Adaptive Network for NOTAM Optimization

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an adaptive network for NOTAM optimization. Specifically, it relates to a computer-implemented method. The method includes the steps of receiving a data structure, the data structure being a network having nodes connected by links. The nodes have corresponding classes, the corresponding classes representing corresponding unique notices to aeronautics (NOTAMs). The nodes are linked such that any given node is linked to at least one other node. The links represent corresponding predetermined mathematical relatedness between pairs of linked nodes. The links point from corresponding less related nodes to corresponding more related nodes. The nodes are pre-sorted in an optimized order according to the predetermined mathematical relatedness. The method also includes the steps of receiving a request to display the NOTAMs on a display device. The method also includes the steps of retrieving the NOTAMs associated with the nodes in the optimized order. The method also includes the steps of commanding the display of the NOTAMs on the display device in the optimized order.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an adaptive network for NOTAM (Notices to Airmen) prioritization. Background Art

[0002] A NOTAM (Notice to Aeronautics) is a brief, temporarily valid message about aircraft operations that may be provided by an aviation regulatory agency, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in Europe. Some jurisdictions may use one or more different organizations to issue NOTAMs.

[0003] Aviation regulatory authorities can collect NOTAM information from a variety of sources. NOTAMs can contain weather information, ground conditions, air traffic information, and various other types of information that can be used to operate aircraft.

[0004] Even for a single flight, an aircraft operator (such as a dispatcher, pilot, manager, etc.) may review a wide range of NOTAM lists, which can waste valuable time. However, typically most NOTAMs are not relevant to a particular flight. Nevertheless, the entire NOTAM list is provided and reviewed. Moreover, NOTAMs may be homologous, i.e., appear similar to one another. Furthermore, NOTAMs may be time-sensitive and issued on an ongoing basis. Therefore, an aircraft operator may spend an undesirable amount of time reviewing all NOTAMs to ensure that the relevant NOTAMs are being reviewed correctly.

[0005] When issued, NOTAMs may be unorganized or categorized solely by the time they were issued. NOTAMs may be continuously updated, sometimes even during flight. Because they are not optimized based on relevance to a specific user or group of users, this lack of organization can lead to undesirable time consumption to ensure that relevant information contained in the NOTAM is not overlooked. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One or more embodiments provide a method. The method includes the following steps: receiving, by a computer processor, a data structure comprising a network of nodes connected by links. The nodes have corresponding classes, the classes representing corresponding unique NOTAMs among at least two Notices to Aeronautics (NOTAMs). Linking the nodes such that any given node is linked to at least one other node. The links represent corresponding predetermined mathematical relatedness between pairs of linked nodes in the nodes. With respect to the pairs of linked nodes, the links point from the corresponding less related nodes to the corresponding more related nodes. The nodes are pre-ordered in a prioritized order according to the predetermined mathematical relatedness. The method also includes the following steps: receiving, by the computer processor, a request to display the NOTAMs on a display device. The method also includes the following steps: retrieving, by the computer processor, the NOTAMs associated with the nodes in the prioritized order. The method also includes the following steps: commanding, by the computer processor, to display the NOTAMs on the display device in the prioritized order.

[0007] One or more embodiments further provide a method. The method includes the steps of receiving a Notice to Aeronautics (NOTAM) at a computer processor. The method also includes the steps of assigning some of a plurality of NOTAMs to corresponding classes to form a plurality of classes. The method also includes the steps of configuring the class as a data structure of a network. The step of configuring the class also includes configuring the class as a node. The step of configuring the class also includes forming a link by connecting some of the nodes to at least one other node in the network via at least one link. The step of configuring the class also includes determining corresponding mathematical relatedness between pairs of linked nodes among the nodes. The step of configuring the class also includes assigning corresponding mathematical relatedness to corresponding links between some of the pairs of linked nodes. The step of configuring the class also includes configuring the links to point from corresponding less related nodes to corresponding more related nodes with respect to the pairs of linked nodes. The method also includes the steps of sorting the nodes in an optimized order based on the mathematical relatedness.

[0008] One or more embodiments also provide a system for organizing Notices to Aeronautics (NOTAMs). The system includes a computer processor and a data repository in communication with the computer processor. The data repository stores the NOTAMs. The data repository also stores a network of nodes, where the nodes are classes assigned to the NOTAMs. The data repository also stores links connecting the nodes. Some of these links connect at least two nodes. The data repository also stores mathematical relevance assigned to some of these links. The data repository also stores a ranking unit that establishes the nodes in an optimized order based on the mathematical relevance. The system also includes a data structure construction engine, executable by the computer processor and configured to assign NOTAMs to classes. The data structure construction engine is further configured to arrange the nodes into a network. The data structure construction engine is further configured to determine the mathematical relevance. The data structure construction engine is further configured to assign links to corresponding ones of the nodes such that, with respect to any two selected linking nodes among the nodes, corresponding ones of the links point from the corresponding less relevant node to the corresponding more relevant node. The data structure construction engine is further configured to sort the nodes into the sorting unit. The system also includes a NOTAM presentation engine, executable by a computer processor and configured to receive a request to display a NOTAM on a display device. The NOTAM presentation engine is further configured to retrieve NOTAMs associated with the nodes in an optimized order. The NOTAM presentation engine is further configured to command display of the NOTAMs on the display device in the optimized order. The system also includes a display device that displays the NOTAMs according to the sorting unit.

[0009] Still further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 A computing system is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0011] Figure 2 A method of presenting a NOTAM using a data structure is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0012] Figure 3 A method of constructing a data structure to present sorted NOTAMs is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0013] Figure 4 An example of a class list of NOTAM is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0014] Figure 5An example of a network data structure is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0015] Figure 6 According to one or more embodiments, Figure 5 An example of reorganizing links in a network data structure.

[0016] Figure 7 According to one or more embodiments, Figure 5 An example of changing link weights in a network data structure.

[0017] Figure 8A and Figure 8B An example of computers in a distributed network environment is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Now, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. For the purpose of consistency, the same elements in different drawings are represented by the same reference numerals.

[0019] In the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more detailed understanding of the present invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.

[0020] Throughout this application, ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) may be used as adjectives for an element (i.e., any noun in this disclosure). Unless explicitly disclosed, such as through the use of the terms "before," "after," "single," and other such terms, the use of ordinal numbers neither implies nor creates any particular order of elements, nor does it limit any element to a single element. Rather, the use of ordinal numbers is intended to distinguish between elements. For example, a first element may be different from a second element, and a first element may contain more than one element and may be after (or before) a second element in the order of the elements.

[0021] Typically, the one or more embodiments organize NOTAMs in a data structure that takes the form of a network of classes. By modifying the link structure of the network, the data structure can be adapted to the user's preferences and to the current, updated situation. A ranking algorithm is then run on the network to prioritize the NOTAMs, resulting in a ranking that takes into account both the user's preferences and the current situation. The NOTAMs are then classified according to the rankings and presented to the user in the sorted order. No known NOTAM classification system can automatically provide adaptive optimization of NOTAMs based on user preferences, changes in the environment, and other changing conditions, as the network data structure of the one or more embodiments can do.

[0022] Typically, the one or more embodiments assign NOTAMs to corresponding classes. NOTAM classes serve as nodes of a network data structure. The network data structure is established by linking nodes associated with NOTAMs with links.

[0023] The links in the network data structure represent the knowledge used to rank the classes. This knowledge can be obtained by having subject matter experts compare the relative importance of the classes, and then adding directed links from less important class nodes to more important class nodes for each comparison. The result is a network data structure with relatively more relevant nodes that have many in-links, and relatively less relevant nodes that have few or no in-links. The network data structure can be updated by changing the way the nodes are linked or by changing the weights assigned to the links.

[0024] Once the network data structure is constructed with the desired links, a query for displaying a NOTAM is received. In response, the nodes are sorted in order of relevance. The NOTAM is displayed in an order corresponding to the sorted order of the nodes for use by an aircraft operator.

