Aviation Mask Augmented Reality Visor for Vision Obscured Emergencies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft crew members face challenges in identifying cockpit controls and objects during vision obscured emergencies due to smoke, fumes, or fog, which can lead to accidental activation of switches and compromised safety.
Innovation Solution
An aviation mask equipped with an augmented reality visor, sensors, and a display computational unit that projects and superimposes prestored images of the cockpit area over the real view, allowing crew members to identify controls and objects through the visor during emergencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional mask is worn during vision obscured emergencies, then respiration is protected and eyes are protected from smoke and fumes, but the crew member cannot clearly see the control panel or objects outside the aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a visual copy of the cockpit control panel and external view, projecting it onto the visor surface. This allows the crew member to see a replicated image of the control panel and outside scene while wearing the protective mask, resolving the contradiction between protection and visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The augmented reality visor acts as an intermediary between the crew member's eyes and the actual control panel/external view. It mediates the visual information by projecting superimposed images that provide clarity while the mask mediates the physical protection from harmful substances.
2Reliability
If a traditional mask is worn during vision obscured emergencies, then respiration is protected, but the crew member may inadvertently activate undesired switch controls due to poor visibility
Solution Approach 1:
By projecting a clear visual copy of the control panel onto the visor, the system enables the crew member to accurately identify and locate switch controls without directly viewing the actual panel through obscured vision. This prevents inadvertent activation while maintaining protective masking.
Solution Approach 2:
The augmented reality system can use color coding and visual highlighting to distinguish different control elements, making it easier for the crew member to identify the correct switches and controls while wearing the protective mask.
3Loss of information
If an augmented reality visor with sensors and display computational unit is added to the mask, then visibility of control panel is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The augmented reality visor integrates multiple functions into a single device: it serves as both a protective eyewear component and a display system. The sensors, display computational unit, and projection mechanism are combined in one integrated assembly, reducing the need for separate systems while providing enhanced visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the protective mask function with the augmented reality display function into a unified aviation mask system. The visor, sensors, and computational units are integrated with the mask structure, creating a combined system that provides both protection and enhanced visibility without requiring separate equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
An aviation mask is disclosed which includes an augmented reality visor, sensors, and a display computational unit. The sensors are communicatively connected to the augmented reality visor. The sensors detect a portion of a cockpit area of an aircraft that is viewed by an aircraft crew member wearing the augmented reality visor during a vision obscured emergency. The display computational unit is communicatively connected to the augmented reality visor and the sensors. The display computational unit projects a prestored image associated with the portion of the cockpit area in front of the augmented reality visor. Further, the display computational unit superimposes the prestored image over the portion of the cockpit area viewed by the aircraft crew member. The superimposed prestored image being viewed by the aircraft crew member through the augmented reality visor to identify objects in the portion of the cockpit area during the vision obscured emergency.