starbase_3_command 09oct2002

pfm_enterprise

picture_4d utilizes stereoscopic, true perspective projection to image
vectorized curves in three and four dimensions with complete control of
translation in the x, y, and z directions and rotation on the theta, phi,
and omega axes, all over time, in a four dimensional "implied" vector space.
the image archetype and control matrices are stored in a virtual, three
dimensional vector space (dynamic, 3-D matrix memory) and manipulated in
the fourth, or time, dimension;  note that a trace of these images over
time may be defined as a five dimensional "string" array that gives a record,
or "integral" (time-space integrated "image"), of the archetype images in
translation and rotation (an image "at rest" in an observer's reference frame
will integrate, by default, into its three dimensional "normal" shape or
form).

in order that i might submit this program as a master's thesis in mechanical
engineering at the university of minnesota, i need to outline the
contributions to this project:

the mathematics involved is 100% the work of patrick f. mahoney. 
the programming in quick basic and visual basic is about 95% the work of
patrick f. mahoney.

about five percent of the programming code was written by erik j. oredson
(erik got me "up to speed" in quickbasic and visualbasic; i only knew
fortran and a little assembly and machine code, and hadn't programmed for
fifteen years while i was paralyzed, psychologically).

100% of the data manipulation ("streaming") for subsequent distribution by
disc or internet was performed by erik j. oredson.

there is a little more to the story than this, and it is funny and
illuminating so i will proceed with it:

i literally couldn't afford a computer, so my friend erik discovered a used
ibm edu-quest computer with an 80386 intel c.p.u. that had been discarded by
riverside plaza school and "scrapped" by another, mutual friend, richard
miller;  i paid him twenty dollars for the effort, and began programming,
at first in quickbasic, downloaded (in german) from quickbasic cafe on the
internet, and later, when jerry franklin built me a small supercomputer with
an a.m.d. K-7 processor (1.2 gigahertz clock speed, 880 megahertz operating
speed) we upgraded to visual basic.

getting the images to even begin to project was maddening, complicated by the
fact that i needed a subroutine for rotation embedded in the pre-imaging data
stream, and the original 386 operating speed was so slow it took thirty
seconds to image the data (i can image more complicated, compound images in
a third of a second on the K-7).

anyone who has ever tried to solve the trigonometry and matrix algebra for
three-axis gyroscope measurement and control functions, in both fixed,
floating, and mixed mode formats, will know how insane i must now be.

it was fun though.

(fixed mode rotates with respect to the fixed "virtual" axes of the screen
or "observer";  the floating mode rotates with respect to the time_now
(local, moving) orientation and is the "control" mode).
  
so far i have a "fixed" mode in trigonometric form that does not work
properly, it solves one axis in fixed mode, another in mixed mode, and the
third in floating mode;  turns out i needed a subroutine for each axis.

i jumped ahead and did a floating control mode solution (for aircraft or
spacecraft control) in matrix form, and it works!!

now i need to get the fixed screen mode working, because it is handy for
viewing purposes, and i'll need some mixed modes for interactive screen
imaging (simulation or video game modes).

right now i need a break. 

fixed screen mode now working

deliver = upload picture_4d to main earth awareness      04 july 2003    pfm
