Replacement heads-up display system

• US 5,995,290 A
• Filed: 09/17/1998
• Issued: 11/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Inventors: Noble, Walter E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thompson, Timothy J
• Application Number:
  US09/154,919
• Time in Patent Office: 439 Days
• Field of Search: 359/630, 340/91, 345/7, 345/1, 345/9, 345/3, 348/115, 348/117, 348/121, 348/123
• US Class Current: 359/630
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a replacement heads-up display system for a vehicle flat-screen display system. The flat-screen display system including flat-screen display electronics which is connectable to a flat-screen display input connector for providing flat-screen display input signals therethrough. The flat-screen display electronics is sized and configured to be received by a flat-screen display bay formed in a vehicle control panel. The flat-screen display is attachable to a flat-screen display bezel which is attachable to the vehicle control panel. The replacement heads-up display system is provided with heads-up display electronics which is configured to mechanically and electrically interface with the flat-screen input connector. The heads-up display electronics is formed to receive and transmute the flat-screen input signals to heads-up display signals. The heads-up display electronics is sized and configured to be received by the flat-screen display bay. There is further provided a replacement bezel which is configured to replace the flat-screen bezel and is attachable to the vehicle control panel. There is further provided a heads-up display which is in electrical communication with the heads-up display electronics and is attachable to the replacement bezel. There is further provided heads-up display controls which are electrically connectable with the heads-up display electronics and are mechanically mountable to the the replacement bezel.

Claims

1. A replacement heads-up display system for a vehicle flat-screen display system, the flat-screen display system including flat-screen display electronics connectable to a flat-screen display input connector for providing flat-screen display input signals therethrough, the flat-screen display electronics being sized and configured to be received by a flat-screen display bay formed in a vehicle control panel, the flat-screen display being attachable to a flat-screen display bezel, the flat-screen display bezel being attachable to the vehicle control panel, the replacement heads-up display system comprising:

heads-up display electronics configured to mechanically and electrically interface with the flat-screen input connector, the heads-up display electronics being formed to receive and transmute the flat-screen input signals to heads-up display signals, the heads-up display electronics being sized and configured to be received by the flat-screen display bay;

a replacement bezel configured to replace the flat-screen bezel, the replacement bezel being attachable to the vehicle control panel;

a heads-up display in electrical communication with the heads-up display electronics, the heads-up display being attachable to the replacement bezel; and

heads-up display controls electrically connectable with the heads-up display electronics for controlling the heads-up display, the heads-up display controls being mechanically mountable to the replacement bezel.

2. The replacement heads-up display system of claim 1, wherein the flat-screen display bezel being attachable to the vehicle control panel via bezel connectors and the replacement bezel being attachable to the vehicle control panel via the bezel connectors.

3. The replacement heads-up display system of claim 1, wherein the replacement bezel having control apertures formed therein and the heads-up display controls being mechanically attachable to the heads-up display electronics through the control apertures.

4. The replacement heads-up display system of claim 1, wherein the heads-up display is disposed generally above the replacement bezel.

5. The replacement heads-up display system of claim 1, wherein the replacement bezel having non-heads-up display control apertures formed therein for use with non-heads-up display controls.

6. The replacement heads-up display system of claim 1, wherein the heads-up display electronics, the replacement bezel, and the heads-up display are configured for use in an aircraft.

7. The replacement heads-up display system of claim 1, wherein the heads-up display electronics, the replacement bezel, and the heads-up display are configured for use in a cockpit main instrument panel.