Systems and methods for presenting and obtaining flight control information

• US 20050178903A1
• Filed: 12/24/2003
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Gunn, Peter D., Mumaw, Randall J., Griffin, John C. III, Boorman, Daniel J., Bresley, William M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,460,029 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/118.500
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/00 Indicating measured values

Abstract

Systems and methods for presenting and obtaining flight control information are disclosed. In one embodiment, information corresponding to a vertical motion of the aircraft can be displayed between information corresponding to a lateral motion of the aircraft and information corresponding to an airspeed of the aircraft. The information displayed can include a current mode for controlling the motion of the aircraft, a current target to which the aircraft is being directed and, at least proximate to both the current mode and the current target, a subsequent target to which the aircraft will be directed after attaining the current target.

Claims

1. An aircraft system including a computer-readable medium having contents that perform a method, comprising:

displaying at a first display location first information identifying a lateral motion of the aircraft, the first information including a current lateral mode under which the aircraft is currently operating and a current lateral target to which the aircraft is currently being directed;

displaying at a second display location second information identifying a vertical motion of the aircraft, the second information including a current vertical mode under which the aircraft is currently operating and a current vertical target to which the aircraft is currently being directed; and

displaying at a third display location third information identifying a speed of the aircraft, the third information including a current airspeed target to which the aircraft is currently being directed, the second display location being positioned proximate to and between the first and third display locations.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to display a subsequent lateral target to which the aircraft will be directed after attaining the current lateral target, and a subsequent vertical target to which the aircraft will be directed after attaining the current vertical target, and a subsequent airspeed target to which the aircraft will be directed after attaining the current airspeed target.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a mode control panel that includes the first, second and third display locations and at least one input device positioned to receive an input command from an operator.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to display the current lateral mode, current lateral target, current vertical mode and current vertical target at approximately the same vertical level.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to display a subsequent lateral target directly below the current lateral target.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a mode control panel that includes the first, second and third display locations.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a mode control panel that includes the first, second and third display locations, and wherein the first information includes a subsequent lateral target to which the aircraft will be directed after attaining the current lateral target, the second information includes a subsequent vertical target to which the aircraft will be directed after attaining the current vertical target, and the third information includes a subsequent airspeed target to which the aircraft will be directed after attaining the current airspeed target, the subsequent lateral target being displayed below the current lateral target, the subsequent vertical target being displayed below the current vertical target, and the subsequent airspeed target being displayed below the current airspeed target, and wherein the mode control panel further includes:

first input devices operatively coupled to the display locations and configured to receive manual inputs for the subsequent targets;

second input devices operatively coupled to the display locations and configured to activate the subsequent targets; and

third input devices operatively coupled to the display locations to allow activation of pre-programmed subsequent targets.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to:

display a subsequent lateral mode under which the aircraft will be operated after attaining the current lateral target; and

display a subsequent vertical mode under which the aircraft will be operated after attaining the current vertical target.

9. A method for manufacturing at least a portion of an aircraft control system, comprising:

identifying a convention for a temporal first order in which control information is conveyed from air traffic control to an operator of an aircraft, the control information corresponding to aspects of the lateral motion, vertical motion and speed of the aircraft; and

configuring a display medium of the aircraft to display first information corresponding to a characteristic of the lateral motion of the aircraft, second information corresponding to a characteristic of the vertical motion of the aircraft, and third information corresponding to a characteristic of the speed of the aircraft, in a spatial second order, the second order being the same as the first order.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein configuring the display medium includes configuring the display medium to display the second information laterally proximate to the first information, and the third information laterally proximate to the second information, with the second information being positioned between the first information and the third information.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein configuring the display medium includes configuring a display screen of a mode control panel, and wherein the mode control panel includes input devices configured to receive inputs from the operator to control the lateral motion, vertical motion and airspeed of the aircraft.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the first information corresponds to a current mode, current target and subsequent mode for controlling the lateral motion of the aircraft, and wherein the second information corresponds to a current mode, current target and subsequent mode for controlling the vertical motion of the aircraft, and wherein the third information corresponds to a current target and subsequent target for controlling the airspeed of the aircraft.

13. A method for displaying aircraft control information, comprising:

displaying in a first order on a first device of the aircraft at least one lateral target, at least one vertical target and at least one airspeed target to which the aircraft is currently being directed, the first device including a display medium and at least one input device for receiving aircraft control inputs from an operator; and

displaying in a second order the same as the first order on a second device of the aircraft additional lateral, vertical and airspeed targets to which the aircraft will subsequently be directed after attaining the at least one lateral target, the at least one vertical target and the at least one airspeed target.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein displaying on a first device includes displaying on a mode control panel of the aircraft, and wherein displaying on a second device includes displaying on a flight plan list display of the aircraft.

