Wireless Smartphone Interface for Avionics Data Input

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional aircraft avionics systems require manual programming and data entry, leading to significant downtime and potential errors in flight planning and performance monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A wireless system that includes a transmitter to send flight performance data to a wireless database and a portable transceiver to receive and transmit data, allowing for rapid monitoring and training, as well as automatic upload of flight planning information to the avionics system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual programming is used to input flight planning information, then data can be entered into the avionics system, but significant downtime occurs and mistakes may result due to incorrect input

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of flight planning dataVSAvoiddowntime for programming

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a portable computing device to copy flight planning information from external sources (such as flight management systems or documentation) and transfer it wirelessly to the avionics system. This eliminates manual data entry while ensuring accuracy through automated copying processes, resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual programming process with an automated wireless data transfer system. The portable computing device communicates with the avionics system through wireless communication protocols, substituting the manual mechanical process with an automated electronic system that reduces both time and errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If conventional avionics systems are used to display and store flight performance information, then flight monitoring capability is provided, but the process is manual and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of flight performance monitoringVSAvoidmanual data handling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the portable computing device serve multiple functions: it acts as a flight planner, performance monitor, and data transfer interface. This multi-functional approach consolidates multiple manual processes into a single automated system, improving productivity while simplifying operation through a unified interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automated feedback loops where flight performance data is continuously collected, transmitted to the portable computing device, analyzed, and used to provide real-time monitoring and alerts. This automated feedback mechanism eliminates manual monitoring while improving both productivity and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If manual data entry is used for flight planning, then information can be input to the system, but errors occur due to incorrect input

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of data inputVSAvoidmanual programming process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically copies flight planning data from external sources to the avionics system through wireless communication, eliminating manual data entry entirely. This copying process maintains data accuracy while reducing the complexity of the input process, as the data is transferred automatically rather than requiring manual programming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Productivity

If wireless data transfer system is implemented, then downtime is reduced and errors are minimized, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer efficiencyVSAvoidwireless communication system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a portable computing device that already exists in the cockpit environment to perform multiple functions including data transfer, flight planning, and performance monitoring. By leveraging an existing multi-functional device rather than adding dedicated specialized equipment, the system achieves high productivity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10275950B2Avionics system adapted for employing smartphone to input-output flight data

Publication Date: 2019.04.30 TEXTRON INNOVATIONS INC

AI summary

A system and method configured to monitor aircraft flight performance data. The system includes a wireless transmitter in data communication with an avionics system of the aircraft, a portable wireless transceiver associated with the wireless transmitter, and a wireless database associated with the wireless transmitter. The method includes sensing flight performance data with the sensor, transmitting sensed flight performance data to the wireless transmitter, wirelessly transmitting the sensed flight performance data to the wireless database, and monitoring flight performance data with a display operably associated with the wireless database.