Portable in-the-vehicle road simulator

• US 8,412,499 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2010
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Konstantin Sizov
• Original Assignee: Konstantin Sizov
• Inventors: Sizov, Konstantin
• Primary Examiner(s): JONES, HUGH M
• Application Number:
  US12/979,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20110131026A1
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 703/8
• US Class Current: 703/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/15 Vehicle, aircraft or watercraft design
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/14 Traffic procedures, e.g. traffic regulations
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/167 Control of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/065 Combinations of audio and video presentations, e.g. videotapes, videodiscs, television systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/042 providing simulation in a real vehicle G09B9/052, G09B9/058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/05 the view from a vehicle being simulated G09B9/052, G09B9/058 take precedence

Abstract

The portable simulation system is a computer-based driving simulator, which uses an actual vehicle as an input device, and a portable display to present a Virtual Driving Environment (VDE) to the driver. Vehicle'"'"'s steered wheels are placed atop of the turntables permitting free operation of the steering wheel. The vehicle remains immobile while its engine and power steering can be turned off during the simulation. External non-invasive sensors can be placed under the gas and brake pedals, permitting any vehicle to be used in the simulator, including the driver'"'"'s own vehicle. A digital interface to the vehicle'"'"'s systems, like OBD II, can be used to increase the fidelity of the simulation. A portable computer used for driving simulation and VDE presentation provides a low cost simulation option. A simple configuration of the portable simulator does not require an external power source and can be set-up and operated at any parking space. Possible applications of the simulation system include driver training and testing.

Claims

1. A portable system for simulating operation of a vehicle using an actual vehicle, the portable system comprising:

means for relieving the friction of steered wheels of the actual vehicle with a road surface, wherein the friction is relieved sufficiently for the actual vehicle'"'"'s steering to be operated using force not exceeding the force required to steer the actual vehicle in motion while the actual vehicle is immobile;

a computer for simulating a Virtual Driving Environment (VDE);

software for simulating the VDE running on the computer;

audio and visual presentation devices presenting the computer-generated VDE to a user;

non-invasive sensors reading a real-time state of a plurality of vehicle'"'"'s controls configured to send data to said computer; and

a motion feedback cushion providing physical body cues.