Patent ID: 8019447

Claim:
A method to control a device, comprising: forming an integrated simulation model of an actual environment in which the device is or will be operating, wherein the integrated simulation model is formed using pre-existing data and real-time data related to the actual environment, the pre-existing data comprising at least one of imagery of the actual environment, terrain contours, weather predictions, descriptions and locations of any points of interest, and locations and descriptions of any threats or hazards to the device in the actual environment, and wherein the pre-existing data is obtained from at least one of a satellite, aerial reconnaissance, ground reconnaissance and a sensor; presenting a simulation including a representation of the device operable in the integrated simulation model of the actual environment; allowing control of the simulation of the representation of the device in the integrated simulation model of the actual environment; and controlling operation of the device in the actual environment using the simulation of the device in the integrated simulation model of the actual environment.