RU2451343C2 - Visual display system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: information technology.

SUBSTANCE: visual display system has an output screen of a sighting device simulator with a linear displacement suspension and a sensor for monitoring its position, which is optically interfaced with two parallel optical systems: a central channel system and a peripheral channel system, as well as a positioning board, capable of linear displacement parallel to the optical axis of the sighting device simulator, a drive, a drive control unit, a digital-to-analogue converter, a defocusing mode simulator, an approach and docking parameter simulator, an image generator control unit, a central channel image generator, a peripheral channel image generator, an optical interfacing device, a video projector, an analogue-to-digital converter, a unit for analysing the position of the output screen of the sighting device simulator, a unit for merging output images of the central and peripheral channel image generators. The positioning board has, on the optical axis of the sighting device simulator and arranged in series, the video projector, the optical interfacing device and translucent screens of the central and peripheral channels, lying in the same plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the sighting device simulator. Outputs of the image generators are connected to the input of the unit for merging images, and the output of the unit for merging images is connected to the input of the video projector.

EFFECT: enabling operating mode simulation for crew being trained to perform operations for focusing an image displayed on the screen of a sighting device simulator at phases of approaching and docking with an orbital station on a danger area with distances from said station of up to 25 metres or less.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of space training equipment, in particular to devices for simulating the external visual situation in the fields of view of the optical sight of the VSK (special space sight), which is part of the on-board means of domestic manned spacecraft, and can be used in space modeling stands and simulators.

Known from the materials of the journal "Aviation and Cosmonautics", 1999, No. 4, pp. 27-28, a visualization system [1] that simulates the external visual environment in the fields of view of the VSK visor (simulator IVO VSK).

It contains a simulator of the VSK visor, which is made in the form of a two-channel projection optical system having a front output observation screen, consisting of a central observation zone that simulates the central observation zone of a regular sight, and eight peripheral observation zones uniformly distributed around the central zone, and imitating peripheral zones of observation of a regular sight.

The image from the entrance lumen of the central channel mounted in the plane of the objects of the optical system of the central channel of the sight is projected onto the central observation zone of the output screen using the optical system of the central channel of the sight.

The image from the eight input transparency screens of the peripheral channel mounted in the plane of the objects of the corresponding optical system of the peripheral channel of the sight is projected onto the peripheral zones of observation of the output screen using eight identical optical systems of the peripheral channel of the visor that are symmetrically positioned relative to the axis of the sight of the sighting channel.

The output screen, optical systems and lumen screens are structurally located in a lightproof cylindrical housing and simulate the inside of the VSC sight.

A projection of the peripheral channel and a video projector of the peripheral channel, which are installed sequentially along the optical axis of the VSK visor simulator, is projected onto the perimeter screens of the peripheral channel of the peripheral channel, a computer image of the external visual environment generated by the image generator of the peripheral channel, the output of which is electrically connected to the input of the peripheral video projector channel, and the input to the modeling computer system.

The visor simulator’s central channel screen is projected using a full reflection mirror that rotates the projection axis 90 degrees, the central channel optical interface device and the central channel video projector, which are installed in series along the optical axis of the VSK visor simulator, and a computer image of the external visual environment formed by the image generator the central channel, the output of which is electrically connected to the input of the video projector of the central channel, and the input - to simulate general computing system.

Video projectors, optical interface devices, a 90-degree rotation axis of the optical axis of the projection, and a cylindrical body, with an output screen, lenses, and translucent screens located in its internal space, are structurally mounted on a single platform and form a simulator of the visual environment of the IVO VSK.

Due to the console mounting of the cylindrical body of the simulator of the sight to the platform, it has the ability to be installed inside the model of the cockpit of the spacecraft in the regular place of the cabin part of the regular sight.

Simulator IVO VSK, when working together with a computer system of a stand that simulates the dynamics of the spacecraft and the orbital station, provides a simulator in sufficient volume to simulate the external visual situation when modeling the orientation of the spacecraft relative to the Earth and the orbital station, as well as convergence and docking with the orbital station, at the same time, the regular work of the VSK visor (the work of its manual controls on the front cabin part) is completely imitated, except for the approach and Hubs with an orbital station from a distance of 25 meters or closer.

