Draft Provisional Patent Application

Title of Invention

Interactive Holographic Environment Simulation System

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

Not applicable.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to simulation systems and environments, and more particularly to a room-based system that generates physically interactive, spatially unbounded simulated environments through coordinated use of projected light, force field generation, and matter replication technologies.

Background

There exists a need for simulation systems capable of producing fully immersive, physically interactive environments in which users can not only observe a simulated setting but physically engage with objects, characters, and environments within it. Conventional simulation approaches are limited in their ability to produce objects that feel physically solid and can be handled, manipulated, or resisted by a user. There is also a need for simulation systems that can present an apparently unbounded environment to a user who is physically confined within a fixed-size room, and that can do so in real time in response to user-defined parameters.

Summary of the Invention

One embodiment of the present invention provides a room-based simulation system comprising a physical enclosure equipped with a projection subsystem, a force field generation subsystem, and a matter replication subsystem. These three subsystems operate in a coordinated manner under control of a central processing system to generate simulated environments in which objects, characters, and settings are physically solid and can be interacted with by users as though they were real.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a simulation system in which the simulated environment is not limited to the dimensions of the physical enclosure. A spatial expansion mechanism allows users to move freely within an apparently unbounded simulated space while remaining physically within the fixed-size room.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a safety protocol system that monitors user interactions during a running simulation and prevents the simulation from generating physical forces or effects that would cause injury to a user. A dual-authorization mechanism allows the safety protocols to be disabled for specific operational purposes under controlled conditions.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a dual-modality control interface comprising voice command recognition and a manually operable control terminal that can be summoned into the simulation environment by verbal command.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a simulation construction capability allowing users to define and generate new simulation environments in real time by verbally describing objects, characters, or settings to the system.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The following description of preferred embodiments is illustrative and not limiting; the scope of the invention is defined by the claims. The embodiments described below represent specific implementations of the invention; other implementations and variations are possible and are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

1. System Overview

In a preferred embodiment, the Interactive Holographic Environment Simulation System comprises a physical simulation room and a collection of integrated subsystems that together generate and maintain a fully interactive simulated environment within that room. The primary subsystems are: (a) a projection subsystem that generates the visual appearance of simulated objects, characters, and environments using projected light; (b) a force field generation subsystem that provides the physical resistance and tactile properties of simulated objects; (c) a matter replication subsystem that produces replicated physical matter forming the substance of simulated objects; and (d) a central processing and control system that coordinates all subsystems, manages simulation state, and processes user inputs.

These subsystems work together to produce simulated objects and environments that are physically solid, visually realistic, and physically interactive. A user within the simulation room can pick up, handle, resist, and interact physically with simulated objects as though they were real physical objects. The visual appearance, physical resistance, and physical substance of each simulated object are maintained in a consistent and coordinated state by the central processing system throughout the simulation.

2. Physical Simulation Room

The simulation room is a defined physical enclosure of sufficient dimensions to permit a user to move freely within it. The walls, floor, and ceiling of the room are equipped with hardware components serving the projection, force field, and matter replication subsystems. In an inactive state, the room presents as an ordinary empty room of medium size, with the installed hardware either concealed within the room’s surfaces or present but visually unobtrusive.

The interior surfaces of the room are constructed or coated with materials compatible with the emission and reception requirements of the projection, force field, and matter replication subsystems. The room’s infrastructure includes power supply connections, shielding, and environmental conditioning as required by the operating parameters of the installed subsystems.

The physical entry door to the simulation room is a component of the simulation system. When the simulation is in an active state, the door is concealed by the simulation environment and is not visually apparent to a user within the room. The door reappears when the simulation is ended or when a user requests an exit verbally. A panel or interface outside the entrance to the room provides users with access to simulation selection and configuration options prior to entering.

3. The Three-Component Physical Reality System

The physical solidity and interactivity of simulated objects within the simulation room is produced by the coordinated operation of three component technologies: projected light, force fields, and replicated matter.

3.1 Projected Light Component

The projection subsystem generates the visual appearance of simulated objects by projecting light within the simulation room. Projection hardware installed in the walls, ceiling, and floor of the room produces visual representations of simulated objects, characters, and environmental features. The projection subsystem operates in coordination with the force field and matter replication subsystems to ensure that the visual appearance of each simulated object is consistent with its physical properties at all times.

3.2 Force Field Component

The force field generation subsystem produces localized force fields at the positions of simulated objects within the room. These force fields provide the physical resistance encountered when a user attempts to touch, grasp, push, or otherwise physically contact a simulated object. Without the force field component, a simulated object would be visually present but physically insubstantial — a user’s hand would pass through it. The force field component provides the tactile and resistive properties that make a simulated object feel physically solid.

