Portable Aircraft Controller Mode Switching for Lower Pilot Workload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft systems lack seamless integration of human control with autonomous features, requiring pilots to manage multiple devices and platforms across different flight phases and ground operations, leading to increased workload and reduced safety.
Innovation Solution
A portable computerized device with an input system, display, processor, and wireless communication module that switches between remote and local modes, allowing wireless communication with aircraft systems and providing distinct user interfaces for ground-based and cockpit operations, enabling efficient flight planning and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pilots use multiple conventional devices and platforms to control aircraft systems, then aircraft control functionality is achieved, but pilot workload increases and safety decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable computing device is designed to perform multiple aircraft control functions across different flight phases and ground operations through a single integrated platform. The device can switch between remote mode (wireless communication) and local mode (direct connection), providing universal control capability for various aircraft systems including navigation, communication, and flight management, thereby eliminating the need for multiple separate devices
Solution Approach 2:
The device dynamically adapts its operational mode based on the flight phase and connection status. It transitions between remote mode during ground operations and wireless communication phases, and local mode during cockpit operations, optimizing the control interface and communication method for each specific operational context to reduce pilot workload while maintaining comprehensive control functionality
2Adaptability or versatility
If pilots manage multiple devices during flight operations, then comprehensive aircraft control is achieved, but cockpit management efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple aircraft control functions and communication modes into a single portable computing device. The device integrates wireless communication capabilities, direct connection interfaces, and multiple flight phase management capabilities, allowing pilots to consolidate device management tasks into one unified platform, thereby improving cockpit management efficiency while maintaining comprehensive aircraft control coverage
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional control systems require device switching between flight phases, then specific flight phase control is achieved, but pilot focus and safety are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically detects the current flight phase and dynamically adjusts its operational mode and interface configuration accordingly. During ground operations, it operates in remote mode with appropriate controls; during flight, it transitions to local mode with flight-optimized interfaces. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for manual device switching and configuration changes, maintaining pilot focus and safety while providing specialized control for each flight phase
Data Source
AI summary
A portable computerized device for an aircraft control system includes an input system for inputting commands, a device display for displaying information on the computerized device, a processor, a wireless communication module, and a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions configured to cause the processor to perform a method. The method can include detecting whether the portable computerized device is in a cockpit state such that the portable computerized device is in and/or docked to an aircraft cockpit or if the portable computerized device is in a remote state such that the portable computerized device is not in an aircraft cockpit or is not docked to an aircraft cockpit. If the portable computerized device is determined to be in a remote state, the method includes operating the remote device in a remote mode. If the portable computerized device is determined to be in a cockpit state, the method includes operating the device in a local mode.