Melvin K Thomas

US Patent:

20040017189, Jan 29, 2004

Filed:

Jul 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/207313

Inventors:

Thomas Gyoergy - Clarkston MI, US
Paschal Romano - Fenton MI, US
Joyce Carsey - Swartz Creek MI, US
Thomas Newman - Flint MI, US
Melvin Thomas - Flushing MI, US

International Classification:

G01B007/30
G06F015/00
G01B007/14

US Classification:

324/207220, 324/207200, 324/207210, 702/150000

Abstract:

A method for indirectly sensing absolute position of a mechanical output device of an electromechanical (EM) system is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes detecting the location of a reference point established within a defined range of travel of the mechanical output device, and tracking a relative position of the mechanical output device through the movement of an electromotive actuator within the EM system. The absolute position of the mechanical output device is determined by comparison of the tracked relative position of the mechanical output device to the established reference point.

US Patent:

51374501, Aug 11, 1992

Filed:

Nov 5, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/609295

Inventors:

Melvin L. Thomas - Phoenix AZ

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretry of the Air
Force - Washington DC

International Classification:

G09B 908
G09B 1916

US Classification:

434 44

Abstract:

A wrap-around display system for presenting out-the-window visual imagery in a flight simulator is disclosed. Eight identically pentagon-shaped translucent rear-projection screens are joined together at their edges to form a partial dodecahedron. Each video projector is mounted outside the partial dodecahedron to direct, through a mounted mirror-folded beam path, an appropriate simulator image to the rear of a pentagon screen. A simulator pilot views the simulated image from inside the partial dodecahedron. Also disclosed is an apparatus for switching eight video signals among six video channels by monitoring simulator head movement to switch video signals to the screen, or window, then being viewed. Further disclosed is an apparatus for providing geometrically correct separate images to two simulator crewmembers. Each field of an interlaced raster display is a display for a separate crewmember design eye-point.

US Patent:

53205340, Jun 14, 1994

Filed:

Aug 10, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/927574

Inventors:

Melvin L. Thomas - Phoenix AZ

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air
Force - Wright-Patterson Air Force Base OH

International Classification:

G09B 908
G09B 1916

US Classification:

434 44

Abstract:

The Display for Advanced Research and Training (DART), a wrap-around display system for presenting out-the-window visual imagery in a flight simulator, is substantially improved by adding a helmet mounted display of modest field-of-view that displays only an area-of-interest view (HMAoI) The HMAoI display displays a modest field-of-view, high resolution image, according to the head position of a simulator pilot as determined by a helmet mounted position indicator, that replaces the lower resolution view provided by the DART for the same image. The corresponding DART image is not displayed to prevent displaying a confusing view. The remaining DART display provides a peripheral view for a simulator pilot. The imagery provided through the HMAoI may be a two part image comprising a very high resolution central image surrounded by a lower, but still higher than the DART, resolution image.