Pilot-Perspective SA Display for Beyond-Visual-Range Threat Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern warfare scenarios, particularly in aviation, pose challenges to pilots due to limitations in natural eyesight, such as glare, weather conditions, and long-range distances, which hinder effective situational awareness and quick decision-making.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle control system that includes a control inceptor and a communications interface to process external entity situational awareness data, displaying video data on a situational awareness screen that simulates a real-world visual perspective of the surroundings, allowing pilots to see external entities beyond their visual range, enhancing situational awareness without the need for direct line-of-sight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pilots rely on natural eyesight to navigate and control the vehicle, then hand-eye coordination is maintained, but situational awareness is limited by visual range, glare, and weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a situational awareness display system that acts as an intermediary between the pilot and the external environment. Sensors (radar, LIDAR, cameras) capture data about external entities, and the display system presents this information to the pilot, mediating the pilot's perception of the environment and overcoming visual limitations caused by glare, weather, and distance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the natural visual system (eyesight) with an electronic sensing and display system. Instead of relying on optical detection through the pilot's eyes, the system uses electronic sensors to detect external entities and presents the information through visual displays, substituting the mechanical/biological visual system with an electronic one that is not subject to the same limitations
2Measurement precision
If pilots use traditional visual methods to detect external entities, then direct line-of-sight is maintained, but detection range is limited by visual capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The display system serves as an intermediary that extends the pilot's detection capabilities. Sensors mounted on the vehicle capture data about external entities at distances beyond the pilot's visual range, and the display system presents this information with spatial relationships preserved, allowing the pilot to detect entities accurately without direct line-of-sight
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds an informational dimension to the pilot's situational awareness. By displaying processed sensor data that includes range, bearing, and identity information about external entities, the system provides detection capabilities in dimensions beyond what natural eyesight can achieve, effectively extending detection range without sacrificing accuracy
3Speed
If pilots operate in combat situations requiring quick reactions, then decision-making speed is critical, but visual processing time is insufficient for long-range threats
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and processing of external entity information before the pilot needs to react. Sensors continuously scan and identify potential threats, and the display system pre-processes and presents this information to the pilot, so that when a threat requires action, the pilot already has the necessary information ready, reducing reaction time
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback to the pilot about the environment through the display system. By constantly updating information about external entities, their movements, and potential threats, the system maintains the pilot's situational awareness without requiring active visual scanning, allowing faster reaction to changing conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system includes at least one control inceptor to provide pilot control of an associated vehicle and a communications interface to process external entity SA data associated with an external entity that is received at a communications system associated with the associated vehicle. An SA video screen displays video data to a pilot of the associated vehicle. The video data includes pilot-perspective visual data corresponding to a real-time dynamic virtual representation of surroundings of the associated vehicle that simulates a real-world visual perspective of the pilot to the surroundings of the associated vehicle and is responsive to the pilot control. A visual indicator of the external entity is superimposed onto the pilot-perspective visual data at an approximate location corresponding to an actual location of the external entity relative to the associated vehicle and beyond a visual range of the pilot based on the external entity SA data.