Abstract: The present document describes a device and method for synchronizing a motion signal corresponding to a media content with a media signal for the media content, the motion signal being for controlling a motion feedback system. The method comprises: receiving a portion of the media signal; obtaining a fingerprint corresponding to the received portion of the media signal; from reference fingerprints associated with time positions of at least one reference media content, identifying a reference time position of the media content corresponding to the obtained fingerprint; obtaining the motion signal associated with the identified reference time position of the media content; and outputting the motion signal synchronized with the media signal using the identified reference time position of the media content for controlling the motion feedback system.

Abstract: The present document describes a link member for providing an interface between an actuator and a seat base. The link member has a translational degree of freedom and at least two rotational degrees of freedom. The link member comprises: a joint member having a spherical surface, the joint member for attachment to one of the actuator and the seat base; a housing for attachment to the other one of the actuator and the seat base; and a slider mounted on the spherical surface and within the housing. The slider is free to move in a direction of a translational plane within the housing thereby providing the translational degree of freedom. Furthermore, the slider is free to slide on the spherical surface and to pivot about a first axis and a second axis thereby providing the at least two rotational degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A motion simulator for transmitting motion with respect to a floor as a function of motion signals associated to a video output. The motion simulator comprises a seating portion for accommodating a viewer viewing the video output. Actuators each have a housing and an output shaft interrelated by a degree of freedom. Each of the actuators has a motor connected to the seating portion for displacing the housing with respect to the output shaft along the degree of freedom as a function of actuation from the actuators in relation to the motion signals. The housing of each of the actuators is secured to the seating portion. The output shaft of each of the actuators comprises a leg supporting the motion simulator on the floor, whereby the seating portion is movable as a function of actuation from the actuators.

Abstract: There is described a method and device for encoding a vibro-kinetic signal (e.g., motion codes) directly onto a video player media (e.g., a DVD player) and for streaming the vibro-kinetic signal to a dedicated motion decoder in synchrony to the audio and video, while the movie support media (e.g., a DVD, a computer file, streaming data from a network) is being played. According to an embodiment, the multi-channel vibro-kinetic signal is encoded within one of the audio channels transported by the HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) link. Two methods are proposed to perform the encoding: Direct LSB (Least Significant Bit) Injection; and Perceptually Modulated Injection. There are also described corresponding decoding methods and motion decoders.

Abstract: There is described method for producing a computer file for inclusion in an audio bundle of a digital cinema file in which is encoded a multi-channel vibro-kinetic signal for controlling a motion platform. The audio bundle is for being transported over a digital transport link between a D-Cinema player and a motion decoder. The method comprises: obtaining a succession of blocks of vibro-kinetic samples from a vibro-kinetic file (e.g., a KineLink file); encoding binary data which represents the samples of the multi-channel vibro-kinetic signal into a sequence of monophonic PCM samples, according to a defined structure; and building a computer file using the encoded binary data, the computer file for incorporation into the audio bundle of the digital-cinema file, the encoded binary data for being transported over the digital transport link of the D-Cinema player to a motion decoder controlling the motion platform.

Abstract: The present description relates to the interfacing of a computer with a motion platform using a USB audio-class computer peripheral. The computer peripheral receives a digital audio-format signal according to the USB specification and provides a motion signal to up to four motion platforms. As the computer peripheral is a USB audio-class peripheral, no device-specific driver is required to play motion synchronously with a movie or a video game. The general purpose audio driver included in the operating system of the computer is advantageously used and the computer peripheral can alternately be used with any operating system comprising such a general purpose audio driver, such as Windows 2000, Windows XO or Mac OSX. The computer peripheral is seen by the computer as a USB sound card.

Abstract: An actuated support frame for transmitting motion to a seat with respect to a ground as a function of motion signals associated with video output, comprises a frame. The frame is expandable/retractable along translational degrees of freedom. Support surfaces are provided on the frame. The support surfaces are displaceable with respect to one another by expansion/retraction of the frame so as to be sized to support a seat. Actuators are provided between the frame and the ground. The actuators receive signals and selectively displace the frame with respect to the ground in synchronization with a video output, whereby a seat supported on the frame is displaceable within the frame. A method for installing a seating system of a motion simulator system is also provided.

Abstract: The present document describes a CPU platform interface method and device for synchronizing a stream of motion codes with a video stream. The method and device use the video stream time stamps and movie identity information from the software movie player along with the CPU time clock to fill a queue of motion code frames and determine when the frames will be sent as a motion stream to one or more actuators of a motion platform.

Abstract: The present document describes a system and method for rendering a vibro-kinetic feedback representative of the vibro-kinetic properties of a remote object on a vibro-kinetic platform. The user may control the motion of the remote object using a remote control such as a joystick or the like. Motion commands generated by the remote control are sent to the remote object for execution. Telemetry data representative of measurements related to the remote object may be captured by a telemetry capture system. A vibro-kinetic encoder generates, using the telemetry data, a vibro-kinetic signal representative of the vibro-kinetic properties of the remote object for rendering on the vibro-kinetic platform. The vibro-kinetic platform may be a motion-enabled chair, or a vibro-kinetic platform having the shape of the remote object for more realistic effect. In an embodiment, the audio and/or video environments of the remote object are also captured and rendered on a feedback system.

