Abstract: In a display system suitable for high ambient light environments, a lamp is used simply as a light source to illuminate a rear projection display screen, which is a matrix of tiny cells that modulate the light at video rates. Each cell includes a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), a focusing lens and a pinhole aperture. When the PDLC is electrically activated, light passing through the PDLC is scattered in many directions, and very little light passes through the pinhole aperture and is seen by the viewer. When the PDLC is not electrically activated, light passing through the PDLC is not scattered, the lens of each cell focuses the light through the pinhole aperture, and the viewer sees a bright spot of light.

Abstract: A lightweight fiber optic television display useful for front and rear projection systems. An array of pixels such as a fiber optic (FO) ribbon has an input end which receives input light illuminating the pixels so as to create a first dimension of the display. The output end of the FO ribbon is moved relative to the observer to create a second dimension. The FO ribbon is clamped by a clamp near the output end and vibrated by a driver so that the output end of the ribbon is moved to obtain the second dimension. A lens is disposed between the vibrating end of the FO ribbon and a projection screen, and images the two dimensional image formed by the vibrating output end of the ribbon onto the screen. The projection screen may be either a rear or front projection screen. The FO ribbon may include a single row of fibers, or multiple rows to improve the image quality.

Abstract: A uniform-brightness, high-gain projection screen is especially suited for reflecting radiation from a projector to a viewer who is spaced from the projector along a projection axis. The screen is formed with a plurality of reflective faces that each form at least a portion of a ring that is transverse to the projector axis, have different spacings from the projector and are axially tilted to set the projector-face angle equal to the viewer-face angle. The faces are preferably defined by a plurality of tiles that are bonded to the interior of a projection dome such as a flight simulator dome.

Abstract: An optical arrangement that provides a telecentric helmet mounted display optical system. The optical arrangement comprises an image source including a faceplate wedge attached to a liquid crystal display, such as an active matrix liquid crystal display, for example, that is illuminated with collimated fight. The output image is used as a light source for an off-axis or on-axis reflector used to produce an output image. The faceplate wedge corrects the anamorphic distortion exhibited in the off-axis reflector and directs the light energy into the off-axis entrance pupil of the reflector to maintain high uniformity over the exit pupil without sacrificing brightness. More particularly, the present invention comprises the input light source, and the liquid crystal display that is illuminated with collimated light from the light source. The faceplate wedge is optically coupled to the liquid crystal display, and the reflector is optically coupled to the faceplate wedge for producing an output image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for ensuring that an image projected upon a visual display device is properly aligned with the viewing surface of the display device. Important to achieving the proper alignment is the use of a fluorescent ink which is visible only when illuminated under ultraviolet light. Use of the fluorescent ink allows a pattern of reference points, constituting an alignment pattern, to be permanently marked directly on the viewing surface of the visual display device, for example. Since the alignment pattern is permanently marked and is visible only when illuminated with ultraviolet light, alignment between the image and the display device can be immediately determined without the aid of additional equipment such as is employed by previously known image alignment systems.

Abstract: A method for improving CGSI imaging system throughput by selectively decimating rows and/or columns of object image data prior to warp transformation in order to more closely approach a 1:1 compression ratio. The best results are produced on compressed object image data prior to decompression.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer system and a method for a computer-based data integration and management processing system and a method for workforce planning and occupational readjustment. The system and method of the present invention uses a number of databases that are either created internally or are imported from existing databases. These databases are manipulated by the invention for skill matching analysis based on a rigorous behavioral skill analysis of target occupations, using one or more predetermined analysis metrics and an examination of an individual's skills using metrics with similar behavioral attributes.

Abstract: A lightweight fiber optic television subminiature display for helmet mounted display systems. A one dimensional array of pixels such as a fiber optic (FO) ribbon (64) has an input end (62) which receives input light illuminating the pixels so as to create a first dimension of the display. The output end (64B) of the FO ribbon is moved relative to the observer to create a second dimension. At the helmet (66), the FO ribbon is clamped by a clamp (68) and vibrated by a driver (70) so that the output end of the ribbon is moved to obtain the second dimension. The dimensions of the FO ribbon are selected to provide a natural resonant frequency equal to the television field rate, and the driver vibrates the section (64A) of the ribbon between the clamp and the ribbon output end at the ribbon resonant frequency. The clamp and driver can be very lightweight, thereby reducing the weight of the display elements mounted on the helmet.

Abstract: A multi-purpose portable system PECOS (10) is provided having capabilities which allow an operator (16) to perform system operations which include control, exploitation, testing and training for remote systems. The PECOS (10) has a portable housing (30) which encloses the system. Included in the PECOS (10) is a user interface (12) for allowing an operator (16) to interface therewith. Memory (60) is provided for storing application software (14) having control commands which correspond to a plurality of possible remote systems. A processor (58) is further provided for processing the control commands in response to the operator inputs.

Abstract: A method and system (10) for generating a reconfigurable terrain and culture database of a simulated environment. Terrain and culture data are extracted from at least one of a plurality of digital data sources (14), and the extracted data is transformed into a predetermined central database format (22) from which the extracted data may be edited (24) and formatted (28) for a particular imaging system. The terrain and culture data are not merged until formatting in order to enable rapid reskinning of the terrain or the addition of further culture detail.

Abstract: An image generation system (50) for generating three independent monochromatic images, using three monochromatic CRT projectors (56, 58, 60). An image generator (52) produces synchronized video signals representing the images, which drive the projectors. The image generator (52) is similar to a conventional image generator for a full color, single channel system, except that the red, green and blue color components are used to define separate monochromatic images which can overlap and still be fully rendered.

