Abstract: In a simulator for helicopters, the images seen are displayed through the bottom windows by means of a system collimated to infinity, including, for each side of the cockpit, a projector (15, 16), a spherical mirror (12, 13) and a screen (17, 18).

Abstract: A wrap-around display system for presenting out-the-window visual imagery in a flight simulator is disclosed. Eight identically pentagon-shaped translucent rear-projection screens are joined together at their edges to form a partial dodecahedron. Each video projector is mounted outside the partial dodecahedron to direct, through a mounted mirror-folded beam path, an appropriate simulator image to the rear of a pentagon screen. A simulator pilot views the simulated image from inside the partial dodecahedron. Also disclosed is an apparatus for switching eight video signals among six video channels by monitoring simulator head movement to switch video signals to the screen, or window, then being viewed. Further disclosed is an apparatus for providing geometrically correct separate images to two simulator crewmembers. Each field of an interlaced raster display is a display for a separate crewmember design eye-point. Two liquid crystal controlled glasses are worn one each by each crewmember.

Abstract: A robust, lightweight g force trainer having low moment of inertia is powered by a relatively low horsepower motor. The trainer has an onset rate of 6 g/sec. or more and idle speed of approximately 13 rpm. The natural frequency of the trainer arm is in excess of 6 hz. The trainer includes a computerized target tracking and missile avoidance system, including a heads up display field at the pilot gondola, and a computerized medical monitor.

Abstract: A two dimensional or flat image display format for showing on an aircraft pilot's helmet mounted display the position of the aircraft relative to other aerial objects in three dimensional space is disclosed. The display format switches, under pilot control, among a variety of different, primarily three dimensional perspective, views. The disclosed views include a generally top-down first view from above the primary object showing the primary object generally at the center of said first view surrounded by the one or more other objects; a generally behind-forward perspective second view from behind the primary object showing the primary object generally at the center of said second view surrounded by the one or more other objects; and, a generally inside out third view from the primary object at the center of said third view showing those one or more other objects surrounding the primary object that are generally inside a solid angle defined by said third view.

Abstract: An aircraft flight simulator system adaptable to an actual inoperative aircraft not in flight provides instrument displays driven by a computer flight simulator program interacting with inputs from sensors attached to the actual aircraft control system and overlay switches. The computer may also drive visual displays placed in the cockpit windshield and side windows, as well as provide audio output and output for the operation of aircraft jacks to simulate inflight motion. All equipment may be relatively quickly and easily installed or removed so as to make maximum use of an otherwise inoperative aircraft on the ground, and by the use of computer program modifications, may be used to simulate a wide variety of aircraft. Realistic control handling is provided by feedback mechanisms attached to various aircraft control surfaces and the control column and which are coupled to the computer.

Abstract: A fully enclosed toy craft intended for both amusement and educational purposes having the ability to assume a multitude of forms with each form resembling a different type of vehicle. The craft's interior resembles a scaled down version of a commander's cabin in a real craft and includes, among other things, audio visual material, calculating apparatus, and an assortment of readout or instrumentation devices. In addition, an analog computer interacting with various items in the commander's cabin, in response to stimuli provided by the operator moving hand or foot control devices gives the operator the illusion of being in control of a real craft.

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.

Abstract: A system for image generation is provided which includes a device for controlling the sweep voltages of a CRT so that realistic views of the earth can be projected on a curved screen surface from a flat transparency and for generating a haze band between the earth and sky interface of the projected scene. The preferred embodiment is an aircraft flight simulator in which real world scenes are projected and updated in accordance with simulated aircraft maneuvers. Various visual flight cures are or can be presented to an operator during training. These flight cues include a dynamic haze or cloud band along the projection of the earth and sky interface. The system permits image projection with six degrees of freedom (yaw, pitch, roll, altitude, north/south and east/west vector components) over simulated terrain. In the preferred embodiment, the haze or cloud band generation is accomplished so that it is compatible with a single projector technique.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an image pick-up assembly for use in a vehicle training simulators and the assembly has an optical system to detect images in a direction of travel and to transmit these images to an electronic camera. A terrain-following head unit is formed to traverse a terrain model and contains the optical system. A gimbal joint couples the terrain-following head unit with the electronic camera to permit relative universal movement between the two. Releasable locking device is described to lock the terrain-following head unit in an operating position relative to the electronic camera so that it is releasable by a force when the terrain-following head unit engages an obstacle on the terrain model.

