GB2042784A

GB2042784A - Three-dimensional data displays

Info

Publication number: GB2042784A
Application number: GB7900618A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-01-08
Filing date: 1979-01-08
Publication date: 1980-09-24

Abstract

A stack of transparent planar spaced or abutting data sheets has at least one selectively positioned visible datum element on each sheet whereby said datum elements co- operate with one another to define a data display in a three-dimensional configuration. The data sheets may be housed in a cubical frame structure and may be supported, spaced apart from one another, by separators. Intersecting electrical conductors having illuminable indica means at their interconnections, the conductors being connected to suitable energizing means, may be employed to provide an illuminated display. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A device for providing a data display in a threedimensional configuration The present invention relates to devices for providing a data display in a three-dimensional configuration. More particularly, the invention relates to devices wherein one coordinate axis is defined by a plurality of parallel transparent sheets.

In the mathematical arts, in physics, in engineering, and in most other fields dealing with quantifiable information, one of the main problems in dealing with such information is the manner of presentation for examination or study. Most such information is inherently three-dimensional and the visualization of complex surfaces in three dimensions is difficult for the human mind. In particular, the interrelationship of such surfaces, such as the planes of intersection between two three-dimensional bodies, may be impossible to visualize without graphical representation, and are poorly represented in the conventional twodimensional projections to which a graph paper, blackboards, etc., constrain such representations.

Particular needs for three-dimensional displays exist in the teaching of three-dimensional geometry and like subjects, in topography, and in the manipulation of data involving the relative locations of a plurality of moving and stationary objects in a three-dimensional environment, such as in air traffic control and in naval submarine operations.

The present invention seeks to provide a device for providing a data display in a three-dimensional configuration which provides a viewer with a clear representation of the information to be displayed.

The present invention also seeks to provide a three-dimensional display in which the object or objects to be represented are drawn on transparent planar media in two dimensions and the two-dimensional sections are subsequentiy assembled into a three-dimensional structure in which the spacing of the planar media from one another corresponds to the sectioning plane of the two-dimensional representation it bears.

The present invention, in a subsidiary aspect, seeks to provide a display device comprising transparent sheets marked with a grid representing the coordinate system in which the information is to be presented.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the present invention seeks to provide a permanent threedimensional display device which comprises suitably spaced apart transparent parallel sheets, wherein a coordinate grid system is established by means of electrical conductors, light-emitting means being provided at the intersections of the coordinate grid, so that energizing any arbitrary pair of conductors will result in the emission of light from the light-emitting means at their intersection.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the present invention seeks to provide a three-dimensional display in which transparent data sheets bearing the displayed information are retained in a frame forming a rectangular parallelepiped.

According to the present invention, there is provided a device for providing a data display in a three-dimensional configuration comprising a plurality of transparent planar data sheets in a superposed relationship, the sheets extending parallel to another and being in spaced-apart or abutting relationship with one another, each sheet having at least one selectively positioned visible datum element thereon whereby said datum elements on said sheets co-operate with one another to define a data display in a threedimensional configuration.

The planar, transparent sheets, commonly made of a plastics material of glassy composition, may be retained in a skeletal frame forming a rectangular parallelepiped. The transparent sheets referred to above are aligned parallel to one another and generally, but not necessarily, parallel to one face of the frame. The spacing of the sheets may be uniform, or it may vary to represent a logarithmic coordinate axis or some other nonuniform spatial distribution appropriate to the information to be represented thereon.

Each of the transparent sheets is designated to conform to a sectional plane of the threedimensional object, mathematical function, or topographical surface to be displayed, and the contours corresponding to that sectional plane are marked thereon. The marking may be undertaken manually, using drafting instruments, drafting machines, or other aids.

In one embodiment, the device additionally comprises a first plurality of electrical conductors on each said data sheet and extending thereacross in a first direction, a second plurality of electrical conductors extending across each said data sheet in a second direction so that said first plurality of conductors intersect said second plurality of conductors illuminable indicia means interconnecting a respective one of said first ,plurality of conductors and a respective one of said second plurality of conductors at each said intersection and electrical signal means for selectively energizing one more more first conductors and one or more second conductors on each data sheet to illuminate one or more illuminable indicia means which, in use, defines an illuminated data display in three-dimensions. In such a case, the indications may be generated in a computing device.In the simplest form of the practice of the invention, each contour on a given sheet may be represented by a series of dots.

