Patents by Inventor James A. Turner

James A. Turner 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: 10921523
    Abstract: A display system comprises a screen having a concave spherical surface positioned so as to be visible to a user of the system. The screen comprises a plurality of kite-shaped screen elements supported adjacent one another so as to form that spherical surface. Each of the screen elements comprises a respective faceplate comprising optical fibers extending adjacent each other so as to transmit light therethrough between two opposing face surfaces. One of the face surfaces is a concave spherical display image output surface, and the other of the face surfaces is a substantially planar image input surface. The screen elements also each comprise a respective image panel having a field of pixels each transmitting light corresponding to serial images of said panel. The fibers of the faceplate receive the light of the pixels of the image panel and together transmit the light from the image panel coherently to its image output surface so that the images of the panel are displayed on the image output surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: L-3 Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Cippant, Jonathan Gabel, James A. Turner
  • Publication number: 20190250332
    Abstract: A display system comprises a screen having a concave spherical surface positioned so as to be visible to a user of the system. The screen comprises a plurality of kite-shaped screen elements supported adjacent one another so as to form that spherical surface. Each of the screen elements comprises a respective faceplate comprising optical fibers extending adjacent each other so as to transmit light therethrough between two opposing face surfaces. One of the face surfaces is a concave spherical display image output surface, and the other of the face surfaces is a substantially planar image input surface. The screen elements also each comprise a respective image panel having a field of pixels each transmitting light corresponding to serial images of said panel. The fibers of the faceplate receive the light of the pixels of the image panel and together transmit the light from the image panel coherently to its image output surface so that the images of the panel are displayed on the image output surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Kevin P. Cippant, Jonathan Gabel, James A. Turner
  • Publication number: 20180088455
    Abstract: A display system comprises a screen having a concave spherical surface positioned so as to be visible to a user of the system. The screen comprises a plurality of kite-shaped screen elements supported adjacent one another so as to form that spherical surface. Each of the screen elements comprises a respective faceplate comprising optical fibers extending adjacent each other so as to transmit light therethrough between two opposing face surfaces. One of the face surfaces is a concave spherical display image output surface, and the other of the face surfaces is a substantially planar image input surface. The screen elements also each comprise a respective image panel having a field of pixels each transmitting light corresponding to serial images of said panel. The fibers of the faceplate receive the light of the pixels of the image panel and together transmit the light from the image panel coherently to its image output surface so that the images of the panel are displayed on the image output surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin P. Cippant, Jonathan Gabel, James A. Turner
  • Patent number: 9188850
    Abstract: A display system is provided to surround a user with an out-the window scene. The system includes a screen structure that is a facetted back-projection dome made up of a polygonal polar top facet surrounded by trapezoidal facets angulated downward from it in an upper facet row. A middle row of facets extends angulated downward therefrom, and a lower row of trapezoidal facets extends down from them. Each facet has video projected thereon by a high definition projector, and to maximize resolution and efficiently use the projector output, the vertical height of each facet makes use of the full vertical field of pixels available from the associated projector. The facets are all tangent to a sphere about a design eyepoint of the dome. The projector resolutions and the size, position and material of the facets are such that the imagery visible on the inside of the dome on the facets is at resolution corresponding to a visual acuity of 20/50 or higher, preferably 20/20, and at or near eye-limiting resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Turner, Jonathan L. Dugdale
  • Patent number: 8704882
    Abstract: To overcome problems with vergence, a binocular head mounted display (HMD) is used in a simulator in which an out-the-window scene is displayed in real time on a screen arrangement. Imagery for the left and right eyes of the HMD is derived by generating a starting HMD image for a Cyclops viewpoint between the user's eves, and then rendering respective views for each eve from the position of the eye in a virtual 3D model of the screen arrangement, wherein the starting HMD image is frustum projected against the screen arrangement of the 3D model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Turner
  • Publication number: 20130128012
    Abstract: To overcome problems with vergence, a binocular head mounted display (HMD) is used in a simulator in which an out-the-window scene is displayed in real time on a screen arrangement. Imagery for the left and right eyes of the HMD is derived by generating a starting HMD image for a Cyclops viewpoint between the user's eves, and then rendering respective views for each eve from the position of the eye in a virtual 3D model of the screen arrangement, wherein the starting HMD image is frustum projected against the screen arrangement of the 3D model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: James A. Turner
  • Publication number: 20110183301
