Display system for an aircraft displaying images from different sources on at least one display

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a system (1) for assisting in the piloting of an aircraft (100), which system comprises a display (10), a computer (20), and at least one item of equipment (30). The computer (20) comprises a memory (25) storing display configurations containing the features of at least one image (11) to be displayed. Each item of equipment (30) is connected to the computer (20) by a bidirectional primary data link (70) and by an at least unidirectional secondary link (80) for an external video stream (V31, V32) from the item of equipment (30) to the computer (20). The computer (20) is configured to transfer the external video stream (V31, V32), via a video link (90), to the display (10), without modification or transformation, in order to display at least one external image (12, 14) generated by the item of equipment (30) in accordance with a display configuration selected from the display configurations.

Description

[0001] AIRCRAFT DISPLAY SYSTEM SHOWING IMAGES FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES ON AT LEAST ONE DISPLAY

[0002] The present invention relates to an aircraft display system equipped with one or more displays and displaying images from different sources on this or these displays.

[0003] A conventional aircraft may include several displays to show information related to the current mission, enabling the crew to understand the aircraft's situation and its environment.

[0004] A display can be a so-called "intelligent" or "smart" display, having its own screen and its own graphics computer to generate and display dedicated images autonomously, based on information and parameters received from outside, for example from flight instruments, sensors or other computers such as a computer hosting the autopilot or a mission computer.

[0005] There are also so-called "dumb" displays that show an image from a video stream received from a computer external to the display. Regardless of the type of display, a computer, whether attached to the display or not, generates a video stream using the resources of a processor known by the acronym CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a processor known by the acronym GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), this GPU being dedicated to graphics tasks.

[0006] The constraints on these processors are identical. For example, the refresh rate of the displayed image must be constant and not degraded by ongoing processing. Therefore, the use of the GPU's resources is reserved and limited to a single display generation process. This graphics resource cannot be shared, for example, to perform other tasks, which are handled by the CPU.

[0007] Furthermore, the entire display area is occupied and dedicated to displaying information in one or more predefined formats, which take into account the various pieces of information received. Therefore, any changes to the display formats to accommodate new, unforeseen information can prove tedious and complex.

[0008] Finally, it may be difficult or even impossible to display certain information, such as three-dimensional images, either because the information expected from an external computer to generate these images exceeds the capabilities of the interfaces, particularly the throughput, or because the nature of the processing exceeds the capabilities of the GPU graphics processor dedicated to displaying.

[0009] Indeed, to display several complex images on a single screen, the aircraft may need to consider multiple different sources of information, such as a database for displaying a synthetic map, cameras providing external views, and a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor for displaying three-dimensional views of surrounding obstacles. Furthermore, the aircraft includes dedicated computers for functions such as the autopilot, monitoring hydraulic and electrical systems, and the flight control system. Each source of information or computer requiring display results in the transmission of data to the central computer, which then generates the final video stream containing the images to be displayed in the required formats.Although efficient, this architecture monopolizes the resources and interfaces of the centralized computer for the generation of these images and the associated video stream.

[0010] At the processing resource level, the ARINC 653 standard enables temporal and spatial partitioning of computing resources. This standard, in particular, ensures the necessary independence of functions executed within the same computer, but with different levels of criticality. However, this ARINC 653 standard is only available for certain CPUs and not for GPUs, and therefore does not allow for sharing GPU resources while guaranteeing the integrity of the applications that use them. Consequently, the GPU's capabilities may be saturated or insufficient to generate one or more high-resolution and / or three-dimensional images before displaying them.

[0011] An ARINC 661 interface enables collaborative display by simultaneously transferring data from two images originating from one or two sources to a central computer. Here again, a new image is generated by the central computer. The ARINC 661 standard specifies the interface between an aircraft cockpit display subsystem and other connected equipment. Applying this ARINC 661 standard allows for collaboration in a given display format by transferring graphic information from an external computer to the computer generating the images to be displayed in the respective required formats.

[0012] However, the application of this ARINC 661 standard also does not allow the sharing of GPU graphics processing unit resources, which remains a potential bottleneck in terms of the amount of information to be processed and can be saturated to display one or more images, especially in high resolutions and / or in three dimensions.

[0013] Generating images on a single large, high-resolution screen from information sourced from multiple sources therefore requires significant resources in terms of both CPU and GPU resources, which limits the capabilities of displaying high-resolution and / or three-dimensional images.

[0014] For example, US patent 2013 / 0033503 describes an aircraft display system comprising at least one display with two independent matrices. This display system includes a central module, two bypass devices, and two independent graphics chains that generate images. Each graphics chain is connected to the central module and to a bypass device. The bypass devices are connected to the display matrices and the central module, respectively. The central module can compose images from the images generated by the graphics chains, possibly mixed with an external video source, by resizing, layering, or blending them. The resulting image can be sent to the display matrices. Alternatively, a video stream can be transmitted directly from a graphics chain to a matrix via the bypass device, without passing through the central module.

[0015] The document EP 3210891 is also known.

[0016] The present invention aims to provide a system and method for aircraft piloting assistance that overcomes the limitations mentioned above, by allowing the display on the same screen of several high-resolution images directly generated from different equipment, thus distributing the graphic resources.

