Virtual Window Video System for Aircraft Motion Sickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passengers in windowless aircraft suites experience discomfort due to lack of visual attitude reference during flight maneuvers, leading to potential motion sickness, as existing video systems fail to provide reliable and intuitive attitude information.
Innovation Solution
A video system with monitors configured as virtual windows, using cameras and pivot motors to display perspective views that match the passenger's field of view, providing an intuitive attitude reference through peripheral vision without requiring focus on the screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single image is replicated on all screens on the same side of the mockup, then the system complexity is reduced, but the attitude reference becomes ambiguous or confusing during aircraft maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cabin into multiple zones with individual monitors for each zone, and further segments the view by providing different images to different monitors based on their location. Each monitor displays a perspective-corrected image that corresponds to its specific position on the aircraft, eliminating the ambiguity of replicated images while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different visual information to different locations in the cabin. Each monitor displays an image specifically tailored to its location, with perspective correction that accounts for the local geometry and orientation. This ensures that passengers at any location receive accurate attitude reference information appropriate to their specific viewing position.
2Ease of manufacture
If forward looking landscape cameras are used, then the system is simple to implement, but the attitude reference becomes unreliable during takeoff maneuvers when the nose is pointed skyward
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic camera orientation where the camera field of view is continuously adjusted based on the aircraft's attitude and the desired virtual window perspective. Rather than using fixed forward-looking cameras, the system dynamically positions the camera view to maintain an appropriate horizon reference during all phases of flight, including takeoff and landing maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the camera system by adjusting the field of view, orientation, and positioning based on flight conditions. The camera parameters are modified in real-time to provide appropriate visual references during different maneuvers, transforming the static camera system into an adaptive one that maintains reliability across all flight regimes.
3Productivity
If video screens are used for information and entertainment purposes, then the screen utilization is maximized, but the screens are rarely turned to camera mode and cannot relieve motion-oriented discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the monitor system to serve both entertainment/information purposes and motion comfort purposes simultaneously. The same displays that show movies and information can also present the virtual window camera views that provide attitude reference and reduce motion sickness, eliminating the need to switch between different system modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that can overlay or switch between entertainment content and attitude reference information. This mediator allows the system to maintain entertainment functionality while periodically or continuously providing visual attitude references that mitigate motion discomfort, balancing both requirements.
4Ease of operation
If monitors farther from the passenger display the same image, then the system is simple to operate, but the rear of the airplane appears to be rolling more quickly than the front, inducing motion sickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different perspective-corrected images to different monitors based on their location. Monitors farther from the passenger receive images with adjusted perspective and rotation that account for their position, ensuring that the visual representation of aircraft attitude is consistent across all viewing positions and does not create false roll rate perceptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by instead of showing the same image to all monitors, it shows different images tailored to each monitor's location. This inversion of the replication concept creates a distributed perspective system where each monitor displays what it would see if it were a real window at that location, eliminating the motion sickness-inducing effect.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes a monitor implemented as a virtual window, along with a camera, and a pivot motor. The pivot motor may be configured to change an orientation of a field of view of the camera relative to a vehicle based on a position of a passenger. The vehicle may be an aircraft.