In real conditions, in the initial state, the optical system of the central channel of the regular VSK sight is focused on infinity and has fixed parameters. In this case, the output screen of the standard sight, located in the suspension and having the ability to linearly move along the optical axis of the sight, is set by the astronaut manually using the multi-turn control knob located on the front panel of the sight, in the extreme position - entered into the depth of the sight, and corresponding to the focus of the sight VSK on infinity. And when performing the orientation of the X axis of the Soyuz TMA ship and, accordingly, the VSK sight, to the orbital station at the stages of search and rendezvous with it, the image of the orbital station is observed on the visor's front screen clearly (“focused”).

When approaching the orbital station from a distance of 25 m or closer, the image of the orbital station is defocused on the VSC sighting screen, and the astronaut in response to this starts to rotate the multi-turn control knob for the longitudinal movement of the sighting screen and displays the screen from the depth of the sighting device towards itself until it is received on the screen of a clear (sharp) image.

The process of constant manual focusing of the image by moving the output screen goes until the docking.

Performing manual focusing requires a certain amount of professionalism and skills and is very important in real flight, so when training astronauts on the simulator, they need to be trained in this process.

The disadvantage of the known visualization system [1] is eliminated by the visualization system [2] according to patent RU 2325706 C1 of 10.13.2006 (IPC G09B 9/08). It provides an imitation of the operating mode of the trained crew to perform operations of focusing the observed image on the screen of the VSK visor simulator at the stages of approaching and docking with the orbital station in the most critical and dangerous section from distances from it 25 meters or closer.

This result is achieved due to the fact that according to the invention [2], the visualization system comprises an output screen of a visor simulator with a linear displacement suspension and a sensor for controlling its longitudinal position, optically coupled to two parallel optical projection systems, the first of which is a central channel system sequentially installed along the optical axis of the imager of the visor, the optical system, a transparent screen, a reflecting mirror that rotates the optical axis of the projection by 90 degrees, an optical device interfacing, a video projector projecting an image of the visual environment onto a luminous screen, and electrically connected to an image generator of the central channel, and the second peripheral channel system contains eight optical systems arranged uniformly around the optical channel of the sighting device, evenly spaced around the optical system of the central channel, eight transparent screens, optical interface device, a video projector projecting an image of the visual environment onto translucent screens, and electric connected to the image generator of the peripheral channel, and the luminous screen of the Central channel of the simulator, the mirror rotation of the optical axis of the projection by 90 degrees, the optical device for coupling the Central channel and the video projector of the Central channel are placed on an additional installation board that can linearly parallel to the optical axis of the simulator of the VSK visor with using an additionally introduced servo drive, and, in addition, a control unit is additionally introduced into the visualization system when a digital-to-analog converter, a defocus mode modeling block, a proximity and docking parameter modeling block, an image generator control unit, an analog-to-digital converter, a screen simulator for analyzing the position of the visor simulator, the output of the drive control unit being connected to the input of the drive, and the input of the drive control unit to the output of the digital-to-analog converter, the input of the digital-to-analog converter is connected to the output of the defocus mode simulation block, the first input of the the defocusing circuit is connected to the first output of the approximation and docking parameters modeling unit, the second output of the approximation and docking parameters modeling unit is connected to the input of the image generators control unit, the first output of the image generators control unit is connected to the input of the peripheral channel image generator, and the second output of the image generators control unit connected to the input of the image generator of the central channel, the output of the output screen position sensor is connected to the input of analog-digital of the new converter, the output of the analog-to-digital converter is connected to the input of the screen position analysis unit, the output of the screen position analysis unit is connected to the second input of the simulator of approach and docking parameters.

In this well-known visualization system [2], when approaching and docking with an orbital station from a distance of 25 meters and closer, an additional mounting board with an illuminated screen of the central channel, a 90-degree rotation axis of the optical axis of the projection, and an optical interface channel coupling device and the video projector of the central channel linearly moves parallel to the optical axis of the VSK visor simulator in the direction to the output screen of the visor simulator using a follow-up drive along chased by defocus control mode simulation unit. Because of this, the image of the orbital station is defocused on the output screen of the sight simulator. To eliminate this, the trained cosmonaut, just as in real conditions, begins to rotate the multi-turn handle for longitudinal movement of the output screen and displays the screen from the depth of the sight in the direction toward itself until a clear (sharp) image of the orbital station is received on the output screen. And also, as in real conditions, the process of constantly focusing the image by moving the output screen goes until the docking.

But the well-known visualization system [2] has significant drawbacks. This visualization system turned out to be complex in its design features. It contains two video projectors, two optical interface devices and a reflective mirror that rotates the optical axis of the projection 90 degrees. And accordingly, its cost is also significantly higher.

