Abstract: A 3-D simulator amusement ride dimensioned to fit within existing buildings having 12 to 15 foot high ceilings. The ride includes a motion base formed in a hexagonal pattern with up to six degrees of freedom of movement, a passenger enclosure supported upon the motion base, a 3-D video image system attached to the enclosure and a computerized control system which functions to synchronize the movement of the enclosure to a projected 3-D video.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for interactively experiencing a recording. At least one seat is provided which moves in a plane simultaneously either through active participation of the viewer through movement of a joystick or passively by a signal recorded on the recording medium. The recording medium includes a motion signal provided to a controller for actuating release and supply of air to pneumatic cylinders moving the at least one seat simultaneously in the same plane in a maximum degree of movement. The recording medium may also include video and/or audio signals for displaying an image on a screen which moves in the same plane as the seat.

Abstract: A free standing coin operated game system includes a computer and a mechanical animal for a player to ride. The game further includes a first video display screen displaying computer generated video graphics of a moving head section of an animal of the same species as the mechanical animal. The first screen is disposed in front of the mechanical animal and viewable by the player. A second video display screen displays the score of the player. A third video display screen displays computer generated video graphics of an animal of the same species as the mechanical animal and a mounted rider on the animal. During play of the game, movement of the head section image in relation to the surrounding arena images creates a sensation of movement in the player. The video graphics image displayed on the first video display screen induces physical movement by the player who is positioned on the back of the mechanical bull.

Abstract: A method for immersion of a user into virtual reality consisting in that a closed shell limiting a real closed space is formed and the shell is arranged on a support means with the possibility of rotation about its center. A user who has the possibility for free movement along the inner surface of the shell is placed in the shell. Wherein the shell turns in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the user due to the effect of the moment of force produced when the center of gravity of the user is displaced relative to a vertical passing through the center of the shell. Then a virtual space is formed in which objects appear and move in a predetermined and random manner. This formed virtual space is displayed to the user. Continuous conversion of the virtual space is carried out in accordance with real physical hand, foot and head movements of the user in the real space, taking into account interaction with the objects in virtual space.

Abstract: An amusement attraction has a theater with an audience seating area. The audience seating area faces a projection screen and a film presentation is projected onto the projection screen. The audience seating area contains seats that are arranged in rows. The seats are supported on seat drop units that vertically shift the seats. The theater also contains wheelchair platforms that are installed between some of the seats. The wheelchair platforms are also capable of moving in a vertical direction. During a predetermined sequence in the film presentation, an explosion takes place on the projection screen, and the seats and the wheelchair platforms drop suddenly to simulate the theater floor being blown out. In this manner, the audience, including members of the audience who are physically disabled, is provided with a participatory theater experience.

Abstract: A virtual reality system provides effective exposure treatment for psychiatric patients suffering from a particular anxiety disorder. The system is characterized by a video screen disposed in front of the patient to display an image of a specific graphical environment that is intended to trigger anxiety within the patient as a result of the particular patient phobia. A headset is worn by the patient, and has sensors disposed to detect movement and positioning of the patient's head. A computer program controls the operation of the system, and is designed to control the display of the graphical environment on the video screen, monitor the headset sensors and determine the position of the patient's head, and controllably manipulate the graphical environment displayed on the video screen to reflect the movement and position of the patient's head.

Abstract: A flight simulator for amusement rides simulating aircraft or space flight with visual presentations and motion having an operator station attached to a structural support frame through an articulating member providing unlimited angular rotation about a roll axis and limited angular rotation about a pitch axis. An electrical coupling concentric with a drive axle is rotatable through at least 360.degree. about the roll axis.

Abstract: A rotating apparatus for simulatively rotating a playing box of a simulation game machine includes: a turn table on which the playing box is mounted, the playing box being provided with a controlling portion having a first signal transmission wire; a driver which rotates the turn table, the driver being provided with a controller having a second signal transmission wire; and a rotary connector provided in a center of the turn table. The rotary connector includes: a first conductive member rotatable with the turn table, and electrically connected with the first signal transmission wire; and a second conductive member being stationary in relative to and electrically connected with the first conductive member, and electrically connected with the second signal transmission wire.

