JP2625733B2 - Driving simulator - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a driving simulator.

[Summary of the Invention]

In response to the operation of the simulated driving operation device, the three-dimensional image device is moved on the terrain model, and the three-dimensional image is displayed corresponding to the driving operation, and the coordinate is moved in response to the operation of the simulated driving operation device. This is a driving simulator capable of performing driving training very close to reality by transmitting interference information between the shape data of the virtual moving object and the shape data of the terrain model to the driver.

[Conventional technology]

2. Description of the Related Art A drive simulator is used as one means for learning a technique for moving a vehicle such as an automobile or an airplane. The drive simulator is provided with driving means that can be operated in the same way as a real vehicle, and a video display device that displays the scenery seen from the vehicle, and the driver can watch the image displayed on the display device To learn driving by operating driving means such as steering wheel and accelerator pedal.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Conventional drive simulators display previously captured images. Therefore, in many cases, the displayed image does not exactly match the operation state of the driving means. For example, even when the vehicle is running on a predetermined course, the moving image is displayed accurately on the display surface. For this reason, the driver does not know what kind of traveling he is just looking at the display surface.

Further, the conventional image display device has a poor depth feeling because it is a flat display. This makes it difficult for drivers to get a sense of distance,
In general, they cannot practice realistically.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a driving simulator capable of displaying a display very close to a state viewed from a driving position in response to a driving operation.

[Means for solving the problem]

The driving simulator of the present invention moves the imaging device 2 in response to the operation of the terrain model 3, the three-dimensional image capturing device 2 moving on the terrain model 3, the simulated driving operation device 22, and the simulated driving operation device 22. A driving device 24, a display device 4 for displaying a stereoscopic image at a driving operation position based on the output of the imaging device 2, and a shape data of a virtual moving object whose coordinates are moved in response to an operation of the simulated driving operation device 22. Computing device (control unit 2) that transmits to the driver interference information with the terrain model shape data
3) is provided.

[Action]

The driving operation and the change of the stereoscopic image display correspond mechanically,
Further, since interference information between the shape data of the virtual moving object and the shape data of the terrain model is transmitted to the driver, it is possible to accurately recognize an operation defect and perform a driving training very close to reality.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an automobile drive simulator showing one embodiment of the present invention, which comprises a driving device 1, a three-dimensional camera 2, a model 3, a three-dimensional image display device 5, and the like.

The model 3 is provided below the driver's seat, and has a road 10, a building 11, a railroad crossing 12, and the like as shown in the perspective view of FIG. This model 3 is illuminated from one place with a light bulb 13 to give a feeling close to the sun. If a light is provided at the end of the three-dimensional camera 2 to illuminate it, a feeling of running at night can be obtained.

The stereoscopic camera 2 includes a left camera 14 and a right camera 15, and optical fibers 16 and 17 are attached to the imaging surfaces of the cameras 14 and 15. Each of the optical fibers 16 and 17 hangs down near the road surface of the model 3, and an objective lens is disposed at the tip thereof in the traveling direction. Accordingly, the left and right cameras 14 and 15 take images of the model 3 via the optical fibers 16 and 17 as if viewed from the driver's seat of the automobile. For this reason, the model 3 can be made smaller as compared with the case where images are directly taken by the cameras 14 and 15.

The display device 4 includes, for example, two CRTs 2 as shown in FIG.
The projector is composed of 0, 21 and a screen (display surface) 5. The images of the left and right cameras 14 and 15 are projected onto the screen 5 by the CRTs 20 and 21, respectively, and are superimposed on one image. For example, a circular polarization filter (not shown) having a different polarization direction is attached to each of the CRTs 20 and 21, and each image light projected on the screen 5 is turned in a different direction.

The driver 7 sitting in the driver's seat 6 practices driving while viewing the image displayed on the screen 5 using the polarized glasses 8. The flight light glasses 8 are provided with left and right deflection filters corresponding to the polarization filters of the CRTs 20 and 21, and the driver 7 views the image of the left camera 14 with the left eye and the image of the right camera 15 with the right eye. The model 3 displayed on 5 is seen as a stereoscopic image. Therefore, a sense of depth, that is, a sense of distance can be accurately grasped.

The driving device 1 includes an operation unit 22, a control unit 23, and a drive mechanism 24. Driving means for moving the vehicle, such as a steering wheel 26, an accelerator pedal 27, and a brake pedal 28, is operated by the operation unit 22.
It is provided in. The movement of each of the driving means 26, 27, 28, and the like is detected by a sensor (not shown) such as a rotary encoder, and is converted into an electric signal corresponding to the operation direction, the operation amount, and the like, and is provided to the control unit 23.

