Vehicle operation instruction confirmation

• US 10,803,755 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2016
• Issued: 10/13/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Puentes, Antonio F., Blackstun, Melissa I., Schwartz, Samantha A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancho, Ronnie M
• Application Number:
  US15/187,468
• Publication Number:
  US 20170365177A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,576 Days
• Field of Search: 701120
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2045/0075 Adaptations for use of electronic flight bags in aircraft; Supports therefor in the cockpit
• 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: G07C 5/0825 using optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0039 Modification of a flight plan
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0052 for cruising combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value G01C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0065 for taking-off
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0091 for monitoring atmospheric conditions radar or analogous systems specially adapted for meteorological use G01S13/95; meteorology G01W
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/025 Navigation or guidance aids radar or analogous systems specially adapted for landing purposes G01S13/913
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression

Abstract

A method, system, and computer program product for providing an indication that a received vehicle operation instruction can be performed is provided. During operation of a vehicle a vehicle operation instruction is received and at least one vehicle performance parameter to perform the vehicle operation instruction is calculated. Then, a determination is made as to whether the calculated at least one vehicle performance parameter exceeds performance limitations of the vehicle. If at least one performance parameter exceeds a performance limitation, then a first alert is generated and output.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

during motive operation of a vehicle, wirelessly receiving a first vehicle operation instruction comprising a first instructed movement of the vehicle from a traffic controller, wherein the first vehicle operation instruction requires a compliance response to be transmitted to the traffic controller;

prior to performing the first instructed movement, calculating at least a first vehicle performance parameter associated with performing the first instructed movement;

comparing the first vehicle performance parameter associated with performing the first instructed movement with at least a first vehicle performance limitation of the vehicle to determine whether a performance of the first instructed movement exceeds performance limitations of the vehicle, wherein the performance of the first instructed movement exceeds the performance limitations of the vehicle at least when at least the first vehicle performance parameter exceeds at least the first vehicle performance limitation;

generating and outputting a first alert to a vehicle operator upon determining that the first vehicle performance parameter would exceed the first vehicle performance limitation, wherein the first alert indicates the vehicle cannot comply with the first instructed movement; and

transmitting the compliance response to the traffic controller indicating the vehicle cannot comply with the first instructed movement.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to determining that the first vehicle performance parameter exceeds the first vehicle performance limitation, generating and wirelessly transmitting a text message declining performance of the first instructed movement of the vehicle.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a second vehicle operation instruction comprising a second instructed movement of the vehicle;

calculating at least a second vehicle performance parameter associated with performing the second instructed movement; and

generating and outputting a second alert upon determining that the second vehicle performance parameter does not exceed any performance limitations of the vehicle.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the vehicle comprises a computer display screen viewable by the vehicle operator,

wherein outputting the first alert comprises displaying a red field on the computer display screen, and

wherein outputting the second alert comprises displaying a green field on the computer display screen.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising:

responsive to determining that the second vehicle performance parameter does not exceed any performance limitations of the vehicle, generating and wirelessly transmitting a text message accepting performance of the second instructed movement of the vehicle.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising:

responsive to determining that the second vehicle performance parameter does not exceed any performance limitations of the vehicle;

generating and displaying a prompt to the vehicle operator; and

upon receiving an input from the vehicle operator;

generating and wirelessly transmitting a text message accepting performance of the second instructed movement; and

generating and applying vehicle control inputs to the vehicle to perform the second instructed movement.

7. A system for an aircraft, comprising:

a controller pilot data link communications (CPDLC) module;

a computer processor; and

a computer memory including;

a data structure including one or more performance limitations for the aircraft; and

an application that is executable on the computer processor to;

during motive operation of the aircraft, receive a first aircraft operation instruction from an air traffic controller via the CPDLC module, wherein the first aircraft operation instruction comprises a first instructed movement of the aircraft, wherein the first aircraft operation instruction requires a compliance response to be transmitted to the air traffic controller;

prior to performing the first instructed movement, calculate at least a first aircraft performance parameter associated with performing the first instructed movement;

