Visual system with filter for a simulator

• US 4,657,512 A
• Filed: 06/08/1985
• Issued: 04/14/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Singer PLC (Hayleys Plc)
• Inventors: Mecklenborg, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/740,614
• Time in Patent Office: 675 Days
• Field of Search: 434/38, 434/44, 434/43, 350/132, 350/125
• US Class Current: 434/44
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/326 the image being transformed by optical means

Abstract

The disclosure describes a vehicle simulator visual system for training two individuals, such as a pilot and a co-pilot seated side-by-side to view compound images that are projected on the same large curved screen. Structurally, the system comprises two projectors, each of which has a polarizer to polarize the individual light images in opposite directions in a circular manner. Two separate windshields are simulated and each one supports an analyzer that is polarized in the opposite circular direction from its projector. The polarization of each analyzer is such that one windshield will pass light that is polarized from one projector, and the other windshield will pass light that is polarized by the other polarizer.

Claims

1. A visual system, comprising:

projector means for projecting a predetermined image for viewing from a predetermined viewing position,

means to polarize said image in two different preselected circular directions forming two different image portions,

screen means positioned so that each point thereon is substantially equidistant from said viewing position and to reflect said predetermined image while preserving the circular nature of the polarized image portion, and

analyzer means positioned between said screen means and viewing position to separate said polarized images.

2. A visual system as defined in claim 1 wherein said projector means includes at least two projectors for projecting a predetermined image for viewing from at least two separate positions, and said means to polarize includes means to polarize a predetermined portion of said image in a preselected circular direction and to polarize a different portion of said image in a circular direction opposite from said preselected direction.

3. A visual system as defined in claim 2 wherein said analyzer means includes a first analyzer to filter out all of said image except that which is polarized in said preselected circular direction and a second analyzer positioned to filter out all of said image except that which is polarized in said circular direction opposite from said preselected direction.

4. A visual system as defined in claim 3 wherein said first analyzer is positioned to view said predetermined portion of the polarized image from said predetermined viewing position and said second analyzer is positioned to view said different portion of said image, said first analyzer being formed to pass light images that are opposite of said preselected circular direction, and said second analyzer being formed to pass light images that are polarized in said preselected circular direction.

5. A visual system, comprising:

a vehicle simulator having two positions for two trainees to view a scene through separate windows,

a curved display screen positioned before the windows,

said curved display screen having a surface made of very small particles of a flat metalic, highly-reflective material so as to preserve the polarized nature of light on reflection,

first projector means including a plurality of projectors for projecting a predetermined image for viewing from a first position,

second projector means including a plurality of projectors for projecting a scene for viewing from a second position,

first means to polarize said predetermined image in a preselected circular direction for viewing from said first position,

second means to polarize said scene from said second projector means in a direction opposite from said preselected direction for viewing from said second position,

first analyzer means positioned on and supported by said window viewed from said position the nature of which is to pass light readily that is circularly polarized in a direction opposite from said first means to polarize,

second analyzer means positioned on and supported by said second window for viewing images from said second position the nature of which is to pass light readily that is circularly polarized in a direction opposite from said second means to polarize.