Abstract: The system assures the proper operation of a programmable GPU. A list of shader programs is generated. A programmable GPU is instructed to render a set of graphic primitives to generate test image data into a test area of RAM of the GPU utilizing one of the listed programs. The GPU is instructed to combine test image data from the test area with normal image data to form a composite image as display image data. The data in the GPU RAM is output to an image processing unit (IPU), wherein the data is processed by the IPU. The IPU is utilized to apply a CRC algorithm to the test image data to calculate a check value. The calculated value is compared against a predetermined value for the test area. A fault is reported if the calculated check value does not match the predetermined value. These above steps are then repeated.

Abstract: Present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for generating location information presented to a pilot are disclosed. A processing unit is configured to receive manual input data representative of one or more selected image location(s) on a first image data set; determine a selected geographic location for each selected image location; and update the second image data set to include location pointer data. As embodied herein, first and second images represented in the first and second image data sets, respectively, could be displayed simultaneously on the same display unit or separately on different display units. Also, the first image and second image could correspond to an egocentric view and a plan view, respectively, or vice-versa. Additionally, the first image data set and/or second image data set could be updated include first and/or second location pointer data, respectively.

Abstract: Present novel and non-trivial systems and methods for embedding aircraft attitude data within a pixel data set and detecting inconsistent aircraft attitude information are disclosed. A pixel data set representative of the scene outside the aircraft is generated based upon the navigation data and the terrain data, attitude-exclusive data is generated based upon orientation data, and attitude-exclusive data is embedded into the pixel data set to form an embedded pixel data set. Attitude-exclusive data is comprised of attitude-exclusive pixel data having first and second pixel locations or attitude-exclusive ancillary data. Attitude-exclusive data is compared against separately-provided reference attitude data for the purpose of detecting inconsistent attitude information.

Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method for generating runway visual aids on an aircraft display unit, where such visual aids could be comprised of surface markings corresponding to the runway. Navigation data and runway data may be provided to an image generating processor which, in turn, generates an image data set representative of at least one visual aid corresponding to one runway located in the scene outside the aircraft. The intensity or brightness of a visual aid could vary when the aircraft is operating on the approach phase of flight. The variation of such intensity could be defined as a function of the navigation data and the data representative of one or more waypoints. The image data set may be provided to a Head-Down Display unit, a Head-Up Display unit, or both, each visual aid is presented on the screen of the display unit.

Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method for generating HUD image data from synthetic image data is disclosed. Based on a multi-channel pixel intensity data set generated by a synthetic vision system, a single-channel pixel intensity data set representative of a lighted solid image of terrain comprised of a plurality of intensities of one color may be generated. The single-channel pixel intensity image data set may be determined as a function of multi-channel pixel intensity data set and channel weighting, where channel weighting may be based on sky and/or terrain colors employed by an SVS. Based on the multi-channel pixel intensity data set, a three-dimensional perspective scene outside the aircraft may be presented to the pilot on a HUD combiner. Also, the multi-channel pixel intensity data set may be modified by using at least one chroma key, where such chroma key may be assigned to a specific multi-channel pixel intensity value.

Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method for presenting a monochrome, three-dimensional image of terrain on a Head-Up Display (“HUD”) unit is disclosed. Based upon aircraft navigation and terrain data, an image data set representative of a lighted solid image of terrain comprised of a plurality of intensities of one color may be generated. The image data set may be determined as a function of terrain data and color intensity data, where the color intensity data could be comprised of one or more shading effects, one or more texturing effects, or a combination of both. Based upon the image data set, a three-dimensional perspective of a terrain scene outside the aircraft may be presented to the pilot.

Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method for presenting information to the pilot on an aircraft display unit employed in a synthetic vision system (“SVS”), an enhanced vision system (“EVS”), or combined system. Information regarding the locations of visible and invisible objects related to aviation such as airports, navigation aids and facilities, and airspace are provided by location markers. Data representative of the terrain and location of objects depicted in a scene outside the aircraft are retrieved from one or more data sources. An image generating processor generates an image data set representative of a three-dimensional perspective view of a scene outside the aircraft, wherein the image data set is determined as a function of the terrain data and location marker data associated with the location data. The image data set may be provided to a Head-Down Display unit, a Head-Up Display unit, or both.

Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method for enhancing an image presented to the pilot on an aircraft display unit. Locations of visible and invisible objects related to aviation such as airports, navigation aids and facilities, and airspace are enhanced by providing location highlighters of the objects. Data representative of the terrain and location of objects located in a scene outside the aircraft are retrieved from one or more data sources. An image generating processor generates an image data set representative of a three-dimensional perspective of a scene outside the aircraft, wherein the image data set is determined as a function of the terrain data and highlighter data associated with the location data. The image data set may be provided to a Head-Down Display unit, Head-Up Display unit, or both for display.

Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for presenting an abbreviated pathway on a tactical display unit. A processor generates an image data set representative of a pathway and a three-dimensional perspective scene outside the aircraft using terrain data, first location highlighter data, and second location highlighter data, where the first location highlighter data corresponds to the active flight path and second location highlighter data corresponds to a subsequent flight path. After being presented to a display system, an image represented in the image data set is presented on a tactical display unit, whereby an abbreviated pathway appears superimposed against the three-dimensional perspective scene outside the aircraft, where location highlighters are used for the depiction of the pathway comprising of at least one enhanced boundary of the active path, the second waypoint, the third waypoint, and the flight path formed between the second and third waypoints.