US3694558A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Navigation light simulator
Assignee: Singer Co
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Filing: 1971-04-14
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Granted: 1972-09-26
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Expires: 1991-04-14
Abstract
Abstract A navigation light simulator, for use in a ship''s bridge simulator, in which a spot is scanned across the screen and the light selectively directed to observers on the bridge along lines of sight to the simulated lights is shown. In one embodiment a plurality of shutters placed between the screen and the observers are used to expose the spot when along the proper lines, and in a second embodiment the screen comprises a plurality of rotatable mirrors to direct the spot along the proper lines of sight as the spot scans.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Eisenberg
- 👤 George R Quick
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:15
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B9/00; G09B9/02; G09B9/06; G09B9/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
In a shipboard navigation simulator wherein it is required to simulate, to observers on a simulated bridge, a navigation light of a predetermined range and bearing from the center of the simulated bridge, and wherein, due to the width of the bridge, the light being simulated should appear along a different bearing line from each point across the width of the simulated bridge, apparatus to cause the simulated light to appear along the proper bearing line from each point across the simulated bridge, said apparatus comprising: a. a circular viewing surface arranged in front of the simulated bridge and covering a major portion of the field of view of observers on said simulated bridge; b. a spot projector located at the center of the circle of said viewing surface, said projector including scanning means capable of scanning a spot of light across said viewing surface; c. means operative on said scanning means to cause said scanning means to periodically and repeatedly scan across said viewing surface; d. means synchronized with said scanning means and responsive to inputs representing the range and bearing from the center of said simulated bridge to the navigation light being simulated to cause the reflection of said scanning spot to be visible from each point on said simulated bridge only when the proper bearing line from that point intersects the spot on the viewing surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
In a shipboard navigation simulator wherein it is required to simulate, to observers on a simulated bridge, a navigation light of a predetermined range and bearing from the center of the simulated bridge, and wherein, due to the width of the bridge, the light being simulated should appear along a different bearing line from each point across the width of the simulated bridge, apparatus to cause the simulated light to appear along the proper bearing line from each point across the simulated bridge, said apparatus comprising: a. a circular viewing surface arranged in front of the simulated bridge and covering a major portion of the field of view of observers on said simulated bridge; b. a spot projector located at the center of the circle of said viewing surface, said projector including scanning means capable of scanning a spot of light across said viewing surface; c. means operative on said scanning means to cause said scanning means to periodically and repeatedly scan across said viewing surface; d. means synchronized with said scanning means and responsive to inputs representing the range and bearing from the center of said simulated bridge to the navigation light being simulated to cause the reflection of said scanning spot to be visible from each point on said simulated bridge only when the proper bearing line from that point intersects the spot on the viewing surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
188 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said viewing surface is a front projection screen and said latter means comprise: a. a plurality of shutters interposed between said screen and said bridge, each shutter being controlled to open when the line of sight from any point on said simulated bridge passing through said shutter will intersect said scanning spot along said proper bearing line; b. computing means having as inputs the angular position of the scanning spot, the range and bearing of the simulated navigation light, the screen radius, and the bridge to shutter line distance and providing an output which is the linear distance from the center line of said plurality of shutters to a shutter the opening of which will provide said line of sight; and c. a plurality of comparing and driving means, one for each shutter, having said computer output as an input and arranged to compare said input with a stored value representing the position of its associated shutter with respect to the said center line and to provide an output to open said shutter when said input and stored values are equal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
The invention according to claim 2 wherein more than one navigation light is simulated, said computer has as inputs the ranges and bearings of each light simulated, said computer having an output for each light to be simulated and further including an additional plurality of said comparing means for each of said outputs and a plurality of Or gates, one of each shutter, having their outputs connected to corresponding ones of each of said plurality of driving means and having as inputs the outputs from corresponding ones of said pluralities of comparing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention according to claim 1 wherein said viewing surface comprises a plurality of individually rotatable mirrors and said synchronized means comprises means to cause said mirrors to rotate as said spot scans across the viewing surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein said means to rotate said mirrors comprises; a. a computer having as inputs the scan angle psi , the navigation light bearing delta and range R, and the radius of the screen r, and having an output which is the required mirror rotation to simulate said navigation light when said scan is at said angle psi ; and b. a servo having said computer output as an input and arranged to drive said mirrors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
The invention according to claim 4 wherein said means to rotate said mirrors comprises: a. a motor arranged to continually drive said mirrors between two limits; b. means to sense the position of said mirrors; c. computer means having said sensed position, the range and bearing of the navigation light to be simulated, and the screen radius as inputs and providing an output to said spot light source representing the required position of the scanning light for said sensed position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |