Air Traffic Control Speech-to-Text Conversion System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pilots and air traffic controllers face significant distractions during communication, particularly in busy airspace conditions, due to cluttered instrumentation and controls, which can compromise safety and operational efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A communication system that utilizes auditory and speaking processes for digital data-linked communications between pilots and air traffic controllers, converting aviation-related messages into standardized CPDLC messages, minimizing distractions by converting text to speech and speech to text, and presenting messages on displays for confirmation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional visual displays and instrumentation are used for air traffic control communication, then information can be presented to pilots and controllers, but distraction and clutter increase, compromising safety and operational efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddistraction
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional visual display systems with auditory communication systems. Speech-to-text conversion allows pilots and controllers to communicate verbally rather than reading cluttered screens, while text-to-speech conversion provides audio feedback for system status and messages. This substitution of visual-mechanical interaction with acoustic fields reduces distraction and improves safety during critical flight operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If cluttered displays with email-like messages are used, then communication information is provided, but pilot and controller attention is demanded, reducing operational efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication informationVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces speech-to-text and text-to-speech conversion systems as intermediaries between the communication parties. Instead of pilots and controllers directly reading and typing messages on cluttered displays, the conversion systems translate spoken words into standardized CPDLC messages and convert system responses into audible speech. This intermediary layer eliminates the need for visual clutter while maintaining complete communication information exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If visual monitoring and reading of messages is required, then accurate communication is achieved, but time is lost and distraction increases during critical phases of flight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication accuracyVSAvoidtime
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary speech-to-text conversion of pilot and controller messages into standardized CPDLC format before transmission. The system pre-processes spoken communication into structured data, eliminating the need for manual typing and visual verification during critical phases. Text-to-speech conversion also provides immediate audio feedback, removing the time required for visual reading and confirmation of system status and messages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP1999743B1Enhanced system and method for air traffic control
Publication Date: 2017.11.15 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP1999743B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP1999743B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP1999743B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A system and method for engaging in two-way communication between a pilot and an air traffic controller by speech and hearing processes wherein spoken messages are compared to a database of categorized messages for matching and selecting a categorized message for transmission between pilot and air traffic control.