Texas Instruments Corporation

Felix Garcia, Jr

Rodney D Williams

Don Cowan Mann

Sheldon H Brown

Tommy D Wright

Roger A Hergert

There is disclosed a system and method for rotationally controlling a circular structure, such as a dome, from the outer circumference of the dome. The system uses an air driven motor having a circular fixed section and a movable section. The movable section is attached to the rim of the dome and is supported by pressurized air over the fixed section. Air, or other fluid, is used to drive the movable section, and hence the dome, around the circle. The dome speed is controlled by air pressure and the position of the dome is monitored.

System and method for support and rotation of volume

A system and method for X-Y alignment and tracking of moving targets having angular displacement with a fiber optic sensing surface comprising a sensor (5, 6, 17) comprising a sensing array (5) for providing an indication of the position of a beam of radiation incident on the sensing array, a radiation source for providing a beam of radiation (laser), means for simultaneously directing said beam of radiation along two separate paths (4), inhibiting circuitry for alternately inhibiting travel of the beam of radiation in each of the separate paths (13, 14), reflecting means (3, 15) in each path deflecting the beam of radiation in each path to the sensing array and responsive to the position of a beam of radiation incident on the sensing array for altering the position of the beam relative to the sensing array and circuitry responsive to the position of the beam for providing a desired object parameter indication (18, 19).

System for X-Y alignment and tracking of moving targets having angular

A three dimensional display system is shown wherein a scanned light beam is displayed upon a continuously rotating display member rotating about a fixed axis. A first embodiment provides that the display member be comprised of a pair of intersecting display surfaces. In a further version the display member is fixedly positioned in a spherical enclosure which is rotatable in two different directions. In a second embodiment, the display member is formed by a bundle of fiber optic elements extending from an image projector to a viewing surface. The optical fiber bundle can be formed so that the image receiving portion has a smaller cross section than the image transmitting portion. In a third embodiment, the angle formed between the display member and the axis about which it rotates is adjusted, on or off line, by changing the length of an adjustable rod secured to the display member and a member rotating with the display member. In a fourth embodiment, a three dimensional display and two dimensional display are combined in conjunction with an optical combiner. In a fifth embodiment, the light is transmitted to the rotating disc through a pair of changeable rotating apertured disks wherein the apertures are aligned. In a further embodiment of the invention, the screen is formed from a pair of symmetrical stepped disks in the shape of a helically shaped half circle.

Real time three dimensional display

A method of viewing a three dimensional display and structure therefor which comprises providing a three dimensional display, providing a projection surface which is a sector of a substantial spheroid, providing projection optics projecting the three dimensional display onto the projection surface and placing an observer within the substantial spheroid. In accordance with a second embodiment there is provided a method of viewing a three dimensional display comprising providing a double parabolic mirror, providing a three dimensional display within the double parabolic mirror, projecting an image of the three dimensional display external of the parabolic mirror and viewing the image from a location external of the double parabolic mirror.

Projected volume display system and method

A device for tracking an object (12) in three dimensional space is provided which comprises a fiber optic sensor array (14). Fiber optic sensor array (14) comprises a row plane (16) and a column plane (18) each comprising a plurality of parallel optical fibers bonded together. A row detector (20) is coupled to the ends of the fibers comprising row plane (16). A column detector (22) is coupled to the ends of the fibers comprising column plane (18). Row and column detectors (20) and (22) are coupled to a decoder circuit (24). First and second beam generators (26) and (28) are affixed to the object (12) and are each operable to transmit beams (30) and (32) which terminate on the fiber optic sensor array (14). By determining the points of incidence of beams (30) and (32), the decoder circuit (24) may determine the position of the object (12) in three dimensional space.

Device for three dimensional tracking of an object

A three dimensional display system is shown wherein a scanned light beam is displayed upon a continuously rotating display member rotating about a fixed axis. A first embodiment provides that the display member be comprised of a pair of intersecting display surfaces. In further version the display member is fixedly positioned in a spherical enclosure which is rotatable in two different directions. In a second embodiment, the display member is formed by a bundle of fiber optic elements extending from an image projector to a viewing surface. The optical fiber bundle can be formed so that the image receiving portion has a smaller cross section than the image transmitting portion. In a third embodiment, the angle formed between the display member and the axis about which it rotates is adjusted, on or off line, by changing the length of an adjustable rod secured to the display member and a member rotating with the display member. In a fourth embodiment, a three dimensional display and two dimensional display are combined in conjunction with an optical combiner. In a fifth embodiment, the light is transmitted to the rotating disc through a pair of changeable rotating apertured disks wherein the apertures are aligned. In a further embodiment of the invention, the screen is formed from a pair of symmetrical stepped disks in the shape of a helically shaped half circle.

