Virtual-reality positional input and display system

• US 5,515,078 A
• Filed: 03/11/1994
• Issued: 05/07/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Museum Of Science, Co.
• Original Assignee: The Computer Museum
• Inventors: Greschler, David, Tremblay, William, Gay, Eben
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CHANH DUY
• Application Number:
  US08/209,956
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 340/706, 340/709, 340/710, 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/161, 341/20, 341/21, 273/148 B, 273/85 G, 273/433, 273/434, 273/313, 273/438, 434/247, 434/307, 434/30 D, 434/29 D, 482/902, 482/8, 482/5, 482/112
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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 system for receiving positional information and displaying a virtual world based on the positional information. The system includes a base and a chair that may be rotated with respect to the base by the user of the system. A monitor is attached to the chair so that it moves with the chair. A measuring device determines the rotational position of the chair. Joysticks are provided, and the bases of the joysticks are attached to the chair or the monitor so that they move with the chair. Data from the joysticks and from the rotational-position measuring device are sent to a processor, which accesses a data base defining a virtual world and generates an image on the monitor. The monitor image represents apparent movement within and through the virtual world represented by the databases.

Claims

1. A virtual-reality positional input and display system, the system being mounted on a fixed base, the system comprising:

a seat which, upon the exertion of force against the base by legs of a user sitting in the seat, rotates around an approximately vertical axis with respect to the base;

seat-position means for providing a signal indicative of the seat'"'"'s rotational position with respect to the base;

display means, affixedly mounted with respect to the seat, for displaying a scene to the user seated in the rotatable seat;

first and second joysticks, each joystick having a base and a movable portion, the base being affixedly mounted with respect to the display means, the movable portion being manipulable by a hand of the user seated in the rotatable seat, wherein each joystick is arranged substantially horizontally;

first joystick-position means for providing a signal indicative of the position of the first joystick'"'"'s movable portion with respect to its base;

second joystick-position means for providing a signal indicative of the position of the second joystick'"'"'s movable portion with respect to its base; and

processing means, having an input in communication with the seat-position means, the first and second joystick-position means and a database defining a virtual world, for providing as an output to the display means signals for generating a scene in the virtual world dependent at least in part on the seat position and the positions of the joysticks,

wherein actual rotation of the seat causes the displayed scene to represent a corresponding rotation in the virtual world, and

wherein movement of the movable portions of the joysticks causes the displayed scene to represent movement in the virtual world without causing actual movement of the seat.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the joysticks are mounted substantially horizontally and coaxially on opposite sides of the display means.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein, when the joysticks are pushed away from the user seated in the rotatable seat, the pushing of the joysticks causes the displayed scene to represent forward motion in the virtual world, and, when the joysticks are pulled towards the user seated in the rotatable seat, the pulling of the joysticks causes the displayed scene to represent backward motion in the virtual world.