Abstract: A server is a projection image control device that can be connected to one or more projectors installed in an aircraft, and comprises a memory and a processor. The memory at least temporarily stores operation information about the aircraft. The projection image control processor determines the display direction of a projection image on the basis of operation information, produces a command to cause the one or more projectors to display a projection image in the determined display direction, and outputs this command.

Abstract: A method and device for generating natural motion lighting patterns on the ceiling of an aircraft cabin are disclosed. The device includes at least two lighting elements, each outputting light. The device also includes a fixed common light modulation element positioned above the at least two lighting elements. Finally, the device includes a controller having outputs coupled to the at least two lighting elements and configured to separately vary an intensity of the light produced by each of the at least two lighting elements such that a light pattern produced by the light from each of the at least two lighting elements passing through the fixed common light modulation element simulates natural motion. The at least two lighting elements are preferably light emitting diodes. The fixed common light modulation element is one of a lens, mask or filter. The device may include additional light modulation elements, either common or for each lighting element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing human-machine interface (40) including an opening (48) for enabling a user to observe information displayed on the screen (44), characterized in that, each screen module (42) being provided with a specific control (52), various human-machine interfaces (40) are manufactured from the same screen modules (42) by arranging the screen modules (42) in the housings (46) housing a control board provided with at least one control and/or at least one indicator for a function separate from the screen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a human-machine interface (30, 60), including a multifunctional screen (32) arranged in a housing (34) to be housed in the dashboard of a vehicle, said housing (34) having an opening (36) corresponding to an outline (38) of the screen in order to enable a user to view the information displayed on said screen (32), characterized in that the screen (32) and the housing (34) are covered by a common surface (40) forming a single front panel for the screen (32) and the housing (34).

Abstract: A virtual-sunroof system for providing a virtual sunroof at an interior of a vehicle for viewing by a passenger of the vehicle. The system includes a virtual-sunroof imaging device configured and arranged at the vehicle to collect image information from an environment above the vehicle and create digital image data using the image information. The system also includes a virtual-sunroof projection device configured and arranged in the vehicle to be in communication with the virtual-sunroof imaging device for providing a virtual sunroof display. The virtual sunroof display provided (a) is viewable above a head of the passenger, (b) is formed using the image data, (c) represents accurately at the interior of the vehicle a rendition of the environment above the vehicle, and (d) has a size, shape, and location corresponding generally to a size, shape, and location that an actual conventional-type sunroof would have in the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates, generally, to a vehicle dashboard using rear projection system. A vehicle dashboard using rear projection system of the present invention preferably includes: a screen that provides a visual image; a printed circuit board (PCB) that controls the provision of a graphic image to the screen; and an projection system projection system that is controlled by the printed circuit board, and is installed at a rear side of the printed circuit board and irradiates a light to the screen.

Abstract: A system to selectively display a symbol at a location on a vehicle window. The system includes an arrangement of a fluorescent material at the location, wherein the fluorescent material: a) is sufficiently transparent in the absence of ultraviolet (UV) light, b) fluoresces when illuminated with UV light, c) and has a shape corresponding to the symbol, and a UV light source configured to illuminate the location with UV light to display the symbol. Such a system may use unfocused UV light sources to illuminate the symbol shaped fluorescent material as opposed to focused UV light sources such as UV lasers.

Abstract: A safety light apparatus includes a first light source to emit a first light beam and a first light modulator to modulate the first light beam to project a first light image resembling a left boundary of a bike lane. A second light source emits a second light beam, and a second light modulator modulates the second light beam to project a second light image resembling a right boundary of a bike lane. A housing supports the first and second light sources and the first and second light modulators. A mounting device is provided for mounting the housing to a bicycle.

Abstract: A method to display an infotainment graphic upon a surface within a vehicle includes monitoring a source of infotainment content; determining the infotainment graphic based upon monitoring the source of infotainment content, and displaying the infotainment graphic upon the surface including a material reactive to display graphics in response to an excitation projector, wherein the excitation projector includes an ultraviolet projector.

Abstract: A system and method to display a plurality of different images at multiple distinct locations using a single image projector and an image propagation control means to control a propagation pathway from the projector to a display at each location.

Abstract: A projection method and projection device for projecting an overall image to interior walls of an aircraft, in which method or device the boundary regions of several partial images of an overall image to be presented are matched correspondingly, and partial images are pre-distorted in order to, in this way, obtain a large-area non-distorted image presentation even in the case of complex geometric shapes of projection areas, in which image presentation the transition regions of partial images are at least perceptible only to a limited extent.

