Method and system for visualizing and managing a situation in the environment of an aircraft

Description

[0001] The present invention is in the field of human-machine interfaces of a crew member of an aircraft.

[0002] The present invention relates to a method and a system for visualizing and managing a situation in the environment of an aircraft.

[0003] A known human-machine interface of an aircraft makes it possible to provide information to an occupant of this aircraft, for example the captain, a navigator or a firing operator. In addition, such a human-machine interface allows this occupant to process this information and / or to control actions of the aircraft for example.

[0004] For the sake of simplification, we will subsequently use only the term "occupant" to designate the pilot, the captain, a navigator, a firing operator or any passenger of an aircraft within the framework of the invention.

[0005] An aircraft environment situation may include information relating to the aircraft environment and may be presented on one or more screens integrated into the aircraft instrument panel. The arrival of new technologies has made it possible to present it directly on a visor of the occupant's helmet, possibly in color and in high definition. A display system integrated into an aircraft occupant's helmet may be designated by the acronym HMD for "Helmet Mounted Display" or HMSD for "Helmet Mounted Sight & Display". Such a display system may, for example, include a transparent screen or a transparent surface onto which information or images may be projected.

[0006] Furthermore, such an aircraft environment situation may be presented as a superposition of the aircraft's external environment or as an image of this external environment. This aircraft environment situation may be presented in two-dimensional or three-dimensional form.

[0007] For example, document US 5015188 describes a device and a method for presenting a situation of the environment of an aircraft. This method makes it possible in particular to display on a screen, possibly integrated into a helmet of an operator or a pilot, several perspective views representing the aircraft and one or more objects surrounding it in a three-dimensional space. The aircraft can be represented at the center of the view, surrounded by one or more objects. The displayed positions of the object(s) change automatically in response to the rotation and / or movement of the aircraft to maintain a constant orientation of each view. Concentric circles and radial lines can be displayed to indicate relative distances between the aircraft and one or more objects. A view approximating an actual view of an operator located in the aircraft can also be represented.

[0008] In addition, document US 8723696 describes a device and a method for displaying two images, a so-called "tactical" image and a so-called "strategic" image relating to the environment of an aircraft on the same screen or on two separate screens. A point of interest can be selected, for example by its coordinates or directly on the tactical image displayed by pressing occasionally on a touch screen. The tactical image and the strategic image are then updated by adding information relating to the selected point of interest and possibly by zooming in on the selected point of interest. The tactical image and the strategic image can be displayed from different viewpoints, one being for example a perspective view and the other a plan view.

[0009] Document WO 2015 / 005849 describes a system and method for processing information relating to the environment of a combat vehicle superimposed on images representing the external environment of this vehicle. The displayed information is stored in a module of the vehicle and includes, for example, the position and type of an object in the environment.

[0010] Document FR 3057685 describes methods for designating and displaying information and a visualization system for an aircraft. The visualization system comprises at least two screens, for example a screen on a dashboard of the aircraft and a screen integrated into a helmet of an occupant of the aircraft, as well as a designation device making it possible to select an object in the environment, via its representation on one of the two screens.

[0011] The designation device may be a touch screen associated with a screen, a pointer moved using a mouse, for example, or a system for determining the orientation of the line of sight of an aircraft occupant's gaze. For each object selected on a screen, a symbol is displayed superimposed or close to the object on another screen, as well as possibly information relating to the object.

[0012] Furthermore, in an aircraft, the field of vision of an occupant towards the exterior of this aircraft can be limited and reduced by various structural elements, such as a floor, a ceiling, doors, or even uprights carrying at least one transparent surface. In addition, no direct vision towards the rear environment of the aircraft is possible.

[0013] This limitation of the field of vision to the outside can be bothersome for an occupant of an aircraft in certain situations, for example near obstacles.

[0014] Such a limitation of the field of vision towards the outside can also be problematic for a rotary wing aircraft, also called a "rotorcraft", which has the particularity of being able to move in all directions, namely longitudinally forwards and backwards, vertically upwards and downwards, or laterally.

[0015] A complete visualization of the environment close to an aircraft can therefore be useful in order to have complete knowledge of the situation of the vehicle in relation to its environment, and in particular knowledge of obstacles potentially close to this vehicle and located outside the field of vision towards the outside of this occupant.

[0016] Vision aid systems exist that allow, using cameras arranged outside the aircraft, to obtain a complete view of the aircraft's surroundings. In addition, such vision aid systems may also include amplification or filtering devices to improve vision at night or in bad weather, for example.