[0025] Attention is now turned to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 A computing system is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments. Figure 1 The illustrated system can be implemented using one or more computers in a possibly networked or distributed environment, such as Figure 8A and Figure 8B As shown. Figure 1 The system shown is built into the aircraft so that Figure 1 One or more components shown are referred to as "aircraft parts". However, Figure 1 The system shown may reside partially or entirely in the ground control computing system. Figure 1 Some components of the system shown are installed as aircraft parts and can be Figure 1 The other components of the system shown are installed in the ground control computing system.

[0026] You can Figure 1 The system shown is characterized as a system for generating and using an adaptive network for NOTAM optimization. Figure 1 The system shown is characterized as a system of organized Notices to Aeronautics (NOTAM).

[0027] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a data repository (100) is any type of storage unit and / or device for storing data (e.g., a file system, a database, a collection of tables, or any other storage mechanism). Furthermore, the data repository (100) may include a plurality of different storage units and / or devices. The plurality of different storage units and / or devices may or may not be of the same type, or may or may not be located at the same physical site. Thus, the data repository (100) may be characterized as a single physical data repository, or as a plurality of physical data repositories that may be located at different physical locations and networked via a distributed computing environment.

[0028] The data repository (100) stores various data. For example, the data repository (100) stores one or more NOTAMs, such as NOTAM A (102), NOTAM B (104), and NOTAM C (106). As mentioned above, NOTAMs are defined as "Notices to Aeronautics," which are brief, temporarily valid information about aircraft operations that may be provided by aviation regulatory authorities.

[0029] Figure 4 An example of a NOTAM is shown. There are different types of NOTAMs. NOTAM types include Class I NOTAM, Class II NOTAM, international NOTAM, domestic NOTAM, civil NOTAM, military NOTAM, published NOTAM, Flight Data Center (FDC) NOTAM, central area NOTAM, unverified NOTAM, and "other aviation information" NOTAM.

[0030] The type of NOTAM may be used as one of the following factors: these factors are used in determining the relative relevance of a given NOTAM among multiple NOTAMs for a particular user. With reference to one or more embodiments, the type of NOTAM may be used as one of the following factors: these factors are used to determine the number of incoming links for a given class or node in the network data structure described below, or the weight of the links between nodes.

[0031] The data repository (100) may also store a network (108). A network (108) is defined as a data structure that can be used by a computer. Therefore, a network (108) may also be referred to as a network data structure.

[0032] The data structure of the network (108) is defined as at least two nodes connected by at least one link. Figure 1 The examples shown include, but are not limited to, node A (110), node B (112), and node C (114). Each node may store or be associated with a corresponding NOTAM. Thus, for example, node A (110) is associated with NOTAM A (102), node C (114) is associated with NOTAM C (106), and node B (112) is associated with NOTAM B (104). In an embodiment, the nodes are computer programming classes. In a more specific embodiment, Q codes may be used as the basis for the classes. However, multiple classification systems may be used that use classes that can be compared to each other. In an embodiment, there is no limit to the number of classes. Thus, a NOTAM may be associated with a corresponding unique class; one NOTAM per separate class. In other words, the network (108) may be characterized as nodes consisting of classes assigned to NOTAMs.

[0033] As indicated above, the network (108) includes at least one link between two nodes. Figure 1 In the example of , there are three links: Link A (116), Link B (118), and Link C (120). A link is defined as data (or datum) or metadata (or metadatum) that indicates a relationship between two nodes.

[0034] Links can be directional. For example, link A (116) can point from node C (114) to node A (110). The directionality of a link can indicate the hierarchy of annotations relative to each other. Continuing with this example, since link A (116) points from node C (114) to node A (110), node A (110) has a higher relevance to the user than node C (114).

[0035] If a link is directional, it can be characterized as either an "out-link" or an "in-link." An "out-link" is a link connected to a first node but pointing toward a second node. An "in-link" is a link connected to a first node but pointing from the second node. Thus, an "out-link" points from the node in question, while an "in-link" points toward the node in question.

[0036] A mathematical degree of relevance may be assigned to a link. In a more specific example, the number "0.95" may be assigned to link A (116), indicating a very high degree of relevance between node C (114) and node A (110), and the number "1" represents a perfect relevance or equivalent.

[0037] When the information in the NOTAM is considered to be related to each other, a node is more related to another node relative to other nodes in the network (108). For example, two NOTAMs in the same class can be considered to be more related, thereby increasing the mathematical relatedness between any two nodes. The relevancy status of a node may be changed. A node may become more related when a user provides input indicating that a given node is more relevant to the user, thereby increasing the mathematical relatedness of the node.

[0038] In addition, the number of link-ins on a node also increases the relevance of the node to the user. Figure 1 , node A (110) has two node links-in: a link-in from node C (114) to node A (110), and another link-in from node B (112) to node A (110). In this example, node A (110) has more links-in than node B (112), which has one link-in, and more links-in than node C (114), which has zero links-in. Nodes with more links-in can be assigned higher relevance, thereby ranking their corresponding NOTAMs higher than the rankings of NOTAMs associated with other nodes in the network (108).

[0039] According to the above, in other words, the network (108) includes links that link nodes, and some of the links connect at least two nodes in the network (108). In this way, all nodes in the network (108) are connected to at least one other node. In addition, as further referenced Figure 5 As shown, there may be multiple links between two nodes. Multiple links may indicate that the nodes are related to each other along more than one information domain (for example, weather, aircraft type, military information, etc.).

[0040] Therefore, the data repository (100) also stores a ranking (122) generated from the structure of the network (108). The ranking (122) establishes the nodes in an optimized order according to mathematical relevance.

[0041] Figure 1The illustrated system also includes a processor (124). Figure 8A An example of a processor is shown. The processor is in communication with the data repository (100) and possibly other components as further described below.

[0042] Figure 1 The system shown has at least one of two other components: a data construction engine (126), and a NOTAM presentation engine (128). Figure 1 The illustrated system may include both a data structure construction engine (126) and a NOTAM presentation engine (128).

[0043] The data structure construction engine (126) is defined as software, dedicated hardware, or a combination thereof. The data structure construction engine (126) is programmed or otherwise configured to perform a plurality of functions. Figure 3 The operation of the data structure construction engine (126) is further described.

[0044] Nevertheless, in summary, the data structure construction engine (126) is also executable by a computer processor and is configured to assign NOTAMs to classes. The data structure construction engine (126) is further configured to arrange nodes into a network. The data structure construction engine (126) is further configured to determine mathematical relatedness. The data structure construction engine (126) is further configured to assign links to corresponding ones of the nodes such that, with respect to any two selected link nodes, corresponding ones of the links point from corresponding less related nodes to corresponding more related nodes. The data structure construction engine (126) is further configured to sort the nodes into the sorting unit (122).

[0045] The NOTAM presentation engine (128) is defined as software, dedicated hardware, or a combination thereof. The NOTAM presentation engine (128) is programmed or otherwise configured to perform a number of functions. Figure 2 The operation of the NOTAM presentation engine (128) is further described.

[0046] Nevertheless, in summary, the NOTAM presentation engine (128) is executable by a computer processor and is configured to receive a request to display a plurality of NOTAMs on a display device (130). The display device (130) is in communication with the processor (124). The NOTAM presentation engine (128) is further configured to retrieve NOTAMs associated with a node in an optimized order. The NOTAM presentation engine (128) is further configured to command display of the NOTAMs on the display device (130) in the optimized order. In this manner, the display device (130) is capable of displaying the NOTAMs according to the sorting unit (122).

