[simpits-tech] Falcon multiple monitor support workaround

[Inventmd at aol.com]

Jay,  
Wow!  I guess it is true.  Screwball cockpit  crazed minds think alike.  You 
have already  come up with that idea.  I thought I was being  original.
 
Now we  need people who know how to implement it.
 
In the  older days when a TV lost signal, you got fuzz and snow and random  
patterns...Nowadays when it looses signal, it reverts to a blue screen or in 
the  case of some projectors, a "infocus" logo screen.  Does someone know how to 
 get into that signal to modify it?
 
John  Li

-----Original Message-----
From:  simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org  
[mailto:simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org]On Behalf Of Joseph  Fagner
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2004 11:11 PM
To:  'Simulator Cockpit tech list'
Subject: RE: [simpits-tech] Falcon  multiple monitor support workaround



I postulated a  similar idea over at viperpit.org:  
_http://www.viperpit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=673_ (http://www.viperpit.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=673) 
  I like it and think it may have some promise.  I’m not at a point of  
testing this yet (still hoping to the flight sim gods there will be some kind  of 
Falcon/F-16 sim with multimonitor support).  If there is not a  multimonitor 
option when I have the ability to test, I’d like to try out this  idea. 
Jay 
 
  
____________________________________
 
From:  simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org 
[mailto:simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org]  On Behalf Of  Inventmd at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2004 6:45  PM
To:  simpits-tech at simpits.org
Subject: [simpits-tech] Falcon multiple  monitor support workaround
I just wanted  to run this solution for multiple monitor support by y'all to 
see if this is  something that is worth designing. 
Specifically, for Falcon, the problem is  that the software 4.0 does not 
allow for multiple monitor support at this  time. 
Of course using the trackerIR device and  a head mounted goggle and the 3-D 
cockpit, one can use that to slew around and  see everything. Unfortunately, 
then you can't see anything in your beautiful  cockpit 
It should be possible to use something  like trackerIR to generate keypresses 
of the arrow key (view key) for every  certain number of degrees of  head 
movement.  Falcon has the forward  view (12 o'clock), left 45 degree (10:30), 
left 90 degree(9:00), left 135  degrees (7:30), each of which is accessed by a 
left arrow key  press. 
Let us, for the sake of argument say we  have six LCD monitors arranged as 
follows:  One monitor at 12 o'clock,  1:30, 3:00, 9:00, 10:30 and one directly 
overhead.  All these monitors  are connected to some connection type device 
that we have yet to  invent. 
All the monitors are connected through  this device to only one computer.  
This saves expenses on the number of  computers you need to buy and saves on 
network overhead.  Only one  monitor is actively displaying what the computer 
shows.  All the other  monitors freeze frame the very last frame it saw when 
hibernating in an  inactive state.  The active monitor is selected by either the 
keypresses  generated by pilot head movement using the tracker system or some 
other way of  determining where the pilot is looking.  (Using some sort of 
headmounted  laser pointer device for instance). 
So, while in use, the monitor that is  the center of the pilot's attention is 
active.  All the other monitors  are in a freeze frame state showing the 
appropriate position view for its  position in space.  For instance, the 9:00 
monitor will always show the  9:00 view because it can only be activated when the 
head is turned to look at  the 9:00 monitor.  When the pilot looks away, the 
monitor then freezes on  the last frame which is still in the 9:00 view and the 
next monitor at 10:30  takes over the viewing.  The idea is that although the 
peripheral  monitors don't need to contribute lots of data while we are 
concentrating on  the monitor that we are looking at, for full visual stimulation 
will give a  more immersive sensation of being in the cockpit. 
If the freeze frame idea is too hard to  accomplish, then perhaps the 
monitors can be programmed to always show a  predetermined picture when it is in the 
idle state of a generic 9:00 view or  3:00 view depending on which monitor 
that is. 
I imagine the trackerIR technology  cannot be terribly expensive since it can 
be done with optical mice for under  10 bucks. 
Anyone have the know how and  gumption? 
Thanks 
John Li 
 




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