Interactive aircraft training system and method

Abstract

The system includes a computer (20), a detector (40) for detecting and tracking head orientation and head movement of an individual, a pair of tactile gloves (42, 44) which are donned by the individual (51) for detecting and transmitting to the computer (20) as input data orientation and movements of the hands of the individual inserted in the tactile gloves (42, 44), a stereoscopic, head-mounted display (31), a subsystem for enabling the computer to generate a stereoscopic image of the training environment, a subsystem for causing the stereoscopic image of the training environment to be displayed and changed by the computer relative to input data received by the computer relating to the head orientation and head movement of the individual, relative to input data received by the computer relating to orientation and movement of the hands of the individual inserted in the tactile gloves, and relative to input data reflecting realistic changes in the training environment that would be perceived by the individual if interacting with an identical, non-simulated, training environment. An object (43) representative of a tool is adapted for transmitting tactile information to the computer (20). Sounds representative of the environment are transmitted to the individual (51) through the earphones (33). Vocal emanations of the individual are detected by a microphone (48). System peripheral items (31, 33, 40, 42, 43, 44, 48) are connected to the computer (20) by means of wires (60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65). The computer (20) interfaces and incorporates an environment simulation and modeling subsystem (22), an image generation component (24), a user interface management component (26), and a component for formulating and transmitting instructional input (28).