MULTIPLE PROJECTION TELEVISION SYSTEM

• US 3,560,644 A
• Filed: 02/29/1968
• Issued: 02/02/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/1968
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edward A. Petrocelli, Robert G. Palmer
• Original Assignee: Edward A. Petrocelli, Robert G. Palmer
• Inventors: Petrocelli, Edward A., Palmer, Robert G.
• Application Number:
  US04/709,385
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• US Class Current: 348/124
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/272 Means for inserting a foreground image in a background image, i.e. inlay, outlay

Abstract

In prior art simulators used in training devices, a plurality of TV cameras survey a seascape and a plurality of ship models respectively to furnish video information which is combined into a picture of ships maneuvering on a seascape background and displayed on a CR tube monitor or a screen. The invention enhances the realism of such simulators by using a plurality of TV projectors each projecting a picture on a respective sector of a circular screen. Circuitry is provided for synchronizing the projectors with the cameras so that a ship may be caused to move across a screen which may completely surround a control station occupied by a trainee to give him the impression of being at sea. The circuitry enables any projector to project video information from any or all cameras, in contradistinction to prior art systems wherein each projector receives information from an associated camera only.

Claims

1. In a simulator type training device having a background camera and a plurality of model ship cameras with means for combining the video information from said cameras into a single picture of model ships maneuvering against a background displayed on a display tube:

means for varying the timing and the rate of the sweep voltages of said cameras to change the size and position of the images of said ships on Said background;

a circular screen, a simulated ship'"'"''"'"'s bridge encompassed by said screen, a plurality of TV projectors positioned to project on respective sectors of said screen, a sweep voltage generating circuit for each of said projectors;

sequential raster control means for synchronizing the sweep voltage generating circuits of said TV projectors with the sweep voltage generating circuits of said TV cameras;

said sequential raster control means including means for causing said projectors to project video information from said cameras in sequence upon adjacent sectors of said screen; and

said sequential control means including means whereby the timing and duration of the sweep voltages of said projectors may be selectively altered whereby the image of any ship may be made to cover the entire area of said screen or any part thereof and to traverse any part thereof.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said circular screen subtends an angle of 360* and said sequential raster control means includes projector sequencing means whereby a ship model viewed by one of said cameras is caused to traverse all of said screen to simulate 360* of travel around said simulated ships bridge.