Method and system for highlighting an image representative of a flight parameter of an aircraft

• US 8,132,117 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2010
• Issued: 03/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innovative Solutions and Support Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Innovative Solutions and Support Incorporated
• Inventors: Hedrick, Geoffrey S.M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh, Ba
• Application Number:
  US12/830,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20110001636A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 715/771, 715/772, 715/767, 715/800, 715/801, 701/4, 701/7, 701/8, 701/9, 701/14, 701/29, 701/34
• US Class Current: 715/772
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/155 Virtual instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/213 Virtual instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/22 Display screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 43/00 Arrangements or adaptations of instruments arrangements of cameras B64D47/08; aeronautical measuring instruments per se G01C
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/00 Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for camouflage F41H3/00
• 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 7/002 giving both analog and numerical indication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04805 Virtual magnifying lens, i.e. window or frame movable on top of displayed information to enlarge it for better reading or selection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/0407 Resolution change, inclusive of the use of different resolutions for different screen areas
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2340/045 Zooming at least part of an image, i.e. enlarging it or shrinking it
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/20 for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters

Abstract

A method and system for highlighting a parameter image representative of a flight parameter of an aircraft to a user in a multi-parameter aircraft instrument display, such as a flat panel display. An electronic instrument display is configured to present parameter images, at least one of which includes a first indicator configured to indicate a specific value (e.g., a target value) for a flight parameter and a second indicator configured to indicate an actual flight parameter value that changes according to variations in the flight parameter. A graphics rendering controller is configured to generate the parameter images and to enlarge a portion of the parameter image when the actual flight parameter value is within a predetermined range from the target value.

Claims

1. A system for highlighting a parameter image representative of a flight parameter of an aircraft, the system comprising:

an electronic instrument display configured to present a plurality of parameter images representative of a plurality of flight parameters, at least one of the plurality of parameter images comprising;

a first indicator configured to indicate on the electronic instrument display a target value of a flight parameter associated with the at least one of the plurality of parameter images, and

a second indicator configured to indicate on the electronic instrument display an actual flight parameter value that changes according to variations in the flight parameter; and

a graphics rendering controller configured to generate the plurality of parameter images, and to enlarge at least a portion of the at least one of the plurality of parameter images when the actual flight parameter value is within a predetermined range from the target value.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the graphics rendering controller is further configured to reduce the enlarged portion of the at least one of the plurality of parameter images to its original size when the actual flight parameter value is outside the predetermined range.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the graphics rendering controller is further configured to reduce the enlarged portion of the at least one of the plurality of parameter images to its original size following a predetermined time period after which the actual flight parameter value has come within the predetermined range.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the graphics rendering controller is further configured to reduce the enlarged portion of the at least one of the plurality of parameter images to its original size following a predetermined time period after which the actual flight parameter value has fallen outside the predetermined range.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the first indicator comprises a bug that corresponds to an index marker;

the second indicator comprises a pointing arm; and

the enlarged portion of the at least one of the plurality of parameter images includes the bug and a tip of the pointing arm.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the target value for the flight parameter is manually adjusted by a user.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the target value for the flight parameter is determined by an aircraft computer based on one ore more parameters from one or more aircraft subsystems.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of parameter images comprises a graphically-depicted instrument having a shape of a circular gauge.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the plurality of parameter images comprises a substantially vertical or horizontal scale.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the parameter image comprises a legend having a sequence of marks along a periphery of the parameter image, the sequence marks configured to represent different values for the flight parameter;

the first indicator pointing to a target value along the sequence of marks; and

the second indicator having a needle or arm that points along the sequence of marks of the legend to indicate the changing flight parameter value.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising:

presenting a first alphanumeric label proximate to a first mark of the sequence of marks, the first alphanumeric label identifying a value represented by the first mark; and

presenting a second alphanumeric label proximate to a second mark of the sequence of marks, the second alphanumeric label identifying a value represented by the second mark.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the enlarged portion of the parameter image is presented such that a zoomed view of the parameter image is displayed over a section in the electronic instrument display where the first and second indicators are otherwise normally presented.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the flight parameter is selected from the group consisting of altitude, speed, heading, N % RPM, EPR, pressure, oil or fuel quantity, and temperature.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the actual flight parameter value is received through an input selected from the group consisting of an aircraft sensor, an environmental sensor, a transmission to the aircraft, an onboard monitoring device, and a control input from a user.

15. A method for highlighting a parameter image on an electronic instrument display of an aircraft, the parameter image comprising a first indicator configured to indicate a specific value of a flight parameter and a second indicator configured to indicate an actual flight parameter value that changes according to variations in the flight parameter, the method comprising:

presenting the parameter image on the electronic instrument display; and

automatically magnifying at least a portion of the parameter image as soon as the actual flight parameter value, as indicated by the second indicator, falls within a predetermined range from the specific value indicated by the first indicator.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising returning the magnified portion of the parameter image to its original size when the actual flight parameter value is outside the predetermined range.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the specific value is selected from the group consisting of a target value, a reference value, and a limit value.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the specific value is manually adjusted by a user or is determined by an aircraft computer.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the flight parameter is selected from the group consisting of a primary parameter, a navigation parameter, and an engine parameter.

20. A system for highlighting an image representative of a flight parameter of an aircraft, the system comprising:

an aircraft computer;

a graphics rendering controller coupled to the aircraft computer and configured to generate the parameter image; and

an electronic instrument display coupled to the graphics rendering controller to present the parameter image;

wherein;

the parameter image is a graphically-depicted scale comprising;

a bug configured to indicate a target value of the flight parameter, and

a pointer configured to indicate an actual value of the flight parameter;

at least one of the graphics rendering controller or the aircraft computer is configured to monitor the flight parameter for variations in the parameter value;

the graphics rendering controller is configured to magnify a portion of the parameter image in response to the actual parameter value coming within a predetermined range from the target value; and

the graphics rendering controller is configured to terminate the magnification of the portion of the parameter image when the actual parameter value lies outside the predetermined range from the target value.