Abstract: A head up display is provided for projecting as a virtual image the information from control meters in an airplane or an automobile in the front visual field. The display includes a light source disposed at the bottom of a casing, an LCD shutter disposed just above the light source, a first Fresnel lens disposed on the upper surface of the casing for the purpose of enlarging information on the LCD shutter, and a combiner disposed at an adjustable angle on the upper surface of the casing for the purpose of producing a virtual image of the information on the LCD shutter. The first Fresnel lens is disposed on the same face as that of the dashboard, and another Fresnel lens is provided on the front side of the casing so that the meter can be directly viewed through the casing.

Abstract: A heads-up display for moving vehicles such as an airplane or automobile and which includes a transparent sheet which may be the windscreen or windshield of the vehicle. An extremely thin enhancing film is secured in intimate contact with the transparent sheet and disposed within the sheet, if it is a laminated sheet such as a safety glass sheet or on that side of the sheet which is on the interior of the vehicle, or which may be made integral with the composition which makes up the transparent sheet. The enhancing film is an absorber or blocker of selected lightwaves which match the lightwaves of a display of indicia projected against the interior side of the windscreen. The assembly of film in sheet eliminates the need for a separate, independent indicia reflector to replace between the windscreen and the operator of the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a head-up display for a motor vehicle having a dashboard with a top surface, which comprises a projector enclosed in the dashboard, the projector including a light source, an object from which visual information is to be displayed and a lens, an aperture formed on the top surface of the dashboard which is covered by the lens or a transparent member for preventing dust or the like from entering thereinto, a reflecting member provided in front of a driving seat on which light projected from the projector through the aperture is reflected to produce the image of the visual information thereon, and a reflection preventing member for preventing the reflection of light entering from the outside of the vehicle on the lens of the projector or on the transparent member. An antireflection coating such as a black paint is applied on the upper surface of the reflection preventing member.

Abstract: A head mounted display for presentation of video information includes a virtual raster display unit, an attachment mechanism for attaching the display unit to the head of the user, a support member connected to the attachment mechanism for supporting the display unit within the user's field of vision, and a remote signal source for providing power, timing, control signals and display information to the display system. The head attachment mechanism can be symmetrically designed to allow positioning of the display unit in front of either of the viewer's eyes, or the attachment mechanism may be eliminated completely and the support member and display unit attached directly to a conventional helmet or the user's eyeglasses.

Abstract: A data display method and apparatus for use in a vehicle, e.g. for use by the pilot of an aircraft, wherein each eye (EL, ER) of the user (23) is presented with a virtual image at infinity of a respective one of two largely identical displays (31L, 31R). By arranging for corresponding elements (33) of the two displays representative of a controller in the vehicle at a position accessible to the user to have a transverse positional disparity the virtual images of the corresponding elements appear to the user to fuse together to form a single image (I2) in a plane of the controller at a finite distance from the user within the vehicle thereby to facilitate operation of the controller by the user. Other corresponding elements (41, 43, 45, 47, 49) of the two displays (31L, 31R) will normally have no such positional disparity so that their virtual images fuse to present an image (I1) at infinity as in known binocular head-up display (HUD) systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a 3-dimensional computer graphics system in which an operator can effectively interact with a virtual model generated and displayed by a computer. In one embodiment the operator wears a helmet fitted with means which enable both the location of his head and its coordinates relative to the virtual model to be monitored and the information sent to computer. The helmet carries miniature VDUs which direct separate images to his individual eyes so that the image is perceived stereoscopically. The movement of the operator's eyes is also monitored by means mounted within housings of the helmet and data representing the operator's direction of vision sent to the computer. The data transmitted to the computer is used to modify the image of the model as perceived by the operator to enhance its realism.

