Dynamic Minimum Altitude Depiction for Moving Map Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for depicting minimum altitudes in aircraft operation, whether on paper or electronic charts, suffer from clutter and difficulty in identifying crucial altitude information due to excessive graphical elements and static depictions that blend with terrain data, making it hard to discern important altitude details, especially in low-light conditions.

Innovation Solution

A data processing system and program code that generates dynamic display instructions for a moving map system using display rules to clearly depict minimum altitude information based on an aircraft's location and altitude, ensuring that critical altitude data is prominently displayed and easily identifiable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If minimum altitude information is depicted using traditional static graphical elements on charts, then comprehensive altitude data can be provided, but the chart becomes cluttered and the critical altitude information becomes difficult to identify

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealtitude information visibilityVSAvoidgraphical element clutter
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms static altitude depictions into dynamic representations that automatically adjust based on aircraft position. The minimum altitude information is rendered only in the relevant sector corresponding to the aircraft's current location, causing the displayed information to dynamically change as the aircraft moves. This resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive altitude data when needed while keeping the display clean and uncluttered at any given moment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by rendering minimum altitude information selectively in specific sectors rather than uniformly across the entire chart. Each sector displays altitude data relevant to that particular direction from the navigation aid, allowing pilots to see detailed altitude information for their current sector without being overwhelmed by data from all other sectors. This localized approach reduces overall clutter while maintaining information availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If minimum altitude information is displayed as static graphic overlays on electronic charts, then altitude data is continuously available, but the information blends with terrain data and becomes hard to discern, especially in low-light conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealtitude information discernibilityVSAvoidvisibility in low-light conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the display of minimum altitude information based on aircraft position and operational context. Rather than using static overlays that blend with terrain, the patent renders altitude data as distinct, movable elements that update in real-time. This dynamic approach ensures altitude information remains visually distinct from terrain data regardless of lighting conditions, as the information adapts to the current flight context rather than remaining fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs color changes to differentiate minimum altitude information from terrain data. By using distinct color coding for altitude indicators versus terrain features, the system ensures that critical altitude information remains discernible even in low-light conditions. The color differentiation creates visual contrast that prevents blending between altitude data and terrain representation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS8583368B1Rule based depiction of minimum altitudes
Publication Date: 2013.11.12 JEPPESEN FOREFLIGHT INC
  • US8583368B1 patent drawing
  • US8583368B1 patent drawing
  • US8583368B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The different advantageous embodiments provide an apparatus comprising a data processing system and program code configured to run on the data processing system. The program code is configured to receive location information and generate display instructions for a moving map system using a number of display rules to display altitude information.