Abstract: The present document describes a system and method for controlling the movements of a motion platform in real-time based on the movements of a remote subject. For example, the user of the motion platform may experience movements/vibrations that correspond to the movements of a motorcycle in a live racing event. The system comprises a motion capture system which determines the movement of the remote subject. The output of the motion capture system is used by an encoder to generate motion signals which cause the motion platform to produce movements which correspond to the movements of the remote subject. The motion signals are sent to the motion platform over a communication link. In an embodiment, the remote subject is provided with one or more motion sensors which communicate with the motion capture system over another communication link.

Abstract: In a building equipped with a plurality of motion-enabled chairs such as a movie theatre, the vibration of the motion-enabled chairs adds up and may damage the foundation of the building especially at the resonance frequency. The present application describes a system and method for controlling the resulting vibration by introducing an alteration such as a delay or an inversion in the motion signals sent to the motion-enabled chairs. This delay causes the vibration of some motion-enabled chairs to be de-phased from the vibration of the other motion-enabled chairs. Whereby, the intensity (magnitude) of the resulting vibration is reduced. Control of the motion-enabled chairs may be done centrally through a central controller, or locally at selected motion-enabled chairs.

Abstract: The present document describes a vibro-kinetic seating kit for providing seating to a user at a seating location in a multi-seating environment comprising other seating locations and for rendering a vibro-kinetic effect to the user. The vibro-kinetic seating kit comprises an electronic display and a vibro-kinetic platform which comprises a seat portion associated with the seating location and for providing the seating to the user; and an actuation system mechanically connected to the seat portion for rendering the vibro-kinetic effect to the user. The electronic display associated to the vibro-kinetic platform is for receiving display data and for electronically showing visual information indicative of the display data which comprises an identification tag for the seating location relative to the other seating locations in the multi-seating environment.

Abstract: The present document describes a device and method for synchronizing a motion signal corresponding to a media content with a media signal for the media content, the motion signal being for controlling a motion feedback system. The method comprises: receiving a portion of the media signal; obtaining a fingerprint corresponding to the received portion of the media signal; from reference fingerprints associated with time positions of at least one reference media content, identifying a reference time position of the media content corresponding to the obtained fingerprint; obtaining the motion signal associated with the identified reference time position of the media content; and outputting the motion signal synchronized with the media signal using the identified reference time position of the media content for controlling the motion feedback system.

Abstract: The present document describes a CPU platform interface method and device for synchronizing a stream of motion codes with a video stream. The method and device use the video stream time stamps and movie identity information from the software movie player along with the CPU time clock to fill a queue of motion code frames and determine when the frames will be sent as a motion stream to one or more actuators of a motion platform.

Abstract: The present document describes a link member for providing an interface between an actuator and a seat base. The link member has a translational degree of freedom and at least two rotational degrees of freedom. The link member comprises: a joint member having a spherical surface, the joint member for attachment to one of the actuator and the seat base; a housing for attachment to the other one of the actuator and the seat base; and a slider mounted on the spherical surface and within the housing. The slider is free to move in a direction of a translational plane within the housing thereby providing the translational degree of freedom. Furthermore, the slider is free to slide on the spherical surface and to pivot about a first axis and a second axis thereby providing the at least two rotational degrees of freedom.

Abstract: The present document describes an actuated chair for inducing motion with respect to the ground as a function of motion signals synchronized with a video output of a feature length movie. The chair comprises a seat base, and an actuating base for receiving the motion signals. The actuating base comprises three link members, namely a first link member, a second link member and a third link member. Each link member has one translational degree of freedom and two rotational degrees of freedom. The first link member and the second link member are attached to the seat base closer to the rear edge than the third link member. The actuating base further comprises three linear actuators for inducing motion to the seat base. The actuators are fixed to the frame and each actuator is respectively connected to the seat base using a respective one of the three link members.

Abstract: There is described a method and device for encoding a vibro-kinetic signal (e.g., motion codes) directly onto a video player media (e.g., a DVD player) and for streaming the vibro-kinetic signal to a dedicated motion decoder in synchrony to the audio and video, while the movie support media (e.g., a DVD, a computer file, streaming data from a network) is being played. According to an embodiment, the multi-channel vibro-kinetic signal is encoded within one of the audio channels transported by the HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) link. Two methods are proposed to perform the encoding: Direct LSB (Least Significant Bit) Injection; and Perceptually Modulated Injection. There are also described corresponding decoding methods and motion decoders.

Abstract: The present document describes an actuated chair for providing seating and inducing motion to a single user with respect to the ground as a function of motion signals synchronized with a video output of a feature length movie. The chair comprises a seat base for providing seating to the single user. The seat base has a rear edge. The chair further comprises an actuating base for receiving the motion signals. The actuating base is located substantially between the seat base and the ground and comprises a frame for interfacing with the ground. The actuating base also comprises three link members, namely a first link member, a second link member and a third link member. Each link member has one translational degree of freedom and two rotational degrees of freedom. The first link member and the second link member are attached to the seat base closer to the rear edge than the third link member. The actuating base further comprises three linear actuators for inducing motion to the seat base.

Abstract: A method for providing a motion signal with a sound signal using an existing sound signal encoding format. The method comprises providing the motion signal, providing the sound signal, inserting the motion signal in an available data field provided in the existing encoding algorithm, encoding the sound signal with the inserted motion signal according to the existing encoding algorithm to generate an encoded bitstream sound signal and providing the encoded bitstream sound signal comprising the motion signal and the sound signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing a motion signal to a motion platform comprising a plurality of actuators. The apparatus comprises a formatting unit receiving a motion signal indication of a motion to perform on the motion platform and formatting the motion signal and a synchronizing unit receiving the formatted signal and providing a synchronized and formatted motion signal to the motion platform.