Patents by Inventor Melvin L. Thomas

Melvin L. Thomas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5320534
    Abstract: The Display for Advanced Research and Training (DART), a wrap-around display system for presenting out-the-window visual imagery in a flight simulator, is substantially improved by adding a helmet mounted display of modest field-of-view that displays only an area-of-interest view (HMAoI) The HMAoI display displays a modest field-of-view, high resolution image, according to the head position of a simulator pilot as determined by a helmet mounted position indicator, that replaces the lower resolution view provided by the DART for the same image. The corresponding DART image is not displayed to prevent displaying a confusing view. The remaining DART display provides a peripheral view for a simulator pilot. The imagery provided through the HMAoI may be a two part image comprising a very high resolution central image surrounded by a lower, but still higher than the DART, resolution image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Melvin L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5137450
    Abstract: A wrap-around display system for presenting out-the-window visual imagery in a flight simulator is disclosed. Eight identically pentagon-shaped translucent rear-projection screens are joined together at their edges to form a partial dodecahedron. Each video projector is mounted outside the partial dodecahedron to direct, through a mounted mirror-folded beam path, an appropriate simulator image to the rear of a pentagon screen. A simulator pilot views the simulated image from inside the partial dodecahedron. Also disclosed is an apparatus for switching eight video signals among six video channels by monitoring simulator head movement to switch video signals to the screen, or window, then being viewed. Further disclosed is an apparatus for providing geometrically correct separate images to two simulator crewmembers. Each field of an interlaced raster display is a display for a separate crewmember design eye-point. Two liquid crystal controlled glasses are worn one each by each crewmember.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretry of the Air Force
    Inventor: Melvin L. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5012601
    Abstract: A picture frame assembly comprising an outer frame member and an inner frame member which is releasably secured to the outer frame member so that it can be snapped in and out of engagement for quickly and easily changing a framed picture unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Inventors: John R. Garland, Melvin L. Thomas