Flight Deck CPDLC Message Overlay for Pilot Workload Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flight deck communication systems require pilots to open multiple applications to process CPDLC messages from air traffic controllers, leading to increased workload and response time due to the lack of integrated communication solutions.
Innovation Solution
A flight deck situational awareness communication system that receives CPDLC messages and overlays their content onto existing application depictions, providing alerts and allowing pilots to respond directly within the system without needing to switch between applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pilots use multiple separate applications to process CPDLC messages, then communication functionality is provided, but pilot workload increases and response time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges CPDLC message handling functionality into the existing flight deck situational awareness communication system. The message function is integrated with the display system, allowing pilots to view and respond to CPDLC messages within the same interface used for situational awareness, eliminating the need to switch between separate applications and reducing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If pilots switch between multiple applications to handle CPDLC messages, then message processing is possible, but response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides alert notifications that preemptively inform pilots of incoming CPDLC messages before they need to be processed. The integrated display shows message content and response options in advance, allowing pilots to prepare their responses without the time loss associated with switching between applications during critical decision-making moments.
3Loss of information
If CPDLC messages are displayed separately from situational awareness information, then message content is clear, but pilot awareness of context is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates CPDLC message display with situational awareness information on the same display interface. Messages are overlaid or presented alongside flight path, weather, and traffic data, ensuring pilots maintain contextual awareness of both message content and current flight conditions without losing the clarity of either information type.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a flight deck situational awareness communication system for providing integrated controller to pilot data link communication (CPDLC) message function for an aircraft. The system includes a memory configured for receiving and storing a CPDLC message from a communicatively coupled remote CPDLC communication system. The flight deck system further includes a processor. The processor is communicatively coupled with the memory and configured for receiving the CPDLC message stored in the memory. The processor is further configured for generating an image including a depiction of the content of the received CPDLC message overlaid onto an application depiction. The processor is communicatively coupled with a display and provides the image to the display. The display is configured for receiving and displaying the image.