Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Ming Yu

Eric P Stratton

Robert D Brown

Christopher Alan Keith

James H Stanley

Carlo L Tiana

Francois Raynal

Lu Bai

Gary B Kingsley

Marvin R Lovato

Roger E Yaffe

A method for identifying and correcting fixed pattern noise includes capturing a focused image and an unfocused image via a variable focus lens. Fixed pattern noise represented in the unfocused image is filtered from the focused image. The unfocused image represents a low-pass filtered component of the focused image; subtracting the unfocused image from the focused image results in a high-pass and fixed pattern noise filtered focused image. Image capture and focus of the variable focus lens are synchronized to remove transitional frames from the image stream.

Fixed pattern noise reduction and high spatial frequency filtering using vari-focus lenses in low contrast scenes

A system and method. The system may include a display, a lens having distortion, an image generator, and a processor. The lens may be configured to focus light received from an environment. The image generator may be configured to receive the light from the lens and output a stream of images as image data, wherein each of the stream of images is distorted. The processor may be configured to: receive the image data from the image generator; detect a point source object in the stream of images of the image data; enhance the point source object in the stream of images of the image data; undistort the stream of images of the image data having an enhanced point source object; and output a stream of undistorted images as undistorted image data to the display.

Point source detection

A head up display can be used in compact environments. The head up display includes a combiner system including at least one light pipe and a waveguide. The at least one light pipe includes a turning grating or mirror array for providing light into the waveguide from the light pipe. An additional light pipe can also be provided. The combiner system can be headworn or stand-alone and can provide dual axis pupil expansion.

Head up display (HUD) using a light pipe

A system for characterizing a visor mounted to a helmet, the helmet having at least one projector for directing light to reflect off the visor to image to an eye position, is described. The system includes a mounting structure configured to mount an image detector to the helmet, the image detector arranged to detect an image at the eye position, and a controller. The controller is configured to provide a test pattern, receive a detected image from the image detector disposed at an eye position based on the test pattern, compare the detected image to the test pattern to determine a characterization error corresponding to a distortion of the detected image, determine a correction function to correct the distortion, and correct for the distortion based on the correction function.

In field visor characterization for visor projected displays

A head up display can be used in compact environments. The head up display includes a combiner system including at least one light pipe and a waveguide. The at least one light pipe includes a diffraction grating or mirror array for providing light into the waveguide from the light pipe. The light pipe is configured to receive light and provide first light in a first direction for a first field of view and second light in a second direction for a second field of view. The combiner system can be head worn or stand-alone and can provide dual axis pupil expansion.

Head up display (HUD) with increased field of view

A display system includes a light pipe including elongated surfaces. The light pipe is configured to expand the image in a first direction through one of the elongated surfaces. The display also includes a waveguide including an output grating, a first surface, a second surface, and a side surface. The first surface and the second surface have a larger area than the side surface, the output grating being configured to provide the image expanded in a second direction. The second direction is different than the first direction. The image enters the waveguide from the one of the elongated surfaces.

Turning light pipe for a pupil expansion system and method

A modulated lighting infrastructure for a runway approach lighting system includes a network of LED emitters, emitting primarily in the visible spectral band, driven by control logic to emit brief high-frequency pulses of energy at peak brightness for a fraction of their duty cycle while emitting no energy for the remainder of the duty cycle. While the pulsed emissions of the approach lighting system are so brief as to appear normal to pilots (as the average intensity is unchanged), an onboard detection system can integrate a camera for short bursts at a high frame rate to detect images of the emitted high-frequency pulses against competing atmospheric and background illumination and display the detected images to the pilot. The emitter network may include additional emitters configured to emit energy in infrared and other spectral ranges for detection by onboard enhanced vision systems.

Modulated lighting infrastructure for improved low visibility detection

A display system includes a light pipe including elongated surfaces and an input coupler. The light pipe is configured to provide an image received by the input coupler and expand the image in a first direction through one of the elongated surfaces. The display also includes a waveguide including an output grating, a first surface, a second surface, and a side surface. The first surface and the second surface have a larger area than the side surface, the output grating being configured to provide the image expanded in a second direction. The second direction is different than the first direction. The image enters the waveguide from the one of the elongated surfaces at the side surface.

A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes a light source. The display apparatus includes a display target configured to receive light from the light source. The display target displays an image using at least a portion of the light received from the light source. The display apparatus includes a first reflective structure configured to reduce an outgoing angle of at least a portion of the light from the light source. The display apparatus includes a second reflective structure configured to longitudinally translate at least a portion of the light from at least one of the light source and the first reflective structure toward the display target.

Display apparatus with reflective structure

A head up display can be used in an automotive application and provides information for viewing above a glareshield or dashboard. The head up display includes a waveguide combiner and a compact projector. The waveguide combiner is at least partially disposed above the glareshield or dashboard and can provide dual axis pupil expansion. The waveguide combiner can present conformal or near conformal information and vehicle instrumentation information.

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Beaverton, OR, United States of America

Ming Yu