Abstract: The present modeling tool and method dynamically generate a maintenance simulation of a vehicle. For doing so, a configuration interface receives a list of components of the vehicle, each particular component comprising parameters defining the particular component. The configuration interface further receives relationships between the components in the list, and determines a plurality of state, transitions, conditions, triggers and actions. A processing unit processes the data received and determined via the configuration interface to generate the maintenance simulation, the maintenance simulation comprising an aggregation of all the determined transitions between the components into a global state machine. The present method may further be performed by a computer program product.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a configurable simulator with testing capabilities, comprising a simulation controller and a plurality of configurable modular cards. The simulation controller determines configuration parameters of the cards and exchanges configuration messages with the cards. The simulation controller also receives and processes test notifications from the cards. Each card comprises a configurable input/output unit comprising a plurality of configurable inputs and outputs, and a power supply comprising a plurality of configurable power supply circuits. The input/output unit exchanges configuration messages with the simulation controller and sends the test notification. Each card further comprises a processor for configuring the configurable input/output unit, and the power supply. The processor also executes a simulation code to implement a functionality of the simulator.

Abstract: A method and a computer system for modeling, in a virtual environment of a computer simulation, virtual contaminants in a scene to be rendered. A processing module, using a graphical user interface on a display device, is used for define, in a model, a first additive zone of the scene over which a virtual contaminant is to be added, defining, in the model, a second subtractive zone of the scene over which the virtual contaminant is to be at least partially removed, the second subtractive zone being at least partially enclosed within the first additive zone and a memory module is used for storing the model, the model being made available through a storage module for rendering the virtual contaminants on the scene in the computer simulation. A preview mode may be used for launching the computer simulation at a rate lower than the expected rate of the computer simulation.

Abstract: Method and system for automatically customizing a recorded real time simulation based on simulation metadata. Recorded data corresponding to the real time simulation are received by the computing device. The recorded data are organized according to an original simulation timeline. The recorded data are processed by the computing device to generate customized simulation data based on the simulation metadata. The customized simulation data are organized according to an updated simulation timeline. The updated simulation timeline is generated based on the original simulation timeline. For instance, a new datum corresponding to a plurality of recorded data is generated according to the simulation metadata. The recorded data may comprise an action performed by a user interacting with the real time simulation, an event occurring during the real time simulation, a variation of a parameter during the real time simulation, and a screenshot of a display of the real time simulation.

Abstract: A method and a computer system for performing a computer simulation in which virtual contaminants are rendered on a rendered scene of the computer simulation. A memory module is sued for loading thereinto a model defining a virtual environment of the computer simulation, the virtual environment defining a plurality of zones comprising a first additive zone and a second subtractive zone, the second subtractive zone being at least partially enclosed within the first additive zone. An image generator module is used for adding a virtual contaminant over the first additive zone, removing, at least partially, the virtual contaminant within the second subtractive zone leaving a remaining virtual contaminant in the first additive zone and rendering an image for display comprising the remaining virtual contaminant in the virtual environment using a visual texture of the virtual contaminant. The computer simulation may be a vehicle computer simulation.

Abstract: A display system comprising a display screen for displaying a stream of images, a viewer positioning module and an image generator module. The viewer positioning module is for determining a viewer's sightline by defining a first factor of the sightline as a lateral position of a viewer's body part located between the viewer's chin and the viewer's waistline, defining a second factor of the sightline as a depth position of the body part and computing the sightline based at least on the first factor and the second factor. The image generator module is for generating the stream of images considering the determined sightline. A method comprising defining the first factor, defining the second factor, computing the sightline based at least on the first factor and the second factor, generating the stream of images considering the determined sightline and displaying the stream of images on a first display screen.

Abstract: A method and computer system for updating damaged-enhanced polygon meshes in a computer simulation associated to a storage module accessible to at least a first and a second decentralized simulation stations and a centralized processing unit thereof. At the first station, during the computer simulation, determining coordinates of a virtual impact on a 3D polygon mesh, computing newly formed 3D polygon mesh(es) from the virtual impact without updating the storage module and rendering damaged-enhanced image(s) of the newly formed 3D polygon mesh(es) for display from a first field of view of the first station. At the second station, receiving the coordinates of the virtual impact. At the centralized processing unit, receiving the coordinates of the virtual impact, computing the newly formed 3D polygon mesh(es) from the received coordinates independently from the first station, in non-real-time priority processing and persistently updating the storage module with newly formed 3D polygon mesh(es).

Abstract: Method and computer system for rendering damaged-enhanced images in a computer simulation comprising a computer generated environment. During the computer simulation, determining coordinates of a virtual impact having an effective radius on 3D polygon mesh(es) of the computer generated environment, identifying rendering faces of the 3D polygon mesh(es) affected by the virtual impact, clipping at runtime the affected rendering faces to a mathematically-defined subtraction shape computed considering the effective radius, computing newly formed 3D polygon mesh(es) and rendering at least one damaged-enhanced image for display comprising a subset of rendering faces of the newly formed 3D polygon mesh(es) using a visual texture, the subset being determined from a field of view of the computer simulation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a configurable simulator with testing capabilities, comprising a simulation controller and a plurality of configurable modular cards. The simulation controller determines configuration parameters of the cards and exchanges configuration messages with the cards. The simulation controller also receives and processes test notifications from the cards. Each card comprises a configurable input/output unit comprising a plurality of configurable inputs and outputs, and a power supply comprising a plurality of configurable power supply circuits. The input/output unit exchanges configuration messages with the simulation controller and sends the test notification. Each card further comprises a processor for configuring the configurable input/output unit, and the power supply. The processor also executes a simulation code to implement a functionality of the simulator.