[0047] Figure 1 The system may also include a bus (132). The bus (132) is a wired or wireless communication system or a combination thereof that enables electronic communication between the processor (124), the data repository (100), the display device (130), the data structure construction engine (126), and the NOTAM presentation engine (128). However, in some cases, the data structure construction engine (126) and the NOTAM presentation engine (128) may be loaded into the memory of the processor (124) and thus may be considered part of the processor (124) and not connected to the bus (132). However, in some other cases, part or all of the data structure construction engine (126) and the NOTAM presentation engine (128) may take the form of an application specific integrated circuit, in which case the data structure construction engine (126) and the NOTAM presentation engine (128) may be physically connected to the bus (132).

[0048] Figure 1 The systems shown may be modified to have more, fewer, or modified components. For example, Figure 1 The system shown may also include a communication device (134). The communication device (134) is such that Figure 1 The system shown is hardware, software, or a combination thereof capable of communicating with a remote computing system or remote component. The term "remote" can refer to both physical distance and a logical partition within a computer. Examples of communication means (134) can be a wired connection, a wireless router, a short-range communication system, or the like. In some cases, the communication means (134) can be the bus (132) itself, as the processor (124) can receive data from weather sensors and cabin environment sensors connected to other parts of the aircraft via the bus (132).

[0049] The communication device (134) may be configured to receive additional data related to the operation of the aircraft. In this case, the data structure construction engine (126) may also be executed by the computer processor to: associate some of the additional data with some of the nodes; modify the data structure by modifying the links based on the additional data; and update the optimization order according to the modified data structure before commanding display of the NOTAM on the display device (130).

[0050] In this manner, the data structure construction engine (126) can continuously update the network (108) by adding, deleting, or modifying any of the nodes and / or links. As a result, each time an aircraft operator submits a request to display a NOTAM on the display device (130), the network (108) can be simultaneously updated. Furthermore, user input regarding a change in the relevance of a particular NOTAM can be received (perhaps via the display device (130) or some other input device). Upon receiving such input, the data structure construction engine (126) updates the network (108) and can modify the overall ranking structure of the nodes so that the most relevant NOTAMs are presented to the user (130) via the display device.

[0051] Can Figure 1 The system shown may be modified. For example, the system may not include the data structure construction engine (126) for use in creating the network data structure. In this case, the network data structure may be provided by some other provider or data system for use by the NOTAM presentation engine (128). Alternatively, the system may not include the NOTAM presentation engine (128). In this case, once the network data structure is generated by the data structure construction engine (126), the network data structure may be provided to the client or some other data system for use in sorting the NOTAM.

[0052] Furthermore, there may be additional, fewer, or different arrangements of components. For example, in addition to the illustrated network (108), the data repository (100) may also store additional network data structures optimized for different classes of NOTAMs. Thus, Figure 1 The one or more embodiments shown do not necessarily limit the claimed invention or other examples provided herein.

[0053] Although Figure 1 The configuration of components is shown, but other configurations may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, various components may be combined to create a single component. As another example, the functions performed by a single component may be performed by two or more components.

[0054] Now, turn your attention to Figure 2 . Figure 2 A method for presenting NOTAM using a data structure according to one or more embodiments is shown. Figure 1 The system shown is implemented Figure 2 The method shown. Figure 2 The method shown is characterized by using a Figure 1 A method of structuring such a network data of a network (108). Figure 2The method shown is performed by a computer processor, but the term "computer processor" contemplates not only a single processor, but also a plurality of computer processors in a possibly distributed computing environment.

[0055] At step 200, a data structure in the form of a network of nodes connected by links is received. The nodes have corresponding classes that represent corresponding unique NOTAMs among a plurality of NOTAMs. The nodes are linked so that any given node is linked to at least one other node. The links represent corresponding predetermined mathematical relatedness between pairs of linked nodes. With respect to pairs of linked nodes, the links point from the corresponding less related node to the corresponding more related node. The nodes are pre-sorted in an optimized order according to the predetermined mathematical relatedness.

[0056] At step 202, a request to display a NOTAM on a display device is received. The request may be received via a communication device or a user input device. The request may be generated by a user or may be generated by another software program requesting generation of a sorted NOTAM.

[0057] At step 204, NOTAMs associated with the node are retrieved in an optimized order. NOTAMs associated with a particular node can be retrieved by a number of different methods, such as by reading data in a class, using a pointer in the class to retrieve NOTAMs from a data repository, etc. By retrieving NOTAMs based on the optimization of the class in the network data structure, NOTAMs can be retrieved in an optimized order. In other words, the order assigned to a class is the order assigned to the NOTAMs corresponding to that class.

[0058] In step 206, the NOTAM is commanded to be displayed on the display device in an optimized order. This command may be issued by a NOTAM presentation engine such as Figure 1 However, the command to display the NOTAM may include additional formatting commands, such as highlighting sorted NOTAMs having values above a threshold, reformatting the NOTAMs, and / or displaying additional information along with the NOTAMs. Thereafter, the command may be terminated. Figure 2 method.

[0059] Figure 2 The methods shown may be varied to include more, fewer, rearranged, or revised steps. For example, Figure 2The method may be expanded by adding optional step 208. In step 208, it is determined whether updated user input regarding the priority status of a given NOTAM has been received. If "yes" in step 208, then processing continues to step 210, otherwise, if "no", then processing terminates.

[0060] At step 210, user input is received indicating that the selected NOTAM has a higher importance relative to the preselected ranking of the selected NOTAM. The user input may be received via a user input device (either from a locally present user input device or a remote input device). For example, the user may click on a NOTAM and drag it up the list, or assign a priority number to the NOTAM.

[0061] Continuing with the optional steps, at step 212, the data structure is modified by modifying the links based on the updated relevance to form a modified data structure. Several techniques exist for modifying links. For example, the weights assigned to the links can be adjusted. Links that are more relevant based on user input are assigned a greater weight. In another example, additional links can be formed between classes associated with corresponding NOTAMs in the network data structure. Thus, a link can be added between a selected NOTAM that receives an increased priority and one or more other NOTAMs that become relevant to the selected NOTAM as a result of the selection. Conversely, the selected NOTAM may receive a lower priority assigned by the user, in which case the link can be deleted or the link can receive a decreased weight.

[0062] In other words, modifying the data structure may take the form of adding an additional link from the selected node corresponding to the selected NOTAM to another node in the data structure to which the selected node was not previously linked. Modifying the data structure may also take the form of adjusting the weight of an existing link from the selected node corresponding to the selected NOTAM to another node in the data structure to which the selected node was previously linked. Modifying the data structure may also take the form of adding an additional link from the selected node corresponding to the selected NOTAM to another node in the data structure to which the selected node was not previously linked, and also adjusting the weight of an existing link from the selected node corresponding to the selected NOTAM to another node in the data structure to which the selected node was previously linked. Modifying may also include deleting at least one of the plurality of links; deleting at least one of the plurality of nodes and deleting any links connected to the at least one node; and adjusting the weight of at least one of the plurality of links.

[0063] Continuing with the optional step, the optimization order may be updated based on the modified data structure at step 214. Step 214 may be issued prior to commanding the display of the NOTAM at step 206 in order to display the updated order.

[0064] Can still be further modified Figure 2 For example, the method can be executed for the operation of the aircraft Figure 2 In this case, Figure 2 The method may be performed entirely on board the aircraft using aircraft components such as processors, software components, etc., or may be performed entirely on a ground control system, or a combination of the two.

[0065] When executed for aircraft operation Figure 2 When performing the method, the method may further include the step of receiving additional data related to the operation of the aircraft. For example, step 210 may take the form of a pilot inputting a change in the priority assigned to a NOTAM. The additional data may be a recently transmitted NOTAM from an aviation regulatory agency. The additional data may include weather information, ground control reports, and the like. Thus, the additional data may be selected from at least one of the group consisting of: aircraft characteristics, weather reports, Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) data, aircraft phase of flight, airport information, additional NOTAMs, and others.

[0066] Therefore, modifying the data in step 212 may take the form of associating some of the additional data with some of the nodes. Then, the data structure is modified to form a modified data structure by modifying the plurality of links based on the additional data, as described above. The optimization order may be updated based on the modified data structure before the NOTAM display command is issued.