Abstract: A gyroscopic amusement apparatus including a cradle having upright supports and carrying a pair of concentric rings capable of rotation about perpendicular axis. A hydraulic motor is supported on one of the upright supports and drives the outer ring bi-directionally about a horizontal axis. A second hydraulic motor is mounted on the outer ring and drives the inner ring about a vertical axis. A seat is supported within the inner ring to support an operator and a video display unit and control stick are sued by the operator to control rotation of the rings and the image on the video display unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for interactively experiencing a recording. At least one seat is provided which moves in a plane simultaneously either through active participation of the viewer through movement of a joystick or passively by a signal recorded on the recording medium. The recording medium includes a motion signal provided to a controller for actuating release and supply of air to pneumatic cylinders moving the at least one seat simultaneously in the same plane in a maximum degree of movement. The recording medium may also include video and/or audio signals for displaying an image on a screen which moves in the same plane as the seat.

Abstract: A game apparatus has a vehicle which can display an image matching a background scene of a playing area by synthesizing the image with the background scene. The vehicle moves along a vehicle path provided through the playing area. A player plays a game in the playing area while the player views the background scene of the playing area. An image matching the background scene of the playing area is displayed by a virtual image forming system provided on the vehicle. A scene in which the virtual image is synthesized with the background scene is viewed by the player.

Abstract: A motion-base ride simulator includes a passenger cabin which is carried by a plurality of actuators within a limited operating envelope. During operation of the ride the movements of the passenger cabin simulate G-forces associated with an audio-visual presentation to the passengers within the cabin. The combination of sight, sound, and feeling (i.e., G-forces) provides the passengers of the ride with a sense of riding on a vehicle, such as a racing car or rocket ship. In order to facilitate one or both of passenger ingress and egress of the cabin, the motion base is so associated with a stationary passenger platform that the passenger cabin may be moved to a passenger access position immediately adjacent to but not touching an adjacent edge of this platform. In this passenger access position of the cabin passengers may enter into or leave from the passenger cabin without use of a movable passenger platform.

Abstract: A motion simulator in the form of a motorized skeletal sphere suspended from a gimbal platform. The skeletal sphere comprises two orbital tracks, each having contollable motorized ballasts devices with attachment mechanism to the orbital tracks. These tracks provide a predetermined path for the ballasts to travel on. The ballasts provide a shifting mechanism for controlling the center of gravitys' position from within the occupied sphere. The ballasts rotate the sphere on its' axis 360.degree., in a controlled and deliberate manner. Different positions of the rotating axis are provided by the use of a multi-pivotal platform, that suspends the sphere and allows it to rotate freely in a plurality of directions. Direction is determined by an occupant using a control device for the ballasts movement. An adjustable chair is provided for centering the occupant as close to the center of the sphere as is possible.

Abstract: A modular assembly of theater seats aligned in a row. Each of the seats in the row moves with an identical motion in response to a coordinated sequence to create seat motions which can complement a scene being protrayed on a movie screen. Three or more rotatable shafts run along the row under the seats. The shafts are caused to rotate by hydraulic cylinders coupled to the shafts through bell cranks. Each seat is supported by three legs which are also coupled to the shafts by bell cranks. Rotation of the shafts causes vertical motion of the legs, and by coordinating the motions of the individual legs, in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the seats can be made to move with linear vertical motion, or to rotate either side to side or fore and aft in the vertical plane. Linear fore and aft motion of the seats may be provided by a fourth rotatable shaft running along the row under the seats.

