With Or For Vehicle Patents (Class 353/12)
  • Patent number: 4240722
    Abstract: A microfilm projector installed in the dashboard or instrument panel of a vehicle such as an automobile, a boat, an aircraft, and the like, comprising a rear projection screen mounted in a cut-out portion of the dashboard or instrument panel, a projection lens system and an illumination device for projecting on the rear surface of the screen an enlarged image of information photographically recorded in a transparency card made of a length of microfilm sandwiched between a pair of laminated transparent carriers. The information data transparency card is introduced through a slot in the top of the dashboard or instrument panel and is gravity fed in a chute to an aperture window disposed between the illuminating and lens projecting systems. Controls are provided for turning on and off the illuminating lamp, for stopping and indexing the transparency card at the aperture window, and for dropping the card, after use, into an appropriate receptacle disposed below the chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1980
    Inventor: Frederick R. Brecht
  • Patent number: 4174889
    Abstract: A microfilm viewing monitor, that is adapted to illuminate and enlarge microphotographic material and display images thereof on a viewing screen, is provided for use in environments that include substantial ambient light. The monitor includes an improved illumination-display system in which the viewing screen comprises a two-element sandwich, including a Fresnel lens for receiving and converging illuminated image bearing light rays with a semi-specular lens for diffusing and focusing those rays, and an image enhancing lens positioned forwardly of the viewing screen operates to reduce the effect of ambient light, thereby providing for improved image resolution. For further image enhancement, the lens may be tinted, and cooperates with housing walls to provide a hood-like effect forwardly of the viewing screen. The viewing monitor preferably is for use in a motor vehicle, and may be arranged to assist the vehicle operator with route navigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1979
    Assignee: Northern Engraving Company
    Inventor: Arnis E. Peters
  • Patent number: 4138726
    Abstract: An airborne arrangement for displaying a moving map and aerial-navigation data such as symbols and characters on an electronic display screen is disclosed. It comprises a video map generator for converting the map to be displayed, carried on a film, into a video signal of the television type, a symbol generator which produces signals of the navigational data to be displayed with random scan, and an oscilloscope provided with switching circuits for consecutively displaying these items in the course of each frame cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1979
    Assignee: Thomson-CSF
    Inventors: Herve Girault, Daniel Colas
  • Patent number: 3997255
    Abstract: A navigational apparatus for use in a piloted craft in which a map is displayed pictorially on a screen, representative of the terrain over which the craft is passing. The apparatus employs a moving film strip, a light source and known means to focus and project an image onto the screen. The light source is adapted for arcuate movement across the width of the film synchronously with an optical scanning device placed between the film and the screen and also adapted for arcuate movement so that N-S scanning of an individual film frame may be effected. E-W scanning of the film frame is effected by advancing the film in a suitable film transport. The film transport mechanism is suitably programmed to take into account a correction factor for the arcuate displacement of the N-S scanning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: Control Data Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hendrik Van Oosten
  • Patent number: 3997762
    Abstract: A Tank fire control system is disclosed which includes a sighting device having a visual display on which a plurality of images are presented in superimposition. The first image is formed from radiation in the visible spectrum emanating from the field view, a second image is defined by a target aiming mark and a third image is formed from radiation in the infrared spectrum emanating from the same field of view and the field of view is adjustable by operator action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Inventors: David Scarth Ritchie, James Gordon Hamilton, Alexander James Martin
  • Patent number: 3945720
    Abstract: A topographical map display device for a vehicle, such as an aircraft, wherein a map in miniaturized form is carried on a carriage coupled to a frame by way of a mechanism which permits translational planar movement only of the carriage with respect to the frame and an image of an area of the map is projected onto a display surface on which a fixed datum represents the vehicle position, the carriage being moved with respect to the frame by actuator means in dependence on the range and bearing of the vehicle with respect to a ground-fix position so that the image of the map projected onto the display device changes progressively with vehicle movement whilst maintaining a fixed orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1976
    Assignee: Elliott Brothers (London) Limited
    Inventor: Stafford Malcolm Ellis
  • Patent number: 3936148
    Abstract: A head-up display unit for use for example in an aircraft has (a) a porthole part of a source of collimated luminous signals disposed directly in the field of view of an observer when looking at a scene ahead of him from an observation position thus obscuring part of his view and (b) a combining optical system disposed adjacent the porthole part and having plane optical surfaces which transmit to the observer's eyes light from the porthole directly, and light from the scene ahead by reflection, whereby the observer sees in superposed relationship the scene ahead and a display of collimated luminous signals. In a preferred arrangement the plane optical faces are constituted by plane boundary faces of prisms cemented together to form a stable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1976
    Inventor: Stafford Malcolm Ellis