Horizontal perspective hands-on simulator
Thus the present invention discloses a hands-on simulator system using horizontal perspective display. The hands-on simulator system comprises a real time electronic display that can project horizontal perspective images into the open space and a peripheral device that allow the end user to manipulate the images with hands or hand-held tools.
1 . A 3-D horizontal perspective simulator system comprising
a horizontal perspective display using horizontal perspective to display a 3-D image onto an open space; and
a peripheral device to manipulate the display image by touching the 3-D image.
2 . A simulator system as in claim 1 further comprising a processing unit taking the input from the peripheral device and providing output to the horizontal perspective display.
3 . A simulator system as in claim 1 further comprising a means to track the physical peripheral device to the 3-D image.
4 . A simulator system as in claim 1 further comprising a means to calibrate the physical peripheral device to the 3-D image.
5 . A 3-D horizontal perspective simulator system comprising
a processing unit;
a horizontal perspective display using horizontal perspective to display a 3-D image onto an open space;
a peripheral device to manipulate the display image by touching the 3-D image; and
a peripheral device tracking unit for mapping the peripheral device to the 3-D image.
6 . A simulator system as in claim 5 wherein the horizontal perspective display further display a portion of the 3-D image onto an inner-access volume, whereby the image portion in the inner-access volume cannot be touched by the peripheral device.
7 . A simulator system as in claim 5 wherein the horizontal perspective display further comprises automatic or manual eyepoint tracking.
8 . A simulator system as in claim 5 wherein the horizontal perspective display further comprises a means to zoom, rotation or movement of the 3-D image.
9 . A simulator system as in claim 5 wherein the horizontal perspective display projects the 3-D image onto a substantial horizontal surface.
10 . A simulator system as in claim 5 wherein the peripheral device is a tool, a handheld tool, a space glove or a pointing device.
11 . A simulator system as in claim 5 wherein the peripheral device comprises a tip wherein the manipulation corresponds to the tip of the peripheral device.
12 . A simulator system as in claim 5 wherein the manipulation comprises the action of modifying the display image or the action of generating a different image.
13 . A simulator system as in claim 5 further comprising a 3-D sound system.
14 . A simulator system as in claim 5 wherein the peripheral device mapping comprises inputting the position of the peripheral device to the processing unit.
15 . A simulator system as in claim 5 wherein the peripheral device tracking unit comprises a triangulation or infrared tracking system.
16 . A simulator system as in claim 5 further comprising a means to calibrate the coordinate of the display image to the peripheral device.
17 . A simulator system as in claim 16 wherein the calibration means comprises a manual input of a reference coordinate.
18 . A simulator system as in claim 16 wherein the calibration means comprises an automatic input of a reference coordinate through a calibration procedure.
19 . A simulator system as in claim 5 wherein the horizontal perspective display is a stereoscopic horizontal perspective display using horizontal perspective to display a stereoscopic 3-D image.
20 . A multi-view 3-D horizontal perspective simulator system comprising
a processing unit;
a stereoscopic horizontal perspective display using horizontal perspective to display a stereoscopic 3-D image onto an open space; and
a peripheral device to manipulate the display image by touching the 3-D image; and
a peripheral device tracking unit for mapping the peripheral device to the 3-D image.