Automatic Time Keeping for Avionics Electronic Checklists

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft checklists often lead to user errors due to unintentional omission of tasks or incorrect timing, which increases cognitive workload, time required to complete checklists, and poses safety risks.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system for automatic time keeping of avionics electronic checklists that automatically starts and manages timers within the checklist interface, notifying users when timer events occur, thereby reducing cognitive workload and preventing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If users manually time tasks using external timers (watches or phones), then timing accuracy is improved, but crew workload increases and task completion time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming accuracyVSAvoidcrew workload

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the timer function with the electronic checklist interface, merging two separate tools (checklist and external timer) into a single integrated system. The timer is now embedded within the checklist display, allowing crew members to monitor timing information without switching to external devices, thereby maintaining timing accuracy while reducing workload.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic checklist system is enhanced with multi-functionality by incorporating timer capabilities directly into the checklist interface. The system now serves both as a procedural guide and a timing device, eliminating the need for separate external timers and reducing the number of devices the crew must manage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If crew members wait for timed tasks to complete before continuing the checklist, then task accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetask accuracyVSAvoidcrew efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts the checklist workflow based on timer status. It provides different interaction modes: blocking the checklist when a timed task must be completed before proceeding, or allowing continuation with visual timer indicators when tasks can be addressed later. This dynamic behavior maintains task accuracy while optimizing workflow efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides continuous visual feedback about timer status within the checklist interface, showing which tasks have active timers and their current state. This feedback mechanism ensures crew members are aware of timing requirements without needing to stop and check external devices, maintaining accuracy while improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If crew members continue the checklist while timed tasks are running, then productivity is improved, but error risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrew efficiencyVSAvoiderror risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically starting and tracking timers when timed tasks are initiated, before the crew member needs to manually intervene. The timer is pre-configured and automatically monitored, reducing the cognitive load and memory demands on the crew while maintaining task reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of information

If the system provides comprehensive timer notifications and status updates, then user awareness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser awarenessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The timer notification and status display functions are merged into the existing electronic checklist interface rather than being implemented as separate systems. This integration leverages the existing display and interaction mechanisms of the checklist, providing comprehensive timer information without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11767126B2Methods and systems for automatic time keeping of electronic checklists

Publication Date: 2023.09.26 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Disclosed are methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for automatic time keeping of an electronic checklist. One method may include: receiving a user and/or system input associated with a graphical user interface (GUI) of an electronic checklist; determining whether the user and/or system input triggers a timer event; in response to determining that the user and/or system input triggers the timer event, determining whether the timer event is a first type of timer event or a second type of timer event; in response to determining that the timer event is the first type of timer event, performing a first timer process; and in response to determining that the timer event is the second type of timer event, performing a second timer process.