Intermittent Video Overlay for Refueling Feed Interruption Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video systems in aerial refueling operations are unreliable, leading to potential unintended impacts between the refueling boom and the receiver aircraft due to errors or inconsistencies in the video feed, which can result in loss of aircraft and undesired events.
Innovation Solution
A video overlay processor is used to overlay alternating patterns of complementary colors or brightness on video frames, making them imperceptible to human observers during normal operation but visible upon video interruptions, allowing quick detection of video failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If video patterns are displayed continuously to detect video failures, then reliability of video detection is improved, but the patterns become visible and distract the human observer during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The video overlay processor alternates between displaying the first pattern and the second pattern in periodic succession. This periodic action allows the system to detect video failures (when patterns don't alternate properly) while keeping the patterns imperceptible to human observers during normal operation, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and visual distraction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses patterns with different colors or brightness levels that are complementary to each other. When displayed in rapid alternation, these color changes create a perceptually uniform appearance to human observers, making the patterns imperceptible. However, when video interruption occurs, the alternation stops and the color difference becomes visible, enabling failure detection without normal distraction
2Reliability
If video stream is monitored continuously for interruptions, then safety is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The video overlay processor uses the existing video stream infrastructure to perform self-diagnosis by embedding detectable patterns within the normal video feed. The system monitors its own integrity without requiring separate monitoring equipment, thus improving safety while minimizing additional system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the video failure detection function with the existing video display system by overlaying patterns on the video frames. This merging of functions allows continuous monitoring for safety while utilizing already-present hardware resources, avoiding the need for separate complex monitoring systems
Data Source
AI summary
A video system comprises a video overlay processor. The video overlay processor is configured to receive a video stream from a camera system in real time during operation of a platform. The video overlay processor is configured to overlay a first pattern and a second pattern on an alternating and repeating basis onto frames sequentially in the video stream in real time to form a modified video stream. The video overlay processor is configured to display the modified video stream in real time on a display system, wherein the first pattern and the second pattern in the frames in the modified video stream are perceptually hidden on the display system in response to the frames in the modified video stream being displayed without interruption.