Prioritized Azimuth Slice Vertical Radar Image Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radar display interfaces require pilots to manually select and frequently update vertical slices of weather data, leading to increased workload, potential errors, and distraction from other critical flight tasks.

Innovation Solution

A system that autonomously prioritizes and displays the highest priority azimuth slice vertical radar image based on aircraft position, weather cell intensity, growth rate, and storm top altitude, reducing pilot workload and minimizing human error.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pilots manually select vertical slices of weather data, then situational awareness can be maintained, but pilot workload increases and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesituational awarenessVSAvoidtime spent selecting weather slices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically prioritizes and selects weather cells without pilot intervention. The processor autonomously evaluates multiple weather cells using criteria such as proximity to aircraft, intensity, growth rate, and storm top altitude, then automatically displays the highest priority cell on the vertical situation display, eliminating the need for manual selection while maintaining accurate situational awareness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-computes priority rankings for multiple weather cells in advance before pilot need. By continuously evaluating weather data and pre-identifying the highest priority cells based on established criteria, the system prepares the information ahead of time, so when pilots need weather information, it is already processed and ready for immediate display

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If pilots frequently update vertical slice selections, then current weather threats are tracked, but pilot workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweather threat trackingVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously and automatically monitors weather conditions, re-evaluates cell priorities in real-time, and updates the vertical situation display without requiring pilot actions. The processor autonomously determines when weather threats change and automatically refreshes the display with new highest priority cells, maintaining current threat tracking while eliminating repetitive pilot operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where weather radar data is constantly monitored, cell priorities are dynamically recalculated based on changing conditions, and the display is automatically updated. This closed-loop system ensures weather threats are tracked current and accurate while the feedback mechanism operates autonomously without increasing pilot workload

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual weather slice selection is used, then pilot control over displayed information is maintained, but pilot error increases under time pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepilot controlVSAvoidselection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system autonomously performs the selection function that was previously manual, using objective computational criteria to evaluate weather cells. By replacing subjective pilot judgment with algorithmic assessment based on measurable parameters (proximity, intensity, growth rate, altitude), the system eliminates pilot errors while maintaining adaptability through programmable selection criteria that can be adjusted as needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical selection process with an automated computational system. The processor uses algorithmic logic and mathematical calculations to objectively assess weather cell priorities, substituting human cognitive and manual operations with automated information processing that is more reliable and error-free under time pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11852745B2System and method to select and display prioritized azimuth slice vertical radar image

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 ROCKWELL COLLINS INC

AI summary

A system may include a display and a processor. The processor may be configured to: break down two-dimensional weather radar reflectivity data into cells, each cell of the cells having a maximum rainfall rate location and a geometric area; prioritize the cells based at least on each cell's proximity to the aircraft, each cell's intensity, each cell's growth rate, each cell's storm top altitude relative to the aircraft altitude, and/or a threat convective level of the cell to select a highest priority cell; and output, to the display, a highest priority azimuth slice vertical radar image of the two-dimensional weather radar reflectivity data as graphical data, the highest priority azimuth slice vertical radar image corresponding to an azimuth slice of the two-dimensional weather radar reflectivity data for the highest priority cell. The display may be configured to display the highest priority azimuth slice vertical radar image.