[0017] Furthermore, document EP 3376278 describes a display device integrated into the helmet of an occupant of an aircraft and making it possible to display a field of vision offset relative to the orientation of this helmet. In this way, this occupant can have, through this display device, a view representing the external environment offset relative to the orientation of his head. Images of this external environment are captured using cameras positioned on the aircraft. For example, when a line of sight of the occupant is displaced by an offset angle relative to the longitudinal direction of the aircraft, the offset of images of the external environment is proportional to this offset angle of the line of sight.

[0018] The technological background of the invention also includes documents EP 3112814 WO 2015 / 165838 and US 2020 / 183154.

[0019] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the limitations mentioned above, by proposing an alternative human-machine interface for aircraft making it possible to display and manage a situation in the aircraft's environment.

[0020] The present invention relates to a method according to claim 1 and a system according to claim 12 for visualizing and managing a situation in an environment of an aircraft as described in the claims.

[0021] The present invention relates to a method for visualizing and managing a situation in an environment of an aircraft according to claim 1, the aircraft comprising in particular image capture devices for capturing images of the environment of the aircraft, at least one computer, at least one receiving device, at least one first visualization device arranged inside a cockpit of the aircraft, at least one second visualization device intended to be positioned at the head of an occupant of the aircraft, at least one sensor inside the aircraft in order to determine a position and an orientation of said head of the occupant of the aircraft relative to the aircraft, a selection device and a system for locating the aircraft.

[0022] The image capture devices are oriented towards the outside of the aircraft and thus make it possible to capture images of the environment outside the aircraft without encountering obstacles, unlike the vision of this external environment by each occupant located inside the aircraft which can be hindered in particular by structural elements of the aircraft or an instrument panel for example. The image capture devices can for example be positioned partially outside the aircraft.

[0023] These image capture devices can be arranged so as to capture images jointly covering the entire external environment in which the aircraft is moving, namely over 360° around a vertical axis and over 360° around a horizontal axis of the vehicle. The image capture devices thus allow the acquisition of images of the environment covering, for example, a sphere around the aircraft.

[0024] Said at least one first display device may be a screen arranged in a cockpit of the aircraft, for example on a dashboard of the aircraft or on a console of the aircraft. Said at least one first display device may also be a part of the windshield of the aircraft on which an image is projected and the opacity of which can be modified.

[0025] Said at least one second display device is intended to be positioned at the head of an occupant, for example in front of the occupant's eyes. Said at least one second display device may be integrated into a helmet of an occupant of the aircraft and may comprise a transparent screen integrated into the helmet, and into the visor of the helmet for example. Said at least one second display device may also be all or part of the transparent visor of the helmet onto which an image is projected and the opacity of which can be modified. Said at least one second display device may also be integrated into a pair of glasses.

[0026] The computer may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory, at least one integrated circuit, at least one programmable system or at least one logic circuit, these examples not limiting the scope given to the expression “computer”. The computer may be a computer dedicated to carrying out the method according to the invention or be a shared computer having multiple functions. The memory may for example store one or more field databases as well as one or more algorithms in order to carry out the method according to the invention.

[0027] Said at least one receiving device makes it possible to receive various information via a wireless connection. This information may include, for example, coordinates of points in the environment or information on objects in the environment, such as buildings and vehicles in particular, in particular their positions in the terrestrial reference frame as well as their possible speeds.

[0028] The aircraft tracking system may include, for example, a satellite tracking system.

[0029] The method for visualizing and managing a situation in an aircraft environment according to the invention is remarkable in that it comprises the following steps: determining a surveillance area in the environment of the aircraft, displaying a first image representing the surveillance area on the first display device, selecting on the first display device a center of interest in the surveillance area via a selection device, displaying a second image representing the center of interest on the second display device, and displaying a sighting mark pointing the center of interest on the second image.

[0030] The method according to the invention thus makes it possible, after identifying a surveillance zone of the aircraft's environment, to select a center of interest in the surveillance zone in order to display it on the second display device. In this way, this occupant of the aircraft, who may be the pilot of the aircraft, the captain, a navigator or even a firing operator, has a vision focused on an identified center of interest of the surveillance zone on the second display device.

[0031] The center of interest can be a point of interest. The center of interest can, for example, be positioned on a building or vehicle located in the surveillance area. The center of interest can also be a part of the surveillance area where there are, for example, several buildings or vehicles of interest.

[0032] This method according to the invention thus makes it possible to provide at least one occupant of the aircraft with an optimized view of the situation and / or the positioning of the aircraft in relation to a specific center of interest.

[0033] In the step of determining a surveillance zone in the environment of the aircraft, the surveillance zone may be determined by a selection by an occupant of the aircraft, using the selection device, on the first display device, the first display device displaying an image representing the environment of the aircraft in the form of an aerial view. The selection device may comprise a touch screen integrated into the first display device, a joystick, a mouse or any suitable selection means connected to the computer.

