LOCOMOTION SYSTEM AND APPARATUS

• US 20160216759A1
• Filed: 04/01/2016
• Published: 07/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Virtuix Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Virtuix Holdings, Inc.
• Inventors: GOETGELUK, Jan
• Granted Patent: US 9,785,230 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0037 safety devices, e.g. warning bells, rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/10 Positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0035 on the spot
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0064 Attachments on the trainee preventing falling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/16 creating illusions of travel
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/012 Walk-in-place systems for allowing a user to walk in a virtual environment while constraining him to a given position in the physical environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00

Abstract

A locomotion system for use with a virtual environment technology includes a platform configured to support a user, a harness support assembly coupled to the platform and extending upwardly from the platform, and a safety harness configured to be worn by the user. The harness support assembly includes a support halo positioned above the platform and extending about a vertical central axis. The safety harness includes an interface structure moveably coupled to the support halo.

Claims

1. A locomotion system for use with a virtual environment technology, the system comprising:

a platform;

a harness support assembly coupled to the platform and extending upwardly from the platform, wherein the harness support assembly comprises a vertically adjustable support halo positioned above the platform and extending about a vertical central axis;

a safety harness coupled to a interface structure configured to slidingly engage and be vertically supported by the support halo; and

a motion sensing device in communication with a processing unit and configured to detect and track motion within the platform.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the support halo is disposed at a height H above the platform, and wherein the height H is between 30.0 and 50.0 in.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the support halo is annular.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the support halo is configured to extend completely about a user.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the support halo includes an access door.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one foot covering configured to engage the platform, wherein the foot covering is composed of a variable friction material having a low coefficient of friction.

7. The system of claim 1, where the motion sensing device includes a first inertial motion sensor coupled to a first of the at least one foot covering and a second inertial motion sensor coupled to a second of the at least one foot covering.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein harness support assembly includes a pair of circumferentially spaced connecting beams coupled to the support halo.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a vertical member coupled to the safety harness and is disposed within the support halo, wherein the vertical member is configured to limit the radial movement of the interface structure relative to the support halo.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the safety harness is configured to move vertically relative to the support halo.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the safety harness is configured to move circumferentially relative to the support halo.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the safety harness is configured to move radially relative to the support halo.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the motion sensing device is disposed in at least one of the platform, a controller, or a display device.

14. The system of claim 1, the motion sensing devices is selected from the group comprising an inertial motion sensor, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, an infrared sensor, an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor, a global positioning tracking device, and magnetic tracking device.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the motion sensing device is coupled to the controller.

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising a visual display.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the motion sensing device is coupled to the visual display.

19. A locomotion system comprising:

a platform;

a harness support assembly coupled to the platform and including at least two vertical beams extending upwardly from the platform and coupled with a support halo, wherein the support halo is vertically adjustable and positioned above the platform extending about a vertical central axis;

a safety harness coupled to a interface structure moveably configured to slidingly engage the support halo, wherein the interface structure is configured to move circumferentially relative to the support halo and is vertically supported by the support halo;

at least one motion sensing device in communication with a processing unit and configured to detect and track movement within the platform.

20. A locomotion system comprising:

a platform;

a harness support assembly coupled to and extending upwardly from the platform and coupled with a support halo; and

a safety harness coupled to a low friction interface structure and a vertical member, wherein the low friction interface structure is moveably configured to slidingly engage the support halo and the vertical member is disposed within the support halo is configured to limit the radial movement of the interface structure relative to the support halo.