Terrain Rendering Processor for Non-Overlapping Partial Image Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern avionics systems often obstruct a pilot's view of the actual terrain during partial meteorological breaks, as they continue to display terrain information even when visibility improves, and do not allow simultaneous display of partial synthetic and enhanced terrain information without overlap.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a forward-looking imaging device, an image system, and a terrain rendering processor that determines visibility data to selectively display or inhibit image portions, ensuring non-overlapping partial images on a display unit, allowing pilots to see actual terrain by hiding obstructive terrain information when visibility improves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If terrain information is displayed continuously on HUD/HDD systems, then the pilot receives constant terrain information, but the display obstructs the pilot's view of the actual terrain when visibility improves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterrain informationVSAvoidobstruction of pilot's view

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the display of terrain information based on real-time visibility conditions. The terrain rendering processor continuously monitors visibility data from the forward-looking imaging device and automatically modulates the display of synthetic and enhanced terrain images, reducing or eliminating terrain display when visibility is sufficient to avoid obstructing the pilot's view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different display characteristics to different portions of the terrain display based on local visibility conditions. The terrain rendering processor divides the terrain display into multiple regions and selectively displays synthetic or enhanced terrain information only in areas where the actual terrain is obscured, while allowing direct viewing in areas with good visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If the system displays both synthetic and enhanced terrain information simultaneously, then the pilot receives comprehensive terrain data, but the images overlap and create visual confusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterrain information completenessVSAvoidimage overlap

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the terrain display into distinct regions for synthetic and enhanced terrain information. The terrain rendering processor divides the display area and assigns specific zones to each terrain type, ensuring that synthetic terrain and enhanced terrain are displayed in separate, non-overlapping regions. This segmentation allows both terrain information sources to be displayed simultaneously without creating visual confusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the system uses traditional HUD/HDD display methods, then the display structure is simple, but it cannot provide partial terrain display during partial meteorological breaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay structureVSAvoidpartial terrain display capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system integrates multiple terrain display capabilities into a unified display architecture. The terrain rendering processor is designed to handle multiple terrain information types (synthetic and enhanced) and can adaptively switch between them based on visibility conditions. This multi-functional approach allows the display system to provide partial terrain information during partial meteorological breaks while maintaining a relatively simple overall display structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7605719B1System and methods for displaying a partial images and non-overlapping, shared-screen partial images acquired from vision systems

Publication Date: 2009.10.20 ROCKWELL COLLINS INC

AI summary

A novel and non-trivial system and methods for displaying partial images and non-overlapping images acquired by vision systems representing scene is disclosed. A system is disclosed for displaying partial images and shared, non-overlapping images on a display comprises a forward-looking imaging device system, an image system, a terrain rendering processor, and an indicating system. The terrain rendering processor determines, based on visibility data, which part of an image of one system will be displayed. A method is disclosed for displaying a partial image on a display unit. A terrain rendering processor determines acceptable and unacceptable visibility data based on contrast data of first image data, and based on such determination, presents image data corresponding to unacceptable data to the indicating system for presentation on a display unit. A second method is disclosed for displaying two images on a display unit of an aircraft. A terrain rendering processor determines acceptable and unacceptable visibility data based on contrast data of first image data, and based on such determination, presents image data corresponding to both acceptable and unacceptable data to the indicating system for presentation on a display unit.