15. A method for displaying aircraft control information, comprising:

displaying on a first device of the aircraft at least one target to which the aircraft is currently being directed, the first device including a display medium and at least one input device for receiving aircraft control inputs from an operator;

displaying on a second device of the aircraft the at least one target to which the aircraft is currently being directed; and

displaying on the second device a plurality of additional targets to which the aircraft will subsequently be directed after attaining the at least one target, wherein displaying the plurality of additional targets includes displaying the plurality of additional targets simultaneously with displaying the at least one target.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein displaying the at least one target includes displaying the at least one target at a mode control panel of the aircraft.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein displaying the plurality of additional targets includes displaying the plurality of additional targets at a flight plan list display of the aircraft.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein displaying the at least one target includes displaying a target bearing, altitude and airspeed.

19. A method for displaying aircraft control information, comprising:

displaying at a first display location first information corresponding to a characteristic of a lateral motion of the aircraft;

displaying at a second display location second information corresponding to a characteristic of a vertical motion of the aircraft; and

displaying at a third display location third information corresponding to a characteristic of a speed of the aircraft, the second display location being positioned between the first and third display locations.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein displaying the second information includes displaying the second information laterally proximate to the first information, and wherein displaying the third information includes displaying the third information laterally proximate to the second information, with the second information being positioned between the first information and the third information.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein displaying the first information, second information and third information includes displaying the first information, second information and third information on at least one display screen of a mode control panel, and wherein the mode control panel includes at least one input device configured to receive inputs from the operator to control at least one of the lateral motion, vertical motion and airspeed of the aircraft, and wherein the method further comprises receiving at the at least one input device an input from the operator for controlling at least one of the lateral motion, vertical motion and airspeed of the aircraft.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein displaying the first information includes displaying information corresponding to a current mode, current target and subsequent mode for controlling the lateral motion of the aircraft, and wherein the displaying the second information includes displaying information corresponding to a current mode, current target and subsequent mode for controlling the vertical motion of the aircraft, and wherein displaying the third information includes displaying information corresponding to a target and subsequent target for controlling the airspeed of the aircraft.

23. A computer-implemented method for displaying aircraft control information, comprising:

displaying a current mode for controlling the motion of an aircraft, the current mode corresponding to a mode under which the aircraft is currently operating;

displaying at least proximate to the current mode a current target to which the aircraft is being directed; and

displaying at least proximate to both the current mode and the current target a subsequent target to which the aircraft will be directed after attaining the current target.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein displaying the current mode, the current target and the subsequent target includes displaying the current mode, the current target and the subsequent target on a mode control panel, the mode control panel having at least one input device to receive instructions for controlling the aircraft.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein displaying the current target includes displaying the current target laterally spaced apart from and vertically aligned with the current mode, and wherein displaying the subsequent target includes displaying the subsequent target laterally aligned with and vertically spaced apart from the current target.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein displaying the current target includes displaying the current target laterally spaced apart from and vertically aligned with the current mode, and wherein displaying the subsequent target includes displaying the subsequent target laterally aligned with and vertically spaced apart from the current target, and wherein the method further comprises displaying a subsequent mode laterally aligned with and vertically spaced apart from the current mode.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein displaying the current mode, current target and subsequent target includes displaying the current mode, current target and subsequent target for at least one of a lateral motion, a vertical motion and an airspeed of the aircraft.

28. The method of claim 23 wherein displaying the current mode, current target and subsequent target includes displaying the current mode, current target and subsequent target for both a lateral motion and a vertical motion of the aircraft, and wherein a general arrangement of the current mode, current target and subsequent target for the lateral motion of the aircraft is at least approximately the same as a general arrangement of the current mode, current target and subsequent target for the vertical motion of the aircraft.

29. A computer-implemented method for displaying aircraft control information, comprising:

receiving at a mode control device of the aircraft an input from an operator corresponding to a mode identifying a characteristic of the motion of the aircraft;

displaying at the mode control device a current mode for controlling the motion of the aircraft, the current mode corresponding to a mode under which the aircraft is currently operating; and

simultaneously displaying at least proximate to the current mode a current target to which the aircraft is being directed.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein displaying a current mode includes displaying a current mode corresponding to at least one of a lateral motion, and a vertical motion of the aircraft.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising displaying at the mode control device a next mode corresponding to a mode under which the aircraft will operate after attaining the current target.

