WO2001061672A1

WO2001061672A1 - Virtual reality testdrive system

Info

Publication number: WO2001061672A1
Application number: PCT/EP2000/001354
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven Low
Original assignee: PRIMA INDUSTRIES ESTABLISHMENT
Current assignee: PRIMA INDUSTRIES ESTABLISHMENT
Priority date: 2000-02-18
Filing date: 2000-02-18
Publication date: 2001-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2002-08-18
Also published as: AU2000234240A1

Abstract

A virtual reality testdrive system (1) comprises a control means (2) with an associated memory (3), the control means (2) being programmed for making contact with a distant server computer (5) through a network (4), particularly an Intranet or the Internet. The system (1) comprises further a vehicle unit (10) with vehicle steering means (12), accelerator means (13), brake means (14), and gear select means (15), all providing user signals to the control means (2). The system further comprises a visual image display means (40) in a helmet (41) or the like, for displaying visual images in accordance to image signals generated by the control means. The control means (2) is adapted to generate support movement control signals, steering movement control signals, accelerator movement control signals, brake movement control signals, and image signals, on the basis of data and/or software resident in said distant server computer (5) or downloaded from said distant server computer (5) into said memory (3).

Description

Title: Virtual Reality Testdrive System

The present invention relates in general to virtual reality systems. Such systems are known per se, and are designed to give a user a sensation of being in a certain surroundings while in fact he is not. Given adequate user hardware, the sensation may be complete. Such user hardware comprises a helmet or a mask with a built-in display and built-in earphones for giving visual and audible information, but also "mechanical" hardware for giving the user information through sensory feeling.

The present invention is especially useful in the context of test-driving a vehicle by a potential buyer, for the purpose of deciding which vehicle to buy. In practice, when a potential buyer wishes to buy a new vehicle, be it an ordinary car, a truck, a motor bike, etc., he will orientate himself on the market and compare vehicles of different types in respect of design, costs, etc. Then, he will be left with a number of potentially interesting vehicles, which he wants to take for a test drive in order to feel and experience the car's behavior in reality. However, in order to be able to compare the behavior of different types of cars, the potential buyer has to make test- drives with all these cars, and he usually has to go to different car dealers.

Further, such test-drives are usually relatively short, and it is practically impossible to test-drive such cars under all types of circumstances and on all types of roads. Further, it is difficult to compare the behavior of different cars under specific equal or even similar circumstances, because a relatively long time span will pass between subsequent test- drives. Further, if one really wants to make a test-drive on a specific type of road, such as for instance a highway, it may take some time to reach such highway from the car dealer's showroom. Therefore, the present invention provides a virtual reality test-drive system or car simulator which allows a potential car buyer to test-drive any type of car in virtual reality.

The present invention will hereinafter be further explained for the example of test-driving a motor car, but it should be clear to a person skilled in the art that the present invention can be applied for tes -driving any type of vehicle, such as a truck, pickup, mini-van, sport utility vehicle, motor bike, etc. Vehicle simulators are known per se. A limitation of presently known simulators is that all hardware and software is associated with one specific location. Further, all hardware and software is designed to simulate only one type of vehicle, and all characteristics and behavior of the simulator are pre- established, and as such are fixed, to be identical to the characteristics and behavior of the actual vehicle. This means that, in order to simulate a ride in another type of vehicle, it is necessary to develop another individual simulator, designed in conformity with such other type of vehicle. It is a drawback that previously known vehicle simulators can simulate only one type of vehicle. Further, if one wants to be able to simulate a large number of car types, it is necessary to have a large number of different vehicle simulators.

In order to be able to give a user a true sense of reality, simulators must have a high-performance computer for processing a large flow of data in real time, and controlling the signals to be sent to the user hardware. Further, simulators must comprise high quality displays, and driving means for transmitting movement to the mechanical surroundings of the user, such as for instance a seat or the like. All in all, such systems are very expensive.

It is a general object of the present invention to overcome the above disadvantages.

