Electronic Flight Bag Pre-Flight Information Organization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flight crews face challenges in comprehending and organizing a large amount of disorganized pre-flight information from various physical sources, including paper logbooks and outdated maintenance release documents, which can lead to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in assessing an aircraft's airworthiness.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that electronically access on-board and remote databases to organize and display pre-flight information in a user-configurable sequence, using an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) application, ensuring the flight crew receives the most up-to-date airworthiness information in real-time, eliminating the need for paper-based records and allowing customizable presentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If paper-based logbooks and maintenance release documents are used, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the information becomes disorganized and outdated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidinformation organization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates electronic copies of paper-based logbooks and maintenance documents, storing them in a database. This allows the information to be preserved, organized, and accessed digitally while maintaining the simplicity of the underlying paper-based structure. The electronic copy serves as an organized repository that prevents information loss while the physical logs remain easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an electronic database as an intermediary between the paper-based logbooks and the flight crew. This intermediary organizes the disorganized information from multiple paper sources into a structured electronic format, making the information accessible and up-to-date without requiring the flight crew to handle multiple physical documents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple paper logbooks and reports are reviewed, then comprehensive information is available, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidpre-flight preparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate paper logbooks and maintenance reports into a single electronic database. This consolidation allows the flight crew to access comprehensive information from all sources through one unified interface, significantly reducing the time required to review all necessary documents while maintaining information completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the database automatically update and organize information before the flight crew needs to review it. Maintenance actions, defect detections, and servicing updates are recorded in the database in advance, so when the flight crew accesses the information, it is already organized and ready, eliminating the need for manual compilation during pre-flight preparation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If paper maintenance release documents are used, then the system is simple, but the documents become obsolete after creation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidinformation validity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by creating a dynamic electronic database that automatically updates when maintenance actions occur. When defects are detected or maintenance is performed, the database receives feedback and updates the records in real-time. This ensures the information remains valid and current, eliminating the obsolescence problem of static paper documents while keeping the system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms static paper maintenance release documents into a dynamic electronic database that can change and update automatically. The database structure allows for real-time modifications, ensuring the information reflects the current state of the aircraft. This dynamic capability prevents obsolescence without significantly increasing system complexity, as the database automatically handles updates rather than requiring manual document revision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Quantity of substance

If detailed pre-flight information is presented in a traditional format, then all information is available, but it becomes difficult to comprehend and digest

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation detailVSAvoidinformation comprehension
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detailed pre-flight information into organized categories and sections within the electronic database. Information is divided by type (e.g., maintenance items, defect history, servicing records) and can be displayed in a structured, hierarchical format. This segmentation makes the detailed information easier to comprehend by presenting it in logical groups rather than a dense, unorganized format.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing the display format to be customized based on the specific information being viewed. Different types of information can be presented in optimized formats (e.g., tabular views for maintenance items, list views for defects), and the system can adapt the presentation style to match the user's needs. This localized customization improves comprehension without reducing the detail available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8306685B2Electronic logbook flight preparation system and method
Publication Date: 2012.11.06 THE BOEING CO
  • US8306685B2 patent drawing
  • US8306685B2 patent drawing
  • US8306685B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for carrying out a logbook flight preparation process to present pre-flight information to a flight crew member of an aircraft prior to a flight mission. The method may involve electronically accessing a database to obtain a quantity of pre-flight information relating to an airworthiness of the aircraft, with the database being at least one of on-board the aircraft and remote from said aircraft. The quantity of pre-flight information is displayed in accordance with a desired sequence in which the information is to be presented to said flight crew member. The quantity of preflight information may be presented on a visual display in the desired sequence.