When assembled into a frame or, in the simplest case, when the data sheets are simply stacked one upon the other, the contour lines and/or dots representing the contour lines, merge to form a visual outline of the object or function, readily viewed from any arbitrary vantage point and readily scaled in terms of the coordinate system represented by the frame and/or marked out on the sheets.

Where the three-dimensionai display is to be used for general visualization of mathematical formulae and other purposes where exact dimensional information is not to be derived from the display, a simple frame may be constructed in which equally spaced transparent sheets represent sections in the x-y planes of cartesian coordinate system. If the frame is made square in section corresponding to the inserted sheets, threads or wires stretched across the corners may be used to define the x and y axes, and may also be used to support the transparent sheets.

Where the information to be displayed is very complex, or is changing with a fourth dimension, such as time, the electrical embodiment may be utilised. The coordinate system on each of the transparent sheets is replaced with electrical conductors affixed to the sheets, as by plating, representing either an x, y rectangular coordinate system or a polar coordinate system with concentric circles and radial lines, and a lightemitting device or means is installed at each intersection of the coordinate grid. Light may be generated by miniature bulbs, by electroluminescent phosphors, by light-emitting diodes, or other means. Power to the grid is supplied by a switching system which may be controlled by a computer or other signal processing apparatus.

In some embodiments of the invention, provision may be made for the reception of two or more transparent sheets at each elevation of the frame, so that a plurality of three-dimensional outlines may be generated simultaneously without the requirement that all such contours be drawn on the same sheet.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a threedimensional display device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial transverse sectional view, taken along section line 2-2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a display device incorporating a spaced array of flat, transparent plates upon which the appropriate outlines of the image to be displayed are marked; Figure 4 is a frameiess embodiment of a threedimensional display device in accordance with the present invention, incorporating an array of stacked plastic plates whose thickness defines the resolution of the displayed image along one coordinate axis;; Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of a further display device in accordance with the present invention, in which electrical conductors are utilized to form a coordinate grid on the surface of planar, transparent, non-conducting plates in the array, the conductors being separated at each node by a conductive, light-emitting substance; Figure 6 is a partly schematic view of a three dimensional display similar in construction to the embodiment of Figure 5, employed as an aid in air traffic control; Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6, showing a device providing visualization of the relative locations and motions of surface ships and submarines; Figure 8 is a view similar to that of Figure 6, showing a device for visualizing three dimensional images of mathematical surfaces;; Figure 9 is a top view of the device of Figure 6, indicating the manner in which time-based information on the track of an aircraft may be presented; Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the device of Figure 7, showing horizontally aligned transparent sheets; Figure 11 shows an alternative form of the device of Figure 7, utilizing plates stacked in a vertically aligned array; Figure 1 2 is a side elevational view of the array of Figure 11;and Figure 13 is a schematic representation of a device of the invention in which the array of display planes is oriented at an angle to the vertical.

The perspective view of Figure 1 shows a threedimensional display 10, constructed in accordance with the teaching of the invention, comprising a cubical frame 12 and a plurality of transparent display sheets 20 supported upon crosswires 30.

The frame 12 is defined by four rigid elongated vertical rods 14 and twelve horizontal bars 1 6 affixed in the vertical rods.

The vertical rods 14 are perforated at uniform intervals and the cross-wires 30 pass through these perforations and are secured tautly to rods 14 at opposing edges of the frame 1 The crosswires 30 thus form diagonals across the spaced defined by the frame 12, intersecting in the center and being spaced uniformly along a vertical axis passing through these intersections and parallel to the vertical rods 14.

Figure 2 is a partial, transverse section through the structure of frame 12, showing a typical vertical rod 14 and cross-wires 30 extending therefrom. Transparent display sheets 20 are placed upon each pair of cross-wires. The sheets are rigid or semi-rigid and are preferably made from a vitreous or plastic composition whose surface properties permit the ready placement of indicia 22 thereon, arid the subsequent removal of same.

