360° Virtual Environment Simulation for FAC Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 360° simulation systems for training Forward Air Controllers (FACs) are complex, expensive, and require large spatial structures, making them difficult to implement and maintain, while existing solutions do not provide adequate 360° vision with helmet-integrated displays.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that generates a 360° virtual environment using a semi-hemispherical screen with two projectors, an avatar representation, and helmet-integrated displays, allowing for 360° vision with six degrees of freedom, including translation and rotation, and optional binocular magnification, without the need for a large dome or complex installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If an integral dome with complex video projectors is used to reconstruct a 360° operational environment, then a complete 360° visual field is achieved, but the system becomes very expensive and requires many hours of installation, calibration and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the 360° visual field into multiple projection zones using several video projectors arranged around the user, with each projector covering a specific angular range. This segmentation allows the system to achieve complete 360° coverage without requiring a single complex integral dome structure, thereby reducing overall system complexity and installation requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional 2D screen or single-dome projection to a multi-dimensional spatial arrangement of multiple projectors positioned at different angles around the user. This dimensional change enables comprehensive 360° visual coverage while distributing the complexity across multiple simpler projection units rather than one complex system
2Device complexity
If a semi-hemispherical screen with projection angle less than 300° is used, then the system becomes simpler and more cost-effective, but the complete 360° vision is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple video projectors, each projecting onto a semi-hemispherical screen with a projection angle of less than 300°, to collectively achieve complete 360° visual coverage. By merging the coverage areas of multiple simpler projectors, the system attains the full 360° field of view without requiring any single projector to be overly complex or expensive
3Adaptability or versatility
If helmet-integrated displays with six degrees of freedom are implemented, then realistic and immersive training scenarios are provided, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements helmet-integrated displays that provide six degrees of freedom (three translational and three rotational), allowing the helmet to function as a universal viewing platform for various training scenarios. This multi-functional design enables the same helmet device to support different training modes and perspectives without requiring multiple specialized devices, thereby improving training realism while controlling overall system complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The method for carrying out a simulation test comprises: • generating a first simulation context, comprising the display of: - a first portion of a first virtual environment defined around 360° and projected at an angle of 180° onto a screen; - an avatar generated at a simulated GPS position in the virtual environment; • activating the generation of a second simulation context, comprising: - retrieving the head position and orientation through a sensor; - generating a second portion of the first virtual environment, which is calculated as a function of the sensed head position and orientation; - displaying said second portion on a helmet display unit, the first and second portions corresponding through an angle that corresponds to that of the second portion for at least one predefined head position and orientation.