System for generating a moving image in an aircraft

A system for generating a moving image in an aircraft, includes a multiplicity of LEDs, a signal input unit, into which image information is fed, a signal output unit coupled to the multiplicity of LEDs and configured for transmitting the image information to the multiplicity of LEDs, and a gyroscopic sensor for acquiring a spatial position of the aircraft, wherein the LEDs are arranged in the form of a grid on an aircraft interior wall, such that the image is a schematic reproduction of the image information and the signal output unit is coupled to the gyroscopic sensor in such a way that the position of the image is matched to the spatial position of the aircraft, such that the image forms an artificial horizon for a viewer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for generating a moving image in an aircraft, having a multiplicity of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), a signal input unit, into which image information is fed, a signal output unit, which is coupled to the multiplicity of LEDs and which is suitable for transmitting the image information to the multiplicity of LEDs, and a gyroscopic sensor for acquiring a spatial position of the aircraft.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In known passenger aircraft, there are fundamentally LEDs that are used for cabin lighting: in an Airbus, the cabin management system (CIDS) drives LEDs for example in such a way that specific desired color tones or lighting conditions are achieved. By way of example, the light may be adjusted in this case in the aircraft cabin to external lighting conditions in such a way that a matching overall impression of the interior and the exterior is achieved. In addition to this, displays and projections may be used in order to decorate windowless regions of an aircraft or to provide information (for example seat numbers).

For example, DE 102007038881 describes LED arrays for aircraft, wherein the LEDs are able to be driven individually in order to generate composite variable image content. In this case, the LEDs serve as a light source for a respective projection, and are therefore themselves the projection means.

US20040217234 describes an image display, which moves depending on a movement of a flying-wing aircraft, on displays for avoiding motion sickness. In this case, passengers who are sitting in windowless regions of the flying-wing aircraft are intended to be provided with an image that simulates the view from a window.

Producing a completely windowless aircraft with commercially available displays at the present time still takes up a large amount of precious space in the cabin. At the same time, a good reproduction of an external image distributed over many large displays requires a large amount of computing power, wherein small errors arise very quickly and may be perceived to be unpleasant by passengers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present application may provide an improved and simplified system for generating a moving image in an aircraft.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the LEDs are arranged in the form of a grid on an aircraft interior wall, such that the image is a schematic reproduction of the image information. Furthermore, the signal output unit is coupled to the gyroscopic sensor in such a way that the position of the image is matched to the spatial position of the aircraft, such that the image forms an artificial horizon for a viewer.

In one embodiment according to the invention, the signal input unit receives the image information from at least one camera that captures an external environment of the aircraft.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, the signal input unit receives predefined image information depending on a position of the aircraft.

The image (in the form of a grid) furthermore preferably comprises additional information, in particular schematically reproduced points of interest. This is preferably performed by way of the cabin management system (CIDS) or else by way of the entertainment system (in-flight entertainment (IFE) system). For this purpose, the CIDS or the IFE system must be able to provide suitable information regarding the position of the aircraft and feed it into the signal input unit.

In a further embodiment according to the invention, the signal output unit is coupled to the CIDS in such a way that the brightness of the LEDs is able to be dimmed. As a result of this, the brightness of the cabin may also be influenced as required.

For the sake of completeness, it is mentioned that the signal input unit and the signal output unit may preferably also be configured as a common signal processing unit, such that as little space as possible of the cabin installation space, which is restricted in any case, is taken up.

Preferably, the aircraft interior wall is configured at least as one of a cabin ceiling, cabin floor or cabin interior wall. In this way, the images may be depicted in a variety of ways and sizes, such that a desired spatial impression is achieved for the passengers. The term cabin ceiling should be understood to mean not only the raft ceiling but also for example parts of the cabin equipment that form a ceiling for a passenger sitting underneath (for example the underside of overhead storage compartments (OHSCs)).

Preferably, the LEDs arranged in the form of a grid are spaced apart from one another by 1 cm to 10 cm, in particular by approximately 4 cm to 6 cm.

The system according to an embodiment of the invention is intended to be accommodated and used in an aircraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1schematically depicts the system1according to an embodiment of the invention for generating a moving image in an aircraft in the form of a schematic block diagram. It has a signal input unit3, into which image information5is fed. This image information5may originate for example from a camera that is arranged on the outside of the aircraft and for example captures the view during takeoff and landing or during flying. It is also conceivable, however, for the image information5to originate from a video source (for example CIDS7or IFE system9), such that predefined image information5is transmitted to the signal input unit3in particular depending on a position of the aircraft.

The system furthermore comprises a signal output unit11which is coupled to the multiplicity of LEDs13and which is suitable for transmitting the image information5in a suitable form to a multiplicity of LEDs13.

Furthermore, a gyroscopic sensor15delivers the data that it has acquired regarding the spatial position of the aircraft to the signal output unit11, such that an image in the form of a grid from a multiplicity of LEDs13is not just a schematic reproduction of the image information5but rather also forms an artificial horizon for a viewer. As a result of this, motion sickness-induced illness in passengers is avoided.

In order that the schematic reproduction of the image information5by way of the LEDs13is performed such that the image is also able to be recognized by the passengers, suitable image processing is necessary. It is necessary inter alia to reduce pixels of the image information, for example arriving from a high-resolution external camera, so that the resolution is reduced. To this end, for example, the color of each pixel in the image information5may be interpolated using the color information from the adjacent pixel.

The CIDS7or possibly also the IFE system9may have an influence on whether the image (in the form of a grid) furthermore also contains additional information, such as for example schematically reproduced points of interest. These may be geographical features (longitudes or latitudes, mountains, a volcano, etc.), landmarks (the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, etc.) or other buildings. To this end, the CIDS7or the IFE system9must have suitable information regarding the position of the aircraft and feed it into the signal input unit3. This information (from the CIDS7or the IFE system9) is then mixed with the image information5that is also going into the signal input unit3or simply just added thereto.

Furthermore, the signal output unit11may be coupled to a cabin management system (for example CIDS)7in such a way that the brightness of the LEDs13is able to be dimmed. This may depend for example on the time of day at the destination or depend on the external lighting conditions.

FIG. 2shows the image in the form of a grid on a cabin interior wall17, and it is possible to recognize, by way of example, schematically depicted mountains19, a horizon21, clouds23and a sun25.

In this case, the LEDs13arranged in the form of a grid are preferably spaced apart from one another by 1 cm to 10 cm, particularly preferably by 4 cm to 6 cm.

The image depicted inFIG. 2would change during a flight not just with regard to the image content but also such that it matches the spatial position of the aircraft. In this case, the image may move up or down or be aligned obliquely from the point of view of the passenger in the aircraft for example.

REFERENCE SIGNS

1system according to the invention

3signal input unit

5image information

7cabin management system

11signal output unit

13multiplicity of LEDs

17cabin interior wall