Combined HUD and Near-to-Eye Display for Vision Boundary Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft visual display systems, including head-up displays (HUDs), face limitations in providing comprehensive situational awareness and operational efficiency, particularly in terms of field of view and the need for reduced head-down time, as they either require fixed positioning or have limited flexibility in accommodating operator movement.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a combined system comprising a fixed HUD display on the aircraft windshield and a near-to-eye (NTE) display system that cooperates to display flight symbology, including a border or border portions corresponding to the primary vision field of view, enhancing situational awareness by overlaying information onto the real-world environment without requiring the operator to maintain a direct view into the windshield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed HUD display is used on the aircraft windshield, then the system provides stable and reliable flight information display, but the field of view is limited and requires the operator to maintain a direct view into the windshield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a fixed HUD display system with a near-to-eye (NTE) display system into an integrated display system. The fixed HUD provides stable, reliable flight information on the windshield, while the NTE display mounted on the operator's helmet or headset provides the same information in the operator's direct field of view. This merging of two display systems resolves the contradiction by maintaining the reliability of the fixed HUD while adding the adaptability and flexibility of the NTE display to accommodate operator movement and expand the effective field of view.
2Loss of information
If the operator views flight information on a fixed HUD, then comprehensive flight data is provided, but head-down time increases reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The NTE display acts as an intermediary between the fixed HUD and the operator's eyes. Instead of requiring the operator to look down at the HUD or move their head to scan the windshield display, the NTE display projects flight information directly into the operator's field of view, allowing them to maintain their current heading and view flight data simultaneously. This intermediary display eliminates the need for head-down time while preserving complete flight information access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a near-to-eye display is used, then the field of view is expanded and operator movement is accommodated, but the display requires additional equipment and system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The NTE display system is designed to be universal and multi-functional, serving multiple purposes within the integrated display system. It provides flight information display, situational awareness enhancement, and accommodation of operator movement simultaneously. By making the NTE display multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate specialized systems, thereby managing complexity while maintaining the benefits of expanded field of view and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A visual display system is provided for a vehicle having a windshield. The system includes a controller configured to receive information associated with an operating environment of the vehicle and to generate display commands representing the operating environment; a first operator tracking unit configured to collect data associated with a primary vision field of view of an operator; and a first display system coupled to the controller and configured to receive the display commands. The first display system includes a first display unit configured to display at least a portion of a border representing a boundary of the primary vision field of view of the operator and first symbology representing the operating environment of the vehicle.