Abstract: A system for entering information into an electronic system from some remote location and displaying certain information that is produced by the electronic system at a remote location. The apparatus of this invention is a portable, hand/held, compact device that may be used for entering information into a digital computer and displaying information that is output by the computer without any wires being interconnected between the portable device and the computer.

Abstract: The terrain objects within the data base for an aircraft flight simulation system are formed by polygon faces and include certain objects formed by repetitive patterns of equally spaced identical polygon faces. More specifically, objects such as runway markings, which are a series of elongated narrow rectangles equally spaced along the length of the runway. The image data is arranged in a particular format including instruction words for identifying the type of data in the data words following each instruction word, and for controlling the flow of data through the image processor. The image data formatted and processed includes:Initialization vectors (Vo), defining the position of landmark points (i.e., the first vertex of the initial polygon of each series of faces).Delta data (shape data), defining the position of other points, (i.e., the remaining vertices of each initial face) with respect to the initial point therefor.

Abstract: Visual images in proper perspective are optically displayed to each eye of one or more movable observers through a common display system. Real images of aperture stop pupils continuously track their respective eyepoints when the eyepoints change location. Each of the individual images as confined by their respective real pupil images are viewed at their corresponding eyepoints without optical interference.

Abstract: The visual system within an aircraft flight simulator receives flight data from a flight simulation computer, and polygon face terrain data from a gaming area data base. The visual system computer organizes this image data into the prescribed format, and forwards the image data to an image processor. The following types of data are included in the format:Position vectors (Vp), defining the changing position of the aircraft with respect to the origin of the terrain coordinate system.Rotational data (H matrix), defining the changing attitude of the aircraft with respect to the terrain coordinate system.Cif data, defining color, intensity, defocus, etc. of individual faces.Variable resolution data (Var Res) defining the scan line density (vertical display resolution) for each polygon face is included in the CIF data.The vertices of each face pass through the image processor as a unit.

Abstract: A hand-held data-gathering unit is formed by removably connected control and power modules: The control module contains a keyboard, a display device, a data input probe, and a microprocessor. The power module contains a rechargeable battery with a converter and associated power logic, and a memory system with associated memory control logic. The hand-held unit has a normal low-power standby mode which is maintained during the absence of input data from either the keyboard or the data probe, and an operation mode which is initiated by the arrival of input data. During the operation mode, input data enters the control module and is forwarded to the memory in the power module. As data is gathered during portable operation, the memory may reach capacity or the battery voltage may drop, or both. The power module may be removed from the control module and replaced by a fresh power module with a fully charged battery and an empty memory.

Abstract: A large bore, long stroke, low friction, hydraulic actuator having dual hydrostatic bearings permitting elastic deformation of the piston rod while inhibiting metal to metal contact between either the piston head or the deformed piston rod and the walls of the hydraulic cylinder. The actuator employs a safe and highly reliable metering orifice cushion decelerating means. Piston displacement is constantly monitored by a completely internal, magnetostrictive, sonic delay line displacement measuring means.

Abstract: This invention is a system for teaching the principles of Omega navigation and the operation of Omega receivers, which system comprises a simulation computer that provides to an Omega interface (which acts as an Omega receiver) the appropriate Omega signals to simultaneously represent a plurality of Omega transmitters, and an on-board computer that is stimulated by the formatted output of the Omega interface. A student may enter the location of his vehicle into the on-board computer and observe the positional change of his vehicle as the Omega interface receiver is updated with simulated Omega transmissions.

Abstract: A visible light projection device for producing an image on a screen in a variety of angular orientations and sizes. The device includes two servo controlled prisms rotatable about two transverse axes. The prisms serve to direct an input image to a zoom lens for reprojection of the image on a suitable screen in a variety of angular positions and image sizes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a high-speed acoustic noise generating system that is under the control of a computer in order to produce spectrally shaped noise of any desired amplitude versus frequency shape. The foregoing is accomplished by randomly generating and serially storing binary noise in a first memory, by generating with a computer, filter coefficients and serially storing the filter coefficients in a second memory, and by individually adding and accumulating the filter coefficients generated by the computer when the serially corresponding noise coefficient has the same polarity as the logic that triggers the apparatus of this invention.

Abstract: A system for registering images produced by projectors on a screen or other viewing surface is described herein. Two or more projectors are used with a laser attached to one of the projectors. The laser emits a reference point on the screen and a light-sensitive sensor such as a diode array or TV camera is connected to the other projector to allow a determination of the reference point. One motion system is connected to one of the projectors and the laser and another motion system is connected to the other projector and the sensor. A computer is coupled to both motion systems, the laser and the sensor so that the computer will cause the projectors to move so that the images produced by the projectors are always registered and are believable to an observer.

Abstract: The vertical field of view of a standard spherical mirror-beamsplitter infinity image display is increased by skewing the display with respect to an observer. The display is skewed so that the center of curvature of the display mirror is shifted laterally and rearwardly relative to the observer's eyepoint. To maintain the displayed image in proper alignment, the input image to the display is also displaced.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for updating system variables in least significant bit increments during the period between the times the data are normally sampled. In this manner, a smooth transition from one data level to another is achieved rather than a choppy transition at sampling iteration rates.

