Abstract:
Disclosed is a motion simulating device that includes a first scissor jack having a helical screw and a motor that rotates the helical screw of the scissor jack thereby raising or lowering the first scissor jack. Also included is a second scissor jack also having a helical screw and a motor that rotates the helical screw thereby raising or lowering the second scissor jack. At least one platform can be connected to the first and second scissor jacks. A controller is in communication with the first and second motors so that rotation of the helical screws of the first and second scissor jacks raises or lowers the scissor jacks thereby moving the platform up and down in accordance with movement of the scissor jacks. The controller can be a joystick, a steering wheel, foot pedals, a voice trigger, a gear shifter, roller ball, or any other device capable of translating mechanical energy into an electrical signal. The motion simulating device can also include at least one additional controller.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to video games and, more particularly, to an inexpensive motion simulator that adds realism to a video game experience. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Motion simulator systems are widely used for a variety of entertainment applications as well as military and commercial training applications. For example, pilots are often trained in a motion simulator rather than in an actual aircraft and military tank crews are provided with a simulator that, from the occupants&#39; perspective, has the feel of a tank rumbling across a variety of terrain. The portion of the system devoted to generating motion, the motion simulator, typically includes a motion base, which moves in response to motion control commands provided from a computer or embedded in the video signal. When a person is positioned on the motion base, the person is moved in accordance with movement of the motion base while receiving visual and audio stimuli. This combination of motion, visual, and auditory sensation generates a very realistic physical sensation that is far superior to merely seeing and hearing an audio/visual presentation while remaining stationary. Unfortunately, due to the expense of these motion simulator systems, use is generally limited to military and commercial training applications. Further, the weight and complexity of the mechanical portion of such simulators preclude any use in a home or similar environment. 
   A motion simulator used in a home entertainment system adds a very real physical sensation to what is otherwise a solely audio/visual experience. Although a motion simulator system is often viewed as an enhancement to a viewing experience, relatively few such systems are found in entertainment complexes such as movie theaters or video arcades because of complexity and high cost. It follows that even fewer motion simulator systems are found in private homes to be used in conjunction with a video game or other entertainment system. 
   Traditionally, video games are played by standing or sitting at a stationary video game machine that generally includes a video display and controls. Typically, the video display is stationary with respect to the player. Moveable video game seats have been introduced in an arcade environment in an attempt to simulate movements of a vehicle appearing on the video display, thereby adding a degree of realism to the video game experience. These seats, however, are typically moved by hydraulics and are thus costly to mass produce. Also, the cost of these types of seats makes home use cost prohibitive. Another hindrance to home use of a hydraulically lifted seat is the potential for leaks in the hydraulic system, which could ruin a floor or other interior of a home. 
   Motion for simulators used for arcade applications are is typically obtained from several servo motors coupled to the motion base. In some applications, up to eight such servo motors are required. Unfortunately, servo motors are heavy and relatively expensive. Due to the high acquisition price there is only a limited market for arcade-style motion simulator systems. It should be apparent that regardless of the application, a substantial portion of the cost of the above described motion simulator systems resides in the mechanism that drives the motion base. Further, the high cost renders it impractical to use prior art motion simulator systems in the home or similar environment. 
   Another drawback of prior art motion simulator systems resides in the weight of the system and power requirements to drive the motion base. These parameters render motion simulator systems unfit for home use. What is needed is a lightweight motion simulator system that is inexpensive but that is well suited for use in the home or similar environment. However, since safety of the user is required, a lightweight motion simulator must also be sufficiently stable without relying on the heavy servo and gearbox combination of the prior art. 
   With the advent of Internet gaming, the addition of motion would enhance the gaming experience for the home user. With a safe, low cost, lightweight motion simulator system, the gaming experience at home would approach the environment found in military or commercial training or high-end arcade applications. What is needed is an inexpensive and reliable motion simulator that is adapted for use in a home or similar environment that can be easily coupled to a home computer or other entertainment device, such as the television or stereo. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for an inexpensive motion simulator that adds a high degree of realism to a video game experience and that can be used in a home. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTIVE ASPECTS 
   Disclosed herein is a motion simulating device. Embodiments of the motion simulating device generally include a first scissor jack having a first helical screw. The helical screw is rotated by a motor, which can be a linear or a rotating motor, which raises or lowers the first scissor jack. An additional second scissor jack, also having a helical screw, is included in the motion simulating device. A second motor, which can also be a linear or a rotating motor, rotates the helical screw of the second scissor jack thereby raising or lowering the second scissor jack. 
