Heads-up Display Traffic Target Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional avionic systems require pilots to look away from the cockpit to manage traffic targets, reducing situational awareness and increasing workload due to the lack of interactive heads-up display and control capabilities for traffic information.
Innovation Solution
A heads-up display (HUD) system that receives and decodes traffic information from onboard systems, allowing pilots to interactively manage traffic targets without looking away, using interactive symbols and a heads-up controller for prioritization, selection, and designation of aircraft within the field of view and beyond, while maintaining focus on the flight environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traffic information is displayed on a heads-down display (HDD), then traffic target management capability is provided, but the pilot must look away from the flight environment, reducing situational awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions traffic information display from a heads-down display (vertical dimension change) to a heads-up display, projecting traffic symbols onto the windshield or transparent display surface in the pilot's forward field of view. This dimensional change allows simultaneous monitoring of flight environment and traffic information without head movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heads-up display system as an intermediary between the pilot and traffic information, using transparent display technology or windshield projection to present traffic symbols that overlay the external flight environment view, eliminating the need to switch between separate displays.
2Loss of information
If conventional HUD is used without traffic overlay, then visual clutter is reduced, but interactive traffic target management capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments traffic information display by introducing selectable traffic symbols that can be individually activated or deactivated. Pilots can choose to display only specific traffic targets or categories, allowing interactive control over the density and type of information presented on the HUD.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic traffic symbol display where the visibility, size, and prominence of traffic symbols can change based on pilot selection, traffic priority, and situational context. The system allows real-time adjustment of display parameters to balance information density with visual clarity.
3Loss of information
If multiple traffic symbols are displayed simultaneously, then comprehensive traffic awareness is provided, but display complexity and information overload increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the display characteristics of different traffic symbols based on their significance, position, and threat level. High-priority traffic targets receive more prominent display treatment (larger symbols, different colors, or enhanced visibility) while lower-priority targets use subtler symbols, creating a hierarchical visual structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes to encode different traffic information categories and priority levels. Different colors or color intensities distinguish between various traffic types, separation statuses, and threat levels, allowing pilots to rapidly assess traffic situations through color-coded visual cues rather than uniform symbols.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for interactive heads-up display (HUD) and control of traffic targets is disclosed. In embodiments, the HUD receives and decodes traffic information from onboard surveillance systems to identify proximate aircraft within a threshold range and the relative positions of each aircraft. The HUD arranges the proximate aircraft into an ordered sequence based on distance from ownship or other priority criteria. When the HUD is active, interactive symbols are displayed at the relative positions of the proximate aircraft (e.g., or at the edges of the display for air traffic within range but outside the HUD field of view). A heads-up controller is operable by the pilot and allows the pilot to highlight each interactive symbol in sequence with a displayable cursor, selecting and designating the associated proximate aircraft for spacing or traffic applications without taking pilot focus off the HUD.