“Picture-in-Picture” Augmentation of UAV Workstation Video Display

Abstract

Research at the Air Force Research Laboratory has focused on determining the value of combining computer-generated information with live camera video presented on an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) station display. In a previous study, a picture-in-picture (PIP) concept (where video imagery is surrounded by synthetic-generated terrain imagery, increasing the operator's instantaneous field-of-view) was found to reduce landmark search time and enhance operator situation awareness. The present study examined whether PIP display size and symbology overlay registration error impacts performance. Results confirmed that performance on a landmark search task is better when a PIP display was used, particularly with the more compressed video imagery, reducing average designation time by 60%. Also, the registration error between the virtual flags and landmarks was less critical with the PIP capability enabled. This research has potential application to a variety of teleoperated control applications.