Aircraft Store Trajectory Calculation Using 3D Model Image Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for calculating the trajectory of a store ejected from an aircraft are costly, time-consuming, and prone to human errors due to the manual process of digitizing and positioning stickers, which are required for photogrammetry techniques, and do not accurately capture the store's geometry.
Innovation Solution
A fully automated system using a camera with intrinsic calibration parameters and a 3D store model to generate and match synthetic images with real images, eliminating the need for stickers and allowing for accurate trajectory calculation based on the store's entire geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If photogrammetry techniques with stickers are used to calculate store trajectory, then measurement capability is provided, but the process becomes costly, time-consuming, and prone to human errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a 3D digital model (copy) of the store instead of physical stickers. The 3D model is rendered from multiple camera perspectives to generate synthetic images that are matched against actual camera footage, eliminating the need for physical markers while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical photogrammetry system (requiring physical stickers and manual digitization) with a computational image matching system. Automated algorithms compare synthetic images generated from 3D models with actual camera images to calculate trajectory, eliminating manual operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual digitization of stickers is performed, then sticker positions can be controlled, but human errors increase and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the store's own geometric features (from its 3D model) as reference points instead of requiring external stickers. The automated image matching process independently identifies store orientation and position by comparing synthetic and real images, making the system self-sufficient and error-resistant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the sticker component entirely from the measurement system. By using the store's inherent geometry and automated image processing, the system removes the problematic manual digitization step while retaining the ability to accurately determine position and orientation.
3Measurement precision
If stickers are placed on sensitive stores, then trajectory measurement is enabled, but transportation and handling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the physical store with stickers, the system creates and uses a digital 3D copy of the store. This virtual model is rendered to generate synthetic images for comparison, allowing trajectory measurement without any physical intervention on the sensitive store.
Solution Approach 2:
The 3D model serves multiple functions: it provides the geometric reference for matching, generates synthetic images for comparison, and enables trajectory calculation without requiring physical markers. This universal approach works for any store with a known 3D model, regardless of sensitivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention refers to a method for calculating the trajectory of a store (2) ejected from an aircraft (1), comprising: providing a camera generating a video signal formed by frames; providing a 3D store model; selecting one frame to obtain one real image (3); obtaining the contours to obtain a processed real image (4); generating one 3D synthetic image (5) for six degrees of freedom of the ejected store, considering actual store position and angles; obtaining contours (2a) to obtain processed 3D synthetic images (6); matching each one of the processed 3D synthetic images (6) with the processed real image (4); selecting the best matching processed 3D synthetic image (7); obtaining and recording spatial and angular position of the selected processed 3D synthetic image (7) to obtain one point of the store trajectory; updating store position; selecting another frame and continues until a condition is reached.