   The first and second scissor jacks support at least one platform. At least one controller, which can be any mechanism designed to translate mechanical motion into electrical signals such as a joystick, a steering wheel, gear shifter, a foot pedal, a voice activated controller, or some combination of these items, is in communication with the scissor jacks. Applying mechanical motion to the controller causes the scissor jacks to raise or lower, independently of each other, thereby raising or lowering each scissor jack&#39;s respective side of the platform. 
   Raising or lowering of the first scissor jack of the motion simulating device tilts the platform about a first axis and raising or lowering of the second scissor jack tilts the platform about a second axis. Although not required, both axes can be perpendicular to each other in the plane of the platform. Whatever the orientation of the axes, each scissor jack continuously adjusts an angle of the platform about its respective axis so that the platform is provided with motion in accordance with a viewpoint of a scene appearing on the visual display. 
   A further aspect of the motion simulating device includes at least one visual display connectable to the controller through a visual display connector. The controller controls movement in a scene appearing on the visual display. 
   Some variations of the embodiments of the motion simulating device will require a connector for connecting the motion simulating device to an external system such as a video game system, an entertainment system, or a system containing a vehicle training program. The connector can be an adapter for making the motion simulating device adaptable to a plurality of external systems. 
   Other variations of the motion simulating device include a passenger compartment. The passenger compartment will either rest on top of the platform moving in accordance therewith, or it will completely surround the motion simulating device thereby primarily serving to seal off the user from extraneous stimuli such as light and sound. Additionally, the motion simulating device can include an audio system including various speakers. The audio system can be used with or without a passenger compartment; however, using the audio system with a passenger compartment greatly enhances the simulation experience. 
   Additional platforms can be used in the motion simulating device. In some instances, a user might want all platforms to be in synchronization with each other, for example, when the motion simulating device is being used to watch a movie where all people are viewing the screen from a first person perspective. In other instances, one platform can operate independently of the other platforms. For example, if two or more people are playing a car racing video game, each person will enjoy the game from a different perspective since the each person is controlling a different vehicle. The forces acting on the driver of one vehicle will be different that the forces acting on the driver of another vehicle. 
   A method of simulating motion within a scene appearing on a display comprises receiving an input having a magnitude in a controller. A primary signal corresponding to the input received by the controller is transmitted to a processor. The processor determines the amount of the magnitude of the primary signal and divides the signal into a first secondary signal and a second secondary signal. The first secondary signal is sent to the display, which, as a result, is updated to correspond to the amount of magnitude inputted into the controller. The second secondary signal is sent to a signal splitter. The signal splitter, which is connected to the scissor jacks, divides the second secondary signal into yet two additional signals—a first tertiary signal and a second tertiary signal. The first tertiary signal is sent to the first scissor jack and causes it to raise or lower and the second tertiary signal is sent to the second scissor jack and causes the second scissor jack to raise or lower. 
   The method of simulating motion of a scene appearing on a display can also include the step of receiving an external input from an external system, such as a Sony® PlayStation®, Microsoft® Xbox®, or some other game system that is designed to update a display in a manner independent of a user&#39;s input signal. The external system updates both the scene appearing on the display and also provides a signal relating to the update to the signal splitter which is then transmitted to the scissor jacks. Each of the external systems that the present inventive system connects with continuously updates the display screen such that a person viewing the screen while using the present inventive system will have to react to updates in the screen. 
   The processor can determine an amount of the magnitude of the input applied to the controller and, if applicable, can also determine a direction of force of the input. Either the same processor or a secondary processor can divide the input signal into at least two separate (secondary) signals. 
