Avionics Display System Airspace Speed Data Visualization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current avionics display systems do not effectively graphically represent speed restrictions associated with different airspace classes, leading to potential airspace violations due to pilot overload from abundant information.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that retrieves airspace data from a database and alters the visual representation of airspace on a cockpit display to include speed alerts, using unique symbology and aural notifications when the aircraft exceeds permitted speeds within specific airspaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If current display systems display all airspace data (class, altitude, speed restrictions) as text overlaid on the moving map, then pilots have access to complete information, but pilots become overwhelmed due to the abundance of information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveairspace speed restriction informationVSAvoidpilot workload
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses color-coded graphical representations to display different airspace classes and their associated speed restrictions. Each airspace class is represented by a distinct color or shading pattern, allowing pilots to quickly identify and differentiate between various airspace types without reading text overlays. This visual encoding reduces information overload while maintaining complete airspace information availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms two-dimensional text-based airspace information into a three-dimensional graphical display that overlays spatially on the moving map. The airspace representations are rendered with depth and positioning that corresponds to their actual geographic locations, allowing pilots to perceive speed restrictions and altitude limits as spatial features rather than abstract text data. This dimensional transformation enables intuitive understanding of airspace constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of information

If current display systems display text overlays with airspace class and altitude information, then pilots can identify airspaces, but speed restrictions are not displayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed restriction dataVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple airspace parameters (class, altitude range, speed restrictions) into a single integrated graphical representation. Instead of displaying separate text overlays for each parameter, the patent combines all this information into unified visual symbols that encode multiple data dimensions. This merging approach maintains complete information while avoiding the complexity of multiple discrete display elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation from textual to graphical form. Speed restrictions, which would traditionally be displayed as text values, are transformed into visual indicators such as graphical bars, icons, or colored zones that directly represent speed limits. This parameter transformation enables the display system to convey speed restriction data without increasing textual information density or display complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9377325B2System and method for graphically displaying airspace speed data
Publication Date: 2016.06.28 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A system and method are provided for graphically displaying airspace data including speed restrictions on an aircraft display. The system comprises an avionics display system coupled to a processor that is configured to retrieve airspace data from a database, display the aircraft data on the display, and display a visual representation of the airspace. Then the processor may alter the format of the visual representation of the airspace to a second visual representation, if the airspace data meets predetermined criteria.