Helmet Mounted Display System Research Articles

Hyperstereopsis Associated with Helmet-Mounted Sighting and Display Systems for Helicopter Pilots

Hyperstereopsis Associated with Helmet-Mounted Sighting and Display Systems for Helicopter Pilots

Helmet-mounted display image quality evaluation system

Helmet-mounted displays (HMDs) provide essential pilotage and fire control imagery information for pilots. To maintain system integrity and readiness, there is a need to develop an image quality evaluation system for HMDs. In earlier work, a framework was proposed for an HMD system called the integrated helmet and display sighting system (IHADSS), used with the U.S. Army's Apache helicopter. This paper describes prototype development and interface design and summarizes bench test findings using three IHADSS helmet display units (HDUs). The prototype consists of hardware (cameras, sensors, image capture/data acquisition cards, battery pack, HDU holder, moveable rack and handle, and computer) and software algorithms for image capture and analysis. Two cameras with different-size apertures are mounted in parallel on a rack facing an HDU holder. A handle allows users to position the HDU in front of the two cameras. The HMD test pattern is then captured. Sensors detect the position of the holder and whether the HDU is angled correctly in relation to the camera. Algorithms detect HDU features captured by the two cameras, including focus, orientation, displacement, field-of-view, and number of grayshades. Bench testing of three field-quality HDUs indicates that the image analysis algorithms are robust and able to detect the desired image features. Suggested future directions include development of a learning algorithm to automatically develop or revise feature specifications as the number of inspection samples increases.

Sensor suite for Condor II

BAE Systems is working with the UK MOD to develop CONDOR II capability to enhance situational awareness on helicopters. This demonstrates state of the art sensor and system integration technology. BAE Systems will supply an integrated sensor suite including EO, Low Light TV, TERPROM and a Laser Radar. Data will be fused together to produce a composite picture, which is displayed in a helmet mounted display system. CONDOR II will build on the work carried out by the UK MOD in the CONDOR I programme which analysed various integrated sensor technologies. It is expected that it will be ready to be fitted on new and existing helicopters in the next two to three years. The initial programme will include two flight demonstrations and a ground simulation demonstration. Engineering will take place at BAE Systems Basildon, Rochester and Plymouth sites. This is a short news story only. Visit www.three-fives.com for the latest advanced semiconductor industry news.

Driving with a Head-Slaved Camera System

In a field experiment, we tested the effectiveness of a head-slaved camera system for driving an armoured vehicle under armour. This system consists of a helmet-mounted display (HMD), a headtracker, and a motion platform with two cameras. Subjects performed several driving tasks on paved and in rough terrain, in four conditions: direct view, periscope view, the head-slaved system with normal camera lenses, and with wide-angle lenses. The results showed that performance with direct view was always best, while no benefits of the wide-angle system were revealed. Driving on paved terrain with the HMD system resulted in better longitudinal and lateral vehicle control than with the periscopes for some tasks, although some negative aspects were also observed. This latter finding can be attributed largely to inexperience with the HMD system. Faster track completion times with the HMD system (normal lenses) than with periscope view were observed for driving off the road. These results show that a head-slaved camera system can be an alternative for the periscope system. However, during the first part of the experiment (paved terrain), three of the seven drivers reported symptoms of motion sickness and subsequently stopped with the experiment.

A helmet mounted display system with active gaze control for visual telepresence

The objective of a Visual Telepresence System is to provide the operator with a high fidelity image from a remote stereo camera pair linked to a pan/tilt device such that the operator may reorient the camera position by use of head movement. Systems such as these which utilise virtual reality style helmet mounted displays have a number of limitations. The geometry of the camera positions and of the displays is generally fixed and is most suitable only for viewing elements of a scene at a particular distance. To address such limitations, a prototype system has been developed where the geometry of the displays and cameras is dynamically controlled by the eye movement of the operator. This paper explores why it is necessary to actively adjust the display system as well as the cameras and justifies the use of mechanical adjustment of the displays as an alternative to adjustment by electronic or image processing methods. The electronic and mechanical design is described including optical arrangements and control algorithms. The performance and accuracy of the system is assessed with respect to eye movement.

Innovative Measures of Accuracy and Situational Awareness during Land Navigation

A helmet-mounted display (HMD)-based computer navigation system that partially mimics the U.S. Army's Land Warrior ensemble provided position information and map updates to soldiers navigating a three-kilometer course. Performance with the HMD system was compared to traditional navigation with paper map, compass, and a hand-held GPS receiver. New objective computer-based measures of navigational accuracy and situational awareness (SA) were developed. Traditional measures of navigational accuracy were not sensitive enough to detect differences between HMD and traditional navigational methods. The more sensitive new measure based on distance traveled found the HMD-based system to be superior. This method is easily adaptable to civilian applications such as orienteering. A supposed advantage of using HMDs is enhanced SA. A SA measure was developed which used probe questions generated by the computer. Although the probe questions found no significant differences between the conditions, the method seems promising for future applications.

WIDE-EYE helmet mounted display system for rotorcraft applications

This paper describes the Kaiser Electronics developed WIDE-EYE helmet mounted display system that uses a Kaiser unique Aircraft Retained Unit/Pilot Retained Unit (ARU/PRU) helmet display unit design. The overall system block diagram is presented and each major subsystem is described in detail. Extensions to the basic design to add full color capability are also described.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Helmet Mounted Display Systems for Helicopter Simulation

Simulation scientists continually pursue improved flight simulation technology with the goal of closely replicating the “real world” physical environment. The presentation/display of visual information for flight simulation is one such area enjoying recent technical improvements that are fundamental for conducting simulated operations close to the terrain. Detailed and appropriate visual information is especially critical for Nap-Of-the-Earth (NOE) helicopter flight simulation where the pilot maintains an “eyes-out” orientation to avoid obstructions and terrain. This paper elaborates on the visually-coupled Wide Field Of View Helmet Mounted Display (WFOVHMD) system technology as a viable visual display system for helicopter simulation. In addition the paper discusses research conducted on the NASA-Ames Vertical Motion Simulator that examined one critical research issue for helmet mounted displays.

Helmet mounted display system for attack helicopters

The particulars of a miniature crt display for helicopter aircrews are discussed. The crt clips onto a helmet and with the aid of optics creates a virtual image for the pilot.