Handheld Imaging System for Aircraft Visual Indicia
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of aircraft cockpits with numerous instruments and flight displays makes training and maintenance tedious, time-consuming, and expensive, with a high risk of information being overlooked or misinterpreted, and there is a need to minimize human effort and aircraft equipment installation for data collection and interpretation.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a database indexed by visual indicia, a handheld device with an imaging system and display, and a computer program that processes images to identify visual indicia and retrieve corresponding information, allowing for efficient operation and maintenance by querying the database for matches and displaying relevant data on the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If comprehensive information is displayed on multiple flight displays and instruments, then the amount of information available for operation and maintenance is improved, but the complexity of the system and the time required for training and data interpretation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses imaging technology to create digital copies of visual indicia from flight displays and instruments. The handheld device captures images of the visual indicators, and these images are processed to extract and store the information in a database, eliminating the need for manual transcription while preserving all relevant data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer program and database as intermediaries between the visual indicia and the user. The system automatically processes images, extracts information, stores it in an indexed database, and retrieves relevant data on demand, reducing the cognitive load on operators and maintenance personnel.
2Reliability
If more instruments and flight displays are installed to provide comprehensive information, then the diagnostic capability is improved, but the human effort required for collecting and interpreting data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically capturing images of visual indicia, processing them through pattern recognition algorithms, extracting relevant information, and storing it in the database without requiring manual intervention. This automation significantly reduces the time and effort needed for data collection and interpretation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual data collection and interpretation processes with automated image processing and pattern recognition technology. The computer program automatically analyzes the captured images, identifies visual indicia, and retrieves corresponding information from the database, eliminating the need for manual data entry and analysis.
3Device complexity
If traditional manual methods are used for collecting and interpreting data from flight displays, then the equipment installation is minimized, but the training time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handheld device serves multiple functions: it captures images of visual indicia, processes them through pattern recognition, extracts information, stores data in the database, and retrieves relevant information for display. This multi-functional device replaces multiple separate tools and systems, reducing overall equipment complexity while providing comprehensive capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing maintenance to an aircraft having multiple aircraft systems and a method of operating an aircraft having multiple aircraft systems, with at least some of the aircraft systems outputting one or more visual indicia indicative of a status of a system of the aircraft where the method provides information based on such visual indicia. An aircraft system for at least one of operating and maintaining the aircraft, which may retrieve information based on such visual indicia.