[0017] According to the invention, an aircraft piloting assistance system comprises:

[0018] - at least one display,

[0019] - a central computer equipped with internal memory, and

[0020] - at least one piece of equipment connected to the central computer and configured to generate one or more images.

[0021] This device is remarkable in that the internal memory stores image display configurations, each display configuration having the characteristics of at least one image to be displayed, namely its content, its resolution and its display position on said at least one display, the display system having a primary link and a secondary link per piece of equipment connecting the central computer and the equipment, the primary link allowing bidirectional data transfer and the secondary link allowing at least unidirectional transfer of at least one external video stream from the equipment to the central computer, said at least one external video stream having at least one external image generated by the equipment in accordance with a display configuration selected from among the display configurations,The display system includes at least one video link connecting the central computer and at least one display, allowing at least one unidirectional transfer of at least one video stream from the central computer to at least one display. The central computer is configured to transfer at least one external video stream via this video link to at least one display, without modification or transformation, at the display position specified in the selected display configuration. At least one display is configured to display at least one external image at the display position. The central computer is thus connected to one or more devices capable of providing images and acting as image sources. Each device includes at least one CPU and / or one GPU to generate images based on received information.

[0022] The primary link allows bidirectional data transfer and is specifically configured to control equipment connected to the central computer and to define or modify one or more characteristics of the image(s) expected in the video stream(s), namely the content, resolution and display position of the image(s).

[0023] The central computer thus requests information from several devices by sending a specific request to each device via this primary connection. This request includes the characteristics of the image(s) requested in order to receive the image(s) in the desired resolution and corresponding to a selected display configuration. Specifically, a device can transfer several images to the central computer in different resolutions, for example, a high-resolution image and a low-resolution image.

[0024] Next, the central computer transfers the received image(s) to at least one display, which shows them in one or more locations predefined by the selected display configuration. This occurs without any graphic or algorithmic processing or transformation, thus avoiding any strain on the central computer's resources. In this way, the equipment transfers different images to the central computer, which are then displayed simultaneously on the display(s) as specified in the selected display configuration, and therefore exactly as transmitted by the equipment. This at least one display could, for example, consist of a single high-resolution widescreen, such as one located in the center of an aircraft cockpit, allowing the display of multiple images, for example, side by side. Alternatively, this at least one display could, for example, consist of several high-resolution widescreens located in the cockpit.This at least one display can, for example, include one or more "dumb" type screens. Consequently, the central computer's resources, both for processing and graphics, are advantageously not used to process or transform the received images, and are therefore available for other tasks. The central computer can also be sized accordingly, so as to be less expensive and / or less bulky.

[0025] The system according to the invention thus saves the processing resources of the central computer. Furthermore, the system according to the invention optimizes the use of each device's computer's graphics resources to generate images whose characteristics are not limited by the central computer's capabilities. The system according to the invention also drastically reduces the number of interfaces required to receive information from various external sources, such as data acquisition devices, sensors, or other devices.

[0026] The system according to the invention finally allows the central computer to process images whose characteristics may exceed its processing capabilities, for example in three dimensions and at very high resolution, and to allow for upgrades or the implementation of new formats at the level of the equipment connected to the central computer, without requiring any upgrades to the central computer itself. The pilot assistance system according to the invention thus allows the display of several images at different resolutions and from different sources, for example on the same large screen or on separate screens, without requiring the use of an expensive and / or bulky central computer.

[0027] The piloting assistance system according to the invention may also include one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination.

[0028] One possibility is that the display system may include a human-machine interface connected to the central computer and allowing an operator to select the desired display configuration from those stored in the computer's internal memory.

[0029] The selected display configuration can thus be chosen manually by the pilot or co-pilot of the aircraft using this human-machine interface.

[0030] According to a possibility compatible with the previous ones, the internal memory can store a lookup table between aircraft flight phases and display configurations, the central computer being configured to automatically select the selected display configuration that corresponds to the current flight phase of the aircraft according to the lookup table.

[0031] The aircraft's current flight phase can typically be determined based on factors such as its forward speed, vertical speed, or altitude, by the central computer or an aircraft avionics system. Examples of flight phases include takeoff, landing, and decruise. A signal indicating this current flight phase is transmitted to the central computer by the avionics system. The central computer can then automatically select the display configuration associated with this current flight phase from the lookup table.In this way, the images to be displayed on the display(s), as well as their resolutions and display positions, are determined automatically, i.e. without intervention from the pilot or co-pilot, to be adapted to the current flight phase of the aircraft and thus to optimally provide the information necessary for the pilot and co-pilot to carry out this flight phase.

[0032] According to a possibility compatible with the previous ones, the central computer can be configured to transmit a request to at least one device via the primary link, the request including the characteristics of said at least one external image to be transmitted by this device to the central computer, in accordance with the selected display configuration, this device being configured to transmit to the central computer via the secondary link said at least one external video stream including said at least one external image, corresponding to the characteristics specified in the request.

[0033] In this way, the central computer can send several different requests to multiple devices, according to the selected display configuration, asking each device to provide the requested images in the specified resolution(s) and format(s). In turn, each requested device transmits the requested image(s) in the required resolution and format.

[0034] Thus, the computer receives the images as specified in the selected display configuration and can transmit them directly to the display, advantageously without processing or modifying them, or having to know or interpret their content, indicating to the destination display their display position on that display.