   The system of simulating motion of a scene appearing on a display can also comprise a means for receiving an external input from an external system, which allows the present inventive system to be used with a plurality of gaming systems as well as a plurality of training simulators. In particular, the means is typically a special adapter, like that mentioned above, which is used to attach the inventive system to an external training or entertainment system such as an X box®, a PlayStation®, a vehicle operation simulation program or some other system. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the inventive motion simulating device; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a scissor jack; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a motion simulating device connected to a plurality of display screens; 
       FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of the inventive motion simulating device with a passenger compartment; 
       FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an additional embodiment of the motion simulating device; 
       FIG. 6  shows a pedestal point of the motion simulating device of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  shows a swivel joint positioned atop the pedestal point of the motion simulating device of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 8  shows the scissor jacks of the motion simulating device of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  show a power supply for the motion simulating device of  FIG. 5 ; and 
       FIG. 10  shows a tilting rod and tilting rod guide of the motion simulating device of  FIG. 5 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   With reference to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of the inventive motion simulating device  1  includes a first scissor jack  2  having a first helical screw  4 . A first motor  6 , located on one end of the first helical screw  4 , rotates the first helical screw  4  thereby raising or lowering the first scissor jack  2 . The motion simulating device also has a second scissor jack  8  having a second helical screw  10 . A second motor  12 , located on one end of the second helical screw  10  rotates the second helical screw  10  thereby raising or lowering the second scissor jack  8 . A base (shown in  FIG. 1  as a platform  14 ), having a seat  40  is connected to the top of the first scissor jack  2  and to the top of the second scissor jack  8 . Raising or lowering of the first scissor jack tilts said platform  14  about a first axis and raising or lowering of said second scissor jack tilts said platform  14  about a second axis, which should, but does not necessarily have to, be perpendicular to the first axis. Embodiments of the base of the present invention are not limited to a platform  14 ; the base can be any unit capable of imparting simulated motion to a person. 
   A controller  16  is positioned somewhere near or on the seat  40  in a way that it is easily accessible to a user. Through a transmission line  32 , the controller  16  is in indirect communication with the first motor  6  and the second motor  12  so that rotation of the first helical screw  4  raises or lowers the first scissor jack  2  thereby moving the platform  14  and rotation of the second helical screw  10  raises or lowers the second scissor jack  8  moving the platform  14 . The connection is indirect because the controller  16  first connects to a motor controller  36  through the controller transmission line  32  and then connects to the scissor jack motors  6  and  12  through signal splitter  34 . It is noted that, in some embodiments of the invention, the controller is in direct communication with the motors. 
   The first motor  6  and the second motor  12  can both be linear motors or, alternatively, the first motor  6  and the second motor  12  can both be rotating motors. An additional alternative is the combination of a rotating motor for use as either the first motor or the second motor and a linear motor for use as the other motor. Also, motors  6  and  12  can be removed and the helical screws  4  and  10  can be replaced with linear motors, thereby reducing the number of moving parts of the system, reducing the weight of the system and eliminating the potential for wear and tear on a helical screw. 
   Another alternative to this embodiment of the motion simulating device is one in which a linear motor is used in lieu of each of the scissor jacks. The linear motor can be directly attached to the platform thereby providing the necessary tilt and vibration to the platform. One of the advantages to using a linear motor in lieu of a scissor jack is that there are fewer moving parts in the system, thereby making the system even lighter and less costly to assemble. 
   As shown with more particularity in  FIG. 2 , an exemplary scissor jack  100  is comprised of a foot  102 , a helical screw  104 , a motor  106  positioned at one end of the helical screw  104 , a lower universal connector  108 , an upper universal connector  110 , a platform support bracket  112 , four sets of linkages,  114 ,  116 ,  118  and  120 , and at least one motor bracket  122 . In operation, the motor  106  turns the helical screw  104  a number of revolutions that is sufficient enough to raise or lower the platform support bracket  112  the desired amount, which in turn raises or lowers the respective portion of the platform the desired amount. The motor bracket  122  prevents the motor  106  itself from turning when it applies rotary motion to the helical screw  104 . The motor bracket  122  can be attached to any part of the motor  106  and any part of the scissor jack  100  such that rotational movement of the motor  106  about an axis parallel to helical screw  104  is kept stationary with respect to the scissor jack  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the motor bracket  122  is attached to either or both sides of the motor  106 . The motor bracket  122  is also attached to the scissor jack  100  at a first flex pin  124 . The motor bracket  122  is attached to the scissor jack  100  at a second flex pin  126 . In particular, the connection at the second flex pin  126  is between the second flex pin  126  and a motor bracket slot  128 . This connection allows the second flex pin  126  to slide along the motor bracket  122  when the scissor jack  100  is being raised or lowered. Alternatively, a shorter motor bracket (not shown) can be used where the motor bracket is connected to the motor and to only one point on the scissor jack—for example, to flex pin  124 . 
