TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of training  and more particularly to a driving simulator that simulates driving conditions  environment and ergonomics and provide the scope for mastering the art of safe and economical driving of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Driving Simulators are well known. Such simulators often simulate various controls of a vehicle. Such simulators improve trainees’ skills and safety measures by familiarizing them with various operating conditions of the vehicle. In such simulators  the trainees drive the vehicle in simulated situations. Hence even a wrong action doesn’t result in body injury to the trainees and physical damage to the vehicle. Such simulators equip trainees with basic driving skills  ability to anticipate hazardous situations  improve trainees’ reflexes and reduce fear of driving and actual time taken to learn driving with original vehicle.

[0003] Driving simulators despite being so useful  especially those providing customized training has primarily remained very expensive and unaffordable  even by large organizations with a good amount of financial resources.

[0004] The known driving simulators  besides being complex and expensive  have not provided actual conditions of operation of the controls because of which their training value is insignificant.

[0005] The conventional driving simulators are unable to give the learners an accurate feeling of efforts and displacement associated with handling various important controls like accelerator  brake and clutch or the force required for turning the steering wheel.

[0006] Further  none of the current driving simulators is customizable as per requirement of the trainees.

[0007] What is needed is a driving simulator that would provide more effective and realistic simulation of driving conditions to the trainees  and that would overcome or at least ameliorate the shortcomings associated with conventional driving training simulators.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The main object of the present invention is to provide a driving training system and method of simulation thereof that would provide a more realistic simulation of actual driving conditions to trainees engaged in training.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a driving training system which produces real traffic situations to which the trainees react with appropriate maneuvers without bringing the simulator to a halt.

[0010] Further object of the present invention is to provide a driving training system with which a trainee is trained thoroughly and economically to drive a real vehicle.

[00011] Yet another object of the present invention is evaluation of skills learnt by trainees during various phases of training.

[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide optimum level of knowledge and experience so as to enable trainees pass drivers’ license exam and get prepared for real life driving situations.

[0013] In order to realize the above objects  it is necessary that the information on driving is transmitted to electronics control unit  and motion platform to be operated on the basis of transmitted driving information akin to a real vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from a review of the specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings  in which:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an overview of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 2 is simplified schematic diagram of driving simulator system of the present invention  according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing detailed overview of an instructor station  according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 4a is a schematic diagram showing one or more screens and projector assemblies configured for projecting a dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery of a geographical region thereon  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 4b is a block diagram showing a plurality of simulated controls present in the test vehicle  according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a method for simulating driving conditions  environment and ergonomics and providing the scope for mastering the art of safe and economical driving using system of FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The description that follows is presented to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the present invention  and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art  and the general principals discussed below may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore  the invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed  but the invention is to be given the largest possible scope which is consistent with the principals and features described herein.

[0022] It will be understood that in the event parts of different embodiments have similar functions or uses  they may have been given similar or identical reference numerals and descriptions. It will be understood that such duplication of reference numerals is intended solely for efficiency and ease of understanding the present invention  and are not to be construed as limiting in any way  or as implying that the various embodiments themselves are identical.

[0023] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein  the singular forms “a ” “an” and “the” “said” may be intended to include the plural forms as well  unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises ” “comprising ” “including ” and “having ” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features  steps  operations  elements  and/or components  but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features  steps  operations  elements  and components thereof.

[0024] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example one preferred embodiment of the driving simulator according to the present invention and wherein: FIG. 1 in general shows an overall functional aspect of the driving simulator  which includes a test vehicle 11  a motion system 25  a display system 16  and an instructor terminal 13  the details of which will be explained in conjunction with FIG. 2- FIG.4 below.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of driving simulator system of the present invention which simulates driving conditions  environment and ergonomics and provide the scope for mastering the art of safe and economical driving. The system as shown includes the test vehicle 11 coupled to the motion platform 12  such as to simulate vehicular movement  and impart an experience of driving the vehicle in real scenario to a trainee sitting inside the test vehicle 11.