[0035] According to a possibility compatible with the previous ones, the display system may include a display equipped with a touch panel connected to the central computer, which is configured to transmit, via the primary link, information relating to the actions performed on the touch panel to the equipment concerned.

[0036] Indeed, the touchscreen is connected to the central computer via a dedicated link, or even via the video link, which can be bidirectional. The actions of the pilot or co-pilot on the touchscreen are determined by the external image(s) displayed on the screen associated with that touchscreen. These external images are controlled, and may even be stored, by the central computer. The central computer then sends and / or distributes information based on these actions and the displayed external image(s) to the relevant equipment. This equipment may have, for example, transmitted these external images to the central computer via its secondary link, allowing that equipment to manage the consequences of the actions on the touchscreen itself.

[0037] According to a possibility compatible with the preceding ones, the central computer may include a GPU graphics computer generating at least one internal image, based on data provided by at least one data acquisition device connected directly to the central computer or connected to said at least one piece of equipment, said at least one internal image corresponding to the characteristics specified in the selected display configuration, and the central computer is configured to transmit to the display(s) at least one internal video stream comprising said at least one internal image, via said at least one video link, with the display position of said at least one internal image on the display(s) specified in the selected display configuration.

[0038] Indeed, the central computer can generate its own "internal" image(s) based on data from one or more data acquisition devices, such as radar, sensors, or cameras. This internal image is specified in the selected display configuration but cannot be transmitted by any of the equipment connected to the central computer. The central computer's GPU is therefore configured to generate this requested internal image(s), respecting the selected display configuration, and in particular the requested resolution.

[0039] Furthermore, the central processing unit may include a device known by the acronym FPGA, which stands for Field Programmable Gate Array. This FPGA device saves resources on the GPU by systematically processing incoming video streams and generating internal images and outgoing video streams intended for at least one display.

[0040] In this way, the central computer can host important, even critical, functions for piloting and monitoring the aircraft's operating status, independently of the equipment connected to it and any failures or malfunctions of that equipment. The central computer thus advantageously and autonomously displays images critical to the aircraft's operation and safety. For example, the central computer can independently generate a flight information display known as the Primary Flight Display (PFD) and a display showing the status of the aircraft's systems known as the Vehicle Management Display (VMD).According to a possibility compatible with the previous ones, the GPU graphics computer can generate said at least one internal image, also based on data stored in at least one external memory connected either directly to the central computer, or to said at least one piece of equipment.

[0041] In this case, the central computer's GPU graphics processor can generate the requested internal image(s), based on one or more data points from one or more acquisition devices and on one or more data points stored in an external memory directly connected to the central computer or to equipment.

[0042] In a scenario compatible with the previous ones, the central processing unit can also transfer at least two images to a display for superimposed display, according to the selected display configuration. These at least two images are, for example, displayed in the same location on the display. These at least two images can be external images provided by the same device or by two separate devices. Alternatively, these at least two images can be internal images, or even internal and external images. At least one of these images can include one or more transparent areas.

[0043] According to a possibility compatible with the previous ones, the primary link may include a bidirectional link allowing the central computer and the equipment connected by this primary link to exchange data with each other. Alternatively, the primary link may include two unidirectional links in opposite directions, allowing, for a first unidirectional link, the central computer to transmit data to the equipment, such as a request relating to the selected display configuration, and, for a second unidirectional link, the equipment to transmit data to the central computer such as the current display configuration.

[0044] According to a possibility compatible with the previous ones, the secondary link may include a unidirectional link allowing the equipment to transmit to the central computer, for example, an external video stream.

[0045] Alternatively, the secondary link may include a bidirectional link.

[0046] According to a possibility compatible with the previous ones, the video link may include a unidirectional link allowing the central computer to transmit a video stream to the display.

[0047] Alternatively, the video link may include a bidirectional link.

[0048] The present invention also relates to an aircraft comprising a piloting assistance system as previously described.

[0049] The present invention also relates to a method for assisting in the piloting of an aircraft, possibly implemented by the display system described above.

[0050] This piloting assistance process is remarkable in that it comprises the following steps:

[0051] selection of a display configuration chosen from among stored display configurations, each display configuration having the characteristics of at least one image to be displayed, namely its content, its resolution and its display position on at least one display,

[0052] - transmission of at least one request by a central computer to at least one piece of equipment via a primary link per piece of equipment, each request including the characteristics of said at least one image to be transmitted by the equipment connected by the primary link, as specified in the selected display configuration,

[0053] - generation by said at least one piece of equipment of at least one external image, corresponding to the characteristics of said at least one image to be displayed, as specified in the request,

[0054] - transfer of at least one external video stream comprising said at least one external image corresponding to the display configuration, from said at least one piece of equipment to the central computer,

[0055] - reception by the central computer of said computer of at least one video stream,

[0056] - transfer without transformation of at least one external video stream from the central computer to said at least one display, associating it with the display position per external image, specified in the selected display configuration, and

[0057] - display on said at least one display of said at least one external image, in accordance with the selected display configuration.

