Synthetic Vision Detached Object Rendering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aircraft display systems face challenges in distinguishing and accurately rendering detached objects, such as power lines and bridges, within terrain data, which can lead to difficulties in providing a clear and effective visual representation for flight crews.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves receiving terrain data, generating a point cloud of a three-dimensional field of view, identifying detached objects, and generating display commands to emphasize these objects within the visual display, allowing for their accurate rendering on a display device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional terrain data processing methods are used, then the display system can show basic terrain features, but detached objects such as power lines and bridges cannot be accurately distinguished and displayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracy of detached objectsVSAvoidterrain data processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments terrain data processing into distinct stages: generating a point cloud from terrain data, identifying detached objects within the point cloud, and rendering them with appropriate visual differentiation. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex terrain data systematically while improving detection accuracy for detached objects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms traditional 2D terrain representation into a 3D point cloud structure, enabling the system to detect and display detached objects in three-dimensional space. This dimensional enhancement allows flight crews to perceive the spatial relationships and heights of detached objects relative to the terrain, significantly improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If detailed terrain data is stored and processed, then a high level of detail can be achieved in synthetic displays, but storing and processing large amounts of terrain data becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay rendering precisionVSAvoiddata storage and processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential geometric information needed for display by converting detailed terrain data into a point cloud representation. This extraction process retains the necessary spatial information for accurate rendering while reducing the complexity of data storage and processing by eliminating redundant detailed information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified digital copy of the terrain environment in the form of a point cloud, which preserves the essential spatial relationships and features needed for synthetic vision display. This copy enables high-precision rendering without requiring storage of the full complexity of original terrain data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If detached objects are not distinguished from attached objects, then the display system is simpler to operate, but flight crews lack situational awareness of detached objects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation about detached objectsVSAvoiddisplay system operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality differentiation by rendering detached objects with distinct visual characteristics compared to attached terrain features. This allows flight crews to immediately distinguish between objects that are part of the terrain and those that are detached, preserving critical information while maintaining intuitive display operation through consistent visual cues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2647960B1Synthetic vision systems and methods for displaying detached objects
Publication Date: 2018.03.14 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP2647960B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2647960B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2647960B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display system is provided for a vehicle. The display system includes a data source configured to provide terrain data with detached objects that are detached from ground terrain and attached objects that are attached to ground terrain; a processing unit coupled to the data source configured to receive the terrain data and to distinguish the detached objects from the attached objects to generate display commands for a three-dimensional view that comprises graphical elements representing both the detached objects and the attached objects; and a display device coupled to the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and operable to render the common three-dimensional view to thereby allow viewing of the detached objects and the attached objects.