Hang gliding simulation system with a stereoscopic display
First Claim
1. A stereoscopic display system for providing pupil forming simulated images of positional states controlled by a user of a simulation system with a programmed environment, comprising:
- at least two cathode ray tubes (CRTs) for providing left and right eye pupil forming images of simulated movement in said programmed environment;
at least two lenses arranged relative to said CRTs to focus the left and right eye pupil forming images;
a spherical mirror for reflecting said left and right eye pupil forming images to left and right eyes, respectively, of the user;
a viewing aperture through which to view the spherical mirror, wherein the viewing aperture is a fixed point of reference with respect to the spherical mirror for viewing the left and the right pupil forming images; and
a beamsplitter arranged relative to said lenses to superimpose said left and right eye pupil forming images and to transmit said pupil forming images to said spherical mirror for subsequent reflection to said left and right eyes of the user.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a simulation system for simulating virtual reality experiences such as for the sport of hang gliding or the like. The simulation system has a stereoscopic and collimated virtual image display, for providing pupil forming simulated images to a rider at a fixed point of reference relative to the stereoscopic display. In the disclosed embodiment, the simulation system comprises a mechanical support structure for suspending the rider in a harness so as to allow freedom of movement. The rider is suspended to face a visual display over a movable control bar coupled to the mechanical support structure. By maneuvering the control bar, riders may view the results of their actions as by a simulated display. The visual display is coupled to the control bar to receive electrical signals indicative of the movements initiated by the riders as they maneuver through a programmed environment. The visual display provides stereoscopic "pupil forming" images of positional states of the hang glider to the riders at a fixed point of reference relative to the visual display. The fixed point of reference is provided by limiting movement of the rider'"'"'s head relative to the visual display, as for example with a head rest disposed directly above the viewing area of the visual display.
62 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A stereoscopic display system for providing pupil forming simulated images of positional states controlled by a user of a simulation system with a programmed environment, comprising:
-
at least two cathode ray tubes (CRTs) for providing left and right eye pupil forming images of simulated movement in said programmed environment; at least two lenses arranged relative to said CRTs to focus the left and right eye pupil forming images; a spherical mirror for reflecting said left and right eye pupil forming images to left and right eyes, respectively, of the user; a viewing aperture through which to view the spherical mirror, wherein the viewing aperture is a fixed point of reference with respect to the spherical mirror for viewing the left and the right pupil forming images; and a beamsplitter arranged relative to said lenses to superimpose said left and right eye pupil forming images and to transmit said pupil forming images to said spherical mirror for subsequent reflection to said left and right eyes of the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method for providing pupil forming simulated images of positional states controlled by a user of a simulation system with a programmed environment, comprising:
-
utilizing at least two cathode ray tubes (CRTs) for providing left and right eye pupil forming images of simulated movement in said programmed environment; arranging at least two lenses arranged relative to said CRTs to focus the left and right eye pupil forming images; reflecting said left and right eye pupil forming images through a spherical mirror to left and right eyes, respectively, of the user; disposing a beamsplitter relative to said lenses to thereby superimpose said left and right eye pupil forming images and to transmit said pupil forming images to said spherical mirror for reflection to said left and right eyes of the user; and providing a fixed point of reference for the user with respect to the spherical mirror such that movement of the simulated images as seen by the user in the left and right eye pupil forming images does not require movement of the user'"'"'s head. - View Dependent Claims (8)
-
-
9. A stereoscopic display system for providing pupil forming simulated images of positional states controlled by a user of a simulation system in a programmed environment, comprising:
-
a first cathode ray tube (CRT) for providing a right eye pupil forming image of simulated movement in said programmed environment; a second CRT for providing a left eye pupil forming image of simulated movement in said programmed environment; a first lens which is located above a viewing plane defined by eyes of the user and a pair of pupil images, said first lens transmitting beams from the first CRT to a beamsplitter; a second lens which is located below the viewing plane, said second lens transmitting beams from a second CRT to the beamsplitter; the beamsplitter arranged relative to said first and second lenses to thereby superimpose and transmit said left and right eye pupil forming images; and the spherical mirror for receiving and reflecting said left and right eye pupil forming images from the beamsplitter to a left eye and a right eye, respectively, of the user. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
Specification