Abstract: An easily modifiable ride is provided with a track and a car for carrying at least one passenger along the track. The track creates changes of movement of the car to thereby produce G-forces to the passenger. A plurality of detectors are provided for detecting movements of the car. At least one display device is used for producing a series of images to create a displayed scenario of an amusement ride. There is also provided signal generators responsive to the detectors for synchronizing between the images and the movements of the car.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a game apparatus using a video display device especially a game apparatus that displays an interactive video with a co-driver, particularly a virtual reality video. The game apparatus having a video display device of the present invention comprises, as the basic elements, a plurality of video display devices for displaying a video watched by each of the plurality of players, a plurality of player control units for controlling the video display of the corresponding video display device and an position sensor device for detecting the positions or the movements of the players. Base on the position information of one player detected by the position sensor device, the player control units for the other players control the corresponding video display device to give some change to the displaying video watched by the other players.

Abstract: A motion platform system for tilting and moving an audience of seated people as they view scenes projected on a screen includes four hydraulic cylinders arranged not only to pitch, roll, and heave (vertically translate) the audience, but also to provide longitudinal acceleration and deceleration forces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for interactively experiencing a recording. At least one seat is provided which moves in a plane simultaneously either through active participation of the viewer through movement of a joystick or passively by a signal recorded on the recording medium. The recording medium includes a motion signal provided to a controller for actuating release and supply of air to pneumatic cylinders moving the at least one seat simultaneously in the same plane in a maximum degree of movement. The recording medium may also include video and/or audio signals for displaying an image on a screen which moves in the same plane as the seat.

Abstract: An amusement ride attraction, with a rotating tube and an image is disclosed that is, relatively inexpensive and compact. The viewer stands inside the rotating tube, and the forces applied to the viewer are in automatic synchronization with the projected image. This creates an illusion that the person is moving in a moving vehicle, thereby resulting in a feeling of motion and a simulated experience of participating in the activity. The cylinder is rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction in synchronization with movements of the projected image showing a "rider's eye" view from a moving motorcycle, airplane, car, or the like.

Abstract: An improved motion simulator (10) includes a base (11), a capsule (14) having an at least partially-spherical smooth outer surface (15). The capsule is capable of roll, pitch and yaw angular motions about a pivot point (16) at the center of the spherical surface, and is also capable for upward and downward heave motion of the pivot point along a vertical axis (z--z) relative to the base. Actuators (33, 34, 35) are operatively arranged to selectively move the capsule relative to the base in any of four degrees of freedom. The capsule outer surface is configured such that no possible motion of the capsule in any of the permissible four degrees of freedom will cause any portion of the capsule to move outside of a motion envelope formed by an imaginary vertical cylinder (41 ) having a diameter (d) substantially equal to that of the spherical surface.

Abstract: A ride motion simulator comprising a first lower tier carried on at least three retractable and extensible legs secured to a base platform, the lower tier having support arms at edges thereof extending upwardly and outwardly a length approximately equal to the length which said legs may be extended. The upper ends of the arms are pivotally attached to upper ends of the legs. A middle tier is carried on the first tier and mounted thereto in a manner to allow forward and backward longitudinal motion of said second tier with respect to the first tier by a ram mounted at the rear of the first tier, and pivotally connected to the second tier. The second tier includes a plurality of seat supports. The seat supports have a rail running laterally on the tops. The tops also having an actuator mounted thereon with extensible and retractable rams secured to the seats mounted on the base and capable of moving the seats left and right laterally.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for multi-media simulation of the sounds, sights, and motions associated with various real life experiences. Roadable trailers having modules are combined to form a platform or support for an exoskeleton in the shape of various structures such as a spaceship, moon base, cave, mountain, vehicle, airplane, helicopter, ship, submarine, etc. The modules are provided with cameras, viewing screens, audio equipment and actual and optical motion imparting mechanisms for real-time point-of-access imagery simulating take-off, landing, turns, and hover-type turns from the environment surrounding the simulator. External image gathering cameras are attached to a movable support to provide relative motion point-of-access imagery.