[0067] Receiving the additional data may take the form of receiving a report that at least some of the additional data is no longer relevant. In this case, the data structure may be modified to form a second modified data structure by further modifying the link based on the report. In this case, the optimization order may be updated based on the second modified data structure before commanding display of the NOTAM.

[0068] Figure 3Other variations of the method are possible. For example, the data structure can be updated simultaneously as the computer processor receives additional NOTAMs and additional information, thereby forming a concurrently modified data structure. In other words, the data structure can be updated in "real time," which is defined as updating the data structure upon receiving new information or user input. Thus, the method further contemplates updating the optimization order based on the concurrently modified data structure before commanding display of the plurality of NOTAMs.

[0069] Thus, for example, if the additional data is selected from at least one of the group consisting of: characteristics of the aircraft, weather reports, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data, and flight phase of the aircraft, airport information, then simultaneously updating the data structure may further include the step of performing at least one action based on at least one of the additional NOTAM and the additional information, and the action may be selected from the group consisting of: adding a node to the data structure, deleting a node from the data structure, modifying a node in the data structure, adding a link in the data structure, deleting a link from the data structure, and changing the weight of a link in the data structure. Other variations are also possible.

[0070] Now, turn your attention to Figure 3 . Figure 3 A method of constructing a data structure to present sorted NOTAMs according to one or more embodiments is shown. Figure 1 The system shown is implemented Figure 3 The method shown. Figure 3 The method shown is characterized by constructing Figure 1 The method of the network data structure of the network (108) can be performed in Figure 2 The method of using the data structure shown is implemented before or simultaneously with the execution of the method Figure 3 method. Figure 3 The illustrated method is performed by a computer processor, but the term "computer processor" contemplates not only a single processor, but also multiple computer processors in a possibly distributed computing environment.

[0071] At step 300, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) is received. As described above, the NOTAM can be received from various sources via wired or wireless communication means. At step 302, corresponding ones of the NOTAMs are assigned to corresponding classes. The assignment of NOTAMs can be performed by defining a class as a NOTAM, defining and assigning a pointer from the class to the NOTAM, storing the NOTAM within the class, and possibly according to other programming techniques.

[0072] At step 304, the classes are configured as a data structure in the form of a network. The step of configuring the classes may include configuring the classes as nodes; and forming links by connecting some of the nodes to at least one other node in the network via at least one link. Additionally, corresponding weights may be assigned to the links. A node may have more than one link pointing to or from any given node.

[0073] In step 306, the corresponding mathematical relevance between the paired linked nodes is determined. A variety of different methods can be used to determine the relevance. For example, user input specifying the relevance can be received from a data input device. In a more specific example, human industry experts can assign numbers to NOTAMs to indicate the relative importance of these NOTAMs to a particular aircraft operator or perhaps to a particular flight of that aircraft operator. In another example, a machine learning model can be used to predict the relevance of one NOTAM relative to another NOTAM. In yet another example, computer rules can be applied to NOTAMs to automatically assign numbers that indicate the node's relevance with respect to other nodes. In a more specific example, as a result of client input, a weather-based NOTAM can be assigned a higher relevance number than other types of NOTAMs. Still other techniques can be used to determine the relevance of NOTAMs relative to each other and, therefore, the relevance of nodes in the data structure.

[0074] In step 308, corresponding mathematical relevance is assigned to corresponding links between some of the paired linked nodes. In other words, each link is assigned a relevance with respect to other nodes in the data structure. The assignment of relevance to links can be performed according to a variety of different methods. For example, Q codes can be used as the basis for classes, and corresponding NOTAMs in these NOTAMs can be assigned to corresponding classes. In another example, the links can take the form of sub-data structures that store numbers. Relevance can be assigned to links via metadata or via pointers to relevance stored elsewhere. Other computer programming techniques for assigning mathematical relevance to corresponding links can be used.

[0075] In step 310, links are arranged to point from corresponding less relevant nodes to corresponding more relevant nodes with respect to pairs of linked nodes. The arrangement of links can be performed by assigning directionality to links based on the differences between the mathematical correlations between the nodes. Other computer programming techniques can also be used to assign directionality to links in a network data structure.

[0076] At step 312, the nodes are sorted in an optimized order based on their mathematical relevance. The nodes can be sorted by sorting them in descending mathematical order. The network data structure can be retained and the nodes can be reproduced in a second data structure that simply lists the nodes from most relevance to least relevance.

[0077] The ranking can also be accomplished by other methods. For example, a page ranking algorithm can assign importance values to each of these class nodes. The algorithm can assign high values to nodes with many incoming links. The classes and their corresponding NOTAMs can then be presented in an optimized order based on their ranking values. Thereafter, the process can be terminated. Figure 3 method.

[0078] Optionally, at step 314, a decision may be made as to whether to create additional networks (i.e., additional network data structures). If additional networks can be created (a "yes" determination at step 314), the process may return to step 300 and repeat. In this manner, different clusters may be arranged into different data structures that form different networks, including the network initially formed at steps 300 to 312. Some of these different networks may contain different node domains. The different node domains may be selected from at least one of the group consisting of: user group, flight phase, aircraft operator, and aircraft type. Other domains may exist, such as, but not limited to, a ground controller domain that displays a NOTAM that is more relevant to the ground controller, and possibly multiple other domains. If no additional networks are to be created (a "no" determination at step 314), the process may terminate.

[0079] Although sequentially presented and described Figure 2 and Figure 3 , but those of ordinary skill will appreciate that some or all of these steps may be performed in different orders, may be combined or omitted, and may be performed in parallel. Moreover, these steps may be performed actively or passively. For example, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, polling may be used to perform some steps or interrupt-driven steps may be used. For instance, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a determination step may not require a processor to process instructions unless an interrupt is received to indicate that a condition exists. As another example, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a determination step may be performed by performing a test, such as checking a data value to test whether the value is consistent with the tested condition.

[0080] Figures 4 to 7The following examples shown in are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. Figures 4 to 7 should be considered together. Figures 1 to 3 The systems and methods shown in Figures 4 to 7 The example shown in .

[0081] Figure 4 An example of a NOTAM class list according to one or more embodiments is shown. Each NOTAM class is assigned a class identifier (400) (or "ID") and a description (402). Thus, for example, NOTAM class (404) is associated with identifier "p777" and has a description in the form of a textual statement: "Air traffic procedures, e.g., arrival procedures." The class identifier (400) may be assigned by an aviation regulatory body.

[0082] Later, after having referred to Figures 1 to 3 After the NOTAMs have been organized or sorted using the process described above, the relevance ranking can also be displayed. Thus, the user can see at a glance which NOTAMs have a higher relevance than other NOTAMs. The user can then move a NOTAM that is higher in the priority ranking, which can result in a complete reorganization of all NOTAMs in terms of their relevance relative to one another as the underlying network data structure changes in response to receiving user input.

[0083] Figure 5 An example of a network data structure is shown in accordance with one or more embodiments. Figure 5 The network (500) shown is a reference Figure 1 Descriptive, reference Figure 2 Used and referenced Figure 3 An example of a constructed network (108). Figure 5 The network (500) shown is a network using Figure 4 The NOTAM shown is constructed.

[0084] As can be seen, the network (500) is composed of nodes such as the node (502) corresponding to a particular NOTAM. Each node is identified by an identifier. Thus, for example, the node p777 (502) corresponds to Figure 4 NOTAM(404) in.

[0085] Each of these nodes in the network (500) is associated with at least one link, and in this particular example, each of these nodes is associated with multiple links, possibly multiple links between two nodes. For example, link (504) connects node p777 (502) to node mr77 (506). As can be seen in Figure 5As can be seen in FIG, link (504) points from node p777 (502) to node mr77 (506), indicating that node mr77 (506) is more relevant than node p777 (502). It should be noted that the arrow representing link (504) can change directionality in response to updated input, in which case node p777 (502) will become more relevant than node mr77 (506).

