Integrated CPDLC Display on Flight Plan Symbology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CPDLC systems require pilots to divert attention from the aircraft's forward view to read and respond to messages, increasing workload and potentially compromising safety as the number of messages increases.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft system that includes a communications unit, processing unit, and display device to receive, process, and display CPDLC messages as flight plan modifications directly on a flight plan, allowing pilots to manage and implement changes without leaving the primary flight plan view, using symbology to indicate proposed modifications and facilitate quick acceptance or rejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pilots read and respond to CPDLC messages displayed on a separate screen, then communication with air traffic control is maintained, but pilot attention is diverted from the forward view and workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines CPDLC message display and flight plan display into a single integrated display unit. The message is overlaid directly on the corresponding flight plan elements, allowing pilots to process communications without diverting attention from the primary flight information. This merging eliminates the need to switch between separate screens or devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a visual dimension to message presentation by using symbolic indicators (such as highlighted icons or markers) superimposed on the flight plan graphic. Instead of presenting messages as separate text blocks, the system embeds visual cues within the existing flight plan visualization, allowing pilots to perceive message status and content through spatial relationships already familiar from flight plan interpretation.
2Loss of information
If the number of CPDLC messages increases, then more comprehensive communication is achieved, but pilot workload and head-down time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments messages into individual symbolic indicators that are distributed across the flight plan display at locations corresponding to relevant flight plan elements. Each symbol represents a discrete message component, allowing pilots to scan multiple messages simultaneously by reviewing different portions of the flight plan rather than reading sequential text blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides visual feedback through symbolic indicators that immediately show message status (received, unread, acknowledged) overlaid on the flight plan. This feedback mechanism allows pilots to quickly assess which messages require attention without reviewing entire message texts, reducing the time spent on each message while maintaining awareness of communication completeness.
3Loss of information
If CPDLC messages are displayed on a separate screen, then message content is visible, but situational awareness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the message display function with the flight plan display function in a single integrated view. Messages are not shown as separate entities but are integrated into the flight plan visualization through symbolic indicators placed at geographically relevant positions, ensuring that message awareness and situational awareness occupy the same visual space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by placing message symbols at specific locations on the flight plan that correspond to the geographic or temporal context of each message. This allows pilots to understand message relevance based on the local context of the flight plan element where the symbol appears, maintaining situational awareness while ensuring message visibility.
Data Source
AI summary
An aircraft system includes a communications unit configured to receive a first message with a first proposed flight plan modification to a flight plan from air traffic control. The system further includes a processing unit coupled to the communications unit and configured to receive the first message. The processing unit is further configured to generate display commands representing the first proposed flight plan modification and the flight plan. The system further includes a display device coupled to the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and display the flight plan and first symbology representing the first proposed flight plan modification with the flight plan.