Simulator

Abstract

A flight simulator displays control choices on an out-the-window display allows a crew member to control it directly by making selections of displayed choices through a "point and click" control module accessible by the crew member while located in the crew station. The simulator can be controlled by either of two crew members and also by an operator at an instructor operator station outside the crew station.

We claim: 
     
       1. In a simulator comprising a crew station comprising a cockpit having seating for at least one crew member, the cockpit having side walls and a window, video display means for displaying images, the images being located outside the crew station but visible therefrom, image generating means for driving said display means to produce scenes simulating mission conditions on said display means, and control means for controlling the operation of said image generating means, the improvement wherein said control means includes: means for displaying control choices on said video display means at the same location thereon at which at least portions of said mission condition-simulating scenes are displayed; and   a control module located outside the cockpit, adjacent to one of the side walls, and reachable by the crew member through the window while seated in the cockpit, said control module including means by which said crew member can make selections from the displayed choices and thereby affect operation of said image generating means.   
     
     
       2. A simulator according to claim 1 in which said means for displaying control choices displays said choices at predetermined locations on said video display means and also displays a pointer on said video display means, and in which said control module includes means for moving said pointer to conjunction with any selected one of said predetermined locations, and means for entering a selection of a particular one of said displayed choices while the pointer is in conjunction with said one choice. 
     
     
       3. A simulator according to claim 1 in which said means for displaying control choices displays said choices at predetermined locations on said video display means and also displays a pointer on said video display means, and in which said control module includes means, comprising a trackball, for moving said pointer to conjunction with any selected one of said predetermined locations, and means for entering a selection of a particular one of said displayed choices while the pointer is in conjunction with said one choice. 
     
     
       4. A simulator according to claim 1 in which said means for displaying control choices displays said choices at predetermined locations on said video display means and also displays a pointer on said video display means, and in which said control module includes means for moving said pointer to conjunction with any selected one of said predetermined locations, and means, comprising a click button, for entering a selection of a particular one of said displayed choices while the pointer is in conjunction with said one choice. 
     
     
       5. A simulator according to claim 1 in which said means for displaying control choices displays said choices at predetermined locations on said video display means and also displays a pointer on said video display means, and in which said control module includes means, comprising a trackball, for moving said pointer to conjunction with any selected one of said predetermined locations, and means, comprising a click button, for entering a selection of a particular one of said displayed choices while the pointer is in conjunction with said one choice. 
     
     
       6. A simulator according to claim 1 including switching means for causing said video display means to display alternatively said scenes simulating mission conditions and said control choices. 
     
     
       7. A simulator according to claim 1 including switching means, controllable by a crew member through said control module, for causing said video display means to display alternatively said scenes simulating mission conditions and said control choices. 
     
     
       8. A simulator according to claim 1 including switching means, controllable by a crew member through said control module, for causing said video display means to display alternatively said scenes simulating mission conditions and said control choices, said switching means enabling the crew member to interrupt the display of scenes simulating mission conditions to call up said control choices on said video display means. 
     
     
       9. A simulator according to claim 1 including an instructor operator station located outside the crew station and inaccessible to said crew member while the crew member is located in the crew station, means for displaying said control choices to an operator at the instructor operator station, and a second control module at the instructor operator station, accessible by an operator while located in the instructor operator station, said second control module including means by which said operator can make selections from the displayed control choices and thereby affect operation of said image generating means. 
     
     
       10. A simulator according to claim 9 including switching means for causing said video display means to display alternatively said scenes simulating mission conditions and said control choices, said switching means enabling the crew member and the operator to interrupt the display of scenes simulating mission conditions, in which said control module comprises means, manually operable by the crew member, for operating said switching means, and said instructor operator station includes means, manually operable by the operator for operating said switching means. 
     
     
       11. A simulator according to claim 10 in which said switching means includes means for preventing said crew member and operator from simultaneously making selections from said control choices.