Abstract: A simulator system for use in providing an event simulation to an occupant includes a motion base moveable only along three mutually orthogonal displacement axes by means of displaceable actuators. An audio-visual display mechanism is included for providing a sequence of audio and visual images to the occupant. A motion base controller generates actuator drive signals. A system controller provides the command signals to the motion base controller in synchronization with the presentation of the audio-visual images. The projected visual images including "foreground" and "background" portions. The system controller generates the motion base command signals such that the displacement of the motion base is synchronized to the onset of movement of the foreground image and the foreground image is constrained to move, relative to the occupant, only along the same three orthogonal axes as the motion base.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for interactively experiencing a recording. At least one seat is provided which moves in a plane simultaneously either through active participation of the viewer through movement of a joystick or passively by a signal recorded on the recording medium. The recording medium includes a motion signal provided to a controller for actuating release and supply of air to pneumatic cylinders moving the at least one seat simultaneously in the same plane in a maximum degree of movement. The recording medium may also include video and/or audio signals for displaying an image on a screen which moves in the same plane as the seat.

Abstract: An amusement machine including a display for displaying a picture, motion providing elements for providing a user with motion, a recording medium on which a video signal representing the picture to be displayed on the display and a control signal for controlling the motion providing elements are recorded, and a controller for reproducing the recording medium to control the display and the motion providing elements. The display and the motion providing elements are installed into an amusement unit while the controller for controlling these units is installed in a control center which is located separately from the amusement unit.

Abstract: A compact theater for use with a simulator system includes a motion base moveable only along three mutually orthogonal displacement axes by means of displaceable actuators. A projector and screen are included for providing a sequence of audio signals and visual images to the occupants. A motion base controller generates actuator drive signals. A system controller provides the command signals to the motion base controller in synchronization with the presentation of the audio-visual images. The system controller generates the motion base command signals such that the displacement of the motion base is synchronized to the presentation of the audio signals and visual images. The motion base is characterized by a reduced height when fully retracted such that, when configured with the projector and screen, the total height is less than conventional simulators, enabling the present theater to be housed within buildings of a standard commercial height.

Abstract: A ship, in which stereoscopic imagery is displayed, can move, and the ship can swing in various directions and can vibrate. The ship moves along a guide path while the stereoscopic imagery is being viewed by inside viewers. The guide path includes a plurality of diverging guide paths midway along the guide path. The ship can freely select one of the diverging paths in accordance with the contents and running time of imagery. The ship, which has passed the diverging guide path, passes through a confluence portion and returns to the start position. Thereby, multisensation can be created, and an effective sensation atmosphere can be created on the basis of visual and other senses, with a small space for installation and low costs.

Abstract: In the simulator for shooting down the rapids in accordance with the present invention, a platform is installed on one side of a water channel in which a boat moves, and a theater zone is installed on the other side. In the theater zone, a boat swaying device and a wind generating device are installed, and these devices are successively operated in synchronization with the picture projected on a screen in the theater zone by a projector. Also, according to the present invention, three spherical seats are arranged in an isosceles triangle form under the boat moving in the water channel, and three vertically movable swaying rods are installed under the water channel in the theater zone at the positions corresponding to the spherical seats.

Abstract: A ride attraction has a stationary domed projection screen and a stationary projector, a plurality of motion bases with each supporting a viewer platform or vehicle. An elevator is provided for lifting the vehicle out of a staging room to a viewing position. The motion bases are mutually arranged with respect to each other such that a passenger in any vehicle can view substantially the entire screen but not any other vehicle within the theatre. Actuators beneath each vehicle move the vehicle in three dimensions in coordination with the projected motion picture.

Abstract: A workstation for providing a relatively isolated environment suitable for human to interface during long time periods with a computer through a display screen. The space partition assembly comprises an elongated canopy defining a working area dimensioned to accommodate a user adopting a reclining posture. The canopy also includes at one end thereof an entryway to allow access to the working area by means of a sliding seat supporting the user. On the back of the seat is provided a large panel which at least partially closes the entryway when the working area is occupied by the user to reduce disturbances such as noise or light from reaching the working area.