32. A computer-implemented method for displaying aircraft control information, comprising:

receiving at a mode control device of the aircraft an input from an operator corresponding to a mode identifying a characteristic of the motion of the aircraft;

displaying at the mode control device a current mode for controlling the motion of an aircraft, the current mode corresponding to a mode under which the aircraft is currently operating; and

simultaneously displaying at least proximate to the current mode a current submode for controlling the motion of the aircraft, the current submode being one of a plurality of submodes selectable for the current mode.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein displaying a current mode includes displaying a current mode corresponding to at least one of a lateral motion, and a vertical motion of the aircraft.

34. The method of claim 32, further comprising displaying a next mode corresponding to a mode under which the aircraft will operate after attaining the current target.

35. A computer-implemented method for displaying aircraft control information, comprising:

receiving at a mode control device of the aircraft an input from an operator corresponding to a mode identifying a characteristic of the motion of the aircraft;

displaying at the mode control device a current mode for controlling the motion of an aircraft, the current mode corresponding to a mode under which the aircraft is currently operating as the aircraft is directed to a current target; and

simultaneously displaying at least proximate to the current mode a subsequent mode under which the aircraft will be operated after attaining the current target.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein displaying a current mode includes displaying a current mode corresponding to at least one of a lateral motion, and a vertical motion of the aircraft.

37. The method of claim 35, further comprising displaying at the mode control device the current target.

38. A computer-implemented method for displaying aircraft control information, comprising:

displaying a current mode for controlling the motion of an aircraft, the current mode corresponding to a mode under which the aircraft is currently automatically operating; and

simultaneously displaying at least proximate to the current mode a current target to which the aircraft is being directed, the current target being displayed at least approximately continuously while the aircraft is in flight.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein displaying the current mode includes displaying the current mode on at least one display screen of a mode control panel, and wherein the mode control panel includes at least one input device configured to receive inputs from the operator to select a subsequent mode for operating the aircraft, and wherein the method further comprises receiving at the at least one input device an input from the operator corresponding to the subsequent mode.

40. A computer-implemented method for displaying aircraft control information, comprising:

displaying at a first display location a current target to which an aircraft is currently being directed;

receiving an input for a proposed subsequent target;

displaying at a second display location the proposed subsequent target simultaneously with displaying the current target;

receiving an input authorizing implementation of the subsequent target; and

replacing the display of the current target at the first display location with a display of the subsequent target at the first display location.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein receiving an input includes receiving an input from an operator of the aircraft.

42. The method of claim 40, further comprising initiating the second display location with the current target.

43. The method of claim 40, further comprising updating the proposed subsequent target in response to an operator manipulating an input device, simultaneously with displaying the current target

44. The method of claim 40 wherein displaying at a first display location includes displaying at a mode control panel, and wherein receiving the input for a proposed subsequent target includes receiving the input from a first input device of the mode control panel, and wherein receiving the input authorizing implementation of the subsequent target includes receiving the input from a second input device of the mode control panel.

45. The method of claim 40 wherein receiving an input for a proposed subsequent target includes receiving an input when an operator rotates a switch, and wherein receiving an input authorizing implementation of the subsequent target includes receiving an input when the operator pushes the switch.

46. The method of claim 40 wherein receiving an input for a proposed subsequent target includes receiving an input for at least one of a vertical target, a lateral target and an airspeed target.

47. A computer-implemented method for displaying aircraft control information, comprising:

displaying a first indicator corresponding to a force on an aircraft in a first direction;

displaying a second indicator corresponding to a force on the aircraft in a second direction;

displaying a third indicator corresponding to a longitudinal target of the aircraft;

displaying a fourth indicator corresponding to a vertical target of the aircraft;

displaying a first link between the first indicator and one of the third and fourth indicators to identify whether the force in the first direction is being controlled to achieve the vertical target or the longitudinal target; and

displaying a second link between the second indicator at the other of the third and fourth indicators to identify whether the force in the second direction is being controlled to achieve the vertical target or the longitudinal target.

48. The method of claim 47 wherein displaying the first indicator includes displaying a pitch indicator and wherein displaying the second indicator includes displaying a thrust indicator.

49. The method of claim 47 wherein displaying the first, second, third and fourth indicators includes displaying textual indicators.