Abstract: A head-up display for indicating the attitude and flight-path angle vertically, the attitude in roll and preferably the heading attitude and heading track angle of a vehicle, preferably an air vehicle, which in addition to the inertial navigation (5) for determining said attitudes and angles comprises a transparent but partly reflecting plate (10), a so-called "combiner glass" glass for projecting a corresponding display together with at least one symbol (14) of the x-axis of the vehicle. Particularly characteristic is that the head-up-display is arranged to show the display (12) as at least a portion of the inside of a space-stable sphere with its center in said vehicle, the display being provided with latitude circles (15, 16, 19, 20) and preferably meridian markings (18).

Abstract: A display apparatus used in automobiles has an indicating device mounted in the steering column to display the car running condition information and a reflecting plate installed in the dashboard to form a virtual image of displayed information at a point on the far side of the reflection surface from the driver. To make it more easy for the driver to see the displayed information, the apparatus incorporates a magnifying cylindrical lens which is installed between the indicating device and the reflection plate in such a way that the display surface of the indicating device is within the focal length of the lens. The virtual image of the displayed information is thus magnified by the lens and formed farther away from the driver's viewing point, making the displayed information more easily recognizable. Another feature of the apparatus is that the cylindrical lens can also be moved to a desired position to magnify the displayed information to any desired size for the driver.

Abstract: A display apparatus for an automotive vehicle comprises a projector disposed at the ceiling of a vehicle passenger compartment to project display images and a reflecting member pivotally disposed in a dashboard of the vehicle to reflect the display images projected by the projector toward the driver. The reflecting member is a mirror or a hologram plate. The display images are stable without being subjected to the influence of external sunlight, while increasing the field of vision on the front windshield. Further, when the hologram plate is used, it is possible to obtain large display images in spite of a small-sized projector and to improve the visual recognizability of display images.

Abstract: The present invention is heads up display for use in a ground vehicle. A video program source and a display device produce a set of visual images which are reflected to only one eye of the driver via a mirror disposed on the windshield at a position slightly above the normal line of sight of the driver. This mirror has a size which is a small fraction of the windshield area, a width less than the interpupilary distance, and has a size relative to the size of the display device and the distance from the driver to the display device to reflect an image of the display device to only one eye of the driver. This could be either the left eye or the right eye. The display device is surrounded by a dark unobtrusive background which enables the reflected image other than the display to be visually uninteresting. The mirror has a optical power for reflecting a collimated image focused at visual infinity.

Abstract: A situation display system has a movable section for attachment to a helmet nd a stationary section, including a stationary map providing a real map background for showing situation display elements on the map. The movable section is connected through a flexible cable to a device for the remote control of the situation display elements which are computer generated. By accurate measurements of the location of the helmet and its distance to the map, signals are provided which are processed independently of any movements of an operator wearing the helmet so that the elements are correctly displayed and seen on the map. Thus, a tactical situation display is obtained for a military command system.

Abstract: To display various vehicle images or TV programs to a driver taking a front seat or to a passenger taking a rear seat by a head-up display apparatus for an automotive vehicle, the head-up display apparatus comprises a driver half mirror disposed on the dashboard, a passenger mirror disposed on a console box disposed between two front seats, and a projector unit having a CRT and a pivotal reflecting mirror driven by a motor from a first driver position to a second passenger position or vice versa in response to control signals from a control circuit.

Abstract: A display apparatus for a vehicle of the type wherein a display image of a display device located near a focus of an optical system is projected on a front glass of the vehicle so that a virtual image of the display image may be focused at a position forwardly of the front glass. In the display apparatus, when external light entering the optical system has an intensity higher than a predetermined level, a light intercepting means prevents the external light from being received by the display device, thereby preventing thermal destruction of the display device which may possibly be caused by heat given to the display device by intense external light such as the sunlight which is condensed by the optical system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a 3-dimensional computer graphics system in which an operator can effectively interact with a virtual model generated and displayed by a computer. In one embodiment the operator wears a helmet fitted with means which enable both the location of his head and its coordinates relative to the virtual model to be monitored and the information sent to computer. The helmet carries miniature VDUs which direct separate images to his individual eyes so that the image is perceived stereoscopically. The movement of the operator's eyes is also monitored by means mounted within housings of the helmet and data representing the operator's direction of vision sent to the computer. The data transmitted to the computer is used to modify the image of the model as perceived by the operator to enhance its realism.

