Automated Airfield Lighting Inspection via Mobile Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airfield ground lighting inspection methods are laborious, time-consuming, and inefficient, particularly due to the need for manual checks that disrupt airfield operations and are not suitable for frequent inspections required by increasing aircraft traffic.
Innovation Solution
An automated inspection system using a mobile platform equipped with high-speed imaging cameras and processors that analyze images to detect defects such as loosened or missing bolts, cracks, and misalignment in airfield ground lighting, employing image processing and machine learning to improve detection accuracy and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection methods are used to check airfield ground lighting, then inspection thoroughness is improved, but inspection time and operational disruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an automated optical inspection system that uses cameras and image processing algorithms to detect lighting defects, bolt conditions, and structural issues automatically, eliminating the need for human inspectors to physically examine each light fixture
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies (images) of the lighting fixtures and their surrounding structures, then analyzes these copies using image processing to identify defects such as missing bolts, cracks, and misalignments without physically touching or disrupting the actual fixtures
2Reliability
If frequent inspections are conducted to maintain lighting reliability, then safety is improved, but airfield operational efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The automated inspection system enables continuous or near-continuous monitoring of airfield lighting without interrupting aircraft operations, allowing inspections to be performed whenever needed rather than requiring scheduled runway closures
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing manual inspection with automated optical systems, the patent enables rapid data collection and analysis that can be performed continuously without the time constraints and operational disruptions inherent in manual methods
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If manual inspection is used to detect lighting defects, then detection capability is improved, but labor requirements and inspection cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex human manual inspection processes with automated optical systems equipped with image capture devices and processing algorithms that can detect various defect types including missing bolts, cracks, and misalignments through automated image analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates detailed digital representations of lighting fixtures through imaging, allowing comprehensive defect detection through automated analysis of these copies without requiring physical inspection complexity
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~2c
Figure 2d~2e
AI summary
An image acquisition means captures image streams of the airfield ground lighting system lights when moved across an airfield. A location sensor(40) detects positional information for the image acquisition means when capturing the plurality of images comprising the image streams. An image processor(30) coupled to the image acquisition and the location sensor(40) processes the image stream of a light of the airfield ground lighting system by: (a)associating characteristics of a plurality of points in an image with an item in the light to be checked, and using this association for extraction of the points; (b)each extracted point is verified; and (c) the state of the light of the image stream is determined by processing the verified extracted points comprising an item to be checked.