Method and system for presenting an image of an external view in a moving vehicle

• US 7,564,468 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2006
• Issued: 07/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Sanford, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRISON, CHANTE E
• Application Number:
  US11/435,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20060232497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,161 Days
• Field of Search: 345 7- 9, 345/418, 345/619, 340435-436, 340937-939, 701/1, 701/3, 701/250, 701/301, 701/302
• US Class Current: 345/619
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2021/005 images, e.g. video
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 21/02 for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00151 Permanently mounted seat back monitors
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2011/0061 Windows displaying outside view, artificially generated

Abstract

Methods and systems for processing images corresponding to views external to a vehicle are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes first and second signal receiving portions configured to receive a signal corresponding to an image of a view external to the vehicle and a speed of the vehicle, respectively. A signal processing portion can direct to a first display portion a first signal corresponding to the image and to a second display portion a second signal corresponding to the image, with the first and second display portions positioned at different locations of the vehicle. The second signal can be delayed by a time that corresponds at least approximately inversely to the speed of the vehicle. Accordingly, a viewer seeing both display portions can receive a visual indication that the vehicle is moving.

Claims

1. A method for processing an image corresponding to a view external to a vehicle, comprising:

receiving at a processor a signal corresponding to an image of a view external to a vehicle;

receiving at a processor a signal corresponding to a speed of the vehicle;

directing to a first display portion positioned at a first location of the vehicle a first signal corresponding to the image;

directing to a second display portion positioned at a second location of the vehicle a second signal corresponding to the image, the second location being spaced apart from the first location; and

delaying the second signal by a time that corresponds at least approximately inversely to the speed.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the vehicle is an aircraft and wherein delaying the second signal occurs when the aircraft is traveling on the ground, and wherein the method further comprises synchronizing the second signal with the first signal when the aircraft is airborne.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting the speed of the aircraft.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the image corresponding to the view external to the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving a signal corresponding to a speed of the aircraft includes receiving a signal corresponding to a linear speed of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving a signal corresponding to a speed of the aircraft includes receiving a signal corresponding to a rotational speed of the vehicle.

7. A method for processing an image corresponding to a view external to a vehicle, comprising:

receiving a signal corresponding to an image of a view external to a vehicle;

receiving a signal corresponding to a speed of the vehicle;

directing from a processor to a first display portion positioned at a first location of the vehicle a first signal corresponding to the image;

directing from the processor to a second display portion positioned at a second location of the vehicle a second signal corresponding to the image, the second location being spaced apart from the first location; and

delaying the second signal by a time that corresponds at least approximately inversely to the speed.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the vehicle is an aircraft and wherein delaying the second signal occurs when the aircraft is traveling on the ground, and wherein the method further comprises synchronizing the second signal with the first signal when the aircraft is airborne.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising detecting the speed of the aircraft.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising generating the image corresponding to the view external to the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein receiving a signal corresponding to a speed of the aircraft includes receiving a signal corresponding to a linear speed of the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein receiving a signal corresponding to a speed of the aircraft includes receiving a signal corresponding to a rotational speed of the vehicle.

13. A method for processing an image corresponding to a view external to a vehicle, comprising:

receiving at a first signal receiving portion of a computer-based system a signal corresponding to an image of a view external to a vehicle;

receiving at a second signal receiving portion of a computer-based system a signal corresponding to a speed of the vehicle;

directing from a signal processing portion of the computer-based system to a first display portion positioned at a first location of the vehicle a first signal corresponding to the image;

directing from the signal processing portion of the computer-based system to a second display portion positioned at a second location of the vehicle a second signal corresponding to the image, the second location being spaced apart from the first location; and

delaying, via the signal processing portion, the second signal by a time that corresponds at least approximately inversely to the speed.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the vehicle is an aircraft and wherein delaying the second signal occurs when the aircraft is traveling on the ground, and wherein the method further comprises synchronizing the second signal with the first signal when the aircraft is airborne.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising detecting the speed of the aircraft.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising generating the image corresponding to the view external to the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 13 wherein receiving a signal corresponding to a speed of the aircraft includes receiving a signal corresponding to a linear speed of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein receiving a signal corresponding to a speed of the aircraft includes receiving a signal corresponding to a rotational speed of the vehicle.