compare the first aircraft performance parameter associated with performing the first instructed movement with at least a first aircraft performance limitation of the one or more performance limitations for the aircraft to determine whether a performance of the first instructed movement exceeds performance limitations of the aircraft wherein the performance of the first instructed movement exceeds the performance limitations of the aircraft at least when at least the first aircraft performance parameter exceeds at least the first aircraft performance limitation;

generate and output a first alert to a computer display screen upon determining that the first aircraft performance parameter would exceed the first aircraft performance limitation, wherein the first alert indicates the aircraft cannot comply with the first instructed movement; and

transmitting the compliance response to the air traffic controller indicating the aircraft cannot comply with the first instructed movement.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the application is further executable to:

generate a first text message declining performance of the first instructed movement responsive to determining that the first aircraft performance parameter exceeds the first aircraft performance limitation; and

wirelessly transmit the first text message via the CPDLC module.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the application is further executable to:

receive a second aircraft operation instruction comprising a second instructed movement of the aircraft;

calculate at least a second aircraft performance parameter associated with performing the second instructed movement; and

generate and output a second alert to the computer display screen upon determining that the second aircraft performance parameter does not exceed any of the one or more performance limitations.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the computer display screen is viewable by a vehicle operator,

wherein outputting the first alert comprises displaying a red field on the computer display screen, and

wherein outputting the second alert comprises displaying a green field on the computer display screen.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the application is further executable to:

generate a second text message accepting performance of the second instructed movement responsive to determining that the second aircraft performance parameter does not exceed any of the one or more performance limitations; and

wirelessly transmit the second text message via the CPDLC module.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the computer display screen is a computer display screen in a personal electronic device.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the computer display screen is a display screen of an electronic flight bag system.

14. The system of claim 7, wherein the computer display screen is a display screen for an engine indicating and crew alerting system (EICAS).

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the application is further executable to:

responsive to determining that the second aircraft performance parameter does not exceed any performance limitations of the aircraft;

generate and display a prompt to an operator of the aircraft; and

upon receiving an input from the operator;

generate and wirelessly transmit a text message accepting performance of the second instructed movement via the CPDLC module; and

generate and transmit vehicle control inputs to avionics of the aircraft to perform the second instructed movement.

16. A computer program product for clearing vehicle operation instructions, the computer program product comprising:

a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code embodied therewith, the computer-readable program code executable by one or more computer processors to;

during motive operation of a vehicle, wirelessly receive a first vehicle operation instruction, from an external vehicle controller, comprising a first instructed movement of the vehicle from a traffic controller, wherein first vehicle operation instruction requires a compliance response to be transmitted to the traffic controller;

prior to performing the first instructed movement, calculate at least a first vehicle performance parameter associated with performing the first instructed movement;

compare the first vehicle performance parameter associated with performing the first instructed movement with at least a first vehicle performance limitation of the vehicle to determine whether a performance of the first instructed movement exceeds performance limitations of the vehicle, wherein the performance of the first instructed movement exceeds the performance limitations of the vehicle at least when at least the first vehicle performance parameter exceeds at least the first vehicle performance limitation;

generate and output a first alert to a vehicle operator upon determining that the first vehicle performance parameter would exceed the first vehicle performance limitation;

wherein the first alert indicates the vehicle cannot comply with the first instructed movement; and

transmitting the compliance response to the traffic controller indicating the vehicle cannot comply with the first instructed movement.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the computer-readable program code is further executable to:

responsive to determining that the first vehicle performance parameter exceeds the first vehicle performance limitation, generate and wirelessly transmit a text message declining performance of the first instructed movement of the vehicle.

18. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the computer-readable program code is further executable to:

receive a second vehicle operation instruction comprising a second instructed movement of the vehicle;

calculate at least a second vehicle performance parameter associated with performing the second instructed movement; and

generate and output a second alert upon determining that the second vehicle performance parameter does not exceed any performance limitations of the vehicle.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein outputting the first alert comprises displaying a red field on a computer display screen of the vehicle, and

wherein outputting the second alert comprises displaying a green field on the computer display screen.

20. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the computer-readable program code is further executable to:

responsive to determining that the second vehicle performance parameter does not exceed any performance limitations of the vehicle, generate and wirelessly transmit a text message accepting performance of the second instructed movement of the vehicle.