Waypoint Constraint Editing via Contextual Icons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft navigation systems require pilots to navigate through multiple menus and dialog windows to set, edit, and manage waypoint constraints, leading to increased workload and potential for errors.
Innovation Solution
The system provides contextually linked direct access to automation functionality by allowing pilots to set and edit constraints or conditions for a waypoint/fix through a constraint/condition specific dialog box, with icons providing quick access to detailed information and editing options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pilots access waypoint constraints through multiple menus and dialog windows, then comprehensive constraint management is achieved, but pilot workload increases and error potential rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the constraint management interface directly with the waypoint display on the navigation screen. Instead of separate menu systems, the constraint editing functionality is integrated into the waypoint graphical representation, allowing pilots to access and modify constraints by interacting directly with the waypoint icon or label on the map display.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service by automatically displaying relevant constraint information alongside each waypoint and enabling direct editing without requiring pilots to navigate through hierarchical menus. The interface responds immediately to pilot actions on the waypoint itself, eliminating the need to search through multiple dialog windows.
2Loss of information
If constraint information is distributed across multiple dialog windows, then detailed constraint management is enabled, but information accessibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines all constraint-related information and controls into a single integrated display location adjacent to each waypoint. The constraint details, status indicators, and editing controls are merged into one unified interface element that appears directly on the navigation display next to the waypoint marker.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by placing constraint-specific information and controls precisely at the location where they are needed - next to each individual waypoint on the navigation display. This allows pilots to access constraint information locally at each waypoint rather than searching through centralized menu structures.
3Ease of operation
If waypoint constraints are accessed through centralized menu systems, then system-wide constraint management is achieved, but cognitive load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation by allowing pilots to directly interact with waypoint constraints through simple clicks or taps on the navigation display. The automation functions for constraint management are made immediately accessible through the waypoint interface itself, without requiring pilots to learn or remember complex menu navigation sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-positioning all constraint management controls and information in the immediate vicinity of each waypoint on the display. This eliminates the need for pilots to mentally track the location of controls across multiple screens or menu levels, reducing cognitive load while maintaining full automation capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Aircraft display systems and methods. Flight data is received from a Flight Management System (FMS) or other flight data source. A map display is generated based on the flight data including a depiction of a flight path and a plurality of waypoints or other fixes. A user selection of one of the waypoints or other fixes is received. An edit dialog box is generated. A value for a constraint or condition for the selected one of the waypoints or fixes is entered in the edit dialog box display by the user via a user interface device. The value for the constraint or condition is applied to the selected one of the waypoints or fixes via the FMS or other flight data source. The map display is generated including the depiction of the flight path and the plurality of waypoints or fixes. An icon is tagged to the selected one of the waypoints or fixes. The icon denotes an existence of the constraint or condition and a type of the constraint or condition. A constraint or condition dialog box is generated providing further information on the constraint or condition, in response to the user selecting the icon using the user interface device.