Graphical Scratchpad Filler for Aircraft Navigation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The process of determining and entering waypoint information into aircraft navigation systems is time-consuming and requires significant cognitive effort due to the need for manual entry of alpha-numeric characters.

Innovation Solution

A graphical scratchpad filler system that uses a processor, electronic display, and cursor control device to select and convert cursor positions on a navigational display to latitude and longitude coordinates, allowing for direct entry of these coordinates into the flight management system's scratchpad area, thereby simplifying the data entry process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual entry of alpha-numeric characters is used for waypoint information, then data can be entered into the FMS, but the process is time-consuming and requires significant cognitive effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata entry speedVSAvoidtime for determining and entering waypoint information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical keyboard entry system with a graphical user interface system. Pilots interact with visual displays showing geographic features, and the system automatically converts graphical selections into the required alpha-numeric waypoint data, eliminating manual typing and reducing cognitive load

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary graphical display layer between the pilot and the FMS database. Instead of direct keyboard input to the database, the pilot selects waypoints on a visual map display, and the system acts as a mediator to translate these graphical selections into the required data format for the FMS

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If alpha-numeric character entry is required for waypoint identification, then precise waypoint data can be entered, but the cognitive effort and time required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaypoint identification accuracyVSAvoidease of waypoint data entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates visual copies or representations of geographic features and waypoints on the electronic display. Instead of requiring pilots to type waypoint identifiers, the system displays visual copies of the geographic data that can be directly selected, maintaining precision while improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional data entry approach. Instead of having the pilot input data that the system then displays, the system displays the data and has the pilot select from the displayed options. This reversal maintains data accuracy while dramatically simplifying the interaction process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS7693615B2Navigational system with a graphical scratchpad filler

Publication Date: 2010.04.06 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A navigation system takes a graphical input and translates it into an alpha-numeric entry generally including latitude and longitude information. The system interprets the graphical entry, determines if a waypoint already exists or is depicted at the geographical location identified by the graphical entry and creates a new waypoint if no waypoint already exists or is depicted at the geographical location.