Avionics Trend Indications for Display Clutter Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional avionics systems clutter displays with operational values, making it difficult for crew members to monitor and recognize non-normal conditions, as they present all information simultaneously, including normal and abnormal states, which can lead to information overload.
Innovation Solution
The system organizes and declutters aircraft information by presenting different layers of data only when relevant, using a collapsed row interface that expands when a system value is trending out of its normal operating range, providing additional details and visual indicators such as color changes to alert the crew of potential issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If all operational values are displayed simultaneously on the display, then complete information is provided to the crew, but the display becomes cluttered and difficult to monitor
Solution Approach 1:
The display information is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels: a simplified primary view showing only critical non-normal conditions, and expanded detailed views that reveal additional operational values when selected. This segmentation allows the crew to access complete information when needed while maintaining a clean primary display for normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The display dynamically adapts its content based on system state. During normal operation, only essential information is shown. When non-normal conditions are detected or when the crew requests more detail, the display automatically expands to show additional operational values, and contracts back when conditions normalize.
2Reliability
If detailed operational values are always visible, then full system status is monitored, but critical alerts may be missed amidst clutter
Solution Approach 1:
Critical alert information is extracted and highlighted separately from routine operational data. The system identifies non-normal conditions and presents them with distinctive visual indicators (such as color changes or symbolic representations) that draw immediate attention, preventing them from being lost among normal operational values.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs color changes to indicate system state and alert priority. Normal conditions are displayed in neutral colors, while non-normal conditions trigger color changes to alert colors, creating an immediate visual distinction that helps the crew quickly identify critical issues without being overwhelmed by detailed numerical data.
3Ease of operation
If the display shows only normal conditions, then the interface remains clean, but non-normal conditions may not be detected early enough
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of operational values to detect trends toward non-normal conditions before they actually occur. By monitoring rate of change and projecting future states, the system can alert the crew to developing issues while they are still manageable, giving advance warning before critical failures occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors operational values and provides feedback about system state and trends. This feedback mechanism allows the crew to see not just current values but also directional trends, enabling early intervention before non-normal conditions fully develop while maintaining interface simplicity through automated monitoring.
Data Source
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AI summary
An aircraft includes a display, a support system, and an avionics system. The support system includes at least one operable component, where at least one of the support system and the at least one operable component is configured to operate with an operating value falling within a predefined normal operating range. The avionics system is programmed to: calculate a rate of change of a value of at least one of the support system and the at least one operable component; determine whether the value will exit a predetermined normal operating range within a predetermined time based on the rate of change of the value; and indicate on the display that the value is expected to exit the predetermined normal operating range. The avionics system can leverage this function to declutter displays, and then present additional information to the crew when a value is trending out of range.