Aircraft Windowless Suite Video System for Attitude Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passengers in windowless aircraft suites experience discomfort due to lack of visual attitude reference during flight maneuvers, as existing video systems fail to provide a reliable and intuitive indication of the aircraft's attitude, leading to potential motion sickness.
Innovation Solution
A video system with cameras mounted near the windows and monitors positioned to simulate the view from actual windows, capturing and displaying images from different angles to match the passenger's perspective, providing a real-time, intuitive attitude reference through peripheral vision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single image is replicated on all screens on the same side of the mockup, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of attitude reference is compromised during takeoff maneuvers when the nose is pointed skyward
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the video system into multiple independent camera units, each capturing a different view (forward, downward, rearward). Each monitor receives a dedicated camera feed rather than replicating a single image, allowing each screen to provide appropriate attitude reference for its specific viewing angle and position.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cameras are positioned and angled to capture specific local views appropriate for their location on the aircraft. The forward camera captures the horizon during level flight, the downward camera captures the ground during takeoff, and the rearward camera captures the sky during descent, with each feed displayed on corresponding monitors.
2Ease of operation
If forward looking cameras are used to provide attitude reference, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates during takeoff when the horizon disappears
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different camera feeds based on aircraft attitude and flight phase. During takeoff when the forward camera loses the horizon, the downward-looking camera automatically provides the appropriate visual reference. The system adapts to changing flight conditions by selecting the most reliable camera feed for each situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The downward-looking camera serves as an intermediary attitude reference source when the primary forward-looking camera cannot provide reliable horizon information. This secondary camera captures the ground track and aircraft orientation from a different perspective, maintaining attitude reference reliability during critical phases like takeoff and landing.
3Area of stationary object
If monitors are positioned farther from the passenger to cover more area, then the area of coverage is improved, but the measurement precision of attitude reference deteriorates due to smaller vertical field of view
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing monitor size in the horizontal dimension, the system adds vertical dimension coverage by using multiple cameras at different angles (forward, downward, rearward). Each camera provides a focused view with adequate vertical field of view, and the combination of multiple feeds covers the entire vertical space without sacrificing precision in any single display.
Data Source
AI summary
A system. The system may include a glare shield positioned between an exterior pane of an aircraft window and an interior portion of an aircraft. The glare shield may include at least one anti-reflective mask and at least one viewing aperture. Each of the at least one anti-reflective mask may be positioned adjacent one of the at least one viewing aperture.