[0086] When multiple links connect two nodes, an indication is given that the relevance of the two nodes relative to each other is evaluated in multiple information domains. For example, node p777 (502) may be relevant to node mr77 (506) because both nodes are relevant to weather conditions. Alternatively, node p777 (502) may be relevant to node mr77 (506) because both nodes are also particularly applicable to a class of aircraft. In this case, the NOTAM associated with node p777 (502) states the process during a particular weather condition, while the NOTAM associated with node mr77 (506) states the runway characteristics under that weather condition. Different links connecting two nodes may have different directionality. In other words, in one information domain, node p777 (502) may be more relevant than node mr77 (506), but in a different information domain, it may not be as relevant as node mr77 (506).

[0087] If two nodes are connected by multiple links, which may have different directionalities, then a combined correlation between the two nodes can be determined. For example, since node p777 (502) and node mr77 (506) are linked to each other in multiple domains, the overall correlation between the two nodes can be increased. Then, when ranking the nodes, the increased correlation can be used to determine the relative importance of node p777 (502) with respect to node mr77 (506) and with respect to other nodes in the network (500).

[0088] Figure 6 According to one or more embodiments, Figure 5 An example of reorganizing links in a network data structure. Figure 6 The updated network (600) shown can be represented by Figure 5 The network (500) shown is formed.

[0089] In this example, dashed arrows such as dashed arrow (602) indicate additional links formed between nodes. In particular, dashed arrow (602) indicates that node mr77 (506) (also present in Figure 5Other links, possibly in different directions, may also be added to indicate the changed relationships between the nodes in the updated network (600).

[0090] Figure 7 According to one or more embodiments, Figure 5 An example of changing link weights in a network data structure. Figure 7 The second updated network (700) shown may be composed of Figure 5 The network (500) shown and / or Figure 6 The updated network (600) shown is formed. It should be noted that the term "second" in "second updated network (700)" does not necessarily indicate that the second updated network (700) is created after the updated network (600), but only indicates that the second updated network (700) can be different from the updated network (600).

[0091] exist Figure 7 In the example, the link between node f777 (702) and node obce (704) may be Figure 5 However, new information becomes available indicating that the relative correlation between node f777 (702) and node obce (704) has changed. For example, Figure 5 In the network (500) shown, node f777 (702) is now less relevant than node obce (704). As a result, the weight assigned to link (706) is reduced. The reduced weight can cause the direction of link (706) to change from pointing to node obce (704) to pointing to node f777 (702). The opposite situation could occur if the weight increased instead of decreased.

[0092] However, the direction of the link (706) may not change. For example, the correlation of one node with another node may increase in value, indicating a stronger correlation. The increased probability of one of the nodes f777 (702) and obce (704) being ranked higher than the other takes the stronger correlation into account.

[0093] In use, when the system is in place and NOTAMs are displayed to users in an optimized order, user interaction data can be collected for automatic adaptation of the network and the resulting ranking. For example, each time a user interacts with a NOTAM by moving it into a pre-prioritized list or marking it as important or unimportant, information can be fed back into the network by adding additional links or by adjusting the weights of existing links based on the action performed. By doing so, the network learns about the user's preferences and adapts itself more and more to its users, so that over time, the prioritization becomes more relevant to a single user or group of users (if feedback is aggregated across multiple users).

[0094] The network can also be adjusted by using additional data, such as aircraft characteristics, weather, ADS-B data, or any other information that may affect the relevance of certain NOTAM classes in certain situations. Static information like aircraft characteristics can be used to add fixed links or link weights to the network, while dynamic information like weather or ADS-B can be used to add temporary links to the network or to increase or decrease link weights for the amount of time that the information is relevant.

[0095] Figure 7 An example can be shown in which the link weight is temporarily increased, rather than decreased as described above. Thus, the node obce (704) contains a NOTAM related to an obstacle, which is ranked lower (indicated by the darker color) because obstacle NOTAMs are generally irrelevant. If the ADS-B data indicates an unusual flight pattern for a particular area, relevant obstacles in that area are indicated. As soon as this pattern is detected, the incoming link to the obstacle class receives a higher weight, which results in a higher ranking value for the class forming the node. For the user, the NOTAM for the obstacle appears in the list more quickly, allowing the user to spend less time searching for the NOTAM related to the obstacle.

[0096] Figures 4 to 7 The examples are merely exemplary. Many other examples are also possible. Figures 4 to 7 The examples should not be construed as exclusive or necessarily limiting the claimed invention.

[0097] Figure 8A and Figure 8BAn example of a computer in a distributed network environment according to one or more embodiments is shown. Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented on a computing system specifically designed to achieve the improved technical results. When implemented in a computing system, the features and elements of the present disclosure provide a significant technical improvement over a computing system that does not implement the features and elements of the present disclosure. Any combination of mobile devices, desktops, servers, routers, switches, embedded devices, or other types of hardware may be improved by including the features and elements described in the present disclosure. For example, Figure 8A As shown, the computing system (800) may include: one or more computer processors (802), non-persistent storage devices (804) (e.g., volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), cache memory), persistent storage devices (806) (e.g., a hard disk, an optical drive such as a compact disc (CD) drive or a digital versatile disc (DVD) drive, flash memory, etc.), a communication interface (808) (e.g., a Bluetooth interface, an infrared interface, a network interface, an optical interface, etc.), and multiple other components and functions that implement the features and elements of the present disclosure.

[0098] The computer processor (802) may be an integrated circuit for processing instructions. For example, the computer processor may be one or more cores or microcores of a processor. The computing system (800) may also include one or more input devices (810), such as a touch screen, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a touchpad, an electronic pen, or any other type of input device.

[0099] The communication interface (808) may include an integrated circuit that connects the computing system (800) to a network (not shown) (e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, a mobile network, or any other type of network) and / or another device (such as another computing device).

[0100] In addition, the computing system (800) may include one or more output devices (812), such as a screen (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, a touch screen, a cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor, a projector, or other display device), a printer, an external storage device, or any other output device. One or more of these output devices may be the same as or different from the input device. The input and output devices may be connected locally or remotely to the computer processor (802), the non-persistent storage device (804), and the persistent storage device (806). Many different types of computing systems exist, and the aforementioned input and output devices may take other forms.

[0101] The software instructions in the form of computer-readable program code for executing embodiments of the present invention may be stored, in whole or in part, temporarily or permanently, on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a CD, DVD, storage device, floppy disk, tape, flash memory, physical memory, or any other computer-readable storage medium. Specifically, the software instructions may correspond to a computer-readable program code that, when executed by a processor, is configured to execute one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0102] You can Figure 8A The computing system (800) is connected to a network or is part of a network. For example, Figure 8B As shown, the network (820) may include multiple nodes (e.g., node X (822), node Y (824)). Each node may correspond to a computing system (such as Figure 8A The computing system shown), or a group of nodes after combination may correspond to Figure 8A . For example, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented on a node in a distributed system that is connected to other nodes. For another example, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented on a distributed computing system having multiple nodes, wherein various parts of the present invention may be located on different nodes within the distributed computing system. In addition, one or more components of the aforementioned computing system (800) may be located at a remote location and connected to the other components via a network.

[0103] although Figure 8B Although not shown, a node may correspond to a blade computer in a server chassis that is connected to other nodes via a backplane. For another example, a node may correspond to a server in a data center. For another example, a node may correspond to a computer processor or micro-core of a computer processor with shared memory and / or resources.

