Alexander A Reid

US Patent:

6567087, May 20, 2003

Filed:

Mar 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/537165

Inventors:

Alexander A. Reid - Washington MI

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06T 1700

US Classification:

345428, 345619, 703 2

Abstract:

A new method of creating a realistic simulated terrain database results in a database that requires less computer memory for storage than prior simulated terrain databases. The new method generates a simulated surface that provides realistic disturbances to a real-time mathematical model of a vehicle traversing the simulated surface. The simulated surface is also output visually. The method uses fractal Brownian motion to create the high-resolution terrain database in the frequency domain, and then the database is transformed to the spatial domain using a two-dimensional inverse Fast Fourier Transform. Then control points describing a NURBS surface are extracted from the transformed database, and thereafter geometric G continuity is created between surface patches represented by the NURBS control points. The surface patches form a high-resolution surface superimposed on a lower resolution surface produced by the image generator to create a hybrid, high-resolution simulated terrain. The hybrid simulated terrain interacts with the vehicle model to provide a realistic experience to a human driver navigating the vehicle model over the terrain.

US Patent:

50094335, Apr 23, 1991

Filed:

Dec 1, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/444674

Inventors:

Alexander D. Reid - Lake Orion MI

International Classification:

A63B 6502

US Classification:

273419

Abstract:

Disclosed is a dart for aiming at a game board comprising a body portion having a tail portion and spaced therefrom a point portion, the point portion being movable on a line with the horizontal longitudinal axis of the body portion and on a line with the vertical axis of the body so that the point can stick to the board and avoid obstructions on the board. Also described is a dart wherein the body of the dart has a cavity containing a movable ballast capable of moving from the tail portion to the point portion for assisting the adherence of the dart to the game board.