[0058] The aircraft piloting assistance method according to the invention thus makes it possible to display on one or more displays several images from several image sources, namely several devices connected to the central computer, with resolutions and associated display positions in accordance with the display configuration selected and corresponding to the request received from the central computer, as well as possibly the display on which to display the images in the case of several displays.

[0059] Indeed, each device receiving a request from the computer generates one or more images with an associated resolution and format, according to the request and therefore according to the selected display configuration, and then transfers them to the central computer via one or more external video streams. The central computer then transmits this external video stream(s) to the relevant display without processing or transformation so that the image(s) are displayed at one or more required display positions on the display, as specified in the selected display configuration.

[0060] The piloting assistance method according to the invention may also include one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination.

[0061] One possibility is that an internal memory of the central computer can store a lookup table linking aircraft flight phases to display configurations, and selecting a display configuration may involve:

[0062] - a determination of the aircraft's current flight phase, and - a selection of the display configuration corresponding to the current flight phase in the lookup table.

[0063] The determination of the aircraft's current flight phase can be carried out, for example, based on the aircraft's forward speed, or even its vertical speed or its height above the ground.

[0064] Alternatively, the selected display configuration can be chosen manually by the aircraft pilot or co-pilot using a human-machine interface connected to the central computer.

[0065] According to a possibility compatible with the previous ones, the process may include the following steps when the display system includes a display equipped with a touch panel connected to the central computer:

[0066] - reception by the central computer of actions performed on the touch panel.

[0067] - transfer of information relating to these actions to the equipment concerned, and

[0068] - reception by this equipment concerned of this information, and management of the consequences of these actions influencing the generation of a new external image.

[0069] In this way, the equipment receives and processes actions performed on the touchscreen associated with the display showing the external image(s) generated by this equipment, according to the selected display configuration, to modify one of the displayed external images or generate a new external image. Depending on a possibility compatible with the preceding ones, the process may include the following steps:

[0070] - Reception of at least one piece of data by the central computer, - Generation by a GPU of the central computer of at least one internal image, corresponding to the characteristics specified in the selected display configuration, based on said at least one piece of data, - Transfer of at least one internal video stream corresponding to said at least one internal image, to the display, associating it with the display position according to the selected display configuration,

[0071] - display on the display of said at least one internal image, at the display position specified in the selected display configuration.

[0072] Thus, the central processing unit can generate, for example via a GPU, one or more internal images based on data received by the central processing unit. The internal image(s) are generated according to the selected display configuration, and in particular with the specified resolution.

[0073] In a scenario compatible with the preceding ones, data can be provided by one or more data acquisition devices, connected directly to the central computer or connected to one of the devices connected to the central computer. Data can also be retrieved from an external memory connected directly to the central computer or connected to one of the devices connected to the central computer. Data from a data acquisition device or from a memory connected to one of the devices is transmitted to the central computer via the primary connection.

[0074] In this case, receiving at least one piece of data may involve at least one of the following steps:

[0075] reception by the central computer of internal data provided by at least one data acquisition device connected to the central computer, - reception by the central computer of external data provided by at least one data acquisition device connected to said at least one piece of equipment, the data being transmitted by said at least one piece of equipment to the central computer via the primary link,

[0076] - extraction by the central computer of data stored in at least one external memory, said at least one memory being either directly connected to the central computer, or connected to said at least one piece of equipment.

[0077] According to a possibility compatible with the previous ones, at least two images can be displayed at the same display position on the display.

[0078] In this case, these at least two images are displayed superimposed on the display, the second image superimposed on the first image possibly containing areas of transparency that can reveal the first image.

[0079] The invention and its advantages will become apparent in more detail in the following description, with illustrative examples given by reference to the attached figures which represent:

[0080] - Figure 1, a view of an aircraft piloting assistance system according to the invention, and

[0081] - Figure 2, a synoptic diagram of a method for assisting the piloting of an aircraft according to the invention.

[0082] Elements present in several separate figures are assigned a single reference.

[0083] Elements present in several separate figures are assigned the same reference. Figure 1 shows a flight assistance system 1 for an aircraft 100 equipped with a display 10, a central computer 20 equipped with an internal memory 25, and at least one piece of equipment 30 connected to the central computer 20.

[0084] Figure 1 shows a flight assistance system 1 for an aircraft 100 comprising at least one display 10, a central computer 20 equipped with an internal memory 25, and at least one piece of equipment 30 connected to the central computer 20.

[0085] According to the example shown in Figure 1, the flight assistance system 1 according to the invention may comprise two displays 10 connected to the central computer 20 and arranged on a dashboard of an aircraft cockpit 100. Alternatively, and without calling into question the invention, the flight assistance system 1 according to the invention may comprise a single display 10 connected to the central computer 20 or more than two displays 10 connected to the central computer 20.

[0086] Preferably, at least one 10-inch display can be a high-resolution "dumb" type screen, i.e., without an integrated graphics processor. Alternatively, or in addition, at least one 10-inch display can be a high-resolution "smart" type screen.

[0087] Aircraft 100 may be an aircraft comprising one or more rotary wings and / or one or more fixed wings.

