Patents by Inventor Wade O. Winblad
Wade O. Winblad has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 5618179Abstract: A driver training system for a user of a simulated vehicle. The system includes input devices for controlling the simulated vehicle, a video display having three-dimensional graphics, modeling software for determining position information based on the input devices, atmospheric effects software to simulate time-of-day and weather conditions, and recursive training software to display a previous route through an environment simultaneously with a present route through the environment together with associated performance data. Another aspect of the recursive training software replays either the previous route or present route and controls one of the input devices to provide "hands-on" feedback to the user. The user then incrementally and recursively maximizes parameters associated with vehicle operation skill. The driver training system may be embodied as a vehicle simulator.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1994Date of Patent: April 8, 1997Assignee: Atari Games CorpoorationInventors: Norman S. Copperman, Alan S. Gray, Wade O. Winblad
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Patent number: 5618178Abstract: A driver training system for a user of a simulated vehicle. The system includes input devices for controlling the simulated vehicle, a video display having three dimensional graphics, a computer, modeling software for determining position information based on the input devices, atmospheric effects software to simulate time-of-day and weather conditions, and realistic operating feedback software for simulating on the input devices the feedback normally experienced with operating the vehicle. One aspect of the preferred embodiment is a system including a low frequency speaker mounted on an enclosure adjacent to the simulation user's seat through which road feel cues such as hitting an object are transmitted to the user in response to signals received from the computer. Another aspect of the invention is the a system for simulating the feel to the user of anti-lock brakes on a brake pedal in response to signals received the computer.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1994Date of Patent: April 8, 1997Assignee: Atari Games CorporationInventors: Norman S. Copperman, Wade O. Winblad
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Patent number: 5607308Abstract: A driver training system for a user of a simulated vehicle. The system includes input devices for controlling the simulated vehicle, a video display having three dimensional graphics, a computer, modeling software for determining position information based on the input devices, atmospheric effects software to simulate time-of-day and weather conditions, and realistic operating feedback software for simulating on the input devices the feedback normally experienced with operating the vehicle. One aspect of the preferred embodiment is a system including a low frequency speaker mounted on an enclosure adjacent to the simulation user's seat through which road feel cues such as hitting an object are transmitted to the user in response to signals received from the computer. Another aspect of the invention is the a system for simulating the feel to the user of anti-lock brakes on a brake pedal in response to signals received the computer.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1994Date of Patent: March 4, 1997Assignee: Atari Games CorporationInventors: Norman S. Copperman, Wade O. Winblad
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Patent number: 5368484Abstract: A driver training system for a user of a simulated vehicle. The system includes input devices for controlling the simulated vehicle, a video display having three dimensional graphics, a computer, modeling software for determining position information based on the input devices, atmospheric effects software to simulate time-of-day and weather conditions, and realistic operating feedback software for simulating on the input devices the feedback normally experienced with operating the vehicle. One aspect of the preferred embodiment is a system including a low frequency speaker mounted on an enclosure adjacent to the simulation user's seat through which road feel cues such as hitting an object are transmitted to the user in response to signals received from the computer. Another aspect of the invention is the a system for simulating the feel to the user of anti-lock brakes on a brake pedal in response to signals received the computer.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1993Date of Patent: November 29, 1994Assignee: Atari Games Corp.Inventors: Norman S. Copperman, Wade O. Winblad
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Patent number: 5366376Abstract: A driver training system for a user of a simulated vehicle. The system includes input devices for controlling the simulated vehicle, a video display having three-dimensional graphics, modeling software for determining position information based on the input devices, atmospheric effects software to simulate time-of-day and weather conditions, and recursive training software to display a previous route through an environment simultaneously with a present route through the environment together with associated performance data. Another aspect of the recursive training software replays either the previous route or present route and controls one of the input devices to provide "hands-on" feedback to the user. The user then incrementally and recursively maximizes parameters associated with vehicle operation skill. The driver training system may be embodied as a vehicle simulator.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 1992Date of Patent: November 22, 1994Assignee: Atari Games CorporationInventors: Norman S. Copperman, Alan S. Gray, Wade O. Winblad
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Patent number: 5286024Abstract: A joystick position sensing device has a housing and a pivot ball movably mounted on said housing. The ball defines a prime axis, and a joystick is attached to the ball coaxially with the prime axis. The ball also defines two great circles which are orthogonal to each other and which intersect the prime axis. A groove is partially inscribed on the ball over a portion of each great circle, and a respective follower arm is slidably engaged with each groove. Also, each follower arm is rotatably engaged with a respective potentiometer. Motion of the joystick causes the ball (and grooves) to move, and the follower arms can slide in their grooves, or rotate relative to their potentiometers to adjust the setting of the associated potentiometer, in response to motion of the ball. The system generates a signal representative of the position of the joystick relative to the housing based upon the output signals of the potentiometers.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 1991Date of Patent: February 15, 1994Assignee: Atari Games CorporationInventor: Wade O. Winblad
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Patent number: 5240417Abstract: A system for simulating bicycle riding which incorporates a conventionally-appearing bicycle physically maneuverable by a system user. Front and rear bicycle wheels are provided solely for visual authenticity. The simulating system provides electrical communication between mechanical maneuvering of the bicycle and a video display to visually reflect changes in speed and bicycle position on a variable-terrain track in response to pedaling, braking and steering changes by the user. Specifically, the system permits simultaneous lateral displacement and leaning of the bicycle away from the vertical plane to simulate travel about a curve. The system also permits rotation in a vertical plane about a pivot point proximate to the rear bicycle tire to simulate "wheelie" motion. These changes are monitored by sensors which transmit information to a computer which, in turn, correspondingly adjusts the position of an animated bicycle on the track using computer animation made possible by a unique bicycle model program.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1991Date of Patent: August 31, 1993Assignee: Atari Games CorporationInventors: Bonnie J. Smithson, Jacques D. Aknin, Gerald J. Lichac, Rick L. Moncrief, Wade O. Winblad
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Patent number: D355879Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 1992Date of Patent: February 28, 1995Assignee: Atari Games CorporationInventor: Wade O. Winblad