But the well-known visualization system [2] by its functional purpose, by the characteristics of the output image and by common features (the output screen of the visor simulator with a linear displacement suspension and its position monitoring sensor, optically coupled to two parallel optical systems, the first of which is the central channel system contains the optical system and the lumen screen sequentially installed along the optical axis of the visor simulator, and the second — the peripheral channel system contains eight optical systems located along the optical axis of the visor simulator, evenly spaced around the optical system of the central channel, and eight luminous screens, as well as a mounting plate that can linearly move parallel to the optical axis of the visor simulator, drive, drive control unit, digital-to-analog converter, mode modeling block defocusing, block approximation and docking parameters modeling, image generators control unit, central channel image generator, gene a peripheral channel image generator, an optical interface device, a video projector, an analog-to-digital converter, an analysis unit for the position of the output screen of a visor simulator) are most suitable as a prototype for the present invention, therefore, the authors chose it as a prototype.

The present invention eliminates the disadvantage of the known imaging system [2]. It is much simpler than it in its design features and cheaper than it. At the same time, it preserves the volume and quality of the simulated visual environment and provides an imitation of the operating mode of the trained crew to perform the operation of focusing the observed image on the screen of the VSK visor simulator at the stages of approaching and docking with the orbital station from distances from 25 m or closer.

This goal is achieved by the fact that in the present invention uses one video projector and for the projection of the image on the lumen screens uses one projection channel.

And this, in turn, is achieved by the fact that the proposed invention additionally introduces an image addition unit from the image generator of the central channel and from the image generator of the peripheral channel, at the output of which one computer signal is generated with the summed image of the central and peripheral channels.

This signal is fed to the computer input of one video projector. And then with the help of a single optical interface device, the image from the video projector is projected onto the luminous screens of the central and peripheral channels, placed in one plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the sight simulator. At the same time, the visor simulator’s translucent screens, the optical interface and the video projector are placed sequentially along the optical axis of the visor simulator on a mounting plate that can linearly move parallel to the optical axis of the visor simulator using a follower drive.

The invention is illustrated by drawings. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a visualization system. Figure 2 shows the optical diagram of the visualization system.

On the basis of 1, a light-tight cylindrical housing 2 is installed cantilever, which simulates the cabin part of the VSK sight. In the housing 2 on the front side (opposite the operator) is mounted in the suspension 3, with the possibility of longitudinal movement, the output screen 4, the central zone of which simulates the central zone of the regular VSK sight, and eight peripheral zones evenly distributed around the central zone, simulate the peripheral zones of the regular sight VSK, while the appearance of the screen 4 and its characteristics are fully consistent with the screen of the regular sight of the VSK.

Behind the exit screen 4, on the optical axis of the VSK visor simulator, a lens screen 5 is installed, as in the regular viewfinder, 5. An optical system of the central channel 6 is installed on the optical axis 5 behind the lens screen 5 and eight identical optical systems of the peripheral channel 7 are uniformly placed around it.

Behind the optical systems, along the axis of the VSK visor simulator, in a frame 8 placed in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the visor simulator, there is a transparent screen of the central channel 9 (in the object plane of the optical system 6 of the central channel) and around it a system of eight transparent screens of the peripheral channel 10, which are also installed in the subject planes of the respective optical systems of the peripheral channel 7.

Behind the lumen screens 9 and 10 along the optical axis of the VSK visor simulator, an optical interface device 11 and a video projector 12 are sequentially installed.

The input of the video projector 12 is electrically connected to the output of the image addition unit 13, the inputs of which are connected to the outputs of the image generator of the central channel 14 and the image generator of the peripheral channel 15.

The frame 8 with the luminous screens of the central channel 9 and the peripheral channel 10, the optical interface device 11 and the video projector 12 are placed on the mounting plate 16, which can linearly move parallel to the optical axis of the VSK visor simulator using a follow-up drive 17, which is structurally interfaced with the mounting board 16 with rail 18, while the input of the drive 17 is electrically connected to the output of the control unit of the drive 19, the input of which is connected to the output of the digital-to-analog converter 20. In turn, the input of the digital the tax converter 20 is connected to the output of the defocus mode simulation block 21, the first input of which is connected to the second output of the proximity and docking parameters modeling block 22, the first output of the proximity and docking parameters modeling block 22 connected to the input of the image generator control unit 23. The second input of the simulation block defocus mode 21 is connected to the output of the analysis unit of the position of the output screen 24. The input of block 24 is connected to the output of the analog-to-digital converter 25, to the input of which o electrically connected the output of the position sensor of the output screen 26, which is similar to the standard position sensor of the output screen and installed in its regular place.