Abstract: A device for maintaining the vigilance of a motor vehicle operator. Two preferred embodiments, maintaining the operator's attention toward the direction of developing traffic conditions, with a visual system focused at infinity, are disclosed. One shows an image which is projected or otherwise transmitted from below the normal line of sight of the operator, while the other illustrates transmission of the image from above the vehicle operator. The invention overcomes "road hypnosis" or other inattentiveness by maintaining the operator's interest, thereby putting the operator's psychological perceptive apparatus in a high state of readiness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a helmet mounted display with a cathode ray tube for mounting on the torso of the operator are disclosed. A disconnectable cable supplies an information bearing signal to a signal conditioning circuit for mounting on the torso of the operator and a low voltage signal to a high voltage supply also for mounting on the torso of the operator. The high voltage supply provides the necessary high voltage for the operation of the cathode ray tube. The signal conditioning circuit provides the horizontal and vertical deflection signals and a decoded and amplified information bearing signal to the cathode ray tube. The cathode ray tube converts the information bearing signal into CRT images. A reducer, adjacent to and facing the cathode ray tube display face, reduces these CRT images and presents them to an optical fiber bundle which in turn presents the reduced CRT images to an expander.

Abstract: As a method and device for representing the horizon on board an aircraft, there is displayed on the cathode tube of a collimator an image comprising a circle of small size inside which there are, on the one hand, a horizon line inclined to the horizontal by an angle equal to but opposite the rolling angle of the aircraft, the horizon line being remote from the center of the circle by a distance which is a function of the pitching angle in the upward direction when the aircraft is diving and in the downward direction when the aircraft is pulling the nose up, and which delimits to zones of different brightness and, on the other hand, a point representing a pole situated on the median line of the horizon line at a distance from the latter corresponding to a pitching angle of 90.degree.. A "head up" type control system is essentially provided.

Abstract: A device for maintaining the vigilance of a motor vehicle operator. Two preferred embodiments, maintaining the operator's attention toward the direction of developing traffic conditions, with a visual system focused at infinity, are disclosed. One shows an image which is projected or otherwise transmitted from below the normal line of sight of the operator, while the other illustrates transmission of the image from above the vehicle operator. The invention overcomes "road hypnosis" or other inattentiveness by maintaining the operators's interest, thereby putting the operators's psychological perceptive apparatus in a high state of readiness.

Abstract: A display system and method, especially for use in an aircraft head up display system, for maintaining an optical image in a predetermined position on a light emitting screen. The system has a beam type image generator controlled by an operating circuit. A controlled beam scans both a central display region and marginal regions of the screen. The marginal regions have beam sensors and the beam is controlled by a sequence of plural coordinate commands in accordance with a plural coordinate search pattern restricted to the marginal regions and in the vicinity of the beam sensors. Signals resulting therefrom are utilized to eliminate beam deflection errors.

Abstract: The invention pertains mainly to a method and a device for the display of targets and/or target positions using the data acquisition means of a weapons system.The device of the present invention can be used to display the target or the direction of the target acquired by missile homing heads. This data comes as a complement, and other data on the position of the target is used to ascertain that the homing head is properly locked on as well as to supplement any lack of information caused, for example, by a breakdown in the display systems. The invention can be applied mainly to the building of anti-aircraft defense launching platform or anti-aircraft and anti-tank launching platform.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a computer controlled imaging system involving a digital image processing and display system which has the ability to compose and construct a display scene from a library of images with sufficient processing speed to permit real-time or near real time analysis of the images by a human operator or a hardware/software equivalent thereof. An unique method of mapping a digital input image to a viewing plane in both linear and perspective modes is disclosed.

