Video graphic system and process for wide field color display

• US 5,242,306 A
• Filed: 02/11/1992
• Issued: 09/07/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins Simulation and Training Solutions, LLC (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. (Elevate Entertainment, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fisher, Ralph W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Apley, Richard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHENG, JOE H
• Application Number:
  US07/833,970
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 434/38, 434/43, 434/44, 434/68, 434/307, 434/308, 434/365, 434/20, 434/27, 434/29, 358/60, 358/64, 358/76, 358/87, 358/104, 358/231, 358/487, 273/358, 352/69, 352/70, 352/85, 340/701, 340/703, 340/728, 340/734, 353/30, 353/31
• US Class Current: 434/44
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/302 the image being transformed by computer processing, e.g. updating the image to correspond to the changing point of view
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/32 by projected image G09B9/307, G09B9/36 take precedence

Abstract

A graphics system provides color image displays including a low resolution, wide field background and a contained high resolution area of interest, by projecting three component color images at wide angle, one of which (green) is blanked at the area of interest and is filled by a separate projection of a high resolution image (green). Simulator apparatus utilizing the graphics system responsively actuates a vehicle platform supplying data signals to an image generator apparatus whereby the area of interest may be variously displaced responsive to movements by of the viewing platform.

Claims

1. A graphics system for providing color image displays including a low resolution, wide field background and a contained high resolution, area of interest, said system comprising:

means for providing at least one low resolution, full, wide field, color component for an image display;

means for providing an other low resolution, wide field color component for said image display defining a void in said area of interest;

means for providing a high resolution, color component coinciding in color to said other color component and filling said area of interest in said image display; and

means for combining said at least one low resolution color component, said other low resolution color component and said high resolution color component to provide said image display.

2. A graphics system according to claim 1 wherein said high resolution color component comprises a green color component.

3. A graphics system according to claim 1 wherein said means for providing said at least one low resolution, full, wide field, color component, said means for providing said other low resolution, wide field color component and said means for providing said high resolution, color component comprise projection means.

4. A graphics system according to claim 3 wherein said means for combining comprises a display screen.

5. A graphics system according to claim 4 wherein said display screen defines a spherical display surface.

6. A system according to claim 1 further comprising video means to actuate said means for providing said at least one low resolution, full, wide field, color component, said means for providing said other low resolution, wide field color component and said means for providing said high resolution, color component in sequence for a dynamic display.

7. A system according to claim 6 wherein said high resolution color component comprises a green color component.

8. A system according to claim 7 wherein said means for providing said at least one low resolution, full, wide field, color component, said means for providing said other low resolution, wide field color component and said means for providing said high resolution projection means.

9. A graphics system according to claim 1 further including means for variously positioning said area of interest as contained in said image display.

10. A graphics system according to claim 9 further including a viewing platform means to which said means for variously positioning is slaved.

11. A process for providing color image displays including a low resolution, wide field background and a contained high resolution, area of interest, said process comprising the steps of:

providing at least one low resolution, full, wide field color component for an image display;

providing another low resolution, wide field color component for said image display to define a void in said area of interest;

providing a high resolution, color component coinciding in color to said another color component and filling said area of interest in said image display; and

combining said at least one low resolution color component, said another low resolution color component and said high resolution color component color components to provide said image display.

12. A process according to claim 11 wherein said high resolution color component comprises a green color component.

13. A process according to claim 11 wherein said step of providing said at least one low resolution, full, wide field, color component, said step of providing said another low resolution, wide field color component and said step of providing said high resolution, color component comprise projection means.

14. A process according to claim 13 further including a step of activating said projecting means in sequence for a dynamic display.

15. A process according to claim 11 further including a step of variously positioning said area of interest as contained in said image display.