[0026] The test vehicle 11 may include an original cab of a real vehicle or any simulated cab that includes simulated controls preferably  but not limited to  a steering wheel control 17c  especially a force feedback steering wheel control  a gear control 17a  an accelerator control 17d  a brake control 17d  a clutch control 17d (collectively named as ABC controls 17d). The ABC controls 17d could be configured as automatic or manual. The simulated controls further includes one or more meter panels 17b and one or more switches 17e (as shown in FIG. 4b) preferably configured on a dashboard of the test vehicle 11. The test vehicle 11 further includes one or more simulated rear view mirrors  preferably  a left rear view mirror 23a; and a right rear mirror 23b present on the test vehicle’s 11 left window and right window respectively for presenting a simulated rear view of a dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery of a geographical region. According to the embodiment  the test vehicle 11 may also have an intercommunication means preferably  but not limited to  a mike to enable the trainee inside the test vehicle 11 to communicate with the instructor at the instructor terminal 13.

[0027] The motion platform 12 provides simulated vehicular movements in at least one degree of freedom along and/or about the three axes to the test vehicle 11. The one or more degrees of freedoms along the three axes (translational movement) include sway  surge  heave  and one or more degree of freedom about the three axes (rotational movement) includes pitch  roll  and yaw or any combination thereof. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art  depending upon the requirement  the motion platform 12 used could be with 3 degrees of freedoms  5 degrees of freedoms  6 degrees of freedoms  and the like.

[0028] Further  as shown  a motion control unit (MCU) 14 is connected to the motion platform 12 for a synchronous control of one or more degrees of freedoms provided by the motion platform 12. A power pack either electric or hydraulic 15 is connected to the motion control unit 14  for providing driving power to one or more actuators of the motion platform 12. Depending upon the type of actuators (electrical actuators  or hydraulic actuators) used in the motion platform 12 an electric power source or the hydraulic power source may be employed.
[0029] Another essential block shown is an instructor terminal (IT) 13. The IT 13 includes one or more display units’ 19  one or more processor units 24  a first data computing unit 20  and a second data computing unit 21  connection to one or more simulated rear view mirrors 23a  23b and a sound simulation system 22  as will be explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 3 below.

[0030] FIG. 1 further shows a display system 16  which includes one or more screens 16a  and one or more projector assemblies 16b  as best shown in FIG. 4a. The display system 16 is configured to present the dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery of the geographical region to the trainees. The dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery may preferably include land surface with undulations  roads  traffic signals  vegetation  dynamically changing environmental conditions like fog  rain  wind and the like.

[0031] In FIG. 3 there is an illustrated detailed overview of the instructor terminal. The instructor terminal 13 includes a first data computing unit 20. The first data computing unit 20 preferably includes a processor  and storage medium with a simulation application program (SAP) stored therein. The SAP when run on the first data computing unit 20 generates a dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery of a geographical region  which is communicated to one or more projector assemblies 16b (FIG.4a) for projection on one or more screens 16a (FIG.4a). The projected scenic imagery on the screens 16a simulate realistic environment and shows an artificial intelligence led traffic control. The surrounding traffic preferably include new vehicles  animals (in case some rural road traffic is shown) generated both behind and in front of the simulator to provide a better experience of driving to the trainee. Though three flat screens 16a are curved to form a wide eyed view (approximately 180-degrees field of view)  it should be understood that the number of screens 16a  and their arrangement can be manipulated for presenting highly challenging 270-degrees of view  and the like. Such wide eyed view is generally achieved using one or more splitter means.

[0032] Additionally  apart from projecting the imagery on the screens 16a  the dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery is also relayed to one or more rear view mirrors 23a  23b for presenting simulated rear view of the imagery to the trainee sitting inside the test vehicle 11 using some conventionally known suitable means. In the exemplary embodiment  two rear view mirrors are shown  however  it should be understood  that the number of mirrors used should not be considered as limiting. The SAP further controls one or more vehicular dynamics associated with the test vehicle 11  as will be explained in detail below.

