Display system in an aircraft cockpit and associated display method.

Abstract

Display system in an aircraft cockpit and associated display method. The present invention relates to a display system (10) in an aircraft cockpit, comprising: - a plurality of display surfaces (20); - a processing module (12) configured to host applications (30) capable of generating images to be displayed on one or more display surfaces (20); - a graphics generation module (14) configured to generate a composite graphics stream comprising images from one or more applications (30) intended to be displayed on different display surfaces (20); wherein each display surface (20) is configured to receive said composite graphics stream and to extract images intended to be displayed on that display surface (20). Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Display system in an aircraft cockpit and associated display method.

[0001] The present invention relates to a display system in an aircraft cockpit.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a display method associated with such a display system.

[0003] There are in the prior art different display architectures in the aircraft cockpit.

[0004] In particular, we know of so-called distributed or integrated display architectures which promote the availability of the display field.

[0005] In a manner known per se, in distributed architectures, each display screen is associated with a graphics generation module also called a GPU-type graphics generator (from the English "Graphics Processing Unit").

[0006] This generator makes it possible to generate graphic streams intended for this screen from the images provided by a processing module, for example a CPU (Central Processing Unit) type processor.

[0007] In integrated architectures (also called "Smart Dispatch Displays"), the GPU graphics generation module and the CPU processing module are integrated into the screen.

[0008] In both cases, such a CPU processing module is capable of generating the corresponding graphic streams from the images provided by the applications hosted on this processing module.

[0009] These applications depend on the use given to the corresponding display screen and may, for example, include an altimeter, a horizon, a relief of the surface being flown over, etc. This display screen may thus correspond to a primary flight display of the PFD type (from the English "Primary Flight Display").

[0010] Also known per se, the display screens in the cockpit are at least duplicated to ensure the level of availability required by the aeronautical field.

[0011] Thus, for example, the cockpit includes at least two primary flight displays whose operation is ensured by separate graphics generation modules and processing modules.

[0012] It is therefore understandable that the means required to operate these various screens in an aircraft cockpit involve considerable weight, volume, and cabling. This consequently results in significant production and operating costs.

[0013] The present invention makes it possible to overcome these drawbacks and proposes in particular An aircraft cockpit display system that reduces the weight, volume, and cabling required for installation, while ensuring the level of availability required by the aeronautical industry. This, in turn, reduces the production and operating costs of these various systems.

[0014] For this purpose, the invention aims at a display system in an aircraft cockpit.

[0015] The device comprises a plurality of display surfaces; a processing module configured to host applications capable of generating images to be displayed on one or more display surfaces; a graphics generation module configured to generate a composite graphics stream comprising images from one or more applications intended to be displayed on different display surfaces and in which each display surface is configured to receive said composite graphics stream and to extract images intended to be displayed on that display surface.

[0016] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the system comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in technically feasible combinations:

[0017] - a separation device configured to receive said composite graphic stream and to divide it into at least two identical graphic streams intended to be received by different display surfaces;

[0018] - the separation device is a passive device, such as an optical splitter;

[0019] - The graphics generation module is configured to generate a graphics stream simple including images from one or more applications and intended to be displayed on the same display surface;

[0020] - each display surface is configured to adapt, upon receiving said stream composite graph, the images corresponding to this display area, using configuration parameters;

[0021] - an acquisition module configured to acquire each command executed in relationship with each display surface and to transmit it to the processing module;

[0022] - the processing module being configured to process each command acquired by the acquisition module, depending on the display area corresponding to this command;

[0023] - the processing module is configured to process each command acquired by the acquisition module according to a reference frame corresponding to the display surface corresponding to this command;

[0024] - a main display surface connected to said graphics generation module;

[0025] - at least two additional display surfaces, advantageously connected to the graphics generation module;

[0026] - the processing module is configured for

[0027] in a normal operating mode, generate a composite stream comprising images intended to be displayed only by one of the additional display surfaces;

[0028] in a degraded operating mode, generate a composite stream comprising images intended to be displayed on each of the additional display surfaces;

[0029] each additional display surface being configured to receive said composite graphic stream and to extract images therefrom intended to be displayed on that display surface.

