Navigation Procedure Display System for Aviation Readability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional electronic flight bags (EFBs) struggle to replicate paper charts effectively on electronic displays, leading to overlapping symbols and reduced readability due to the limitations of two-dimensional navigation in aviation and underwater applications, which require four-dimensional concepts and critical procedural information depiction.

Innovation Solution

A data-driven navigation procedure display system that includes a dynamic information area and a moving map area, allowing for the display of current and successive procedure instructions in three dimensions, with situational awareness symbols and adjustable layout to enhance readability and clarity, using a computing device and input devices like touch screens or rotary dials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If paper charts are replicated on electronic displays, then electronic flight bags can provide navigation information digitally, but symbols may overlap and text leader-arrows may collide during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic display capabilityVSAvoidreadability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional paper chart representation to three-dimensional spatial rendering on electronic displays. By incorporating depth perception and multiple display planes, the system eliminates symbol overlap and collision issues that plague flat electronic representations, while maintaining the digital adaptability benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the display representation based on the aircraft's orientation and flight parameters. Rather than static rotated images that cause text and symbol collisions, the display continuously adapts its configuration to maintain optimal readability during all phases of flight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional two-dimensional navigation displays are used, then electronic displays can be implemented, but they fail to provide adequate situational awareness for four-dimensional aviation navigation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic navigation capabilityVSAvoidsituational awareness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent explicitly adds the fourth dimension (time) to the traditional three-dimensional spatial navigation display. By incorporating temporal information such as time of arrival predictions and dynamic procedure sequencing, the system provides complete four-dimensional situational awareness required for modern aviation navigation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The display system nests multiple levels of navigation information within each other, from macro-level procedure overview to micro-level positional details. This hierarchical nesting allows pilots to access comprehensive four-dimensional navigation data without information overload, maintaining clarity while providing complete situational awareness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If fixed format electronic displays are used, then implementation is simpler, but they cannot provide extended navigation capabilities beyond paper charts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay implementation simplicityVSAvoidnavigation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal display system that can present multiple types of navigation information in various formats depending on the phase of flight and procedural requirements. The same hardware platform adapts to display different navigation procedures, approaches, and departure routes, providing extended capabilities without requiring multiple specialized display systems.

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

Data Source

PatentEP1971828B1Methods and systems for displaying navigation procedure information
Publication Date: 2014.07.16 THE BOEING CO
  • EP1971828B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1971828B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP1971828B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A navigation procedure display (200) is described. The navigational procedure display includes a dynamic information area (204), positioned within the flight procedure display, for displaying a current procedure (240) instruction and at least one successive procedure instruction (242). The navigational procedure display also includes a moving map area (202), positioned within the procedure display (200), for displaying a current position indication (206) in at least three dimensions and situational awareness symbols (210, 212).