Display generation system

Abstract

A display generation system that is able to generate display signals for an underlay image with at least one embedded safety pattern and display images for an overlay image. The display generation system and method are able to determine whether there are any anomalies or graphical errors when an overlay display generated by the system or generated by some other system is displayed simultaneously with the underlay image with the embedded safety pattern. The display generation system uses the embedded safety pattern to detect the occurrence of anomalies in the simultaneous display and uses information from its own generated overlay image to detect graphical errors in the simultaneous display. Flight display systems for aircraft can use the display generation system and method of the present invention to display an underlay image depicting geographical scenery in the vicinity of the aircraft while on the ground, during takeoff or in flight. The underlay image is displayed simultaneously with an overlay image depicting standard graphics of a flight display system.

1 - 24 . (cancelled)  
   
   
       25 . A display generation system comprising: 
 a processing engine that generates display signals for at least one underlay image having at least one embedded pattern and at least one overlay image so that when image anomalies and/or graphical errors occur the images interfere adversely with each other when they are displayed simultaneously.    
   
   
       26 . The display generation system of  claim 25  where the processing engine is coupled to at least one image database within which the at least one underlay image is stored and the display generation system is coupled to at least one data source that provides the at least one overlay image.  
   
   
       27 . The display generation system of  claim 26  where the image database includes an image of a geography of an airport including at least one of a runway at the airport, terrain of the area covered by a flight plan of an aircraft, landmark, tower, location of a hanger, topology of paths connecting a runway, natural obstacles and man-made obstacles.  
   
   
       28 . The display generation system of  claim 26  where the at least one data source is part of the display generation system.  
   
   
       29 . The display generation system of  claim 26  further comprising: 
 an image processor for processing the underlay image and the overlay image display signals from the processing engine;    an integrity module that receives display signals for the underlay image from the image processor and display signals for the overlay image from the processing engine and generates a processing result by processing such received display signals to determine whether there are any anomalies when the two images are displayed simultaneously; and    a display monitoring module that receives the processing result, the underlay image from the integrity module and the overlay image from 1 to N data sources where N is an integer.    
   
   
       30 . The display generation system of  claim 25  where the embedded pattern is created by the processing engine.  
   
   
       31 . The display generation system of  claim 25  where the processing engine discontinues the generation of display signals when said processing engine receives processing results indicating that a graphical error or an image anomaly occurred.  
   
   
       32 . The display generation system of  claim 25  where the embedded pattern comprises a pattern of picture elements and/or display signals that cause a specific pattern made from one or more horizontal lines to be displayed.  
   
   
       33 . The display generation system of  claim 25  where the at least one underlay image comprises information depicting at least one of animate objects, inanimate objects, environments and geographical areas with one or more levels of detail.  
   
   
       34 . The display generation system of  claim 25  where the at least one overlay images comprises graphical and/or video images.  
   
   
       35 . The display generation system of  claim 25  where the processing engine is used to provide information to operate and/or maneuver aircraft at least one of during take-off, flight and landing.  
   
   
       36 . The display generation system of  claim 25  where the display signals are displayed on a primary flight display (PFD) of an aircraft.  
   
   
       37 . The display generation system of  claim 25  where the display signals are displayed on a navigation display of an aircraft.  
   
   
       38 . A method for displaying images, the method comprising the step of 
 generating display signals for at least one overlay image and one underlay image having at least one embedded pattern where graphical errors and/or image anomalies occur when the images adversely interfere with each other when displayed simultaneously.    
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38  where the processing engine is coupled to at least one image database within which the at least one underlay image is stored and the display generation system is coupled to at least one data source that provides the at least one overlay image.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39  where the image database includes an image of a geography of an airport including at least one of a runway at the airport, terrain of the area covered by a flight plan of an aircraft, landmark, tower, location of a hanger, topology of paths connecting a runway, natural obstacles and man-made obstacles.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 39  where the at least one data source is part of the display generation system.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 39  further comprising: 
 an image processor for processing the underlay image and the overlay image display signals from the processing engine;    an integrity module that receives display signals for the underlay image from the image processor and display signals for the overlay image from the processing engine and generates a processing result by processing such received display signals to determine whether there are any anomalies when the two images are displayed simultaneously; and    a display monitoring module that receives the processing result, the underlay image from the integrity module and the overlay image from 1 to N data sources where N is an integer.    
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 38  where the embedded pattern is created by the processing engine.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 38  where the processing engine discontinues the generation of display signals when said processing engine receives processing results indicating that a graphical error or an image anomaly occurred.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 38  where the embedded pattern comprises a pattern of picture elements and/or display signals that cause a specific pattern made from one or more horizontal lines to be displayed.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 38  where the at least one underlay image comprises information depicting at least one of animate objects, inanimate objects, environments and geographical areas with one or more levels of detail.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 38  where the at least one overlay images comprises graphical and/or video images.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 38  where the processing engine is used to provide information to operate and/or maneuver aircraft at least one of during take-off, flight and landing.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 38  where the display signals are displayed on a primary flight display (PFD) of an aircraft.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 38  where the display signals are displayed on a navigation display of an aircraft.