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 method for 3-D horizontal perspective simulation by horizontal perspective projection, the horizontal perspective projection comprising displaying horizontal perspective images according to a predetermined projection eyepoint, the method comprising the steps of:
displaying a 3-D image onto an open space of a first display surface using horizontal perspective;
display a second image onto a second display; and
manipulating the display image on the first display surface by touching the 3-D image with a peripheral device.
2 . A method as in claim 1 further comprising the step of taking an input from the second display and providing output to the first horizontal perspective display.
3 . A method as in claim 1 further comprising a step of tracking the physical peripheral device to the 3-D image.
4 . A method as in claim 3 wherein tracking the peripheral device comprises tracking a tip of the peripheral device.
5 . A method as in claim 3 wherein the peripheral device tracking comprises inputting the position of the peripheral device to the processing unit.
6 . A method as in claim 3 wherein the peripheral device tracking comprises a step of triangulation or infrared tracking.
7 . A method as in claim 1 further comprising a step of calibrating the physical peripheral device to the 3-D image.
8 . A method as in claim 7 wherein the calibration step comprises a manual inputting a reference coordinate.
9 . A method as in claim 7 wherein the calibration step comprises an automatic inputting a reference coordinate through a calibration procedure.
10 . A method as in claim 1 further comprising a step of display a third image onto a third curvilinear display, the curvilinear display blending the first display and the second display.
11 . A method as in as in claim 1 wherein the horizontal perspective display is a stereoscopic horizontal perspective display using horizontal perspective to display a stereoscopic 3-D image.
12 . A method as in as in claim 1 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.
13 . A method as in as in claim 1 further comprising a step of automatic or manual eyepoint tracking for the horizontal perspective display.
14 . A method as in as in claim 1 further comprising a step of zooming, rotating or moving the 3-D image.
15 . A method as in as in claim 1 wherein manipulating the display image by the peripheral device comprises tracking a tip of the peripheral device.
16 . A method as in as in claim 15 wherein the manipulation comprises the action of modifying the display image or the action of generating a different image.
17 . A 3-D simulation method using a 3-D horizontal perspective simulator system, the 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;
the method comprising
calibrating the peripheral device;
displaying a first 3-D image onto an open space of the first display surface using horizontal perspective;
displaying a second image onto the second display;
tracking the peripheral device; and
manipulating the display image by touching the 3-D image with the peripheral device.
18 . A method as in claim 17 further comprising a step of display a third image onto a third curvilinear display, the curvilinear display blending the first display and the second display.
19 . A 3-D simulation method using a multi-view 3-D horizontal perspective simulator system, the 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; and
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;
the method comprising
displaying a first stereoscopic 3-D image onto an open space of the first display surface using horizontal perspective;
displaying a second image onto the second display;
tracking the peripheral device; and
manipulating the display image by touching the 3-D image with a peripheral device.
20 . A method as in claim 19 further comprising a step of display a third image onto a third curvilinear display, the curvilinear display blending the first display and the second display.