Merging Enhanced and Synthetic Vision Video Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current avionics systems require pilots to switch between Synthetic Vision Systems (SVS) and Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) for terrain and environmental information, which can be limiting in low visibility conditions, as EVS usability depends on external environmental conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for merging video content from SVS and EVS systems, allowing simultaneous display of both by selecting and analyzing frames to detect objects and default segments, and merging them to create a single video frame that includes detected objects and segments, enabling continuous display of terrain information regardless of weather conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pilots use Enhanced Vision System (EVS) to view real-time terrain images, then they can see actual objects such as persons, vehicles or aircraft crossing the runway, but the usability is directly dependent on external environmental conditions and becomes obscured in low visibility conditions such as fog or rain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges EVS video content with SVS video content to create a composite display. The EVS provides real-time actual images when visible, while the SVS provides computer-generated terrain information when environmental conditions obscure the EVS. This combination ensures continuous reliable terrain awareness regardless of weather conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pilots switch between SVS and EVS depending on desired perspective or weather conditions, then they can access appropriate terrain information, but they must switch between different video sources which limits continuous situational awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines SVS and EVS into a single integrated display that shows both video sources simultaneously or alternately without requiring manual switching. The composite video output presents a unified view that adapts to different conditions automatically, improving ease of operation while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system is designed to handle multiple video sources (EVS and SVS) and automatically select or combine them based on environmental conditions and pilot needs. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for manual switching while providing access to both actual images and computer-generated terrain information.
3Reliability
If SVS displays computer generated terrain information regardless of weather conditions, then terrain awareness is maintained, but it cannot show actual real-time objects such as persons or vehicles on the runway
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the computer-generated terrain information from SVS with the real-time actual images from EVS. This combination allows the display to show both the reliable terrain awareness provided by SVS and the real-time objects provided by EVS, eliminating the information loss of either system used alone.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing a video merged from two independent video sources to a display is disclosed. The system and method includes receiving an enhanced vision video from an enhanced vision system, receiving a synthetic vision video from a synthetic vision system and selecting an enhanced frame in the enhanced vision video. The system and method also includes selecting a synthetic frame from the synthetic vision video corresponding to the selected enhanced frame, analyzing the enhanced frame to detect objects according to a first algorithm, analyzing the synthetic frame to detect default frame segments, merging the enhanced frame and the synthetic frame to provide a merged frame that includes detected objects and detected default frame segments and displaying the merged frame on a display.