[0034] The image representing the aircraft's environment in the form of an aerial view can be constructed from information from a terrain database, stored in a memory of the computer for example, or from information from a remote terrain database received using a receiving device of the aircraft. The image representing the aircraft's environment can also come in whole or in part from an image captured and transmitted by another aircraft or a satellite for example. This image representing the aircraft's environment can also be constructed, by the computer or by a dedicated computer, from the images captured by the aircraft's image capture devices and flattened in the form of an aerial view.

[0035] During the step of determining a surveillance zone in the environment of the aircraft, the surveillance zone can also be determined from an area of ​​the external landscape present in the field of vision of an occupant of the aircraft. This area of ​​the external landscape viewed is for example characterized by a specific direction defined for example by a bearing and a site in a terrestrial reference frame. The surveillance zone is for example centered on this specific direction and can have predetermined dimensions.

[0036] The bearing is the angle formed between a longitudinal direction of the aircraft and this specific direction of the area of ​​the external landscape viewed projected onto a horizontal plane of the terrestrial reference frame. The site is the angle between this longitudinal direction of the aircraft and this direction of the area of ​​the external landscape viewed projected onto a vertical plane of the terrestrial reference frame passing through this longitudinal direction. A horizontal plane of a terrestrial reference frame is a plane perpendicular to the direction of Earth's gravity and a vertical plane of this terrestrial reference frame is a plane parallel to the direction of Earth's gravity.

[0037] This occupant of the aircraft can directly observe the landscape through the second viewing device which is then transparent or semi-transparent and the direction of the area viewed can then be determined by the position and orientation of the head of this occupant, using said at least one sensor arranged inside the aircraft as well as the aircraft location system determining the position and orientation of the aircraft in the terrestrial reference frame.

[0038] This aircraft occupant can also observe a representation of the landscape via a view displayed on the second viewing device. This view can be constructed by the computer or by a dedicated computer, for example, from the images captured by the aircraft's image capture devices. This view can be a conformal view of the landscape, i.e. equivalent to a direct view of the landscape, or a shifted and / or deformed view of the landscape. The computer or the dedicated computer constructs this view from the images captured by the aircraft's image capture devices, the position and orientation of the occupant's head, and the position and orientation of the aircraft in the terrestrial reference frame. This computer then determines, during this construction, the direction of the area of ​​the exterior landscape viewed by this occupant and therefore its bearing and site.

[0039] In the step of determining a surveillance area in the aircraft's environment, the surveillance area may also be determined by receiving the coordinates of the surveillance area via a receiving means of the aircraft. These coordinates of the surveillance area may be provided by another vehicle, such as an aircraft or a ship, or by a ground base for example.

[0040] During the step of displaying a first image representing the surveillance area, this first image displayed on the first viewing device can be represented in the form of an aerial view.

[0041] This first image can be constructed from information from a terrain database stored in a memory of the computer, for example, or from information received in real time using the aircraft's reception device from a remote terrain database. This first image can also be entirely or partly derived from an image captured and transmitted by another aircraft or a satellite, for example. This first image can also be constructed by the computer or by a dedicated computer from the images captured by the aircraft's image capture devices and flattened in the form of an aerial view.

[0042] In addition, during the center of interest selection step, the selection device makes it possible to select the center of interest, but also to manipulate the first image, for example to enlarge the first image, to rotate the image or to move the first image in order to view a part of the environment located outside the first image initially displayed. The selection device may be the same as that possibly used during the step of determining a surveillance zone in the environment of the aircraft.

[0043] A point of interest constituting a point of interest can be selected by the selection device by pointing this point of interest at the first viewing device. The aiming mark displayed during the step of displaying an aiming mark then indicates this point of interest.

[0044] A center of interest formed by a portion of the monitoring area may be selected by the selection device by defining a frame on the first viewing device using the selection device. In this case, the marker displayed during the step of displaying an aiming marker then indicates the center of that portion of the monitoring area.

[0045] In this case, the method according to the invention may also comprise an additional step of selecting a point of interest in this part of the surveillance zone using the second display device and an additional selection device. Then, the aiming mark indicates the selected point of interest.

[0046] During the step of displaying a second image representing the center of interest, the second image can be constructed from information from a terrain database, stored in a memory of the computer, or from information received in real time using the aircraft's reception device from a remote terrain database for example.

[0047] The second viewing device may then be opaque, the occupant not being able to directly distinguish the landscape outside the aircraft through the second viewing device. This second image is then displayed independently of the position and orientation of the occupant's head.

[0048] Alternatively, the second viewing device may be transparent or semi-transparent, with the occupant being able to directly view the landscape outside the aircraft transparently through the second viewing device. The second image is then displayed superimposed on the actual landscape, taking into account the position and orientation of the occupant's head.

