Display method for an electronic display system to be integrated in a cockpit of an aircraft, associated computer program product and arrangement module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aircraft cockpit display systems are rigid and inflexible, with content displayed on each display solely dependent on the associated computer, lacking the ability to dynamically modify or distribute information across multiple displays.

Innovation Solution

An arrangement module that connects to a set of graphic calculators and displays, generating and distributing Human-System interface layers to form flexible, distributed video streams across multiple display surfaces, allowing for dynamic modification and distribution of content based on user instructions and computer criticality, with monitoring and redundancy features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If each display is directly controlled by its associated graphic calculator, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but the system lacks flexibility and cannot dynamically distribute content across multiple displays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay content distribution flexibilityVSAvoiddisplay system architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an arrangement module as an intermediary between graphic calculators and displays. This module receives video streams from graphic calculators, generates Human-System interface layers, and distributes them to multiple displays according to configurable rules. This mediator enables flexible content distribution without requiring direct connections between each graphic calculator and display, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity centrally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the display system into distinct functional components: graphic calculators that generate content, an arrangement module that manages distribution, and displays that present information. The video stream is also segmented into multiple Human-System interface layers that can be independently configured and distributed to different displays based on criticality and user preferences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the display system allows dynamic modification of content distribution, then user flexibility is improved, but system complexity and control difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay content modification easeVSAvoiddisplay management system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arrangement module automatically manages content distribution by receiving user preferences and criticality information, then autonomously generating and distributing appropriate Human-System interface layers to displays. The system self-adjusts based on configured rules without requiring manual intervention for each display modification, thus improving ease of operation while centralizing complexity in the automated management module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If critical information is prioritized in display distribution, then information integrity is improved, but system complexity increases due to monitoring and rule management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecritical information display reliabilityVSAvoiddisplay distribution control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different distribution rules and priorities to different types of information based on their criticality. Critical information receives higher priority in distribution and is ensured to be displayed on appropriate displays, while non-critical information follows different distribution patterns. This local differentiation of quality and priority ensures reliable critical information display while managing complexity through rule-based automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple Human-System interface layers are distributed across displays, then content versatility is improved, but system complexity and synchronization difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay content versatilityVSAvoidvideo stream distribution complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new dimensional organization of video content by creating multiple Human-System interface layers from a single video stream, each layer representing different aspects or priorities of the information. These layers are then distributed across displays in a multi-dimensional space of criticality, user preference, and display capability, enabling versatile content presentation while managing complexity through structured layering and rule-based distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4574511A1Display method for an electronic display system to be integrated in a cockpit of an aircraft, associated computer program product and arrangement module
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 THALES SA
  • EP4574511A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4574511A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4574511A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a display method for an electronic display system intended to be integrated into a cockpit of an aircraft, the method being implemented by an arrangement module capable of being connected to a set of graphic computers and to a set of displays. Each display defines at least one display surface. The method comprises a step of receiving (110), from each graphic computer, at least one calculated stream. The method comprises a step of generating (120), for each calculated stream received, at least one Human-System interface layer. The method comprises, for each display or for each display surface, a step of forming (130) a distributed video stream from the Human-System interface layers.The method comprises a step of sending (140), to the set of displays, distributed video streams comprising the Human-System interface layers, with a view to their display on each display or each display surface.