Timeline random access for multi-format time-based file recording and playback

• US 20050267656A1
• Filed: 01/12/2005
• Published: 12/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Aerospace, LLC (GE Aerospace)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Aerospace, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Dabrowski, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 7,516,407 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A random access recording method and system for recording and playing back of avionics data, includes: storing data received from a plurality of data channels in respective data files. The method and system also includes storing timeline pointers that signify when the data from the respective plurality of data files was stored. The method and system further includes determining a particular position of a timeline icon provided on a graphical user interface (GUI) display, the timeline icon signifying a point in time that a user desires to review avionics data stored. The method and system still further includes playing back data stored based on the particular position of the timeline icon with respect to corresponding values of the timeline pointers stored.

Claims

1. A random access recording method for recording and playing back of avionics data, comprising:

a) storing data received from a plurality of data channels in respective data files;

b) storing timeline pointers that signify when the data from the respective plurality of data files was stored;

c) determining a particular position of a timeline icon provided on a graphical user interface (GUI) display, the timeline icon signifying a point in time that a user desires to review avionics data stored in step a); and

d) playing back data stored based on the particular position of the timeline icon with respect to corresponding values of the timeline pointers stored in step b).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data is provided in accordance with ARINC 429 standard.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

prior to step c),

receiving input, from the user, of a movement of the timeline icon on the GUI display.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein step a) further comprises:

a1) inputting data from a plurality of data channels; and

a2) storing the respective data from the plurality of data channels in respective data files.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the respective data files are stored in a file folder that includes date and time information for accessing the file folder.

6. The method according to claim 4, where step b) comprises:

b1) storing the timeline pointers in a timeline pointer file,

wherein the respective data files and the timeline pointer file are stored in a file folder that includes date and time information for accessing the file folder.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein step d) comprises:

d1) determining a time offset from a beginning of a data collection session;

d2) dividing the time offset by a timeline offset file period to find an index to a timeline file stored in a memory; and

d3) opening the timeline file and searching for a timeline record corresponding to the time offset; and

d4) reading respective time-tag indices from the timeline file based on the timeline record; and

d5) opening each respective channel file and searching for data blocks stored therewithin; and

d6) sequentially reading out data from each respective channel file that has data, starting at a point of time corresponding to the time-tag indices.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein step a) comprises:

a1) receiving a data sample from at least data channel of a plurality of data channels;

a2) writing the data sample to a corresponding data file stored in a file folder;

a3) updating a file pointer in a file pointer file stored in the file folder, the file pointer indicating a point of time at which the corresponding data sample was received.

9. A system for recording and playing back of avionics data, comprising:

a storing unit configured to store data received from a plurality of data channels in respective data files, the storing unit also configured to store timeline pointers that signify when the data from the respective plurality of data files was stored;

a determining unit configured to determine a particular position of a timeline icon provided on a graphical user interface (GUI) display, the timeline icon signifying a point in time that a user desires to review avionics data stored in the storing unit; and

a playback unit configured to play back data stored based on the particular position of the timeline icon with respect to corresponding values of the timeline pointers stored in the storing unit.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the data is provided in accordance with ARINC 429 standard.

11. The system according to claim 9, further comprising:

an input unit configured to input data that represents a movement of the timeline icon on the GUI display by the user.

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein the storing unit is configured to receive data from a plurality of data channels, and

wherein the storing unit is configured to store the respective data from the plurality of data channels in respective data files.

13. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a file directory that includes at least one file folder,

wherein the respective data files are stored in the at least one file folder that includes date and time information for accessing the file folder.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the file directory further comprises:

a timeline pointer file configured to store the timeline pointers,

wherein the respective data files and the timeline pointer file are stored in the at least one file folder.

15. A computer readable memory having a data structure implementation a capacity for recording and playing back of avionics data, comprising:

means for storing data received from a plurality of data channels in respective data files;

means for storing timeline pointers that signify when the data from the respective plurality of data files was stored;

means for determining a particular position of a timeline icon provided on a graphical user interface (GUI) display, the timeline icon signifying a point in time that a user desires to review avionics data stored by the data storing means; and

means for playing back data stored based on the particular position of the timeline icon with respect to corresponding values of the timeline pointers stored by the timeline pointers storing means.

16. The computer readable memory according to claim 15, wherein the data is provided in accordance with ARINC 429 standard.

17. The computer readable memory according to claim 15, further comprising:

means for receiving input, from the user, of a movement of the timeline icon on the GUI display.

18. The computer readable memory according to claim 15, wherein the data storing means further comprises:

means for inputting data from a plurality of data channels; and

means for storing the respective data from the plurality of data channels in respective data files.

19. The computer readable memory according to claim 18, wherein the respective data files are stored in a file folder that includes date and time information for accessing the file folder.

20. The computer readable memory according to claim 18, where the timeline pointers storing means comprises:

means for storing the timeline pointers in a timeline pointer file,

wherein the respective data files and the timeline pointer file are stored in a file folder that includes date and time information for accessing the file folder.