[0049] The second image may also be constructed, by the computer or by a dedicated computer, from the images captured by the aircraft's image capture devices. This second image is then displayed independently of the position and orientation of the occupant's head. The second image may comprise an undistorted central view of a first portion of the environment outside the aircraft and a distorted peripheral view of a second portion of the environment outside the aircraft, the peripheral view being located around the central portion. The first portion of the environment outside the aircraft includes in particular the center of interest while the second portion of the environment outside the aircraft is located around the first portion.

[0050] The first part and the second part of the environment outside the aircraft can cover the entire environment around the aircraft so that the first and second parts of the environment cover a sphere all around the aircraft. In this way, the occupant can have a 360° view all around the aircraft without moving his head, the second part being displayed however in a distorted manner.

[0051] The second image can be displayed on the second viewing device in two dimensions or in three dimensions.

[0052] Furthermore, during this step of displaying the second image, a modification of the second image is carried out following a movement of the occupant's head as a function of the movements of the occupant's head, changes in the position and orientation of the occupant's head. For this purpose, the step of displaying the second image may comprise a sub-step of determining the position and orientation of the occupant's head following a movement of the occupant's head in order to characterize the movement of the occupant's head and a sub-step of calculating a new second image as a function of the position and orientation of the occupant's head and from the images of the aircraft's environment captured by the image capture devices.

[0053] Furthermore, following the step of displaying a sight mark indicating the center of interest, a movement of the headset may cause an equivalent movement of the sight mark on the second image. The movement of the sight mark follows the movement of the occupant's head so that the sight mark no longer indicates the center of interest.

[0054] Furthermore, the method according to the invention may comprise additional steps. For example, the method according to the invention may comprise a first additional step of displaying information relating to the surveillance zone on the first image. According to another example, the method according to the invention may comprise a second additional step of displaying information relating to the center of interest and possibly to the environment close to the center of interest on the second image. This information may be of different types and makes it possible to identify, for example, the nature of buildings or vehicles. This information may also provide a distance, an identity, an alert level and possibly a speed of identified objects, in the form of a speed vector comprising the direction and the value of this speed of the identified objects.This information can be transmitted by another aircraft or a ground base, via known communication protocols and is received using a receiving device on the aircraft.

[0055] The method according to the invention thus allows detection, recognition and identification of objects in the aircraft's environment with coverage of the environment all around the aircraft. The method according to the invention also allows focusing in particular on centers of interest likely to be present in the aircraft's environment.

[0056] The method according to the invention may also include the following two additional steps: control of a moving member pointing at the aiming mark, and locking of the moving member on the aiming mark by a locking device.

[0057] This mobile organ is preferably arranged on the aircraft. A mobile organ can be, for example, a light projector, a water lance or any element or equipment allowing a point-to-point association with the position pointed by the aiming mark, and in particular the selected point of interest.

[0058] The locking device may, for example, comprise a push button arranged on the aircraft's dashboard or on a pilot lever of the aircraft. Following this locking, any movement of the occupant's helmet no longer causes the aiming mark to move, which is then directed towards the same point in the environment regardless of the movements of the helmet.

[0059] The method according to the invention may finally comprise a step of activating the mobile member in the direction of the locked aiming mark. The mobile member is for example directed towards the center of interest if no movement of the occupant's helmet has taken place following the step of displaying the aiming mark.

[0060] The present invention also relates to a system for visualizing and managing a situation in the environment of the aircraft. Such a system comprises image capture devices for capturing images of the environment of the aircraft, at least one computer, at least one receiving device, at least one first visualization device arranged inside a cockpit of the aircraft, at least one second visualization device intended to be positioned at the head of an occupant of the aircraft, at least one sensor arranged inside the aircraft in order to determine a position and an orientation of the head of the occupant relative to the aircraft and a system for locating the aircraft in a terrestrial reference frame.

[0061] This system for visualizing and managing a situation in the aircraft environment is configured to implement the method described above.

[0062] The present invention also relates to an aircraft comprising such a system for visualizing and managing a situation in the environment of an aircraft.

[0063] The invention and its advantages will appear in more detail in the context of the description which follows with examples given for illustrative purposes with reference to the appended figures which represent: there figure 1 , a side view of an aircraft, the figure 2 , a block diagram of the method according to the invention, the figure 3 , an overall view of the process, the figure 4 , a view of the first viewing device, the figure 5 , a view representing the selection of the center of interest on the first viewing device, the figure 6 , a view depicting an occupant's head and the second viewing device, and the figure 7 , a view of the display on the second viewing device.

[0064] Elements present in several distinct figures are assigned a single reference.

