3D Terrain Display Intensity Mapping for Clear Pilot View
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating three-dimensional terrain representations for pilots, such as gridding and slope break methods, are inadequate for uneven terrain and often clutter the pilot's view, failing to distinguish between water and land zones effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates a resultant display intensity for terrain elements based on the difference between distances from the aircraft to nearby terrain features, allowing for improved discrimination of slope inversions and differentiation between flat and uneven zones, including water and land, by using a partially transparent display screen and sensors to determine the pilot's orientation and field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If gridding method is used to represent terrain, then the representation is simple and easy to generate, but it is not suitable for uneven terrain and fails to distinguish water zones from land zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for terrain representation from simple gridding to a method based on distance differences between terrain elements. By calculating the difference between distances from the aircraft to adjacent terrain elements, the system adapts to various terrain types (flat, mountainous, water zones) while maintaining computational efficiency. This parameter change enables the system to handle diverse terrain typologies effectively.
2Adaptability or versatility
If break of slope method or peak line method is used to represent uneven terrain, then the representation of uneven zones is improved, but the pilot's field of view is overloaded and terrain visibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adjusting the representation intensity based on the local terrain characteristics. The system calculates distance differences for each terrain element and selectively enhances display only where significant slope changes occur (peaks, valleys, water zones). This localized enhancement approach provides detailed terrain information where needed while maintaining clear visibility in flat areas, thus avoiding field of view overload.
3Device complexity
If conventional terrain representation methods are used, then the display is simple, but slope inversions and terrain features cannot be easily distinguished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension for terrain analysis by calculating the difference between distances to adjacent terrain elements. This dimensional approach (comparing multiple distance measurements) enables the system to detect slope inversions, peaks, and water zones with high precision. The method maintains relative simplicity by using basic distance calculations rather than complex 3D modeling, thus achieving high detection accuracy without excessive system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for developing a three-dimensional representation of a terrain overflown by an aircraft able to be piloted by a pilot via a control station.The method includes for representation of at least one current terrain element, following steps:determining a first distance between a first terrain element and the aircraft;determining a second distance between a second terrain element and the aircraft; andcalculating a resultant display intensity of the current terrain element as a function of a difference between the first distance and the second distance.