[0033] The instructor terminal 13  as shown  further includes a second data computing unit 21 which includes a processor  and a storage medium with an application program (AP)  and an input output application program (IOAP) stored therein. The IOAP interfaces the motion control unit 14 which drives the motion platform 12  and the simulated controls 17a  17b  17c  17d  17e with the SAP by interacting with AP. The simulated controls 17a  17b  17c  17d  17e are interfaced with the SAP using an input output module 18  as shown in FIG. 4b.

[0034] By the way of an example  the trainee inside the test vehicle 11  views roads  and sees the environmental conditions  presented as dynamically changing imagery on the screens 16a in front of the test vehicle 11. Based on the situations or events occurring on the way  the trainee may press and/or depress the simulated controls 17a  17b  17c  17d  and 17e  to maneuver the path to destination. The control signals generated by interaction with the simulated controls are routed to IOAP via the input output module 18. The IOAP then interacts with the AP for necessary action to be taken and the same is reflected on the screens 16a via communication between IOAP and SAP. Similarly  the control signals to and from the motion control unit 14 is communicated to the IOAP which interacts with the AP for generating necessary actions to be taken.

[0035] The instructor terminal 13 further includes one or more display units 19 and one or more processing units 24 communicatively linked to the first data computing unit 20 and the second data computing unit 21  as best shown in FIG.1. The instructor at the instructor terminal 13 is enabled to configure a set of particulars of a trainee and related exercise to be presented  and diagnose and calibrate the simulated controls 17a  17b  17c  17d  17e  and the motion platform 12. Though not shown included  it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that instructor terminal 13 is equipped with suitable input means keyboard  mouse  and the like  to enable the instructor to enter the set of particulars about the trainee like name  identification number etc  and set up the exercise to be presented to the trainee. The display units 19 are configured to present the same dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery being presented to the trainee on one or more screens 16a  generally achieved using conventionally known means. The instructor at instructor terminal 13 has complete review capabilities  and can take the trainee step by step to perfection  along with capability of keeping after action records related to the trainees’ performance. The instructor at the instructor terminal 13 is further enabled to generate performance reports associated with the trainee based on the driving behavior monitored through an associated application program.

[0036] According to the embodiment  the instructor terminal 13 is further connected to a sound simulation system 22 which simulates sound of a vehicle at different gear levels  and sounds from various environmental conditions or surrounding traffic as projected in the scenic imagery on the screens 16a.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 5  there is shown a general flow diagram depicting a method for simulating driving conditions  environment and ergonomics and providing the scope for mastering the art of safe and economical driving using the system of FIG. 1. The method begins at step 51 with calibration and diagnosis of simulated controls 17a  17b  17c  17d  and 17e and motion platform 12 by an instructor at instructor terminal 13. The calibration and diagnosis is performed by an application program configured on a data computing unit 21 at the instructor terminal 13. The instructor runs the application program before configuring an exercise session for the trainee.

[0038] At step 52  configuration of a set of particulars about the trainee and related practice to be presented is depicted. The instructor is enabled to enter particulars like name  identification details about the trainee and configure an exercise for the trainee to practice. Though not shown  it should be understood instructor is enabled with suitable input means like keyboard  mouse etc to configure the particulars and exercise thereof.

[0039] At step 53  generation of a dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery of a geographical region is depicted. The dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery is generated by a simulation application program (SAP) configured on another data computing device 20 at the instructor terminal 13. Once the particulars about the trainee are entered and exercise to be presented to the trainee is selected by the instructor  the dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery in the form of exercise is projected on the screens 16a  as depicted in step 54 below.

[0040] At step 54  projection of the dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery on one or more screens 16a  and simultaneously simulating the rear view of the same is depicted in rear mirrors 23a  23b. The simulated imagery is projected on the screens 16a by using one or more projector assemblies 16b. As shown in FIG. 4a  the screens 16a are curved to give a wide eyed view (approximately 180-degrees view) of the dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery. The wide eyed view is generally achieved using one or more splitter means. Optionally  the dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery representing an exercise is also shared with the instructor at the instructor terminal  as will be explained below.

