Voice Recognition for Avionics Command Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voice recognition technologies are not accurate or reliable enough for use in avionics systems, where pilots need to quickly and accurately input commands related to thousands of items in navigation databases, distracting them from critical flight tasks.
Innovation Solution
A computer system that receives voice commands, parses them into words, and searches databases using contextual filters based on flight parameters, aircraft location, and weather conditions to construct accurate avionics commands, allowing pilots to input commands via voice, touchscreen, or button activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional interface devices (touchscreens, cursor control devices, knobs) are used for data input, then visual attention and motor control are required, but pilot distraction increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical interface devices (touchscreens, knobs, cursor control devices) with a voice recognition system that processes spoken commands. This substitution eliminates the need for manual manipulation and visual attention during data input, allowing pilots to maintain situational awareness while efficiently interacting with avionics systems.
2Ease of operation
If existing voice recognition technology is used for avionics applications, then hands-free operation is enabled, but accuracy and reliability are insufficient for navigating thousands of navigation database items
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading contextual information about the current flight phase, aircraft state, and relevant navigation database items into active memory before voice commands are issued. This preparation enables the voice recognition system to accurately interpret commands by comparing them against pre-filtered, context-relevant options rather than searching through all possible navigation items.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system presents recognized commands to the pilot for confirmation before execution, and continuously updates the contextual model based on pilot corrections and flight state changes. This feedback loop significantly improves recognition accuracy by allowing verification and correction of misrecognized commands while maintaining hands-free operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive navigation databases with thousands of items are made accessible, then command versatility increases, but voice recognition speed and accuracy decrease due to the large search space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the comprehensive navigation database into context-specific subsets based on flight phase, aircraft location, and operational mode. By dividing the large database into smaller, relevant segments and loading only those into active memory, the system maintains access to comprehensive navigation capabilities while dramatically reducing the search space for voice recognition, thereby improving both speed and accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system receives a voice command and applies one or more contextual filters produce avionics commands based on the voice command. Elements of the voice command are displayed for acceptance by a pilot before being implemented by an avionics system. Individual elements are reevaluated as necessary. Contextual filters include flight paths, flight phase, aircraft location, current weather conditions or information associated with a particular airport.