Laser Show Control System Using Aircraft Tracking Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling outdoor laser shows are inefficient and inaccurate in terminating laser operations when aircraft are present, relying on human spotters who may miss aircraft due to obstructions or visibility issues, leading to unnecessary termination of laser projections.
Innovation Solution
A control system that processes aircraft tracking data to determine precise location information and generates laser control data, providing a 3D digital model of the scan field to operators, allowing for precise termination or continuation of laser projections based on aircraft location, heading, and speed, with optional automation features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If human spotters are used to monitor aircraft and control laser termination, then the system is simple to operate, but the detection precision and reliability are insufficient due to human error and visibility limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical human spotter system with an automated electronic detection system using ADS-B receivers and processors. The receiver captures aircraft tracking data from transponders, and the processor automatically analyzes this data to determine aircraft positions relative to the laser scan field, eliminating human visual limitations and errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated control system between the aircraft and the laser projector. This intermediary system processes aircraft tracking data and communicates with the laser control system to automatically terminate or permit laser operation based on calculated aircraft positions, providing objective and consistent control decisions.
2Reliability
If human spotters manually terminate lasers when aircraft are suspected to be in scan area, then safety is maintained conservatively, but laser operations are unnecessarily terminated reducing show quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where aircraft tracking data is continuously monitored and processed to provide real-time information about aircraft positions relative to the laser scan field. This feedback loop enables the control system to make informed decisions about laser termination based on actual aircraft locations rather than conservative assumptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from binary human judgment (aircraft visible/not visible) to continuous quantitative data (precise aircraft position coordinates, distance to scan field boundaries). This parameter transformation enables more nuanced control decisions that distinguish between aircraft that truly require laser termination and those that do not.
3Speed
If human spotters are used to monitor the sky, then the equipment cost is low, but the response time and accuracy are reduced due to human reaction limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human visual monitoring with automated electronic detection using ADS-B receivers that continuously capture aircraft tracking data. This substitution enables instantaneous detection and processing of aircraft positions without human reaction delays, significantly improving detection speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the aircraft's own transponder signals to provide tracking data, making the aircraft essentially self-identifying. The ADS-B receiver automatically captures this data without requiring external illumination or active detection, enabling fast and passive aircraft identification.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system, and associated control method, that processes aircraft tracking data to determine precise location information for aircraft in the vicinity of an outdoor show that includes laser projectors. The aircraft location information for each aircraft is processed along with heading and speed data to generate a set of laser control data, which is communicated via a monitoring interface to a laser projector operator for use in operating the laser projector. The control system determines the scan field into which the laser projector may project its light during the show, and this scan field is provided, e.g., visually in the monitoring interface, to the laser projector operator along with the sets of laser control data for each aircraft. The laser projector operator may then terminate or continue to operate the laser projector based on this very precise information related to the scan field and location of aircraft.