Aircraft Inspection Checklist Using Camera-Based System Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft pre-flight and post-flight inspections using printed checklists are time-consuming, require multi-step processes, consume power, and lack real-time dynamic communication of inspection results, failing to highlight problem areas or provide insights into system measurements.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a personal electronic device with a camera and communication capabilities to gather and analyze data from aircraft systems during a walk-around inspection, providing real-time feedback and automating the inspection process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If printed checklists are used for walk-around inspections, then the inspection process is simple and accessible, but the inspection time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static printed checklist into a dynamic digital checklist on a portable electronic device. The digital checklist can adapt in real-time based on inspection findings, aircraft type, and system status, allowing inspectors to navigate efficiently through relevant items without manually flipping through printed pages. This dynamic adaptation maintains ease of operation while significantly improving inspection speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the traditional printed checklist, preserving its fundamental structure and ease of use while adding electronic capabilities. The digital checklist replicates the familiar checklist format and workflow but enables faster navigation, automatic progression through items, and immediate access to additional information, thereby maintaining simplicity while enhancing productivity.
2Reliability
If multi-step processes are used to power on systems in the cockpit and check them during walk-around, then comprehensive inspection is achieved, but time consumption and power usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables inspectors to access system status information and preliminary data on the portable device before physically approaching each system during the walk-around. This preliminary access to information allows inspectors to mentally prepare and focus their attention on specific areas of concern, reducing the time spent at each inspection point while maintaining comprehensive coverage of all required items.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable electronic device serves as an intermediary between the cockpit systems and the inspection process. It consolidates system status information, checklists, and procedural guidance into a single accessible platform, eliminating the need for inspectors to repeatedly return to the cockpit to check systems or reference multiple documents, thereby reducing inspection time while maintaining completeness.
3Device complexity
If printed checklists are used, then the system is simple and requires no additional technology, but real-time data collection and dynamic communication of inspection results are not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The portable electronic device performs multiple functions within a single platform: it displays the checklist, collects inspection data, stores measurements, provides real-time feedback, and communicates results. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate tools and processes, managing device complexity while enabling comprehensive real-time information collection and communication capabilities.
4Ease of operation
If manual inspection documentation is used, then the process is straightforward and requires minimal technology, but accuracy and completeness of recorded measurements decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The portable electronic device enables self-service data capture through features such as barcode scanning, RFID reading, and automatic data entry. These capabilities allow the inspection system to automatically collect and record measurements and system status information without requiring manual transcription, thereby maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving measurement precision and reducing human error.
Data Source
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AI summary
Generally discussed herein are systems, apparatuses, and methods for aiding a pre-flight inspection of an aircraft. This includes a system with processor (102), a memory (104), a camera (114), a user interface (106) and a communications device (112). The user interface can include a user input system and a user output system. The user interface can be configured for presenting a graphical checklist for the pre-flight inspection of the aircraft. The memory includes, instructions, the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to determine a result of the pre-flight inspection for display on the graphical checklist, wherein the result is based upon at least a first data obtained from imaging a first onboard system of aircraft using the camera.