HUD Synthetic Vision Image Data Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern avionics systems face challenges in effectively presenting terrain information to pilots using Head-Up Display (HUD) units, as existing systems require complex optical designs and may interfere with flight symbology when displaying three-dimensional terrain images, necessitating a method to convert multi-channel pixel intensity data into a single-channel format for clear and intuitive display.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an image generating processor to convert multi-channel pixel intensity data from a synthetic vision system into a single-channel pixel intensity data set, using channel weighting based on sky and terrain colors, and optionally applying chroma keying to generate a monochrome, three-dimensional lighted solid image for display on a HUD combiner unit, allowing for transparent projection of terrain information without obscuring the pilot's view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multi-channel pixel intensity data is displayed directly on HUD, then terrain information is presented with color detail, but the optical design becomes complex and may interfere with flight symbology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential intensity information from multi-channel pixel data and removes color channel complexity. By converting RGB multi-channel data to single-channel intensity data, the system eliminates the need for complex color optics while preserving terrain information visibility on the HUD display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the data representation from multi-channel color space to single-channel intensity space. This parameter change in data format allows the HUD to display terrain information using simpler optical components, as the single-channel intensity data requires only basic light modulation rather than complex color separation and recombination optics.
2Device complexity
If multi-channel pixel intensity data is converted to single-channel format, then optical design is simplified, but color information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces channel weighting coefficients as an intermediary mechanism that preserves terrain information importance during the conversion from multi-channel to single-channel data. By applying different weights to R, G, and B channels based on sky and terrain characteristics, the system maintains the ability to distinguish terrain features through intensity variations even without color information.
3Loss of information
If channel weighting is applied based on sky and terrain colors, then terrain visibility is enhanced, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of channel weighting coefficients based on detected sky and terrain colors before the actual pixel intensity conversion. By pre-calculating the optimal weights for each channel based on the current scene composition, the system enhances terrain visibility without requiring complex real-time processing during display generation.
Data Source
AI summary
A present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method for generating HUD image data from synthetic image data is disclosed. Based on a multi-channel pixel intensity data set generated by a synthetic vision system, a single-channel pixel intensity data set representative of a lighted solid image of terrain comprised of a plurality of intensities of one color may be generated. The single-channel pixel intensity image data set may be determined as a function of multi-channel pixel intensity data set and channel weighting, where channel weighting may be based on sky and/or terrain colors employed by an SVS. Based on the multi-channel pixel intensity data set, a three-dimensional perspective scene outside the aircraft may be presented to the pilot on a HUD combiner. Also, the multi-channel pixel intensity data set may be modified by using at least one chroma key, where such chroma key may be assigned to a specific multi-channel pixel intensity value.