[0030] The invention also relates to a method of display in an aircraft cockpit, comprising the following steps:

[0031] - generate images to be displayed on one or more display surfaces, by one or several applications;

[0032] - generate a composite graphic stream comprising images from one or more several applications and intended to be displayed on different display surfaces;

[0033] - receive said graphic stream composed by each display surface;

[0034] - extract images intended to be displayed on the corresponding display surface laying

[0035] The invention ultimately aims at a computer program comprising software instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement the process as defined above.

[0036] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the drawings in which: - [Fig.1] [Fig.1] is a schematic view of a display system according to the invention; - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic view of a separation device making part of the display system of [Fig.1]; - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic view of a display system according to another example of implementation; - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic view illustrating the operation of the display system of [Fig. 3] in a degraded operating mode; and - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a flowchart of a display process implemented by the display system of [Fig.1] or [Fig.3].

[0037] Figure 1 illustrates a display system 10 according to the invention. This display system 10 is usable in an aircraft cockpit.

[0038] By "aircraft" we mean any machine that can be piloted by one or more operators from a cockpit thereof.

[0039] The cockpit may be mounted on the aircraft, as is notably the case with an airplane or a helicopter. Alternatively, the cockpit may be located remotely from the aircraft, as is the case, for example, with a drone.

[0040] As illustrated in [Fig.1], the display system 10 comprises a processing module 12, a graphics generation module 14, a separation device 16, a plurality of display surfaces 20 and an acquisition module 22. In the example of [Fig.1], three display surfaces, namely surfaces 20-1 to 20-3, are represented.

[0041] The processing module 12 is for example a CPU-type processor which is configured to host applications 30, advantageously avionics applications.

[0042] In [Fig.1], three avionics applications, namely application 30-1, application 30-2 and application 30-3 are represented.

[0043] The processing module 12 can for example represent a CPU processor known in itself possibly associated with a random access memory and a non-volatile memory which stores the aforementioned applications 30.

[0044] According to another embodiment, the processing module 12 is presented in a completely different adapted form which includes, for example, a programmable logic circuit of the FPGA type (from the English "Field Programmable Gate Array").

[0045] Each of the applications 30 allows the generation of images which are intended to be displayed on at least one of the display surfaces 20.

[0046] For example, these images represent the current position of the aircraft, its horizon, its altitude, or any other data intended for piloting the aircraft.

[0047] The graphics generation module 14, also known as the GPU (from the English "Graphics Processing Unit"), is configured to generate graphics streams from images from one or more applications 30 hosted by the processing module 12.

[0048] More specifically, the generation module 14 is capable of generating a simple graphics stream which includes images from one or more applications 30 intended to be displayed on a single display surface 20.

[0049] In the example of [Fig. 1], the application 30-3 is capable of generating, for example, images intended to be displayed only on the display surface 20-3. In such a case, the graphics generation module 14 makes it possible to generate a simple graphics stream from the images provided by this application 30-3, which is transmitted by the following only the display surface 20-3.

[0050] The graphics generation module 14 also allows the generation of a composite graphics stream which includes images from one or more applications 30 intended to be displayed on different display surfaces 20.

[0051] Thus, for example, in the example of [Fig.1], the graphics generation module 14 makes it possible to generate a composite graphics stream from the images provided by the applications 30-1 and 30-2. This composite graphics stream is then intended for the two display surfaces 20-1 and 20-2, as will be explained in detail later.

[0052] Each of the display surfaces 20 is intended to receive a graphic stream from the graphics generation module 14 in order to display at least some of the images contained in that stream.

[0053] In particular, in the case of a simple graphic stream, the corresponding display surface 20 allows the display of all the images contained in this stream.

[0054] In the case of a composite graphic stream, the corresponding display surface 20 allows only the images intended to be displayed on this display surface 20 to be extracted from this composite graphic stream.

[0055] In particular, such a display surface 20 is configured to receive a composite graphics stream generated by the graphics generation module 14 and to extract from this stream only the images intended to be displayed by this display surface 20. For this purpose, the corresponding display surface 20 is configured to receive configuration parameters from, for example, the processing module 12 or the graphics generation module 14 which allows it to distinguish the images intended to be displayed on this surface from the images intended to be displayed on other display surfaces.

[0056] To do this, each display surface 20 is for example adapted to apply the "cropping" type technique allowing the corresponding images to be extracted.