A special object of the present invention is to provide new useful applications for virtual reality systems. A further object of the present invention is to make virtual reality systems adaptable to specific user demands. Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a virtual reality system, the characteristics of which can be changed from a distance, without the need for technically qualified personnel to visit the site where the system is located.

Therefore, in accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, a virtual reality system is coupled to a communication network, especially internet or an intranet. Further, in accordance with another important aspect of the present invention, a vehicle simulator comprises a headset such as a helmet or the like with a built-in screen which displays the interior of a vehicle as well as road surroundings outside the vehicle.

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be further clarified by the following description of a preferred embodiment of a control circuitry in accordance with the invention, with reference to the drawing.

The figure shows schematically a virtual reality system 1, comprising a central control unit 2 with an associated memory 3 and an associated keyboard 6 for inputting user data and instructions . The central control unit 2 may comprise a suitably progammed computer of a known per se type, which need not be described in detail. The system further comprises a motor car unit or console 10 comprising essential motor car components such as a seat 11, a steering wheel 12, pedals 13, 14 and gearshift 15. All these components are provided with associated sensors and/or actuators which are connected to the control unit 2, such that it is possible for the control unit 2 to detect, for instance, the position of a pedal or the steering wheel, while also it is possible for the control unit 2 to transfer a force and/or a movement to said components . Said components are mounted on a support 19, which is movably arranged with respect to the fixed world, through actuators which are also connected to the control unit 2 such that the entire support 19 can be moved, tilted and/or vibrated under the control of the control unit 2.

More particularly, the vehicle unit 10 comprises a movable support 19, movably arranged with respect to the fixed world, and controllable actuating means 29 having a control input coupled to a support movement control output of the control unit 2 for moving the movable support 19 with respect to the fixed world in accordance with support movement control signals generated by the control means 2. This actuating means may be any suitable actuating means known per se, and need not be described in detail.

A driver's seat 11 is mounted on the support 19 for receiving a body of a user. An interactive vehicle steering wheel 12 is mounted movably with respect to the support 19. A steering sensor means 32, having a signal output coupled to a steering signal input of the control unit 2, is associated with the vehicle steering wheel 12 for sensing a displacement of the vehicle steering wheel 12 caused by the user. This sensor means may be any suitable sensor means known per se, and need not be described in detail. If the user turns the steering wheel, this movement is signalled to the control unit 2. Also, a controllable actuating means 22 having a control input coupled to a steering movement control output of the control unit 2 is associated with the vehicle steering wheel 12 for exerting a force on the steering wheel 12, possibly moving the vehicle steering wheel 12 with respect to the support 19, in accordance with steering movement control signals generated by the control unit 2. This actuating means may be any suitable actuating means known per se, and need not be described in detail. Thus, under control of the control unit 2, vibrations can be generated in the steering wheel 12, simulating vibrations caused by the road.

An interactive accelerator pedal 13 is mounted movably with respect to the support 19. An accelerator sensor means 33, having a signal output coupled to an accelerator signal input of the control unit 2, is associated with the accelerator pedal 13 for sensing a displacement of the accelerator pedal 13 caused by the user. This sensor means may be any suitable sensor means known per se, and need not be described in detail. If the user presses the accelerator pedal 13, this movement is signalled to the control unit 2. Also, a controllable actuating means 23 is provided, having a control input coupled to an accelerator movement control output of the control unit 2 for exerting a force on the accelerator means 13, possibly moving the accelerator means 13 with respect to the support 19, in accordance with accelerator movement control signals generated by the control unit. This actuating means may be any suitable actuating means known per se, and need not be described in detail. Thus, the counter-force of the accelerator pedal can be simulated.

