Flight Deck Display Management via Dynamic Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of display devices and physical controls in an aircraft's flight deck increases cognitive workload and requires additional training, as pilots need to navigate multiple displays and controls to operate the aircraft efficiently, with varying configurations across different aircraft.

Innovation Solution

An aircraft control system with a computer system and information controller that dynamically configures display devices based on the tasks assigned to pilots and copilots for a specific flight, simplifying access to necessary information and reducing the need for physical controls by selecting from a plurality of display configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If multiple display devices and physical controls are used in the flight deck, then comprehensive information display capability is improved, but cognitive workload and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation display capabilityVSAvoidnumber of display devices and physical controls

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple display devices into a single display device that presents all necessary flight information (primary flight display, navigation display, engine parameters, etc.) on one integrated screen, eliminating the need for multiple separate physical displays and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single display device performs multiple functions by dynamically reconfiguring its content based on flight phase and pilot interactions, serving as primary flight display, navigation display, engine monitor, and system status indicator all in one device, thereby replacing multiple specialized displays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple physical controls and switches are provided, then operational flexibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased time to locate and manipulate controls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidtime to locate and manipulate controls

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical controls, switches, and mechanical adjustments with a touchscreen interface that allows pilots to interact with all flight systems through touch gestures, eliminating the need to physically locate and manipulate numerous separate controls while maintaining full operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The touchscreen display creates virtual copies of all physical controls and indicators, presenting them in a unified digital interface that can be manipulated through touch, thereby providing the same operational capabilities as physical controls but with faster access and reduced cognitive load

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If display configurations vary across different aircraft, then aircraft-specific optimization is improved, but adaptability of flight crew deteriorates due to additional training requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaircraft-specific configuration optimizationVSAvoidflight crew adaptability across aircraft types

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display system dynamically reconfigures its content and layout based on the detected aircraft type, flight phase, and active systems, automatically adapting to different aircraft configurations without requiring physical reconfiguration or additional training for flight crews

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11137873B1Flight deck display management

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method and apparatus for displaying information for an aircraft on display devices in a flight deck of the aircraft. A computer system in the aircraft identifies information used to operate the aircraft. The computer system selects a display configuration from a plurality of display configurations for the display devices. The computer system displays the information in windows on display devices in the flight deck of the aircraft in the display configuration. The display configuration simplifies access to the information used to operate the aircraft.