Emulation device and emulation procedure

Abstract

There is provided an emulation apparatus (1) for operating a vehicle (5) operated by a driver, the emulation apparatus (1) comprising control means (50), the emulation apparatus (1) comprising: imaging means (20) configured to capture an image of the driver's field of view (5) of the vehicle and generate an imaging output; sensor means (21) configured to inspect the instantaneous state of the vehicle (5) and generate a status output; a control unit (22) having transmission means (23) configured to receive the imaging output and the status output; at least one emulation device (3) adapted to be connected to the control unit (22) and having display means (30) for displaying the imaging output; and control means (31) configured to emulate the control means (50) of the vehicle (5) to enable a trainee to emulate driving the vehicle (5), the control means (31) generating a practice command output, wherein the control unit (22) compares a status output of the vehicle (5) with a practice command output and displays a comparison between the outputs on the display means (30).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The invention relates to a driving emulation device of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1, for example for driving aircraft, automobiles and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, operational emulation and simulation systems are known.

[0003] For example, simulators allow people to learn or improve their aircraft and automobile driving skills without the associated risks, particularly to the drivers and those around them.

[0004] Such simulators are becoming increasingly accurate and therefore simulate real driving in an ever more realistic manner.

[0005] For example, so-called "Full Flight Simulators" (FFS) are known, which make it possible to reproduce operational scenarios in a complete manner in civil or military situations, thereby enabling crew training.

[0006] The known techniques described have several important drawbacks.

[0007] In particular, simulators, no matter how accurate, can never perfectly emulate real-life drills and practice.

[0008] Furthermore, the simulators are very expensive and complex.

[0009] In some cases, the problem was solved by emulation, during which the trainee was asked to imitate the gestures of a more experienced driver.

[0010] However, even the latter has important limitations.

[0011] In this context, the technical problem underlying the present invention is to devise a driving emulation device that is able to substantially avoid at least some of the above-mentioned drawbacks.

[0012] Within the scope of the above technical challenges, it is an important objective of the present invention to obtain a driving emulation device that allows the trainee to interface with reality as closely as possible.

[0013] Another important object of the present invention is to realize a driving emulation device that is simple and inexpensive.

[0014] The technical problem and the stated objectives are achieved by a driving emulation device as claimed in the attached claim 1.

[0015] Preferred technical solutions are highlighted in the dependent claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] 1 shows a driving emulation device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] In this document, measurements, values, shapes and geometric references (e.g., perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words like "about" or other similar terms such as "approximately" or "substantially," should be considered to exclude measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and / or manufacturing tolerances, and in particular to exclude slight deviations from the value, measurement, shape, or geometric reference with which it is associated. For example, when associated with a value, these terms preferably indicate a deviation of 10% or less of the value.

[0018] Furthermore, when used, terms such as "first," "second," "higher," "lower," "primary," and "secondary" do not necessarily specify a priority of order, relationship, or relative position, but may be used merely to clearly distinguish between different components thereof.

[0019] Unless otherwise indicated, as a consequence of the following discussion, terms such as "processing," "calculating," "determining," "computing," or similar terms refer to operations and / or processes of a computer or similar electronic computing device that manipulate and / or transform data represented as physical quantities, such as electronic quantities in the registers and / or memory of a computer system, into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system, registers, or other storage, transmission, or information display device.

[0020] Measurements and data reported in this text should be considered as having been carried out in the International Standard Atmosphere ICAO (ISO 2533:1975) unless otherwise indicated.

[0021] Referring to the drawing, an emulation device according to the present invention is generally designated by the numeral 1.

[0022] It may allow a trainee to emulate the driving of an experienced driver.

[0023] Said driver therefore preferably drives a vehicle 5, such as for example a military or civil aircraft or a car, and the vehicle 5 may also be a sports vehicle, such as a Formula 1 car or the like.

[0024] The vehicle 5 is equipped with control means 50 known per se, such as joysticks, steering wheels, pedals, levers and switches.

[0025] The device 1 preferably comprises imaging means 20 arranged to capture the field of view of the driver of the vehicle 5 and to generate a photographic output, which are preferably one or more cameras showing the field of view or part of the field of view provided by, for example, the main window of the vehicle 5, the driver's helmet or other (Fig. 1).

[0026] The device 1 also preferably comprises sensor means 21 arranged to check the instantaneous state of the vehicle 5 and to generate a state output of the vehicle 5 .

[0027] The sensor means 21 preferably comprises one or more of an accelerometer and / or a gyroscope, telemetry, an inertial platform and the like connected to the vehicle 5 and capable of determining its state.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, the sensor means 21 are directly connected to the control means 50 of the vehicle 5, thereby directly detecting the movement of the steering wheel and the like.

[0029] Alternatively or additionally, the sensor means 21 obtains information indirectly through images of the recording means.

[0030] The apparatus 1 also preferably comprises a control device 22. The control device 22 is a heterogeneous system, generally comprising a server computer known per se and preferably connected devices suitable for controlling the described processes.

[0031] The control device 22 preferably comprises transmission means 23 configured to receive the image output and status output respectively from the image capture means 20 and the sensor means 21. The transmission means 23 is preferably an antenna or a card and / or a cable, or a radio for wireless connection, Bluetooth® and internet connection. Logically, the sensor means 21 and the image capture means 20 are also preferably connected to the internet via suitable connection means.

[0032] The emulation apparatus 1 further comprises at least one emulation device 3 used by a practitioner. There may also be more emulation devices 3 used simultaneously by multiple practitioners.

[0033] The emulation device 3 has means of connection with the control device 22, such as a web connection known per se.