50. The method of claim 47 wherein displaying the first and second links includes displaying first and second lines.

51. An aircraft system including a computer-readable medium having contents that perform a method, comprising:

displaying a series of instructions for controlling aircraft behavior, the instructions to be automatically implemented at a future time;

for instructions that have been cleared for implementation, displaying the instructions in a first manner; and

for instructions that have not been cleared for implementation, displaying the instructions in a second manner different than the first manner.

52. The system of claim 51, further comprising a computer having at least one output device to display the instructions.

53. The system of claim 51, further comprising a flight guidance computer having a flight plan list display to display the instructions.

54. The system of claim 51, further comprising:

the aircraft; and

a computer having at least one output device to display the instructions.

55. The system of claim 51 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to display the instructions in the first manner to have in a first font, and display the instructions in the second manner in a second font different than the first font.

56. The system of claim 51 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to display the instructions in the first manner in a first color, and display the instructions in the second manner in a second color different than the first color.

57. An aircraft system including a computer-readable medium having contents that perform a method, comprising:

displaying at a display location a target to which an aircraft is being directed;

receiving a first input corresponding to a requested change for a motion path of the aircraft;

receiving a second input corresponding to a request to cease the change for the motion path; and

displaying at the display portion at least one of an estimated target and an actual target to which the aircraft will be directed when the request to cease the change for the motion path is implemented.

58. The system of claim 57, further comprising a computer having at least one input device to receive the input and at least one output device to display the target.

59. The system of claim 57 wherein a receiver portion receives the first and second inputs and a display portion displays the target.

60. The system of claim 57, further comprising:

the aircraft; and

a computer having at least one input device to receive the input and at least one output device to display the target.

61. The system of claim 57 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to receive a first input corresponding to a request to begin a turn, and receive a second input corresponding to a request to roll the aircraft out of the turn.

62. The system of claim 57 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to receive a first input corresponding to a request to change an altitude of the aircraft, and receive a second input corresponding to a request to level out the aircraft.

63. The system of claim 57 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to display the estimated target and then subsequently display the actual target.

64. An aircraft system including a computer-readable medium having contents that perform a method, comprising:

displaying at a display portion of an aircraft a plurality of options for directing motion of the aircraft, the options including at least one first option currently available for implementation and at least one second option not currently available for implementation;

displaying the at least one first option at the display portion in a first manner; and

displaying the at least one second option at the display portion in a second manner that is visually distinct from the first manner.

65. The system of claim 64, further comprising a computer having at least one output device to display the plurality of options.

66. The system of claim 64 wherein a display portion displays the plurality of options.

67. The system of claim 64, further comprising:

the aircraft; and

a computer having at least one output device to display the plurality of options.

68. The system of claim 64 wherein the at least one second option is available only as an instruction to be implemented at a future time.

69. An aircraft system including a computer-readable medium having contents that perform a method, comprising:

receiving a request for a change in aircraft heading from a rotary input device;

when the rotary input device has been rotated counterclockwise to request the change, direct the aircraft to begin a left turn regardless of the extent of the requested change; and

when the rotary input device has been rotated clockwise to request the change, direct the aircraft to begin a right turn regardless of the extent of the requested change.

70. The system of claim 69, further comprising a mode control panel housing the rotary input device.

71. The system of claim 69, further comprising:

the aircraft; and

a mode control panel housing the rotary input device.

72. An aircraft system including a computer-readable medium having contents that perform a method, comprising:

displaying at a display location of an aircraft, information corresponding to a plurality of instructions, the instructions including;

at least one first instruction input by an operator of the aircraft and implemented upon receiving an activation instruction from the operator; and

a plurality of second instructions to be automatically implemented at a future time.

73. The system of claim 72, further comprising a computer having a flight plan list display to display the instructions.

74. The system of claim 72, further comprising:

the aircraft; and

a computer having a flight plan list display to display the instruction.

75. The system of claim 72 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to display a demarcation indicator between the first instruction and the plurality of second instructions.

76. An aircraft system including a computer-readable medium having contents that perform a method, comprising:

displaying at a first display location first information corresponding to a characteristic of a lateral motion of the aircraft;

displaying at a second display location second information corresponding to a characteristic of a vertical motion of the aircraft; and

displaying at a third display location third information corresponding to a characteristic of a speed of the aircraft, the second display location being positioned between the first and third display locations.

77. The system of claim 76 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to display the second information laterally proximate to the first information, and display the third information laterally proximate to the second information, with the second information being positioned between the first information and the third information.

