Method and apparatus for electronic generation and reproduction of perspective environmental images

摘要

1389861 Driving simulators AGENCY OF INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 21 July 1972 [22 July 1971 (2) 22 Nov 1971] 34348/72 Heading B7H [Also in Division H4] Patterns (e.g. environmented patterns) having a predetermined colour distribution are produced on the screen of a colour display cathoderay tube (e.g. a TV Monitor) under the control of analogue electrical signals representative of mathematical functions of the geometrical shapes which form such patterns. The invention is described in connection with a simulator which presents a display of the changing environmental pattern presented to the driver of a motor vehicle but is applicable also to aeroplanes, trains and ships. Fig. 1, shows one form of pattern which comprises a (blue) sky part 1, a (grey) road part 2, (green) areas 3, and (white) guard rails 4 and supporting posts 5, the pattern being produced on the (CRT) screen S, see Fig. 2 (which shows a plan view of the pattern) and Fig. 3 (which shows the pattern in elevation), in relation to the viewing position P on the vehicle. From the constructions shown, equations are derived in terms of the X and Y co-ordinates of the various areas and elements of the pattern as modified by the variables D (lateral deviation) and the velocity V (a time function of the distance b of the past 5 nearest to screen S) and by means of circuitry supplied with analogue voltages corresponding to the fixed variable parameters and with ramp voltages derived from the X and Y synchronizing signals of the display system gating voltages are derived which gate appropriate colour producing signals to a colour signal modulator controlling the display (see Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8). The display may be controllably varied when the "road" is curved instead of straight (Figs. 4A and 4B, neither shown) and to compensate for changes in attitude of the vehicle such as roll, pitch and yaw (Figs. 9A, 9B and 9C respectively, none shown). Other patterns which may be produced comprise "tunnels" (Figs. 11A, 11B and 11C, none shown) "cut-through" road pattern (Figs. 16A and 16B neither shown) and entrance and exit "ramps" (Figs. 18A, 18B, 19A and 19B, none shown). Fig. 20, shows a further arrangement in which the same technique is employed to produce a display simulating the view of the rearward environmental pattern which would be seen in a "mirror" 59SP1/SP and Fig. 21 shows the arrangement of the whole simulator system including a steering wheel 67 accelerator pedal 68 and brake pedal 69 under the control of which variable analogue signals representative of the velocity V and the lateral deriation D of the vehicle are derived and supplied to the simulating circuit 76. The arrangement for deriving the signals representative of V and of D is described with reference to Fig. 22 (not shown).