portable simulation system is a computer-based driving simulator, which uses an actual vehicle as an input device, and a portable display to present a Virtual Driving Environment (VDE) to the driver. Vehicle'"'"'s steered wheels are placed atop of the turntables permitting free operation of the steering wheel. The vehicle remains immobile while its engine and power steering can be turned off during simulation. External non-invasive sensors can be placed under the gas and brake pedals, permitting any vehicle to be used in the simulator, including the driver'"'"'s own vehicle. A digital interface to the vehicle'"'"'s systems, like OBD II, can be used to increase the fidelity of the simulation. A portable computer used for driving simulation and VDE presentation provides a low cost simulation option. A simple configuration of the portable simulator does not require an external power source and can be set-up and operated at any parking space.

Claims

1. A driving simulation system for use with an actual stationary vehicle comprising:

at least two drive-on ramps;

wherein each ramp comprises a rotating steering sensor-actuator capable of engaging a wheel of the vehicle, following the wheel'"'"'s steering motion, and providing feedback to a user;

a brake pedal sensor-actuator capable of providing anti-lock brake feedback to the user;

a gas pedal sensor;

a head-mounted display comprising a head-tracking position sensor and headphones;

a computer connected with the steering sensor-actuator, the brake pedal sensor-actuator, the gas pedal sensor, and the head-mounted display; and

Turn plates for wheel alignment as means for relieving friction;

wherein the computer comprises software simulating a video and audio driving environment via the head-mounted display and simulating vehicle-road interaction via the steering sensor-actuator and via the brake pedal sensor-actuator.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising audio presentation devices in a form of a pair of ear phones or a set of speakers.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising on or more video presentation devices in a form of a virtual reality Head-Mounted Display (HMD) with a head tracker to allow a 360 field of view.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a set of wired or wireless accelerometers serving as non-invasive sensors attached to the gas pedal, brake pedal and the steering wheel.