Helicopter virtual image display system incorporating structural outlines
First Claim
1. A virtual image display system for use by a pilot in an aircraft having a canopy structure of predetermined configuration, comprising:
- virtual imaging means for generating virtual images of the external world;
video display means for generating and displaying video images based upon said virtual images of the external world for viewing by the pilot.sensing means disposed in interactive relation with said video display means for generating position signals corresponding to the spatial location and perspective of said video display means;
map means for storing structural outlines corresponding to the predetermined configuration of the canopy structure; and
computer processing means for defining the spatial location and perspective of said video display means based upon said position signals generated by said sensing means;
said computer processing means being further operative for reconstructing structural outlines of segments of the canopy structure from said stored structural outlines of said map means, said reconstructed structural outline segments being based upon and synchronized with said defined spatial location and perspective of said video display means;
said computer processing means being further operative to superimpose said reconstructed structural outline segments onto said displayed video images to provide the pilot with a high-definition pictorial representation of the external world wherein said superimposed, reconstructed structural outline segments occlude corresponding segments of said displayed video images such that said superimposed, reconstructed structural outline segments provide the pilot with a referential framework during viewing of said occluded displayed video images.
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Abstract
A virtual image display system provides video displays based upon virtual images of the external world having synchronized structural outlines superimposed on the video displays to a pilot operating an aircraft such as a helicopter in non-visual flight conditions. The virtual image display system includes a virtual imaging subsystem for generating virtual images of the external world, a video display subsystem for generating video images based upon the virtual images and for displaying the video images for the pilot'"'"'s viewing, a sensing means for providing signals corresponding to the spatial location and perspective of the video display subsystem, a map comprising structural outlines corresponding to structural members forming the canopy structure of the helicopter, and a computer subsystem providing electronic interfacing between the elements of the virtual image display system, for synchronizing the orientation of the virtual imaging subsystem with the video display subsystem, and for processing the virtual image signals to provide signals to the video display subsystem to generate video displays. The computer utilizes the helmet position signals to define the relative position and orientation of the video display subsystem in the cockpit, and utilizes such definition to reconstruct structural outlines from the map that are synchronized to the perspective of the video images. The synchronized structural images are superimposed upon the video display.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A virtual image display system for use by a pilot in an aircraft having a canopy structure of predetermined configuration, comprising:
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virtual imaging means for generating virtual images of the external world; video display means for generating and displaying video images based upon said virtual images of the external world for viewing by the pilot. sensing means disposed in interactive relation with said video display means for generating position signals corresponding to the spatial location and perspective of said video display means; map means for storing structural outlines corresponding to the predetermined configuration of the canopy structure; and computer processing means for defining the spatial location and perspective of said video display means based upon said position signals generated by said sensing means; said computer processing means being further operative for reconstructing structural outlines of segments of the canopy structure from said stored structural outlines of said map means, said reconstructed structural outline segments being based upon and synchronized with said defined spatial location and perspective of said video display means; said computer processing means being further operative to superimpose said reconstructed structural outline segments onto said displayed video images to provide the pilot with a high-definition pictorial representation of the external world wherein said superimposed, reconstructed structural outline segments occlude corresponding segments of said displayed video images such that said superimposed, reconstructed structural outline segments provide the pilot with a referential framework during viewing of said occluded displayed video images. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A virtual image display system for use by a pilot in an aircraft having a canopy structure including a plurality of posts and rails, comprising:
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a forward looking infrared imaging subsystem for generating virtual image signals corresponding to the external world within the field of view thereof; a helmet mounted display subsystem worn by the pilot; sensing means disposed in interactive relation with said helmet mounted display system for generating position signals corresponding to the spatial location and perspective of said helmet mounted display system with respect to the plurality of posts and rails forming the canopy structure; and computer processing means being operative in response to said position signals for defining the spatial location and perspective of said helmet mounted display subsystem worn by the pilot; said computer processing means being further operative to process said virtual image signals to provide corresponding signals to said helmet mounted display subsystem to generate and display video images for viewing by the pilot, said displayed video images being based upon and synchronized with said defined spatial location and perspective of said helmet mounted display subsystem; said computer processing means including a memory structure having stored therein a digitized map defining an interrelated series of structural outlines corresponding to the plurality of posts and rails forming the canopy structure; said computer processing means being further operative to reconstruct structural outlines of segments of the plurality of posts and rails from said digitized map based upon and synchronized in perspective with said defined spatial location and perspective of said helmet mounted display subsystem; said computer processing means being further operative to superimpose said reconstructed structural outline segments onto said displayed video images viewed by the pilot such that said reconstructed structural outline segments occlude corresponding portions of said displayed video images, said superimposed reconstructed structural outline segments providing the pilot with a referential framework during view of said occluded displayed video images. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification