Avionics Waypoint Manipulation via Drag-and-Drop Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional avionics display systems hinder pilot efficiency by requiring the adjustment of flight plan parameters through dialog boxes that obscure essential flight information, making it difficult to create and modify waypoints and altitude constraints without immediate visual feedback on the actual flight plan.
Innovation Solution
An interactive graphical system allows pilots to directly manipulate waypoints and altitude constraints on the flight plan display using drag-and-drop gestures, providing immediate feedback and situational awareness without covering critical flight information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dialog boxes are used to modify flight plan parameters, then parameter input and modification capability is provided, but essential flight information is obscured and situational awareness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the parameter input interface from the traditional dialog box format and relocates it directly onto the flight plan display. Waypoints can be selected and modified by interacting with graphical elements directly on the map, eliminating the need for separate dialog boxes that would obscure underlying flight information. This allows pilots to maintain full situational awareness while still being able to modify parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional dialog box interface to a three-dimensional layered interface where parameter input occurs within the context of the flight plan map itself. The flight plan display serves multiple dimensions: it shows terrain, weather, traffic, and allows direct parameter modification through interactive elements embedded in the map, eliminating the need to switch between different display contexts.
2Ease of operation
If dialog boxes are used for waypoint creation, then parameter input is enabled, but immediate visual feedback on the actual flight plan is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements immediate visual feedback by displaying the proposed waypoint and its parameters directly on the flight plan map as the pilot interacts with it. When a pilot selects a location or modifies parameters, the changes are reflected instantly on the map display, allowing the pilot to see exactly where the waypoint will be positioned and how it affects the flight plan in real-time, eliminating delays associated with dialog box confirmations.
3Ease of operation
If dialog boxes cover the flight plan display, then parameter input interface is provided, but situational awareness of weather, terrain, and traffic is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the parameter input interface with the flight plan display by embedding interactive elements directly onto the map. Waypoints, altitude constraints, and other parameters can be modified by interacting with graphical elements that are part of the map itself, combining the navigation display function with the parameter input function in a single integrated interface that maintains full situational awareness.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for positioning a new waypoint in a flight plan displayed on an avionics display in the form of an interactive graphical image comprises generating symbology on the display graphically representative of the new waypoint on the flight plan, and dragging the new waypoint on the display to alter its position.