Aircraft Taxi Perspective Rendering for Wingtips and Engine Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots face difficulty in anticipating collisions during aircraft taxiing due to limited visibility of wingtips and engines, which can lead to costly repairs and downtime.
Innovation Solution
A system that renders a perspective view of the aircraft's surroundings, incorporating three-dimensional models of static structures and dynamic objects, using data from object detection systems and ADS-B, to provide a comprehensive view of potential hazards.
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 aircraft, but they cannot see wingtips and engines that extend laterally behind the cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the aircraft with its wings, engines, and surrounding environment. This virtual model is rendered from a rear vantage point to generate an image that copies the visual information that would be visible from behind the aircraft, allowing pilots to see wingtips and engines without physical repositioning
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a computer-generated intermediary image that mediates between the pilot's limited cockpit view and the actual physical environment. This intermediary virtual image provides information about objects behind the aircraft that are not directly visible, acting as a bridge to compensate for the pilot's restricted field of view
2Productivity
If aircraft taxi at higher speeds to improve productivity, then ground operations become more efficient, but the risk of collision with external objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous visual feedback to the pilot about objects and hazards in the rear and lateral zones around the aircraft. By displaying this information in real-time, pilots can adjust their taxiing speed and position to maintain safe distances from potential collision risks while keeping ground operations efficient
3Reliability
If pilots maintain slower taxi speeds to improve collision avoidance, then safety increases, but ground operation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a new dimensional perspective by displaying a rear vantage point view that shows the spatial relationship between the aircraft, its wingtips, engines, and surrounding objects. This additional spatial dimension allows pilots to better judge distances and speeds, enabling safer yet more efficient taxiing operations
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Apparatus and associated methods relate to rendering an image of objects (12, 16, 18, 20, 22, 34, 36) in a region of an airport taxiway. The image is rendered from data provided by multiple sources. Three-dimensional models of static airport structures (12, 16, 18, 20, 22) located within the region of an airport taxiway are provided. Rendered image data of the region of the airport taxiway if formed based on the retrieved three-dimensional models of the static airport structures (12, 16, 18, 20, 22). Data indicative of locations of dynamic objects (34, 36) within the region of the airport taxiway is also provided. Symbols (40) identifying the dynamic objects (34, 36) within the region of the airport taxiway are mapped into the rendered image data at the locations indicated by the provided data. The rendered image data is sent to a display device configured to display the rendered image data.