Hughes Training, Inc.

Hughes Aircraft Company

Kenneth R Brooke

Jerry M Loban

Albert F Harvard

An interactive system that employs moving vehicles in which participants ride and from which they engage computer-generated pop-up and prepositioned simulated targets using simulated weapons. The vehicle carries the participants a predetermined distance using a track or trough-guidance mechanism through a covered and darkened path as they engage the simulated targets. Each participant operates independently of the others and engages targets that are displayed during travel along the track. The participants occupy seats having safety restraints, and operate a fixed, swivel-based simulated weapon and sight it to fixed targets having predetermined locations and to the targets generated by a computer in accordance with a preselected scenario. Each vehicle has a transponder that provides continual broadcasts of location and game data. This coordinated data specifically locates a moving eyepoint so that the portrayed scenes can be made geometrically correct. This also gives the illusion of 3-D depth through perspective and parallax effects.

Multiple participant moving vehicle shooting gallery

An image generation system (50) for generating three independent monochromatic images, using three monochromatic CRT projectors (56, 58, 60). An image generator (52) produces synchronized video signals representing the images, which drive the projectors. The image generator (52) is similar to a conventional image generator for a full color, single channel system, except that the red, green and blue color components are used to define separate monochromatic images which can overlap and still be fully rendered.

Target image rendering with color transparencies

An inexpensive surround display system. In most general terms, the invention (10) includes a projector arrangement (12, 14, 16) for providing at least one beam of energy representative of an image. A beamsplitter arrangement (18, 20, 22) splits the beam into a first beam and a second beam. A screen (24) is provided for displaying a first image in response to the first beam and for displaying a second image in response to the second beam. More particularly, the method of the invention may be described as: a) determining a viewing angle of a viewer; b) determining whether an image or the mirror image thereof should be projected within the field-of-view of the viewer based on the viewing angle of the viewer; c) providing first, second and third beams of energy representative of a first, second and third images or the mirror images thereof based on step b); d) splitting the first beam to provide a first image and a diametrically opposed second image; e) splitting the second beam to provide a third image and a diametrically opposed fourth image; f) splitting the third beam to provide a fifth image and a diametrically opposed sixth image; and g) simultaneously displaying the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth images.

Split static surround display system

A visual simulation system (10') and method for digital computer graphics processing is described whereby the system (10') reduces the undesirable effects of aliasing on the digital computer images (59) rendered in the simulation. Real-Time Pixel Mixing (RTPM) is accomplished by processing each pixel (P.sub.f) of a digital computer foreground image (60, 62) generated in real-time with the corresponding pixel (P.sub.b) of a previously generated background image (64). The effect of the processing is to overlay the foreground image (60, 62) on the background image (64) and cause the pixels on the periphery of each object rendered in the foreground image (60, 62) to be color blended with the corresponding pixels of the background image (64) in such a manner as to 'soften' the transition between the foreground (60, 62) and background (64) images. This results in a display image (59) having a detailed background with a sharp foreground and a smooth transition between the two which achieves the visual result desired by the visual simulation system (10').

Real-time digital computer graphics processing method and apparatus

A video display system provides low cost, rapid processing for a high volume of participants through an interactive video system. The system includes a darkened serpentine tunnel constructed of flat faceted rear projection screens, formed as series of multi-screen sections. Video imagery is projected onto the screens from video projectors using reflecting mirrors on the back sides of the screens. The screens are mated together to form the complete tunnel. Participants travel through the darkened tunnel riding in guided vehicles. As each vehicle progresses through the tunnel, the projection screens currently surrounding the vehicle are illuminated, together with the preceding and succeeding screen sections. As the vehicle transitions from the current section to the forward section, the rearward section is extinguished and the next forward section illuminated. The image intensity of the forward section is gradually increased as the vehicle approaches, by virtue of the gain characteristics of the projection screen, thus making the transition nearly undetectable.

Tunnel vision video display system

A multi-facetted dome imaging system (10) utilizes rear projection imaging techniques to present a moving or still image to each screen facet (12). The trapezoidal facets (12) are arranged with a series of lower facets (16), upper facets (18), and a top facet (20) generally forming a dome (11). Each facet (12) has a projector (30) disposed at its rear to project the image. Visibility of facet joints is minimized by joining the facets (12) by a pair of transparent stiffeners (42, 44) which hold the mating portions of the screen facets (12). The stiffeners (42, 44) are suspended by springs (48), which are held by a support structure (50).

Growing community of inventors

Arlington, TX, United States of America

Kenneth R Brooke