An interactive brake pedal 14 is mounted movably with respect to the support 19. A brake sensor means 34, having a signal output coupled to a brake signal input of the control unit 2, is associated with the brake pedal 14 for sensing a displacement of the brake pedal 14. This sensor means may be any suitable sensor means known per se, and need not be described in detail. If the user presses the brake pedal 14, this movement is signalled to the control unit 2. Also, a controllable actuating means 24 is provided, having a control input coupled to an a brake movement control output of the control unit 2 for exerting a force on the brake pedal 14, possibly moving the brake pedal 14 with respect to the support 19, in accordance with brake movement control signals generated by the control unit. This actuating means may be any suitable actuating means known per se, and need not be described in detail. Thus, the counter-force of the brake pedal can be simulated.

A gear select means 15 is mounted movably with respect to the support 19. A gear sensor means 35, having a signal output coupled to a gear signal input of the control unit 2 , is associated with the gear select means 15 for sensing a displacement of the gear select means 15. This sensor means may be any suitable sensor means known per se, and need not be described in detail. If the user shifts the gear stick 15, this movement is signalled to the control unit 2.

Similarly, an interactive clutch pedal may be provided, with corresponding sensor and actuator, coupled to control unit 2. This is, however, not shown in the drawing.

Ordinary car simulators are known per se. In an ordinary car simulator, the positioning of the car console components would have been designed in conformity with the positioning of such components in one certain type of car. This would apply especially to the positioning of the seat and the steering wheel. In order to be able to give the user a realistic impression of the "feeling" of the car he has chosen, the positioning of such components like the seat and the steering wheel, and preferably also the pedals, is automatically adaptable to the type of car chosen by the user by means of controllable positioning means, controlled by control unit 2. Such controllable positioning means may be any suitable type of positioning means, and are not illustrated in the drawing. It is noted that controllable positioning means for a seat in a car are known per se, allowing the positioning of the seat to be electrically adapted to the individual driver.

Also, in an ordinary car simulator, the car console components and the car console interior would have been designed as a look-alike with respect to one certain type of car. This would apply especially to the car's dashboard, the instruments, etc. According to the present invention, the car console is not designed as a look-alike for a specific type of car, and it does not need to have a dashboard or any instruments. Further, in an ordinary car simulator, the car console would have had an ordinary front window provided with a large screen on which road situations are projected. In contrast, according to the present invention, the system 1 comprises a visual image display means 40 having a visual signal input coupled to a visual signal output of the control means 2 for displaying visual images in accordance to image signals generated by the control means, as well as display mounting means 41 such as for instance a helmet or the like, for mounting the visual image display means 40 on the head of a user. More specifically, the system 1 may comprise a helmet 41 or the like having a built-in screen 40, preferably a stereoscopic screen, upon which the said road situations are projected, but also the interior of the car as viewed from the driver, such as dashboard, instruments, steering wheel, etc. Alternatively, the helmet 41 may be replaced by goggles, or any other type of construction attachable to the drivers head. An advantage of goggles is that they comprise two separate screens, one for the left eye and one for the right eye, such that different images may be projected on these two separate screen in order to simulate a 3D- image.

Further, the system 1 preferably further comprises pressure sensor means 50, preferably implemented in the shape of a glove or the like, for sensing a pressure exerted by the user's fingers, and having a pressure output coupled to a pressure signal input of the control means. Also, the glove is preferably equipped with force-feedback devices which are capable of exerting a pressure on the hand of the user such as to provide a sensation of touch.

A helmet with built-in screen of a type suitable for use in the present invention is known per se in the field of virtual reality systems. Also, a data-glove with built-in pressure sensors as well as pressure-exerting means, of a type suitable for use in the present invention, is known per se in the field of virtual reality systems. Therefore, these components will not be discussed here in further detail, and the technical features of these components are incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with the invention, a user will see the instruments of a vehicle of the type he has selected himself. This applies for instruments which convey information to the driver, such as for instance a clock or a speedometer, and the readings of this instruments will be corresponding to the selected situation in real time. It also applies to instruments which can be controlled by the driver, such as for instance switches, and the driver can actually "touch" and "feel" these instruments, and he can even control these instruments, thanks to the sensors and actuators in the glove. It also applies to for instance the "feeling" and "looks" of the gear stick; this gear stick may, as desired, be omitted or be present as hardware as an aid for the user to rest his hand.

