Adjustable Synthetic Vision Gradient Control for Aircraft Cockpits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current synthetic vision systems in aircraft lack the ability to adjust synthetic enhancements to real-time views dynamically, particularly in conjunction with additional data displays such as weather, offering only a binary on or off state without gradient control.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for displaying a real-time image in an aircraft cockpit that allows for adjustable synthetic vision enhancements, enabling a gradient application of synthetic vision overlays on real-time views, with options to include weather data, using a high-definition camera and touch-screen instrument panel system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If synthetic vision enhancement is applied to real-time views, then situational awareness is improved, but the system lacks gradient control and can only operate in binary on or off states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability by allowing pilots to control the level of synthetic vision enhancement through a user interface. The system transitions from a static binary state to a dynamic continuum where enhancement levels can be adjusted in real-time based on operational needs and environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of synthetic vision enhancement from a binary state (on/off) to a multi-level parameter with gradient control. This allows continuous adjustment of enhancement intensity, enabling the system to adapt to varying visibility conditions and pilot preferences.
2Illumination intensity
If synthetic vision enhancement is applied to real-time views, then visibility in poor conditions is improved, but the system cannot be combined with additional data displays such as weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges synthetic vision enhancement with additional data displays including weather information. The system integrates multiple data layers (synthetic vision, weather data, real-time imagery) into a unified display, allowing pilots to view combined information simultaneously without mutual interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system achieves multi-functionality by simultaneously providing synthetic vision enhancement, weather data display, and real-time imagery. A single system performs multiple functions: enhancing visibility, displaying meteorological information, and maintaining operational control capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If high-definition camera is used to capture real-time views, then image quality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a high-definition camera to create a digital copy of the real-time view outside the aircraft. This optical copy is then processed and enhanced digitally, separating the high-quality image capture function from the complex processing functions, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining image quality.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and computer-storage media are provided for displaying a real-time image in a cockpit of an aircraft. Use of a synthetic vision application is provided with a gradient-type feature such that a level of synthetic enhancements applied to an image may be adjusted to a synthetic vision application value that is less than 100 percent. The synthetic vision enhancement may be overlaid with the original image, according to the synthetic vision application value, to generate a modified image. Additional information may overlay the original image with the synthetic vision application such as a three-dimensional weather representation. The synthetic vision application may be used in conjunction with a high-definition camera to generate the original image. The modified image may be updated in real-time such that an updated view is continuously modified with an updated synthetic vision enhancement to provide accurate real-time views.