Controlled dynamic multi-axis virtual reality system
An improved virtual reality system comprises a chair 110 integrated with a pedestal 120 , which contains a motion platform 150 and base 160 . The chair 110 can be rotated continuously in the yaw axis by a stepper motor 230 and substantially in the pitch axis by an additional stepper motor 240 in coordination with the content of the VR display as directed by a chair controller located on the motion platform 150.
1. A virtual reality viewing station comprising:
a pedestal, further comprising a base and a motion platform;
a yaw bearing allowing unlimited rotation, exclusively in the yaw axis, of the motion platform relative to the base; and
a chair connected to the motion platform, wherein the chair can rotate in pitch about a horizontal axis that is fixed relative to the motion platform, and wherein the motion platform further comprises a saddle, wherein the saddle is connected to the chair and rotates about the horizontal axis that is fixed relative to the motion platform, and
wherein the rotation of the saddle about the horizontal axis drives the rotation in pitch of the connected chair.
2. The virtual reality viewing station of claim 1 , wherein the rotation of the yaw bearing is driven by a yaw motor mounted on the motion platform, and wherein the yaw motor is connected by a base shaft to the base.
3. The virtual reality viewing station of claim 2 , wherein the rotation in pitch about the horizontal axis that is fixed relative to the motion platform is driven by a pitch motor that is mounted on the motion platform.
4. The virtual reality viewing station of claim 3 , wherein the pitch motor and the yaw motor are controlled by a controller mounted on the motion platform.
5. The virtual reality viewing station of claim 4 , wherein the pitch and yaw of the chair are controlled by programming executed in the controller without user input.
6. The virtual reality viewing station of claim 4 , wherein the pitch and yaw of the chair, when coordinated with a video presentation displayed to a user, results in the user perception of motion not physically being experienced by the user.
7. The virtual reality viewing station of claim 1 , wherein the rotation of the saddle about the horizontal axis fixed relative to the motion platform is driven by a pitch motor, wherein the pitch motor rotates an eccentric; the eccentric is connected to an actuator arm that is connected at a first end to the eccentric and at a second end to a projection extending from the saddle, and
wherein a rotation of the pitch motor, causes the saddle to rotate about the horizontal axis fixed relative to the motion platform.
8. The virtual reality viewing station of claim 7 , wherein the rotation of the yaw bearing is driven by a yaw motor mounted on the motion platform, and wherein the yaw motor is connected by a base shaft to the base.
9. The virtual reality viewing station of claim 8 , wherein the yaw motor is connected to the base shaft via a gearbox.
10. The virtual reality viewing station of claim 1 , further comprising:
a pitch motor, mounted on the motion platform, to rotate the chair in pitch, a yaw motor, mounted on the motion platform, to rotate the motion platform in yaw relative to the base,
wherein the motion platform further comprises a saddle, wherein the saddle is connected to the chair and rotates about the horizontal axis that is fixed relative to the motion platform, and
wherein the rotation of the saddle about the horizontal axis drives the rotation in pitch of the connected chair, and
a controller, mounted on the motion platform, to control the pitch and yaw motors.
11. The virtual reality viewing station of claim 10 , wherein the pitch and yaw of the chair, when coordinated with a video presentation displayed to a user, results in a user perception of motion not physically being experienced by the user.
12. A virtual reality station comprising:
a base and a motion platform;
a chair, mounted on the motion platform, in which the user sits during play of virtual reality content;
two motors to affect motion of the chair;
wherein one of the two motors independently affects the pitch of the chair without effect on the yaw of the chair, and wherein the other of the two motors independently affects the yaw of the chair without effect on the pitch of the chair; wherein the amount of rotation of the chair about a yaw axis is unlimited; wherein each of the two motors is mounted on the motion platform, wherein the motion platform further comprises a saddle, wherein the saddle is connected to the chair and rotates about the horizontal axis that is fixed relative to the motion platform, and
wherein the rotation of the saddle about the horizontal axis drives the rotation in pitch of the connected chair.
13. The virtual reality station of claim 12 , further comprising:
a digital electronic controller, mounted on the motion platform for controlling the behavior of the two motors.
14. The virtual reality station of claim 13 , wherein the pitch and yaw of the chair, when coordinated with the play of the virtual reality content, results in a user perception of motion not physically being experienced by the user.
15. The virtual reality station of claim 14 , wherein the user perception of motion not physically being experienced by the user is perceived translational motion.