Cockpit Image Capture for Data Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data acquisition systems for cockpits require costly and time-consuming installation of wiring and analog/digital converter boxes behind instrument panels to acquire and record flight data.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an image capture device to capture cockpit images of instruments and controls, and a data processing system to process these images, extracting current values and settings without the need for physical wiring or individual connections to each instrument and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional analog/digital converter boxes are wired to instruments and controls behind instrument panels to acquire flight data, then data acquisition is achieved, but installation cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with an optical imaging system. Instead of physically connecting converter boxes to each instrument, the system uses cameras to capture images of instrument displays and processes these images to extract data. This substitution eliminates the need for extensive wiring installation while maintaining data acquisition capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical copies (images) of instrument displays instead of making physical connections to instruments. The camera captures visual information from instrument panels, and image processing algorithms extract the required data from these copies. This approach allows data acquisition without physical intervention in the instrument wiring.
2Reliability
If analog/digital converter boxes are installed for each individual instrument and control, then complete data coverage is achieved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual data acquisition points into a single comprehensive imaging system. Instead of installing separate converter boxes for each instrument, one or more cameras capture images of multiple instruments simultaneously. The image processing system then extracts data from all instruments in the captured images, reducing system complexity while maintaining complete data coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system serves multiple functions: it captures data from various types of instruments (analog and digital displays), provides visual recording capability, and enables data extraction through image processing. This universal approach replaces the need for instrument-specific converter boxes, reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If wiring is installed behind instrument panels to connect converter boxes, then data transfer capability is achieved, but installation skill requirements and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring installation process with optical imaging and digital processing. Instead of requiring technicians to install wires behind instrument panels, the system uses cameras to capture images and software to process them. This substitution dramatically simplifies installation while maintaining reliable data transfer capability through digital communication channels.
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
This approach enables efficient and cost-effective acquisition of flight data from multiple instruments and controls, reducing installation time and complexity while providing accurate and timely data recording.
Implementation Method 1
an image capture device positioned to capture a cockpit image of a plurality of instruments mounted in a cockpit
Implementation Method 2
The data processing system is in data communication with the image capture device and configured to process the cockpit image to yield cockpit data. The cockpit data includes a current value of one or more of the plurality of instruments captured in the cockpit image.
Data Source
AI summary
Data acquisition systems including an image capture device and a data processing system. The image capture device is positioned to capture a cockpit image of a plurality of instruments. The data processing system is in data communication with the image capture device and configured to process the cockpit image to yield cockpit data. The cockpit data includes a current value of the instruments. The data processing system includes a memory unit, computer instructions, and a processor. The processor is in data communication with the memory unit and the image capture device. The processor is configured to execute the computer instructions to yield the cockpit data. The computer instructions instruct the processor to receive the cockpit image, identify instrument images, assign labels to the instrument images, determine current values of instruments based on optical data, and save the current values into data records associated with the instrument labels.