[0065] There figure 1 represents an aircraft 1 comprising a system 10 for visualizing and managing a situation in the environment of the aircraft 1. The aircraft 1 represented on the figure 1 is a rotorcraft comprising for example a fuselage 4, a tail boom 6 and a main lifting rotor 5. However, other types of aircraft 1, such as a fixed-wing aircraft, or even other types of vehicles, such as a ship or even a motor vehicle for example, may comprise such a system 10.

[0066] The system 10 for visualizing and managing a situation of the environment of the aircraft 1 comprises at least one computer 19, image capture devices 12 for capturing images of the environment of the aircraft 1, at least one sensor 13 arranged in the aircraft 1, at least one receiving device 17, at least one first visualization device 14 arranged inside the aircraft 1, at least one second visualization device 21 intended to be positioned at the head of an occupant 2 of the aircraft 1 and a system 15 for locating the aircraft 1 in a terrestrial reference frame.

[0067] Occupant 2 can be a pilot, a co-pilot, the captain, a navigator, a firing operator of aircraft 1 for example.

[0068] Said at least one sensor 13 is configured to determine the position and orientation of the head of the occupant 2 in the aircraft 1.

[0069] Two sensors 13 are shown attached to the aircraft 1 according to the figure 1 . However, a single sensor 13 may be sufficient to determine the orientation and position of the headset 20 in the aircraft 1. Similarly, more than two sensors 13 may be used to determine the orientation and position of the headset 20 in the aircraft 1. One or more sensors 13 may also be positioned on the headset 20 and cooperate with one or more sensors 13 fixed and integral with the cockpit of the aircraft 1. Such a sensor 13 may be magnetic, optical and / or inertial. Such a sensor 13 is known in English under the designation “Head Tracker”.

[0070] For example, in the case of a magnetic sensor 13, a set of coils is arranged, for example, in the cockpit of the aircraft 1 and produces a magnetic field. A magnetic sensor is mounted on the helmet 20 and detects changes in the magnetic field captured during movements of the head of the occupant 2 and thus makes it possible to determine the position and orientation of the head.

[0071] In the case of an optical sensor 13, one or more optical transmitters are for example fixed on the helmet 20. One or more sensors are positioned in the cockpit of the aircraft 1 and capture the beam emitted respectively by each transmitter and make it possible to deduce therefrom the position and orientation of the head of the occupant 2. Conversely, each optical transmitter can be fixed in the cockpit of the aircraft 1 and each sensor is positioned on the helmet 20.

[0072] The location system 15 makes it possible to provide the position and possibly the speed of the aircraft 1. The location system 15 is for example a satellite location device.

[0073] Said at least one data receiving device 17 makes it possible to receive information on objects, such as buildings and vehicles. Said at least one receiving device 17 makes it possible in particular to receive various information via a wireless link, for example at high frequencies. This information may include, for example, coordinates or information on objects in the environment, such as buildings and vehicles in particular, in particular their positions in the terrestrial reference frame as well as their possible speeds.

[0074] The image capture devices 12 of the environment of the aircraft 1 are positioned so as to capture images jointly covering the entire external environment around the aircraft 1. These image capture devices 12 can capture images in the visible and / or infrared range in particular. The peripheral vision system 10 according to the invention can for example comprise six image capture devices 12, such as cameras.

[0075] For example, four image capture devices 12 may be arranged on a horizontal plane and located respectively at the front tip of the fuselage 4 of the aircraft 1, at the rear of the tail boom 6, on the right side and the left side of the aircraft 1. Two image capture devices 12 may also be arranged for example on a vertical plane and positioned respectively above the main rotor 5 and below the fuselage 4.

[0076] Each image capture device 12 is connected to the computer 19 or to a dedicated computer in order to transmit to it the captured images of the environment outside the aircraft 1. The computer 19 or the dedicated computer can then construct a complete image of the environment outside the aircraft 1, possibly in the form of a complete sphere.

[0077] The computer 19 or the dedicated computer may optionally be integrated into an avionics system of the aircraft 1.

[0078] Said at least one first display device 14 arranged inside the aircraft 1 may comprise a screen arranged on a dashboard 11 of the aircraft 1 or on a console of the aircraft 1. A first display device 14 may in particular be a screen provided with a touch screen constituting a selection device 16 usable by the occupant 2. A selection device 16 usable by the occupant 2 may also be a joystick, a mouse or any appropriate selection means connected to the computer 19.

[0079] Said at least one second display device 21 is for example integrated into the helmet 20 worn by an occupant 2 of the aircraft 1 and may comprise a screen integrated into a visor of this helmet 20 or be the visor of this helmet 20 onto which an image is projected. Said at least one second display device 21 may also be integrated into a pair of glasses worn by the occupant 2.

[0080] A second viewing device 21 may be transparent or semi-transparent, allowing the occupant 2 to see the environment around him through this second viewing device 21, possibly superimposed on a displayed image. A second viewing device 21 may also be made opaque so that the occupant 2 only sees the displayed image and does not see the environment around him. The viewing device 21 may also be retractable, in order to allow the occupant 2 to retract it to have a direct view of the environment around him.

