GB2343604A

GB2343604A - Stereoscopic flight control aid

Info

Publication number: GB2343604A
Application number: GB9918658A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Juergen Frank; Hans-Dieter Boehm
Original assignee: Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
Current assignee: Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH
Priority date: 1998-08-08
Filing date: 1999-08-06
Publication date: 2000-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2019-08-06
Also published as: ITMI991664A0; FR2782174A1; DE19836002A1; ITMI991664A1; GB2343604B; FR2782174B1; IT1313250B1; DE19836002B4; GB9918658D0

Abstract

A stereoscopic flight control aid with three-dimensional display is disclosed, in which monochrome or coloured two-dimensional or three-dimensional sensor images and symbols can be displayed as combined information items in a helmet display unit and helmet control unit, and a stereoscopic three-dimensional display can be guaranteed. Each eye has its own image channel and the information generated by a symbol generator and electronics is displayed on a left and right display device and is projected by way of a beam splitter into the left and right eye. The three-dimensional display of symbols makes it easier for the user to interpret scene and symbol information separately.

Description

2343604 Stereoscopic flight control aid The invention relates to a

stereoscopic flight control aid with three-dimensional graphic display.

Many kinds of modern integrated helmet visual systems are known. They contain binocular image channels made up of two separate systems, the channels making possible a good stereoscopic display of image material without using additional means, such as LCD shutters, polarizers, red-green separation etc.

However, in most embodiments three-dimensional information from radar and ladar sensors is displayed only two-dimensionally, and, moreover, the sensor images are partially observed by superimposed flight control and weapons symbols.

From DE 37 12 170 Al a stereoscopic display system is known where the stereoscopy is only achieved by way of an elaborate arrangement of individual magnifiers, lenses and other optical components. This embodiment is neither intended for nor suitable for use in aeroplanes.

From US 3 833 300 a three-dimensional helmet display unit for tracking munition flight paths has become known, but it has no capacity for the display of two-dimensional sensor images and their superimposition with 3D symbolism.

From US 4 952 024 a three-dimensional helmet display unit for individual use with two image generators is known, which, however, is likewise not intended for a stereoscopic flight control aid, nor is it accordingly designed, because, for example, the possibility of looking at and into the scene in front of the carrier, superimposition with two-dimensional sensor images and the use of a helmet tracker are lacking.

The object of the present invention is to create a stereoscopic flight control aid with three-dimensional graphic display, which can be based on an already existing helmet display unit, modified in such a way that monochrome or coloured two-dimensional or three dimensional sensor images and symbols are displayed as combined information in the helmet display and control unit and a stereoscopic three-dimensional display is guaranteed, wherein the display of the position data of the aircraft is decoupled from the current head attitude and all information of the sensors can be perceived intuitively, that is to say without interpretation or mental strain.

According to the invention there is provided a stereoscopic flight control aid with three-dimensional graphic display, with a right and left display device to display decoupled stereoscopic items of information, a symbol generator which generates stereoscopic symbology corresponding to detailed position information items, the helmet angle information and information items of further systems of the aircraft, electronics which obtain information from a tracker system and the symbol generator and activate the left and the right display device and obtain image information from at least one sensor, with the electronics calculating the images for the left and the right eye independently, and with the information displayed by the left and right display device being projected by means of beam splitters into the left and right eye of the user, with the optical visibility of the user into and on to the scene lying before him being guaranteed.

3-D display of symbolic information makes it easier to distinguish from the viewed scene, and the use of beam splitters maintains the pilot's direct view of the scene. Also very little, if any, additional hardware is needed.

For a better understanding of the invention embodiments of it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic view of the assembly and the function for the stereoscopic flight control; Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic view relating to the basic information in the sensor/symbolism cockpit; and Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic view of the asymmetrical stereoscopy.

The invention can be applied to provide the use of a true three-dimensional graphic display in a known helmet display unit, which is appropriately conceived, for the visual flight control of aircraft. In this respect, the following items of information, which may also be combined with each other, can be used for the display:

monochrome or coloured two-dimensional or three dimensional sensor images (TV, FLIR, radar, etc.), monochrome or coloured two-dimensional or three dimensional symbols, monochrome one-channel or two-channel night display channels with image intensifier tubes.

The symbol display can be controlled by or using information from the helmet tracker of the helmet display unit in order to obtain the following display types:

head-secure, helmet-carrier-secure, head-roll decoupled; moreover it must be emphasized that all three above named types can also occur simultaneously. In parallel with this, the angle signals of the helmet tracker control a sensor platform so that the images of the TV, FLIR or radar sensor come from the desired image direction.

