Custom Fix Database for Real-Time Aircraft Navigation Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft display systems are limited in allowing real-time addition, deletion, or modification of airport or airport features during flight operations, as they rely on a prearranged and periodically updated navigation database.

Innovation Solution

A custom database and graphical user interface (GUI) system that enables pilots to create, edit, and save custom fixes, including airport identification, position, bearing, and elevation, allowing for dynamic updates within the aircraft's avionic display system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a prearranged navigation database is used for aircraft operation, then the system maintains reliability and data accuracy, but the system loses the ability to add, delete, or modify airport features in real-time during flight operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time modification capabilityVSAvoidnavigation data accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation database is segmented into two distinct components: a regulated NavDB that maintains reliability and periodic updates, and a custom database that enables real-time modifications. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously preserve data accuracy through the regulated database while gaining adaptability through the custom database for temporary storage of pilot-defined fixes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The custom database acts as an intermediary layer between the pilot's real-time needs and the regulated navigation database. It temporarily stores custom fixes defined during flight operations, allowing pilots to add, delete, or modify airport features without directly altering the regulated NavDB, thus maintaining both adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the navigation database is updated on a prearranged schedule, then data integrity is maintained, but the system cannot respond to immediate operational needs during flight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidresponse time to operational changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by allowing pilots to define and store custom fixes in advance during flight operations. The custom database window and GUI objects enable pilots to prepare navigation data for immediate use without waiting for the next scheduled NavDB update, thus improving operational efficiency without compromising data integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces dynamic capabilities through the custom database that allows real-time addition, deletion, and modification of airport features during flight operations. This dynamic functionality complements the static, periodically updated NavDB, enabling the system to adapt to changing operational needs while maintaining the scheduled update cycle for overall data integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a custom database interface is added to enable real-time fix definition, then adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustom fix definition capabilityVSAvoidGUI and database structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The custom database window serves multiple functions within a single interface: displaying custom database contents, enabling creation of new fixes, allowing editing of existing fixes, and providing deletion capabilities. The GUI objects are designed to handle various airport features (airports, runways, intersections) through a unified interface, reducing overall system complexity despite enhanced adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service functionality by allowing pilots to independently define, modify, and manage custom fixes during flight operations without requiring external assistance or complex configuration procedures. The GUI objects provide intuitive controls that empower pilots to perform database management tasks directly, simplifying the interaction despite the enhanced capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12195196B2Systems and methods for a user to define a custom fix, via a graphical user interface (GUI), for operation of an aircraft

Publication Date: 2025.01.14 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for defining a custom fix via a graphical user interface (GUI) for operation of an aircraft. The method includes uniquely sized and arranged custom fix dialog GUI windows that are displayed on an active avionic display, the custom fix dialog windows having preprogrammed arrangements of GUI objects. The GUI objects allow a user to select between custom airports or custom runways, and to select between create, edit, and store custom fix functions. The method decodes and sequences user input, as related to the displayed GUI objects. Embodiments keep track of required data fields for respective custom fixes, and store custom fix data in a custom database that is compatible with the navigation database and avionic display systems.