3.3 Replicated Matter Component

The matter replication subsystem produces replicated physical matter at the locations of simulated objects. This replicated matter provides the physical substance of simulated objects, complementing the visual appearance provided by the projection subsystem and the resistive properties provided by the force field subsystem. The matter replication subsystem operates using the same technical principles as matter replication systems used for other purposes within the operational environment.

Replicated matter produced by the matter replication subsystem is stable within the simulation room environment. If a simulated object or matter produced by the replication subsystem is removed from the simulation room, it degrades or disappears rapidly rather than persisting as a stable physical object outside the room. This behavior is a property of the replicated matter’s dependence on the simulation room’s operating environment.

3.4 Coordination of the Three Components

The central processing system coordinates the projection, force field, and matter replication subsystems in real time during a running simulation. The central processing system maintains a simulation state that defines the position, appearance, physical properties, and state of every simulated object within the environment. When a user interacts with a simulated object — for example, by picking it up, pushing it, or striking it — all three subsystems respond: the projection subsystem updates the visual appearance of the object to reflect the interaction, the force field subsystem adjusts the force field to reflect the object’s new position and state, and the matter replication subsystem adjusts the matter at the object’s location accordingly. These adjustments occur simultaneously and in coordination to maintain the physical and visual coherence of the simulated object throughout the interaction.

4. Spatial Expansion Beyond the Physical Room

The simulation system is capable of presenting a simulated environment of any conceivable size to users who are physically confined within the fixed-size simulation room. This spatial expansion capability allows users to experience the apparent movement through and exploration of environments substantially larger than the physical room — including environments as large as a starship, an outdoor landscape, or any other setting — while remaining physically within the room at all times.

The spatial expansion mechanism operates by managing the relationship between the user’s physical position within the room and their apparent position within the simulated environment. As a user moves physically within the room, the simulation system adjusts the simulated environment presented to the user to create the experience of movement through the larger simulated space. The system uses the room’s available physical dimensions to permit free physical movement by the user while maintaining the illusion of unrestricted travel through the simulated environment.

The practical limits on simulated environment size are determined by the computational and storage capacity of the central processing system, not by the physical dimensions of the simulation room.

5. System State Transitions

5.1 Inactive State

In its inactive state, the simulation room presents as an ordinary empty room. The installed hardware components of the subsystems are present but not operating. No simulation is running. The physical entry door and the room’s surfaces are visible and present as they physically are. A user may enter or exit the room freely.

5.2 Activation

The simulation system transitions from the inactive state to an active simulation state when a user activates a simulation. Activation may be initiated by voice command or by operation of the manual control terminal. Upon activation, the simulation system begins operating all subsystems, and the simulated environment replaces the visible appearance of the room. The physical walls, floor, ceiling, and entry door of the room are concealed by the active simulation, and the user experiences the simulated environment as their surroundings. The entry door is not visible to the user during an active simulation unless the user verbally requests an exit or the simulation ends.

5.3 Deactivation

The simulation ends and the system returns to the inactive state when the user verbally requests an exit, when a preprogrammed scenario concludes, or when the simulation is otherwise terminated. Upon deactivation, the simulated environment disappears and the physical room environment becomes visible again. The entry door reappears. Any replicated matter produced during the simulation degrades or disappears.

6. Control Interface

6.1 Voice Command Interface

The simulation system includes a voice command interface that recognizes and processes spoken commands from a user within or outside the simulation room. Voice commands can be used to activate a simulation, select a preprogrammed scenario, describe objects or environments to be generated, request an exit, summon the manual control terminal, and perform other control functions. The voice command interface is operational both before activation of a simulation and during a running simulation.

6.2 Manual Control Terminal (the Arch)

The simulation system includes a manual control terminal, referred to herein as the Arch, which provides a physical interface for controlling the simulation. The Arch is summoned into the active simulation environment by verbal command and appears at a location within the simulation accessible to the user. The Arch provides manual controls for simulation functions including scenario selection, simulation parameter adjustment, and simulation termination. The Arch is dismissed by verbal command or by completing the control interaction. When not summoned, the Arch is not visible within the simulation environment.

7. On-the-Fly Simulation Construction

In addition to selecting from preprogrammed scenarios, users may construct a simulation in real time by verbally describing to the system the objects, characters, or environment they wish to experience. The system interprets the user’s verbal description and generates the described elements within the simulation using the projection, force field, and matter replication subsystems. The user may add to or modify the simulation after it has been initiated by providing additional verbal descriptions. The generated elements are physically interactive within the simulation in the same manner as elements of preprogrammed scenarios.

The on-the-fly construction capability is subject to the constraints of the central processing system’s ability to interpret the user’s descriptions and generate consistent outputs across all three subsystems.