Abstract: A character recognition apparatus for recognizing an unknown character having a value at a matrix of discrete locations, comprising a ROM having at least a first plurality of storage locations each containing an address storing location and a reference storing location and storing information relative to a reference character, the ROM responding to a count signal and providing a first address signal and a reference signal, a RAM including a second greater plurality of storage locations each storing a value of the unknown character at a discrete matrix location, the RAM being responsive to the first address signal and providing a data signal corresponding to the value of the unknown character at the address location, a counter and a comparator circuit responding to the data signal and the reference signal and producing an output signal that serves as an indication that the unknown character is not the reference character.

Abstract: An initial input list in a series of sequential dependent input lists is clocked through a first sort stack and written into a first buffer as Q groups of P numbers each. The P numbers are in numerical order within each group with the smallest number in the first location of each group. The first number in each group is loaded into a second sort stack which arranges them in numerical order, causing the smallest number in the input list to form the first number in the initial output list. A replacement number is numerically sorted into the second stack from the Q groups each time the smallest remaining number is clocked out. Each replacement number is from the next location of the same Q group as the most recently clocked out number. Thus, the smallest remaining number in any of the Q groups of the first buffer is always available to the second stack and appears as the smallest remaining number in the second stack is always in the first location of the second stack.

Abstract: A light pen is scanned across a bar coded label to produce a reflected light signal having a modulated intensity. The average peak-to-peak value of the plus and minus peaks of the return signal is continuously generated to provide a reference for detecting each subsequent positive and negative transistion. The instantaneous average peak-to-peak reference permits the positive transistions to be distinguished from the negative transistions in spite of large deviations in the amplitude modulation and large shifts in the signal to ambient light level ratio of the return signal. Initially the light pen is operated in a low power pulsed mode. The initial transistions in the return signal cause the pen to temporarily illuminate the bar coded label with a continuous light, and activate plus and minus peak detectors.

Abstract: Two camera models are each viewed by an optical probe such that each optical probe views its respective model with the same perspective. To this end both probes are pointed towards a desired point on their respective model boards. A light beam, characterized by a particular light signature, is emitted from the desired point on each board and passed to a detector by the probe associated with that board. Detection is on an array of photosensitive elements arranged such that the X-Y coordinates of the point of impingement of the beam on the array may be determined. The location of each light beam on each detector array is correlated. The pointing of the probes is then adjusted such that when each light beam falls on the same X-Y location on the respective photosensitive element arrays, the optical probes are pointing in the same relative direction and viewing both scale models with the same perspective.

Abstract: An active retrace beam is used to reduce the effects of lag in an image transducer. The retrace beam is defocussed to provide large area, uniform stripping action. After the read-out beam has traced across the photocathode of the image transducer, the active retrace beam is vertically stepped back to an earlier point in the raster field and retrace is initiated. After the active retrace scan, the beam is vertically stepped down to a point one line below the previously read-out scan line and the read-out scan is initiated. A fairly large area of the photocathode receives several overlapping erasure scans by the defocused, active retrace beam each time a field is scanned. Uniform erasure results. Very little time is required, so the invention may be utilized in system demanding minimal retrace times.

Abstract: An improved "G" seat system for use in aircraft simulators in which the motion associated with "G" forces is simulated by a plurality of individually controllable air cells which make up the seat and back, and the feeling of seat hardness is simulated by a plurality of firmness cells placed atop the air cells to come in contact with the seat occupant is shown. In another embodiment heat exchangers are placed in the firmness pads in the tuberosity region and used to further simulate pressure change by using temperature change.

Abstract: A G-seat for simulating accelerations is provided with apparatus for generating skin tension/contraction cues. These cues are generated by displacing at least a portion of a body-supporting, seat cushion surface in a direction generally parallel to said surface. Disclosed are various exemplary mechanisms for producing this displacement including apparatus for imparting coplanar movement to either a whole seat cushion, or a section thereof, relative to the remainder of the seat; seat cushion lip extenders; and driveable seat upholstery. The operation of the skin tension cue generator is preferably coordinated with the operation of the other active elements of an Advanced G Seat to produce compatible skeletal attitude, flesh pressure gradient, area of contact and skin tension cues.

Abstract: A system for vibrating a seat within the cockpit of a flight trainer to simulate aircraft buffeting. The seat is mounted at its rear on a pair of linear bearings which permit z axis movement of the seat relative to the trainer cockpit. A hydraulic actuator, acting through a bell crank and link, vibrates the seat up and down under computer control. The computer determines the required seat vibration frequency and amplitude as a function of simulated aircraft angle of attack and maneuvering load factor. Analog signals representing the computed vibration frequency and amplitude are fed to a voltage controlled ramp generator which provides a seat driving signal to the hydraulic actuator through a closed loop servo system.