Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for enabling accurate registration of virtual information upon real objects in selected environments from the perspective of a moveable observation platform having a position and an orientation within an observation space positioned within the environment, the position and orientation defining the registration of the virtual information within the observation space within the environment, which may comprise: a plurality of at least three tracking fiducials selectively each respectively located in fixed predetermined locations in the observation space; the observation platform including a position sensor apparatus adapted to sense an estimated position of the observation platform in the observation space and a heading sensor apparatus adapted to sense an estimated heading of the observation platform within the observation space; the observation platform further including a wide view fiducial detection apparatus mounted on the observation platform and adapted to detect the r

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for enabling accurate registration of virtual information upon real objects in selected environments from the perspective of a moveable observation platform having a position and an orientation within an observation space positioned within the environment, the position and orientation defining the registration of the virtual information within the observation space within the environment, which may comprise: a plurality of at least three tracking fiducials selectively each respectively located in fixed predetermined locations in the observation space; the observation platform including a position sensor apparatus adapted to sense an estimated position of the observation platform in the observation space and a heading sensor apparatus adapted to sense an estimated heading of the observation platform within the observation space; the observation platform further including a wide view fiducial detection apparatus mounted on the observation platform and adapted to detect the r

Abstract: A modular, interactive, reconfigurable simulation system is designed to provide a variety of simulation experiences. The system has a distributed state machine architecture to facilitate reconfiguration and technological update. A typical simulation system constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of simulator stations. Each station includes a seat for the player/operator and controls and displays that are appropriate for the simulation experience. Each simulator station is preferably mounted on a motion base to provide the player/operator with sensory inputs consistent with motions of the simulated vehicle. Each simulator station is controlled by an associated host computer. The host computer maintains a state vector which describes the current state of the associated simulated vehicle within the simulated world. The host computer calculates interaction between moving objects and the underlying terrain data base by mapping 3D terrain objects into 2D maps.