Driver Education and Training System and Method for Training Drivers in Simulated Emergencies

• US 20160321940A1
• Filed: 04/29/2015
• Published: 11/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ivan Banga
• Original Assignee: Ivan Banga
• Inventors: Banga, Ivan
• Application Number:
  US14/699,028
• Publication Number:
  US 20160321940A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/05 the view from a vehicle being simulated G09B9/052, G09B9/058 take precedence

Abstract

The “Real Driving” driver education system combines specifically prepared surfaces of an outdoor driving training area preferably extending a length of approximately 600 feet and computer-generated, “augmented reality” images. This system requires the use of the actual vehicle owned by the trainee and/or used in his/her employment. Several field devices and sensors integral to the prepared area send signals to a portable computer, which can generate a variety of augmented and real driving hazards, including “water curtains,” to a head-mounted display worn by the driver. The driver/trainee will drive his/her vehicle through various stages and simulations, thus exposing him/her to challenging driving situations. Failing to perform proper maneuvers will result in losing control over 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. An automotive driver training and education system comprising

a specifically-dimensioned, outdoor driving closed course comprising a length of level straightaway, said straightaway further comprising a starting point, a certain length of the surface of said straightaway being paved with a common, road-like friction material, an entry zone, an active training zone having a plurality of sectors, with at least two sectors consisting of low to-medium friction surfaces, a hard-surfaced high-friction boundary encompassing said active training zone, a safety zone bordering and abutting all outer edges of said hard surfaced high-friction boundary, said safety zone comprising a layer of gravel manifesting to a certain depth below the surface of said high-friction boundary;

a sector in said active training zone comprising a main water supply line, strategically-arrayed secondary water supply lines branching from said main water supply line and feeding a plurality of quick-acting solenoid valves, said solenoid valves further being routed to vertically-oriented water jets, said water jets having orifices capable of ejecting vertical water streams;

position sensors arranged at intervals along the length of said active training zone, said position sensors utilized to send electronic information of a test vehicle'"'"'s position and speed to the control unit;

a head-mounted display having an internal screen or lens for the projection of electronic images onto said screen or lens, said head-mounted display for the wearing by the operator of a vehicle to be utilized in maneuvering within said active training zone;

a control unit comprising a portable computer having software programmable for the operation of said water jets in synchronization with the position of a vehicle transiting the course, and simultaneously, the corresponding rendering of specially-designed augmented images corresponding to the same position of the vehicle, said images projectable onto the interior lens or screen of said head-mounted display;

at least one micro-camera, either integrated into the HMD or affixed to the head-mounted display, or proximate the head of the operator of a vehicle, said vehicle to be driven within said active training zone;

wherein

upon programming the control unit of said system for a specific training exercise, and an operator commencing driving a vehicle within said active training zone, said control unit thereupon projects certain electronic images onto the head-mourned display of the operator and further, initiates the synchronized ejection of vertical streams of water from said jets installed at locations corresponding to the simulated position of electronic augmented images appearing in the head-mounted device worn by said operator of the vehicle.

2. An automotive driver training and education system as in claim 1 wherein said straightaway comprises dimensions of approximately six hundred (600.0) feet in length and approximately eighty (80.0) feet in width;

said head-mounted display further comprises an audio system and a gyrohead tracker;

coded and/or specific visual marker points for indication to a vehicle driver specific areas and sectors of said active training zone; and

installation of an axle-yanking device.

4. A method for instructing the driver of an automotive vehicle in the safe and efficient maneuvering of the vehicle by means of combining the simulated encountering of hazardous driving conditions and real-time actual driving conditions, both conditions occurring on a prepared and specially surfaced outdoor driving course wherein the driver is required to operate his/her own privately-owned or business-use vehicle in a specific range of vehicular speeds while subjected to said simulated and actual driving conditions, the method comprising the steps of:

grading, paving, and preparing a specifically-dimensioned outdoor driving closed course comprising a length of straightaway, said straightaway further comprising a starting point, a certain length of the surface of said straightaway being paved with a common road-like friction material, an entry zone, an active training zone having a plurality of sectors, with at least two sectors consisting of low to-medium friction surfaces, a hard-surfaced high-friction boundary encompassing said active training zone a safety zone bordering and abutting all outer edges of said hard-surfaced high-friction boundary, said safety zone comprising a layer of gravel manifesting to a certain depth below the surface of said high-friction boundary;

installing a sector in said active training zone comprising a main water supply line, strategically-arrayed secondary water supply lines branching from said main water supply line and feeding a plurality of quick-acting solenoid valves, said solenoid valves further being routed to vertically-oriented water jets, said water jets having orifices capable of ejecting vertical water streams;

installing position sensors arranged at intervals along the length of said active training zone, said position sensors utilized to send information to the control unit;

providing a head-mounted display having an internal screen or lens for the projection of electronic images onto said screen or lens, said head-mounted display for the wearing by the operator of a vehicle to be utilized in maneuvering within said active training zone;

providing a control unit comprising a portable computer having software programmable for the operation of said water jets in synchronization with the position of a vehicle transiting the course, and simultaneously, the corresponding rendering of specially-designed augmented images corresponding to the same position of the vehicle, said images projectable onto the interior lens or screen of said head-mounted display;

providing at least one micro-camera affixed to the head-mounted display, or proximate the head of the operator of a vehicle, said vehicle to be driven within said active training zone;

providing a course operator for initial programming of the control unit of said system for a specific training exercise; and

directing a driver to commence operation of a vehicle through said course while adhering to functional instructions transmitted to the head-mounted device, and further, maneuvering said vehicle so as to avoid the real and simulated hazards generated by images received in the head-mounted device.

3. A method for instructing the driver of an automotive vehicle as in claim 4, wherein said outdoor closed driving closed course is constructed on hilly terrain with at least one incline and at least one course declination comprise said course.

5. A method for instructing the driver of an automotive vehicle as in claim 4, wherein said straightaway comprises dimensions of approximately six hundred (600.0) feet in length and approximately eighty (80.0) feet in width;

said head-mounted display further comprises an audio system and a gyrohead tracker;

coded and/or specific visual marker points for indication to a vehicle driver specific areas and sectors of said active training zone; and

installation of an axle-yanking device.

6. A method for instructing the driver of an automotive vehicle as in claim 4, wherein said outdoor closed driving closed course is constructed on hilly terrain with at least one incline and at least one course declination comprise said course.