   As mentioned above, the scissor jack  100  is intended to be used with one additional scissor jack to raise and lower a respective portion of a platform about a respective axis. Whether a scissor jack is used in a motion simulating device or a linear motor is used instead of a scissor jack, a lower universal connector  108  and an upper universal connector  110  should be used. The reason is that motion occurs in all three axes for each of the scissor jacks used in the motion simulating device. A universal connector provides the scissor jack with the freedom to move in any direction. 
   Furthermore, in each of the embodiments of the present invention, two scissor jacks (or linear motors) are all that is required to properly operate the motion simulating device. However, for added stability, at least one additional set of scissor jacks can be added to the device. Each jack of the second set of scissor jacks should be positioned in opposition to the original set of scissor jacks. That way, a maximum amount of stability is provided to the platform. 
   With reference to  FIG. 3 , included in this embodiment of the motion simulating device  1 ′ is at least one visual display  18  connectable to the controller through a visual display connector  26  via a motor controller  36 . By way of example, additional displays  20  and  22  can be included in this embodiment and are also connectable to the controller  16  through a visual display connector  26  and motor controller  36 . However, the motion simulating device is not limited to one to three screens, as shown in  FIG. 3 , since even more displays can be provided around the motion simulating device  1 ′ to provide a scene in all directions around the motion simulating device  1 ′. Through the motor controller  36 , the controller  16  can control movement in a scene appearing on the visual display  18  and on the additional displays  22  and  24 . In this manner, the motion simulating device  1 ′ can be connected, through a connector  28  to an entertainment system  30  such as a video game system or some other system containing a program such as a pilot training program, a driver&#39;s training program, or any other motion simulation program. The connector  28  is typically going to be an adapter for making the motion simulating device adaptable to a plurality of entertainment systems and simulation programs. 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , the motion simulating device can include a passenger compartment  200 . The passenger compartment  200  can be positioned in a resting position on top of the platform (not shown) or the passenger compartment  200  can be positioned in an active position. In the resting position, the motion of the passenger compartment  200  is dependent upon the motion of the platform; the passenger compartment  200  tilts in the same direction that the platform is tilting. In an active position, the passenger compartment  200 , which includes screens on an inside thereof, moves independently of the platform. In this instance, movement of the passenger compartment  200  is separate from movement of the platform and, from the user&#39;s perspective, has the visual effect of adding secondary motion. The benefit to this is that, in video games and motion simulation programs involving water activities, for example, the visual effect to a person of waves rocking a watercraft can be simulated by movement of the passenger compartment, which will of course cause the display screen (shown in the figure as  20 , but not limited to a single screen) to move, while movement of the watercraft will be simulated by the platform. In this case, it is advantageous but not necessary to seal the passenger compartment  200  such that a person inside the passenger compartment, as well as the visual display are visually sealed from outside light sources, thereby creating a virtual environment that is realistic to the user. In furtherance of this objective, the passenger compartment should include an audio system including speakers  202  positioned to provide a more realistic effect on the user. 
   An additional embodiment of the motion simulating device is one including at least one additional platform. Any number of platforms can be used. In this additional embodiment, the first platform can operate either in synchronization with or independently of the additional platform. Of course, a separate set of scissor jacks are used to provide motion to the additional platform. A second controller and a second connector that are dedicated to the second platform should be used. However, one display screen can be used for both platforms if, for example, two users are using the motion simulating device to watch a movie or television show; or a separate display screen can be used for each platform such that, for example, if two people are playing a video game or operating a simulator program where two perspectives are required, each person has a first person point-of-view. 
   Also disclosed herein is a method of simulating motion shown on a scene appearing on a display, which includes receiving an input in a controller. The input will have a certain magnitude. For example, if a person is using a motion simulating device as a flight simulator, lightly tapping the controller in a particular direction will cause the perspective of a screen to adjust less drastically than if a person applies more force on a controller. From the controller, a primary signal corresponding to the input direction and magnitude is transmitted to a processor. The processor then determines an amount of the magnitude of the input. 