Abstract: A vehicle simulator for training purposes enables the trainee to observe rnal effects through a simulated thermal sight by the utilization of a variety of paints whose pigments are selected based on their reflectivity to known wavelengths of light. A lamp bank is provided to illuminate a modelboard with various hues so painted as to provide reflectivity corresponding to thermal images. A monochrome television camera mounted on a movable gantry supplies images of said modelboard to a display in the vehicle simulator.

Abstract: Optical probe (21) for simultaneously providing two images along independent lines-of-sight that correspond to front and side views in a single camera model visual system. An optical probe comprises a first pitch prism (24) and a second pitch prism (28). The pitch prisms have respective first and second apparent entrance pupils that are external to each prism and common to both prisms at a particular location (32). All motion of the optical probe is constrained to rotations about the location (32) of the first and second apparent entrance pupils.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an improved laser altimeter for a flight simulator which will allow measurement of the height of the simulator probe above the terrain directly below the probe tip.A laser beam 22 is directed from the probe 13 at an angle .theta. to the horizontal to produce a beam spot 20 on the terrain. The angle .theta. that the laser beam 22 makes with the horizontal is varied so as to bring the beam spot into coincidence with a plumb line 18 coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the probe 13. A television altimeter camera 30 observes the beam spot and has a raster line aligned with the plumb line 18. Spot detector circuit 26 coupled to the output of the TV camera monitors the position of the beam spot relative to the plumb line 18. An error signal is produced by computer 28 driving, via a servo motor 23, the laser beam optics so as to cause the beam spot to come into coincidence with the plumb line 18.

Abstract: A wide-angle image generator of the closed-circuit television type primarily for a helicopter flight simulator, employs four vidicons, each receiving a portion of an image from a single optical system viewing a wall mounted terrain model. The optical system includes an objective lens mounted at the lower end of a yaw tube. The position of the axis of the objective lens relative to the axis of the tube as well as rotation and position of the tube relative to the terrain model are determined by movement of the simulator controls, thus varying the presentation on one display of monitor screens within the view of the pilot at the controls, and another display of monitor screens within the view of an observer. The number of monitors per display is equal to the number of the vidicons.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an impact sensor having an electrical switch for actuation when an optical probe to which it is attached comes within a predetermined distance of an obstruction. An impact or contact element connected with the electrical switch sets the predetermined distance to actuate the switch. A resilient connector, such as piano wires, interconnect the contact element with the electrical switch, whereby the electrical switch is maintained in a non-actuation condition until the optical probe comes within the predetermined distance to the obstruction.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing device for detecting the presence of conducting and nonconducting objects with the distance between sensing tip and object remaining nearly constant regardless of their size or mass is disclosed. The device is particularly useful with the camera optical probe of an aircraft simulator for training pilots, and is mounted on the camera probe such that it generates a capacitance at its output which varies with the distance between the camera probe and objects on a terrain model board as the probe travels about the model board. Thus, if the optical probe approaches too close to an object, (especially an object outside the field of view of the pilot trainee) it generates a control signal to prevent the optical probe from crashing into such an object.

Abstract: A flight simulator combines flight data and polygon face terrain data to provide a CRT display for the windows of an aircraft trainer. The data base contains position data defining the relative position of each vertex of each polygon face, and visual data concerning the color, intensity, etc. of each face. In addition, the data base contains resolvability data for determining which faces, as displayed on the CRT, would have dimensions less than the resolvability of the display system. The resolvability standard is defined by a resolvability code (RC) and is based on the smallest resolvable angular subtense (.theta.rc). The angular subtenses (.theta. major and .theta. minor) of each face is determined by representing each face by a rectangle having a long side (S major) and a short side (S minor), and combining these side values with o (the S major unit vector) and n (the unit vector normal to the plane of S major and S minor) in a trigonometric relationship. .theta. major is compared with .theta.