[0057] The configuration parameters can, for example, be static, i.e., define in a predetermined way the way of distinguishing corresponding images, or be dynamic, i.e., define in a dynamic way the way of distinguishing corresponding images.

[0058] These configuration parameters can, for example, be transmitted to each of the display surfaces 20 via a dedicated link or integrated into the graphics flow.

[0059] Advantageously, each display surface 20 is further configured to adapt the images intended to be displayed on that surface which come from a composite graphic stream.

[0060] For example, each display surface 20 is adapted to apply a scaling operation to such images or, in some examples, an operation to adapt the resolution of that image. The adaptation may, for example This is done according to configuration parameters transmitted by the processing module 12 or by the graphic generation module 14.

[0061] Each display surface 20 presents, for example, a complete display screen or at least a part of it possibly combined with a part of at least one other display screen, or at least a part of a head-up display.

[0062] To deliver the corresponding graphic stream to each display surface 20, the graphics generation module 14 is connected by a suitable link. This link can, for example, be an optical link.

[0063] For display surfaces 20 intended to display only simple graphic streams, the graphic generation module 14 can be connected directly.

[0064] For the display surfaces 20 intended to receive the composite graphic streams, the graphic generation module 14 is connected via the separation device 16.

[0065] In particular, the separation device 16 allows a composite graphic stream from the graphic generation module 14 to be received and divided into at least two identical graphic streams which are then intended to be received by different display surfaces 20.

[0066] In the example of [Fig. 1], only one separation device 16 is illustrated. However, it should be understood that more generally, several possible separation devices 16 can be arranged in parallel or at least some of them sequentially to divide the same graphic stream into at least three graphic streams.

[0067] Advantageously, the separation device 16 is a passive device. This means that this separation device allows the corresponding flows to be separated indifferently to the nature and content of that flow. Advantageously, this separation device 16 has an optical splitter such as, for example, illustrated in [Fig. 2].

[0068] With reference to [Fig. 2], the separation device 16 comprises two optical input channels, namely channels 40-1 and 40-2, and two optical output channels, namely channels 40-3 and 40-4. The optical separation device 16 further comprises a mixing zone 42 for mixing the optical streams entering through the input channels 40-1 and 40-2 and then separating them into two independent optical streams that exit through the output channels 40-3 and 40-4.

[0069] In the example in [Fig.2], the input channel 40-1 is connected to the graphics generation module 14, while each of the output channels 40-3, 40-4 is connected respectively to the display surface 20-1 and the display surface 20-2. In the example in this figure, the input channel 40-2 is not used.

[0070] The acquisition module 22 is configured to acquire each command exerted in relation to each display surface 20 in order to transmit this command to processing module 12.

[0071] In particular, by command exerted in relation to a display surface 20, we mean any action exerted by the operator to control or modify the display on the corresponding display surface 20.

[0072] For example, when a display surface 20 has a touch surface, such a control describes each touch movement made by the operator in relation to this display surface 20.

[0073] Alternatively or in addition, a command exerted in relation to a display surface 20, whether touch-sensitive or not, can also be introduced by an external CCD-type introduction device (from the English "Cursor Control Device").

[0074] The processing module 12 allows each command acquired by the acquisition module 22 to be processed according to the display surface 20 corresponding to that command.

[0075] In particular, the processing module 12 allows each command acquired by the acquisition module 22 to be processed according to a reference frame corresponding to the display surface 20 corresponding to that command.

[0076] In other words, the processing module 12 makes it possible to bring each command exerted in relation to each display surface 20 back into the source reference of the images corresponding to this display surface 20.

[0077] Fig. 3 illustrates another example of an embodiment of the display system 10.

[0078] According to this example, the display system 10 includes a display chain 48 implemented according to an integrated type architecture or “Smart Dispatch Display”.

[0079] This display chain 48 comprises a main display surface 20-1, a processing module 12 and a graphics generation module 14, as described previously.

[0080] Furthermore, according to this example, the display chain 48 is connected to the two additional display surfaces, namely the additional display surfaces 20-2 and 20-3. Each additional display surface 20-2 and 20-3 thus presents a display screen implemented according to the distributed architecture. The acquisition module 22 of the display system 10 is associated with each display surface 20-1, 20-2, and 20-3, and is capable of acquiring commands issued in relation to each of these display surfaces.