[0104] Nodes in the network (820) (e.g., Node X (822), Node Y (824)) can be configured to provide services to client devices (826). For example, the nodes can be part of a cloud computing system. The nodes can include functionality to receive requests from client devices (826) and send responses to client devices (826). Client devices (826) can be computing systems such as Figure 8A Furthermore, the client device (826) may include and / or execute all or part of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0105] Figure 8A and Figure 8BThe computing system or group of computing systems described herein may include functionality to perform various operations disclosed herein. For example, the computing system may enable communication between processes on the same or different systems. Various mechanisms employing some form of active or passive communication may facilitate data exchange between processes on the same device. Examples of such inter-process communications include, but are not limited to, file implementations, signals, sockets, message queues, pipelining, semaphores, shared memory, message passing, and memory-mapped files. Further details regarding several of these non-limiting examples are provided below.

[0106] Based on the client-server networking model, sockets can be used as interfaces or communication channel endpoints, thereby enabling bidirectional data transfer between processes on the same device. First, following the client-server networking model, a server process (e.g., a process providing data) can create a first socket object. Next, the server process binds the first socket object, thereby associating the first socket object with a unique name and / or address. After creating and binding the first socket object, the server process then waits and listens for incoming connection requests from one or more client processes (e.g., processes seeking data). At this point, when the client process wishes to obtain data from the server process, the client process begins by creating a second socket object. The client process then proceeds to generate a connection request, which includes at least the second socket object and the unique name and / or address associated with the first socket object. The client process then sends the connection request to the server process. Depending on availability, the server process can accept the connection request and establish a communication channel with the client process, or a server process busy processing other operations can queue the connection request in a buffer until the server process is ready. The established connection notifies the client process that communication can begin. In response, the client process may generate a data request specifying the data the client process wishes to obtain. The data request is then sent to the server process. Upon receiving the data request, the server process analyzes the request and collects the requested data. Finally, the server process then generates a reply including at least the requested data and sends the reply to the client process. The data may be delivered, more typically, as a datagram or a stream of characters (e.g., bytes).

[0107] Shared memory refers to the allocation of virtual memory space so that data can be transferred and / or accessed by multiple processes to substantiate the mechanism. In implementing shared memory, the initialization process first creates a shareable segment in persistent storage or non-persistent storage. After creation, the initialization process then mounts the shareable segment and then maps the shareable segment to the address space associated with the initialization process. After mounting, the initialization process continues to identify and grant access rights to one or more authorized processes, which can also write data to and read data from the shareable segment. Changes made by one process to the data in the shareable segment can immediately affect other processes that are also linked to the shareable segment. In addition, when one of the authorized processes accesses the shareable segment, the shareable segment is mapped to the address space of the authorized process. Typically, at any given time, only one authorized process can mount the shareable segment, except for the initialization process.

[0108] Without departing from the scope of the present invention, other techniques may be used to share data between processes, such as the various data described in this application. These processes may be part of the same or different applications and may be executed on the same or different computing systems.

[0109] Instead of sharing data between processes or in addition to sharing data between processes, a computing system executing one or more embodiments of the present invention may also include functionality for receiving data from a user. For example, in one or more embodiments, a user may submit data via a graphical user interface (GUI) on a user device. Data may be submitted via a graphical user interface by the user selecting one or more graphical user interface widgets or inserting text and other data into a graphical user interface widget using a touchpad, keyboard, mouse, or any other input device. In response to selecting a particular item, information about the particular item may be obtained by the computer processor from a persistent storage device or a non-persistent storage device. When the user selects the item, the content of the data obtained about the particular item may be displayed on the user device in response to the user's selection.

[0110] For another example, a request to obtain data about a specific item can be sent to a server operably connected to a user device via a network. For example, a user can select a uniform resource locator (URL) link within a web client of a user device, thereby initiating a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) or other protocol request sent to a network host associated with the URL. In response to the request, the server can extract data about the specific selected item and send the data to the device that initiated the request. Once the user device has received the data about the specific item, the content of the data received about the specific item can be displayed on the user device in response to the user's selection. In addition to the above examples, after selecting the URL link, the data received from the server can provide a web page in hypertext markup language (HTML), which can be rendered by the web client and displayed on the user device.

[0111] Once the data is obtained (e.g., by using the above-described techniques or obtaining the data from a storage device), the computing system may extract one or more data items from the obtained data in performing one or more embodiments of the present invention. Figure 8A The computing system performs as follows. First, an organizational pattern (e.g., grammar, schema, layout) is determined, which can be based on one or more of the following: position (e.g., bit or column position, the Nth token in the data stream, etc.), attribute (where the attribute is associated with one or more values), or hierarchical / tree structure (composed of layers of nodes at different levels of detail, such as nested data headers or nested document sections). Then, in the context of the organizational pattern, the original unprocessed data symbol stream is parsed into a token stream (or hierarchical structure) (where each token may have an associated token "type").

[0112] Next, an extraction criterion is used to extract one or more data items from the token stream or token structure, wherein the extraction criterion is processed according to an organizational schema to extract one or more tokens (or nodes from a hierarchical structure). For position-based data, tokens at positions identified by the extraction criterion are extracted. For attribute / value-based data, tokens and / or nodes associated with attributes that meet the extraction criterion are extracted. For hierarchical / layered data, tokens associated with nodes that match the extraction criterion are extracted. The extraction criterion can be as simple as an identifier string, or it can be a query presented to a structured data repository (wherein the data repository can be organized according to a database schema or data format such as XML).

[0113] The extracted data can be used for further processing by a computing system. For example, Figure 8AThe computing system may perform data comparison when executing one or more embodiments of the present invention. Data comparison can be used to compare two or more data values (e.g., A, B). For example, one or more embodiments may determine whether A > B, A = B, A!= B, A < B, etc. The comparison can be performed by submitting A, B, and an opcode specifying the operation related to the comparison to an arithmetic logic unit (ALU: arithmetic logic unit) (i.e., a circuit that performs arithmetic and / or bitwise logical operations on two data values). The ALU outputs the numerical result of the operation and / or one or more status flags related to the numerical result. For example, the status flag can indicate whether the numerical result is positive, negative, zero, etc. By selecting the appropriate opcode and then reading the numerical result and / or status flag, the comparison can be performed. For example, to determine whether A > B, B can be subtracted from A (i.e., A - B), and the status flag can be read to determine whether the result is positive (i.e., if A > B, then A - B > 0). In one or more embodiments, B can be regarded as a threshold, and if A = B or if A > B, then A is considered to meet the threshold, as determined using the ALU. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, A and B can be vectors, and comparing A with B requires comparing the first element of vector A with the first element of vector B, comparing the second element of vector A with the second element of vector B, and so on. In one or more embodiments, if A and B are strings, the binary values of the strings can be compared.

[0114] Figure 8A The computing system can implement and / or be connected to a data repository. For example, one type of data repository is a database. A database is a collection of information configured to facilitate data retrieval, modification, reorganization, and deletion. A database management system (DBMS) is a software application that provides an interface for users to define, create, query, update, or manage a database.

[0115] A user or software application can submit a statement or query to the DBMS. The DBMS then interprets the statement. The statement can be a select statement, an update statement, a create statement, a delete statement, etc. that requests information. In addition, the statement may include the following parameters: the parameter specifies data, a data container (database, table, record, column, view, etc.), an identifier, a condition (comparison operator), a function (e.g., join, complete merge, count, average, etc.), a classification (e.g., ascending, descending), or other. The DBMS can execute the statement. For example, the DBMS can access memory buffers, reference or indexed files to read, write, delete, or any combination of these in response to the statement. The DBMS can load data from persistent or non-persistent storage devices and perform calculations in response to the query. The DBMS can return the results to the user or software application.

[0116] Figure 8A The computing system may include functionality for presenting raw and / or processed data, such as presenting the results of comparisons and other processing. For example, presenting data may be accomplished through various presentation methods. Specifically, data may be presented through a user interface provided by the computing device. The user interface may include a GUI that displays information on a display device such as a computer monitor or a touch screen of a handheld computing device. The GUI may include various GUI widgets that organize what data is shown and how the data is presented to the user. Furthermore, the GUI may present the data directly to the user (e.g., data presented as actual data values via text), or the computing device may translate the data into a visual representation of the data, such as via a visual data model.