Also, in a regular place - on the front panel of the visor simulator there is a control knob 27 for longitudinal movement of the output screen.

To improve the operational characteristics of the invention, constructive placement of the drive control unit 19, the digital-to-analog converter 20 and the analog-to-digital converter 25 in the interface system 28 of the modeling stand or simulator, and the defocus mode modeling block 21, the approximation and docking parameters modeling block 22, the block is possible control image generators 23 and the analysis unit of the position of the output screen 24 in the computing system 29 of a modeling stand or simulator. The image generators of the central channel 14 and the peripheral channel 15, as well as an additional image addition unit 13 can be made on the basis of one system unit of a modern high-performance computer 30.

The present invention works as follows. Using the control unit 23, the initial data on the direction of the axis of sight in the space of the central and peripheral channels of the VSK sight are entered into the image generators 14 and 15 of the visualization system, and then the initial data on the angular sizes of the fields of view of these channels are entered.

Further, according to the signals of the control unit 23, the generators 14 and 15 simultaneously begin to form plots of the external visual environment in a computer way - each for its own observation channel. Moreover, the database of plots of the simulated visual environment is introduced into the image generators in advance.

The output virtual images of the central and peripheral channels are then fed to the unit 13 for adding these images into one total virtual image. From the output of block 13, a computer signal corresponding to the summed image of the central and peripheral channels is read and fed to the computer input of video projector 12.

The video projector 12 projects the image using the optical interface device 11 onto the luminous screen of the central channel 9 and onto the luminous screen system of the peripheral channel 10. Then, from the luminous screen 9 of the central channel, the image is re-projected using the optical system of the central channel 6 onto the output screen 4 of the VSK sight simulator onto the central his zone.

From the luminal screen system of the peripheral channel 10, the image is re-projected using the optical systems of the peripheral channel 7 to the output screen 4 of the VSK visor simulator to its peripheral zones.

Block 22 modeling the approximation and docking parameters, depending on the simulated flight mode, determines the distance to the docking object.

The control signals from block 22, which are proportional to the distance to the docking object, are simultaneously input into the block 23 for controlling the image generators and into the block 21 for modeling the defocus mode.

In accordance with the simulated range, the image generator of the central channel 14 forms an image of the orbital station, the linear and angular dimensions of which on the screen of the VSK visor simulator correspond to the real values for this range on the screen of the regular sight, and the image generator of the peripheral channel forms an image of the visual environment surrounding the orbital station and falling into the field of view of the peripheral channel of the VSK sight.

The defocusing mode modeling block 21 for this simulated range generates a control signal for the drive 17 using the developed program. This signal from the output of block 21 is transmitted digitally to the input of the digital-to-analog converter 20, where it is converted into an analog form and then fed to the input of the drive control unit 19 17. The drive 17 under the influence of a control signal from the block 19 using the drive rail 18 moves the board 16 with a frame 8 mounted on it, in which the transparent screen 9 of the central channel and Stem luminal screens 10 of the peripheral channel. An optical interface device 11 and a video projector 12 are also installed on the board 16 along the optical axis of the VSK visor simulator. The board 16 moves linearly parallel to the optical axis of the VSK visor simulator in proportion to the required distance from the control signal from the control unit 19.

At the same time, when modeling modes, when the distance to the docking or observation object exceeds 25 meters, the signal from block 21 corresponds to the maximum value and the board 16 is installed using the drive 17 to the extreme distant position from the optical system of the central channel 6 (to the maximum distance from the optical system central channel 6). In order for the image on the front output screen of the VSK visor simulator to be clear and focused, the operator, as in real conditions, acts on the multi-turn control knob 27 of the linear movement mechanism of the screen 4 and moves it to the depth of the sight (“away from you”) to the extreme position .

When simulating the approach to the orbital station from a distance of 25 m or closer, the defocus mode modeling unit 21 for each modeled range generates a control signal for the drive 17 using a special program. And the board 16 moves with the help of the drive 17 from the far distant position towards the optical the system of the central channel 6 (see figure 2) at the required distances. In this case, the clarity of the observed image is violated on the output screen 4 of the visor simulator due to a change in the position of the luminous screen of the central channel 9 with respect to the optical system of the central channel 6. Then the operator, as in real conditions, acts on the multi-turn control knob 27 and moves the output screen 4 imitators of the sight in the direction “towards you” until you get a clear (sharp) image on the screen. And this process of constant image focusing with the help of manual action on the multi-turn knob and moving the output screen proceeds as in real conditions until the moment of docking.

