Method for simulating multi-layer obscuration from a viewpoint

• US 20020197591A1
• Filed: 08/06/2002
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Information Decision Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Information Decision Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Ebersole, John Franklin, Ebersole, John Franklin Jr., Furlong, Todd Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 6,989,831 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/226
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/0081 Training methods or equipment for fire-fighting
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/60 of natural phenomena, e.g. rain, snow, water or plants
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/205 Image-based rendering
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/503 Blending, e.g. for anti-aliasing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/20 Editing of 3D images, e.g. changing shapes or colours, aligning objects or positioning parts
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/00 Teaching not covered by other main groups of this subclass teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying F41G3/26

Abstract

Method and apparatus are presented for an augmented reality-based firefighter training system. The system includes hardware for motion tracking, display, and vari-nozzle instrumentation. System software includes a real-time fire model, a layered smoke obscuration model, simulation of an extinguishing agent, and an interface to a zone fire model. Physical modeling and graphical elements in the software combine to create realistic-looking fire, smoke, and extinguishing graphics. The hardware and software components together contribute to a realistic, interactive training experience for firefighters.

Claims

1. A method of simulating multiple layer obscuration from a viewpoint, comprising:

displaying polygonal representations of objects;

calculating transmittance along a vector from the viewpoint to the polygons;

applying said transmittance, original polygon color, and obscuration color to recolor the polygons; and

modifying said transmittance to represent light sources.

2. The method of claim 1 further including displaying a billboarded, texture-mapped polygon to simulate the diffuse glow of a light source through obscuration.

3. The method of claim 1 further including employing a smoke particle system for an upper smoke layer.

4. The method of claim 1 where layer heights and optical densities are separately controlled.

5. The method of claim 2 where the height and width of the glow polygon are related to the height and width of the light source.

6. The method of claim 1 where the light source intensity is specified with a luminosity color component.

7. The method of claim 1 in which in which smoke layer parameters are controlled by output from a zone fire model.