   The signal is divided into a first secondary signal, which is sent to the display to update the scene, and a second secondary signal. With respect to the first secondary signal, in a video game scene, for example, the camera perspective of the game will be changed as a result of the first secondary signal received from the input controller. The scene will be updated in an amount corresponding to the direction and amount of the magnitude of the input. The second secondary signal is sent to a signal splitter to be further transmitted on to the scissor jack motors (or linear motors). 
   Because motion of the platform is governed by two scissor jacks, each scissor jack has to receive a signal that causes that particular jack to apply motion to the platform that corresponds to its respective component of motion received from the processor. Again, with reference to  FIG. 1 , when the second secondary signal is sent to the signal splitter  34 , it is divided into a first tertiary signal and a second tertiary signal. The signal splitter  34  is connected to both of the scissor jacks  2  and  8 . The first tertiary signal represents a magnitude and a Cartesian, polar, or spherical component of the first axis of the input signal; and the second tertiary signal represents a magnitude and a Cartesian, polar, or spherical component of the second axis of the input signal. The first tertiary signal is sent to the first motor  6 , which controls the first scissor jack  2  and the second tertiary is sent to the second motor  12 , which controls the second scissor jack  8 . The first tertiary signal causes the first motor  6  to raise or lower the first scissor jack  2 ; and the second tertiary signal causes the second motor  12  to raise or lower the second scissor jack  8 . 
   Often times, video game systems or motion simulators will apply external forces on the user that, in the real world, would cause the user to experience motion. For example, if the video game being played were a game involving driving a vehicle, the driver would experience motion if a second vehicle hit the driver&#39;s vehicle. This type of motion is not supplied by a person applying a magnitude to a controller but rather is controlled by a video game system independent of the user (or a motion simulation program). Therefore, the motor controller  36  can be configured to receive an external input from an external system  30  such as a game system or motion simulation program. The external system  30  will send a first external signal to the signal splitter  34  to be sent to the scissor jack motors  6  and  12  and sends a signal to the displays  18 ,  20  and  22  to update the scene in a manner independent of the input signal coming from the controller. 
   Yet an additional embodiment of the motion simulating device  502  can be seen in  FIGS. 5-10 . This embodiment of the motion simulating device includes a floor base  504 . The floor base  504  is planar and is comprised of a frame  506 , a first scissor jack support plate  508 , outlined by the frame  506 , supporting a first scissor jack  538 , a second scissor jack support plate  510  (shown in  FIG. 6 ), outlined by the frame  506 , supporting a second scissor jack  540 , a pedestal point post support plate  512 , and a power supply support plate  536 , outlined by the frame  506 . The floor base  504  can be made of steel or aluminum and can include lockable casters (not shown) preferably on each of the corners of the base to allow easy movement of the motion simulating device  502  from one location to another. In furtherance of this objective, the base should be narrow enough to fit within a twenty-four inch throughway such as a doorway. 
   A pedestal point post  514  is supported on the pedestal point&#39;s first end by the pedestal point post support plate  512 , and a user chair  516  is supported by the pedestal point post  514  on the pedestal point post&#39;s second end. A controller  560  is in communication with the first scissor jack  538  and the second scissor jack  540  through wires  562  and  564 , respectively. More specifically, the controller is in communication with the first scissor jack motor  568  and the second scissor jack motor  570 . Alternatively, the controller  560  can be in wireless communication with the scissor jacks. 
   The user chair  516  can include a seat  518  having a frame  520 , a support section  522 , a back  524  and armrests  526  and  528 . Additionally, the user chair  516  can have a foot rest  530  connected to the frame  520  by foot rest support rods  532  and  534 . The foot rest support rods  532  and  534  can be adjustable to accommodate differing sizes of legs of various users. Also, a single foot rest support rod can be used, which thereby lightens the overall weight of the motion simulating device. 
   With reference to  FIG. 7 , the pedestal point post  514  includes a swivel joint  542 . The swivel joint  542  can be any of various types of joints such as a conventional ball and socket joint or a universal joint. The swivel joint  542  provides freedom of movement to the user chair  516  in three degrees of rotation. Thus, the user chair  516  is free to tilt forward and backward, side-to-side and the user chair  516  can revolve three-hundred and sixty degrees about the pedestal point post  514 . The swivel joint  516  can be a ball mount, a clevis pin mount or a combination of a ball mount with a clevis pin. With either of these types of mounts, the chair is made raisable along the shaft of the ball mount stem or clevis pin, which allows for a jerking motion to be applied to the chair. 
