Object-Centric Defect Location Mapping for Aircraft Repairs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the location of defects in complex objects like aircraft are laborious, prone to human error, and lack accurate measurement, making it difficult to retrieve relevant electronic information for repairs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a portable electronic device to determine the location of areas of interest on a physical object, such as an aircraft, by correlating real-world positions with an object-centric coordinate system, enabling retrieval of electronic information like 3D models and schematics for precise repairs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual documentation and visual comparison methods are used to determine defect locations, then analysts can identify damage positions, but the process is laborious and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical documentation processes with an automated electronic system that uses portable computing devices, cameras, and coordinate transformation algorithms to automatically determine defect locations, eliminating human error and reducing time requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the portable electronic device to automatically capture images, determine camera position through coordinate transformation, and retrieve relevant technical information without requiring manual analysis or external assistance
2Reliability
If photos and manual sketches are used to document defect locations, then damage information can be recorded, but accurate location determination is difficult without uniquely identifiable landmarks
Solution Approach 1:
The portable electronic device performs multiple functions including photography, GPS location tracking, coordinate transformation, and information retrieval, eliminating the need for separate documentation tools and complex landmark-based manual methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary coordinate transformation system that converts GPS coordinates and camera orientation data into object-centric coordinate systems, serving as a bridge between the physical documentation process and the digital information retrieval system
3Loss of information
If multiple technical manuals and documents are reviewed to find defect information, then comprehensive repair data can be obtained, but the process is extremely laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual process of reviewing multiple physical or digital manuals with an automated electronic search system that uses the determined defect location to query databases and retrieve relevant repair information instantly
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-organizing technical information in databases indexed by location coordinates, allowing rapid retrieval based on the automatically determined defect position without requiring manual searching through multiple documents
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device for obtaining information about an area of interest of an object is disclosed. The portable electronic device may include a display, an image capture device, a measurement device, and a processor. The processor may be configured to determine one or more positions of a portable electronic device relative to a location of one or more items of the object and determine a location of the area of interest of the object relative to the one or more positions of the portable electronic device. The processor may also be configured to identify electronic or digital information associated with the location of the area of interest of the object and send the electronic or digital information or the location of the area of interest to a remote computing device.