Honeywell G.m.b.h.

Honeywell International Inc.

John F Dawson

James A Cousens

Mitch Fletcher

Thom Kreider

Douglas E Thorpe

Douglas A Fischer

Eldon John Thompson

Thomas D Snodgrass

Edward W Ronish

Glenn M Courtright

Marie A Stoffer

Julee Clelland

Joseph W Bednarski

Devices systems and methods are provided for providing a deterministic remote interface unit (RIU) based on a finite state machine. The RIU emulator uses a sequence controller that is configured to receive a synchronization input and to execute a fixed list of unconditional commands in an invariable order of execution based solely upon the synchronization input. The RIU emulator also uses pre-defined or pre-certified data structures that are specific to one or more interface devices to successfully execute the at least one unconditional command of the plurality when encountered in the invariable order. As such, peripheral devices may be added, removed or updated without recertification by merely inserting pre-certified data structures into memory or deleting them.

Deterministic remote interface unit emulator

An apparatus for generating three dimensional graphic symbols. Each symbol includes a plurality of polygons referenced to a datum point in a cartesian coordinate system, for example, having X, Y and Z axes. Apparatus for storing a vertex list is included. The vertex list characterizes each symbol and includes a starting address and a plurality of vertices, wherein each vertex is comprised of X, Y, and Z offsets from the datum point. In one embodiment, each vertex has a surface normal assigned to it. Connected to the vertex storing apparatus is an apparatus for registering an icon ID reference numeral to each symbol. An apparatus for mapping to the starting address is further connected to an output of the registering apparatus. The mapping apparatus uses the icon ID reference numeral to point to each symbol's starting address. Apparatus for transforming the vertex list into a different coordinate system is arranged to receive the vertex list from the vertex storing apparatus. Apparatus for tiling each symbol is arranged to receive the transformed vertex list from the transforming apparatus and tiles the symbol in accordance with a connectivity map.

Three dimensional computer graphic symbol generator

A method and apparatus for providing a texture mapped perspective view for digital map systems. The system includes apparatus for storing elevation data, apparatus for storing texture data, apparatus for scanning a projected view volume from the elevation data storing apparatus, apparatus for processing, apparatus for generating a plurality of planar polygons and apparatus for rendering images. The processing apparatus further includes apparatus for receiving the scanned projected view volume from the scanning apparatus, transforming the scanned projected view volume from object space to screen space, and computing surface normals at each vertex of each polygon so as to modulate texture space pixel intensity. The generating apparatus generates the plurality of planar polygons from the transformed vertices and supplies them to the rendering apparatus which then shades each of the planar polygons. In one alternate embodiment of the invention, the polygons are shaded by apparatus of the rendering apparatus assigning one color across the surface of each polygon. In yet another alternate embodiment of the invention, the rendering apparatus interpolates the intensities between the vertices of each polygon in a linear fashion as in Gouraud shading.

Method and apparatus for generating a texture mapped perspective view

A bus interface controller for use in a digital information system. The bus interface comprises more than four bi-directional data channels which are multiplexed so as to accomplish switching of data from any channel to any or all of the remaining channels. The device is preferably embedded in a substate comprising gallium arsenide material and operates at a frequency of at least 25 MHz.

Bus interface controller for computer graphics

A method for storage and retrieval of digital map data representative of a tessellated sphere including five zones. Firstly, the number of tessellations for each zone is defined. Secondly, the range of each zone is defined. Next, the radius of the sphere is defined. A sphereical data base is then created by warping the digital map data into the spherical data base by latitude and longitude. Finally, data from the spherical data base is retrieved and the data may be displayed on a cathode ray tube (CRT) display or a flat panel liquid crystal display.

Method of storage and retrieval of digital map data based upon a

An apparatus for reading a first addressable memory and writing into a second addressable memory wherein the first addressable memory is logically arranged in a rectangular matrix and is scanned at an arbitrary angle with respect to the matrix for producing a plurality of scan patterns whose parameters can be altered and controlled by an external source, while the second addressable memory, also arranged in a rectangular matrix, is written into along parallel rows and columns. The apparatus is particularly adapted for use with a digital map display system having an airborne computer for generation the scan parameters.

Address generator with variable scan patterns

A digital mapping display system for an aircraft wherein map data from a mass memory unit is periodically loaded into RAM in the form of a cache memory in accordance with the aircraft trajectory. The cache memory is randomly addressable within the physical address space of a control processor, individual segments of the cache memory being loaded with map data and updated while other segments are being displayed, thereby avoiding the inherent delay of accessing the mass memory unit and addressing the entire RAM array. Parallel processing of map data and symbology facilitate a real-time display.

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Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

John F Dawson