Weather Indicator System Integrating Ceiling and Visibility Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pilots face challenges in maintaining situational awareness due to the need to constantly switch between weather information and instrument approach procedure (IAP) charts, leading to potential errors in determining the suitability of IAPs based on weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A weather indicator system that presents weather information, including ceiling and visibility data, in a compact and easily viewable format using image generators and display units, such as Head-Down Displays (HDDs) and Head-Up Displays (HUDs), allowing pilots to quickly assess weather conditions against predefined landing minima for instrument approach procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If pilots use traditional weather information sources and IAP charts separately, then they can obtain detailed weather data and approach procedure information, but they experience loss of situational awareness due to constant eye shifting between multiple sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines weather information and IAP chart information into a single integrated display. The system superimposes weather data (ceiling, visibility, temperature, dew point) directly onto the approach procedure chart, eliminating the need for pilots to switch between separate sources and maintaining continuous situational awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a visual dimension to weather data by using graphical indicators and color-coding on the display. Weather parameters are represented as visual elements overlaid on the chart, creating a multi-layered information presentation that allows simultaneous viewing of procedural and meteorological data.
2Reliability
If pilots obtain weather information from multiple data sources, then they can comprehensive weather data for decision-making, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-processes and organizes weather data from multiple sources before presentation to the pilot. Landing minimums and weather parameters are automatically retrieved and matched with the selected approach procedure, so that when the pilot views the display, all relevant information is already prepared and ready for immediate comparison.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automatic feedback by comparing current weather conditions with landing minimums and visually indicating whether the conditions are suitable for the selected approach. This eliminates the need for pilots to manually perform comparisons and reduces cognitive load.
3Loss of information
If detailed weather information is presented in traditional formats, then complete data is available, but the information is not easily viewable and requires extensive interpretation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different visual characteristics to different parts of the weather information display. Critical parameters like ceiling and visibility are highlighted with specific colors and positioning, while less critical data is presented in standard format. This allows the display to convey complete information while guiding the pilot's attention to the most important elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A weather indicator system and method for generating and presenting weather indicator(s) are disclosed. The weather indicator may include two or more ceiling indicators for presenting minimum and reported ceilings, two or more visibility indicators for presenting minimum and reported visibilities, and at least one scale from which the ceiling and visibility information may be presented to a viewer by the ceiling and visibility indicators, respectively. An indicator generating system could include a source(s) of weather data and an image generator configured to acquire weather data from the source(s) of weather data and generate presentation data representative of the weather indicator as a function of the weather data.