Video image tracking and mixing system

• US 5,717,414 A
• Filed: 05/01/1995
• Issued: 02/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Loral Defense Systems
• Original Assignee: Lockheed-Martin Tactical Defense Systems
• Inventors: Castle, Clayton W., Bergsneider, Carl W., Pickerine, Joann A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHANG, KENT WU
• Application Number:
  US08/431,859
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 345/7, 345/8, 345/156, 345/158, 359/13, 359/630, 348/734
• US Class Current: 345/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/14 Time supervision arrangements, e.g. real time clock
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/307 by helmet-mounted projector or display G09B9/36 takes precedence; optical parts of head-up displays G02B27/01
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/12 Overlay of images, i.e. displayed pixel being the result of switching between the corresponding input pixels

Abstract

A video image tracking system is provided for determining the orientation of an operator with respect to a simulator display. The operator carries an observation device for watching the simulator display which has a detectable object disposed therein. The video image tracking system further includes a device for locating the detectable object within the simulator display and communicates this location to a virtual reality system which displays the proper orientation and location of the virtual environment with respect to the operator. The video image tracking system is incorporated into a virtual environment deployable simulator which has an environment system for including virtual reality effects into a plurality of color keys contained within the simulator display.

Claims