Patents by Inventor John A. VanHoogstrate

John A. VanHoogstrate 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: 6152739
    Abstract: A visual display system for producing a continuous far-focused virtual image according to the present invention includes a number of adjacent video image generation and display modules. Each module includes an image generator that generates a video image representative of a portion of a composite display image displayed on a video display. The visual display system also includes a number of optical viewing lenses associated with each video image generation and display modules and positioned between the operator and the video display. The lenses restrict the operator's field of view such that the operator views only a portion of the active display area of the video displays. The lenses of adjacent modules are joined together along their edges to form an enclosure partially surrounding the operator so that the operator views the composite display image displayed on the video displays through the lenses and perceives the composite display image as a continuous far-focused virtual image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Amery, John A. VanHoogstrate, Michael E. Stockton
  • Patent number: 4931859
    Abstract: A Schlieren-type color television projector utilizes a fiber optic rear projection screen (FORPS) at an initial focal point to translate the spatially separated, converging rays of component colors produced by the Schlieren-type color television projector into a plurality of spatially combined, diverging rays of combined colors which are then suitable for further processing by a conventional optical lens system which can either aperture or vignette the image without color fringing, separation, or a shift in the color balance normally experienced when aperturing or vignetting a Schlieren-type color television image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: Homer E. Dillard, John A. VanHoogstrate, Ronald J. Muffler
  • Patent number: 4814866
    Abstract: A Schlieren-type color television projector utilizes a fiber optic rear projection screen (FORPUS) at an initial focal point to translate the spatially separated, converging rays of component colors produced by the Schlieren-type color television projector into a plurality of spatially combined, diverging rays of combined colors which are then suitable for further processing by a conventional optical lens system which can either aperture or vignette the image without color fringing, separation, or a shift in the color balance normally experienced when aperturing or vignetting a Schlieren-type color television image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: Homer E. Dillard, John A. VanHoogstrate, Ronald J. Muffler
  • Patent number: 4427274
    Abstract: A projection system that is particularly suited for simulating aircraft flight includes a large dome and a projector and optical system that are located outside of the dome. The dome has a diffuse reflective surface that is presented inwardly. The projector produces a pattern of light which is redirected by the optical system such that it passes through an aperture in the dome, and is cast upon a wide area of the diffuse reflective surface as an image of a scene, particularly a scene that one might encounter from the cockpit of an aircraft. The optical system includes a concave mirror that is presented toward the aperture, a wide angle lens that is along the axis of the mirror, and a system of lens and folding mirrors for transmitting the light from the projector to the wide angle lens. The wide angle lens is located such that its pupil upon being reflected from the concave mirror reforms or comes into focus at the aperture in the dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventors: Marvin L. Pund, John A. VanHoogstrate, Jr.