Method and System for Kite-Surfing Training and Simulation

Abstract

A kite surfing simulation system, including a user mounting platform and a user support harness. A mobilizing assembly has the user mounting platform disposed thereon, and is adapted to move the user mounting platform in multiple directions, A kite simulation support pole includes an anchoring point adapted to have the user support harness coupled thereto. The anchoring point is slidable relative to the kite simulation support pole. A sensory input interface adapted to provide sensory input simulating a kite-surfing experience. A simulation control unit is adapted to synchronized operation of at least two of the mobilizing assembly, the kite simulation support pole, and the sensory input interface.

1 . A kite surfing simulation system, comprising:
 a user mounting platform;   a user support harness;   a mobilizing assembly, having said user mounting platform disposed thereon, said mobilizing assembly adapted to move said user mounting platform in multiple directions;   a kite simulation support pole, including an anchoring point adapted to have said user support harness coupled thereto, said anchoring point being slidable relative to said kite simulation support pole;   a sensory input interface adapted to provide sensory input simulating a kite-surfing experience; and   a simulation control unit, adapted to synchronized operation of at least two of said mobilizing assembly, said kite simulation support pole, and said sensory input interface.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensory input interface comprises a virtual reality interface, adapted to provide visual scenery simulating said kite-surfing experience. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensory input interface comprises a sound unit, adapted to provide audio simulating said kite-surfing experience. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said mobilizing assembly comprises a frame having:
 a back rod;   a pair of side rods fixedly attached to said back rod; and   a front rod attached to said pair of side rods, and pivotable relative thereto along a longitudinal axis of said front rod,   wherein said user mounting platform is pivotally mounted onto said front rod, and is pivotable relative to said front rod.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said mobilizing assembly includes a vertical motion actuator adapted to mobilize said frame, together with said user mounting platform, in a vertical direction relative to a base surface on which said system is placed. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said mobilizing assembly includes a tilt motion actuator adapted to tilt said front rod, together with said user mounting platform, relative to said pair of side rods. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said mobilizing assembly includes a twist motion actuator adapted to twist said user mounting platform relative to said front rod. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said a kite simulation support pole includes:
 a vertical shaft;   a longitudinal arm extending outwardly from said vertical shaft and substantially perpendicular thereto, said longitudinal arm being pivotable relative to said vertical shaft; and   said anchoring point adapted to have said user support harness coupled thereto, said anchoring point being slidable along said longitudinal arm, toward and away from said vertical shaft.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said kite simulation support pole further includes a first motion actuator adapted to control axial motion of said anchoring point along a longitudinal axis of said longitudinal arm. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said kite simulation support pole further includes a second motion actuator adapted to control angular motion of said longitudinal arm relative to said vertical shaft.