Proceeding from a modern integrated helmet display unit which fulfils all prerequisites for two dimensional and three-dimensional graphic display, to achieve the object set above it is suggested that the video channels from the image generators to the video input are designed with two channels. According to generally known methods, a symbol generator 1 generates the symbols and figures, to be displayed in duplicate, one for each of the pilot's eyes, as can also be seen in Figure 1. The three-dimensional symbol display is used in conjunction with sensor images for daytime use since and also at night. However, it can also be designed to be used only during the day and at twilight.

Figure 1 shows an exemplary stereoscopic flight control aid, the assembly and function of which are characterized as follows.

The stereoscopic information is displayed by the left and right helmet display 4, 5 for the left and the right eye 2, 3 respectively in a decoupled manner. The information from the sensors and the flight symbology is projected into the left and the right eye 2, 3 by way of beam splitters 40, 50 which can be part of the respective displays. The stereoscopic symbology is generated in the symbol generator 1 and is relayed into the helmet electronics 6. The sensors or the controller can receive input from a tracker system. In this way, they supply an image from the viewing direction determined by the helmet tracker 7.

A substantial advantage of the suggested design is that a monochrome or coloured image reproduction of two-dimensional synthetic images or symbols and sensor images is given, then being entered for each eye through a specific image channel - that is to say in a binocular manner - and in this way a stereoscopic three-dimensional display is created. The separation of the two regimes, sensor images and symbols, by lifting the symbolism or giving it depth, allows the disentanglement of any undesirable superimposition.

Three-dimensional symbolism is presented to the pilot in a triangle between the two-dimensional sensor image plane and the eye, as illustrated in Figure 3.

Furthermore, the reproduction of raster-scanned images and stroke images, for example sensor images two-dimensionally and symbols or synthetic images three-dimensionally, is made possible in that the necessary calculations are made independently by the electronics stereoscopically for the left and right eyes, corresponding to the actual speed of television standards (European, American, Japanese for instance).

See Figure 2.

Moreover, the conception suggested here is particularly well suited for achieving stereoscopy because it does not contain any quality-reducing (optical) elements. The visibility into and on to the scene in front of the user is provided for him directly without problems and an intuitive discernment of the flight position of the aircraft, the clearance from obstacles etc. is guaranteed for him. As already mentioned, the display of the position data of the aircraft takes place decoupled from the current position or attitude of the head. The signals for this are supplied by the 3-axis helmet tracker (helmet azimuth, helmet elevation, helmet roll).

Claims

1. A stereoscopic flight control aid with three dimensional graphic display, having right and left display devices (4, 5) for displaying stereoscopic information, a symbol generator (1) for generating symbolic information, a controller (6) adapted to receive input information from a tracker system (7) and the symbol generator (1) in order to operate the left and the right display devices (4, 5) and to receive image information from at least one sensor, and being further adapted to calculate the images for the left and the right eye (2, 3) independently.

2. A stereoscopic flight control aid according to claim 1, in which the display devices are associated with beam splitters, the information displayed by the left and right display device (4, 5) being projected, in use, by means of the beam splitters into the left and right eye (2, 3) of the user in such a way as to allow the user to continue to view the scene before him.

3. A stereoscopic flight control aid according to claim 1 or 2, in which the symbolic information includes position information, helmet angle information and information items of further systems of the aircraft.

4. A stereoscopic flight control aid according to any preceding claim, wherein monochrome and colcured two dimensional synthetic images and symbols or sensor images can be reproduced on the left and right display devices (4, 5).

5. A stereoscopic flight control aid according to any preceding claim, wherein raster-scanned and/or stroke images can be reproduced on the left and right display devices (4, 5).

G. A stereoscopic flight control aid according to any preceding claim, wherein sensor images can be reproduced two-dimensionally and symbols or synthetic images can be reproduced three-dimensionally on the left and right display devices (4, 5).

7. A stereoscopic flight control aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller (6) is adapted to perform the necessary calculation at a speed corresponding to a current television standard.

8. A stereoscopic flight control aid according to any preceding claim, wherein the symbol generator (1) and the controller (6) generate on the left and right display devices (4, 5) a display of position data of the aircraft decoupled from the instantaneous location or attitude of the head of the user, i.e. of the tracker.

2S

9. A stereoscopic flight control substantially as described with reference to the attached drawings.