Avionics Display Bezel Light Sensor Optical Data Transfer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Operational errors in avionics systems are difficult to reproduce due to limited data availability and challenges in correlating data to display events, with existing troubleshooting methods requiring bi-directional communication and specialized equipment that are impractical in production aircraft settings.

Innovation Solution

An avionics display system with a bezel light sensor that receives a flashing light signal containing coded information, allowing for bi-directional wireless communication between a controller and a user controller, enabling data transfer and troubleshooting without the need for complex wired interfaces or specialized diagnostic modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If customized instrument buses with bi-directional communication are used for troubleshooting, then data availability and correlation capability are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring specialized equipment and complex configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidinstrument bus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the light sensor functionality from the display device bezel, allowing it to independently receive optical signals from a smartphone camera flash. This separation enables the display device to receive data without requiring complex bi-directional communication infrastructure, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining data availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a smartphone as an intermediary device that performs the complex data collection and processing functions. The smartphone captures images, extracts data, and communicates with the display device through simple optical signals, eliminating the need for complex customized instrument buses while maintaining comprehensive data availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If factory diagnostic modes with PEEK/POKE capabilities are implemented, then measurement precision and data correlation are improved, but ease of operation worsens due to requiring special modes and limited accessibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata correlation capabilityVSAvoiddiagnostic accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the display device universally accessible for diagnostics by using the existing display screen and bezel light sensor as communication interfaces. Any user with a smartphone can perform diagnostic operations without requiring special factory modes or customized equipment, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision through the optical communication channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If customized instrument buses conforming to standard protocols are used, then reliability and data transfer capability are improved, but ease of manufacture and development time increase due to configuration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer reliabilityVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical/electrical customized instrument bus system with an optical communication system using a smartphone camera flash and display device light sensor. This substitution eliminates the need for complex protocol configurations and physical connections, significantly reducing development time and manufacturing complexity while maintaining reliable data transfer through optical signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Facilitates efficient data transfer and troubleshooting in avionics systems by allowing wireless communication and reducing the complexity and cost of diagnostic processes, enabling dynamic and live-configurable data retrieval and system updates.

Implementation Method 1

The bezel may include a bezel light sensor. The controller may be configured to receive a flashing light signal via the bezel light sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

The filter may be configured to convert the first wavelength to a second wavelength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical Filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS10994864B1System and method for data transfer via a display device including a bezel light sensor

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 ROCKWELL COLLINS INC

AI summary

A display system may include a display device and a controller. The display device may include a bezel with a bezel light sensor and a screen set within the bezel. The controller may be configured to receive a flashing light signal via the bezel light sensor, generate a response to a set of coded information in the flashing light signal, and provide the response to the set of coded information via the screen. The flashing light signal may be transmitted by a light generator of an electronic device. A filter may be couplable to at least one of the electronic device at a position proximate to the light generator or the display device at a position proximate to the bezel light sensor. A wavelength of the flashing light signal may be a first wavelength. The filter may be configured to convert the first wavelength to a second wavelength.