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, 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, 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. The driver training system may be embodied as an arcade game.

Abstract: An apparatus for creating a realistic feel for a simulated gearshift includes a simulated gearshift for a simulated transmission in a simulated vehicle and has a gearshift lever and a simulated shift pattern for simulating the look and movements through an actual shift pattern of an actual gearshift in a actual vehicle. A pivoting mechanical coupling couples the gearshift lever to a housing for allowing the gearshift lever to pivot about at least two axes. A solenoid is coupled to the pivoting mechanism and has a control signal input for receiving a control signal that controls the amount of force applied to the pivoting mechanism to cause resistance to movement by the shift lever along at least one of the axes. A control computer generates to apply an amount of force to the pivoting mechanical coupling which simulates the actual forces which would be felt by said operator in making the corresponding movement of the gearshift in an actual vehicle.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive control device for a simulated vehicle in a video game or simulator. In the preferred embodiment a brake pedal control device is implemented having a strain gauge which senses the strain in the material of the brake pedal. This strain is amplified by a differential amplifier having a self-adjusting input circuit with a long time constant which causes any variations in the input voltage not due to changing strain on the brake pedal to be applied to both inputs of a differential amplifier in common mode, thereby cancelling the effect thereof. Only voltage differences resulting from variations in the strain on the brake pedal are amplified by the differential amplifier and output for use by the video game or simulator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simulating the forces acting on the steering wheel or other control device of a vehicle. The apparatus uses an electrical motor coupled to a steering wheel in the preferred embodiment. The electrical motor is driven by a computer running software which received data regarding the real world forces which would be acting upon a real steering wheel in a car under similar conditions. A software driver coupled to a position-sensing transducer on the steering wheel calculates the steering wheel position and velocity and sends this data to a model process not forming part of the invention. The model process then calculates the conditions affecting the simulated vehicle and outputs data reflecting the real world forces which would affect the steering wheel of the actual car under similar conditions.

Abstract: A driving simulator for a video game is disclosed. It includes an apparatus and method for moving the visual display of the dashboard relative to the visual display of the outside scene by horizontal scrolling when the car is being turned. A model processor calculates an acceleration vector acting on the drivers head based upon conditions affecting the vehicle such as acceleration during turns. This acceleration vector is scaled and converted to an integer from floating point. The integer value is then digitally low pass filtered to eliminate the graininess of the discrete nature of the process. Finally two routines are called which use the integer data to calculate where the dash, mirror and cab sidepost are to be displayed in the scene of the simulated environment displayed to the driver. Another routine is then called to load the appropriate data into the hardware which performs the scrolling.