Virtual windows for airborne vehicles

1. A virtual window assembly for an airborne vehicle, comprising:

at least one camera configured to capture a panoramic and time-resolved image data stream from a view to an outside of the airborne vehicle;

at least one image data processor coupled to the at least one camera and configured to receive the captured image data stream and to split the image data stream into a plurality of partial image data streams corresponding to different viewing angles of the panoramic image data stream, wherein the image data processor is configured to generate the plurality of partial image data streams with an overlap in viewing angles of the panoramic image data stream;

a plurality of data distribution units coupled to the image data processor and configured to distribute digital data information for cabin management functions through a cabin of the airborne vehicle; and

a plurality of electronic displays mounted to an inside of a hull of the airborne vehicle, coupled to the image data processor via the data distribution units and connected in a daisy-chain topology and configured to receive the plurality of partial image data streams,

wherein each of the plurality of electronic displays is configured to display one of the plurality of partial image data streams so that a physical mounting location of the electronic displays in the airborne vehicle corresponds to an associated camera viewing angle of the displayed one of the plurality of partial image data streams, and

wherein the plurality of electronic displays is configured to display stitched partial image data streams that are stitched using the overlaps in viewing angles of the panoramic image data stream.

2. The virtual window assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one camera comprises an ultra wide-angle lens camera having an angle of view of approximately 180°.

3. The virtual window assembly of claim 1 wherein the plurality of electronic displays comprises first displays mounted along the side walls of the hull.

4. The virtual window assembly of claim 3 wherein the plurality of electronic displays comprise second displays mounted with a viewing direction against a flying direction of the airborne vehicle.

5. The virtual window assembly of claim 1 wherein each display of the plurality of electronic displays includes a local image data processor configured to perform real-time image stitching between two of the partial image data streams.

6. The virtual window assembly of claim 1 wherein the camera comprises a plurality of sensor regions and the image data processor is configured to receive the captured image data stream and to split the image data stream by selectively reading out captured image data from the sensor regions such that each partial image data stream corresponds to a sensor region.

7. The virtual window assembly of claim 1 wherein the image data processor is integrated into a display module of one of the plurality of electronic displays.

8. An aircraft comprising a virtual window assembly, the virtual window assembly comprising:

at least one camera configured to capture a panoramic and time-resolved image data stream from a view to an outside of the airborne vehicle;

at least one image data processor coupled to the at least one camera and configured to receive the captured image data stream and to split the image data stream into a plurality of partial image data streams corresponding to different viewing angles of the panoramic image data stream, wherein the image data processor is configured to generate the plurality of partial image data streams with an overlap in viewing angles of the panoramic image data stream;

a plurality of data distribution units coupled to the image data processor and configured to distribute digital data information for cabin management functions through a cabin of the airborne vehicle; and

a plurality of electronic displays mounted to an inside of a hull of the airborne vehicle, coupled to the image data processor via the data distribution units and connected in a daisy-chain topology and configured to receive the plurality of partial image data streams,

wherein each of the plurality of electronic displays is configured to display one of the plurality of partial image data streams so that a physical mounting location of the electronic displays in the airborne vehicle corresponds to the associated camera viewing angle of the displayed one of the plurality of partial image data streams, and

wherein the plurality of electronic displays is configured to display stitched partial image data streams that are stitched using the overlaps in viewing angles of the panoramic image data stream.

9. The aircraft of claim 8 wherein the image data processor is integrated into a flight attendant control panel of the aircraft.

10. The aircraft of claim 8 wherein each display of the plurality of electronic displays includes a local image data processor configured to perform real-time image stitching between two of the partial image data streams.

11. The aircraft of claim 8 further comprising:

at least one window formed in a fuselage of the aircraft; and

an opaque window cover installed in the window with the at least one camera being arranged in a throughhole of the window cover.

12. A method for displaying a view of the outside of an aircraft to passengers within the aircraft, the method comprising:

capturing a panoramic and time-resolved image data stream from a view to an outside of the aircraft using at least one camera;

transmitting the captured image data stream to at least one image data processor;

splitting, by the at least one image data processor the image data stream into a plurality of partial image data streams corresponding to different viewing angles of the panoramic image data stream, including generating the plurality of partial image data streams with an overlap in viewing angles of the panoramic image data stream; and

displaying the plurality of partial image data streams on a plurality of electronic displays connected in a daisy-chain topology and mounted to an inside of a hull of the airborne vehicle so that a physical mounting location of the electronic displays in the airborne vehicle corresponds to the associated camera viewing angle of the displayed one of the plurality of partial image data streams, including transmitting the plurality of partial image data streams to the electronic displays via a plurality of data distribution units coupled to the image data processor and configured to distribute digital data information for cabin management functions through a cabin of the airborne vehicle,

wherein displaying the plurality of partial image data streams comprises displaying stitched partial image data streams that are stitched using the overlaps in viewing angles of the panoramic image data stream.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the at least one camera comprises an ultra wide-angle lens camera having an angle of view of approximately 180°.