The control unit 2 is adapted to generate said support movement control signals, said steering movement control signals, said accelerator movement control signals, said brake movement control signals, and said image signals, on the basis of data and/or software. In a conventional car simulator, such data and software would be resident in a computer memory, for instance on hard disk, CD-ROM, etc. In the virtual reality system according to the present invention, however, such data and software are resident in a distant server computer 5, and the control unit 2 is coupled to said distant server computer 5 through a network 4. Such network may be a dedicated intranet, but preferably such network is the internet. Instead of being connected to the said distant server computer 5 through the network 4 continuously, the said data and/or software may be downloaded from said distant server computer 5 into said computer memory 3. For a realistic impression, it is desirable that the projected images are rich in detail, and that they are refreshed at a high rate such that movements are quite fluid. This requires a high-performance control unit, and special design software. Preferably, the software is capable of being run on a 128-bits chip. Eventually, this would mean that the present invention could be implemented for running on a user's home personal computer, wherein the helmet, steering wheel, pedals, etc. are simply connected to a communication port of the personal computer. In such a case, the user at home might be satisfied by a simplified embodiment where the movable support is omitted and his chair is a fixed chair.

In practice, the virtual reality system according to the present invention may be located in the showroom of sophisticated car dealers . A potential buyer might go to the showroom of such dealer, and look at the different types of cars displayed in the showroom. Then, when he wants to make comparing test-drives of different types of cars, he may enter the virtual reality car unit 10 according to the present invention, enter the type of car he wants to test-drive, put on the helmet 41 and the gloves 50, and go for a simulated ride to any specified location he desires. During such simulated test-ride, the computer 2 will receive signals from the sensors associated with said essential car components and will transmit forces and/or vibrations to said essential car components, in conformity with the characteristics of the type of car chosen by the potential buyer, and based on software which may be resident in a distant server 5. The central computer 2 may be in constant communication with the distant server 5 through the said network 4, or alternatively the software may be downloaded from such distant server 5, through said network 4, to be resident in the computer memory 3 for the duration of this test drive. An important advantage of the present invention is that it is very easy for the user to test-drive different types of cars under similar simulated road conditions within a brief period of time. He simply needs to enter the type of car he wishes to test-drive, and the computer 2 loads the necessary software into its memory.

A further important advantage of the present invention is that it is very easy for the car manufacturers to make a new type of car available for virtual test-driving, or to adapt the system to amended specifications, simply by updating or supplementing the software resident in the distant server 5. Another advantage of the present invention is that it offers the car manufacturers a possibility of obtaining commercially valuable data on potential new car buyers . When a potential car buyer wants to make a virtual test drive, he is asked to enter his personalia via the keyboard 6. The computer 2 sends this personalia to a central computer, where the personalia are entered into a data base. The computer 2 may transmit the personalia directly upon entry by the potential car buyer, but alternatively the computer may collect this personalia of a number of potential buyers and uplink the data to said central computer on a regular basis, for instance once a day, once a week, etc. The computer 2 may uplink the data to said central computer via said network 4, but may also transfer the data via for instance a telephone line.

Summarizing, the present invention provides a virtual reality testdrive system 1 comprising a control means 2 with an associated memory 3, the control means 2 being programmed for making contact with a distant server computer 5 through a network 4, particularly an Intranet or the Internet.

The system 1 comprises further a vehicle unit 10 with vehicle steering means 12, accelerator means 13, brake means 14, and gear select means 15, all providing user signals to the control means 2. All these components are interactive, and provided with sensors and force-feedback means. The system further comprises a visual image display means 40 in a helmet 41 or goggles or the like, for displaying visual images in accordance to image signals generated by the control means. The control means 2 is adapted to generate support movement control signals, steering movement control signals, accelerator movement control signals, brake movement control signals, and image signals, on the basis of data and/or software resident in said distant server computer 5 or downloaded from said distant server computer into said memory.

