Image Generator Suppressing Gaps Between Reflective Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flight simulators face challenges in providing a realistic out-of-window view due to distortions caused by the use of flexible reflective surfaces like MYLAR and gaps between adjacent mirror sheets, which affect the field of view and realism for pilots.
Innovation Solution
An image generator that analyzes image streams and determines lighting data to control lighting units behind a seam inserted between reflective surfaces, visually connecting them by distributing light evenly across the seam, thereby reducing the perceived gap and enhancing the realism of the out-of-window view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If sheets of mirrors are installed one next to another to form the reflective surface, then the field of view and realism are improved, but gaps appear between the mirror sheets which negatively affect the realism
Solution Approach 1:
A light propagating material (seam) is inserted between adjacent mirror sheets to act as an intermediary that visually connects them. This seam contains light guides that transport light from lighting units positioned behind the reflective surface, creating the illusion of continuity and suppressing the visual perception of gaps between mirror sheets.
Solution Approach 2:
The light propagating material changes the optical appearance of the gap region by guiding and distributing light to match the surrounding reflective surface characteristics. This optical manipulation makes the seam invisible or imperceptible, effectively eliminating the visual discontinuity caused by gaps between mirror sheets.
2Shape
If a flexible reflective surface made of MYLAR is used, then the curvature and field of view are improved, but the surface stretches and causes distortion in some areas
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective surface is divided into multiple rigid mirror sheets rather than using a single flexible surface. This segmentation allows each sheet to maintain precise optical quality and flatness, eliminating the stretching and distortion issues inherent in flexible materials while still achieving the required curvature through the arrangement of multiple sheets.
3Reliability
If gaps are left between mirror sheets to prevent scraping and chipping, then the reliability of mirror sheets is improved, but the visual perception of the gap affects the realism
Solution Approach 1:
The light propagating seam serves as a mediator that fills the functional gap between mirror sheets. It maintains the physical separation needed for reliability while optically bridging the gap to preserve visual realism. The seam's light-guiding properties make the protective gap invisible to the observer.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces the visibility of gaps between reflective surfaces, improving the realism and coherence of the out-of-window view in flight simulators by using a flexible and compressible light propagating material with integrated lighting units and detectors to simulate a continuous reflective surface.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible and compressible light propagating material with integrated lighting units and detectors to simulate a continuous reflective surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present image generator visually suppresses a gap between two adjacent reflective surfaces of a reflective display. The image generator comprises memory and a processor. The memory stores position of the gap on the reflective display. The processor analyzes a stream of images to be displayed on the reflective display and determines corresponding lighting data alongside the gap. The processor further controls at least one lighting unit located behind a seam inserted in the gap based on the determined lighting data.