Mobile interactive virtual reality product

Abstract

A novel form of virtual reality product is described which uses a powered mobile structure that follows a person as the person roams freely around a real physical terrain of arbitrary size that may simultaneously be portrayed in the virtual space. Virtual objects may be included in the portrayal. The product includes coded data source and imager combinations that provide information used by a control system and motive means to keep the structure in a known spatial relationship to the moving person. These also may provide data for avatar control and other purposes in the virtual space. The product may be used to stress persons in a virtual environment by requiring them to deal with, for example, varied and challenging terrain underfoot and long traverses.

What I claim as my invention is:  
     
         1 . A virtual reality apparatus comprising: 
 a platform;    a structure connected to the platform;    a motive means that drives the platform over a surface;    a coded data source on an independent person proximate the structure;    a signal from the coded data source;    an imager on the structure that detects the signal;    a control system that receives the signal and causes the motive means to maintain a medial location of the coded data source relative to the structure;    an information system generating virtual reality imagery that incorporates data from the coded data source; and    display means for presenting the imagery to the person.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising image motion stabilization means.