It should be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples discussed in the above, but that several amendments and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appending claims. For instance, it is possible that the function of the gear stick is taken over by software controlling the glove. It is also possible that positioning means of a certain component are capable of removing such component completely if such component is absent in the type of car chosen by the user; this applies for instance to the clutch pedal. It is also possible that positioning means of a certain component are capable of replacing such component completely; this applies for instance to a pedal, which may have a pivot point at its lower end or at a higher location.

Claims

1. Virtual reality testdrive system (1), comprising: a control means (2) with an associated memory (3), the control means (2) being programmed for making contact with a distant server computer (5) through a network (4) , particularly an Intranet or the Internet ; an interactive vehicle unit (10) , comprising: a movable support (19), movably arranged with respect to the fixed world, and controllable support actuating means (29) coupled to said control means (2); - a driver's seat (11), mounted on the support (19), for receiving a body of a user,- interactive vehicle steering means (12) , such as for instance a steering wheel, mounted movably with respect to the support (19) , and coupled to said control means (2) ; - an interactive accelerator means (13), such as for instance an accelerator pedal, mounted movably with respect to the support (19) , and coupled to said control means (2) ; an interactive brake means (14) , such as for instance a brake pedal, mounted movably with respect to the support (19) , and coupled to said control means (2) ; optionally, an interactive gear select means (15) , mounted movably with respect to the support (19) , and coupled to said control means (2) ; a headset (41) such as a helmet or goggles with built-in visual image display means (40) coupled to said control means (2); a data-glove (50) equipped with pressure sensors and force- feedback devices, coupled to said control means (2) ; wherein the control means (2) is adapted to control said support actuator, said steering means, said accelerator means, said brake means, said visual image display means, and said data- glove, on the basis of data and/or software resident in said distant server computer (5) or downloaded from said distant server computer (5) into said memory (3) .

2. Virtual reality testdrive system (1), comprising: a control means (2) with an associated memory (3) , the control means (2) being programmed for making contact with a distant server computer (5) through a network (4) , particularly an Intranet or the Internet; a vehicle unit (10), comprising: a movable support (19) , movably arranged with respect to the fixed world; controllable actuating means (29) having a control input coupled to a support movement control output of the control means (2) for moving the movable support (19) with respect to the fixed world in accordance with support movement control signals generated by the control means (2); a driver's seat (11), mounted on the support (19), for receiving a body of a user; vehicle steering means (12) , such as for instance a steering wheel, mounted movably with respect to the support (19) ; steering sensor means (32) associated with the vehicle steering means (12) for sensing a displacement of the vehicle steering means (12) , having a signal output coupled to a steering signal input of the control means (2) ; controllable actuating means (22) having a control input coupled to a steering movement control output of the control means (2) for moving the vehicle steering means (12) with respect to the support (19) in accordance with steering movement control signals generated by the control means; an accelerator means (13), for instance an accelerator pedal, mounted movably with respect to the support (19) ; - accelerator sensor means (33) associated with the accelerator means (13) for sensing a displacement of the accelerator means (13), having a signal output coupled to an accelerator signal input of the control means (2) ; controllable actuating means (23) having a control input coupled to an accelerator movement control output of the control means (2) for moving the accelerator means (13) with respect to the support (19) in accordance with accelerator movement control signals generated by the control means; a brake means (14) , for instance a brake pedal, mounted movably with respect to the support (19) ; brake sensor means (34) associated with the brake means (14) for sensing a displacement of the brake means (14) , having a signal output coupled to a brake signal input of the control means (2) ; controllable actuating means (24) having a control input coupled to an a brake movement control output of the control means (2) for moving the brake means (14) with respect to the support (19) in accordance with brake movement control signals generated by the control means; optionally, gear select means (15) , mounted movably with respect to the support (19) , and associated gear sensor means (35) for sensing a displacement of the gear select means (15) , having a signal output coupled to a gear signal input of the control means (2) ,- the system further comprising a visual image display means (40) having a visual signal input coupled to a visual signal output of the control means (2) for displaying visual images in accordance to image signals generated by the control means; display mounting means (41) such as for instance a helmet or the like, for mounting the visual image display means (40) on the head of a user; the system preferably further comprising pressure sensor means (50) , preferably implemented in the shape of a glove or the like, for sensing a pressure exerted by the user's fingers, and having a pressure output coupled to a pressure signal input of the control means ; wherein the control means (2) is adapted to generate said support movement control signals, said steering movement control signals, said accelerator movement control signals, said brake movement control signals, and said image signals, on the basis of data and/or software resident in said distant server computer (5) or downloaded from said distant server computer (5) into said memory (3) .