[0088] The reference numeral "30" is used to designate any of the illustrated equipment, while the reference numerals "31" and "32" designate a specific piece of equipment if necessary. According to the example shown, a first piece of equipment 31 and a second piece of equipment 32 are connected to the central computer 20. However, the piloting assistance system 1 may include more than two pieces of equipment 30 without departing from the scope of the invention. Each piece of equipment 30 is configured to generate one or more images, referred to as "external images 12, 14," to distinguish them from other images. To this end, each piece of equipment 30 may include a processing unit 35 equipped, for example, with at least one processor, at least one memory, at least one integrated circuit, at least one programmable system, at least one logic circuit, a central processing unit (CPU), and / or a graphics processing unit (GPU).

[0089] The central computer 20 is also configured to generate one or more images, referred to as "internal images 13, 15" to distinguish them from other images, based on received data. For this purpose, the central computer 20 may include a CPU 21 and a GPU 22.

[0090] The reference "10" is used to designate an image in general. On the other hand, the references "12" and "14" designate an external image generated by a device 30 and the references "13" and "15" designate an internal image generated by the central computer 20.

[0091] The aircraft 100 piloting assistance system 10 is intended to assist a pilot and / or co-pilot of the aircraft 100 by displaying on the display(s) 10 one or more external images 12,14 generated and provided by one or more equipment 30, or possibly one or more internal images 13,15 generated by the graphics computer 22 of the central computer 20.

[0092] The internal memory 25 of the central computer 20 stores several display configurations. Each display configuration includes the characteristics of the image(s) 11 to be displayed, depending on the number of images 11 associated with that display configuration. Preferably, a display configuration includes the characteristics of several images 11 to be displayed on the display(s) 10. The characteristics of each image 11 include the content of the image 11, the resolution of the image 11, for example, a high resolution (possibly 1152x1024 pixels) or a low resolution (possibly 768x1024 pixels), the display(s) 10 to display this image 11, and the display position of the image 10 on one or more displays 10.The content of image 11 specifically identifies the information that image 11 must contain, such as, for example, a map, information on the flight of aircraft 100, the planned flight path, the presence of obstacles around aircraft 100, the operation of an engine of aircraft 100, and, where applicable, the representation used, such as a two-dimensional, three-dimensional or perspective image, for example.

[0093] In this way, each display configuration clearly and precisely defines the images 11 that are to be displayed on the display(s) 10 with the location of each of these images 11 on a specified display 10.

[0094] The piloting assistance system 1 may also include a human-machine interface 27 connected to the central computer 20, allowing an operator to select the desired display configuration from among the stored configurations. Such a human-machine interface 27 may, for example, include a touchscreen, possibly associated with a display 10, a pointer movement device, or a keyboard.

[0095] Each device 30 is connected to the central computer 20 by a primary link 70 allowing bidirectional data transfer and by a secondary link 80 allowing at least unidirectional transfer of at least one external video stream V31, V32 from the device 30 to the central computer 20. The primary link 70 may, for example, comprise a single bidirectional link or alternatively two independent unidirectional links in opposite directions. The secondary link 80 may, for its part, comprise at least one unidirectional link allowing data transfer from the device 30 to the central computer 20, or alternatively a bidirectional link.

[0096] References "70" and "80" denote any of the primary and secondary links respectively, while references "71", "72" denote a specific primary link, and references "81", and "82" denote a specific secondary link if needed.

[0097] The central computer 20 is connected to the display(s) 10 by at least one video link 90 allowing at least one unidirectional transfer of at least one video stream V20, V31, V32 from the central computer 20 to the display 10. The example of a piloting assistance system 1 shown in Figure 1 has two video links 90 per display 10. However, the piloting assistance system 1 may have a different number of video links 90 per display 10, without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0098] Reference "90" refers to any of the illustrated video links, while references "91", "92", "93" and "94" refer to a specific video link if needed.

[0099] Such a system 10 may include at least one data acquisition system 40 connected directly to the central computer 20 or connected to equipment 30.

[0100] A data acquisition system 40 may include one or more obstacle detection systems 41, for example using a LiDAR-type light beam. As another example, a data acquisition system 40 may include one or more cameras 42.

[0101] According to the example shown in Figure 1, the first equipment 31 is connected to an obstacle detection system 41 and to a camera 42. Thus, the processing unit 35 of this first equipment 31 can generate one or more external images 12, 14 on the basis of the data provided by this obstacle detection system 41 and the images captured by the camera 42. In addition, the data provided by the obstacle detection system 41 can optionally be transferred to the central computer 20 via the second primary link 72.

[0102] A data acquisition system 40 may also include a satellite positioning system 43 providing information relating to the position and / or speed of the aircraft 100, or an inertial navigation system 44 equipped with an AHRS type device for the English designation "Attitude and Heading Reference System", providing an attitude of the aircraft 1.

[0103] According to the example shown in Figure 1, the second piece of equipment 32 is connected to a satellite positioning system 43 and an inertial measurement unit 44. Thus, the processing unit 35 of this second piece of equipment 32 can generate one or more external images 12, 14 based on the data provided by this satellite positioning system 43 and this inertial measurement unit 44. In addition, the data provided by the satellite positioning system 43 and the inertial measurement unit 44 can also be transferred to the central computer 20 via the second primary link 72.

[0104] A data acquisition system 40 may also include various sensors 45, 46, 47 measuring, for example, flight parameters of the aircraft 100, the operation of its engine(s) or the environment.

