Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Michael A Ropers

Christopher Alan Keith

Donald E Mosier

Bobby D Foote

Andrew Jarrett

Jana Wills

Brent Hansen

Michael Newman

Joshua Gerdes

Christopher M Buchholz

Erin M Hawk

Josh Rivera

A system and method for reducing frame-to-frame variations at the pixel level during noise reduction includes determining the noise source and the magnitude of those sources in the system. Once the system noise is characterized a selection of filters can be tailored to target the noise present in the system. The large temporal spikes, or impulse responses, in pixel value are considered to be discrete photon events. The system identifies pixels that have recently received a photon, preserving what little signal is present, while also suppressing Gaussian dark noise. The system implements a multi-level temporal wavelet filter.

Noise reduction method for very low light level night vision

A system may include a processor, a night vision sensor, and an objective lens assembly comprising four lenses. Each of a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, and a fourth lens may be configured to project a real world scene onto one of four portions of the night vision sensor. The night vision sensor may be configured to provide four images of the real world scene from the objective lens assembly to the processor. The processor may be configured to: receive a first image, a second image, a third image, and a fourth image from the night vision sensor; generate color night vision image data based at least on the first image, the second image, the third image, and the fourth image; and output the color night vision image data.

Color night vision system and method

A system for merging a plurality of image sources into a single image stream defines a predistortion image mask for each source. Each mask defines a distorted image space to account for distortion in the display optics, and indicates a region or regions in the desired output image where one merge method should be used versus another (e.g., overlay vs. replace). Each source mask may have a separate level of granularity according to the requirements of the included image and corresponding distortion.

Configurable low resource subsample image mask for merging in a distorted image space

A system and method for monitoring the status of a pixelated display defines one or more pixel locations or clusters of pixels to be dithered. A monitor determines if the specified pixels or clusters of pixels demonstrate dithering. Detection of the expected dithering indicates a functional display while failure to detect the dithering indicates a failed display. Brightness levels are monitored to detect a failure in brightness leveling. Brightness is monitored at the same locations.

Flipped or frozen display monitor

In a display with subpixel LEDs, each pixel includes two subpixel LEDs controlled via a shared control circuit and switching element. Switching element logic allows one set of brightness control transistors to alternatively control two subpixels. The driving and control elements of a display backplane are organized into pixels units of four driving elements and three control elements. Each pixel may comprise two green subpixels controlled via the switching element. Alternatively, each pixel may comprise a white subpixel that only illuminates when the colored pixels are off; the green and white subpixels are controlled via the switching element.

Pixel control architecture for micro-LED micro-display with reduced transistor count

A helmet mounted display system is described. A visor has an inner reflective surface and is mountable to head gear. A light source is arranged to emit light. Directing optics are arranged to image light from the light source onto the inner reflective surface of the visor to provide a reticle image on the inner reflective surface of the visor. An eye tracker is configured to determine the orientation of an eye of a wearer of the head gear. A controller is configured to receive an indication of the determined orientation of the eye, and to control the at least one actuator to change the orientation and shape of the directing optics to change the position of reticle image based on the indication of the determined orientation of the eye such that the eye views the reticle image.

Steerable reticle for visor projected helmet mounted displays

A system may include a display element. The display element may include pixel groups. Each of the pixel groups may include a first set of sub-pixels and a second set of sub-pixels. The first set of sub-pixels may include: a first sub-pixel; a second sub-pixel; and a third sub-pixel. The second set of sub-pixels may include: a fourth sub-pixel; a fifth sub-pixel; and a sixth sub-pixel. Each of the fourth sub-pixel, the fifth sub-pixel, and the sixth sub-pixel may have a maximum brightness that is dimmer than a maximum brightness of each of the first sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel, and the third sub-pixel. Some or all sub-pixels of one of the first set of sub-pixels or the second set of sub-pixels may be driven while all sub-pixels of the other of the first set of sub-pixels or the second set of sub-pixels are undriven.

Display element, system, and method

A system and method for Automated Aerial Refueling (AAR) may combine unrelated capabilities to provide a high integrity solution to boom manipulation and insertion to couple with a receiver receptacle. Precise positioning systems on each aircraft coupled via data link provide a high integrity relative positioning solution generating a requisite integrity for positioning yet insufficient for boom insertion. High definition cameras onboard the tanker provide multi-wavelength remote vision digital images used to identify the boom fitting as well as the receptacle. Combined with boom position information from the tanker, the system determines pixel position inputs from stereo digital images to precisely identify the boom and receptacle and manipulate the boom to insert the boom fitting into the receptacle. Constant camera generated feedback and updated relative positioning alerts the system and disconnects the boom should the receiver aircraft stray outside the proper position.

Relative navigation and machine vision for automated aerial refueling system and method

A display system for extending a brightness dimming range of a display substrate is disclosed. In embodiments, the display system includes a display device including a display substrate configured to display at least one image. In embodiments, the display system further includes a controller communicatively coupled to the display substrate, the controller including one or more processors configured to execute a set of program instructions stored in a memory. The one or more processors may be configured to acquire a video stream including a plurality of image frames; selectively modify one or more characteristics of one or more image frames of the plurality of image frames to generate a modified video stream; and generate one or more control signals configured to cause the display device to display the modified video stream via the display substrate.

Extending brightness dimming range of displays via image frame manipulation

A system may include a display element. The display element may include pixel groups. Each of the pixel groups may include: a first sub-pixel configured to output light of a first color; a second sub-pixel configured to output light of a second color; a third sub-pixel configured to output light of a third color; and a fourth sub-pixel configured to output light, wherein the fourth sub-pixel has a maximum brightness that is dimmer than a maximum brightness of each of the first sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel, and the third sub-pixel.

A device and method for presentation of bezel embedded head tracking fiducials within an aircraft cockpit incorporates two and three-dimensional fiducial markers within a bezel of a forward display. Oriented in a constellation within a constant field of view of the pilot, the fiducials are specifically configured for continuous recognition by an optical sensor associated with a head worn display (HWD). With continuous constellation recognition, the HWD identifies the bezel embedded fiducials and determines a high integrity pose solution of a head reference frame relative to the aircraft enabling the system to present a high integrity primary flight display to the pilot without requiring an additional flight display available. Using active backlit short-wave infrared (SWIR) lighting and/or passively coated with reflective material specifically tuned to the night vision systems available to the HWD sensor, the bezel embedded fiducials allow operation of the HWD systems in any illumination environment.

Growing community of inventors

Cedar Rapids, IA, United States of America

Michael A Ropers