Real time three dimensional display system for displaying images in

A three dimensional display wherein a scanned light beam is displayed upon a rotating display member rotating about a fixed axis for receiving and displaying the scanned light beam on a first surface thereof, fixed points in the display impinging upon the display member to display a harmonic motion along an axis passing through the scanned light beam in response to rotation of the display means. In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the display member is translucent and a second scanned light beam is displayed upon an opposing surface of the display member for receiving and displaying the second scanned light beam on the opposing surface thereof to display a harmonic motion along an axis passing through the second scanned light beam in response to rotation of the display means.

Real time three dimensional display with angled rotating screen and

An optically activated keyboard having key members, each with a key pad having illuminated symbols at the keypad surface and for contact with the finger of the operator. A plunger is secured to the key pad for operating a device to indicate which key has been depressed. In one embodiment of the present invention, the plunger is formed of light transmitting material to transmit light from the interior of the keyboard to the key pad. The key pad has a light transmissive portion with a symbol thereon which is illuminated by the light passing through the plunger to provide the desired illuminated symbol. As a second embodiment, the symbol can be disposed in the light conducting plunger or therebeneath whereby the light entering the transparent key pad is in the shape of the desired symbol in either a negative or a positive representation thereof to project the desired symbol from the key pad. As a third embodiment, light travelling in the optically activated keyboard wave guides is partially reflected into the transparent plunger by a beam splitter in the plunger end extending into the wave guide. As a fourth embodiment, the beam splitter of the third embodiment is a portion of the plunger and extends below the wave guide to a light source. As a fifth embodiment, a slot is provided between the light source and the plunger for receipt of a removable template containing the characters corresponding to the key configuration.

Optically activated keyboard for digital system having character back

A fiber optics input device receives a light beam from a movable light source relative to the input device for providing input signals to a terminal. The device includes a single plane of parallel, clad optical fibers forming columns of a matrix and another similar single plane forming rows, the two planes being placed together to form the matrix. The cladding is removed from the top surface of each fiber to form a window therein to permit the light beam to directly contact the selected window in the column plane and to permit the light beam that passes the column plane optical fibers to enter the window of the row plane. Light sensors are connected to the ends of the optical fibers in both the column and row planes so that a first signal is generated indicating a column position and a second signal is generated indicating a row position, thereby fixing the intersection of the column and row optical fibers at the point where the light beam impinges. At least one more similar single vertical position plane may be positioned adjacent and below the row plane. This vertical position plane has at least one light detector connected to the ends of the optical fibers and provides a signal responsive to the light beam that passes the column and row planes indicative of the vertical position of the light source with respect to the input device.

Fiber optics input device

The disclosure relates to a three dimensional color display wherein controlled modulated laser light of predetermined different frequencies is transmitted via fiber optics and combined in a fiber optic coupler to provide a combined light beam. This light beam is transmitted along a fiber optic path wherefrom it is collimated and a three dimensional color display is formed therefrom. The three dimensional display is provided by an x-y scanner for forming a two dimensional image from the light on the single fiber optic path, a rotating display screen for causing each point on the two dimensional image to move along a path making an acute angle with the two dimensional image wherein operation of one of the scanner and the rotating display screen is controlled relative to the other.

Three dimensional color display and system

An optically activated keyboard provides inputs to a digital computer or the like. The keyboard includes a key housing having formed therein a wave guide matrix of intersecting columns and rows with light emitting diodes (LED's) installed in one end of each column and photo transistors installed in one end of each row. A plurality of keys are mounted at the top surface of the housing, each key having a plunger which projects through a corresponding aperture in the housing, when the key is depressed. The intersections of the columns and rows are located directly beneath the apertures so that when a key is depressed, its plunger intrudes into the volume at the intersection. Each plunger, in concert with the wave guide intersection, forms a light polarizing system. In the preferred embodiment, each plunger has a reflecting face that is angled to reflect light from the LED in the corresponding column into the corresponding row, finally impinging against the appropriate photo transistor. In this preferred embodiment, when the button is fully depressed, the plunger provides space between the bottom of the plunger and the bottom of the wave guide so that light traveling in the column or row is permitted to pass and thereby to detect any other keys that have been depressed in the particular column or row.

Optically activated keyboard for digital system

An improved recording cartridge contains a flexible magnetic recording disc. The lower interior major surface of the cartridge provides a smoothing plane for the flexible magnetic recording disc positioned inside the cartridge to allow the disc to rise slightly above the lower interior major surface on a cushion of air while the disc is in rotation. To enhance the stability of the disc and to make the disc conform more readily to the shape of the magnetic head transducer, the lower interior major surface includes a raised portion thereon. This raised portion gives the disc added rigidity and prevents it from flying away from the head during head penetrations and horizontal movement. The remainder of the smoothing plane surface is relatively flat, thereby permitting a thin cartridge configuration to be used.

Growing community of inventors

Round Rock, TX, United States of America

Felix Garcia, Jr