BAE Systems PLC
Method and apparatus for generating an image

Abstract:

A method and apparatus are provided for generating image data for output to a display device such as a HUD or HMD for display and for the validating image data being output to an applicable standard. The image generator comprises an interfacing component, an image rendering component implementing at least one image rendering function and an integrity monitor. The interfacing component receives drawing commands from external systems defining an image to be displayed and derives rendering and other control commands according to a predefined command set recognisable by the image rendering component. The image rendering component generates a set of image data from received rendering commands in the predefined set. The integrity monitor includes a rendering simulator arranged to simulate the at least one image rendering function to generate a nominally identical set of image data from received drawing or rendering commands. The integrity monitor also includes a comparator to compare the image data generated by the simulator with that output by the image rendering component and to output the result of the comparison, so enabling action to be taken, e.g. temporarily to suspend output by the image generator, in the event of a discrepancy being detected in the design or implementation of the at least one image rendering function.