Theme park attraction for multiple participants using real time simulation

Claim 2

The real time interactive game of Claim 1 wherein each video simulator system comprises: an image projector coupled to the processor for displaying video images in response to the computer generated video simulation; video display adapted to display the video image projected by the image projector; a motion-based simulator coupled to the central processor that is adapted to interactively respond to the computer generated video simulation and to actions of the plurality of participants that operate the simulator; and a motion control device coupled to the processor and to the simulator for responding to inputs provided thereto by the processor in response to actions of the participants and to inputs generated by the simulation to move the simulator in response thereto.

Claim 3

The real time interactive game of Claim 2 wherein each simulator further comprises: a plurality of crew stations, each having a seat provided with means for initiating an electronic signal indicating the presence of an occupant therein.

Claim 4

The real time interactive game of Claim 3 wherein each simulator further comprises: motion generating means coupled to the plurality of crew stations and controllable by a selected one of the crew stations to provide vibration, roll, pitch, lateral and vertical motion to the crew stations on command.

Claim 5

The real time interactive game of Claim 4 wherein each simulator further comprises: simulator control means provided at one of the crew stations and positioned within reach of an occupant of the seat for selectively providing simulator control signals including turn, bank, fast, slow, stop, and reverse.

Claim 6

The real time interactive game of Claim 5 wherein each simulator further comprises: armament control means provided at one of the crew stations and positioned within reach of an occupant of the seat for selectively providing arm and fire signals for simulated weapons.

Claim 7

The real time interactive game of Claim 6 wherein each simulator further comprises: audio means at each of the crew stations for providing voice communications between occupants of the seats and for providing multi-channel stereophonic, surround sound audio sound effects to the occupants of the seats.

Claim 8

A real-time interactive, motion-based, video game simulation involving a plurality of participants, said game comprising: a central processor; a computer generated interactive video game simulation operatively coupled to the central processor and adapted for display by the simulation under control of the central processor; an image projector coupled to the central processor for displaying video images in response to the computer generated video game simulation; video display adapted to display the video image projected by the image projector; a plurality of motion-based simulators coupled to the central processor that are adapted to interactively respond to the computer generated video game simulation and to actions of a plurality of participants that operate each of the simulators, each simulator comprising means for permitting the plurality of participants to individually and cooperatively interact with the video game simulation to achieve a predetermined objective, and wherein each of the participants independently affects the achievement of an objective; and a plurality of motion control devices, each of said devices coupled to the processor and to a respective one of the simulators, for responding to inputs provided thereto by the central processor in response to actions of the participants and to inputs generated by the game simulation to move the simulators in response thereto.

Claim 9

The real time interactive game of Claim 8 wherein each simulator further comprises: a plurality of crew stations, each having a seat provided with means for initiating an electronic signal indicating the presence of an occupant therein.

Claim 10

The real time interactive game of Claim 9 wherein each simulator further comprises: motion generating means coupled to the plurality of crew stations and controllable by a selected one of the crew stations to provide vibration, roll, pitch, lateral and vertical motion to the crew stations on command.

Claim 11

The real time interactive game of Claim 10 wherein each simulator further comprises: simulator control means provided at one of the crew stations and positioned within reach of an occupant of the seat for selectively providing simulator control signals including turn, bank, fast, slow, stop, and reverse.

Claim 12

The real time interactive game of Claim 11 wherein each simulator further comprises: armament control means provided at one of the crew stations and positioned within reach of an occupant of the seat for selectively providing arm and fire signals for simulated weapons.

Claim 13

The real time interactive game of Claim 12 wherein each simulator further comprises: audio means at each of the crew stations for providing voice communications between occupants of the seats and for providing audio sound effects to the occupants of the seats.

Claim 14

Simulator apparatus comprising: first, second and third crew stations, each of the crew stations having a seat provided with means for initiating an electronic signal indicating the presence of an occupant therein; game selection means operable by an occupant to select a desired game scenario; motion generating means coupled to the seats of said first, second and third crew stations and controllable by the scenario selected by an occupant to provide vibration, roll, pitch, lateral and vertical motion to the seats of said crew stations on command of the central processing unit; simulator control means provided at one of the crew stations and positioned within reach of an occupant of the seat for selectively providing simulator control signals including turn, bank, fast, slow, stop, and reverse; armament control means provided at one of the crew stations and positioned within reach of an occupant of the seat for selectively providing arm and fire signals for simulated weapons; audio means at each of the crew stations for providing voice communications between occupants of the seats and for providing multi-channel stereophonic, surround sound audio sound effects to the occupants of the seats; an image generating system disposed in front of the crew stations for providing an interactive display viewable by the occupants of the seats; and a central processing unit interconnecting the crew stations, the motion generating means, the vehicle control means, the armament control means, the audio means and the image generating system for providing a realistic, interactive, simulated battle experience to the occupants of the seats; whereby when all of the seats at the crew stations are occupied, a first crew station becomes operable to provide simulator control signals; a second crew station becomes operable to provide navigation information to a first crew station; and a third crew station becomes operable to provide arm and fire armament control signals to simulated weapons; and whereby navigation and target information is coupleable from the second and third crew stations to the first crew station during the simulated experience and which is used by the occupant of the first crew station to navigate the simulator apparatus, in response to information provided on the first crew station and viewable on the image generating system.