Methods, systems, and apparatus for layered and multi-indexed flight management interface

• US 9,205,916 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2014
• Issued: 12/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Boorman, Daniel J., Mumaw, Randall J., Riley, Victor A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): THOMAS, ANA D
• Application Number:
  US14/202,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20140188312A1
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 19/00 Aircraft control not otherwise provided for
• 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: G06F 2203/04803 Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus for tab-pane-based flight plan management interface are disclosed. The tab-pane-based flight management interface system (FMIS) is optimally Layered and Multi-Indexed (LMI) such that the management of flight management (FM) functions and associated parameters that affect the airplane'"'"'s flight are easily and efficiently operable by pilots. The LMI-FMIS provides a flexible tab-pane-based architecture that allows pilots to start a flight plan modification, proceed to engage in other tasks not related to the modification, and return to the pending modification to continue the modification process. The LMI-FMIS also provides task-oriented menu structures that provide pilots tailored options or menus applicable to the task at hand thus efficiently guiding pilots to complete a task while maintaining easy access to information that was displayed prior to the commencement of the task.

Claims

1. A flight management interface device operatively coupled to a flight management system, the device having a display depicting display elements, comprising:

a first layer comprising of a plurality of flight management functions, the flight management functions organized by a first tab-pane; and

a second layer comprising of a plurality of modification options for the flight management functions, the modification options organized by a second tab-pane; and

a third tab-pane comprising information related to the flight management functions presented in the first tab-pane wherein the information comprises at least one of descriptive data, predictive data, and planning data.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the second tab-pane activates upon selection of a flight management function of the first tab-pane.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein a modification made from the second tab-pane updates at least one flight management function in the first tab-pane.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the second tab-pane deactivates upon at least one of an execution of a modification or a cancellation of a modification.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of flight management functions of the first tab-pane is presented in at least one of a tabular format or a graphical format.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising a variable-access means for defining views of the first tab-pane.