SBIR-STTR Award

Intelligent Information Leveling Prioritization/filtering Methods for Helmet Mounted Displays
Award last edited on: 11/12/2002

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : Army
Total Award Amount
$819,660
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
A95-033
Principal Investigator
Donald E Farr

Company Information

Symvionics Inc

488 East Santa Clara Street
Arcadia, CA 91006
   (626) 585-0115
   rweeks@symvionics.com
   www.symvionics.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 27
County: Los Angeles

Phase I

Contract Number: DAAJ02-96-C-0020
Start Date: 2/1/1996    Completed: 8/1/1996
Phase I year
1996
Phase I Amount
$69,943
With advances in the Army rotorcraft, the trend towards cooperative man/machine Mission Equipment Packages (MEPs) that synergistically integrate cognitive decision aiding knowledge-based systems, and the complexity of Army aviation missions, it is desired to investigate and develop intelligent information presentations for a Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) as the aircraft flight regime changes. Current HMD declutter mechanisms only offer discrete, predetermined solutions. This SBIR would address intelligent HMD display tailoring methodologies that would take advantage of the unfolding information flow within a modern MEP. This intelligent decluttering approach would then continually provide the aircrew with most relevant and important information. SYMVIONICS terms this approach as Information Leveling. Information Leveling, as applied to the HMD, will enhance mission effectiveness and crew safety, minimize crew workload, and maximize situational awareness. For Phase I, a variety of mission analyses for a typical Army aviation mission will be performed. Next, an information/action requirements analysis will be performed. Next, an information/action requirements analysis will be accomplished, accounting for the type of HMD (and its symbology set) and the MEP for the selected rotocraft. Several intelligent Informational Leveling prioritization/filtering techniques will be derived, taking advantage of the processing capability of the MEP. Finally, derived Information Leveling logic will be demonstrated using computer-based modeling and simulation

Keywords:
information leveling helmet mounted display mission equipment packages army aviation simulation

Phase II

Contract Number: DAAH10-98-C-0018
Start Date: 12/29/1997    Completed: 12/29/1999
Phase II year
1998
Phase II Amount
$749,717
With advances in the Army rotorcraft, the trend towards cooperative man/machine Mission Equipment Packages (MEPs) that Synergistically integrate cognitive decision aiding knowledge-based systems, and the complexity of Army aviation missions, it is desired to investigate and develop intelligent information presentations for a Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) as the aircraft flight regime changes. Current HMD declutter mechanisms only offer discrete, pre-determined solutions. This SBIR addresses intelligent HMD display tailoring methodologies to take advantage of the information flow within a modern MEP. This intelligent decluttering approach would then continually provide the aircrew with most relevant and important information. SYMVTONICS terms this approach as Information Leveling. Information Leveling, as applied to the HMD, will enhance mission effectiveness and crew safety, minimize crew workload, and maximize situational awareness. In Phase I, a variety of mission and action/information analyses for a typical Army aviation mission were accomplished. Several Information Leveling techniques and display concepts were also derived. Phase II will now develop dynamic information-leveled HMD formats, with all Information Leveling algorithms. A detailed real-time, pilot-in-the-loop simulation will be conducted, along with the preparation for a flight test program. A set of Performance Measures will also be developed to support the test activity.

Benefits:
This effort directly supports the Army's Science and Technology Master Plan. Intelligent Information Leveling logic has multiple applications in civil sectors in the areas of emergency services police, forestry, fire protection, security systems, etc.), medical services (ambulance, surgeons, field doctors, anesthesiologists, etc.), and the entertainment industry virtual/interactive games).

Keywords:
helmet mounted displays information leveling simulation flight test army aviation