Virtual Reality Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for virtual reality simulation includes a first base part and a second base part arranged to rotate relative to each other about a common axis. The apparatus also includes means for determining an angle between the first base part and the second base part. The second base part may be provided with a chair on which a user of the apparatus may sit during use of the apparatus. The means for determining an angle between the first base part and the second base part enables the apparatus to determine the direction in which the user is facing, relative to the first base part, after relative movement of the first base part and the second base part.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for virtual reality simulation, including:
 a first base part and a second base part arranged to be rotatable relative to each other about a common axis;   a processor input arranged to receive a drive rotation signal;   a motor drive responsive to the drive rotation signal to cause driven rotation of the base parts relative to each other;   a camera mounted radially outwardly of the common axis and arranged such that, during use of the apparatus by a user, the camera points towards the use of the apparatus;   means for determining an angle between the first base part and the second base part; and   a wearable user input wherein the user input is arranged to determine a direction in which a user of the apparatus is looking.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for determining an angle between the first base part and the second base part includes one of: a potentiometer; and a rotary encoder. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  including a camera mounted radially outwardly of the common axis. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the camera is mounted such that the camera points substantially radially inwardly towards the common axis. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the camera is arranged such that, during use of the apparatus by a user, the camera points towards the user of the apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the camera is mounted such that it is arranged to rotate with the second base part when the second base part rotates relative to the first base part. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the camera is mounted on a telescoping pole. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the camera is mounted such that it remains stationary with respect to the first base part during use of the apparatus. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein including a user input device arranged to allow a user of the apparatus to control rotation of the first base part and the second base part relative to each other about the common axis. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the user input device is a foot-operated user input. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the user input device includes a rotating plate. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the user input device includes at least one pedal. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the user input device is arranged to rotate about a further axis between a stowed position and a use position. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the wearable user input includes one or more of: a gyroscope; an accelerometer; and a magnetometer. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , including a chair mounted on the second base part such that the chair is arranged to rotate with the second base part relative to the first base part. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for virtual reality simulation, including:
 a first base part and a second base part arranged to be rotatable relative to each other about a common axis; base drive means operable to drive rotation of the first and second base parts relative to each other; user input means arranged to sense movement of a mammalian head; and drive control means arranged to control the base drive means in dependence on the sensed movement of the mammalian head so that the relative angular position of the base parts is controllable by movement of the mammalian head.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the user input means includes one or more of: a magnetometer; a gyroscope; and an accelerometer. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , additionally including a shaft encoder arranged to determine the angular position of the first and second base parts relative to each other. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for virtual reality simulation for connection to a processor, including:
 a first base part and a second base part arranged to be rotatable relative to each other about a common axis; base drive means operable to drive rotation of the first and second base parts relative to each other; user input means arranged to sense movement of a mammalian head; and drive control means arranged to control the base drive means in dependence on commands from the processor so that the relative angular position of the base parts is controllable by the processor independently of movement of the mammalian head.   
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the drive control means is arranged to control the base drive means also in dependence on the sensed movement of the mammalian head. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for virtual reality simulation for connection to a processor, the processor being operable to deliver a display signal to wearable virtual reality apparatus arranged to be worn on the mammalian head, and whereby sensed movement of the mammalian head causes the processor to change the display signal delivered to the virtual reality apparatus to cause a changed view to be displayed by the virtual reality apparatus. 
     
     
         22 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the wearable virtual reality apparatus is arranged to determine a direction in which a user of the apparatus is looking. 
     
     
         23 . An apparatus as claimed in any of  claim 21 , wherein the wearable virtual reality apparatus includes one or more of: a gyroscope; an accelerometer; and a magnetometer.