Aircraft Time Tape Display for Situational Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current human interfaces in aircraft systems do not provide sufficient situational awareness of time-based requirements, leading to potential delays or disruptions in aircraft operations, which can affect other aircraft and hinder space and fuel optimization efforts.
Innovation Solution
A display system that includes a processing unit, image display device, and data storage, which generates a graphically depicted 'time tape' displaying time-based requirements and operational parameters, allowing pilots to assess and adjust aircraft operations to meet these requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional human interfaces are used in aircraft systems, then device complexity is reduced, but situational awareness of time-based requirements is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a time dimension by displaying a time tape alongside the traditional horizontal situation indicator. This adds temporal information to the spatial display, allowing pilots to see both position and time-based requirements simultaneously without replacing existing interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The time tape acts as an intermediary element that bridges traditional flight instrumentation with time-based operational requirements. It provides a visual mediator that translates abstract time-based constraints into concrete visual indicators that pilots can easily interpret.
2Productivity
If time-based requirements are implemented in air traffic management, then space and fuel optimization is improved, but operational reliability decreases due to crew inability to monitor and achieve requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The display system provides continuous feedback to the flight crew about their progress toward meeting time-based requirements. The time tape visually shows the relationship between current position and required arrival times, enabling real-time monitoring and adjustment of flight parameters to ensure compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the flight crew to self-monitor and self-correct their timing without requiring external assistance from air traffic control. The visual cues on the time tape allow pilots to independently assess whether they are on track to meet time-based requirements and make necessary adjustments.
3Loss of information
If visual displays are enhanced with time tape information, then situational awareness is improved, but information processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display information is segmented into distinct visual elements: the traditional horizontal situation indicator and the overlaying time tape. This segmentation allows pilots to process spatial and temporal information separately while understanding their relationship, reducing cognitive load despite increased information density.
Solution Approach 2:
The time tape uses color-coded symbology to indicate different time-based states and requirements. This visual encoding allows pilots to quickly comprehend complex time relationships without requiring detailed numerical analysis, simplifying information processing while enhancing awareness.
Data Source
AI summary
A display system is configured to provide a display to an aircraft flight crew. The system includes an image display device, a data storage device, a flight management system, a processing unit in operable electronic communication with the image display device, the data storage device, and the flight management system. The processing unit includes a computer processor that is configured to receive a time-based requirement to a point of interest associated with operation of the aircraft. Via the image display device, a flight display includes a graphically depicted time tape. The time tape includes a time scale. Also graphically depicted within the time tape is the point of interest using a first symbology and the time-based requirement using a second symbology. Operational parameter data of the aircraft allows determination of the ability of the aircraft to achieve the time-based requirement and graphical depiction within the time tape of the ability of the aircraft to achieve the time-based requirement using a third symbology.