Abstract: A multipurpose projector is provided with a fiber bundle including a plurality of cores fixedly arranged on an input plane and an output plane, laser beam sources for emitting laser beams having directivities, an optical guide unit for modulating the laser beams emitted from the laser beam sources and guiding the modulated laser beams to the input plane of the fiber bundle, a projection lens for enlarging and projecting the laser beams emerging from the output plane of the fiber bundle to a display space, and a projection angle adjusting mechanism disposed on the side of the output plane of the fiber bundle for adjusting projection angles of the laser beams projected from the projection lens. Thus, the projector can have its projection space freely operated and enlarged to extend its application not only to image display, but also to illumination and decoration with colored light.

Abstract: An image adjusting device and method for image projection in an aircraft, in which vibration-induced excursions between a projection device and an associated projection surface are offset via the corresponding acquisition of position-time states in such a way that an image displayed on a display surface remains essentially unchanged.

Abstract: A projector of an information display system in vehicles, in particular in aircraft, for projecting images comprising information for passengers and/or crew onto a projection area which is arranged in the vehicle, with the use of a projection lens that images the image contents onto the projection area, which images are generated by a light source and a projection means. An LED array comprising LEDs that can be switched on and off independently of each other is provided as a light source and as a projection means. To generate composite variable image contents the LEDs can be individually selected. Between the LED array and the projection lens a separation box comprising several chambers is arranged. The chambers of the separation box are associated with an LED such that the chambers associated with the switched-on LEDs are imaged on the projection area by the projection lens as parts of the compound image determined by the switched-on LEDs.

Abstract: A display system for a center stack of a vehicle is disclosed including a translucent material and a projection system. Dynamic graphical content derived from an input by a passenger of the vehicle via at least one of simulated controls and hard-tooled switches is projected onto the material by the projection system.

Abstract: A projector projects a visible laser beam onto a region of a vehicle compartment. A control unit controls a direction of projecting the visible laser beam to provide information to at least one occupant in the compartment. The control unit expands the region of an object to which the visible laser beam is projected when the seatbelt has been fastened.

Abstract: A plurality of lighting units are positioned forwardly of the driver seat in the cabin of a vehicle for applying infrared radiations in respective directions to the vehicle driver seated on the driver seat. The intensities of the emitted infrared radiations are controlled according to respective basic controlled variables depending on the illuminance in the vehicle cabin. The position and orientation of the face of the vehicle driver are recognized from an image captured of the vehicle driver by an imaging device, and the basic controlled variables are corrected according to the recognized position and orientation, thereby adjusting the intensities of the infrared radiations emitted from the lighting units and a balance of the infrared radiations emitted from the lighting units. Thereafter, the illuminance in the vehicle cabin and the recognized position and orientation change, then corrective coefficients for the basic controlled variables are updated depending on the changes.

Abstract: The laser of a laser-generated windshield display is controlled to initially deflect the laser beam in the direction of a reflective target disposed outside a display region of the windshield, and a sensor disposed in a reflection path of the target is sampled to detect the presence of a feedback signal that occurs when the laser beam impinges on the sensor. If the feedback signal is detected, the laser beam is deflected onto the display region to generate a driver display; but if the feedback signal is not detected, the laser is automatically turned-off. Once the laser is turned off for lack of a feedback signal, the control is repeated following a specified delay interval so that the driver display will automatically resume the when the condition that prevented generation of the feedback signal is cured.

Abstract: A visible laser beam projection system determines a target point of position to which a visible laser beam is to be projected, a start point and a trajectory from the start point and the target point based on data of conditions inside and outside of a vehicle. The system starts projecting the visible laser beam from the start point, moves the visible laser beam while it is being projected along the trajectory and stops the projection of the visible laser beam. The start point, target point and the trajectory may be changed depending on contents to be indicated.

Abstract: In a first display mode, a common image function component is displayed to occupy at least a part of a display region of a second specific image function component. In a second display mode, the common image function component is continuously displayed outside the second specific image function component to avoid the overlap therebetween (i.e., such that an exclusive positional relationship is made therebetween). When the display mode is switched, a final transition of the display mode to a display state in the second display mode is made while or after a moving image showing a transition process, in which the common image function component is moved from a display position in the first display mode to a display position in the second display mode, is displayed as a mode transition animation.

