VIDEO-CAPTURED MODEL VEHICLE SIMULATOR

• US 20090162814A1
• Filed: 12/06/2006
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew Warburton Swan
• Original Assignee: Andrew Warburton Swan
• Inventors: Swan, Andrew Warburton
• Granted Patent: US 8,333,592 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/69
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/10 electrically driven
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/24 Electric toy railways; Systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/04 for teaching control of land vehicles

Abstract

The present invention provides a video-captured model vehicle simulator including at least one model vehicle, a track layout, at least one video imaging unit, at least one computer, at least one input device and/or control system and a customised software application whereby the simulator provides a user with a realistic simulation of the operation of a vehicle.

Claims

1. A video-captured model vehicle simulator including:

at least one model vehicle;

a track layout;

at least one video imaging unit;

at least one computer;

at least one input device and/or control system;

and a customized software application whereby the simulator provides a user with a realistic simulation of the operation of said vehicle.

2. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the model vehicle is a train and/or crane.

3. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the video imaging unit is a wireless camera which is adapted to be positioned within the model vehicle to provide a driver'"'"'s view of the images captured.

4. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 3 wherein the wireless camera has provided a transmitter and receiver which are provided separately and/or as an integral unit.

5. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the customized software application has multiple functions which enable at least one user to control the model vehicle(s) via the computer(s) and receive and display constant feedback from the model vehicle.

6. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the input device, which is adapted to be connected to the computer(s) or a DCC system to control the various functions of the model vehicle on the track layout, is a keyboard, mouse, joystick, gamepad or the like.

7. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control system is a digital command control (DCC) system which is adapted to control the movement and functionality of the model vehicle(s) and track layout.

8. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 7 wherein the DCC system has provided a command station, a booster and a decoder.

9. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 7 wherein the system further includes at least one electronic interface which is adapted to connect a command station of the DCC system to a computer.

10. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the software application is adapted to display an interactive interface on a user'"'"'s screen in the form of a full screen image of the inside of a driver'"'"'s cabin/cockpit.

11. A video-captured model vehicle simulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the software application is provided with a playback function such that a user can record their journey and playback part and/or the entire journey.

12. (canceled)