HUD Symbology Readability via Region-Wise Background Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heads-up displays (HUDs) in aircraft face perceptual and cognitive issues due to visual and cognitive capture, where pilots struggle to focus on both HUD symbologies and the out-of-the-window scene, particularly due to inappropriate contrast ratios of symbologies relative to background lighting conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that capture background images, segment them into regions, analyze region-wise attributes, and adjust symbology attributes such as contrast, luminance, and intensity to ensure uniform readability across the display, thereby optimizing symbology visibility based on the background image characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the contrast ratio of HUD symbologies is increased to improve visibility, then the readability of symbologies is improved, but the pilot's ability to perceive background image details deteriorates due to visual capture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adjusting symbology attributes (contrast, luminance, intensity) based on the specific characteristics of each background region. The system segments the background image into multiple regions and analyzes attributes such as brightness and contrast for each region, then tailors the symbology display parameters to match each region's characteristics. This ensures optimal readability in each local area while maintaining overall background visibility, resolving the contradiction between enhanced symbology readability and background detail preservation.
2Loss of information
If the contrast ratio of HUD symbologies is decreased to maintain background visibility, then the pilot's ability to perceive background image details is improved, but the readability of symbologies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the symbology attributes dynamically adjustable based on real-time background image analysis. The system continuously monitors background regions and automatically modifies symbology contrast, luminance, and intensity parameters in response to changing background conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the display to optimize both symbology readability and background visibility simultaneously, rather than using a fixed contrast ratio that would compromise one or the other.
3Device complexity
If fixed symbology display attributes are used to simplify the display system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different background lighting conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing an automated system that independently analyzes background image regions and adjusts symbology attributes without requiring manual intervention. The display system includes a background image processor that automatically segments the background, analyzes regional attributes, and modifies symbology parameters based on the analyzed characteristics. This self-adjusting mechanism provides high adaptability to various lighting conditions while maintaining reasonable system complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for displaying information on a heads up display (HUD). A background image is captured with a camera. A plurality of regions of the background image are analyzed to determine a region-wise image attribute for each of the plurality of regions. A symbology having a symbology attribute is generated and overlaid on an overlay region of the background image to generate a heads up display image. The overlay region is one of the plurality of regions of the background image. The symbology attribute is adjusted based on the region-wise image attribute of the overlay region to generate an adjusted heads up display image. The adjusted heads up display image is displayed on the HUD.