A drive mechanism 24 for moving the stereoscopic camera is provided above the model 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the stereoscopic camera 2 is mounted on a drive unit 38, which moves the stereoscopic camera 2 along the Z direction 32, and moves the stereoscopic camera 2 up and down 33 (upward viewing direction) and left and right 34 directions. Shake. The drive unit 38 is attached to a support plate 37 formed in an elongated shape, and can move in the Y direction 31 along the longitudinal direction of the support plate 37. The support plate 37 is provided between the two rails 35 and 36 along the X direction 30 provided on the upper left and right sides of the model 3, and can move along these rails along the X direction 30. . Therefore, the drive mechanism 24 can move the stereoscopic camera 2 in all directions based on the control signal of the control unit 23,
The field of view captured by the stereoscopic camera 2 can be adjusted to the state of the road or the moving state by shaking the head vertically and horizontally.

The control unit 23 is configured by a microcomputer,
The drive mechanism 24 is controlled based on the operation of the operation unit 22 to move the stereoscopic camera 2 in the X direction 30 and the Y direction 31 on the model 3.
Data such as the width, direction, length, and curvature of the road 10 formed on the model 3 and three-dimensional data that is shape data of a road shoulder, a building, and the like are stored in the control unit 23 in advance. On the other hand, the three-dimensional data of the vehicle is stored with the ends of the optical fibers 16 and 17 corresponding to the viewpoint of the three-dimensional camera 2 as coordinate centers. Therefore, when the virtual vehicle is moved along the predetermined course by the driving operation, the interference between the vehicle and the shoulder of the road, a building, or the like can be detected by calculation, whereby an error in the driving operation can be recognized.

The range in which the stereoscopic camera 2 can move is limited by a program. Therefore, even if the driving operation is erroneous, the operation is stopped before the stereoscopic camera 2 hits the building 11 or the like,
Damage to the model 3, the stereoscopic camera 2, and the like is prevented. When interference between the car and the building occurs, the image may be turned red or a collision sound may be emitted.

In the drive simulator of the present embodiment, the model 3 is imaged while the stereoscopic camera 2 is actually moved by the operation unit 22 as described above, and is displayed on the display surface 5 of the display device 4. Therefore, the displayed image substantially corresponds to the image of the field of view seen from inside the vehicle when the driver 7 is moving the real vehicle. That is, since the image viewed from the position corresponding to the driving operation can be displayed, for example, when the stereoscopic camera 2 is shifted to the side of the road 10 by mistake in the driving operation, the display surface 5 is displayed on the display surface 5 from the side of the road 10. The watched video is displayed. Therefore, the driver 7 can see the displayed image to know the position of the car being driven, and can perform a practice similar to the practice performed by actually moving a real car. Also, since it is a three-dimensional image, it is easy to grasp the sense of distance, and it is possible to accurately recognize the position and distance of the left and right road shoulders and obstacles, the speed and the speed of the car, so that the simulation is almost the same as actual driving Driving operation can be performed.

Note that the actual vehicle front window, window frame, hood, and the like may be superimposed and displayed by image synthesis. In addition, when an operation failure such as a departure from the course and a departure from the course occurs, an interference point with a road shoulder or a building may be displayed on the screen together with the plane figure of the automobile.

By changing the model 3, a simulator for another vehicle can be configured. For example, if the model 3 is an airfield, a simulator for practicing takeoff and landing of an airplane can be configured. In this case, a flight course for take-off and landing is set in the space above the model 3, and the control unit is used as three-dimensional data.
Store it in 23.

The stereoscopic camera 2 has a fourth
As shown in the figure, prism groups 40 and 41 can be used. Alternatively, the main body of the stereoscopic camera 2 may be fixedly installed, and only the optical fiber may be moved.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, the driving simulator of the present invention moves the stereoscopic imaging device on the model in response to the simulated driving operation to display a stereoscopic image corresponding to the driving operation, and responds to the operation of the simulated driving operation device. Interference information between the shape data of the virtual moving object whose coordinates are to be moved and the shape data of the terrain model is transmitted to the driver, so the driver can determine his / her position, distance, and traveling speed with respect to the prescribed course and obstacles. It is possible to accurately grasp the sense of distance of the stereoscopic video, and to accurately recognize the operation failure based on the interference information, so that a very realistic driving training can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 is a sectional view of a drive simulator showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a model, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a drive mechanism, and FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a modification of the stereoscopic camera. It is. In addition, in the code | symbol used for drawing, 1 ... Driving device 2 ... 3D camera 3 ... Model 4 ... 3D image display device 8 ... Polarized glasses 10 ... Road.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A terrain model, an imaging device for stereoscopic video moving on the terrain model, a simulated driving operation device, a driving device for moving the imaging device in response to an operation of the scale driving operation device, A display device that displays a stereoscopic image at a driving operation position based on the output of the imaging device; and a shape data of a virtual moving object and a shape data of the terrain model that are coordinately moved in response to an operation of the simulated driving operation device. And a calculation device for transmitting the interference information to the driver.