   With further respect to  FIG. 7 , each of the scissor jacks  538  and  540  is connectable to either the user chair  516  or to the swivel joint  542 . If the scissor jacks  538  and  540  are connected to the swivel joint  542 , a rotating mechanism (not shown) can be placed atop the swivel joint and an additional motor can be associated with the rotating mechanism such that the chair can revolve while the base remains stationary. Thus, one of the advantages to connecting the scissor jacks  538  and  540  to the swivel joint  542  is the ability to rotate the user chair  516  three-hundred and sixty degrees about the pedestal point post  514 . 
   Each of the scissor jacks is connectable to the user chair  516  or to the swivel joint  542  by tilting rods  544  and  546 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the first scissor jack  538  is connected to the user chair  516  by tilting rod  544 . And the second scissor jack  540  is connected to the user chair  516  by the tilting rod  546 . Both of the tilting rods  544  and  546  are adjustable using titling rod adjustment screws  548  and  550  (shown in  FIG. 8 ). Additionally, as can be seen in  FIGS. 7 and 9   a , tilting rod guides  552  and  554  can be used to reduce the likelihood of damage from outside forces by encircling the tilting rods  544  and  546 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b , the tilting rod guides  552  and  554  are affixed to the pedestal point post  514  by tilting rod guide connecting mechanisms  556  and  558 . 
   This embodiment of the motion simulating device operates by receiving an input signal by the controller  560  (shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10 ) from a user. The input signal is split at the controller  560  and transmitted from the controller  560  to each of the scissor jacks motors  568  and  570 . The scissor jack motors then translate the input signals received from the controller  560  into rotary mechanical motion. 
   With reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the scissor jack motors  568  and  570  are both connected to respective helical screws  572  and  574 . Thus, the rotary mechanical movement of the scissor jack motors  568  and  570  rotate the helical screws  572  and  574 , thereby raising or lowering the scissor jacks  538  and  540 . For example, with respect to the first scissor jack  538 , rotation of the helical screw  572  causes helical screw blocks  576  and  578  to move toward each other or away from each other thereby raising or lowering scissor jack arms  580  and  582 . The motion of the blocks is due to the fact that block  576  has a threaded through-hole  584  that slides along helical screw  572 . As a result of the motion of the scissor jack arms  580  and  582 , the tilting rods  544  and  546  are projected upward or retracted downward, thereby pushing up on the user chair  516  or the swivel joint  542 . 
   Any of the embodiments of the motion simulating device can be powered by a DC source  566  (shown in  FIG. 9   b ), an AC source, a combination of an AC source with a DC backup or a combination of a DC source with an AC backup. With a combination of sources, a person can use the motion simulating device even during a power failure. For example if a battery loses all of its power, the AC source can continue to provide power to the device. Similarly, if the AC power supply is interrupted, a DC power source can continue to supply power to the device. Or, the motion simulating device can be powered independently of any attached entertainment system or the motion simulating device can draw power directly from an attached entertainment system. 
   Also, each of the embodiments of the motion simulating device does not necessarily have to be connected to a game or other entertainment system. The motion simulating device can stand alone such that it is responsive to input submitted by a user. For example, a person can operate the controller  560  to manipulate the scissor jacks without a display, a game system, and entertainment system, etc. The advantage to this is that the motion simulating device can be used as a lounge chair that can be adjusted to correspond to the preferences of the person sitting in the device; or, it can be used as simply as a means for providing random motion to a user. With particular importance to use of the motion simulating device as a lounge chair, each of the embodiments of the motion simulating device can be made to include a reclining back rest, adjustable headrests and armrests, and adjustable lumbar. 
   Additionally, each of the embodiments of the motion simulating device can be used in connection with a communications network such as the internet. Dedicated online networks can be set up on which multiple users of the present inventive device can interact with each other. Among other things, dedicated online networks can be used as a multi-player gaming system, a home theatre system, a video conferencing system, or vehicle training systems. 
   The presently claimed motion simulating device is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, a person can experience motion in all three polar axis, which is advantageous in the situation where using a passenger compartment containing visual displays on all interior surfaces thereof. In this instance, using aeronautical terms, a person will want to be able to roll, pitch, and yaw, if so desired.