[0081] The aircraft 1 also comprises a mobile member 50 arranged on a turret 51 fixed under the fuselage 4 of the aircraft 1. The turret 51 allows mobility of the mobile member 50 relative to the fuselage 4 and allows the mobile member 50 to be oriented in a desired direction.

[0082] The computer 19 may comprise at least one memory storing instructions allowing the implementation of a method for visualizing and managing a situation in the environment of the aircraft 1, a block diagram of which is shown in the figure 2 .

[0083] There figure 3 represents an overall view illustrating the different stages of this process.

[0084] This process involves the following steps.

[0085] First, a step 110 of determining a surveillance zone in the environment of the aircraft 1 is carried out.

[0086] This surveillance zone can be determined by an occupant 2 of the aircraft 1 using the selection device 16, by selecting it on the first display device 14, the first display device 14 displaying an image representing the environment of the aircraft 1, for example in the form of an aerial view.

[0087] This surveillance zone can also be determined by means of an area of ​​the exterior landscape viewed by an occupant 2 of the aircraft 1. The surveillance zone is then centered on the viewed area and has predetermined dimensions. The surveillance zone can, for example, be a circle centered on the viewed area and have a radius equal to one or more hundred meters.

[0088] This surveillance zone can also be determined by receiving the coordinates of the surveillance zone via the receiving device 17. These coordinates are, for example, sent by an operator located outside the vehicle as shown in the figure 3 .

[0089] Then, a step 120 of displaying a first image representing the monitoring zone on the first viewing device 14 is carried out.

[0090] The monitoring area may be displayed on the first viewing device 14 as an aerial view.

[0091] The first image can be constructed from information received in real time using the receiving device of the aircraft 1 from a ground base, another aircraft or a satellite for example. The first image can also be constructed from information contained in a terrain database stored in a memory of the computer 19. This first image can also be constructed by the computer 19 from the images captured by the image capture devices 12.

[0092] The occupant 2 can thus view a first image limited to the surveillance zone on a first viewing device 14, on the dashboard 11 or on a console as shown in the figure 4 His vision is not disturbed by elements outside the surveillance area and can therefore concentrate mainly on the surveillance area.

[0093] In addition, the method according to the invention may comprise a first complementary step of displaying 125 information 28 relating to the surveillance zone on the first image. This information 28 may be of different types and makes it possible to identify, for example, the nature of buildings or vehicles. This information 28 may be contained in a database stored in a memory of the computer 19 and / or received by the reception device 17.

[0094] A selection step 130 of a center of interest in the surveillance zone on the first display device 14 can then be carried out by means of a selection device 16. This selection step 130 is carried out by an occupant 2 of the aircraft 1.

[0095] In order to facilitate this selection of a center of interest, the occupant 2 can advantageously manipulate the first image using the selection device 16. The first image can for example be enlarged, reduced, moved and / or rotated.

[0096] When the selection device 16 is a touch screen integrated into the first viewing device 14, the occupant 2 can manipulate the first image and select the center of interest using his hand as shown in the figure 5 .

[0097] Then, a step 140 of displaying a second image representing the center of interest on the second viewing device 21 is carried out. In this way, the occupant 2 wearing the headset 20 has a vision advantageously limited to this center of interest and possibly to the area surrounding this center of interest using the second viewing device 21 as shown in the figure 6 .

[0098] The selected center of interest may be a part of the surveillance area. In this case, the occupant 2 may define a frame using the selection device 16 on the first image displayed on the first viewing device 14, this frame defining the part of the surveillance area and thus the selected center of interest. During the display step 140, the second image is then limited to this frame defining the selected center of interest, as shown in the figure 4 .

[0099] The selected center of interest may be a point selected using the selection device 16 on the first image displayed on the first viewing device 14 and then constituting a point of interest. During the display step 140, the second image then comprises the selected center of interest positioned at the center of the second image as well as the area situated around this center of interest in the environment of the aircraft 1. The dimensions of the area situated around this center of interest are for example predetermined.

[0100] The dimensions of the area around this center of interest may, for example, correspond to a circle with a radius equal to 100 meters and centered on the center of interest. When the center of interest is a moving object, the dimensions of the area around this center of interest may also be a function of the speed of this moving object. These dimensions may then correspond to a circle centered on the object and with a radius equal to the distance that the object can travel in 10 seconds, for example, at the time of knowing its speed of movement.