[0081] In the example of [Fig.3], the display system 10 further includes a display chain 49 comprising a second main display surface 50. This display chain 49 is also connected to the two additional display surfaces 20-2 and 20-3 as illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0082] Just like the display chain 48, the display chain 49 is, for example, implemented according to an integrated architecture and includes a processing module and a graphics generation module similar to those described previously. For the sake of simplicity, only the second main display surface 50 is shown in [Fig.3].

[0083] Advantageously, one of the display chains 48, 49 can form a "COM" type processing chain and the other a "MON" type processing chain. In other words, the display chains 48, 49 are designed to operate in parallel.

[0084] In normal operating mode, the graphics generation module 14 of [Fig.3] is capable of transmitting a simple graphics stream to the main display surface 20-1.

[0085] This simple graphic flow includes, for example, the images generated by applications 30-1, 30-2, 30-3 of [Fig.3].

[0086] The main display surface 20-1 is thus suitable for representing this simple graphic flow.

[0087] In normal operating mode, the graphics generation module 14 is also capable of generating a graphics stream composed from the images provided by the application 30-4 hosted on the processing module 12.

[0088] This composite graphic stream can only be displayed on the additional display surface 20-2 connected directly to the graphics generation module 14.

[0089] In normal operating mode, the display on the display surfaces 50 and 20-3 is implemented in a similar manner by the display chain 49.

[0090] The degraded operating mode may, for example, occur when the main display surface 50 is no longer available or when the display chain 49 has another type of failure.

[0091] This case is illustrated in more detail in [Fig.4].

[0092] In particular, in such a case, the processing module 12 of the display chain 48 is able to implement the application 30-5 which corresponds to the capacity lost by the other display chain 49.

[0093] In this case, the graphics generation module 14 is capable of generating a graphics stream composed from the images provided both by the application 30-4 as was the case in the normal operating mode but also from the application 30-5.

[0094] Also as in the previous case, the graphics generation module 14 is also capable of generating a simple graphics stream for the main display surface 20-1. This simple graphics stream remains unchanged compared to that of the normal operating mode.

[0095] Then, the composite graphic flow is duplicated between the additional display surfaces 20-2, 20-3. To do this, the separation device 16 is arranged between these additional display areas 20-2, 20-3 and the main display area 20-1.

[0096] Upon receiving the composite graphic stream, the additional display surface 20-2 then extracts the images generated by the application 30-4, while the additional display surface 20-3 extracts from this composite graphic stream the images generated by the application 30-5.

[0097] For this purpose, the processing module 12 or the graphics generation module 14 can transmit to this additional display surface 20-3 configuration parameters indicating that it must process the composite graphics stream instead of the graphics stream transmitted by the display surface 50.

[0098] Of course, other examples of display surface arrangement of them are also possible.

[0099] For example, it is possible to indirectly connect the additional display surfaces 20-2, 20-3 to the graphics generation module 14, for example via the main display surface 20-1. It is also possible to control the operation of the separation device 16 so that it performs the separation only in the degraded operating mode, for example.

[0100] The display method in the aircraft cockpit implemented by the display system 10 will now be explained with reference to [Fig.5] illustrating a flowchart of its steps.

[0101] During an initial step 110, the applications 30 hosted by the processing module 12 generate images to be displayed on one or more display surfaces 20.

[0102] In the next step 120, the graphics generation module 14 generates graphics streams comprising the images from these applications 30.

[0103] In particular, the graphics generation module 14 generates a composite graphics stream comprising images from one or more applications 30 which are intended to be displayed on different display surfaces 20.

[0104] Advantageously, the graphics generation module 14 also generates a simple graphics stream from the images intended to be displayed on a single display surface 20.

[0105] During the next step 130 the display surfaces receive the graphic streams generated by the graphics generation module 14.

[0106] In particular, at least two display surfaces receive the same composite graphics stream generated by the graphics generation module 14.

[0107] Advantageously, at least one other display surface also receives a simple graphics stream.

[0108] During the next step 140, each of the display surfaces 20 having received the stream A composite graph extracted from this stream of corresponding images.

[0109] For example, when the composite graphics stream includes images intended to be displayed on two different display surfaces 20, each of these display surfaces 20 extracts the images specific to that display surface 20.

