Aircraft Taxiway Line Detection via Electro-Optical Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of airline taxiing maneuvers has led to a higher probability of accidents due to obstacles misjudgment and low visibility, particularly during bad weather or nighttime operations, as reported in 12% of airline accidents occurring during the taxi phase between 1959 and 2008.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for detecting aerodrome taxiway lines using an electro-optical camera mounted on an aircraft, processing images to estimate cross-track error, and guiding the taxiing process by determining the horizontal position of the aircraft relative to the taxiway centerline, alerting pilots when deviations occur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pilots rely on visual judgment during taxiing, then operational simplicity is maintained, but accuracy of position detection deteriorates due to obstacles misjudgment and low visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of cameras, image processors, and computer systems that mediate between the pilot and the taxiway environment. This intermediary automatically detects taxiway lines and calculates cross-track error, providing precise position detection without requiring direct visual judgment from the pilot, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual system of human judgment with an automated optical and computational system. Cameras capture images, image processors analyze them to detect taxiway lines, and computer systems calculate cross-track error, substituting the pilot's visual-mechanical judgment process with an automated system that achieves superior measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If automated image processing is implemented for taxiway line detection, then measurement precision of cross-track error is improved, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the range of predetermined colors associated with taxiway lines and pre-establishing the image processing pipeline. The system is prepared in advance to quickly process images by comparing pixel colors against known taxiway line color ranges, enabling fast and accurate cross-track error calculation without extensive real-time computation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters by focusing image processing on specific color ranges (predetermined colors associated with taxiway lines) rather than analyzing all image data. This parameter-based filtering approach allows the system to achieve high measurement precision for cross-track error while minimizing processing time by only examining relevant color parameters.
3Reliability
If comprehensive image analysis is performed to detect taxiway lines, then detection reliability is improved, but computational complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by focusing image processing efforts on specific regions and characteristics most relevant to taxiway line detection. Rather than analyzing the entire image comprehensively, the system concentrates on detecting pixels matching predetermined taxiway line colors and identifying edge pixels, achieving high detection reliability with reduced processing complexity by targeting specific local features.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided methods and systems for controlling airplane taxiing, including detecting aerodrome taxiway lines and estimating cross-track error.