Helmet Mounted Display Alignment Using Stabilized Guide Symbols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current helmet-mounted display systems face challenges in aligning the display with the helmet, particularly due to variable mounting angles and aircraft movement, making it difficult for users to align symbology in three axes simultaneously, especially during flight.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize single-line fiducial references and stabilized guide symbols, allowing users to align the display with reduced head movement, using either head movement or a joystick for adjustment, and sensitivity control to compensate for aircraft vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If simultaneous three-axis alignment is performed using head movement, then alignment accuracy can be achieved, but the difficulty of operation increases due to aircraft movement and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the three-axis alignment process into separate sequential steps. Instead of requiring simultaneous alignment in all three axes, the system performs azimuth alignment, elevation alignment, and roll alignment as distinct phases. This segmentation reduces the cognitive and motor load on the user, making the alignment process more manageable despite aircraft movement and vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic stabilization to compensate for head movements and aircraft vibrations during the alignment process. The system continuously adjusts the display symbols based on real-time head position data from the helmet tracking system, creating a stable reference frame that moves with the user's head rather than remaining fixed. This dynamic adaptation maintains alignment accuracy while reducing the difficulty of operation.
2Measurement precision
If multiple boresight reticule units are used to provide reference for alignment, then alignment accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the helmet tracking system serve multiple functions: it tracks head position for display stabilization, provides reference for alignment, and enables the helmet to function as the reference frame itself. By making the helmet tracking system multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate boresight reticule units while maintaining alignment accuracy, thus reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the helmet's own tracking capabilities to provide the reference frame for alignment. The helmet tracking system self-serves by using its existing sensors and processing to establish the reference, rather than requiring external reference devices. This self-service approach reduces the number of components needed while maintaining alignment precision.
3Productivity
If alignment is performed during flight operations, then productivity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to aircraft vibration and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic stabilization that adapts to aircraft movement and vibration in real-time. The system continuously adjusts the display symbols based on helmet position data, creating a stable visual reference that moves with the user's head. This dynamic approach maintains alignment accuracy even during flight operations, allowing rapid alignment without sacrificing precision due to aircraft vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses continuous feedback from the helmet tracking system to adjust the display symbols during alignment. The real-time position data from head sensors provides feedback that enables the system to compensate for aircraft movement and vibration, maintaining measurement precision while allowing alignment to be performed quickly during flight operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of aligning a helmet mounted display mounted to a helmet is disclosed. A method may comprise aligning a first and a second helmet mounted display guide symbol with a reference direction, respectively; selecting the alignment of the first and second helmet mounted display guide symbol with the reference direction, respectively; aligning a first and a second stabilised guide symbol, starting at positions of the aligned first and second symbols, respectively, with the reference direction, the first and second stabilised symbols being stabilised to reduce the movement of the stabilised symbol with respect to the reference direction in response to movements of the head of the user; selecting the alignment of the first and second stabilised guide symbol with the reference direction, respectively; determining a relative position and orientation between the helmet and the display according to the positions and orientations of the helmet at the alignments.