Intermodal transportation simulation system

• US 6,261,100 B1
• Filed: 01/25/1999
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dowling College
• Original Assignee: Dowling College
• Inventors: Bragdon, Clifford R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Application Number:
  US09/236,918
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 434/29, 434/30, 434/43, 434/55, 434/59, 434/38, 434/61-63, 434/66, 434/69, 434/118, 434/307.R, 434/308, 434/365, 472/59, 472/60, 472/61, 472/130, 348/61, 348/51, 348/58, 348/121, 348/123, 348/124, 348/553, 348/578, 703/9, 703/13
• US Class Current: 434/29
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/167 Control of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/04 for teaching control of land vehicles

Abstract

An intermodal transportation simulation system comprising a ground transportation simulation node, a rail transportation simulation node, a maritime transportation simulation node and an air transportation simulation node. Each of these simulation nodes are interactive, interconnected and designed to provide a manned multi-sensory, e.g. visual, auditory, olfactory and tactile simulation.

Claims

1. An intermodal transportation simulation system comprising:

a plurality of interactive transportation simulator nodes each of said nodes simultaneously simulating different modes of transportation, said transportation modes selected from the group consisting of ground transportation, rail transportation, maritime transportation and air transportation;

mean for providing coordinated signals to each of said simulator nodes;

at least one of said simulator nodes comprising means for receiving input from a person stationed at said node and from said signal providing means, and means for providing discernible simulation to said person at said node in response to input from said person and from either input at another node or said signal providing means; and

wherein input to a first simulator node by a person stationed at said first simulator node causes the generation of a signal to a second simulator node which is discernible by a person stationed at said second simulator node.

2. An intermodal transportation simulation system according to claim 1 comprising at least three simulation nodes.

3. An intermodal transportation simulation system according to claim 1 comprising at least four simulator nodes.

4. An intermodal transportation simulation system according to claim 1 wherein said simulator nodes provide visual and auditory signals.

5. An intermodal transportation simulation system according to claim 4 wherein said simulator nodes also provide olfactory signals.

6. An intermodal transportation simulation system according to claim 4 wherein said simulator nodes also provide tactile signals.

7. An intermodal transportation simulation system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said nodes comprises controls for simulating the movement of an aircraft.

8. An intermodal transportation simulation system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said nodes comprises controls for simulating the movement of a motor vehicle.

9. An intermodal transportation simulation system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said nodes comprises controls for simulating the movement of a train.

10. An intermodal transportation simulation system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said nodes comprises controls for simulating the movement of a floating vessel.