Interactive Strip Consolidates Aircraft Controls on Touchscreen

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and variability of display devices and physical controls in an aircraft's flight deck increase operational time, mental concentration, and require additional training for pilots, limiting their ability to operate different aircraft without extensive training.

Innovation Solution

A computer system with a touch screen display device and an information controller that displays an interactive strip in a graphical user interface, consolidating aircraft information and controls within regions, allowing pilots to operate the aircraft using a single interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple display devices and physical controls are used in the flight deck, then comprehensive aircraft system control is achieved, but device complexity and operational time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive aircraft system controlVSAvoidnumber of display devices and physical controls

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple display devices and physical controls into a single touchscreen display device that provides a unified graphical user interface. This merging approach maintains comprehensive aircraft system control while reducing the total number of separate components, directly addressing the technical contradiction by combining multiple functions into one integrated device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The touchscreen display device is designed to perform multiple functions across different aircraft systems including engine control, navigation, communication, and flight management. This multi-functional approach allows a single device to replace multiple specialized devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple display devices and physical controls are used in the flight deck, then comprehensive aircraft system control is achieved, but operational time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive aircraft system controlVSAvoidoperational time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By merging control functions into a single touchscreen interface, the system eliminates the time required to switch between multiple devices and locate physical controls. The unified interface allows pilots to access and control all aircraft systems from one location, significantly reducing operational time while maintaining comprehensive control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The graphical user interface provides virtual representations of control functions that can be accessed and manipulated on the touchscreen display. This digital copying of control functions replaces physical controls, enabling faster access and manipulation without the mechanical delays associated with physical switches, levers, and dials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If multiple display devices are used in the flight deck, then comprehensive aircraft information display is achieved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensive aircraft information displayVSAvoidpilot operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The touchscreen display device serves as a universal interface for displaying and controlling all aircraft systems including engine parameters, navigation data, communication functions, and flight management information. This multi-functional display consolidates comprehensive information presentation while simplifying operation through a unified touchscreen interface that replaces complex physical control arrangements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11262900B1Graphical user interface in a computer system in an aircraft

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A method, apparatus, and system for displaying information for an aircraft on a display device in a flight deck of the aircraft. Aircraft information is received for a current flight of the aircraft. An interactive strip is displayed in a graphical user interface on the display device in the flight deck of the aircraft. The aircraft information and controls are displayed within regions in the interactive strip, enabling a pilot to operate the aircraft using the interactive strip.