Distributed display composed of active fiducials

• US 8,035,078 B1
• Filed: 08/05/2009
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HRL Laboratories LLC (The Boeing Co.)
• Original Assignee: HRL Laboratories LLC (The Boeing Co.)
• Inventors: Howard, Mike, Lee, Craig, Daily, Michael J., Payton, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): PYO, KEVIN K
• Application Number:
  US12/462,583
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221, 250/222.1, 250/208.1, 700/248, 700/258, 700/259, 700/19, 901/46, 901/47
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0009 Transmission of position information to remote stations involving assistance data G01S5/0236
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0246 using a video camera in combination with image processing means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0259 using magnetic or electromagnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0291 Fleet control monitoring fleets in traffic control systems for road vehicles G08G1/127, G08G1/127
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

An apparatus configured to obtain, process, and relay data to a user in a coherent and useful manner. An active fiducial is equipped with an interface for receiving and transmitting data. The fiducial may transmit its position using a satellite-based position sensing device such as a GPS. Active fiducials may also be equipped with battery power pack regenerated with solar cells. Similarly, the fiducials can be equipped with at least one video camera or other device having a focal plane array and a computer software system, configured to recognize shapes. The fiducials may also be equipped with inductive coils or other means for sensing metal containing compounds. The active fiducials may be equipped with a gas chromatograph. The active fiducials may use a variety of propulsion means including motor driven tracks, motor driven wheels, propellers, or other device or a combination of devices.

Claims

1. A method for displaying comprising acts of:

deploying a plurality of active fiducials, each fiducial having a fiducial position and being capable of performing acts of;

processing data received from a sensor, resulting in processed data; and

transmitting the processed data to a receiver such that a coordinated image is obtained by viewing multiple active fiducials simultaneously with an augmented view device having a field-of-view and a display that is co-located with the receiver such that the processed data is overlaid on the display in correspondence with each fiducial position within the field-of-view.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising an act of exchanging information between neighboring active fiducials.

3. A distributed display apparatus comprising:

a receiver for receiving processed data from a plurality of active fiducials, each active fiducial having a fiducial position; and

an augmented view device that is co-located with the receiver, the augmented view device having a display with a field-of-view configured such that the processed data received from the plurality of active fiducials is overlaid on the display in correspondence with each fiducial position within the field-of-view.

4. A method for displaying, comprising acts of:

receiving, with a receiver, processed data from a plurality of active fiducials, each active fiducial having a fiducial position; and

displaying, on an augmented view device that is co-located with the receiver and that has a display with a field-of-view, the processed data received from the plurality of active fiducials on the display as an overlay in correspondence with each fiducial position within the field-of-view.

5. A processed data distribution apparatus for a distributed display apparatus, comprising a plurality of active fiducials, each with a fiducial position, each fiducial comprising:

a sensor;

a data processing element attached with the sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to receive sensor data and provide the sensor data to the data processing element, where the data processing element processes the sensor data, outputting processed data; and

a transmitter connected with the data processing element, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the processed data from the active fiducial to a receiver that is co-located with an augmented view device having a display with a field-of-view, such that the processed data is displayed as an overlay in correspondence with each fiducial position within the field-of-view.

6. A method for distributing processed data to a distributed display apparatus, comprising an act of:

transmitting processed data from an active fiducial having a fiducial position to a receiver that is co-located with an augmented view device having a display with a field-of-view, where the processed data is displayed as an overlay in correspondence with the fiducial position within the field-of-view.