Distributed Image Modules for Aircraft Airspace Surveillance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Small aircraft often lack the necessary airspace surveillance systems for comprehensive views, requiring costly retrofits and complex cabling for central monitoring units, which is inefficient and expensive.
Innovation Solution
Each image module performs flying object recognition and outputs results directly to a central monitoring unit, reducing data transmission needs and allowing for simpler, wireless communication, enabling efficient airspace monitoring with lower data rates and standardized design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central monitoring unit is used to evaluate images from all cameras, then comprehensive airspace surveillance is achieved, but system complexity and cabling costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the airspace surveillance function into multiple independent image modules, each equipped with its own image processing means. Each module independently evaluates images from its cameras and generates recognition results, eliminating the need for a complex central image evaluation system while maintaining comprehensive surveillance coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the image evaluation function from the central monitoring unit and places it directly in the image modules. This extraction reduces the data transmission requirement from full-resolution images to compact recognition results, simplifying the cabling and communication infrastructure needed between components.
2Loss of information
If full image data is transmitted to a central unit, then complete analysis capability is maintained, but data transmission requirements and cabling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential recognition results from the image data at the source (image modules) rather than transmitting the complete image data. This extraction maintains the necessary information for airspace surveillance while dramatically reducing the data volume that needs to be transmitted through the cabling infrastructure.
3Reliability
If special reconnaissance technology is added to small aircraft, then airspace surveillance capability is improved, but cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the image processing means directly into the image modules, creating integrated units that can be independently installed on small aircraft. This combination eliminates the need for complex integration between separate camera systems and central processing units, simplifying installation while maintaining surveillance capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The image modules are designed to be self-sufficient, with each module containing its own image processing means that independently evaluates images and generates recognition results. This self-service capability allows the modules to function autonomously without requiring complex coordination with a central system, facilitating easier installation on small aircraft.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The method involves capturing partial images of the environment of an airplane by imaging modules (6a-6h) i.e. cameras, and receiving the images by image sensors (12). The environment of the airplane is examined by image processing units (16) using the partial images for recognition of other flying objects in the environment of the airplane, where each imaging module comprises its own image processing unit. A recognition result is output by each imaging module. An air space around the airplane is monitored using the recognition results of the imaging modules. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) an image module for monitoring an air space around an airplane (2) an airplane.