Aircraft Camera Image Alignment System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ground maneuver camera systems on aircraft often have misaligned images due to imperfect camera installation, necessitating a universal alignment system to ensure consistent views across different aircraft.
Innovation Solution
An alignment device that uses a depiction of an aircraft with indicators to facilitate camera selection and alignment, allowing for intuitive image alignment on a visual display, and includes a processor for panning and cropping oversized images to achieve consistent views across aircraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cameras are installed on aircraft, then ground maneuver views are provided, but images may be off-center and inconsistent across aircraft
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary alignment by capturing reference images of alignment markers during installation, then uses these pre-captured images to automatically calculate and apply transformation parameters, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment procedures during installation
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the alignment marker from the captured image, processes this copy to determine transformation parameters, and applies these parameters to align the actual camera images, separating the alignment measurement from the final image output
2Adaptability or versatility
If a universal alignment system is implemented, then image consistency across aircraft is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment system uses universal alignment markers that can be placed on any aircraft regardless of type, and the image processing system automatically adapts to different aircraft configurations, making the same system applicable across multiple aircraft models without modification
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical alignment procedures with automated image processing and computational methods, using software-based transformation parameters instead of physical adjustment mechanisms to achieve alignment
3Ease of operation
If alignment device is located away from visual display, then operability is improved, but communication requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback by displaying alignment markers and transformation results on the visual display unit, allowing operators to see the effect of alignment adjustments in real-time and make corrections without relying solely on verbal communication
Solution Approach 2:
The visual display unit acts as an intermediary between the alignment device and the operator, conveying alignment status and transformation information visually rather than requiring direct physical proximity or complex communication protocols
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
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AI summary
An alignment system for images produced by cameras externally mounted on an aircraft (10) includes a visual display (56) positioned at a first location in the aircraft (10) (such as a flight deck) and an alignment device (54) positioned at a second location in the aircraft (10) (such as an electronics bay). The visual display (56) displays images provided by the cameras (46, 48, 50, 52). The alignment device (54) includes a user interface, which includes user inputs for selecting one of the cameras and for aligning an image from the camera selected on the visual display (56), a depiction of an aircraft (10), and indicators (82, 84, 86, 88) positioned adjacent the depiction. Each of the indicators (82, 84, 86, 88) represents selection of one of the cameras for aligning the image from that camera on the visual display.