[0117] For example, a GUI may first receive a notification from a software application requesting that a particular data object be presented within the GUI. Next, the GUI may determine the data object type associated with the particular data object, for example by obtaining data from a data attribute within the data object that identifies the data object type. The GUI may then determine any rules specified for displaying the data object type, such as rules specified by the software framework for the data object class or based on any local parameters defined by the GUI for presenting the data object type. Finally, the GUI may retrieve the data value from the particular data object and present a visual representation of the data value within a display device according to the specified rules for the data object type.

[0118] The data can also be presented by various audio methods. In particular, the data can be translated into an audio format and can be presented as sound through one or more speakers operatively connected to the computing device.

[0119] Data can also be presented to the user via tactile methods. For example, tactile methods can include vibrations or other physical signals generated by the computing system. For example, vibrations with a predefined duration and intensity generated by a handheld computing device can be used to present data to the user to convey the data.

[0120] The above functional description only presents the Figure 8A computing systems and Figure 8B These are just a few examples of functions performed by nodes and / or client devices. Other functions may be performed using one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0121] While the present invention has been described with reference to a limited number of embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that other embodiments may be conceived without departing from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be limited solely by the appended claims.

[0122] Furthermore, the present disclosure includes implementations according to the following clauses:

[0123] Clause 1. A method comprising the steps of:

[0124] receiving, by a computer processor, a data structure comprising a network having a plurality of nodes (200) linked by a plurality of links,

[0125] wherein the plurality of nodes include a corresponding class representing a corresponding unique NOTAM among a plurality of Notices to Aeronautics (NOTAMs) (102, 104, 106, 110, 112, 114), and

[0126] wherein the plurality of nodes are pre-sorted in an optimized order according to the predetermined mathematical relevance (110, 112, 114);

[0127] receiving, by the computer processor, a request to display the plurality of NOTAMs on a display device (202);

[0128] retrieving, by the computer processor, the plurality of NOTAMs associated with the plurality of nodes in the optimized order (204); and

[0129] Display of the plurality of NOTAMs on the display device is commanded in the optimized order by the computer processor (206).

[0130] Clause 2. The method of clause 1, wherein:

[0131] The plurality of nodes are linked to at least one other node of the plurality of nodes (110, 112, 114),

[0132] The plurality of links represent corresponding predetermined mathematical relatedness between pairs of linked nodes in the plurality of nodes (116, 118, 120), and

[0133] With respect to the pairs of linked nodes (116, 118, 120), the plurality of links are directed from corresponding less relevant nodes to corresponding more relevant nodes.

[0134] Clause 3. The method according to clause 2, further comprising the following steps:

[0135] receiving user input indicating that the selected NOTAM has a higher importance relative to a preselected ranking of the selected NOTAM (210);

[0136] modifying the data structure by modifying the plurality of links according to the updated relevance to form a modified data structure (212); and

[0137] Prior to commanding display of the plurality of NOTAMs, the optimization order is updated according to the modified data structure (214).

[0138] Clause 4. The method of clause 3, wherein modifying the data structure comprises:

[0139] An additional link is added from the selected node corresponding to the selected NOTAM to another node in the data structure to which the selected node was not previously linked (506, 604).

[0140] Clause 5. The method of any one of clauses 3 to 4, wherein the step of modifying the data structure comprises:

[0141] The weight of an existing link from the selected node corresponding to the selected NOTAM to another node in the data structure to which the selected node was previously linked (602) is adjusted.

[0142] Clause 6. The method of any one of clauses 3 to 5, wherein modifying the data structure comprises:

[0143] adding an additional link from a selected node corresponding to the selected NOTAM to another node in the data structure to which the selected node was not previously linked (506, 604); and

[0144] The weight of an existing link from the selected node corresponding to the selected NOTAM to another node in the data structure to which the selected node was previously linked (602) is adjusted.

[0145] Clause 7. The method according to any one of clauses 2 to 6, further comprising the following steps:

[0146] receiving additional data related to the operation of the aircraft;

[0147] associating some of the additional data with some of the plurality of nodes;

[0148] modifying the data structure to form a modified data structure by modifying the plurality of links (600, 602, 604) based on the additional data; and

[0149] Prior to commanding display of the plurality of NOTAMs, the optimization order is updated according to the modified data structure (400, 402).

[0150] Clause 8. The method of clause 7, wherein the additional data is selected from at least one of the group consisting of: characteristics of the aircraft, weather reports, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data, and flight phase of the aircraft, airport information.

[0151] Clause 9. The method according to any one of clauses 7 to 8, further comprising the following steps:

[0152] receiving a report that at least some of the additional data is no longer relevant;

[0153] modifying the data structure to form a second modified data structure by further modifying the plurality of links (600, 602, 604) based on the report; and

[0154] Prior to commanding display of the plurality of NOTAMs, the optimization order is updated according to the second modified data structure (400, 402).

[0155] Clause 10. The method of clause 9, wherein the modifying step comprises:

[0156] At least one link of the plurality of links (600) is deleted.

[0157] Clause 11. The method of any one of clauses 9 to 10, wherein the modifying step comprises:

[0158] deleting at least one node from the plurality of nodes (600); and

[0159] Any link connected to the at least one node is deleted (602).

[0160] Clause 12. The method of any one of clauses 9 to 11, wherein the modifying step comprises:

[0161] A weight of at least one link (602) of the plurality of links is adjusted.

[0162] Clause 13. The method of any one of clauses 9 to 12, wherein the modifying step comprises:

[0163] Deleting at least one link from the plurality of links (600);

[0164] deleting at least one node from the plurality of nodes (600);

[0165] deleting any link connected to the at least one node (602); and

[0166] A weight of another link (602) of the plurality of links is adjusted.

[0167] Clause 14. The method according to any one of clauses 2 to 13, further comprising the following steps:

[0168] concurrently updating the data structure as the computer processor receives additional NOTAMs and additional information, thereby forming a concurrently modified data structure (600); and

[0169] Prior to commanding display of the plurality of NOTAMs, the optimization order is updated according to the concurrently modified data structures (400, 402).

[0170] Clause 15. The method of clause 14, wherein:

[0171] The additional data is selected from at least one of the group consisting of: characteristics of the aircraft, weather reports, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data, and flight phase of the aircraft, airport information,

[0172] The step of simultaneously updating the data structure further comprises: performing at least one action based on at least one of the additional NOTAM and the additional information (600), and

[0173] The action is selected from the group consisting of: adding a node to a data structure, deleting a node from a data structure, modifying a node in a data structure, adding a link in a data structure, deleting a link from a data structure, and changing the weight of a link (600, 602, 604) in a data structure.

[0174] Clause 16. A method comprising the steps of:

[0175] receiving, at a computer processor, a plurality of notices to aeronautics (NOTAMs) (300);

[0176] assigning corresponding NOTAMs of the plurality of NOTAMs to corresponding classes to form a plurality of classes (302);

[0177] The plurality of classes are arranged into a data structure comprising a network (304); wherein the step of arranging the plurality of classes

[0178] include:

[0179] arranging the plurality of classes as a plurality of nodes (110, 112, 114);

[0180] forming a plurality of links by connecting some of the plurality of nodes to at least one other node in the network via at least one link (116, 118, 120);

[0181] determining corresponding mathematical relatedness between pairs of linked nodes among the plurality of nodes (306); assigning the corresponding mathematical relatedness to corresponding links between ones of the pairs of linked nodes (308);

[0182] arranging the plurality of links to point from corresponding less relevant nodes to corresponding more relevant nodes with respect to the pairs of linked nodes (310); and

[0183] The plurality of nodes are sorted in an optimized order according to the mathematical relevance (312).

[0184] Clause 17. The method of clause 16, wherein assigning corresponding ones of the NOTAMs to corresponding classes comprises using Q codes as a basis for the plurality of classes.

