Multi-dimensional instruments for monitoring engine and system parameters

• US 7,053,796 B1
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Barber, Sarah
• Primary Examiner(s): Pope, Daryl C
• Application Number:
  US10/375,659
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 340/945, 340/971, 340/973, 340/691.6, 701/14
• US Class Current: 340/945
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2207/10 Displays which are primarily used in aircraft or display aircraft-specific information
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/02 Indicating value of two or more variables simultaneously

Abstract

A monitoring instrument that represents the state of n parameters is disclosed, where n is an integer greater than two. The monitoring instrument includes n axes having a common origination point. Each axis is configured to indicate one of the n parameters. The instrument also includes a polygon having n vertices, wherein each vertex is disposed along one of the n axes at a location indicating the state of the parameter indicated by said axis.

Claims

1. A component of an avionics display that represents the state of n parameters where n is an integer greater than two, comprising:

n axes having a common origination point, each axis configured to indicate one of the n parameters, said parameters being relevant to operating an aircraft; and

a polygon having n vertices, wherein each vertex is disposed along one of the n axes at a location indicating the state of the parameter indicated by said axis.

2. The monitoring instrument of claim 1, wherein n is equal to six.

3. The monitoring instrument of claim 1, further comprising an angle between each of the n axes, wherein all such angles are substantially equal.

4. The monitoring instrument of claim 1, further including a numeric readout representing a current value of each of the n parameters located adjacent an end of a respective axis.

5. The monitoring instrument of claim 1, further including:

a polygonal display area having n vertices, each of said n vertices of the polygonal display area being aligned with one of the n axes.

6. The monitoring instrument of claim 5, further including a warning area that indicates whether one of the n parameters exceeds a predetermined operating range.

7. An avionics monitoring instrument that graphically indicates values of n parameters relevant to operating an aircraft, the instrument comprising:

a polygonal display area having a regular polygonal shape and n vertices;

n axes emanating from a reference point centrally disposed within the polygonal display area, wherein a measured value of each of the n parameters is displayed along a respective one of the n axes;

a polygon created by sequentially connecting the displayed value of each of the parameters such that vertices of the polygon are only disposed along the axes;

wherein the shape of the polygon is representative of the measured values of the n parameters.

8. The instrument of claim 7, wherein the polygonal display area includes a warning area that graphically alerts an operator if a parameter is not within a predetermined range.

9. The instrument of claim 8, wherein the warning area is configured to substantially surround the remainder of the polygonal display area, and further wherein a color associated with the warning area contrasts with a color associated with the polygon.

10. The instrument of claim 9, wherein the color of the warning area is one of yellow, red, and amber.

11. The instrument of claim 9, wherein only the portion of the warning area adjacent an axis of a displayed parameter is highlighted in the color associated with the warning area when said parameter is not within the predetermined range.

12. The instrument of claim 7, wherein each of the n axes is configured such that maximum and minimum acceptable values of the respective parameter are displayed in the instrument.

13. The monitoring instrument of claim 7, further including a numeric readout representing a current value of each of the n parameters located adjacent an end of a respective axis.

14. A method of displaying, in a single display component, a plurality of parameters relevant to operating an aircraft, comprising:

displaying a plurality of axes emanating from a central point, each axis configured to indicate a value of a respective one of the plurality of parameters; and

creating a polygon within the display component, the polygon having vertices at the indicated values of the plurality of parameters;

wherein each possible shape of the polygon indicates the values of the plurality of parameters.

15. The method of claim 14, further including:

displaying a polygonal display area, wherein each vertex of the polygonal display area is aligned with one of the plurality of axes.

16. The method of claim 14, further including:

determining whether any of the parameters is not within a predetermined range; and

providing a visual alert if any of the parameters is not within the predetermined range.

17. The method of claim 16, further including;

displaying a polygonal display area, wherein each vertex of the polygonal display area is aligned with one of the plurality of axes;

wherein the step of providing a visual alert is accomplished by highlighting a portion of the polygonal display area.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of providing a visual alert is accomplished by highlighting a portion of the polygonal display area adjacent to the axis upon which a parameter not within the predetermined range is displayed.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of highlighting is performed by coloring the portion of the polygonal display one of red, yellow, and amber.