Aircraft Model Identification via Image Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft identification technologies face challenges in identifying models of aircraft that do not transmit identification radio waves, such as helicopters and military aircraft, making it difficult to efficiently collect operation history information, especially at night when continuous monitoring is required, thus burdening aircraft monitoring organizations with labor-intensive tasks.

Innovation Solution

A device equipped with an image acquisition unit to capture images of aircraft along specific routes, an image-type model identification unit to identify aircraft models based on appearance data, and an operation history storage unit to store identified model information, enabling efficient collection of operation history data for all aircraft, including those that do not transmit identification radio waves.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If identification radio wave interception technology is used to identify aircraft models, then identification efficiency is improved for aircraft that transmit radio waves, but identification fails for aircraft that do not transmit identification radio waves (such as helicopters, Cessna planes, and military aircraft)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification efficiencyVSAvoididentification coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an image processing system as an intermediary method to identify aircraft that do not transmit radio waves. The system captures images of aircraft, extracts appearance features, and compares them with stored samples to identify aircraft models, thereby complementing the radio wave interception method and achieving comprehensive coverage of all aircraft types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional identification system that can handle both radio wave-transmitting and non-radio wave-transmitting aircraft. By combining radio wave interception technology with image processing technology, the system achieves universal applicability across different aircraft types, eliminating the limitation of relying solely on one identification method.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If dedicated staff manually collect aircraft operation history information, then comprehensive data collection is possible, but labor burden and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of operation history dataVSAvoidtime for data collection

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automated system that performs data collection and aircraft identification without human intervention. The system automatically captures images, processes them to extract aircraft features, identifies aircraft models by comparing with stored samples, and records operation history information, thereby eliminating the need for dedicated staff and significantly reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of staff collecting and recording information with an automated electronic system. The system uses image acquisition devices, processing units, and storage systems to automatically gather and manage aircraft operation history data, substituting human labor with automated technological processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If continuous 24-hour monitoring is deployed to collect night flight information, then complete operation history data is obtained, but operational complexity and labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of night flight dataVSAvoidcomplexity of continuous monitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous automated monitoring that operates without interruption throughout 24 hours. The system continuously captures images of aircraft, processes them in real-time, and records operation history information, ensuring that no night flight data is missed while eliminating the need for human staff to work continuous shifts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the complex human-operated continuous monitoring system with an automated electronic system. The automated system handles image acquisition, processing, and data recording continuously without human intervention, thereby simplifying operational complexity while maintaining complete data collection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11450217B2Device for collecting aircraft operation history information

Publication Date: 2022.09.20 NIHON ONKYO ENG CO LTD

AI summary

Operation history information on every aircraft can be collected, and efficiency in collection of the aircraft operation history information can be improved. The present invention includes: an image acquisition unit 11 configured to acquire an image G obtained by imaging a route R or A2; an image-type model identification unit 21 configured to identify a model of an aircraft P in the route R or A2 based on appearance data of an aircraft Q in the image G acquired by the image acquisition unit 11 and aircraft appearance samples previously prescribed for respective models; and an operation history storage unit 45 configured to store image-derived model information identified by the image-type model identification unit 21.