Abstract: The present simulated medical instrument is adapted for insertion in a channel of a body cavity simulator. The present simulated medical instrument comprises a tube and at least one tracking device. The tube comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The tube is sized and shaped for insertion in the channel of the body cavity simulator. The at least one tracking device is located in proximity of the distal end of the tube, the tracking device having a pattern detectable via camera.

Abstract: The present system and method related to simulating medical procedures. The system and method comprise a body cavity simulator and at least one camera. The body cavity simulator comprises a channel having a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner longitudinal passage extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The channel is partially made of a material comprised of one of the following: a transparent material, a translucent material, a semi-transparent material. The channel receives at least one simulated medical instrument through the proximal end. The at least one camera is adapted for capturing through the material of the channel a pattern of a tracking device of the at least one simulated medical instrument inserted in the channel. The camera transmits data corresponding to the captured pattern of the tracking device to a processing unit.

Abstract: A method and a display system for dynamically activating a night-vision mode. The display system comprises a processor module that further comprises an image generator module. The processor module is for determining at least a head position of a user in the display system, the head position being used at least for geometry-correction purposes and, while determining the head position, determining that a night-vision-enhancer device is activated by the user. The processor module is further for activating the night-vision mode of the display system and the image generator module, upon activation of the night-vision mode of the display system, renders night-vision-enhanced images of a computer generated environment for display. The night-vision-enhanced images present a night-mode-adapted wavelength spectrum.

Abstract: A method and a computer system for modeling, in a virtual environment of a computer simulation, virtual contaminants in a scene to be rendered. A processing module, using a graphical user interface on a display device, is used for define, in a model, a first additive zone of the scene over which a virtual contaminant is to be added, defining, in the model, a second subtractive zone of the scene over which the virtual contaminant is to be at least partially removed, the second subtractive zone being at least partially enclosed within the first additive zone and a memory module is used for storing the model, the model being made available through a storage module for rendering the virtual contaminants on the scene in the computer simulation. A preview mode may be used for launching the computer simulation at a rate lower than the expected rate of the computer simulation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a configurable modular card. The card comprises a board, at least one processor and at least one memory on the board, a configurable input/output unit comprising a plurality of configurable inputs and outputs, a bus for providing electronic data exchange there between, and a power supply comprising a plurality of configurable power supply circuits. The configurable input/output unit has a predefined output for sending a broadcast message and a predefined input for receiving a broadcast response message. The processor configures the plurality of inputs and outputs of the configurable input/output unit based on the broadcast response message. The processor configures the plurality of power circuits of the power supply based on the broadcast response message. The processor generates testing signals to the plurality of inputs and outputs of the configurable input/output unit and to the plurality of power circuits of the power supply.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a configurable simulator comprising at least one configuration component and a plurality of configurable modular cards. The configuration component determines configuration parameters of the cards and exchanges configuration messages with the cards. Each card comprises a configurable input/output unit comprising a plurality of configurable inputs and outputs, and a power supply comprising a plurality of configurable power supply circuits. The input/output unit exchanges configuration messages with the simulation controller. Each card further comprises a processor for configuring the plurality of inputs and outputs of the configurable input/output unit, and the plurality of power circuits of the power supply. The processor also executes a simulation code to implement a functionality of the simulator. The present disclosure also relates to a method for operating a configurable simulator comprising a plurality of configurable modular cards.

Abstract: A method of developing a mathematical model of dynamics of a vehicle for use in a computer-controlled simulation, comprising: selecting a coefficient of a state-space model mathematically modelling the dynamics of the vehicle, the selected coefficient having a value for a predetermined state of the vehicle; and varying, a parameter of a physically-based computerized model mathematically modelling the dynamics of the vehicle, the parameter related to at least one of physical characteristics of the vehicle and phenomena influencing the dynamics of the vehicle, to improve the accuracy of the physically-based model via computer-implemented numerical optimization, the computer-implemented numerical optimization targeting the coefficient of the state-space model such that the difference between a value predicted by the physically-based model and the value of the coefficient of the state-space model for the predetermined vehicle state is within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Magnetic sensor system including an assembly comprising first, second, and third scalar point-sensor magnetometers being fixedly mounted with respect to one another such that the position of each magnetometer's axis is invariable with respect to the other magnetometers' axes. When the sensor assembly is in operation, each magnetometer's axis forms an angle with ambient magnetic field lines. Each magnetometer has an operating range defined with respect to a range of values of the angle formed by its axis and the ambient magnetic field. The magnetometers are positioned such that at least one of magnetometers is within its operating range at any point in time. Each magnetometer has an output signal. Computer processor determines which of the output signals is to be used any particular point in time in the sensing of local variations in the ambient magnetic field. Method of operation of the magnetic sensor system/assembly is disclosed.

Abstract: A multiple degree-of-freedom motion simulator assembly comprises a fixed base, a displaceable simulator platform, and a plurality of linear actuators having upper ends thereof interconnected with the platform and lower ends thereof interconnected with the fixed base. A vibration damping unit is disposed between at least one of each of the upper ends and the platform and each of the lower ends and the fixed base. The damping units include at least a first resilient member preloaded and mounted to a major surface of a plate of the damping unit engaged to one of the ends of the linear actuator. The first resilient member provides vibration absorption such as to damp vibrations transmitted from the plate to the platform or base in at least a direction substantially perpendicular to the major surface.