Education and demonstration – Vehicle operator instruction or testing – Flight vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-19
2001-02-20
Cheng, Joe H. (Department: 3713)
Education and demonstration
Vehicle operator instruction or testing
Flight vehicle
C434S038000, C345S001300, C348S121000, C348S840000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190172
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to visual display systems and, more particularly, to visual simulation systems, including flight simulation systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Visual display systems, such as flight simulation systems, are commonly employed to train military, commercial and other personnel. Conventional visual display systems include one or more screens onto which a video image is projected by one or more projectors, such as light valve projectors or cathode ray tubes (CRTs). An operator views the projected video images and reacts in response thereto. Accordingly, the operator of the visual display system is also generally provided with a control panel and, in some instances, a joystick for providing input to the visual display system in response to the displayed video image. Thus, the operator can simulate the flight of an aircraft, for example, and can respond to the environment as depicted by the visual display.
In conventional flight simulation systems in which a full color video image is displayed, one projector, generally termed an RGB projector, is typically associated with each screen of the visual display system to project the red, green and blue color components of the video image on the associated screen. A typical RGB projector produces video images, each of which consist of a predetermined number of video lines, and each line of which consists of a predetermined number of picture elements, or pixels. For example, a conventional projector produces 1,024 video lines, each consisting of 1,280 pixels. In addition, the video images are produced at a predetermined frequency or frame rate, such as 30 or 60 hertz.
Conventional flight simulation systems include a variety of types and shapes of display screens on which the video image is displayed. For example, some flight simulation systems include a single flat display screen having a field of view which is generally positioned in front of the operator. These flight simulation systems generally require only a single RGB projector for projecting the video images upon the display screen. Thus, the design of flight simulation systems which include a single flat display screen is less complex than other types of flight simulation systems. However, the realism of such simulation systems is limited since the video images displayed on the single flat display screen generally do not accurately represent the out the window (OTW) view of the pilot of most aircraft who can also look laterally.
Another type of conventional flight simulation system which provides a more realistic visual image for the operator includes a spherically shaped dome structure on which the video image is projected. The operator is generally seated at a control station within the spherical dome such that the operator can view video images that are displayed in front of, beside of, above and, in some instances, behind the operator.
One exemplary flight simulation system which includes a partial dome having a generally spherical shape is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,384 which issued Jan. 6, 1987 to Fernando B. Neves et al. (hereinafter the “'384 patent”). As illustrated in the '384 patent, a spherical screen partially surrounds the operator. One or more display sources, such as Schlieren light valve projectors, are mounted above the operator on a front side of the screen for projecting the video images on the spherical display screen. The operator thereafter reacts to the displayed video images by actuating various controls to control the simulated flight of the aircraft.
While flight simulation systems which include spherical display screens provide a more realistic video image to the simulation operator, such flight simulation systems are generally physically large and complex. In addition, such flight simulation systems are generally both mechanically and electrically complex such that the flight simulation systems cannot be readily transported between locations in the field. Further, such flight simulation systems generally include a number of integrated display sources, such as light valve projectors or CRTs, which add to the complexity of the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved visual display system.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved flight simulation system.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a modular flight simulation system which is relatively compact so as to be readily repositioned In the field.
These and other objects are provided, according to the present invention, by a visual display system, such as a flight simulation system, which displays a plurality of sequential video images on a plurality of display screens for an operator. In one embodiment, the plurality of display screens are positioned in a predetermined concave relationship so as to be circumscribed by an imaginary sphere having a predetermined radius and centered about the design eye of the flight simulation system. Thus, the relative distortion of displayed video images is reduced. In another embodiment, the flight simulation system includes a plurality of video projectors arranged in a linear side-by-side relationship on a rear side of the plurality of display screens such that the overall size of the flight simulation system is reduced. The flight simulation system of yet another embodiment includes first and second tabs, at least one of which is opaque, extending rearwardly from adjacent display screens for attaching the adjacent display screens so as to clarify at least the portion of the video image displayed along the edges of the adjacent display screens.
In a first embodiment, the flight simulation system includes video projection means, such as a plurality of video projectors, for projecting a predetermined video image on the plurality of display screens. The plurality of display screens of this embodiment generally includes a front screen, first and second opposed side screens and an upper screen. The flight simulation system also includes a control station for providing control signals in response to actuation of various controls by an operator. The actuation of the controls by the operator is typically based upon the predetermined video images which are displayed. In response to the control signals provided by the operator, a flight simulation controller controls the video image projected by the video projection means.
By positioning each of the plurality of display screens of the embodiment and, in particular, each of the corners of the plurality of display screens so as to be circumscribed by an imaginary sphere having a predetermined radius which is centered about the design eye of the flight simulation system, the distortion of the displayed video image is reduced. The design eye is generally positioned in a predetermined fixed relation to the viewing position of the operator.
In one embodiment, each of the first and second opposed side screens has a trapezoidal shape. Each trapezoidal side screen of this embodiment has a first edge, adjacent the front screen, and an opposed second edge. Preferably, the height of each side screen increases in an outward direction from the front screen such that the second edge of each side screen is longer than the first edge.
In this embodiment, the flight simulation system further includes image generation means for generating video signals representative of the predetermined video images. In particular, the video signals generated by the image generation means which are representative of video images to be displayed on the first and second trapezoidal side screens preferably represent video images having a trapezoidal shape corresponding to the trapezoidal shape of the first and second side screens.
The front screen of the flight simulation system generally has a first predetermined aspect ratio which defines the ratio of the width of the displayed video image to the height of the displayed video image. I
Alston & Bird LLP
Cheng Joe H.
McDonnell Douglas Corporation
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