8. Safety Protocol System

8.1 Active Safety Protocols

The simulation system includes a safety protocol system that monitors the physical effects generated by the simulation subsystems during a running simulation and prevents the generation of physical forces, impacts, or effects that would cause injury to a user. The safety protocol system operates in real time during all simulations in which protocols are active. The safety protocol system intercepts and modifies simulation outputs that would otherwise produce injurious effects, allowing the simulation to continue while protecting the physical safety of users. Simulated combat scenarios, impact events, and other physically hazardous simulated events are subject to modification by the safety protocol system when protocols are active.

8.2 Protocol-Disabled Mode and Dual-Authorization

The safety protocol system may be disabled for specific operational purposes. Disabling the safety protocols requires authorization from two senior officers. Both authorizations must be provided before the protocols are disabled. The authorization process involves verification of the identity and authorization level of each authorizing officer. The system records and logs the authorization event, identifying the authorizing individuals and the time of authorization.

In protocol-disabled mode, the simulation system is capable of generating physical forces and effects that could injure users. The system returns to protocol-active mode at the end of a protocol-disabled session. Certain minimum safety functions may remain active even in protocol-disabled mode as a hardware-level constraint.

9. Operational Modes

9.1 Tactical and Combat Training Mode

In a tactical and combat training mode, the simulation system generates simulated opponents, weapons, terrain, and combat scenarios for use in training exercises. Training participants can engage physically with simulated opponents and environments, practice tactical movements, and experience simulated combat scenarios with physical realism not achievable through conventional training methods. The safety protocol system is typically active during training mode, preventing actual injury while permitting physically realistic simulation of combat interactions.

9.2 Forensic Reconstruction Mode

In a forensic reconstruction mode, the simulation system recreates a real historical event — such as a crime scene, accident, or other event of investigative interest — based on data provided to the system. Investigators can enter the reconstructed environment, physically move through it, examine simulated physical evidence, and view the reconstructed event from multiple perspectives. The simulation system generates the reconstruction from data provided to it including spatial measurements, physical evidence records, witness accounts, or other investigative materials.

9.3 Entertainment and Narrative Mode

In an entertainment and narrative mode, the simulation system runs preprogrammed scenarios — referred to as holonovels or recreational programs — that present users with interactive narrative experiences. These programs may involve real or fictional settings, historical or imaginary characters, and predefined narrative structures. Users interact physically with the simulated environment and characters as participants in the narrative. Holonovel programs are produced by program authors and may be selected by users from a library of available programs.

10. Variations in Simulation Scale and Environment Type

The simulation system is capable of simulating environments of widely varying scale, from small enclosed spaces to environments substantially larger than the physical simulation room. The type of physical environment simulated is not limited by the physical characteristics of the room. The system can simulate indoor spaces, outdoor landscapes, underwater environments, zero-gravity environments, and other physical settings by adjusting the parameters presented to the user through the projection, force field, and matter replication subsystems. Physical properties of the simulation environment such as apparent gravity, temperature, and atmospheric conditions may be varied by adjusting the simulation parameters.

11. User Experience Sequence

A user approaches the simulation room in its inactive state and may view available simulation programs on the panel outside the entrance. The user enters the room. The user activates a simulation by voice command — selecting a preprogrammed scenario by name or describing a scenario to be constructed — or by operating the control panel outside the room prior to entry. Upon activation, the simulation environment replaces the visible room, the door disappears from view, and the user is surrounded by the simulated environment. The user moves freely within the room, interacting physically with simulated objects, characters, and environmental features. The user may summon the Arch terminal by verbal command to adjust the simulation or access control functions. The user ends the simulation by verbal command requesting an exit, at which point the simulation terminates, the physical room reappears, and the door becomes visible and accessible.

12. Fields of Use and Applications

The simulation system described herein has applications in multiple fields including: military and tactical training; law enforcement training and forensic investigation; entertainment and narrative media production and consumption; professional training simulations for fields including medicine, engineering, and emergency response; architectural and design visualization; and psychological and therapeutic applications. In each of these fields, the system provides capabilities not achievable by conventional simulation methods, including physical interactivity with simulated objects, unbounded environment scale within a fixed room, and real-time construction of custom environments.

Claims

What is claimed is:

Abstract

An interactive holographic environment simulation system comprises a physical enclosure equipped with a projection subsystem, a force field generation subsystem, and a matter replication subsystem coordinated by a central processing system. The three subsystems operate together to generate simulated objects and environments within the enclosure that are physically solid and can be interacted with by users as though they were real. The system includes a spatial expansion mechanism that presents simulated environments of unlimited apparent size to users confined within the fixed-size enclosure, a dual-modality control interface comprising voice command recognition and a summoned manual control terminal, a real-time simulation construction capability allowing users to generate custom environments by verbal description, and a safety protocol system with a dual-authorization disablement mechanism. The system supports operational modes including tactical training, forensic reconstruction, and entertainment.