Abstract: In a first display mode, a common image function component is displayed to occupy at least a part of a display region of a second specific image function component. In a second display mode, the common image function component is continuously displayed outside the second specific image function component to avoid the overlap therebetween (i.e., such that an exclusive positional relationship is made therebetween). When the display mode is switched, a final transition of the display mode to a display state in the second display mode is made while or after a moving image showing a transition process, in which the common image function component is moved from a display position in the first display mode to a display position in the second display mode, is displayed as a mode transition animation.

Abstract: A lighting device (10) for a route guidance system comprises a body (12) adapted to be mounted to a surface; at least one light source (18) housed within the body; a corresponding at least one outlet (14, 16) in the body from which light may be emitted; and focusing means (20) operable to focus the light into a beam projecting from the outlet. In one embodiment the device comprises a pair of outlets (14, 16) in the body, the focusing means being operable to focus light from the at least one light source into a pair of beams, one beam projecting from each outlet. In a second embodiment, the focusing means of the device is operable to focus the beam onto an adjacent surface. The device may be adapted to project static and/or moving images onto said adjacent surface.

Abstract: An image display apparatus 100 that displays an image using a light modulated according to an image signal includes a projection optical system 90 that includes a projection lens 20, a first mirror 30 that reflects a light from the projection lens 20, and a second mirror 40 that widens an angle of a light from the first mirror 30 by reflecting the light, and projects the light modulated according to the image signal from an optical engine unit 10; a third mirror 50 that reflects a light from the projection optical system 90; and a screen 50 that transmits a light from the third mirror 50. The projection lens 20 and the second mirror 40 are arranged in such a manner that an optical axis of the projection lens 20 substantially matches an optical axis of the second mirror 40, and shift the light from the optical engine unit 10 to a specific side from the optical axis of the projection lens 20.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system for displaying image elements for an aircraft seat. The system comprises a seat element with a projection device, and comprises an imaging region for imaging an image element. The image projection device is designed such that the image element can be projected on the imaging region.

Abstract: Modulated light (image light) which has been modulated by passing through a liquid crystal display panel passes through an apical angle variable prism (so-called, a vari-angle prism) and then is enlarged and projected by a projection lens. The apical angle variable prism is configured to change the prism apical angle with, for example, an electromagnetic actuator. The microcomputer calculates a projection optical axis correction value based on hand shake detection signals from a sensor and controls the aforementioned actuator based on the correction value. With this control, shakes of projected images due to hand shakes are prevented.

Abstract: A navigation system with a function of one-touch map matching correction, and a method thereof. The navigation system includes a GPS module for receiving each position signal, and measuring self position and driving direction; a map database for storing map data; a storage unit for storing a candidate designation index, road information, a guidance stop flag, a flag activating a map-matching correction button, and voice data for road sequence guidance; a display unit for displaying the map data, activating or deactivating the map-matching correction button, and generating a coordinate value of a position; and a controller for indexing the parallel roads, generating a candidate road array, activating the map-matching correction button, and sequentially selecting candidate roads while performing the map matching correction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an instrument panel for the operating state of a land, air or water vehicle, in particular for the cockpit of an airplane, comprising a number of display fields (13) for representing information, whereby, in order to provide an instrument panel, which may be produced and maintained in an economic manner, with realistic instrumentation, the display fields (13) are produced on a backlit sheet (11) by means of image projection and a mask (12) is overlaid on the backlit sheet (11), which comprises cutouts (14), congruent with the display fields (13).

Abstract: An image projector is supported by a vehicle to project a two-dimensional image on a projection surface, such as a portion of a windshield, an instrument panel, or a seat back, within the vehicle, for viewing by an occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying seats within a mobile platform such as an aircraft, bus, ship, train, etc. A sensor subsystem detects when a door of the mobile platform is opened and transmits a wireless signal to each one of a plurality of projector subsystems. Each of the projector subsystems are disposed adjacent an associated seat of the mobile platform. Each projector subsystem projects an enlarged, optical signal with seat identifying information onto the seatback of its associated seat.

Abstract: A system and method for providing images for an operator of a vehicle include the capability to receive electrical signals representing electromagnetic radiation at an image source and to generate a visual image based on the electrical signals. The system and method further include the capability to reflect different portions of the visual image with a magnifying optical element for presentation at different viewing locations, the visual image appearing as a virtual image, wherein at least one dimension of the visual image is larger than the magnifying optical element can use to present an image at one of the viewing locations.

