Aircraft Display Modes with Segmented Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large area display systems in vehicles, such as aircraft cockpits, face challenges in efficiently presenting information due to increased power consumption and complex configurability, which prolongs operator training time and may lead to battery drain in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A display system operating in fixed modes with a single fixed format and configurable overlay options, featuring a critical graphics channel for critical data and a non-critical graphics channel that conserves power by turning off non-critical graphics during emergency modes, using a backlight with LEDs controlled by pulse width modulation for reduced power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single large area display is used to increase information display capability, then the viewable surface area and information presentation are improved, but power consumption increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The display is divided into multiple independently controllable display regions (e.g., first display region, second display region, third display region). During emergency modes, only critical regions remain illuminated while non-critical regions are turned off, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining essential information display capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the display are assigned different functional qualities based on their importance. Critical regions (e.g., primary flight information) maintain full illumination and functionality, while non-critical regions (e.g., secondary systems information) are dimmed or turned off during emergencies, optimizing power distribution according to local importance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If configurable display options are increased to maximize information display, then adaptability and information presentation are improved, but operator training time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The display system dynamically adjusts its configuration based on operational mode (normal vs. emergency). In normal mode, full configurability is available for comprehensive information display. In emergency mode, the system automatically transitions to a fixed, simplified configuration that prioritizes critical information, eliminating the need for operators to learn complex configuration rules while maintaining adaptability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides full configurability options during normal operations when time is available, but during emergencies implements a partial action approach by automatically selecting only the most critical display regions and information types. This ensures essential information is always displayed without requiring operators to navigate complex configuration options under stress.
3Loss of information
If all display regions are illuminated to provide complete information, then information availability is improved, but battery power is depleted too quickly during emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into critical and non-critical regions with independent power control. During emergencies, only critical regions remain illuminated, maintaining essential information availability while extending battery life by eliminating power consumption from non-essential display areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Non-critical display regions and information types are extracted or removed from active display during emergency modes. This extraction of non-essential elements reduces power consumption while preserving the core information needed for safe emergency operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively presents critical information with minimized power consumption, reducing operator training time and ensuring extended battery life during emergencies by limiting display features to essential functions in specific modes.
Implementation Method 1
A backlight is positioned behind the LCD including strings of light emitting diodes (LEDs), to illuminate the LCD
Implementation Method 2
An optical diffuser is positioned between the LED strings and the LCD to provide uniform illumination
Implementation Method 3
The current sinks are turned on and off by a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal
Data Source
AI summary
The display system includes a display having a touchscreen input device. A processing system is operatively associated with the display. The display operates in a number of fixed modes. Each fixed mode has a single fixed format, each single fixed format having at least one fixed region, wherein the at least one fixed region has configurable overlay options. In an aircraft application the plurality of fixed modes are selected from the group of flight modes consisting of navigation, air-to-air (A-A), emergency, air-to-ground (A-G), preflight checklist and system status. In a preferred embodiment the emergency mode includes functionality to conserve power.