VEHICLE OPERATION INSTRUCTION CONFIRMATION

• US 20170365177A1
• Filed: 06/20/2016
• Published: 12/21/2017
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 10,803,755 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 operation of a vehicle, receiving a vehicle operation instruction;

calculating at least one vehicle performance parameter to perform the vehicle operation instruction;

determining whether the calculated at least one vehicle performance parameter exceeds performance limitations of the vehicle; and

generating and outputting a first alert upon determining that the calculated at least one vehicle performance parameter exceeds a performance limitation from among the performance limitations of the vehicle.

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

responsive to determining that a vehicle performance parameter from among the at least one vehicle performance parameter exceeds a performance limitation, generating and transmitting a text message declining the vehicle operation instruction.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising generating and outputting a second alert upon determining that the at least one vehicle performance parameter does not exceed any performance limitations.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the first alert comprises a red field displayed on a computer display screen, and wherein the second alert comprises a green field displayed on the computer display screen.

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

responsive to determining that the at least one vehicle performance parameter does not exceed any performance limitations, generating and transmitting a text message accepting the vehicle operation instruction.

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

responsive to determining that the at least one vehicle performance parameter does not exceed any performance limitations;

generating and displaying a prompt to an operator of the vehicle; and

upon receiving an input from the operator;

generating and transmitting a text message accepting the vehicle operation instruction; and

generating and applying vehicle control inputs to the vehicle to perform the vehicle operation instruction.

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 performance limitations for the aircraft; and

an application that is executable on the computer processor to;

receive an aircraft operation instruction from the CPDLC module;

calculate at least one aircraft performance parameter to perform the aircraft operation instruction;

determine whether the calculated at least one aircraft performance parameter exceeds performance limitations of the aircraft; and

generate and output a first alert to a computer display screen upon determining that the calculated at least one aircraft performance parameter exceeds a performance limitation from among the performance limitations of the aircraft.

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

generate a first text message declining the aircraft operation instruction responsive to determining that a aircraft performance parameter from among the at least one performance parameter exceeds a performance limitation in the data structure; and

transmit the generated first text message via the CPDLC module.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the application is further executable to generate and output a second alert to the computer display screen upon determining that the at least one aircraft performance parameter does not exceed any of the performance limitations in the data structure.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first alert comprises a red field displayed on the computer display screen, and wherein the second alert comprises a green field displayed on the computer display screen.

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

generate a second text message accepting the aircraft operation instruction responsive to determining that the at least one aircraft performance parameter does not exceed any of the performance limitations; and

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 7, wherein the application is further executable to:

responsive to determining that the at least one aircraft performance parameter does not exceed any performance limitations;

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

upon receiving an input from the operator;

generate and transmit a text message accepting the aircraft operation instruction via the CPDLC module; and

generate and transmit vehicle control inputs to avionics of the aircraft to perform the aircraft operation instruction.

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 operation of a vehicle, receive a vehicle operation instruction;

calculate at least one vehicle performance parameter to perform the vehicle operation instruction;

determine whether the calculated at least one vehicle performance parameter exceeds performance limitations of the vehicle; and

generate and output a first alert upon determining that the calculated at least one vehicle performance parameter exceeds a performance limitation from among the performance limitations of the vehicle.

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

responsive to determining that a vehicle performance parameter from among the at least one vehicle performance parameter exceeds a performance limitation, generate and transmit a text message declining the vehicle operation instruction.

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

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

19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein the first alert comprises a red field displayed on a computer display screen, and wherein the second alert comprises a green field displayed on the computer display screen.

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

responsive to determining that the at least one vehicle performance parameter does not exceed any performance limitations, generate and transmit a text message accepting the vehicle operation instruction.