[0041] At step 55  a step for defining and controlling one or more input output operations is depicted. The trainee inside the test vehicle 11  views roads  and feel the environmental conditions  presented as the dynamically changing imagery on the screens 16a in front of the test vehicle 11. Based on the situations or events occurring on the way  the trainee may activate by pressing and/or deactivate by releasing the simulated controls 17a  17b  17c  17d  and 17e  to maneuver the path to destination. The control signals generated by drive interaction are routed to an input output application program (IOAP) configured on the data computing unit 21 via an input output module 18  preferably embodied inside the test vehicle 11. The IOAP is responsible for interfacing the control signals with the SAP and  to take required necessary actions. The IOAP interacts with the application program to take necessary actions  and the same is relayed to SAP  which then processes the signal received from IOAP to be reflects on the screens 16a i.e. within the dynamically changing roads and the environment. Similarly  the control signals to and from the motion control unit 14 is communicated to the IOAP which interacts with the AP for generating necessary actions to be taken.

[0042] Finally  at step 56  presentation of the dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery to the instructor on one or more display units 19 is depicted. Though not depicted in FIG. 5  the process of simulation may contain a step of simulation of sounds of a vehicle at different gear levels  and sounds from various environmental effects or surrounding traffic using a sound simulation system 22. The sound simulation is defined by the simulation application program.

[0043] The driving simulator of the present invention may be further improved by incorporating therein computer based hardware equipment  which will allow the instructor of the driving simulator to test the driving skills of the trainee apart from training. The computer based hardware equipment helps to test the psycho motor function crucial for ensuring safe driving. Reference is made to the patent application No. 487/CHE/2011 titled “System for Evaluating Driving Competency of a Subject” filed by us  and is pending.

[0044] Though example embodiment discussed above specifies an instructor terminal being networked to a single test vehicle. It should be understood  one of the notable feature of the above discussed driving simulator is that the instructor terminal can be networked to multiple test vehicles of same or different variants to train multiple trainees simultaneously.

[0045] Further  notable feature of the invention is that the dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery required for realism can be customized to suite the training needs of the trainees. For example  the driving simulator when used by a particular group of trainees may require the rough and hilly driving conditions  whereas the same simulator may be used by another group of trainees to get trained for driving in a city under respective driving conditions.

[0046] While the invention has been described with respect to limited number of embodiments  and the method with some major steps depicted in flow diagram  those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom including the sequence of appearance of the steps embodying the methodology. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and variations that fall within the true script and scope of the invention.

CLAIMS

We claim:
1.A system for simulating driving conditions  environment and ergonomics and providing the scope for mastering the art of safe and economical driving  comprising:

a)a test vehicle 11  detachably coupled to a motion platform 12  said test vehicle 11 comprising at least one of: a plurality of simulated controls 17a  17b  17c  17d  17e  and one or more simulated rear mirrors 23a  23b;

b)a first data computing unit 20 including a first processor  and a first storage medium with a simulation application program (SAP) stored therein  said simulation application program when run on said first data computing unit 20  generates a dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery of a geographical region for projection on one or more screens 16a  and on said one or more simulated rear mirrors 23a  23b;

c)a second data computing unit 21 including a second processor  and a second storage medium with an application program  and an input output application program stored therein; said input output application program communicatively interfaces a motion control unit 14 which drives said motion platform 12  and said plurality of simulated controls 17a  17b  17c  17d  17e with said simulation application program  and controls one or more vehicular dynamics associated with said test vehicle 11 in interaction with said application program;

d)an instructor terminal 13 comprising one or more display units 19  one or more processing units 24 communicatively linked to said first data computing unit 20 and said second data computing unit 21  wherein said instructor terminal 13 enabling an instructor to configure a set of particulars about a trainee and related exercise thereof  diagnose and calibrate said plurality of simulated controls 17a  17b  17c  17d  17e  and said motion platform 12  wherein said one or more display units 19 presenting said dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery to said instructor  besides being presented on said one or more screens 16a;

e)a power pack 15 connected to the said motion control unit 14 for providing driving power to one or more actuators of the said motion platform 12 depending upon a predefined type of actuators used.

