Direction determining system

Claim 2

A transmitter for providing an observer at a remote location in a predetermined sector of space with an indication of the angle between his line of sight to the transmitter and a reference direction through the transmitter, comprising, a plurality of energy sources, a like plurality of masks, each comprising a different pattern of alternately arranged areas differentially responsive to the incidence of energy from said sources and each positioned to be illuminated by one of said sources, said areas being positioned on said masks so that the pattern of each represents one segment of a code while the patterns on all masks collectively represent a complete code indicative of deviation from said reference direction, a like plurality of means each for projecting light from one of said sources, in a pattern defined by its associated mask, into said sector, and means for pulsing said sources in accordance with a predetermined cycle, whereby the sequence and timing of the energy pulses observed at any location within said sector are indicative of said angle.

Claim 3

A transmitter in accordance with claim 1 in which said energy sources are light sources and said means for projecting are optical means.

Claim 4

A transmitter in accordance with claim 1 which includes at least three energy sources, three masks and three means for projecting.

Claim 5

A transmitter in accordance with claim 1 in which the patterns on said masks are comprised of areas which are alternately transparent and opaque to the energy of said sources.

Claim 6

A transmitter in accordance with claim 1 in which said plurality is two and in which said masks each comprise two equal areas, one transparent and one opaque, divided by a sharp straight line.

Claim 7

A transmitter in accordance with claim 5 in which the areas of said masks define patterns which are mirror images of each other

Claim 8

A transmitter for providing an observer at a remote location in a predetermined sector of space with information from which he can obtain a measure of the angle between his line of sight to the transmitter and a reference plane through the transmitter comprising, a plurality of light sources, each comprising a lamp capable of being activated for brief periods of time, a like plurality of masks, each comprising a different pattern of alternately arranged areas opaque and transparent to the light from said sources, said areas being positioned on said masks so that the pattern on each represents one segment of a code while the patterns on all masks collectively represent a complete code indicative of deviation from said reference direction, a like plurality of condensing lenses each for illuminating one of said masks uniformly with light from one of said sources, a like plurality of projection lenses each for projecting the pattern of light and dark areas defined by one of said masks into said sector, and means for activating each of said sources sequentially for a brief period of time, whereby segments of said code are projected sequentially into said sector.

Claim 9

A transmitter for providing an observer at a remote location in a predetermined sector of space with information from which he can obtain a measure of the angle between his line of sight to the transmitter and a reference plane through the transmitter comprising, a plurality of light sources, each comprising a lamp capable of being activated for brief periods of time, a like plurality of masks, each comprising a different pattern of alternately arranged areas opaque and transparent to the light from said sources, said areas being positioned on said masks so that the pattern on each represents one segment of a code while the patterns on all masks collectively represent a complete code indicative of deviation from said reference direction, a like plurality of condensing lenses each for illuminating one of said masks uniformly with light from one of said sources, a like plurality of projection lenses each for projecting the pattern of light and dark areas defined by one of said masks into said sector, and means for activating each of said sources sequentially for a brief period of time, whereby segments of said code are projected sequentially into said sector.

Claim 10

A transmitter in accordance with claim 7 which includes at least three sources, condensing lenses, masks and projection lenses.

Claim 11

A transmitter in accordance with claim 8 including an auxiliary light source, condensing lens, mask and projection lens in which said mask is entirely transparent.

Claim 12

A transmitter in accordance with claim 9 in which said means for activating includes means for activating said auxiliary source before the other sources are activated.

Claim 13

A transmitter for providing an observer at a remote location in a predetermined sector of space with an indication of the sense of his deviation from a reference plane through the transmitter, comprising, first and second frameworks, releasably attached to each other, first and second sources mounted adjacent to each other on said first framework, first and second masks mounted adjacent to each other on Said second framework, each comprising two equal areas divided by a sharp straight line, one transparent and one opaque to the light from said sources, said masks being positioned with the dividing lines approximately aligned, means on said first framework for concentrating light from said first and second sources onto said first and second masks respectively, first and second projection lens systems mounted on said second framework for projecting patterns of light, as defined by said first and second masks respectively, into said sector of space, and means for pulsing said light sources one at a time in accordance with a distinguishing code, whereby an observer in said sector can determine from the code received whether and to which side of said reference plane he is located.