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for review of a trainee being trained in simulation. The system has a computerized simulator displaying to the trainee a real-time out-the-window (OTW) scene of video made up of a series of images each rendered in real-time from stored scene data. A review system stores or displays a view of the OTW scene video as seen from a time-variable detected viewpoint of the trainee. Each frame of this video is independently rendered in a single pass from the scene data using a projection matrix that is derived from a detected eyepoint and line of sight of the trainee. A HUD display with imagery superimposed on the OTW view may advantageously combined with the perspective-distorted imagery of the review system. The video displayed or stored by the review system accurately records or displays the OTW scene as seen by the trainee.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: James A. Turner
  • Patent number: 7719484
    Abstract: A vehicle simulator having a projection system for projecting a generated scene and symbology onto a common viewing screen. Tracking apparatus is provided for providing position and/or angular orientation signals representative of the eye of a person viewing the projected scene and symbology. An image generation system is included for generating the scene and symbology for the projection system, such scene and symbology being generated as a function of the position and/or angular orientation signals provided by the tracking apparatus. Such symbology is representative of symbology produced by a head-up display. The image generation system generates the scene and symbology with characteristics which simulate vignetting and/or occulting effect characteristics of the head-up display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Turner, Ronald G. Hegg
  • Patent number: 7593026
    Abstract: A system displays video to a user and has a display device with a field of pixels. It displays video to the user in the form of a series of discrete sequential frame images each made up of a first predetermined number of bit planes in which the pixels of the display are either off or have a color and intensity that is uniform over the field of pixels. The apparatus detects when a movement condition is present, such as rapid head movement or an object in the video crossing the display rapidly, in which condition the user's eye may tend to track across the display device at a rate at which perception of the video displayed may be reduced in quality, and it generates a condition-present signal when such a movement condition is detected. Responsive to generation of said condition-present signal, the apparatus causes the display device to display the frame images using fewer bit planes for each frame image than when said movement condition is not detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Turner
  • Publication number: 20090066858
    Abstract: A display system is provided to surround a user with an out-the window scene. The system includes a screen structure that is a facetted back-projection dome made up of a polygonal polar top facet surrounded by trapezoidal facets angulated downward from it in an upper facet row. A middle row of facets extends angulated downward therefrom, and a lower row of trapezoidal facets extends down from them. Each facet has video projected thereon by a high definition projector, and to maximize resolution and efficiently use the projector output, the vertical height of each facet makes use of the full vertical field of pixels available from the associated projector. The facets are all tangent to a sphere about a design eyepoint of the dome. The projector resolutions and the size, position and material of the facets are such that the imagery visible on the inside of the dome on the facets is at resolution corresponding to a visual acuity of 20/50 or higher, preferably 20/20, and at or near eye-limiting resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. Turner, Jonathan L. Dugdale
  • Patent number: 7077529
    Abstract: A display apparatus for displaying projected images to a user comprises an enclosure with an aperture between the interior and exterior of the enclosure. A projector adjacent the aperture projects light through the aperture and against a screen surface to form an image that is visible to the user at a viewing station. A mask blocks the light from the projector proceeding to the eyepoint of the user. The method of the invention comprises projecting an image through the aperture onto the projection screen and blocking a portion of the light that is scattered from the last lens surface with the mask while permitting the image to proceed to the projection screen to be viewed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Turner, Ashok A. Sisodia
  • Patent number: 6906725
    Abstract: The present invention provides a simulation for displaying a screen formulated from data, such as a FLIR sensor, relying on color definitions that are more readily supported by common image generators, most preferably 8-bit per channel RGB color processing and video output. The system has an image generator that transmits a video signal of at least two digital data channels, and a display system with a combiner circuit and a visual display device. The bit sets of the channels each represent a respective value of the data variable at a resolution for that channel, and the bit sets of the second channel each represent a respective value of the data variable at a second resolution higher than the resolution of the first channel. Combiner circuitry receives the channels of video output and processes these channels to select the channel which represents the accurate data unaffected by clamping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Turner
  • Patent number: 6612840
    Abstract: A vehicle simulation system has an image system for projecting a simulated out-the-window scene and symbology as produced by a head-up display onto a viewing screen. A dummy beamsplitting or combiner structure is positioned so that the user can view the scene with the head-up display symbology through it. A filtering structure is provided on the combiner structure to prevent the user from viewing the head-up display symbology outside the combiner structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Turner