Abstract: A method of generating dynamically altering images which are capable of simulating fluid effects in real-time on a static scene. The method includes the steps of loading a plurality of graphical components, and repeatedly applying each of these graphical components to a texture map in a sequence of toroidally incremented locations at a predetermined repetition rate to create a texture map overlay for each of a plurality of scene frames. Each of these toroidally incremented locations are determined by a non-linear combination of a linear offset vector and the location of the last graphical component that has been applied. Then, each of the plurality of scene frames are transmitted to a visual projection device at a predetermined frame rate in order to display the dynamically altering images.

Abstract: The system includes a computer (20), a detector (40) for detecting and tracking head orientation and head movement of an individual, a pair of tactile gloves (42, 44) which are donned by the individual (51) for detecting and transmitting to the computer (20) as input data orientation and movements of the hands of the individual inserted in the tactile gloves (42, 44), a stereoscopic, head-mounted display (31), a subsystem for enabling the computer to generate a stereoscopic image of the training environment, a subsystem for causing the stereoscopic image of the training environment to be displayed and changed by the computer relative to input data received by the computer relating to the head orientation and head movement of the individual, relative to input data received by the computer relating to orientation and movement of the hands of the individual inserted in the tactile gloves, and relative to input data reflecting realistic changes in the training environment that would be perceived by the individual

Abstract: An improved helmet mounted display. The inventive display includes a laser and a fiber optic cable having an array having two sets of rows of optical fibers and being mounted to receive input from said laser at a input end and to illuminate a screen with light from said laser via an output end thereof. A particularly novel aspect of the invention is the provision of a first mechanism at the input end of the fiber optic cable for illuminating a first set of rows of fibers in the array with light from the laser during a first scanning interval and for illuminating a second set of rows of fibers in the array with light from the laser during a second scanning interval. A second tilting mechanism is mounted at the output end of the fiber optic cable for directing illumination from the first set of rows of fibers in the array to a screen during the first scanning interval and for directing illumination from the second set of rows of fibers in the array to the screen during the second scanning interval.

Abstract: A computer-controlled imaging system for providing a realistic representation of a three-dimensional scene on a two-dimensional medium in which multiple objects, viewed from several aspects and which may be combined informing a scene, are stored in digital form on mass storage device is allocated amongst plural channels. A field-of-view computer controls the read out of the stored objects into a buffer memory where they become available for processing by a pipeline processor which is capable of warping the image in accordance with instructions from the field-of-view computer. These images in each channel are then arranged in an order of range from a viewer whereby more remote images are occluded by closer images. The images from all channels are then fed in raster scan format to a scene construction module where CGSI and special effects can be added to the composite scene prior to being fed to video display equipment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an authoring tool (10) which simplifies the authoring and editing functions of a simulated training system. The authoring tool (10) utilizes a development tool and method (40) which condenses authoring, editing and testing into one environment. This authoring tool, (10) referred to as the learn mode courseware tool, includes a user interface (70) which permits the author to produce, edit and test procedural logic structure. In addition, the system (10) permits the author to preview audio, video, and graphics displays, and also permits the author to interact with a representation of many trainer devices (18, 20, 26) at a single trainer device (32).

Abstract: A system (10) for simulating an operating environment, such as aircraft cockpit for use in training. The system (10) includes a video storage device (46) for storing and transmitting an image of the operating environment. The video storage device (46) is coupled to a video monitor (58) for displaying the stored image. A graphics generator (54) generates an overlay image simulating the appearance of displays and manipulable controls in the operating environment in a plurality of its manipulative states. The graphics overlays may be manipulated by means of a touch sensitive screen (64) to simulate the operation of the manipulable controls. The system also includes an interactive system (12) for authoring and editing the overlays as well as the simulation process.

Abstract: A security system adapted for use with a base computer 29 includes a security computer 31 for reading and writing data from memory in the base computer system 29, for transferring data to and from an encryption system 3, for transferring encrypted data to and from a storage system 14, and for interfacing with a trusted path interface device 22. The security system includes a system for regulating, and for interrupting or delaying, operation of the base computer in response to signals from means for associating, with each data group within the security system, data specifying an individual user.

Abstract: An efficient system for generating high resolution photogrammetric image data from a Vidicon camera. The Vidicon camera acquires sequential images of a scene and provides multiple overlapping frames of sequential image data corresponding thereto. A mechanism is provided for maintaining the camera at an optimal angle relative to the direction of movement of the vehicle. A processor operates on the multiple overlapping frames of sequential image data to provide image data of enhanced resolution. Use of overlapping frames of video data allows for the production of images with higher resolution than is currently obtainable with Vidicon cameras or photographic film. In addition, the data is digitizable and convertible to images in real time. Thus, a more efficient system is provided for generating high resolution photogrammetric image data from a Vidicon camera.

Abstract: A scheduling system and method for use with training systems. The exemplary embodiment of the scheduler is incorporated into an aircrew training system for a military aircraft. A training system for training aircrews involves the use of academic media such as classrooms, training devices such as ground-based flight simulation trainers, and training flights in the air. In addition, it involves a computer network having terminals located at a central site, a plurality of training sites, and other remote sites. The computer data base is located at a central site, and the training facilities are located at training sites. Typically, computer terminals are connected together in a computer network by both dedicated and dial-up telephone lines, and typically the network may employ Intel 80386 machines running UNIX V, release 3.2. The scheduler of the present invention comprises an integrated system of hardware and software which is integrated into the already existing training system.