3. System according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising controllable positioning means for positioning at least one of the seat (11) , the steering means (12) , the accelerator means (13), the brake means (14), the optional gear select means (15), and the optional clutch control means, in a predetermined position with respect to the support (19) , controlled by said control means (2) on the basis of said software.

4. Virtual reality testdrive system (1), comprising: a control means (2) with an associated memory (3) , the control means (2) being programmed for making contact with a distant server computer (5) through a network (4) , particularly an Intranet or the Internet; an interactive vehicle unit (10) , comprising: interactive vehicle steering means (12) , such as for instance a steering wheel, coupled to said control means (2) ; - an interactive accelerator means (13), such as for instance an accelerator pedal, coupled to said control means (2) ; an interactive brake means (14) , such as for instance a brake pedal, coupled to said control means (2) ; optionally, an interactive gear select means (15) , coupled to said control means (2) ; a headset (41) such as a helmet or goggles with built-in visual image display means (40) coupled to said control means (2); a data-glove (50) equipped with pressure sensors and force- feedback devices, coupled to said control means (2) ; wherein the control means (2) is adapted to control said steering means, said accelerator means, said brake means, said visual image display means, and said data-glove, on the basis of data and/or software resident in said distant server computer (5) or downloaded from said distant server computer (5) into said memory (3) .

5. Virtual reality testdrive system (1), comprising: a control means (2) with an associated memory (3) , the control means (2) being programmed for making contact with a distant server computer (5) through a network (4) , particularly an Intranet or the Internet; vehicle steering means (12) , such as for instance a steering wheel ; steering sensor means (32) associated with the vehicle steering means (12) for sensing a displacement of the vehicle steering means (12) , having a signal output coupled to a steering signal input of the control means (2) ; controllable actuating means (22) having a control input coupled to a steering movement control output of the control means (2) for moving the vehicle steering means (12) in accordance with steering movement control signals generated by the control means; an accelerator means (13), for instance an accelerator pedal; accelerator sensor means (33) associated with the accelerator means (13) for sensing a displacement of the accelerator means (13) , having a signal output coupled to an accelerator signal input of the control means (2) ; controllable actuating means (23) having a control input coupled to an accelerator movement control output of the control means (2) for moving the accelerator means (13) in accordance with accelerator movement control signals generated by the control means ; a brake means (14), for instance a brake pedal; brake sensor means (34) associated with the brake means (14) for sensing a displacement of the brake means (14) , having a signal output coupled to a brake signal input of the control means (2) ; controllable actuating means (24) having a control input coupled to an a brake movement control output of the control means (2) for moving the brake means (14) in accordance with brake movement control signals generated by the control means; gear select means (15) ; gear sensor means (35) associated with the gear select means

(15) for sensing a displacement of the gear select means (15) , having a signal output coupled to a gear signal input of the control means (2) ; the system further comprising a visual image display means (40) having a visual signal input coupled to a visual signal output of the control means (2) for displaying visual images in accordance to image signals generated by the control means; display mounting means (41) such as for instance a helmet or the like, for mounting the visual image display means (40) on the head of a user; the system preferably further comprising pressure sensor means (50) , preferably implemented in the shape of a glove or the like, for sensing a pressure exerted by the user's fingers, and having a pressure output coupled to a pressure signal input of the control means; wherein the control means (2) is adapted to generate said steering movement control signals, said accelerator movement control signals, said brake movement control signals, and said image signals, on the basis of data and/or software resident in said distant server computer (5) or downloaded from said distant server computer (5) into said memory (3) .