Abstract: In a head up display apparatus for an automotive vehicle including a projector unit disposed at the ceiling of the automotive vehicle to project display images and a half-mirror reflector unit for reflecting the projected display images to the driver, the height of the half-mirror reflector unit and the angular position of the projector unit are automatically adjusted according to vehicle speed, so that virtual display images can be appropriately seen by the driver ahead of the half-mirror reflector unit along the driver's eye direction variable according to vehicle speed, by use of a relatively small half-mirror reflector unit.

Abstract: A device for weakening the incident light passing through a transparent emissive display system so as not to drown the emitted light is disclosed which utilizes two polarizing filters one at least of which is placed before the screen so as to selectively attenuate the incident light. A photoelectric cell measures this incident light and controls a motor which rotates one of the filters so as to adjust the attenuation to the initial intensity.

Abstract: A head-up display device is provided with a light-emitting display body provided in the instrument panel, a reflecting mirror which reflects the displayed light from the light-emitting display body onto a reflection section, a housing which encloses the light-emitting display body and the reflecting mirror, and a linkage member for connecting the housing to a steering member, so that the housing is caused to slide forwards and backwards of the vehicle following upward and downward motions of the steering member.

Abstract: An artificial horizon device producing a projected light bar perceivable with peripheral vision. The device includes a scanner assembly with a pair of rapidly movable scanning mirrors each selectively pivotal about respective mutually perpendicular axes. A beam of light is directed upon a first of the pair of scanning mirrors for reflection upon the second of the mirrors, and thence to illuminate a surface for perception as a relatively movable horizontal reference line. A single adjustment mirror is interposed between the source of the light beam and the first of the scanning mirrors. The adjustment mirror is selectively movable about two mutually perpendicular axes each substantially intersecting the reflective plane of the adjustment mirror in order to set a selected point of incidence for the light beam upon the first of the scanning mirrors.

Abstract: A device for maintaining the vigilance of a motor vehicle operator. Two preferred embodiments, maintaining the operator's attention toward the direction of developing traffic conditions, with a visual system focused at infinity, are disclosed. One shows an image which is projected or otherwise transmitted from below the normal line of sight of the operator, while the other illustrates transmission of the image from above the vehicle operator. The invention overcomes "road hypnosis" or other inattentiveness by maintaining the operator's interest, thereby putting the operator's psychological perceptive apparatus in a high state of readiness.

Abstract: A display arrangement for a head-up display system e.g. for an aircraft, wherein the combiner (13) comprises a first tuned reflective optical film (39) through which an observer (14) views a distant scene and second and third tuned reflective optical films (41 and 43) positioned outside the observer's view of the distant scene through the first film. Light from a projector (11) passes first through the nearer (43) of the second and third films, is then reflected at the other (41) of the second and third films, is then reflected at the nearer film (43) and then passes through the other film (41) to the first film (39) where it is reflected towards the observer. The three films are normally designed to provide the combiner with a desired optical power, the one (43) of the second and third films nearer the projector suitably being concave toward the other (41) of the second and third films for this purpose.

Abstract: A non-contact sensing system for monitoring the position and orientation of a rigid body in space having at least three distinct point light sources mounted on the rigid body. At least two position sensor heads are fixedly mounted within detection range of light from the light sources, each position sensor head having a position sensitive detector. The lights are illuminated one at a time and in sequential arrangement and a processor computes the position in three-dimensional space of an illuminated light source with data provided simultaneously by both position sensitive detectors. The processor means also computes the position of the object in all six degrees of freedom using the three-dimensional positional data of all three light sources.

Abstract: An independent test sight is described for a pilot's head-up display (HUD). In one embodiment, the independent test site comprises a collimator assembly and an aligned periscope assembly. The collimator assembly comprises a source of light, a reticle, and a lens for projecting the image of the reticle. The periscope assembly comprises a rhomboid prism housed within the chassis of the HUD in such a manner that it can be pivoted from a stowed position to an erect position where it projects a reticle pattern in the field of view of the HUD combiner.

