Pictographic mode awareness display for aircraft

Abstract

A device, method and computer program for generating and displaying graphical displays symbolic of current and available operational modes of instrument systems, such as navigation and autopilot systems. Accordingly, the method of the invention includes receiving a signal representative of a current mode of operation of one or more instrument systems, interpreting the current mode of operation signal to determine the current mode of operation, outputting a control signal informing a pictographic representation symbolic of the current mode of operation, and displaying the pictographic representation of the current mode of operation on a display device, such as a cockpit panel display.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 322,198, entitled “Pictograph to Enhance Mode Awareness for Aircraft Cockpit Display,” and filed in the name of Thea L. Feyereisen on Sep. 13, 2001, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to devices and methods for operation of aircraft navigation and autopilot systems, and in particular to annunciation of modes of operation of aircraft navigation and autopilot systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In modern aircraft having integrated cockpits, discrete navigation and autopilot systems operate separately, but work together. One major concern with navigation and autopilot systems is pilot mode awareness. Excessive intricacies and mode proliferation in modern aircraft navigation and autopilot systems make it difficult for pilots to understand system operation in each of multiple different operational mode...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] The present invention is an apparatus, method and computer program that enhances pilot awareness and understanding of information displayed on the instrument systems, such as navigation and autopilot systems, by providing mode enunciators in the form of a visual graphic interface. The present invention thus provides a pictogram-based pilot interface for mode annunciation that overcomes the limitations of the prior art text presentation by providing a graphic representation of mode having a cognitive advantage over text presentation which thereby increases navigation and autopilot instrument mode awareness.

Problems solved by technology

Excessive intricacies and mode proliferation in modern aircraft navigation and autopilot systems make it difficult for pilots to understand system operation in each of multiple different operational modes.

Images