Thus, by moving the output screen 4 of the simulator of the visor with respect to the optical system of the central channel 6, the movements of the luminal screen of the central channel 9 are compensated for with respect to the same optical system of the central channel 6, while maintaining the image characteristics in sharpness on the output screen of the simulator of the visor.

In the process of moving the output screen 4, the signals from the position sensor of the output screen 26 are fed to an analog-to-digital converter 25, where they are converted to digital form and fed further to the analysis unit 24 of the position of the output screen.

Based on the analysis of data on the nature of the change in the distance to the docking object (from block 22) and data on the position of the exit screen 4 (from block 24), the instructor is given the opportunity to control the process of training operators to perform the operation mode of focusing the observed image on the front screen of the VSK visor simulator at the stages rendezvous and docking with the orbital station over the entire range of distances to it.

The visualization system according to the invention fully preserves the characteristics of the prototype and provides an imitation of the external visual situation on the screen of the visor simulator when the manned spacecraft is oriented relative to the Earth, and also when the manned spacecraft is oriented relative to the orbital station, converged and docked with it in the entire range to her.

In addition, an imitation of the astronaut’s regular work with the VSK visor is provided (with the visor’s manual controls mounted on the front panel of the visor’s cabin), including on the most critical section — when approaching the orbital station from distances from it 25 meters or closer with the implementation of the focus mode of the observed image on the front screen of the simulator of the VSK visor.

Moreover, the visualization system according to the invention is much simpler than the prototype [2] in design, because contains one video projector and one optical interface instead of two of the prototype. Also, the visualization system according to the invention does not have a reflecting mirror that rotates the optical axis of the projection 90 degrees. In this regard, the visualization system according to the invention is significantly cheaper than the prototype.

Currently, under the contract No. 040-8633 / 10 dated 05/25/2010 with the Federal Space Agency on the subject of the ISS Rocket Science Center (Vzor-KMC), the Federal State Unitary Enterprise NIIAO plans to create a working model of the visualization system ( simulator IBO-VSK) according to the invention. The work will be carried out using the reserve on the visualization system [2], given that the technical solutions for:

- placement on the installation board of a video projector, optical pairing device, frames with translucent screens;

- the creation of optical systems for the re-projection of images from translucent screens to the output screen of the sight;

- creating a follow-up drive moving the mounting plate;

- the creation of mathematical software for modeling the defocus mode has already been tested on the current experimental model of the IVO-VSK simulator from the booth of the Vzor-KM design and experimental center.

The software and mathematical support for adding images of the image generator of the central channel and the image generator of the peripheral channel into one output image also passed preliminary testing at the Vzor-KM test bench.

According to the results of manufacturing a working experimental sample of the visualization system according to the proposed invention and testing it as part of the MKS integrated modeling stand (Vzor - KMC), it is planned to introduce the proposed invention on integrated simulators for training astronauts operating at the FSBI NII TsPK im. Yu.A. Gagarin ”under the ISS (International Space Station) program.

Information sources

1. Video projectors on space simulators. - “Aviation and Cosmonautics”, 1999, No. 4, pp. 27-28.

2. The visualization system. Description of the invention to patent RU 2325706 C1 dated October 13, 2006, G09B 9/08 (prototype).

Claims (1)

A visualization system comprising an output screen of a visor simulator with a linear displacement suspension and a sensor for monitoring its position, optically coupled to two parallel optical systems, the first of which is a central channel system, which contains an optical system and a translucent screen sequentially installed along the optical axis of the visor simulator, and the second - the system of the peripheral channel, contains eight optical systems sequentially mounted on the optical axis of the imitator of the sight, uniformly located around optical system of the central channel, and eight transparent screens, as well as an installation board that can linearly move parallel to the optical axis of the sighting simulator, a drive, a drive control unit, a digital-to-analog converter, a defocus mode modeling unit, an approximation and docking parameter modeling unit, an image generator control unit , central channel image generator, peripheral channel image generator, optical interface device, video projector, analog-to-digital a new converter, an analysis unit for the position of the output screen of the visor simulator, characterized in that the video board, a video projector, an optical interface device and the transparency screens of the central and peripheral channels placed in one plane perpendicular to the optical axis of the visor simulator are placed on the mounting board and, in addition, a unit for adding output images of the image generators of the central and peripheral to catch, wherein the image generator outputs are connected to the input of the image addition unit and the output image addition unit is connected to the input of a video projector.

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