Abstract: A device for presenting data in a vehicle as a function of the direction of view of the driver. The device includes a computing device, arrangements for the optical and/or acoustical presentation, an arrangement for the recognition of the driver's direction of view and various data sources. The arrangement for the recognition of the driver's direction of view transmits to computing device the measured direction of view of the driver, so that computing device transmits this direction of view to arrangements for the optical and/or acoustical presentation, so that the presentation of data from the various data sources is made visible in the driver's field of view. This may lead to increased safety in street traffic, since distraction of the driver by the various data of the data sources is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A tactical display unit having a set of abutting viewing screens with each of the viewing screens located at an angle of at least 60 degrees to each other and each having an identical image thereon with the screens positioned either above or below a lateral head region of the viewers to create a communications zone where each of the viewers can both visually and orally communicate with one another even if viewers are on the opposite side of the viewing screens.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for illuminating a projection display which includes multiple light sources which are integrated through a multi-input ported light pipe disposed between the multiple lamps and the remainder of the projection display.

Abstract: A head up display system is disclosed that includes a housing, an aspheric reflector, and a modular projection unit. The modular projection unit includes a backlight, a spherical reflector, an infrared mirror, one or more display devices, and cooling apparatus. The backlight has a spherical reflector with inner and outer reflective spherical surfaces and a central opening that is used to recycle light and provide a desired aperture shape. The one or more display devices may be liquid crystal displays, such as active matrix liquid crystal displays. Exemplary cooling apparatus includes an air inlet, a fan and an air outlet that forces air past heat generating components of the projection unit.

Abstract: An optical projecting device accurately aligns figures, letters and symbols using images, and grid lines projected on a work area during such tasks as graphic design layout. Prior art solutions to the problem of eliminating penciled guide lines to improve such graphic design layout involve the projection of reference lines. But one drawback is that there is no provision for moving, repositioning, or partially rotating, the images and reference lines relative to the work piece during the design layout operation. Another is that they include no provision for changing the image sizes when required during the progress of the work. A different technology as well as different illumination precepts overcome prior art drawbacks. The unit is the type which includes a housing, a light source within the housing, and an image bearing transparent panel. But the transparent panel is carried in a retainer adapted to be rotated.

Abstract: A navigational system for determining and displaying the position of a vessel on a navigational chart includes an optical projection system for establishing first and second reference points on the chart. The system also includes a computer and a keyboard or the like for entering the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates of the first and second reference points in the computer. A GPS or Loran receiver is also tied into the computer so that the present position of the vessel can be projected onto the chart.

Abstract: An emergency map apparatus (40) for indicating the most direct route to a destination street is provided. Subsequent to selection of the destination street from a directory (48), those primary and secondary streets forming the most direct route are indicated on a street map (42). A method of use is also provided.

Abstract: A microfilm map reader is provided and consists of a housing removably attachable to a sun visor of a motor vehicle. A collapsible microfilm slide projector is built into the housing and has an translucent screen. A microfilm slide with a map thereon is insertable into the projector so that a person within the motor vehicle can read the map on the slide that is projected and enlarged onto the translucent screen.

Abstract: A navigation device is disclosed, having a lens across an opening at one end of a case, and a compass across an opening at the opposite end of the case. A transparency holder is positioned between the lens and the compass, adapted to receive a map transparency with magnetic north thereon aligning with a north marking on the body of the compass, at a distance from the lens approximating the focal length of the lens. A grid wheel is provided between the transparency holder and the compass, having a transparent or translucent central area inscribed with parallel grid lines and at least one first directional arrow aligned parallel to the grid lines, the grid wheel being in close proximity to the transparency holder such that it is also at a distance from the lens approximating the focal length of the lens.

Abstract: A head-up instrument display for a vehicle including a light emitting image source for producing imaging illumination and a combiner including a spherical beam-splitter coating for partially reflecting the imaging illumination to produce a virtual image viewable by the vehicle operator without diverting attention from the outside scene. In one embodiment, the head-up instrument display is self-contained with the combiner being rotatable into a stowed position when not in use.

Abstract: In apparatus for displaying map information, at least two maps of the same terrain but of different scale from one another are provided on a movable platform so that a portion of one of the images can be selected and displayed through an optical lens projection system of fixed magnification onto a projection screen and displaying through the optical lens projection system a portion of the selected portion of the one of the map images on the projection screen to examine the display of the other map image in that detail permitted by the scale of the other of the map images at the fixed magnification.

