US 4,384,338 A · Methods and apparatus for blending computer image generated features

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for determining dynamically a blending ratio for blending features in a computer image generated scene are disclosed. The invention is for use with a computer image generation system which provides a dynamic scene as viewed by the pilot of an aircraft simulator. Such a computer image generator system includes a main data base (62) which contains information representing features of the scene to be presented, a display means (76) and a main computational unit (74) for generating the dynamic visual scene. Apparatus of the present invention includes a control data base (78) which contains selected information related to selected features contained within main data base (62). The selected information contained in control data base (78) includes the spatial coordinates of a control point of the selected feature, and the range at which the feature should be included. Also included in computational unit (74) is a means for determining the location of the central point on a theoretical image plane (61). Means such as CRT (92) which has a pie shaped cut out (98) works in conjunction with a light detector (100) and A/D convertor (106) to determine a proper blending ratio signal. This blending ratio signal is then provided to computational unit (74) to provide the blending of a new feature into the dynamic visual scene. Alternately, a read only memory (ROM) (108) could be used to replace CRT (92), photo detector (100) and A/D convertor (106).

Claims8

Dependent claims

In a computer image generation system for providing a dynamic scene as viewed from an eye point of a viewer, and which system includes a main data base containing information representing features of the presented scene, a display means, and a main computational unit for generating said scenes, apparatus for determining the ratio of blending for new features into the total scene comprising:

a control data base containing selected information related to selected features contained within said main data base, said selected information including the spatial coordinates of a selected control point related to a selected feature and the range at which said selected feature is to be first included in said dyanamic visual scene;
a control unit for determining when said selected control point is within a selected range at which said feature should be included;
means for receiving data representative of said selected control point from said control data base and for determining the location of said selected control point on a theoretical image plane above said viewer's eye point;
means for determining a blending ratio for said selected feature according to the position of said selected control point on said image plane with respect to a selected eye point above said viewer's eye point;
and
means for providing a signal representative of said determination to said main computational unit such that said feature may be blended into said dyanamic scene.

3 more elements

In a process for generating and displaying by means of a computer image generation system, a dynamic visual scene to be viewed from an eye point of a viewer, an improved process for determining the ratio for blending new features into a total scene, comprising the steps of:

providing a control data base containing selected information relating to selected features of said dynamic scene, said information including the spatial coordinates of a selected control point for each selected feature and the range at which said selected feature related to said control point is to be included in said dynamic visual scene,
determining when said selected control point is within the range for which it is to be included;
receiving data representative of said control point from said control data base and determining the location of said selected control point on a theoretical image plane above said viewers eye point;
determining a blending ratio for said selected feature according to the location of said selected control point on said theoretical image plane with respect to a selected eye point above said viewer's eye point;
and
providing a signal representative of said determination to said computer image generation system such that said feature may be blended into said dynamic scene.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and apparatus for blending computer image generated features

Life of this patent

Methods and apparatus for blending computer image generated features

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8