  • Publication number: 20030076280
    Abstract: A vehicle simulator having a projection system for projecting a generated scene and symbology onto a common viewing screen. Tracking apparatus is provided for providing position and/or angular orientation signals representative of the eye of a person viewing the projected scene and symbology. An image generation system is included for generating the scene and symbology for the projection system, such scene and symbology being generated as a function of the position and/or angular orientation signals provided by the tracking apparatus. Such symbology is representative of symbology produced by a head-up display. The image generation system generates the scene and symbology with characteristics which simulate vignetting and/or occulting effect characteristics of the head-up display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: James A Turner, Ronald G Hegg
  • Patent number: 6437759
    Abstract: A vehicle simulator having a projection system for projecting a generated scene and symbology onto a common viewing screen. Tracking apparatus is provided for providing position and/or angular orientation signals representative of the eye of a person viewing the projected scene and symbology. An image generation system is included for generating the scene and symbology for the projection system, such scene and symbology being generated as a function of the position and/or angular orientation signals provided by the tracking apparatus. Such symbology is representative of symbology produced by a head-up display. The image generation system generates the scene and symbology with characteristics which simulate vignetting and/or occulting effect characteristics of the head-up display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Turner, Ronald G. Hegg
  • Patent number: 6265606
    Abstract: 1-Alkyl-4-benzoyl-5-hydroxypyrazole compounds in which the benzoyl moiety is substituted in the 2-position with a halo, alkyl, or alkoxy group, in the 4-position with an alkylsulfonyl group, and in the 3-position with an optionally substituted phenyl group, for example, 1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-(2-methyl-4-methyl-sulfonyl-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)benzoyl-5-hydroxypyrazole, were prepared and found to be useful for the control of a variety of broadleaf and grassy weeds. The compounds can be applied either preemergently or postemergently and can be used to control undesirable vegetation selectively in small grain crops and turf or non-selectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Thomas L. Siddall, Zoltan L. Benko, Gail M. Garvin, Johnny L. Jackson, Jeffrey M. McQuiston, David G. Ouse, Thomas D. Thibault, James A. Turner, John C. Van Heertum
  • Patent number: 6224218
    Abstract: An off-axis backscreen visual display system having an increased vertical field of view (FOV) is disclosed. The lower edge of the backscreen member in the display system is contoured in accordance with the structure of the aircraft and the observer's point of view. The contouring of the lower edge of the backscreen increases the upward FOV coverage without changing the eyepoint/display relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Turner
  • Patent number: 6140271
    Abstract: 1-Alkyl-4-benzoyl-5-hydroxy-1H-pyrazole compounds in which the benzoyl moiety is substituted in the 2-position with groups such as halo or alkyl, in the 4-position with an alkylsulfonyl group, and in the 3-position with a 3-oxetanyloxy or an oxetanylmethoxy substituent were prepared and found to be useful for the control of a variety of broadleaf and grassy weeds. The compounds have favorable environmental and toxicological properties and can be used to control undesirable vegetation in crops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: James A. Turner, Monte R. Weimer, Johnny L. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6010981
    Abstract: 1-Alkyl-4-benzoyl-5-hydroxypyrazole compounds in which the benzoyl moiety is substituted in the 2-position with a halo, alkyl, or alkoxy group, in the 4-position with an alkylsulfonyl group, and in the 3-position with an optionally substituted phenyl group, for example, 1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-(2-methyl-4-methylsulfonyl-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)benz oyl-5-hydroxypyrazole, were prepared and found to be useful for the control of a variety of broadleaf and grassy weeds. The compounds can be applied either preemergently or postemergently and can be used to control undesirable vegetation selectively in small grain crops and turf or non-selectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
    Inventors: Thomas L. Siddall, Zoltan L. Benko, Gail M. Garvin, Johnny L. Jackson, Jeffrey M. McQuiston, David G. Ouse, Thomas D. Thibault, James A. Turner, John C. Van Heertum
  • Patent number: 6003995
    Abstract: An off-axis backscreen visual display system with rotating backscreen and projector assembly. The system includes a full color projector for projecting the image beam, and a backscreen which redirects the image beam from the projector onto a collimating mirror. The mirror in turn reflects the beam toward the observer eye point. The backscreen and projector are mechanically integrated together to form an integrated assembly which is mounted for rotation about a pivot point. The collimating mirror is oversized relative to the nominal beam size so as to present mirror surface to the beam redirected by the backscreen through a range of rotation of the integrated assembly. An actuator system rotates the integrated assembly about the pivot point to obtain increase vertical field of view. The backscreen can alternatively be fixed in position, with only the projector assembly rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Dugdale, James A. Turner