Sensory simulator and editor

• US 5,853,330 A
• Filed: 03/22/1996
• Issued: 12/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brad Engstrand
• Original Assignee: Brad Engstrand
• Inventors: Engstrand, Brad
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kien T.
• Application Number:
  US08/620,472
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 472/60, 472/61, 472/59, 472/130, 472/135, 434/55, 434/59
• US Class Current: 472/60
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 2005/002 moving the spectator's body
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 5/00 Auxiliaries for producing special effects on stages, or in circuses or arenas
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/02 for teaching control of vehicles or other craft

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and a method for interactively experiencing a recording. At least one seat is provided which moves in a plane simultaneously either through active participation of the viewer through movement of a joystick or passively by a signal recorded on the recording medium. The recording medium includes a motion signal provided to a controller for actuating release and supply of air to pneumatic cylinders moving the at least one seat simultaneously in the same plane in a maximum degree of movement. The recording medium may also include video and/or audio signals for displaying an image on a screen which moves in the same plane as the seat.

Claims

1. A system for recording and playing back motion recorded on a medium, the system comprising:

a bracket with at least one seat mounted on the bracket;

a plurality of pneumatic cylinders mounted on a level base and extending to the bracket;

a plurality of variously sized supply valves and release valves associated with each of the plurality of pneumatic cylinders; and

a controller selectively controlling supply and release of air to the plurality of variously sized supply valves and variously sized release valves to vary movement of the plurality of pneumatic cylinders, the controller responsive to a signal on the recording wherein the signal is indicative of a desired position of the at least one seat and further corresponds to the recorded motion on the screen.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a screen mounted on the bracket facing the at least one seat, the screen displaying a recorded image.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the bracket has a first leg holding the at least one seat and a second leg perpendicular to the first leg, the second leg holding the screen.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein at least two of the plurality of pneumatic cylinders are secured at each of both ends of the first leg and further at an end of the second leg, the six pneumatic cylinders simultaneously operative to control motion of the at least one seat and the screen on the bracket.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a housing formed by a plurality of walls defining an interior at least partially enclosing the at least one seat and the screen.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of variously sized supply valves and release valves are four.

7. A system for recording on a recording medium a signal indicative of a desired motion response, the system comprising:

a first surface;

a joystick mounted on the first surface;

a second surface forming a level base;

a plurality of potentiometers mounted on the second surface and extending to the first surface wherein the joystick manipulates the first surface causing each of the plurality of potentiometers to produce a signal; and

a first controller continuously receiving each of the signals from the plurality of potentiometers, the first controller producing an output signal by combining each of the signals from the plurality of potentiometers wherein the output signal is sent to a second controller, the second controller activating releasing and pressurizing of a plurality of variously-sized supply valves and variously-sized release valves corresponding to each of the pneumatic cylinders which further correspond to the plurality of potentiometers.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of potentiometers are encased within a housing defining an interior, the interior partially defined by the first surface and the second surface.