Training simulators are frequently used to provide realistic training of complex skills. One advantage of a training simulator over real equipment is that it can provide training more cost-effectively. Since visual information is often necessary to guide learned behaviour, an interactive visual system is needed to supply environmental cues. However, the visual system of a training simulator is usually its most expensive component. Low cost solutions are thus needed to improve cost-effectiveness.
An alternative to systems currently in widespread use is an interactive, videodisc-based visual system which can provide realistic backgrounds and afford a limited amount of dynamic interaction with previously recorded scenes. In order to allow effective training of visual-motor skills, it is necessary that the visual system be capable of responding to this interaction in real-time. Also, it is sometimes necessary to provide additional, dynamic visual information to supplement recorded training materials. This is required because it is not always possible to anticipate fully the temporal and spatial occurrence of a visual event, or its exact visual characteristics.
One solution is to combine low-cost imagery generated by computer with video recordings. When necessary, the computer generated imagery is superimposed upon, or keyed over, the prerecorded background. A system of this type is appropriate to the design of training simulators meant to assist the learning of tasks which rely on visual depictions, the area in which visual changes occur being limited and not requiring detailed imagery to be produced continuously. There is a fairly large range of military tasks in need of training which meet these requirements. For example, in training tank gunnery the target is the focus of attention and little computer-generated imagery needs to be used to simulate the trajectory and fall of shot. However, it is often very expensive to train personnel for these tasks, and accordingly the system is particularly appropriate for such training purposes. Such a system could also easily be adapted for entertainment purposes, in a wide variety of arcade games.