[0110] Furthermore, during this extraction and as previously mentioned, each display surface 20 can adapt the received images, for example by scaling or by modifying the resolution according to techniques known in themselves.

[0111] The display surfaces 20 that have received the simple graphic stream can then display it directly.

[0112] Also, and as previously mentioned, at least some display surfaces can simply pass through simple or composite graphic streams without displaying the images contained in those streams.

[0113] In addition, the extraction of images from the corresponding streams is done according to configuration parameters transmitted for example beforehand by the processing module 12 or the graphics generation module 14.

[0114] When the display system 10 has to change its operating mode, for example switching from a normal operating mode to a degraded operating mode following, for example, a failure in a display chain, the processing module 12 or the graphics generation module 14 transmits new configuration parameters to the corresponding display surfaces to modify the way images are extracted by the corresponding display surfaces.

[0115] It is therefore understood that the present invention has a number of advantages.

[0116] First, the invention allows the use of a single graphics generation module and A single processing module can handle a number of display surfaces exceeding the number of graphic streams it can normally generate. This allows for optimal use of the modules' computing resources, thus reducing their number when necessary.

[0117] This also helps to reduce the weight, volume, cost and wiring of the display system installation.

[0118] The invention remains particularly advantageous when it is necessary to implement several display chains, for example in parallel.

[0119] In such a case, in the event of failure of one of the display chains, the other display chain can take over in order to avoid the complete loss of the display surfaces.

[0120] Finally, the display system according to the invention requires very little modification to the existing display system. In particular, generally speaking, only the addition of a separation device 16 may be necessary.

[0121] However, this addition can be made in a particularly simple way, the operation in itself of such a separation device is simple given that it presents a passive device.

Claims

Demands

1. A display system (10) in an aircraft cockpit, comprising: - a plurality of display surfaces (20); - a processing module (12) configured to host applications (30) capable of generating images to be displayed on one or more display surfaces (20); - a graphics generation module (14) configured to generate a composite graphics stream comprising images from one or more applications (30) intended to be displayed on different display surfaces (20); wherein each display surface (20) is configured to receive said composite graphics stream and to extract images therefrom intended to be displayed on that display surface (20).

2. Display system (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a separation device (16) configured to receive said composite graphic stream and to divide it into at least two identical graphic streams intended to be received by different display surfaces (20).

3. Display system (10) according to claim 2, wherein the separation device (16) is a passive device, such as an optical splitter.

4. Display system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the graphics generation module (14) is configured to generate a simple graphics stream comprising images from one or more applications (30) intended to be displayed on the same display surface (20).

5. Display system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each display surface (20) is configured to adapt, upon receipt of said composite graphic stream, the images corresponding to that display surface, using configuration parameters.

6. A display system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an acquisition module (22) configured to acquire each command issued in relation to each display surface (20) and to transmit it to the processing module (12); the processing module (12) being configured to process each command acquired by the acquisition module (22), depending on the display area (20) corresponding to this command.

7. Display system (10) according to claim 6, wherein the processing module (12) is configured to process each command acquired by the acquisition module (22) according to a reference frame corresponding to the display surface (20) corresponding to that command.

8. Display system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: - a main display surface (20-1) connected to said graphics generation module (14); - at least two additional display surfaces (20-2, 20-3), advantageously connected to the graphics generation module (14).

9. Display system (10) according to claim 8, wherein the processing module (12) is configured to: - in a normal operating mode, generate a composite stream comprising images intended to be displayed only by one of the additional display surfaces (20-2, 20-3); - in a degraded operating mode, generate a composite stream comprising images intended to be displayed on each of the additional display surfaces (20-2, 20-3); each additional display surface (20-2, 20-3) being configured to receive said composite graphic stream and to extract images therefrom intended to be displayed on that display surface (20-2, 20-3).

10. A method for displaying in an aircraft cockpit, comprising the following steps: - generating (110) images to be displayed on one or more display surfaces, by one or more applications (30); - generating (120) a composite graphics stream comprising images from one or more applications (30) intended to be displayed on different display surfaces; - receiving (130) said composite graphics stream by each display surface (20); - extracting (140) images intended to be displayed on the corresponding display surface (20).

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