Abstract: A wide area vehicle driving video game is discussed that includes remote activation of sounds that are communicated to other players across the wide area network. Also discussed is a naming feature that presents the names of players next to the car that they are driving. The name is presented in a font that can be read no matter how far away the car appears in the video game display.

Abstract: An apparatus providing a novel challenge to skill and dexterity includes a projectile and a deformable container having a drive medium contained therein. The deformable container is in fluid communication with a launch member, such that deformation of the container is communicated to the launch member, thereby causing the launch member to impact the projectile. Deformation may be caused by physical pressure applied by an operator. In this case, when an operator strikes the deformable container, it is compressed, forcing the drive medium, which may be air, to the launch member, which may be a piston, causing the launch member to strike a game ball, sending it toward the target. The deformable container may comprise resilient and rigid foam. Alternatively, a plurality of independently compressible containers, each actuating a separate piston or other launch member may be provided.

Abstract: A vehicle simulator including a system for development of vehicle simulation scenarios. The vehicle simulation system includes simulated vehicle controls providing input signals to a computer, and feedback devices, including a video display, providing a user with feedback on the operation and location of the simulated vehicle as it is driven through a simulated universe. One aspect of the invention is a scenario development system which uses the vehicle controls, the computer and the output devices to enable a scenario developer to develop a simulation scenario which includes other programmed vehicles. The scenario developer can determine when and where the other programmed vehicles become active in a simulated universe in which the scenario takes place, as well as determine when and where the programmed vehicles leave the simulated universe.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for finely controlling the rate of animation display in applications such as a video game or simulator. In one embodiment, a floating point animation timer selectively varies or eliminates the number of update periods a video cell is to be displayed to match the display time of the script to a determined time. The determined time can be empirically chosen or dynamically calculated based on the user's input. In another embodiment a sequence table provides an array of update times corresponding to the cells in a script. The number of update times a video cell is displayed can be varied to emphasize certain actions in the animation sequence. This provides a programmer with the ability to create a variety of animation sequences from a limited number of video cells and to finely manipulate the animated character to achieve a specific action.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A helicopter flight simulator having improvements in visual cues and modeling. The unique visual cues include terrain following shadows and hazing, the latter approximating a set of atmospheric conditions. The unique modeling features include a user selectable zoom, horizontal and vertical ground avoidance, and an autorotation model.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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, and recursive training software to display a previous route through an environment simultaneously with a present route through the environment. The user then incrementally and recursively maximizes parameters associated with vehicle operation skill. In addition, a present user may compete with one or more previous users by having previously recorded routes played back on the video display simultaneously with the route of the present user. The driver training system may be embodied as an arcade game.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system for developing stop motion animation sequences including a lighting system, an image capture system and a video processing system. An object is positioned on a stage in a desired pose and is illuminated. A camera records the illuminated object and the image capture system digitally records this image as a beauty shot. The object is then illuminated by an back light which produces a silhouette. The camera then records this silhouette and the image capture system digitally records this image as a matte shot. The object is then illuminated by an overhead light which produces a shadow on the stage. The camera records this image and the image capture system records this image as a shadow shot. The beauty, matte and shadow shots are then processed by the graphics processing system.

Abstract: A vehicle simulator containing a system for development of vehicle simulation scenarios. The vehicle simulation system includes simulated vehicle controls providing input signals to a computer, and feedback devices, including a video display, providing a user feedback on the operation and location of the simulated vehicle as it is driven through a simulated universe. One aspect of the invention is a scenario development system which uses the vehicle controls, the computer and the output devices to enable a scenario developer develop a simulation scenario which includes other programmed vehicles. The scenario developer can determine when and where the other programmed vehicles become active in a simulated universe in which the scenario takes place, as well as determine when and where the programmed vehicles leave the simulated universe.

Abstract: A system and method for simulating a baseball game. The present invention includes means for controlling the direction of a hit through timing and joystick control. The pitch of the ball is controlled in vertical and horizontal directions to provide a three-dimensional control effect. The quality and style of the pitch is determined through grip selection. Feedback is provided on grip and power in conjunction with the targeted pitch area. Base running strategy is selected before a hit, e.g., safety squeeze, suicide squeeze and hold.

Abstract: A helicopter flight simulator having improvements in visual cues and modeling. The unique visual cues include terrain following shadows and hazing, the latter approximating a set of atmospheric conditions. The unique modeling features include a user selectable zoom, horizontal and vertical ground avoidance, and an autorotation model.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A bicycle simulator having a follower assembly, a wheelie assembly and power assistance resistance means. A motorcycle simulator having a coupler, a slew generator and a throttle handle. The bicycle and motorcycle simulators having a computer, motors, sensors, controls, and a video display.

Abstract: A system and method for scaling raster images. Digital pictures are stored in a run length encoded (RLE) format. Object specifiers include a picture index and a scale factor. A line fill state machine, or blitter, scales a raster scan line asynchronously of raster scan synchronization signals. A bit slice processor controls the operation of the blitter and vertical scaling. The growth or shrink scaling is performed about a pre-selected center of mass. A double buffered frame buffer allows one frame buffer to be read while the other is written.

Abstract: 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, and recursive training software to display a previous route through an environment simultaneously with a present route through the environment. The user then incrementally and recursively maximizes parameters associated with vehicle operation skill. In addition, a present user may compete with one or more previous users by having previously recorded routes played back on the video display simultaneously with the route of the present user. The driver training system may be embodied as an arcade game.

Abstract: A multi-player, multi-character video game where the games rules force the players to cooperate in negotiating the maze at least until the characters reach a portion of the maze where a specific objective is located. Certain limited resources to change the attributes of the characters or to increase their longevity are displayed in a maze. The players may compete to obtain possession of these limited resources when the characters have cooperated in their movements sufficiently to move to the location of the limited resources. Cooperation among the characters is forced by forcing all characters active in the game to remain visible in the displayed window. Players may enter the game at any time, and they may leave the game at any time without affecting the status of the game or the status of the other characters in the game. All active players may simultaneously, independently control their characters so long as they do not attempt to move their characters outside the currently displayed window.