Claim 14

A transmitter for providing an observer at a remote location in a predetermined sector of space with an indication of the sense of his deviation from a reference plane through the transmitter, comprising, first and second frameworks, releasably attached to each other, first and second sources mounted adjacent to each other on said first framework, first and second masks mounted adjacent to each other on Said second framework, each comprising two equal areas divided by a sharp straight line, one transparent and one opaque to the light from said sources, said masks being positioned with the dividing lines approximately aligned, means on said first framework for concentrating light from said first and second sources onto said first and second masks respectively, first and second projection lens systems mounted on said second framework for projecting patterns of light, as defined by said first and second masks respectively, into said sector of space, and means for pulsing said light sources one at a time in accordance with a distinguishing code, whereby an observer in said sector can determine from the code received whether and to which side of said reference plane he is located.

Claim 15

A transmitter in accordance with claim 11 which includes a two part cover, one part enclosing each of said frameworks and the equipment mounted thereon.

Claim 16

A transmitter in accordance with claim 11 in which said means for concentrating includes first and second reflectors and first and second lenses positioned to cooperate with said first and second sources respectively.

Claim 17

A transmitter in accordance with claim 11 in which said projection lens systems include means for adjusting the focus thereof.

Claim 18

A transmitter in accordance with claim 11 including an eyepiece selectively attachable to said framework in place of said first framework.

Claim 19

A transmitter in accordance with claim 15 in which said eyepiece includes first and second viewing microscopes for viewing simultaneously said reticles and an image of said sector of space.

Claim 20

A transmitter for providing an observer at a remote location in a predetermined sector of space with an indication of the sense of his deviation from a reference plane through the transmitter, comprising a first framework, first and second light sources mounted adjacent to each other on said framework, first and second means mounted on said first framework for concentrating and condensing light from said first and second sources, respectively; a power supply and pulser electrically connected to said light sources, a second framework, first and second masks mounted adjacent to each other on said second framework, each comprising two equal areas divided by a sharp straight line, one transparent and one opaque to light from said sources, said masks being positioned with the dividing lines approximately aligned, first and second projection lens systems mounted on said second framework for projecting light into said sector of space, an auxiliary frame, and first and second viewing microscopes mounted on said auxiliary frame, said first and second frameworks and said auxiliary frame including means enabling the selective attachment of either said first framework or said auxiliary frame to said second framework, such that with said first framework attached to said second framework, light from said source is concentrated and condensed onto said masks and patterns of light as determined by said masks are projected into said sector of space and such that with said auxiliary frame attached to said second framework, an operator can observe and adjust the apparatus on said second framework.

Claim 21

A transmitter for providing an observer at a remote location in a predetermined sector of space with an indication of the sense of his deviation from a reference plane through the transmitter, comprising a first framework, first and second light sources mounted adjacent to each other on said framework, first and second means mounted on said first framework for concentrating and condensing light from said first and second sources, respectively; a power supply and pulser electrically connected to said light sources, a second framework, first and second masks mounted adjacent to each other on said second framework, each comprising two equal areas divided by a sharp straight line, one transparent and one opaque to light from said sources, said masks being positioned with the dividing lines approximately aligned, first and second projection lens systems mounted on said second framework for projecting light into said sector of space, an auxiliary frame, and first and second viewing microscopes mounted on said auxiliary frame, said first and second frameworks and said auxiliary frame including means enabling the selective attachment of either said first framework or said auxiliary frame to said second framework, such that with said first framework attached to said second framework, light from said source is concentrated and condensed onto said masks and patterns of light as determined by said masks are projected into said sector of space and such that with said auxiliary frame attached to said second framework, an operator can observe and adjust the apparatus on said second framework.

Claim 22

A transmitter in accordance with claim 17 in which said projection lens system includes means for adjusting the focus thereof.

Claim 23

A transmitter in accordance with claim 17 in which said power supply and pulser includes means for pulsing said light sources one at a time in accordance with a predetermined code.

Claim 24

A transmitter in accordance with claim 17 which includes first and second leveling vials mounted on said auxiliary frame orthogonally to each other.