[0034] The emulation device 3 preferably comprises display means 30, such as a screen or similar, suitable for displaying the output of said imaging means 20. This allows the trainee to see what the driver sees, or something very similar to it.

[0035] The emulation device 3 also preferably has control means 31 configured to emulate the control means 50 of the vehicle 5 so as to enable the practitioner to emulate driving the vehicle 5, and the control means 31 therefore generates a practice control output.

[0036] The control means 31 may for example consist of a joystick and a steering wheel similar to those used in video games and similar to the control means 50 of the vehicle 5. The device 3 may also comprise or be a simple smartphone or tablet, which therefore already has the display means 30 and the connection means. In this case the control means 31 may be provided by the tilt of the smartphone and a connected accelerometer.

[0037] Advantageously, the control device 22 compares the vehicle 5 state output with the operational control output and displays a comparison between said outputs on the display means 30 (Figure 1). Essentially, the trainee visualizes, preferably substantially live, for example, the aircraft's turn rate and an image of the turn, while simultaneously visualizing any deviations from his own turn, for example by means of a second visual signal 25 provided in response to the realized command.

[0038] Preferably, the transmission means 23 transmits the imaging output and the status output in substantially real time, or live, and displays a comparison between the outputs in substantially real time.

[0039] Alternatively, especially when there are multiple practitioners who may also be compared directly with one another, the control device 22 is configured to determine delays in the transmission of outputs and allow for simultaneous transmission of outputs in a manner that allows even the slowest connections or devices to connect and operate through the simulation.

[0040] The operation of the emulation device 1 described above from a structural point of view is as follows.

[0041] It also defines a new emulation procedure for the operation of the vehicle 5, preferably created using the emulation device 1 described above.

[0042] The emulation process preferably: the driver driving the vehicle 5; - capturing an image of the field of view of the driver of the vehicle 5, preferably by means of an imaging means and a method as described, and generating an image output; verification of the instantaneous state of the vehicle 5 by sensor means 21, preferably of the type described above, and generation of a state output; transmitting the imaging output and status output to the control device 22, preferably of the type described and preferably by the transmission means described; the connection of at least one emulation device 3, preferably of the type described, or of several emulation devices 3, to the control device 22; Display of the capture output on emulation device 3, generating a control output for practice by a command means 31 activated by a practice person; Comparing the vehicle 5 status output with the training control output and displaying the comparison between the outputs on the display means 30. This comparison and display is preferably done in real time or with a predetermined delay as described above.

[0043] The emulation device 1 according to the invention achieves important advantages.

[0044] In effect, it allows a trainee to emulate an experienced driver in real time and accurately.

[0045] Thus, the trainee is in a real situation, not in front of a simulator, and can accurately verify the differences between his or her own driving and the guidance of an experienced driver without taking any risks, including physical risks to the driver and those around him or her, and in a problem that would have real guidance.

[0046] Furthermore, the emulator is simple and inexpensive.

[0047] The invention is susceptible to variations which fall within the scope of the inventive concept as defined by the claims.

[0048] For example, a specific embodiment of this procedure could be an application or software on a smart TV or similar that operates similar to a broadcast channel with an emulation filter of the film being displayed. Thus, the control (joystick, steering wheel, joystick, or smartphone) could be connected via a cable or wirelessly.

[0049] For example, the procedures may be extended beyond just driving a vehicle to using other objects, or even to skilled human movements without an object or vehicle.

Claims

1. 1. An emulation device for operating a vehicle operated by a driver and comprising control means, said emulation device comprising: an imaging means configured to capture an image of the driver's field of view of the vehicle and generate an imaging output; sensor means configured to examine the instantaneous state of said vehicle and generate a status output; a control device having a transmission means configured to receive the imaging output and the status output; Equipped with the emulation apparatus comprises at least one emulation device remote from the vehicle, the emulation device being configured to connect to the control device; the at least one emulation device: a display means for displaying the image output; control means configured to emulate the control means of the vehicle by generating practice control outputs to enable a practitioner to emulate the operation of the vehicle; and The emulation device is configured to compare the state output of the vehicle with the practice control output and display a comparison between the outputs on the display means.

2. 2. The emulation device of claim 1, wherein said transmission means transmits said imaging output and said status output in substantially real time, and displays said comparison between said outputs in substantially real time.

3. 3. The emulation device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to determine a delay in transmission of the imaging output and the status output, and to enable simultaneous transmission of the imaging output and the status output.

4. 4. The emulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of emulation devices for a plurality of practitioners.

5. 5. An emulation device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor means comprises an accelerometer connected to the vehicle.

6. 6. An emulation device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor means is directly connected to the control means of the vehicle.

7. 1. A procedure for emulating operation of a vehicle comprising a control means, said emulation procedure comprising: the operation of said vehicle by a driver; capturing an image of the driver's field of view of the vehicle and generating an image output; verifying the instantaneous state of the vehicle by sensor means and generating a state output; Transmission of the imaging output and the status output to a control device; Connection of at least one emulation device to the control device at a location remote from the vehicle. Equipped with the emulation device comprises a display means and a control means configured to emulate the control means of the vehicle; The emulation procedure is: displaying the imaging output on the emulation device; generating a control output exercise via said control means of said emulation device; comparing the vehicle's state output with the control output practice and displaying the comparison between the outputs on the display means; The emulation procedure further comprises:

8. The emulation procedure of claim 7 , wherein said transmitting and said comparing of said imaging output and said status output is substantially in real time.

9. 9. An emulation procedure according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said transmitting and said comparing of said imaging output and said status output is performed with a defined delay to allow simultaneous transmission of said imaging output and said status output.

10. 10. An emulation procedure according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein there are multiple emulation devices for multiple practitioners.

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