Abstract: A display system adapted to a dashboard in a vehicle compartment, the dashboard including an instrument panel and a hood located above the instrument panel and below a front windshield of the vehicle compartment, wherein the instrument panel is provided with a first opening directed toward the driver's seat in the compartment, and the hood is provided with a second opening directed toward the internal surface of the front windshield, and wherein the display system comprises an indicator mounted within the dashboard in such a manner than the display surface of the indicator is opposed to the second opening, a mirror plate arranged within the dashboard and movable between a first position in which the mirror plate reflects visual rays representative of information on the indicator toward the first opening and blocks the visual rays toward the second opening and a second position in which the mirror plate permits the visual rays toward the second opening and blocks the visual rays toward the first opening, and a

Abstract: An artificial horizon device producing a projected light bar perceivable with peripheral vision.

Abstract: A head up display system including a light emissive object at an object plane and a collimator and combiner to provide a collimated image for viewing at an eye plane overlaid on a view through the combiner. The object emits light in at least two chromatically separated emission wavebands and by a diffractive optical element in the light path from object plane to eye plane having narrow band reflection characteristics at each emission wavelength.

Abstract: A system for providing a Head-Up Display (HUD) on board an aircraft to assist a pilot in guiding the aircraft. The display is positioned in the pilot's normal line of sight. In one mode it utilizes a radio beam landing system such as an ILS (Instrument Landing System) to generate symbols that correspond to visual ground cues which, together with an aircraft symbol display, provide the pilot with cues for aligning the aircraft on the appropriate path for approach and landing. The system moves the aircraft symbol in accordance with motion changes of the aircraft. During a landing approach the pilot "flies" the aircraft symbol relative to the simulated and/or real ground cues. By making the HUD correspond with ground cues, the abrupt transition from instrumented to visual flight is eliminated. At altitudes below which available ILS is not acceptable, the system provides a smooth transition to a mode independent of ILS and then to a flare mode.

Abstract: A system for providing a Head-Up Display (HUD) on board an aircraft to assist a pilot in guiding the aircraft. The display is positioned in the pilot's normal line of sight. In one mode it utilizes a radio beam landing system such as an ILS (Instrument Landing System) to generate symbols that correspond to visual ground cues which, together with an aircraft symbol display, provide the pilot with cues for aligning the aircraft on the appropriate path for approach and landing. The system moves the aircraft symbol in accordance with motion changes of the aircraft. During a landing approach the pilot "flies" the aircraft symbol relative to the simulated and/or real ground cues. By making the HUD correspond with ground cues, the abrupt transition from instrumented to visual flight is eliminated. At altitudes below which available ILS is not acceptable, the system provides a smooth transition to a mode independent of ILS and then to a flare mode.

Abstract: Display for use on propeller driven aircraft comprised of a radially disposed row of lamps 12 embedded in the rear surface of a propeller 11. Measurements of flight data are made by conventional means and converted into digital signals (15 and 18). These digital signals are applied to graphic generators, 16 and 19, which control lamp drivers 13 which in turn control lamps 12 through slip rings 14. The lamps 12 are lit at appropriate times (determined by sync pulses 17) during each revolution of the propeller to cause the flight data in graphic form to appear to the pilot.

Abstract: A system for presenting a head-up display to the operator of a vehicle is disclosed. This system comprises a light source fiber optic bundle (52) which is secured to the helmet of the vehicle operator and generates a light beam signal which travels at an angle proportional to the orientation of the pilot's head and, accordingly, his line-of-sight. This beam is detected by a detector (68) which is optically coupled to the light beam and provides line-of-sight information at its ouput. A computer (96) receives the line-of-sight information together with other information and sends it via a cathode ray tube (112) and an optical coupler (14) to a beamsplitter (16) which provides that information to the operator of the vehicle while allowing the operator to see through the beamsplitter (16), thus providing the operator with additional information without obstructing his view.