Abstract: A method of simulating manipulating a vehicle, the method including the steps of transmitting a simulation to a plurality of remote devices, gathering information pertaining to a response of each user to the simulation on each remote device, comparing each response of each user to determine a threshold value, rating each user's performance based on the threshold value.

Abstract: Box constructions suitable for packaging, storing and transporting small objects including flat rectangular objects of any size such as books, CD's, DVD's, and the like. The box construction has an outer member which surrounds an inner member. An object is packaged by attaching an object onto a surface of the inner member; positioning the inner member on the outer member; folding panel of the outer member around the object on the inner member; and attaching the panels of the outer member thus enclosing the object within the box construction.

Abstract: Systems, methods and structures for combining virtual reality and real-time environment by combining captured real-time video data and real-time 3D environment renderings to create a fused, that is, combined environment, including capturing video imagery in RGB or HSV/HSV color coordinate systems and processing it to determine which areas should be made transparent, or have other color modifications made, based on sensed cultural features, electromagnetic spectrum values, and/or sensor line-of-sight, wherein the sensed features can also include electromagnetic radiation characteristics such as color, infra-red, ultra-violet light values, cultural features can include patterns of these characteristics, such as object recognition using edge detection, and whereby the processed image is then overlaid on, and fused into a 3D environment to combine the two data sources into a single scene to thereby create an effect whereby a user can look through predesignated areas or “windows” in the video image to see into a 3

Abstract: The present invention provides computer implemented methodology that permits the safe landing and recovery of rotorcraft following engine failure. With this invention successful autorotations may be performed from well within the unsafe operating area of the height-velocity profile of a helicopter by employing the fast and robust real-time trajectory optimization algorithm that commands control motion through an intuitive pilot display, or directly in the case of autonomous rotorcraft. The algorithm generates optimal trajectories and control commands via the direct-collocation optimization method, solved using a nonlinear programming problem solver. The control inputs computed are collective pitch and aircraft pitch, which are easily tracked and manipulated by the pilot or converted to control actuator commands for automated operation during autorotation in the case of an autonomous rotorcraft.

Abstract: Vertical pocket feeder signature handling equipment which supplies signatures in an on-edge orientation one at a time to bindery equipment. The vertical pocket feeder particularly cooperates with a hopper loader apparatus which transfers and separates individual signatures of sheet materials from a vertically aligned, stack of such signatures. The separated, individual signatures may then be subjected to bindery operations such as stapling or stitching.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a hopper loader apparatus for separating and forming an overlapping shingled stream of individual signatures of sheet materials from a vertically aligned, parallelepiped shaped stack of such signatures for subsequent handling operations. The hopper loader has a slippage resistant belt which engages a bottom edge of each signature and assists in preventing the signatures from slipping by keeping them upstanding. Preferably the slippage resistant belt has an array of projections extending upwardly from a belt surface which secures the signatures in place. This produces a smooth, regular, even signature stream. Individual signatures flow reliably, one-by-one off of the downward conveyor to another conveyor.

Abstract: The experience of parachute flight is simulated including parachute release and malfunctions. The parachutist trainee is suspended in a harness and a control line provided for the parachutist to operate. The parachutist's actions are sensed by an action sensor actuated by the control line. Force and position sensors sense position and force factors effected by the parachutist. The parachutist's head motion can be tracked by a head mounted sensor. The outputs of the sensors are converted to digital signals which are fed to a computer. The computer is programmed with a mathematical and logical model of parachute dynamics and environmental factors. The computational results are displayed to the parachutist on a monitor or on a head mounted display, the scene viewed containing a variety of three dimensional representations of objects on the ground such as buildings vegetation roads, etc.

Abstract: A device for measuring the ability of a human operator to stabilize an inherently unstable system so as to maintain an output signal on a display terminal within a preset limit. The difficulty is automatically increased at a relatively fast rate until the human operator approaches the limits of his ability to maintain the output signal within the limits. The difficulty is then increased at a relatively slow rate until the human operator is no longer able to maintain the output of the testing device within preselected limits. The device is mechanized using a general purpose microprocessor and utilizes binary shifts rather than multiplication or division operations in order to achieve real time operation at a sufficiently fast rate in order to test the limits of human ability.

Abstract: A plurality of signals are generated to represent different simulated picture elements, such as markers, road lines, obstacles, etc., which might be encountered along the pathway of a vehicle such as an automobile or an aircraft. These signals are separated into groups representing height, longitudinal and lateral dimensions in three-dimensional space and corresponding intensity levels for each of various picture elements to be displayed, and the signals in each group are multiplexed together to form a composite signal for each of these signal components. The height, longitudinal and lateral groups of multiplexed signals are transformed to perspective form in accordance with a "perspective" transformation. Curvature may be given to the simulated pathway by transforming the composite perspective lateral signal in response to a curve signal generator. The composite horizontal signal modified in accordance with vehicle heading is fed to the horizontal control circuits of the display device.