US3836812A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Display of digitally stored image on a spherical viewing surface
Assignee: Singer Co
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Filing: 1973-01-22
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1993-01-22
Abstract
Abstract In response to timing signals, a first read-only memory provides elevation signals to a display having a spherical viewing surface. The timing signals and the output of the first read only memory are additionally provided to a second and a third read only memory which respectively provide azimuth signals to the display and input signals to a digital image generator. In response to the elevation and azimuth signals, a beam provides a raster of great circles on the viewing surface. The timing signals are additionally provided to the digital image generator which provides to the display a representation of a stored image which is viewed in a desired perspective from an eyepoint.
Inventors
- 👤 W Bennett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:32
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G1/00; G09G1/04; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/04; G01S7/06; G01S7/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
Apparatus for displaying a stored digital image on a spherical viewing surface, wherein stored image points of said image are represented as if located within a planar image surface tangent to said spherical viewing surface, comprising: timing means for providing pulse output signals at a constant rate; first memory means connected to said timing means and responsive to said pulse output signals for providing a deflection control signal; deflection means responsive to said deflection control signal for deflecting an energy beam such that display points on said spherical viewing surface are scanned at a constant rate; second memory means responsive to said deflection control signal for providing an image point control signal representative of the location of an image point within said planar image surface intersected by a line of sight from a selected view point, said line of sight simultaneously intersecting a corresponding display point on said spherical viewing surface which is representative of the posItion to which said energy beam has been deflected; and digital means responsive to said image point control signal for providing information concerning said image to said energy beam such that said display points on said spherical viewing surface display said information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
Apparatus for displaying a stored digital image on a spherical viewing surface, wherein stored image points of said image are represented as if located within a planar image surface tangent to said spherical viewing surface, comprising: timing means for providing pulse output signals at a constant rate; first memory means connected to said timing means and responsive to said pulse output signals for providing a deflection control signal; deflection means responsive to said deflection control signal for deflecting an energy beam such that display points on said spherical viewing surface are scanned at a constant rate; second memory means responsive to said deflection control signal for providing an image point control signal representative of the location of an image point within said planar image surface intersected by a line of sight from a selected view point, said line of sight simultaneously intersecting a corresponding display point on said spherical viewing surface which is representative of the posItion to which said energy beam has been deflected; and digital means responsive to said image point control signal for providing information concerning said image to said energy beam such that said display points on said spherical viewing surface display said information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
117 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said timing means provide a first pulse output signal at a constant rate and a second pulse output signal having pulses which occur at a selected multiple of the pulses of said first pulse output signal and wherein said first memory means comprises: elevation memory means responsive to said second pulse output signal for providing an elevation deflection control signal having an amplitude, phi , which varies in accordance with a first selected relationship; and azimuth memory means responsive to said elevation deflection control signal and said first pulse output signal for providing an azimuth deflection signal having an amplitude, Alpha , which varies in accordance with a second selected relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein a great circle of said spherical viewing surface lies in an equatorial plane which passes through the point at which said planar image surface is tangent to said spherical viewing surface; said stored image points are further represented as lying along an image line within said planar surface and parallel to said equatorial plane; said first selected relationship is given as phi tan y/r where y is the displacement of said image line from said equatorial plane, and r is the radius of said spherical viewing surface; and said second selected relationship is given as Alpha arc tan tan (s/r)/cos phi where s is the displacement along said great circle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said digital means are additionally responsive to said second pulse output signal; said second memory means are responsive to said elevation deflection control signal and said first pulse output signal; and said image point control signal is representative of the displacement of said image point from said tangent point along an image line, said image point displacement, x, varying according to the relationship x r(tan (s/r)/cos phi ).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said elevation memory means comprises a read only memory.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said azimuth memory means comprises a read only memory.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said timing means comprise: a source of timing signals provided at a substantially constant rate; and a pair of timing signal counters connected to said timing source one of said counters providing said first pulse output signal and the other one of said counters providing said second pulse output signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said second memory means comprises a read only memory.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |