Cockpit Voice Command Validation Using Aircraft State Pre-Checks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cockpit systems lack effective validation of pre-conditions for pilot voice commands, leading to potential inaccuracies and increased pilot workload due to the absence of cues regarding command appropriateness and availability based on the aircraft's state.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a voice communication device to receive and decode speech commands, check them against the aircraft's state and stored pre-conditions, and validate them before updating the cockpit system for execution, thereby ensuring consistency and reducing pilot workload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If speech commands are used for direct access to menu items and actions, then navigational steps are reduced and access speed is improved, but there are no cues provided to the pilot regarding command appropriateness or availability based on current system state
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to the pilot about command availability and appropriateness by comparing the spoken command against the current aircraft state and pre-condition database. This feedback mechanism informs the pilot whether a command can be executed, eliminating the information loss while maintaining fast speech-based access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary validation of the speech command by checking it against the current aircraft state and pre-conditions before execution. This preliminary action ensures that the pilot receives immediate information about command availability, preventing information loss while maintaining rapid access.
2Loss of information
If traditional navigational sequences are required for cursor or touch screen operations, then cues are provided about command availability, but navigational steps increase and access time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical navigation sequence (cursor movement, menu selection) with a speech-based direct access mechanism. The validation component provides the necessary information about command availability, eliminating the need for traditional navigational steps while preventing information loss through real-time state checking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the interaction parameter from sequential navigation steps to direct speech commands with immediate validation. This parameter change reduces navigational time while the validation mechanism ensures information about command availability is maintained.
3Productivity
If speech commands are executed without validation against aircraft state and pre-conditions, then pilot workload is reduced and operation speed is improved, but command accuracy and system reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of speech commands against the current aircraft state and pre-condition database before execution. This preliminary action ensures command accuracy and reliability while maintaining high execution efficiency by automatically filtering invalid commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The validation system operates autonomously to verify command appropriateness without requiring additional pilot intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains high productivity by automatically ensuring command accuracy through state validation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for validation of speech commands from an aircraft pilot. The method comprises receiving a speech command from the aircraft pilot with a voice communication device that is part of a cockpit system. Next, the speech command is decoded into a computer readable format. The decoded speech command is then checked against the present aircraft state as indicated by avionic sensors of the aircraft and against an approved pre-condition that is stored in a pre-condition database. The decoded speech command is validated if the decoded speech command is consistent with the present aircraft state and consistent with the approved pre-condition. An input to the cockpit system is updated to execute the speech command from the aircraft pilot if the decoded speech command is validated.