6. System according to claim 5, wherein the control means (2) comprises a personal computer.

7. System according to any of the previous claims, wherein the headset (41) comprises a helmet with a stereoscopic screen, or goggles with two separate screens, and wherein the control means (2) is adapted to project two different images in order to provide three-dimensional impression.

8. System according to any of the previous claims, wherein the control means (2) is provided with input means (6) such as a keyboard, through which a user can enter a choice relating to the circumstances of the testdrive, the type of vehicle, etc.

9. System according to any of the previous claims, wherein the control means (2) is adapted to ask the user, before starting a virtual testdrive, to enter personal data such as name, address, place of residence.

10. System according to claim 9, wherein the control means (2) is adapted to upload the said personal data to a predetermined database computer, either immediately after the data being entered by the user or on a regular basis such as for instance once each day, and either through said network (4) or over a te1ephone 1ine .

11. System according to any of the previous claims, comprising a 128-bits processor chip.

12. System according to any of the previous claims, wherein the system is adapted to simulate the characteristics and behavior of any type of car, or any type of truck, or any type of pickup, or any type of mini-van, or any type of sport utility vehicle, or any type of motor bike, wherein the choice of a specific car, truck, pickup, mini-van, sport utility vehicle, or motorbike, respectively, is made by a user, whereas the corresponding characteristics and behavior are determined by the said software based on such choice.

AMENDED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on 11 April 2001 (110401 ), original claim 6 amended, new claim 13 added, remaining claims unchanged (2 pages)]

like, for mounting tne visual image display means (40) on the head of a user; the system preferably further comprising pressure sensor means (50) , preferably implemented m the shape of a glove or the like, for sensing a pressure exerted by the user's fingers, and havir-σ a pressure nπ puf coupled to a pressure signal input of the control means; wnerem the control means (2) is adapted to generate said steering movement control signals, said accelerator movement control signals, said brake movement control signals, and said image signals, on the basis of data and/or software resident m said distant server computer (5) or downloaded from sa d distant server computer (5) into said memory (3) .

6. System according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the control means (2) comprises a personal computer.

7. System accorαing to any of the previous claims, wherein the headset (41) comprises a helmet with a stereoscopic screen, or goggles with two separate screens, and wnerem the control means (2) is adapted to project two different images m order to provide three-dimensional impression.

8. System according to any of the previous claims, wherein the control means (2) is provided with input means (6) such as a keyboarα, through which a user can enter a choice relating to the circumstances of the testdrive, the type of vehicle, etc.

9. System according to any of the previous claims, wnerem the control means (2) is adapted to ask the user, before starting a virtual testdrive, to enter personal αata such as name, address, place of residence.

MENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

10. System according to claim 9, wherein the control means (2) is adapted to uploaα the said personal data to a predetermined database computer, either immediately after the data being entered by the user or on a regular basis such as for instance once each day, and either through said network (4) or over a telephone line.

11. System according to any of the previous claims, comprising a 128-bιts processor chip.

12. System according to any of the previous claims, wherein the syscem 15 adapted to simulate tne cnaracteristic≤ and oehavior of any type of car, or any type of truck, or any type of pickup, or any type of mini-van, or any type of sport utility vehicle, or any type of motor bike, wherein the choice of a specific car, truck, pickup, mini-van, sport utility vehicle, or motorbike, respectively, is made by a user, whereas the corresponding characteristics and behavior are determined by the said software based on such choice.

13. System according to claim 6, wherein the personal computer is a user's home personal computer.

STATEMENT under PCT Art 19

With the present amendment under Art.19, claim 6 is amended to refer back to claim 4 as well. Further, a new claim 13 is introduced.