Aircraft Augmented Video Display System for External Environment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle display systems, particularly in aircraft, lack the capability to provide an enhanced and informative view of the external environment, especially in conditions such as night, high altitude, or over uninteresting landscapes.

Innovation Solution

An aircraft system that includes an avionics subsystem for providing position and attitude data, an imaging system for capturing external video, and at least one video processor to generate augmented video output by combining real-time video with dynamic computer-generated images and geospatial data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If real-time video feed of external environment is displayed, then passengers can see outside scenery, but the viewing experience is poor during night, high altitude, or over uninteresting landscapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation about external environmentVSAvoidviewing experience quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges real-time video feed from external cameras with computer-generated geospatial data (landmark identifiers, 3D infographics, terrain information) to create an augmented display that enhances the raw video content with informative overlays, solving the problem of uninteresting or invisible external scenery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The video processing system acts as an intermediary between the raw camera feed and the display, adding value through geospatial data integration and visual enhancement techniques that make the external environment more informative and engaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If basic video feed is displayed, then system complexity is low, but passenger engagement and pilot awareness are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidengagement and awareness value

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the augmented display content based on aircraft position, attitude, and flight phase, automatically updating geospatial data and visual elements to maintain relevance and engagement without requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically retrieves and integrates geospatial data based on aircraft position information, performing self-updating of landmark identifiers and terrain information without requiring external input, thereby enhancing engagement while maintaining reasonable complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250067561A1System and methodology to provide an augmented view of an environment external to an aircraft during flight

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORP

AI summary

Disclosed here are an aircraft, a system, and methods of processing video content displayed onboard an aircraft during flight. A disclosed embodiment of the method obtains position data corresponding to current geographical position of the aircraft, attitude data corresponding to current attitude of the aircraft, and video data for a live video feed corresponding to a view of an environment external to the aircraft. The received video data is processed into augmented video output data, based on the position data, the attitude data, and geospatial data related to at least some geographical features in the view of the environment. Augmented video content is presented on a display device onboard the aircraft, wherein the augmented video content corresponds to the augmented video output data.