Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Plural physical display element control system – Display elements arranged in matrix
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-01
2001-12-25
Hjerpe, Richard (Department: 2674)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Plural physical display element control system
Display elements arranged in matrix
C345S089000, C345S629000, C345S632000, C345S055000, C345S211000, C348S122000, C348S025000, C348S036000, C348S744000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06333726
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an orthogonal projection concealment apparatus whereby automatic means of sensing observer position and distance, background distance, and guidance, continuous digital image capturing means, and algorithmic computational programming means combine to generate an orthogonal projection gray-scale image through an array of pixel display elements. More particularly this invention relates to an active concealment apparatus projecting an orthogonal background image on surfaces of a mobile platform, and blending the mobile platform into its background for a near distant observer under most lighting conditions.
b) Description of the Prior Art
In the prior art of mobile platform concealment, stationary vehicles were concealed with paint, netting, and vegetation, while moving vehicles were concealed with smoke. Smoke is an overt concealment rather than a covert concealment mechanism.
In the prior art of mobile platform concealment, lights mounted on an aircraft have been used to mask the dark area within a bright sky that betrays the presence of a flying plane. Under a Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) program known as “Active Camouflage”, a small powered drone was fitted with fluorescent lamps to make the aircraft harder to spot.
A similar approach was undertaken at Groom Lake Air Force Base in Nevada. The use of electrochromic materials coupled with photosensitive receptors and an onboard computer allows for adjusting the brightness, hue, and texture of an airplane surface to match the sky above or the terrain below it.
These two aircraft concealment efforts are covert. The Groom AFB test was responsive to changing background but the response result was a change in the entire surface of the aircraft to deceive an observer either above or below. Near distance covert concealment of a moving vehicle requires more control of the surface detail.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to overcome the above-mentioned deficiency and problems in the prior art, this invention teaches mobile platform active concealment utilizing a visual display system such that the concealment orthogonal projection image of the occulted background is displayed to the pixel element display array.
The term pixel may comprise, but is not limited to, a light shutter, an LED, plasma, and a liquid crystal display element. A pixel is defined as a light controlling, electro-actuated element.
The term mobile platform refers to tactical military vessels, planes, and vehicles.
1. Objects of the Invention
A general object of this invention is to provide a means of covert concealment and deception for masking mobile platforms from visual detection.
Another general object of this invention is to provide a means of covert concealment and deception for masking mobile platforms from visual detection while they are constantly moving.
An additional general object of this invention is to provide concealment from both direct and remote observation i.e., land based remote video observers and drone aircraft video observers.
A still additional general object of this invention is to integrate the computational algorithmic programming together with continuous video scanning, automatic range finding, and computer imaging into one apparatus.
A still additional object of this invention is to provide an active, automatic, and continuous apparatus integrated with background and observer sensing means as well as with computational algorithmic programming in real time.
2. Features of the Invention
In keeping with these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in the gray-scale pattern matching that is sufficient for mobile platform visual cloaking due to the perceived color interpretation that is muted by distance and the eye.
An additional feature of the present invention is a simple feedback mechanism using the cloaking charge coupled device camera which imparts to the computer the control array connections prior to actual operation.
A still additional feature of this invention is the flexible wiring connecting the array of pixel display elements to the computer controlled power supply grid without regard for individual pixel display element location.
The orthogonal projection concealment apparatus consists of
a mobile platform, equipped with
an internal power source, communicating power by and connected by appropriate wiring means to
a power controller, communicating power by and connected by appropriate wiring means to
a pixel array on said mobile platform surface consisting of a multiplicity of pixels, and said mobile platform further equipped with
at least one means of sensing and manually inputing digital estimates of observer position and distance, and
at least one means of sensing digital estimates of background distance automatically, and
at least one means of continuously capturing digital background images,
all means communicating electronic data by and connected by appropriate wiring means to said internal power source and additionally to,
a microchip driven computing device, communicating data by and connected by appropriate wiring means to said power controller, and said computing device comprising,
a pixel location database, and
programmed means of observer visible pixel selection, and
gray-scale determination means of occulted background position, and
positional algorithmic computational means, and
programmed means whereby said power controller activates an individual pixel to project an orthogonal image of a portion of said occulted background perpendicular to the observer in his line of sight, whereby the summing of the orthogonal images of all portions of said occulted background produces a concealed orthogonal projection of the total occulted background.
The computerized gray-scale image may be generated through multiple LCD pixel panels embedded in a conformable polymeric matrix sheet coating on the exterior surfaces of the mobile platform. The matrix sheet contains a multiplicity of pixels in an arbitrary arrangement closely resembling an array. The pixel array may be selected to be a rectilinear array of packets of liquid crystal material. Flexible wiring embedded in the polymer matrix is fed by strips on an edge of the sheet. Each packet is addressable by hard wiring just as pixels are on an active-matrix PC display. Each LCD packet is divided into small interconnected cells for surface integrity of the gelled liquid.
The pixel location database is resident to the microchip driven computing device. This pixel library is a compendium of pixel orientation located in three dimensional space, that is the mobile platform surface. At the program start this pixel library is loaded. The programmed means of observer visual pixel selection uses this library to calculate which pixels are visible to the observer.
The gray-scale determination means of occulted background position selects and matches the tonally averaged gray-scale value of the equivalency of an orthogonal background image element to that portion of the occulted background that corresponds to a particular pixel. This tonal signature is then transmitted to the power controller for activation response of the pixel.
The positional algorithmic computational means utilizes algorithmic programming to integrate direction, movement, and orientation of the mobile platform with respect to both the observer and the background.
It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention functions for a reasonable number of concurrent variable observer positions.
It will be further understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the liquid crystal display array can be backlighted either individually or as a group.
It will be still further understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the positional algorithmic computational means is selected from the following algorithms.
1. Projected Frame: Concealment relies on selecting a portion of the charge coupled device backgroun
Hjerpe Richard
Nguyen Francis
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