Abstract: In a travel guidance system for vehicles, a map data storage medium preliminarily stores administrative division name data and/or landmark data, and a control unit has the function of retrieving the name of an administrative division to which the present position of a vehicle belongs and/or a landmark in the vicinity of the present position in accordance with present position data and displaying the retrieved administrative division name and/or the retrieved landmark on a display.

Abstract: Data for a map of a predetermined area is divided into a plurality of blocks, stored in an external memory medium such as a cassette tape, and loaded into a CPU when deemed necessary. The map as a whole or parts of the map can be arbitrarily selected and displayed through the operation of a keyboard, and vocal sight-seeing guidances corresponding to the displayed maps are simultaneously produced. Control of this multiple map system is effected by an electronic device having a microprocessor, and selected maps and necessary words are shown in displayed pictures by a display means, such as a cathode ray tube or the like.

Abstract: In a map display system for vehicles, spot coordinates are preliminarily stored which represent map forming spots and are provided with a coordinate origin of a specified spot, and display coordinates indicating map changing frames are also preliminarily stored. The display coordinate of the present position of the vehicle is compared with the display coordinate of a map changing frame. When the present position reaches the map changing frame, the spot coordinate of the present position is compared with the preliminarily stored spot coordinates so as to extract spots forming a new map centering the present position of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a vehicle-mounted navigator, a control unit reads map data from a memory unit and displays a corresponding road map on a CRT display unit. In response to signals from a distance sensor and a direction sensor, the present position in relation to the running of the automotive vehicle is computed to display by superimposition the present position on the road map display of the display unit. When the computed present position has reached to a predetermined portion of an adjacent area, the map data of the road map adjacent to the road map on display is read from the memory unit and a corresponding road map is displayed on the display unit manually or automatically. In accordance with this updated display, the present position display is moved to a corresponding position on the updated road map display.

Abstract: A present position display device suitable for use on automobiles or the like vehicles, having a head member provided with a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element; a driving mechanism for driving the head member in the directions of an X and Y-axes; a mechanism for rotationally driving the driving mechanism; a sheet pack detachably mounted in the vicinity of and in parallel with the plane of movement of the head member; and a map transferrably disposed in the sheet pack; whereby the present position of the vehicle is indicated by the light coming from the light-emitting element on the map. Means are provided to read codes of specific positions marked on the map and to make an indication of the specific position as desired.

Abstract: An automotive navigator using a microcomputer displays a car position by a cursor on a road map displayed on a CRT screen. The navigator uses a cassette tape which stores a plurality of road map data and several kinds of reduced map data and expanded map data. It also uses a group of manual switches including a switch for changing the displayed area, a switch for selecting an expanded map or reduced map and a switch for moving the cursor position. Necessary data are displayed on the screen by the state of each switch. A region corresponding to the cursor position is displayed by the expanded map.

Abstract: A mobile navigator comprises a distance detector for generating a running distance signal, an azimuth detector for generating a progression azimuth detecting signal, a CRT display for indicating the current position of an automotive vehicle, a microcomputer for calculating the current position of the vehicle from the distance detecting signal and the progression azimuth detecting signal and supplying the current position signal to the display, and a memory in which is stored a plurality of map data, earth's magnetic field declination information different for each area in association with the map data, and earth's magnetic field strength information.

Abstract: A roll and pitch motion optical system, particularly for a ground-based flight simulator visual display using a raster-scanned laser optical projector and a concave part-spherical display screen and requiring a wide-angle display. The optical system uses an input concave paraboloidal mirror and an output convex paraboloidal mirror of complementary shape. The intermediate optics comprise a collimator to constrict the display beam envelope, roll and pitch prisms positioned in the constricted area and close to the output mirror and a concave spherical mirror to reflect beams from the pitch prism back onto the output paraboloidal mirror.

Abstract: A map display system for an automobile, in which a map is projected on a screen by optical magnification of a portion of a map disposed on a movable slide. A portion of the slide contains a list of locations such as cities, governmental institutions and points of interest, with an optical positioning code adjacent to each item of the list. Means is provided for automatically positioning the slide to display a selected location on the list, and for showing successive locations on the display in accordance with a prearranged itinerary as the automobile traverses the locations.