Virtual reality system

Abstract

A virtual reality (VR) system includes an image playback system that sends images to an image viewing device, such as a pair of display glasses. Each image has a 360-degree field of view. A user views a portion of the images. The portion of the image viewed is determined by a directional sensor mounted to the display glasses. The images are advanced according to a speed sensor attached to a moving device, such as a stationary bicycle. The VR system simultaneously coordinates the portion of the images viewed by the user by coordinating signals from the directional sensor and the speed sensor. The user may also give commands to the playback system based on the positioning of the directional sensor.

1 . A virtual reality (VR) system comprising: 
 a playback system having a storage device for maintaining a plurality of images where each image has a field-of-view defining an X direction and a Y direction;    an image viewing device in communication with said playback system for displaying a portion of said plurality of images to a user;    a directional sensor in communication with said playback system for sensing a viewing direction of the user to define both an X direction coordinate and a Y direction coordinate;    said playback system having a controller in communication with said storage device for coordinating said portion of said plurality of images displayed by said image viewing device with said X and Y direction coordinates of said directional sensor; and    said controller recognizing a command from the user based on positioning of said X and Y direction coordinates of said directional sensor.    
   
   
       2 . A VR system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said controller recognizing a command from the user based on positioning of said directional sensor is further defined as said controller recognizing a command from the user when said viewing direction of the user corresponds to a predetermined area of X and Y directional coordinates for a predetermined period of time.  
   
   
       3 . A VR system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said image viewing device displays a menu image in response to said controller recognizing a menu command from the user.  
   
   
       4 . A VR system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said storage device also maintains at least one audio file.  
   
   
       5 . A VR system as set forth in  claim 4  further comprising at least one speaker in communication with said playback system for receiving an audio signal from said storage device and converting said audio signal into sound waves corresponding to said at least one audio file.  
   
   
       6 . A VR system as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a forward and rearward moving device for defining a Z direction; and    a speed sensor operatively connected to said moving device and in communication with said playback system for providing a rate of change of said plurality of images in said Z direction.    
   
   
       7 . A VR system as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said controller simultaneously coordinates said X and Y directions of said directional sensor and said Z direction of said speed sensor such that said viewing direction and said rate of change are interlaced to automatically change said portion of said plurality of images displayed by said image viewing device in said X, Y, and Z directions when the user moves the directional sensor in at least one of the X and Y directions and simultaneously moves the moving device in the Z direction.  
   
   
       8 . A VR system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said controller automatically changes said portion of said images displayed by said image viewing device throughout said field-of-view.  
   
   
       9 . A VR system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said image viewing device is further defined as display glasses adapted to be worn by the user.  
   
   
       10 . A VR system as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said directional sensor is attached to said display glasses such that said portion of said plurality of images automatically changes as said glasses move in said X and Y directions.  
   
   
       11 . A VR system as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said forward and rearward moving device is further defined as an exercise apparatus for allowing a user to exercise.  
   
   
       12 . A VR system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said image playback system further includes a frame buffer operatively communicating with said image viewing device for displaying said portion of said plurality of images to the user at a constant frame rate.  
   
   
       13 . A VR system as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said storage device includes inclination data corresponding to said images.  
   
   
       14 . A VR system as set forth in  claim 13  further comprising an inclination feedback device operatively connected to said forward and reward moving device and in communication with said storage device for changing the operation of said forward and reward moving device based upon said inclination data.  
   
   
       15 . A method of operating a virtual reality (VR) system comprising: 
 maintaining a plurality of images where each image has a 360-degree field-of-view defining an X direction and a Y direction;    determining an X direction coordinate and a Y direction coordinate corresponding to a viewing direction of a user;    displaying a portion of the plurality of images to the user based on the viewing direction;    recognizing a command from the user based on positioning of the X and Y direction coordinates; and    changing an operating aspect of the VR system based on the command.    
   
   
       16 . A method as set forth in  claim 15  further comprising the step of sensing a rate of change of the plurality of images moving in a Z direction;  
   
   
       17 . A method as set forth in  claim 16  further comprising the step of simultaneously coordinating the X and Y directions and the Z direction and interlacing the viewing direction and the rate of change for automatically changing the plurality of images in the X, Y, and Z directions as the user changes the viewing direction in at least one of the X and Y directions and simultaneously moves in the Z direction.  
   
   
       18 . A method as set forth in  claim 15  wherein the step of determining a viewing direction of a user is further defined as monitoring any movement of the user.  
   
   
       19 . A method as set forth in  claim 15  wherein the step of displaying a portion of the plurality of images to the user is further defined as displaying a portion of the plurality of images to the user at a constant frame rate.  
   
   
       20 . A virtual reality (VR) system comprising: 
 a playback system having a storage device for maintaining a plurality of images where each image has a field-of-view defining an X direction and a Y direction and inclination data corresponding to said images;    an image viewing device in communication with said playback system for displaying a portion of said plurality of images to a user;    a directional sensor in communication with said playback system for defining a viewing direction of the user as both an X direction coordinate and a Y direction coordinate;    said playback system having a controller in communication with said storage device for coordinating said portion of said plurality of images displayed by said image viewing device with said X and Y direction coordinates of said directional sensor;    a forward and rearward moving device for defining a Z direction;    a speed sensor operatively connected to said moving device and operatively communicating with said playback system for providing a rate of change of said plurality of images in said Z direction;    said playback system having a controller in communication with said storage device for simultaneously coordinating said X and Y directions of said directional sensor and said Z direction of said speed sensor; and    an inclination feedback device operatively connected to said moving device and in communication with said storage device for changing the operation of said forward and reward moving device based upon said inclination data.