Near-to-eye display luminance control for pilot visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional head-up displays (HUDs) with fixed image combiners do not allow pilots to control the visibility of information effectively, as it remains visible even when the pilot looks away or down, causing obstruction during tasks like viewing terrain or instrument panels.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for a near-to-eye (NTE) display that renders imagery only within a predefined visibility range and adjusts luminance based on the display's position, allowing the pilot to 'look around' the symbology by moving their head, thereby enabling unobstructed views and optional disabling of the display without manual input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If head-mounted HUDs with NTE displays are used, then the information displayed is visible to the pilot regardless of head position or orientation, but the display obstructs the pilot's view of terrain and instrument panel when the pilot looks away from the display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the display visibility dynamic rather than static. The NTE display automatically adjusts its visibility state based on the pilot's head position and orientation. When the pilot looks away from the display (e.g., down at instruments or out at terrain), the display automatically dims or turns off, eliminating obstruction. When the pilot returns to the normal viewing position, the display automatically becomes visible again, maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from head position sensors to control display visibility. The sensors continuously monitor the pilot's head orientation and provide feedback signals to the display control system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts whether the display should be visible or obscured, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to the pilot's actual viewing needs.
2Loss of information
If the NTE display remains visible when the pilot looks away, then information is always accessible, but the pilot cannot view terrain or instrument panel without obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The display visibility is made dynamic, automatically transitioning between visible and obscured states based on pilot head position. This eliminates the need for manual switching and ensures the display is only visible when the pilot needs to see it, while automatically clearing when the pilot needs to view terrain or instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system serves itself by automatically adjusting display visibility based on sensor input without requiring pilot intervention. The head position sensors and display control system work together to automatically determine when the display should be visible or obscured, making the system self-regulating and responsive to pilot needs.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If manual control of NTE display visibility is implemented, then the pilot can disable the display when needed, but the pilot must manually activate/deactivate the display
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates manual control by implementing self-service automatic visibility management. Head position sensors continuously monitor pilot orientation and automatically control display visibility without requiring any manual input from the pilot. The system serves itself by detecting when the pilot looks away and automatically obscuring the display, and when the pilot returns to normal position, automatically restoring visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Automatic feedback control replaces manual switching. The system uses real-time feedback from head position sensors to automatically determine when the display should be visible or obscured, eliminating the time loss associated with manual activation and deactivation while maintaining appropriate visibility control.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems for operating a vehicular near-to-eye (NTE) display screen operable within an operational range limit are provided. An image is rendering on the NTE display screen within a predefined visibility range. The predefined visibility range is within the operational range limit. A luminance of at least a portion of the image is reduced in response to the NTE display screen being moved outside of the predefined visibility range and within the operational range limit.