Cockpit instrument panel systems and methods with redundant flight data display

• US 6,842,672 B1
• Filed: 02/24/2004
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin International, Inc. (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Garmin International, Inc. (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Langner, Dale R., Straub, Philip I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gibson, Eric M.
• Application Number:
  US10/785,545
• Time in Patent Office: 322 Days
• Field of Search: 701/3, 701/4, 701/14, 244/1.R, 244/75.R, 340/945, 340/971
• US Class Current: 701/3
• 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: G05D 1/0077 using redundant signals or controls

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for integrated control, access, and presentation of flight information within the cockpit. Cockpit instrument systems and methods are provided which include a first cockpit instrument panel which has a first display proximately located to a first bezel. The first display is operable to present navigational data, communication data, and flight information data including airspeed, attitude, and altitude. The systems and methods further include a second cockpit instrument panel located adjacent to the first cockpit instrument panel. The second cockpit instrument panel has a second display proximately located to a second bezel. The second display is operable to present navigational data, communication data, and flight information data including detailed engine parameters. When either the first or the second cockpit instrument panel fails, the remaining functional, first or second display, is adapted to provide all of the important flight information data, including airspeed, attitude, altitude, and detailed engine parameters.

Claims

1. A multi-function display (MFD), comprising:

a bezel having controls located thereon which are adapted for controlling communication devices, navigational devices, and equipment sensors; and

a display adjacent to the bezel, to automatically provide a graphical backup presentation of a set of important flight information data including airspeed, attitude, altitude, communication, navigation and engine data upon the failure of one or more primary instruments displays.

2. The MFD of claim 1, wherein the set of flight information is dependent on an aircraft frame and engine type.

3. The MFD of claim 1, wherein the display is adapted to provide the backup presentation of the set of flight information data upon the actuation of a toggle button located on the MFD.

4. The MFD of claim 1, wherein the display is adapted to be dynamically configurable to adjust a content and a configuration of the backup presentation.

5. The MFD of claim 1, wherein the bezel surrounds the display.

6. The MFD of claim 1, wherein the bezel forms a framed perimeter that surrounds the display but is not part of the display.

7. The MFD of claim 1, wherein the controls located on the bezel are selected from the group consisting of a control for a VOR/Localize Receiver, a control for permitting radio communications, a control for a numeric touch pad, a control for a transponder communications mode selector, a control for identifying an aircraft, a control for a VFR Squawk code entry, a control for a GPS receiver, a control for an auto pilot, a control for text messaging, a control for telecommunications, a control for video, and a control for an overlay.

8. The MFD of claim 1, wherein the controls include overlay controls located on a bottom side of the bezel.

9. The MFD of claim 1, wherein the display includes at least one inset display.

10. The MFD of claim 1, wherein the display includes at least one graphical informational overlay.

11. The MFD of claim 1, wherein the display is a reversionary display.

12. The MFD of claim 1, wherein the flight information data is presented in a substantially similar format, size, location and perspective as presented on the one or more primary instrument displays.

13. A multi-function display (MFD), comprising:

a single display adapted to provide a back-up presentation of a set of important flight information data including airspeed, attitude, altitude, communication, navigation and engine data upon the failure of one or more primary instruments displays; and

a bezel surrounding the display and having controls located thereon which are adapted for control and communication devices, navigational devices, and equipment sensors.

14. The MFD of claim 13, wherein the display is adapted to provide the backup presentation of the set of flight information data upon the actuation of a toggle button located on the MFD.

15. The MFD of claim 13, wherein the display is adapted to be dynamically configurable to adjust a content and a configuration of the backup presentation.

16. The MFD of claim 13, wherein the controls located on the bezel are selected from the group consisting of a control for a VOR/Localize Receiver, a control for permitting radio communications, a control for a numeric touch pad, a control for a transponder communications mode selector, a control for identifying an aircraft, a, control for a VFR Squawk code entry, a control for a GPS receiver, a control for an auto pilot, a control for text messaging, a control for telecommunications, a control for video, and a control for an overlay.

17. The MFD of claim 13, wherein the controls include overlay controls located on a bottom side of the bezel.

18. The MFD of claim 13, wherein the display includes at least one inset display.

19. The MFD of claim 13, wherein the display includes at least one graphical informational overlay.

20. The MFD of claim 13, wherein the display is a reversionary display.

21. The MFD of claim 13, wherein the flight information data is presented in a substantially similar format, size, location and perspective as presented on the one or more primary instrument displays.