78. The system of claim 76 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to display information corresponding to a current mode, current target and subsequent mode for controlling the lateral motion of the aircraft, and display information corresponding to a current mode, current target and subsequent mode for controlling the vertical motion of the aircraft, and display information corresponding to a target and subsequent target for controlling the airspeed of the aircraft.

79. The system of claim 76 further comprising:

the aircraft; and

a computer having at least one display to display the first information, second information and third information.

80. An aircraft system including a computer-readable medium having contents that perform a method, comprising:

displaying a current mode for controlling the motion of an aircraft, the current mode corresponding to a mode under which the aircraft is currently operating;

displaying at least proximate to the current mode a current target to which the aircraft is being directed; and

displaying at least proximate to both the current mode and the current target a subsequent target to which the aircraft will be directed after attaining the current target.

81. The system of claim 80, further comprising a mode control panel, and wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to display the current mode, the current target and the subsequent target on the mode control panel, the mode control panel having at least one input device to receive instructions for controlling the aircraft.

82. The system of claim 80 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to display the current target laterally spaced apart from and vertically aligned with the current mode, and display the subsequent target laterally aligned with and vertically spaced apart from the current target.

83. The system of claim 80, further comprising:

the aircraft; and

a computer having at least one display to display the first information, second information and third information.

84. An aircraft system including a computer-readable medium having contents that perform a method, comprising:

displaying at a first display location a current target to which an aircraft is currently being directed;

receiving an input from an operator for a proposed subsequent target;

displaying at a second display location the proposed subsequent target simultaneously with displaying the current target;

receiving an input authorizing implementation of the subsequent target; and

replacing the display of the current target at the first display location with a display of the subsequent target at the first display location.

85. The system of claim 84 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to update the proposed subsequent target in response to the operator manipulating an input device, simultaneously with displaying the current target

86. The system of claim 84, further comprising a mode control panel, and wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to receive the input from a first input device of the mode control panel, and receive the input authorizing implementation of the subsequent target from the first or a second input device of the mode control panel.

87. The system of claim 84 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to receive an input corresponding to the proposed subsequent target when an operator rotates a switch, and receive an input authorizing implementation of the subsequent target when the operator pushes the switch.

88. The system of claim 84 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to receive an input corresponding to a proposed subsequent target and including at least one of a vertical target, a lateral target and an airspeed target.

89. The system of claim 84, further comprising:

the aircraft; and

a computer having at least one input device to receive the inputs, and first and second displays to display the current target.

90. An aircraft system including computer-readable medium having contents that perform a method, comprising:

displaying a first indicator corresponding to a force on an aircraft in a first direction;

displaying a second indicator corresponding to a force on the aircraft in a second direction;

displaying a third indicator corresponding to a longitudinal target of the aircraft;

displaying a fourth indicator corresponding to a vertical target of the aircraft;

displaying a first link between the first indicator and one of the third and fourth indicators to identify whether the force in the first direction is being controlled to achieve the vertical target or the longitudinal target; and

displaying a second link between the second indicator and the other of the third and fourth indicators to identify whether the force in the second direction is being controlled to achieve the vertical target or the longitudinal target.

91. The system of claim 90 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to display the first, second, third and fourth indicators as textual indicators.

92. The system of claim 90 wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are configured to display the first and second links as first and second lines.

93. The system of claim 90, further comprising:

the aircraft; and

a computer having at least one display to display the indicators.

94. An apparatus for controlling the lateral motion of an aircraft, comprising:

a control panel; and

a rotary knob mounted to the control panel and rotatable relative to the control panel, the rotary knob being operatively coupled to a control surface of an aircraft, the control surface being movably positioned to control a lateral motion of the aircraft, the rotary knob including;

a flange portion extending beyond an edge of the control panel; and

a projection extending axially outwardly from the flange portion, the flange portion and the projection being rotatable about a common rotation axis to control a lateral direction of the aircraft.

95. The apparatus of claim 94 wherein the rotary knob includes a first rotary knob, and wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a second rotary knob mounted to the control panel, the second rotary knob being operatively coupled to a second control surface or propulsion system of the aircraft, the second control surface being movably positioned to control a vertical motion of the aircraft; and

a third rotary knob mounted to the control panel, the third rotary knob being operatively coupled to the second control surface or the propulsion system of the aircraft to control an airspeed of the aircraft, wherein the first rotary knob has a configuration different than a configuration of the second rotary knob and the third rotary knob.