US4775218A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combiner alignment detector for head up display system
Assignee: Flight Dynamics Inc
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Filing: 1987-04-17
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Granted: 1988-10-04
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Expires: 2007-04-17
Abstract
Abstract A head up display system includes a combiner alignment detector (24) that determines whether the combiner (22) and a cathode-ray tube (CRT) (18) are aligned within a preassigned operational tolerance. The CRT emits display symbology that reflects off the combiner toward an observer. The combiner is secured to a combiner bracket (38) which is pivotally mounted to a mounting structure (70) having a stationary relationship with the CRT. A light emitting diode (LED) (86) and a light-sensitive linear position detector (88) are secured to the mounting structure. Light rays emanating from the LED are reflected by a mirror (34), which is secured to the combiner bracket, and strike the position detector. Pivotal motion of the combiner bracket relative to the mounting structure results in movement of the mirror relative to the LED and the position detector. The pivotal motion of the mirror causes light reflected by the mirror to strike varying locations on the position detector, which provides corresponding output signals. A processing circuit (110) receives the signals provided by the detector and provides to a control circuit (129) a signal corresponding to the alignment of the combiner and the CRT and to the position of the display symbology reflected by the combiner. The control circuit provides a warning signal whenever the information provided by the processing circuit indicates that the display symbology is not located at a preselected position.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert B. Wood
- 👤 Mark A. Thomas
- 👤 Thomas E. Hodel
- 👤 Robert E. Stockwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:05
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/0149; G02B27/0101; G02B2027/0138; G02B2027/014; G02B2027/0154
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
In a head up display system having a movable combiner positioned in an observer's forward line-of-sight, the combiner being configured to superimpose on a scene display symbology emanating from a stationary image source, the symbology being projected from the image source toward a preselected position on the combiner and reflected from the surface of the combiner, the improvement comprising: detecting means for detecting the orientation of the combiner relative to the image source and including: (a) a light source; (b) a light reflector mounted near the surface of the combiner to be movable therewith; (c) a light detector, the light source, light reflector and light detector configured and arranged so that the light emanating from the light source is reflected by the light reflector to a position on the light detector that corresponds to the orientation of the combiner relative to the image source; processing means responsive to the detecting means to provide information corresponding to the position of the display symbology on the combiner, the position of the display symbology on the combiner being related to the orientation of the combiner relative to the image source; and control means in communication with the processing means and operable to provide a signal whenever the processing means indicates that the display symbology is not located at the preselected position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
In a head up display system having a movable combiner positioned in an observer's forward line-of-sight, the combiner being configured to superimpose on a scene display symbology emanating from a stationary image source, the symbology being projected from the image source toward a preselected position on the combiner and reflected from the surface of the combiner, the improvement comprising: detecting means for detecting the orientation of the combiner relative to the image source and including: (a) a light source; (b) a light reflector mounted near the surface of the combiner to be movable therewith; (c) a light detector, the light source, light reflector and light detector configured and arranged so that the light emanating from the light source is reflected by the light reflector to a position on the light detector that corresponds to the orientation of the combiner relative to the image source; processing means responsive to the detecting means to provide information corresponding to the position of the display symbology on the combiner, the position of the display symbology on the combiner being related to the orientation of the combiner relative to the image source; and control means in communication with the processing means and operable to provide a signal whenever the processing means indicates that the display symbology is not located at the preselected position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 1 in which the control means is in communication with the image source and includes means to deliver a signal to the image source to reposition the display symbology to the preselected position whenever the information indicates that the display symbology is not located in the preselected position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 in which the light source comprises a light emitting diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 in which the light detector comprises a light-sensitive position detector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the combiner includes a hologram constructed to reflect light emanating from the image source and to transmit light emanating from the light source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
183 words
In a head up display system for aircraft having a holographic combiner positioned in an observer's line-of-sight, the combiner configured to superimpose display symbology on a real world scene, the display symbology emanating from a stationary image source and being projected toward a preselected position on the combiner, and the combiner being secured to a bracket that is pivotally mounted to a mounting structure, the improvement comprising: a light reflector secured to the bracket adjacent to the combiner and in optical communication with a light source secured to the mounting structure; a light-sensitive detector secured to the mounting structure and in optical communication with the light reflector; processing means responsive to the light-sensitive detector to provide information corresponding to the position of the display symbology on the combiner, the position of the display symbology on the combiner being related to the orientation of the combiner which is related to the pivotal position of the bracket; and control means in communication with the processing means to provide a signal whenever the information indicates that the display symbology is not located at the preselected position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
183 words
In a head up display system for aircraft having a holographic combiner positioned in an observer's line-of-sight, the combiner configured to superimpose display symbology on a real world scene, the display symbology emanating from a stationary image source and being projected toward a preselected position on the combiner, and the combiner being secured to a bracket that is pivotally mounted to a mounting structure, the improvement comprising: a light reflector secured to the bracket adjacent to the combiner and in optical communication with a light source secured to the mounting structure; a light-sensitive detector secured to the mounting structure and in optical communication with the light reflector; processing means responsive to the light-sensitive detector to provide information corresponding to the position of the display symbology on the combiner, the position of the display symbology on the combiner being related to the orientation of the combiner which is related to the pivotal position of the bracket; and control means in communication with the processing means to provide a signal whenever the information indicates that the display symbology is not located at the preselected position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 6 in which the image source is secured in a position above the observer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 6 in which the control means is in communication with the image source and includes means to interrupt the projection of the display symbology whenever the information indicates that the display symbology is not located at the preselected position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 6 in which the control means is in communication with the image source and includes means to deliver a signal to the image source to reposition the display symbology to the preselected position whenever the information indicates that the display symbology is not located in the preselected position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system of claim 6 in which the processing means further comprises first means for sensing the intensity of light received by the light-sensitive detector and second means responsive to the first means for adjusting the intensity of the light emanating from the light source, thereby to maintain the accuracy of the information corresponding to the position of the display symbology on the combiner.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
A detector system for a head up display system, comprising: a stationary image source configured for projecting display symbology therefrom; a combiner mounted in the line of sight of an observer that utilizes the display system, the combiner reflecting the display symbology and being mounted for movement into and out of a predetermined deployed position; detection means for detecting and signaling when the combiner is not in the deployed position; and warning means interconnected between the detection means and the image source for directing the image source to project a warning symbol when the detection means signals that the combiner is not in the deployed position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
106 words
A detector system for a head up display system, comprising: a stationary image source configured for projecting display symbology therefrom; a combiner mounted in the line of sight of an observer that utilizes the display system, the combiner reflecting the display symbology and being mounted for movement into and out of a predetermined deployed position; detection means for detecting and signaling when the combiner is not in the deployed position; and warning means interconnected between the detection means and the image source for directing the image source to project a warning symbol when the detection means signals that the combiner is not in the deployed position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 11 in which the detection means further comprises means to detect whether the combiner is mispositioned in a first direction by a first amount and means to detect whether the combiner is mispositioned in a second direction by a second amount.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 12 in which the first and second amounts are different.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-10-04 | 1992-04-04 | 1992-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-04 | 1996-04-04 | 1996-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-04 | 2000-04-04 | 2000-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |