Aircraft Dialogue Device Layer Control for Menu Overlap

Solution Overview

Problem

In aircraft dialogue systems, multiple interactive objects from different client systems can be positioned at similar locations on the screen, leading to multiple menu openings when a cursor is validated, complicating the pilot's comprehension and increasing workload due to overlapping menus.

Innovation Solution

The dialogue device allows each layer of the interactive window to be activated or deactivated independently, with selection and activation/deactivation means enabling the operator to pre-select client systems, preventing unintended menu openings by only allowing interactions with the selected application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple layers are displayed simultaneously on the screen to show interactive objects from different client systems, then the display provides comprehensive information from all systems, but multiple menus open simultaneously when validating a position, masking large portions of the screen and complicating the pilot's comprehension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay capabilityVSAvoidpilot comprehension

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures layer activation states before the pilot performs validation. The pilot can预先 activate or deactivate specific layers through layer control means, so that when validation occurs, only the intended layer's menu opens. This preliminary configuration prevents unintended multiple menu openings and maintains screen clarity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple layers are displayed simultaneously on the screen to show interactive objects from different client systems, then the display provides comprehensive information from all systems, but the workload of the pilot increases due to managing multiple overlapping menus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay capabilityVSAvoidpilot workload

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures layer activation states before the pilot performs validation. The pilot can预先 activate or deactivate specific layers through layer control means, so that when validation occurs, only the intended layer's menu opens. This preliminary configuration prevents unintended multiple menu openings and maintains screen clarity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If all layers are always active to ensure all client systems are accessible, then the system provides maximum functionality, but the screen becomes cluttered with overlapping menus when validating positions with multiple interactive objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem accessibilityVSAvoidscreen management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts layer activation states based on pilot input. Through layer control means, the pilot can activate or deactivate specific layers in real-time, allowing the display to adapt between showing all available systems and presenting only relevant information. This dynamic control prevents screen clutter while maintaining system accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures layer activation states before the pilot performs validation. The pilot can预先 activate or deactivate specific layers through layer control means, so that when validation occurs, only the intended layer's menu opens. This preliminary configuration prevents unintended multiple menu openings and maintains screen clarity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8140992B2Device for aircraft dialogue

Publication Date: 2012.03.20 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)

AI summary

A dialogue device deactivation/activation unit for deactivating layers of an interactive window which are associated with systems of the aircraft that are not selected.