Stereo display for position sensing systems

• US 7,301,497 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2005
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Roddy, James E., Barnick, William M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza; Thomas H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LY, HIEN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US11/099,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20060220953A1
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.11, 342/78, 342/38, 342/117, 342/443, 342/425, 342/357.01, 342/52, 342/70, 342/54, 342/154, 342/30, 342/140, 342/185, 342/186, 342179-183, 342/29, 342/32, 342/33, 342/36, 342/37, 348/148, 348/143, 382/151, 382/216, 382/291
• US Class Current: 342/176
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/87 Combinations of radar systems, e.g. primary radar and secondary radar
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/20 Stereoscopic displays; Three-dimensional displays; Pseudo-three-dimensional displays

Abstract

A method for display of radar data includes performing a first radar scan to obtain, for at least one object (24), a first range reading, a first azimuth reading, and a first altitude reading. A second radar scan is then performed to obtain, for the at least one object (24), a second range reading, a second azimuth reading, and a second altitude reading. Position and travel direction of the at least one object (24) are computed within a predetermined cylindrical volume (20), according to readings from the first and second radar scans. An icon (34) is assigned to the at least one object (24). A reference point (R) is determined for the predetermined cylindrical volume. The icon (34) is then displayed within the predetermined cylindrical volume (20) in stereoscopic form.

Claims

1. A method for display of radar data comprising:

(a) performing a first radar scan to obtain, for at least one object, a first range reading, a first azimuth reading, and a first altitude reading;

(b) performing a second radar scan to obtain, for the at least one object, a second range reading, a second azimuth reading, and a second altitude reading;

(c) computing a position and travel direction of the at least one object within a predetermined cylindrical volume, according to readings from the first and second radar scans;

(d) assigning an icon to the at least one object;

(e) determining at least a first reference point for display of the predetermined cylindrical volume; and

(f) displaying the icon, within the predetermined cylindrical volume, in stereoscopic form.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

(g) displaying at least one reference marking for the altitude of the at least one object.

3. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

(g) displaying a tracking pattern to trace a previous travel path of the at least one object within the volume.

4. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

(g) displaying a tracking pattern to predict an anticipated travel path of the at least one object within the volume.

5. A method according to claim 2 wherein the step of displaying at least one reference marking comprises displaying an altitude marking in stereoscopic image form.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of displaying the icon comprises the step of displaying the icon in a predetermined color.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of displaying the icon in stereoscopic form comprises:

projecting the icon onto a first plane on which the first reference point lies;

forming a first image according to the projection onto the first plane;

projecting the icon onto a second plane on which a second reference point lies;

forming a second image according to the projection onto the second plane;

whereby the first image and second images form a first stereoscopic pair of images; and

wherein the first stereoscopic pair is displayed in stereoscopic format.

8. A method according to claim 7 further comprising:

projecting the icon onto a third plane on which a third reference point lies;

forming a third image according to the projection onto the third plane;

projecting the icon onto a fourth plane on which a fourth reference point lies;

forming a fourth image according to the projection onto the fourth plane;

whereby the third image and fourth images form a second stereoscopic pair of images, thereby rotating the display of the at least one object; and

wherein the second stereoscopic pair is displayed in stereoscopic format.