Compensating Canopy Optical Distortion for Helmet Display Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The curved shape of aircraft canopies introduces optical distortion, which negatively impacts pilots' views and can contribute to errors in augmented reality displays, such as pointing errors in helmet targeting systems, by altering the perceived viewing direction.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that measure and compensate for optical distortion by recording the orientation and position of reference marks with and without the canopy in the field of view, calculating the distortion, and using this data to correct the alignment of computer-generated images on a helmet-mounted display to match the pilot's actual viewing direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a curved canopy is used to provide pilot protection and field of view, then pilot safety and visibility are improved, but optical distortion occurs that degrades viewing accuracy and targeting precision
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by capturing reference images of known target positions through the canopy before actual operation. These pre-captured images establish a baseline distortion map that is stored and applied during subsequent targeting operations to compensate for canopy-induced optical distortion
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy or model of the distortion characteristics by comparing undisorted reference images with images captured through the canopy. This distortion map serves as a compensatory model that is applied to correct targeting data, effectively copying and correcting the optical distortion effects
2Measurement precision
If reference marks are placed throughout the field of view to measure distortion, then measurement accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration target is divided into multiple discrete reference marks distributed across the field of view. Each reference mark serves as an independent measurement point, allowing the system to map distortion characteristics at multiple locations and interpolate across the entire field of view for comprehensive distortion correction
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively corrects for canopy distortion, ensuring accurate alignment of virtual and real objects on the pilot's display, improving targeting accuracy and reducing errors in aircraft maneuvering and augmented reality applications.
Implementation Method 1
recording a first orientation and a first position of a plurality of reference marks relative to a pointing angle of a recording device
Implementation Method 2
comparing the first orientation and the first position of the plurality of reference marks to the second orientation and the second position of the plurality of the reference marks for measuring distortion introduced by the object
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for measuring and compensating for optical distortion. The system includes a plurality of reference marks; a recording device configured to record a first orientation and a first position of a plurality of reference marks relative to a pointing angle of the recording device when an object is located outside of a field of view of a recording device, the recording device configured to record a second orientation and a second position of a plurality of reference marks relative to the pointing angle of the recording device when an object is located inside the field of view; and a processor configured to compare the first orientation and the first position of the plurality of reference marks to the second orientation and the second position of the plurality of the reference marks for measuring distortion of the object.