The indicia 22 are opaque and may be formed by glueing tabs of a suitable material upon the surface of the display sheets 20, or may represent dots, lines, arcs or distinctive markers drawn or painted on the display sheets. The uniform spacing of the display sheets, corresponding to the spacing of the cross-wires 30, defines one coordinate axis of the three-dimensional display; the other two axes are preferably defined by the cross-wires 30 themselves.

The indicia 22 are placed, drawn, or painted onto the display sheets 20 according to a predefined pattern representing the coordinates of the information to be displayed prior to assembly into the frame 12. When all the sheets 20 required to define the three-dimensional information are so marked and assembled into the display structure 1 0, the image of the information becomes a readily visualized and manipulated outline.

The display, typically of a three-dimensional geometric structure, is readily viewed from any arbitrary angle, and sections thereof may be readily scaled along any arbitrary line, whether or not coincident with one of the coordinate axes.

Where the intersection of two or more of such figures, surfaces, or lines is to be visualized with the aid of the display device 10, the appropriate intercepts with the several display sheets 20 may be mapped onto the same sheets using differential coloring, different markers, or interrupted lines of differing construction, so that several components of the display may be readily distinguished, It is also possible to map the information representing different component figures onto different sets of display sheets 20, and to assemble these in close contact at each of the appropriate levels of the display, so that two or more display sheets 20 are supported on each pair of cross-wires 30.In this latter use, the thickness of the display sheets 20 must be allowed for in defining the coordinates of the markings and the sheets assembled in proper order to permit accurate scaling of the resulting composite display.

The partial perspective view of Figure 3 shows an alternate construction of the display sheet array, comprised of a plurality of transparent display sheets 21. These sheets are maintained in parallel, superposed alignment by support means corresponding to the cross-wires 30 of the display 10 in Figure 1. These support means may take many forms, typically slots or guides in the vertical rods 14 of the frame 12, or its equivalent, but where cross-wires are used they are made from a transparent material such as nylon string, since the grid system of the display incorporating the sheets 21 is marked onto, or etched into, the surface of the display sheets. Typically, the grid in the planes parallel to the alignment of the display sheets 21 is represented by a set of rectangular grid lines 32, although a radial (polar) coordinate grid may also be used.

Indicia 24, 26 and 28 are shown on the surfaces of three adjoining display sheets 21 in Figure 3, and form part of the three-dimensional figure which is to be visualized with the aid of the array of display sheets 21.

The perspective view of Figure 4 shows a three dimensional display 14 constructed without a frame by stacking a plurality of display sheets 23 directly one upon another. The display sheets 23 are made with a thickness corresponding to the desired grid definition along the vertical axis and the appropriate intercepts and coordinates of the information to be displayed are marked or painted upon their surfaces, In Figure 4 the display comprises the outline 34 of an inverted pyramid, defined by its intercepts on the interfaces between the stacked display sheets 23.

The partial perspective view of Figure 5 shows the construction of a three-dimensional display 1 5 with a stacked structure analogous to that of Figure 4, with display sheets 25 in horizontal array with abutting planar surfaces.

The display 1 5 does not rely on indicia marked or painted onto the surfaces of its constituent display sheets 25 to define the information to be displayed. It utilizes, instead, electrically energized active display nodes at preselected coordinate points within the volume of the display 1 5. Each display sheet 25 is subdivided into fields by grid lines 60 and 61, forming orthogonal arrays as typified by lines 60a, 60b, 60c, 61 a, 61 b and 61 c.

The grid lines 60 and 61 are conductors of electrical current, and are connected at their mutual intercepts by conductive display markers 71. Preferably, the markers 71 are spots of electrophorescent material which emit light upon the passage of electric current between the particular conductors 60 and 61 to which they are connected.