[0101] The second image may be displayed on the second viewing device 21 depending on the position and orientation of the headset 20 of the occupant 2. Thus, if the occupant 2 does not have his head oriented towards the center of interest, the center of interest will not be displayed on the second viewing device 21. An indicator, an arrow for example, may be displayed to indicate to the occupant 2 in which direction to orient his head to be able to see a representation of the center of interest on the second viewing device 21. The position and orientation of the headset 20 worn by the occupant 2 are determined by means of at least one sensor 13 and the location device 15 of the aircraft 1.

[0102] When the occupant 2 does not have his head oriented towards the center of interest and the center of interest is not displayed on the second display device 21, the occupant 2 can also select a refocusing option by means of a suitable selection means, allowing a display of the center of interest in the center of the second display device 21, independently of the position of the head of the occupant 2. Then, any movement of the head of the occupant 2 modifies the display on the second display device 21 from the centered position of the center of interest as long as the refocusing option is not deactivated, for example using the suitable selection means or another dedicated selection means.

[0103] In this case, the second viewing device 21 can be made transparent or semi-transparent so that the occupant 2 can directly see the landscape outside the aircraft 1 in transparency, the second image being visible superimposed on this landscape outside the aircraft 1.

[0104] A representation of the landscape outside the aircraft 1 constructed from the images captured by the image capture devices 12 can be displayed on the second display device 21, then made opaque if necessary. The second image is then visible superimposed on this representation of the landscape outside the aircraft 1.

[0105] The second image can also be displayed on the second viewing device independently of the position and orientation of the helmet 20 of the occupant 2. In this case, the second viewing device 21 is opaque and the occupant 2 does not distinguish the landscape outside the aircraft 1 through this second viewing device 21.

[0106] The second image can also be displayed superimposed on a representation of the landscape outside the aircraft 1 constructed from the images captured by the image capture devices 12.

[0107] Furthermore, during movements of the helmet 20, a modification of the second image is carried out as a function of these movements of the helmet 20 and of the changes in the position and orientation of the helmet 20. For this purpose, the step 140 of displaying the second image may comprise a sub-step 147 of determining the position and orientation of the helmet 20 in order to define the amplitudes of these movements of the helmet 20 and a sub-step 148 of calculating a new second image as a function of these movements of the helmet 20 and from the images of the environment of the aircraft captured by the image capture devices 12.

[0108] The second image can be displayed on the second viewing device 21 in two dimensions or in three dimensions.

[0109] In addition, the method according to the invention may comprise a second complementary step of displaying 145 information 28 relating to the center of interest and possibly to the area situated around this center of interest on the second image. This information 28 may be contained in a database stored in a memory of the computer 19 and / or may be received by the reception device 17.

[0110] Then, a step 150 of displaying a sighting mark 25 on the second image is carried out, this display mark indicating the center of interest.

[0111] When the center of interest selected during the selection step 130 is punctual and constitutes a point of interest, the aiming mark 25 indicates this point of interest. The aiming mark 25 is then located like the point of interest in the center of the second image as shown in the figure 7 .

[0112] When the selected center of interest is a part of the monitoring area, the aiming mark 25 indicates by default a center of this part of the monitoring area during the display step 150.

[0113] However, the occupant 2 wearing the headset 20 can select a point of interest from the part of the surveillance zone during an additional step 142 of selecting a point of interest in this part of the surveillance zone. This selection of a point of interest is carried out using the second display device 21 and an additional selection device 23. The aiming mark 25 then indicates this point of interest selected during the additional selection step 142. The aiming mark 25 and the point of interest are then not located in the center of the second image on the second display device 21 as shown in the figure 4 .

[0114] Furthermore, following this display of the aiming mark 25 indicating the center of interest, the aiming mark 25 can be moved on the second image following a movement of the headset 20. Consequently, the aiming mark 25 no longer indicates the center of interest on the second image.

[0115] Furthermore, the method according to the invention may comprise additional steps. The method according to the invention may comprise a step 200 of controlling the mobile member 50 of the aircraft 1 on the sighting mark 25, then a step 210 of locking the mobile member 50 on the sighting mark 25 by a locking device 18. The locking device 18 may comprise a push button arranged on the instrument panel 11 of the aircraft 1.

[0116] Thus, before the locking step 210, any change in the position of the aiming mark 25 on the second image is taken into account by the mobile member 50. This change in position may be subsequent to the performance of the additional step 142 of selecting a point of interest in the part of the surveillance zone or to a movement of the helmet 2.

[0117] Following the locking step 210, such a change in the position of the aiming mark 25 on the second image is not taken into account by the movable member 50.

[0118] Following this locking, any movement of the helmet 20 of the occupant 2 no longer causes any movement of the aiming mark 25 which is then directed towards the same point in the environment regardless of the movements of the helmet 20.

[0119] The method according to the invention may finally comprise a step 220 of activating the movable member 50 in the direction of the locked aiming mark 25. The movable member 50 thus has the locked aiming mark 25 as its target.