[0105] According to the example shown in Figure 1, the central computer 20 is connected to the sensors 45, 46, 47 and therefore directly receives the information provided by these sensors 45, 46, 47, in order to generate internal images 13, 15 on the basis of this information.

[0106] One or more devices 30 can also be connected to an external memory 60 storing one or more databases, for example a "terrain" database containing, for example, the characteristics of the terrain's relief, a "obstacle" database listing artificial obstacles in the terrain, such as buildings, pylons, power lines... In this way, a device 30 can display different types of external images 12,14 and for example an image such as an image of a flight plan, relating to a device called "FMS" for the English designation "Flight Management System", an image of a map called "DMAP" for the English designation "Digit MAP", or an image displaying potential obstacles, relating to a device called "HTAWS" for the English designation "Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System".Furthermore, the internal memory 25 of the computer 20 can store one or more segments of algorithm code or a computer program implemented by the central computer 20, and in particular the CPU 21 and the graphics computer 22, in order to carry out the steps of a method for assisting the piloting of the aircraft 100. Figure 2 shows a block diagram of this method for assisting the piloting of the aircraft 100. This method may include the following steps. First, the method includes, during a step 110, the selection of a display configuration from among display configurations stored in the internal memory 25 of the central computer 20. In this way, the selected display configuration defines the characteristics of the image(s) 11 to be displayed on one or more displays 10.

[0107] This selection 110 of a selected display configuration can be performed manually by a pilot or co-pilot of the aircraft 100 via the human-machine interface 27. An operator can use this human-machine interface 27 to select the desired display configuration, the human-machine interface 27 transmitting a signal carrying the selected display configuration to the central computer 20. Alternatively, this selection 110 of a selected display configuration can be performed automatically by the central computer 20, for example using a lookup table possibly stored in internal memory 25. This lookup table associates flight phases of the aircraft 100 with corresponding display configurations.In this case, the selection 110 of a selected display configuration may include a determination 115 of the current flight phase of the aircraft 100, with, for example, flight information of the aircraft, such as its forward speed, or even its vertical speed or its height above the ground.

[0108] Next, the selection 110 of a selected display configuration may include a selection 117 of the selected display configuration, the selected display configuration being the display configuration associated in the lookup table with the current flight phase determined. Such an automatic selection 110 of the selected display configuration according to the current flight phase thus makes it possible to adapt automatically, and therefore without intervention from the pilot or co-pilot, the images displayed on the display(s) 10 as well as their display positions.

[0109] Following this selection 110 of the selected display configuration, the process includes the transmission 120 of at least one request from a central computer 20 to at least one device 30. A request is thus transmitted to each device 30 required to provide an external image 12, 14 to be displayed according to the selected display configuration. The request is transmitted to the relevant device 30 via the primary link 70. Each request contains the characteristics of each image 11 to be transmitted by that device 30, as specified in the selected display configuration, and only the characteristics of each image 11 to be transmitted by that device 30. Thus, each device 30 receives a specific request, different from the request transmitted to any other device 30.

[0110] A generation 130 of one or more external images 12,14 is then carried out by each relevant equipment 30, namely each equipment 30 having to provide at least one external image 12,14. The external image(s) 12,14 correspond to the characteristics specified in the request, by their content and their resolutions.

[0111] Subsequently, a transfer 140 of at least one external video stream V31, V32 containing said at least one generated external image 12, 14 is carried out by the equipment 30 concerned, to the central computer 20. This transfer 140 of at least one external video stream V31, V32 is carried out via the secondary link 80 connecting the central computer 20 and each equipment 30. A reception 150 of this at least one external video stream V31, V32 is carried out by the central computer 20, followed by a transfer 160 of this at least one external video stream V31, V32 by said central computer 20 to at least one of the displays 10 associating therewith the required display position of each external image 12, 14 as specified in the selected display configuration. No transformation, graphical or algorithmic processing is applied to this at least one external video stream V31, V32, and consequently to the corresponding external images 12, 14.The resources of the central computer 20, and in particular of the graphic computer 21, are therefore not advantageously used.

[0112] Finally, a display of the external image(s) 12, 14 contained in at least one external video stream V31, V32 is performed on the display(s) 10 upon receipt of this at least one external video stream V31, V32. The external image(s) 12, 14 are thus displayed with the resolution and display position specified in the selected display configuration.

[0113] Furthermore, at least two external images 12, 14 can be displayed superimposed on a display 10 when the selected display configuration specifies this. These at least two external images 12, 14 are, for example, displayed in the same display position, with at least one of these external images 12, 14 having one or more transparent areas that can reveal another external image 12, 14. These at least two external images 12, 14 can be generated by different equipment 30 and have different levels of criticality.

[0114] The computer 20 can also be configured to generate internal images 13,15. For this purpose, a reception 210 of at least one data is carried out by the central computer 20. Several types of data from various sources, such as data acquisition devices 40 or a memory 60, can be transmitted to the central computer 20.

[0115] This reception of at least one piece of data can therefore involve one or more steps.

[0116] For example, a reception 211 of internal data can be carried out by the central computer 20. This internal data is transmitted by at least one data acquisition device 40 connected to the central computer 20.

[0117] In addition or alternatively, external data reception 212 can be carried out by the central computer 20. This external data is transmitted by at least one data acquisition device 40 connected to one or more equipment 30, via the primary link 70.