In similar embodiments the markers 71 may be formed of miniature incandescent lamps, lightemitting diodes, or other light-producing devices which are responsive to the simultaneous energization of two or three conductors affixed to them. A display is produced when the conductors 60 and 61, corresponding to all the intercepts of the grid which define the shape, or shapes, to be displayed in the plane of one of the display sheets 25, are energized to light up the appropriate intercept markers 71. The same process is performed for each of the display sheets 25 and a three-dimensional image is created within the display volume of the device 1 5.

Figure 6 is a perspective, partly schematic, view of a display device 1 5 employed as an aide in air traffic control. The three-dimensional coordinates of the physical environment, typically of a hill 94 and an airport control tower 93, are fed into a signal conditioning unit 66, and combined with the coordinates of airplanes 91, 92 moving in the vicinity of the airport. The latter information may be typically derived from radar scanning via a suitable computer interface. The signal conditioning unit 66 provides the instantaneous coordinates of all objects, stationary and moving, to the conductors embedded in the display sheets 25 of the display 1 5, so that the relative locations are visually available to the controller. By viewing the information from several angles, the controller can determine the probable paths of the airplanes 91 and 92 relative to each other and to the ground features, information which is not directly available from the conventional two-dimensional displays available to such controllers.

Figure 7 is another view of a three-dimensional display 15, showing the relative positions of a surface ship 95 and two submarines 96, 97. The information may be derived from radar and sonar tracking, or may be generated by a computer for purposes of training or war-game situations.

The similar view of Figure 8 also represents a display module 15, utilized to project the outline of a geometric figure 98 by the energization of the appropriate conductors in the display sheet array within the display module.

Figure 9 is a view of the top of a typical threedimensional display, while Figure 10 is a side view of the stack of display sheets 25.

These Figures show the track of an airplane 99 as they may be presented in two of the possible three two-dimensional views of the display 1 5.

Figures 11 and 12 are analogous to Figures 9 and 10, and show the relative tracks of a submarine and a surface vessel as seen projected on two lateral faces of a display module 16, constructed with an array of display sheets 25 in a vertical alignment.

Figure 1 3 shows yet another embodiment of the invention, incorporating display sheets 28 in an angularly oriented array within the confines of a three-dimensional display device 1 8.

In various of the embodiments hereinbefore described, the display sheets may be immersed in an appropriate liquid to eliminate extraneous reflections from the surfaces of the sheets.

Claims

1. A device for providing a data display in a three-dimensional configuration comprising a plurality of transparent planar data sheets in a superposed relationship, the sheets extending parallel to one another and being spaced-apart or abutting relationship with one another, each sheet having at least one selectively positioned visible datum element thereon whereby said datum elements on said sheets co-operate with one another to define a data display in a threedimensional configuration.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising a cubical frame forming a right parallelepiped.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the cubical frame comprises four vertical posts, a base frame, and a top frame similar to said base frame.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 additionally comprising a plurality of support separators mounted in spaced relation on said posts within said cubical frame for receiving and supporting respective ones of the transparent planar data sheets in a spaced apart relationship with one another.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein each support separator comprises a pair of wires extending between diagonally opposed posts to receive and support said planar data sheets.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 wherein each said support separator comprises one or more slots formed in one or more vertical support members to receive said planar data sheets.

7. A device as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6 wherein said support separators are equidistantly spaced apart from one another.

8. A device as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6 wherein the spacing of said separators from one another is unequal.

9. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each transparent data sheet includes a grid of predetermined dimensions formed thereon.

10. A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9 additionally comprising a first plurality of electrical conductors on each said data sheet and extending thereacross in a first direction, a second plurality of electrical conductors extending across each said data sheet in a second direction so that said first plurality of conductors intersect said second plurality of conductors, illuminable indicia means interconnecting a respective one of said first plurality of conductors and a respective one of said second plurality of conductors at each said intersection, and electrical signal means for selectively energizing one or more first conductors and one or more second conductors on each data sheet to illuminate one or more illuminable indicia means which, in use, defines an illuminated data display in three-dimensions.

11. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said data sheets are spaced-apart from one another, the spacing-apart being such that the datum elements on respective sheets are accessible for physical measurements of the data or configuration displayed.

12. A device for providing a data display in a three-dimensional configuration constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.