Patent ID: 8019490
Filing Date: 2011-09-13
Classification: G01C,G05D

Abstract:
1. A system to enhance situational awareness in a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, comprising: an element for receiving data representing an unobscured two-dimensional image of a takeoff or landing zone before the formation of a brownout or whiteout condition, wherein said element for receiving data is selected from among a group of elements consisting of: a digital camera; an infrared visual imager; an element for retrieving a stored digital camera image of said takeoff or landing zone; and an element for retrieving digital camera imagery of said takeoff or landing zone transmitted from a source external to said aircraft; an element for receiving navigational information; a processing element programmed to generate one or more enhanced images representing said takeoff or landing zone as seen from an arbitrary position by overlaying said unobscured two-dimensional image onto a virtual geo-referenced 3D graphics space and by transforming said data representing said two-dimensional unobscured image based on said navigational information; and an element for outputting said one or more enhanced images to a display device, wherein said display device displays one or more images depicting position of said aircraft relative to said landing zone.