Wherein  said plurality of simulated controls 17a  17b  17c  17d  17e are interfaced with said simulation application program using an input output module 18; Wherein  said dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery is projected on said one or more screens 16a using one or more projector assemblies 16b operably connected with said instructor terminal 13.

2.The system of claim 1 further comprising one or more splitter means (not shown) used for defining a wide eyed view of said dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery projected on said one or more screen 16a.

3.The system of claim 1 further comprising a means (not shown) for enabling presentation of said dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery on said one or more display units 19;

4.The system of claim 1  wherein said motion platform 12 providing simulated vehicular movements in at least one degree of freedom along and/or about the three axes to said test vehicle 11.

5.The system of claim 1  wherein said plurality of simulated controls 17a  17b  17c  17d  17e comprising at least one of: a gear control 17a  one or more meter panels 17b  a steering wheel control 17c  an accelerator control 17d  a brake control 17d  a clutch control 17d  and one or more switches 17e.

6.The system of claim 1 further comprises a sound simulation system 22 simulating sound of vehicle at different gear levels  and sounds from a plurality of environmental effects.

7.The system of claim 1  wherein said one or more simulated rear mirrors 23a  23b presenting a simulated rear view of said dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery.

8.A method for simulating driving conditions  environment and ergonomics and providing the scope for mastering the art of safe and economical driving  the method comprising the steps of:

a)calibration and diagnosing  a plurality of simulated controls17a  17b  17c  17d  17e   and a motion platform 12 associated with a test vehicle 11  by an instructor at an instructor terminal 13;

b)configuring  a set of particulars for a trainee and related practice thereof  by said instructor  on execution of an application program stored in a first storage medium of a first data computing unit 20;

c)generating  a dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery of a geographical region  on execution of a simulation application program stored in a second storage medium of a second data computing device 21;

d)projecting  said dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery on one or more screens 16a  and on one or more simulated rear mirrors 23a  23b using one or more projector assemblies 16b operably connected with said instructor terminal 13;

e)defining and controlling  one or more input output operations between a motion control unit 14 driving said motion platform 12  said plurality of simulated controls 17a  17b  17c  17d  17e and said simulation application program  thereby controlling  one or more vehicular dynamics associated with said test vehicle 11 by an input output application program stored in first data computing unit 20  whereby said plurality of simulated controls 17a  17b  17c  17d  17e are interfaced with said simulation application program using an input output module 18; and

f)presenting said dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery to said instructor at said instructor terminal 13  using one or more display units 19  besides being projected on said one or more screens 16a.

9.The method of claim 8 further comprising a step of defining a wide eyed view of said dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery projected on said one or more screens 16a by one or more splitter means (not shown).

10.The method of claim 8  wherein said step of controlling one or more vehicular dynamics simulates movement of said test vehicle 11 in at least one degree of freedom along and/or about the three axes.

11.The method of claim 8 further comprises a step of simulating sounds of a vehicle at different gear levels  and sounds from a plurality of environmental effects using a sound simulation system 22.

12.The method of claim 8 further comprising a step of presenting a simulated rear view of said dynamically changing simulated scenic imagery using said one or more simulated rear mirrors 23a  23b.

13.The method of claim 12  wherein said presentation is defined by said simulation application program.

14.The method of claim 8  wherein said plurality of simulated controls 17a  17b  17c  17d  17e comprising at least one of: a gear control 17a  one or more meter panels 17b  a steering wheel control 17c  an accelerator control 17d  a brake control 17d  a clutch control 17d  and one or more switches 17e.