[0120] Naturally, the present invention is subject to numerous variations in its implementation. Although several embodiments have been described, it is understood that it is not conceivable to exhaustively identify all possible embodiments.

Claims

1. Method for displaying and managing a situation in an environment of an aircraft (1), at least one calculator (19), at least one receiving device (17), at least one first display device (14) arranged inside a cockpit of said aircraft (1), at least one second display device (21) intended to be positioned at the head of an occupant (2) of said aircraft (1), at least one sensor (13) arranged inside said aircraft (1) in order to determine a position and an orientation of said head of said occupant (2) with respect to said aircraft (1), a selection device (16) and a system for tracking (15) said aircraft (1), said method comprising the following steps: - determining (110) a monitoring zone in the environment of said aircraft (1), - displaying (120) a first image representing the monitoring zone on said first display device (14), - selecting (130) on said first display device (14) a centre of interest in said monitoring zone by means of said selection device (16), - displaying (140) a second image representing said centre of interest on said second display device (21), - displaying (150) a sighting marker (25) indicating said centre of interest on said second image, characterized in that said step of determining (110) a monitoring zone in said environment of said aircraft (1) is performed, - by a selection by an occupant (2) of said aircraft (1) by means of a selection device (16) on said first display device (14), said first display device (14) displaying an image representing said environment of said aircraft (1) in the form of an aerial view, or - by receiving the coordinates of said monitoring zone via a receiving means (17), and during said display step (140), said aircraft (1) comprising image capturing devices (12) to capture the images of said environment of said aircraft (1), said second image is constructed from the images of said environment of said aircraft (1) captured by said image capturing devices (12), said second image being displayed irrespective of the position and orientation of said head of said occupant (2).

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that during said display step (120), said monitoring zone is displayed on said first display device (14) as an aerial view.

3. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that said monitoring zone has predetermined dimensions.

4. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said centre of interest is a single point and constitutes a point of interest, said sighting marker (25) indicating said point of interest during the display step (150).

5. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said centre of interest is a part of the monitoring zone, said sighting marker (25) indicating a centre of said part of said monitoring zone during said display step (150).

6. Method according to Claim 5, characterized in that, said aircraft (1) comprising an auxiliary selection device (23), said method comprises an additional step of selecting (142) a point of interest in said part of said monitoring zone by means of said second display device (21) and said auxiliary selection device (23), said sighting marker (25) indicating said point of interest during said display step (150).

7. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said second image comprises a non-distorted central view of a first part of said environment outside said aircraft (1) and a distorted peripheral view of a second part of said environment outside said aircraft, said peripheral view being situated around said central part, said first part of said environment outside said aircraft (1) comprising said centre of interest, said second part of said environment outside the aircraft (1) being situated around the first part.

8. Method according to Claim 7, characterized in that said first part and said second part of said environment together cover the whole of said environment around said aircraft (1), said image capture devices (12) being arranged so as to capture images that together cover the entire external environment in which said aircraft is travelling.

9. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said method comprises additional steps of displaying (125,145) information (28) relating to said monitoring zone on said first image and to said centre of interest and / or to the environment of said centre of interest on said second image.

10. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that after said step of displaying (150) a sighting marker (25) indicating said centre of interest, said sighting marker (25) is moved on said second image following a movement of said head of said occupant (2), according to said movement of said head.

11. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, <b>characterized in that, said aircraft (1) comprising a movable member (50), said method comprises the following additional steps: - slaving (200) said movable member (50) pointing to said sighting marker (25), - locking (210) said movable member (50) on said sighting marker (25) by means of a locking device (18), - activating (220) said movable member (50) in the direction of said locked sighting marker (25).

12. System (10) for displaying and managing a situation in the environment of said aircraft (1), said system (10) comprising image capture devices (12) for capturing images of said environment of said aircraft (1), at least one calculator (19), at least one receiving device (17), at least one first display device (14) arranged inside a cockpit of said aircraft (1), at least one second display device (21) intended to be positioned at the head of an occupant (2) of said aircraft (1), at least one sensor arranged inside said aircraft (1) in order to determine a position and an orientation of said head of said occupant (2) with respect to said aircraft (1) and a system for tracking (15) said aircraft (1), said system (10) comprising a movable member (50) of said aircraft (1), a selection device (16) and an auxiliary selection device (23), characterized in that said system (10) is configured to implement the method according to any one of the Claims 1 to 11.

13. System (10) according to Claim 12, characterized in that said selection device (16) is a touch panel integrated into said first display device (14), a joystick, a mouse connected to said calculator (19).

14. Aircraft (1), characterized in that said aircraft (1) comprises a system (10) for displaying and managing a situation in the environment of said aircraft (1) according to any one of Claims 12 to 13.