[0118] An extraction 213 of data stored in at least one external memory 60 can still be carried out by the central computer 20. Such an external memory 60 can be connected directly to the central computer 20. Alternatively, such a memory 60 can be connected to a device 30, the stored data being transmitted to the central computer 20, via the primary link 70 of this device 30.

[0119] Next, a generation 220 of one or more internal images 13,15 is carried out by the graphics computer 21 of the central computer 20. The internal image(s) 13,15 correspond to the characteristics specified in the selected display configuration, by their contents and their resolutions.

[0120] A transfer 230 of at least one internal video stream V20 containing the internal image(s) 13,15 is carried out to a display 10 via a video link 90 associating the required display position of each internal image 13,15 as specified in the selected display configuration.

[0121] Finally, a display of the internal image(s) 13,15 contained in at least one internal V20 video stream is performed on the display(s) 10 upon receipt of this at least one internal V20 video stream. The internal image(s) 13,15 are thus displayed with the resolution and display position specified in the selected display configuration.

[0122] Furthermore, at least two internal images 13, 15 can be displayed superimposed on a display 10 when the selected display configuration specifies this. These at least two internal images 13, 15 are, for example, displayed in the same display position, one of these internal images 13, 15 having one or more transparent areas that can reveal another internal image 13, 15.

[0123] Similarly, at least one internal image 13, 15 and at least one external image 12, 14 can be displayed superimposed on a display 10 when the selected display configuration specifies this. In this case, at least one internal image 13, 15 and at least one external image 12, 14 are, for example, displayed in the same display position, one of these internal 13, 15 and external 12, 14 images having one or more transparent areas that can reveal another image. The external image(s) 12, 14 may have a criticality level lower than or equal to the level of the internal image(s) 13, 15.

[0124] Furthermore, the display system 1 may include a display 10 equipped with a touchscreen connected to the central computer 20. The process may then comprise several additional steps. For example, the process includes receiving actions performed on the touchscreen from the central computer 20. These actions are performed by an operator, and in particular the pilot or co-pilot, on the touchscreen. These actions are performed according to the image(s) 11 displayed on the display 10 associated with this touchscreen. A signal thus travels from the touchscreen to the central computer 20, via a dedicated link or via the video link 90, and carries information relating to these actions and associated with the displayed image(s) 11.

[0125] Next, the process involves transferring this information relating to these actions from the central computer 20 to the relevant equipment 30, via the primary connection 70. The process then involves the relevant equipment 30 receiving this information. In this way, the relevant equipment 30 receives and takes into account the actions performed on the touch panel associated with the display 0.

[0126] Finally, the process includes managing the consequences of these actions performed on the touchscreen by the relevant equipment 30. For example, this equipment 30 modifies at least one of the displayed external images 12, 14 based on these actions performed on the touchscreen. In another example, this equipment 30 generates a new external image 12, 14 based on these actions performed on the touchscreen.

[0127] 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 possible to exhaustively identify all possible embodiments. It is, of course, conceivable to replace a described means with an equivalent means without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. Aircraft piloting assistance system (1) (100) comprising: - at least one display (10), - a central computer (20) equipped with an internal memory (25), - at least one device (30) connected to said central computer (20) and configured to generate one or more images, characterized in that said internal memory (25) stores image display configurations (11), each display configuration having the characteristics of at least one image (11) to be displayed, namely its content, its resolution and its display position on said at least one display (10);said flight assistance system (1) comprising a primary link (70) and a secondary link (80) per equipment (30) connecting said central computer (20) and said equipment (30), said primary link (70) allowing bidirectional data transfer and said secondary link (80) allowing at least unidirectional transfer of at least one external video stream (V31, V32) from said equipment (30) to said central computer (20), said at least one external video stream (V31, V32) comprising at least one external image (11, 12, 14) generated by said equipment (30) in accordance with a display configuration selected from said display configurations;said pilot assistance system (1) comprising at least one video link (90) connecting said central computer (20) and said at least one display (30) and permitting at least one unidirectional transfer of at least one video stream from said central computer (20) to said at least one display (10), said central computer (20) being configured to transfer said at least one external video stream (V31, V32) via said at least one video link (90) to said at least one display (10), without modification or transformation, with the display position specified in said selected display configuration, said at least one display (10) being configured to display said at least one external image (11, 12, 14) at said display position.

2. Pilot assistance system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said pilot assistance system (1) comprises a human-machine interface (27) connected to the central computer (20) and enabling an operator to select said selected display configuration.

3. Flight assistance system (1) according to claim 1, wherein said internal memory (25) stores a lookup table between flight phases of said aircraft (100) and said display configurations, said central computer (20) being configured to automatically select said selected display configuration which corresponds to said current flight phase of said aircraft (100) in accordance with said lookup table.

4. Pilot assistance system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which said primary link (7) is configured for.

5. Pilot assistance system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a display (10) among said display(s) (10) is equipped with a touch panel connected to said central computer (20), said central computer (20) being configured to transmit to the equipment (30) concerned, via said primary link (70), information relating to the actions performed on the touch panel.

