3D Aircraft Visualization for Multi-Fleet Trend Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems fail to aggregate and display information from multiple aircraft systems in an easily interpretable manner, making it difficult to analyze complex systems like aircraft, which consist of numerous parts and systems, especially for troubleshooting and trend spotting across multiple fleets.

Innovation Solution

A system that generates a visual presentation of a digital 3D model of a complex system, applying visual effects to distinguish topical elements, allowing for the aggregation and display of information in a 3D context, facilitating analysis and trend identification across multiple physical instances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If current analysis systems are used for aircraft systems, then specific problem analysis is possible, but information from multiple systems cannot be aggregated and displayed in an easily interpretable manner

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation aggregation capabilityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple information systems and data sources into a single unified visualization platform. The system aggregates data from various aircraft systems, maintenance records, and operational data into one integrated 3D visualization interface, allowing stakeholders to view all information in a single location rather than switching between multiple separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional 2D displays and text-based information to a three-dimensional virtual model of the aircraft. This 3D visualization provides spatial context and allows users to interact with the aircraft model from multiple angles, adding a dimensional aspect that enhances information interpretation and makes complex system relationships more intuitive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If detailed information from multiple systems is displayed, then comprehensive analysis is possible, but ease of interpretation decreases due to information overload

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis comprehensivenessVSAvoidinformation interpretability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different visualization qualities and levels of detail to different regions or components of the aircraft model based on their relevance to the current analysis. Critical systems or areas with active issues can be highlighted with enhanced visual properties, while less relevant areas maintain a simpler representation, allowing users to focus attention where needed without being overwhelmed by uniform detail throughout the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses color coding and visual effects to differentiate between various system states, priorities, and types of information. Different colors can indicate normal operation, warnings, critical failures, or maintenance status, allowing users to quickly grasp the overall health and priority areas of the aircraft systems without reading detailed text descriptions of each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional analysis methods are used, then individual system troubleshooting is possible, but trend spotting across multiple fleets is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-fleet analysis capabilityVSAvoidtrend analysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal analysis platform that can handle multiple types of queries and analysis tasks within a single system. The same 3D visualization interface and data aggregation capabilities work for both troubleshooting individual aircraft issues and analyzing trends across entire fleets, eliminating the need for separate specialized tools and reducing the time required to switch between different analysis modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2988277B1Visualization and analysis of a topical element of a complex system
Publication Date: 2018.10.03 THE BOEING CO
  • EP2988277B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2988277B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2988277B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus is provided for implementation of a system for visualization and analysis of a complex system such as an aircraft composed of a plurality of elements. The apparatus may be caused to receive and process data for physical instance(s) of the complex system to identify a topical element. The apparatus may be caused to receive a digital 3D model of the complex system, generate a visual presentation of at least a portion of the digital 3D model, with the visual presentation depicting the topical element and one or more other elements of the plurality of elements. And the apparatus may be caused to apply a visual effect to the topical element depicted by the visual presentation to distinguish the topical element from the other element(s) depicted by the visual presentation.