Multi-plane horizontal perspective hands-on simulator
The present invention discloses a multi-plane hands-on simulator system comprising at least two display surfaces, one of which displaying a three dimensional horizontal perspective images. Further, the display surfaces can have a curvilinear blending display section to merge the various images. The multi-plane hands-on simulator can comprise various camera eyepoints, one for the horizontal perspective images, and optionally one for the curvilinear blending display surface. The multi-plane display surface can further adjust the various images to accommodate the position of the viewer. The multi-plane hands-on simulator system 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 first horizontal perspective display using horizontal perspective to display a 3-D image onto an open space;
a second display showing information related to the 3-D image; and
a peripheral device to manipulate the display image by touching the 3-D image.
2 . A simulator system as in claim 1 wherein the second display displays 2D images or central perspective images.
3 . A simulator system as in claim 1 further comprising a third curvilinear display blending the first and the second displays.
4 . A simulator system as in claim 1 further comprising a processing unit taking the input from the peripheral device and providing output to the first horizontal perspective display.
5 . A simulator system as in claim 1 further comprising a processing unit taking the input from the second display and providing output to the first horizontal perspective display.
6 . A simulator system as in claim 1 further comprising a means to track the physical peripheral device to the 3-D image.
7 . A simulator system as in claim 1 further comprising a means to calibrate the physical peripheral device to the 3-D image.
8 . A 3-D horizontal perspective simulator system comprising
a processing unit;
a first horizontal perspective display using horizontal perspective to display a 3-D image onto an open space;
a second display showing information related to the 3-D image;
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.
9 . A simulator system as in claim 8 further comprising a third curvilinear display blending the first and the second displays.
10 . A simulator system as in claim 8 further comprising a processing unit taking the input from the second display and providing output to the first horizontal perspective display.
11 . A simulator system as in claim 8 wherein the first 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.
12 . A simulator system as in claim 8 wherein the first horizontal perspective display further comprises automatic or manual eyepoint tracking to synchronize the camera eyepoint of the horizontal perspective display with an user's eyepoint.
13 . A simulator system as in claim 8 wherein the first horizontal perspective display further comprises a means to zoom, rotation or movement of the 3-D image.
14 . A simulator system as in claim 8 wherein the peripheral device is a tool, a handheld tool, a space glove or a pointing device.
15 . A simulator system as in claim 8 wherein the peripheral device comprises a tip wherein the manipulation corresponds to the tip of the peripheral device.
16 . A simulator system as in claim 8 wherein the manipulation comprises the action of modifying the display image or the action of generating a different image.
17 . A simulator system as in claim 8 wherein the peripheral device mapping comprises inputting the position of the peripheral device to the processing unit.
18 . A simulator system as in claim 8 wherein the peripheral device tracking unit comprises a triangulation or infrared tracking system.
19 . A simulator system as in claim 8 further comprising a means to calibrate the coordinate of the display image to the peripheral device.
20 . A multi-view 3-D horizontal perspective simulator system comprising
a processing unit;
a first stereoscopic horizontal perspective display using horizontal perspective to display a stereoscopic 3-D image onto an open space;
a second display showing information related to the 3-D image;
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.