6. Pilot assistance system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which said central computer (20) is configured to transmit a request to said at least one piece of equipment (30) via said primary link (70), said request including said characteristics of said at least one external image (11, 12, 14) to be transmitted by said equipment (30) to said central computer (20), in accordance with said selected display configuration, said equipment (30) being configured to transmit to said central computer (20) via said secondary link (80) said at least one external video stream (V31, V32) including said at least one external image (11, 12, 14) corresponding to said characteristics specified in said request.

7. Pilot assistance system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which at least two external images (12,14) are displayed on said display (10) in a superimposed manner, one of said external images (12,14) having at least one area of ​​transparency, said at least two external images (12,14) coming from different equipment (30).

8. Pilot assistance system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which said central computer (20) includes a graphics computer (21) generating at least one internal image (13,15) based on data provided by at least one data acquisition device (40) connected directly to said central computer (20) or connected to said at least one piece of equipment (30), said at least one internal image (13,15) corresponding to the characteristics specified in said selected display configuration, and said central computer (20) is configured to transmit to said at least one display (10) at least one internal video stream (V20) comprising said at least one internal image (13,15), via said at least one video link (90), with the display position of said at least one internal image (13,15) on said at least one display (10) specified in said selected display configuration.

9. Pilot assistance system (1) according to claim 8, wherein said graphic computer (21) generates said at least one internal image (13,15) also as a function of data stored in at least one external memory (60) connected either directly to said central computer (20), or to said at least one piece of equipment (30).

10. Pilot assistance system (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein at least two internal images (13, 15) are displayed superimposed on said display (10), one of said internal images (13, 15) comprising at least one transparent area.

11. Piloting assistance system (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, in which at least one internal image (13,15) and at least one external image (12,14) are displayed on said display (10) in a superimposed manner, said at least one internal image (13,15) or said at least one external image (12,14) comprising at least one area of ​​transparency.

12. Pilot assistance system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said primary link (70) comprises a bidirectional link and said secondary link (80) comprises a unidirectional link.

13. Pilot assistance system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which said primary link (70) comprises two unidirectional links in opposite directions and said secondary link (80) comprises one unidirectional link.

14. Aircraft (100) comprising a piloting aid system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. Method for assisting the piloting of an aircraft (100), characterized in that said pilot assistance method comprises the following steps: - selection (110) of a display configuration selected from among stored display configurations, each display configuration having the characteristics of at least one image (11) to be displayed, namely its content, its resolution and its display position on at least one display (10), - transmission (120) of at least one request by a central computer (20) to at least one piece of equipment (30) via a primary link (70) per piece of equipment (30), each request comprising the characteristics of said at least one image (11) to be transmitted by said equipment (30) connected by said primary link (70), as specified in said selected display configuration, - generation (130) by said at least one piece of equipment (30) of at least one external image (11, 12, 14) corresponding to said characteristics of said at least one image (11) to be displayed, as specified in said request, - transfer (140) of at least one external video stream (V31, V32) comprising said at least one external image (11, 12, 14) by said at least one piece of equipment (30) to said central computer (20), - reception (150) by said central computer (20) of said at least one external video stream (V31, V32), - transfer (160) without transformation of said at least one external video stream (V31, V32) by said central computer (20) to said at least one display (10), associating therewith the display position per external image (11, 12, 14) specified in said selected display configuration, and - display (170) on said at least one display (10) of said at least one external image (11, 12, 14), in accordance with said selected display configuration.

16. Method according to claim 15, in which, an internal memory (25) of said central computer (20) storing a table of correspondence between flight phases of said aircraft (100) and said display configurations, said selection (110) comprises: - a determination (115) of said current flight phase of said aircraft (100), and - a selection (117) of said selected display configuration corresponding to said current flight phase in said lookup table.

17. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 16 comprising the following steps, said display system comprising a display (10) equipped with a touch panel connected to said central computer (20): - reception by said central computer (20) of actions performed on said touch panel, - transfer of information relating to these actions to the equipment (30) concerned, and - reception by said equipment (30) concerned of this information, and management of the consequences of these actions influencing the generation of a new external image by said equipment (30).

18. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 17 comprising the following steps: - receipt (210) of at least one data point by said central computer (20), - generation (220) by a graphics computer (21) of said central computer (20) of at least one internal image (11, 13, 15), corresponding to the characteristics specified in said selected display configuration, according to said at least one data point, - transfer (230) of at least one internal video stream (V20) corresponding to said at least one internal image (11, 13, 15) to said at least one display (10) associating therewith the display position in accordance with said selected display configuration, display (250) on said at least one display (10) of said at least one internal image (11, 13, 15) at said display position specified in said selected display configuration.

19. Method according to claim 18, in which said receipt (210) of at least one piece of data includes at least one of the following steps: - reception (211) by said central computer (20) of internal data provided by at least one data acquisition device (40) connected to said central computer (20), - reception (212) by said central computer (20) of external data provided by at least one data acquisition device (40) connected to said at least one piece of equipment (30), said data being transmitted by said at least one piece of equipment (30) to said central computer (20) via said primary link (70), - extraction (213) by said central computer (20) of data stored in at least one external memory (60), said at least one memory (60) being either directly connected to said central computer (20), or connected to said at least one piece of equipment (30).

20. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, in which at least two images (11) are displayed superimposed on said at least one display (10).

Images