Aircraft Object Ranging via Coordinated Light Projection and Stereo Cameras
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial aircraft accidents and incidents during ground operations, particularly during taxiing, often result in costly repairs and recertification due to collisions with objects that are outside the pilot's field of view, such as wingtips and engines.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a light projector and two cameras mounted on the aircraft, which projects linearly-patterned light onto the scene and captures vectors of pixel data to calculate the range to objects using triangulation, providing visual and audible alerts for potential collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If pilots rely on direct visual observation from the cockpit, then they can observe objects directly in front of the cabin, but they cannot detect objects outside their field of view such as wingtips and engines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cameras and light projectors as intermediary devices mounted on the aircraft to capture and illuminate objects in areas not visible to the pilot. These devices act as mediators between the pilot and the hidden objects, transmitting visual information electronically to the cockpit display system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical limitation of human visual field with an electronic imaging system. Instead of relying on the pilot's anatomical field of view, the system uses cameras, light projectors, and electronic displays to extend observation capability beyond physical constraints.
2Reliability
If the aircraft is equipped with a comprehensive object detection system, then collision detection capability is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection task into segments by using multiple cameras positioned at different locations on the aircraft, each covering specific zones. The light projector is also segmented to illuminate specific regions, allowing the system to manage complexity through modular, distributed sensing rather than a single complex sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the light projector serve multiple functions: it illuminates objects for visibility and also provides the light source for the imaging system to detect objects. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate illumination and detection systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If the light projector illuminates a wide area, then object detection coverage is improved, but the precision of range measurement decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a linearly-patterned light projection that concentrates illumination and measurement precision along a specific line or plane rather than uniformly across a wide area. This allows the system to achieve high measurement precision in the illuminated region while maintaining adequate coverage through systematic scanning or multiple projection lines.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively detects and alerts pilots to potential collisions with objects outside their direct view, reducing the risk of costly repairs and improving safety during ground operations by providing accurate range data and collision alerts.
Implementation Method 1
a light projector configured to be mounted at a projector location on the aircraft, and further configured to project linearly-patterned light in a controllable direction onto the scene external to the aircraft, thereby illuminating a linearly-patterned portion of the scene
Implementation Method 2
first and second cameras configured to be mounted at first and second distinct camera locations on the aircraft and aligned so as to be able to simultaneously capture, when the linear-patterned light is projected onto the scene, first and second vectors of pixel data
Implementation Method 3
a range calculator configured to calculate range to the object using triangulation based on the captured first and second vectors of pixel data and the first and second distinct camera locations from which the first and second vectors of pixel data are simultaneously captured
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to ranging an object (70) in a scene external to an aircraft (12). A light projector (34) and two cameras (36, 38) are mounted on the aircraft (12), the cameras (36, 38) at two locations distinct from one another. The light projector (34) and the two cameras (36, 38) are coordinated so that the light projector (34) projects a linear-patterned beam of light while the cameras (36, 38) simultaneously capture a row or column of image data corresponding to an active row or column of pixels upon which a linear-patterned beam of light projected by the light projector (34) and reflected by the scene is focused. Range to the object (70) is calculated using triangulation based on the captured rows or columns of image data and the distinct locations of the two cameras (36, 38) from which the image data are simultaneously captured.