Avionics Display System for Dynamic Aircraft Symbology Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Pilots face difficulties in intuitively adjusting and maintaining the position of the aircraft symbology on a lateral moving map display, especially when the flight plan turns or is oriented in the direction of travel, leading to decreased situational awareness and increased workload.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that dynamically determines and secures the optimal position of the aircraft symbology on the display based on the intended trajectory or flight plan, using a processor to render the symbology at the altered position and provide an 'AUTOPOSITION' option for automatic repositioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the pilot manually adjusts the lateral moving map display by scrolling or dragging, then the displayed area can be changed, but the operation becomes difficult and non-intuitive when the flight plan turns or is oriented in the direction of travel, increasing pilot workload

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adjusting display areaVSAvoidcomplexity of manual adjustment operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines and adjusts the optimal display area and aircraft symbology position without requiring manual pilot intervention. The processor analyzes flight plan data, aircraft heading, and current display state to autonomously reposition the aircraft symbology and adjust the displayed map area, making the system self-adjusting rather than requiring complex manual operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes display parameters including the position of aircraft symbology, the displayed map area boundaries, and the orientation of the flight plan based on flight conditions. By automatically adjusting these parameters according to flight plan turns and aircraft heading, the system simplifies operation while adapting to varying flight scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the lateral moving map display is manually repositioned to follow the flight plan, then situational awareness may be improved, but the workload of the pilot increases due to frequent manual adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesituational awarenessVSAvoidpilot workload time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically maintains optimal situational awareness by continuously monitoring flight plan data and aircraft position, then autonomously repositioning the aircraft symbology and adjusting the displayed area to keep the flight plan visible and relevant features centered, eliminating the need for pilot intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from flight plan data, aircraft heading, and current display state to automatically determine when repositioning is needed. The processor continuously analyzes these parameters and adjusts the display accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that maintains situational awareness without pilot input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the aircraft travels off the display without manual intervention, then the display may lose track of the aircraft position, but manual monitoring increases pilot workload

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking of aircraft positionVSAvoidmonitoring effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically tracks aircraft position by continuously comparing the aircraft's current position and heading with the displayed area boundaries. When the aircraft approaches or exits the displayed area, the system autonomously adjusts the displayed map area and repositions the aircraft symbology to maintain the aircraft within the visible display boundaries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system proactively adjusts the display before the aircraft actually exits the displayed area. By monitoring aircraft position relative to display boundaries in advance, the system preemptively repositions the map and aircraft symbology to ensure continuous visibility, preventing the aircraft from going off-display

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2927639B1Avionics system and method for displaying optimised ownship position on a navigation display
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC
  • EP2927639B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2927639B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2927639B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A display system (100) and method for graphically representing a host aircraft (202) comprises a display (102), a first source (104) of host aircraft position data and a second source (116) of data representative of airspace in the vicinity of the host aircraft. A processor (112) is coupled to the display (102), the first source (104), and the second source (116) and is configured to (1) determine a position of the host aircraft (202) that expands the visualization of an intended trajectory (300) of the host aircraft (202), and (2) display the host aircraft (202) at the position on the display.