Machine Teaching Interface for Adaptive Human-AI Vehicle Co-Pilots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current human-machine interaction systems in aviation lack bidirectional learning capabilities, where AI systems fail to adapt to individual pilot needs and preferences, and do not effectively leverage human expertise, leading to inefficient decision-making and trust issues.

Innovation Solution

A bidirectional communication interface system that uses similarity metrics, such as KNN and LDA, to tailor status reporting modes and solution suggestions to individual pilots, allowing for adaptive learning and feedback integration, enabling efficient human-machine collaboration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If AI systems are used to process information and make decisions quickly, then decision-making speed is improved, but the comprehensibility and common sense alignment of decisions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecision-making speedVSAvoidcomprehensibility of decisions
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a human operator as an intermediary between the AI system and the final decision execution. The human operator receives incomprehensible AI decisions, interprets them, and provides feedback or overrides when necessary. This mediator role allows the AI to operate at high speed while human comprehension and common sense alignment are maintained through the translation layer of the human operator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional checklists and flowcharts are used in aviation, then standardization and reliability are improved, but adaptability to individual skill levels and preferences deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandardization of proceduresVSAvoidadaptation to pilot skill levels
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms static checklists and flowcharts into dynamic, adaptive interfaces that respond to the pilot's skill level, preferences, and situational context. The system dynamically adjusts the complexity, detail, and presentation format of procedural information based on the individual pilot's characteristics, thereby maintaining standardization while enabling personalization and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If AI processes are made opaque to maintain simplicity, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to learn from AI processes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of interfaceVSAvoidlearning opportunities from AI
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial transparency by providing AI process information selectively rather than fully. The system reveals AI decision-making processes, reasoning, and confidence levels to the extent necessary for pilot learning and trust-building, while maintaining overall interface simplicity. This partial disclosure allows pilots to learn from AI processes without being overwhelmed by excessive information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Adaptability or versatility

If bidirectional teaching capabilities are added to enable mutual learning between human and machine, then adaptability and learning capability are improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebidirectional learning capabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of communication interface
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements bidirectional teaching capabilities by designing the AI system to perform multiple functions: it not only provides decisions and information to the pilot but also actively learns from pilot feedback, overrides, and interactions. The same communication interface serves both as an output channel for AI decisions and an input channel for human teaching, thereby enabling bidirectional learning without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11926334B1Bidirectional machine teaching interface for human-machine co-pilots
Publication Date: 2024.03.12 HRL LAB
  • US11926334B1 patent drawing
  • US11926334B1 patent drawing
  • US11926334B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Described is a system for human-machine teaching for vehicle operation. The system determines currently enabled status reporting modes on a vehicle interface of a vehicle. The currently enabled status reporting modes are compared to a set of preferred status reporting modes of previous users. Based on the comparison, a status reporting mode is selected. A current operational status of the vehicle is reported to a current user, via the vehicle interface, using the selected status reporting mode. The system then determines preferred solutions of previous users to address the current operational status of the vehicle. Suggestions to address the current operational status of the vehicle based on the preferred solutions are reported to the user via the vehicle interface. A vehicle action corresponding to a solution selected by the current user is implemented via a vehicle component.