Flight Path Vector Dynamic Readout Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft Head-Up Displays (HUDs) face challenges in presenting critical flight reference data in a manner that minimizes interference with the external scene while ensuring pilots can easily access this information, particularly in high-workload scenarios where the focus area is narrow, leading to potential degradation in situation awareness.
Innovation Solution
The system dynamically associates critical flight reference data with the flight path vector, toggling between static and dynamic readout arrangements based on a configurable deviation threshold, ensuring that airspeed and altitude indicators are positioned closer to the pilot's focus area by adjusting their location relative to the flight path vector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If critical flight reference data is displayed in fixed positions on the HUD, then the display layout is simple and stable, but the data may fall out of the pilot's narrow focus area during critical scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic positioning of flight reference data (airspeed and altitude tapes) that automatically adjusts their location based on the flight path vector position. When the FPV deviates from the center, the tapes move accordingly to remain within the pilot's focus area, transforming the static display into an adaptive system that responds to flight conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the flight path vector position and uses this feedback to adjust the position of flight reference data in real-time. This closed-loop control ensures that critical information remains accessible without requiring complex manual reconfiguration by the pilot
2Loss of information
If the HUD displays a large field of view, then more information is available, but it increases the mental and physical cost to scan and retrieve relevant data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating flight reference data in the specific region where the pilot's focus is most likely to be directed (near the flight path vector). Rather than uniformly distributing information across the entire HUD, the system optimizes the local placement of critical data to match the pilot's natural scanning patterns and focus area
3Area of stationary object
If flight reference data is positioned away from the flight path vector, then there is more display area available, but critical information falls out of the pilot's focus area during critical scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically repositions flight reference data based on the flight path vector location, ensuring that critical information remains within the pilot's focus area during critical scenarios while maximizing display area utilization during normal operations
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Systems and methods for associating critical flight reference data with a flight path vector symbol are provided. The system displays a continuously updated image with a symbol for a flight path vector. The system displays a first readout arrangement, in which the airspeed indicator and the altitude indicator are (i) each located in relationship to boundary edges of the display device, and (ii) their locations are substantially static. The system detects a deviation between the flight path vector and the heading, and when the deviation exceeds a threshold, the system toggles to a second readout arrangement, in which the airspeed indicator and the altitude indicator are (i) each located a distance measured from the flight path vector, and (ii) dynamically change location responsive to movement of the flight path vector.