Head-Worn HUD Vision Tracking for Cockpit Display Overcrowding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing primary flight display (PFD) in aircraft cockpits is overcrowded, making it difficult to add new information without replacing essential data, and traditional Head-Up Displays (HUDs) are limited by a small design eye box, hindering simultaneous use with head-down instrumentation.
Innovation Solution
A head-worn HUD system that combines a vision tracking device with a computational platform to generate superimposed visual steering cues on the head-down display, enhancing alerting and cueing capabilities by providing directional and geometric cues, even when looking at fixed cockpit objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional HUDs are mounted in the cockpit with a fixed eye box, then the display can be viewed, but the user cannot simultaneously use the HUD and the remainder of the head down instrumentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the HUD system movable and adjustable. The head-worn display allows the user to dynamically adjust their head position and viewing angle while maintaining proper alignment with the display. The system adapts to different head positions through real-time tracking and adjustment, enabling simultaneous use with head-down instrumentation without being constrained by a fixed eye box.
2Loss of information
If the PFD screen displays all essential information, then the display is comprehensive, but it becomes crowded and difficult to add new information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning information display from a two-dimensional head-down screen to a three-dimensional head-up spatial display. The head-worn display projects flight information into the user's forward field of view, utilizing the third dimension (depth/space) to present comprehensive flight data without the crowding constraints of a flat screen. This allows new information to be added without replacing essential data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the information display across multiple surfaces and dimensions. Critical flight information is segmented between the head-down PFD and the head-up display, with each surface displaying appropriate information types. This segmentation reduces the information density on any single display surface while maintaining overall information completeness.
3Loss of information
If more detailed navigation information is added to the PFD, then navigation data is more complete, but it cannot be placed in display areas reserved for other categories of information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by moving detailed navigation information from the constrained two-dimensional PFD to the three-dimensional head-up display space. This allows detailed navigation data to be presented in spatial arrangements that do not conflict with other information categories, as the head-up display utilizes depth and angular positioning rather than fixed screen real estate.
Data Source
AI summary
A head worn head up display (HUD) system providing an enhanced head down view in an environment including a head worn device including a vision tracking device and a dynamic head down display. The head worn HUD system includes a computational platform for receiving vision tracking device signals from a vision tracking device of a head worn device and for generating head down display signals associated with a dynamic head down display. The computational platform processes and utilizes the vision tracking device signals and the generated head down display signals to provide output signals to the head worn device for output by the head worn device as superimposed visual steering cues to the operator.