[0185] Clause 18. The method of any one of clauses 16 to 17, wherein determining the corresponding mathematical relatedness comprises receiving user input from a data input device.

[0186] Clause 19. The method according to any one of clauses 16 to 18, further comprising the following steps:

[0187] The plurality of classes are arranged into a plurality of different data structures comprising a plurality of different networks including the network, wherein some of the plurality of different networks contain different node domains (500, 600).

[0188] Clause 20. The method of any of clauses 16 to 19, wherein the different node domains are selected from at least one of the group consisting of: user group, flight phase, aircraft operator, and aircraft type.

[0189] Clause 21. A system for organizing notices to aeronautics (NOTAMs) (102, 104, 106), the system comprising:

[0190] Computer processor (124);

[0191] A data repository (100) in communication with the computer processor (124), wherein the data repository (100) stores:

[0192] Multiple NOTAMs (102, 104, 106),

[0193] a network (108) comprising a plurality of nodes (110, 112, 114), the plurality of nodes (110, 112, 114) comprising a plurality of classes, the plurality of NOTAMs (102, 104, 106) being assigned to the plurality of classes,

[0194] a plurality of links (116, 118, 120) linking the plurality of nodes (110, 112, 114), wherein some of the plurality of links (116, 118, 120) connect at least two of the plurality of nodes (110, 112, 114),

[0195] a plurality of mathematical affinities assigned to some of the plurality of links (116, 118, 120), and

[0196] a sorting unit (122) for establishing the plurality of nodes (110, 112, 114) in an optimized order according to the mathematical relevance;

[0197] a data structure construction engine (126) executable by the computer processor (124) and configured to:

[0198] assigning the plurality of NOTAMs (102, 104, 106) to the plurality of classes;

[0199] placing the plurality of nodes (110, 112, 114) into the network (108);

[0200] determining the mathematical correlation;

[0201] Assigning the plurality of links (116, 118, 120) to corresponding ones of the plurality of nodes (110, 112, 114) such that, with respect to any two selected link nodes of the plurality of nodes (110, 112, 114), corresponding ones of the plurality of links (116, 118, 120) point from corresponding less relevant nodes to corresponding more relevant nodes; and

[0202] sorting the plurality of nodes (110, 112, 114) into the sorting unit (122);

[0203] A NOTAM presentation engine (128) executable by the computer processor (124) and configured to:

[0204] receiving a request to display the plurality of NOTAMs (102, 104, 106) on a display device (130);

[0205] retrieving the plurality of NOTAMs (102, 104, 106) associated with the plurality of nodes (110, 112, 114) in the optimized order; and

[0206] commanding display of the plurality of NOTAMs (102, 104, 106) on the display device (130) in the optimized order; and

[0207] The display device (130) displays the plurality of NOTAMs (102, 104, 106) according to the sorting unit (122).

[0208] Clause 22. The system of clause 21, further comprising:

[0209] a communication device (134) configured to receive additional data related to the operation of the aircraft; and

[0210] The data structure construction engine (126) is further executable by the computer processor (124) to:

[0211] associating some of the additional data with some of the plurality of nodes (110, 112, 114);

[0212] modifying the data structure to form a modified data structure by modifying the plurality of links (116, 118, 120) based on the additional data; and

[0213] Prior to commanding display of the plurality of NOTAMs (102, 104, 106) on a display device (130), the optimized order is updated according to the modified data structure.

Claims

1. A method for presenting an aeronautical notice NOTAM using a data structure, the method comprising the following steps: receiving, by a computer processor, a data structure comprising a network having a plurality of nodes linked by a plurality of links, wherein the plurality of nodes include a corresponding class, the corresponding class representing a corresponding unique NOTAM among the plurality of NOTAMs, wherein the plurality of nodes are pre-sorted in an optimized order according to a predetermined mathematical correlation, wherein the plurality of nodes are linked to at least one other node among the plurality of nodes, The plurality of links represent corresponding predetermined mathematical relatedness between pairs of linked nodes in the plurality of nodes, and With respect to the pairs of linked nodes, the plurality of links point from corresponding less relevant nodes to corresponding more relevant nodes; receiving, by the computer processor, a request to display the plurality of NOTAMs on a display device; retrieving, by the computer processor, the plurality of NOTAMs associated with the plurality of nodes in the optimized order; and Display of the plurality of NOTAMs on the display device is commanded by the computer processor in the optimized order.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: receiving user input indicating that a selected NOTAM has a higher importance relative to a preselected ranking for the selected NOTAM; modifying the data structure by modifying the plurality of links according to the updated relevance to form a modified data structure; as well as Prior to commanding display of the plurality of NOTAMs, the optimization order is updated according to the modified data structure.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The steps of modifying the data structure include: An additional link is added from a selected node corresponding to the selected NOTAM to another node in the data structure to which the selected node was not previously linked.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The steps of modifying the data structure include: A weight of an existing link from a selected node corresponding to the selected NOTAM to another node in the data structure to which the selected node was previously linked is adjusted.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein: The steps of modifying the data structure include: adding an additional link from a selected node corresponding to the selected NOTAM to another node in the data structure to which the selected node was not previously linked; and A weight of an existing link from the selected node corresponding to the selected NOTAM to another node in the data structure to which the selected node was previously linked is adjusted.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the steps of: receiving additional data related to the operation of the aircraft; associating some of the additional data with some of the plurality of nodes; modifying the data structure by modifying the plurality of links based on the additional data to form a modified data structure; as well as Prior to commanding display of the plurality of NOTAMs, the optimization order is updated according to the modified data structure.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The additional data is selected from at least one of the group consisting of: characteristics of the aircraft; weather reports; Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast data, ie ADS-B data; flight phase of the aircraft; and airport information.

8. A method for constructing a data structure to present sorted aeronautical notices NOTAMs, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a plurality of NOTAMs at a computer processor; assigning corresponding NOTAMs of the plurality of NOTAMs to corresponding classes to form a plurality of classes; The plurality of classes are arranged into a data structure comprising a network; wherein the step of arranging the plurality of classes comprises: Setting the plurality of classes as a plurality of nodes; forming a plurality of links by connecting some of the plurality of nodes to at least one other node in the network via at least one link; determining corresponding mathematical relatedness between pairs of linked nodes among the plurality of nodes; assigning the corresponding mathematical relatedness to corresponding links between ones of the pairs of linked nodes; arranging the plurality of links to point from corresponding less relevant nodes to corresponding more relevant nodes with respect to the pairs of linked nodes; and The plurality of nodes are sorted in an optimized order according to the mathematical relevance.

9. A system for organizing aviation notices NOTAMs, the system comprising: Computer processors; a data repository in communication with the computer processor, wherein the data repository stores: Multiple NOTAMs, a network comprising a plurality of nodes, the plurality of nodes comprising a plurality of classes, the plurality of NOTAMs being assigned to the plurality of classes, a plurality of links linking the plurality of nodes, wherein some of the plurality of links connect at least two of the plurality of nodes, a plurality of mathematical correlations assigned to some of the plurality of links, and a sorting unit, the sorting unit establishing the plurality of nodes in an optimized order according to the mathematical relevance; and a data structure construction engine, the data structure construction engine being executable by the computer processor and configured to: assigning the plurality of NOTAMs to the plurality of classes; arranging the plurality of nodes into the network; determining the mathematical correlation; assigning the plurality of links to corresponding ones of the plurality of nodes such that, with respect to any two selected link nodes of the plurality of nodes, corresponding ones of the plurality of links point from corresponding less relevant nodes to corresponding more relevant nodes; and sorting the plurality of nodes into the sorting portion; A NOTAM presentation engine executable by the computer processor and configured to: receiving a request to display the plurality of NOTAMs on a display device; retrieving the plurality of NOTAMs associated with the plurality of nodes in the optimized order; and commanding display of the plurality of NOTAMs on the display device in the optimized order; and The display device displays the plurality of NOTAMs according to the sorting unit.

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