Situation aftermath management system and method

A system and method for assisting flight crew recovery in the aftermath of an unexpected event is provided. A processor is used to detect that an unexpected event has occurred in an aircraft and, in response to detecting that the unexpected event has occurred, state data are stored in memory. The processor is also used to detect that the unexpected event has been resolved and, in response to detecting that the unexpected event has been resolved, the processor retrieves the state data from the memory, generates an aftermath plan that includes prompts to guide the flight crew to complete the aftermath plan, and continuously updates the aftermath plan until the aftermath plan is completed

Display system and method for generating a display: Patent Application

A display system and method for providing a display. A display system includes a computer processor, the computer processor being configured to receive information from a plurality of sensors. The computer processor is further configured to detect an abnormal situation, based on information received from the plurality of sensors. The display system further includes a database including abnormal situation response procedures in operable communication with the processor, wherein the database is configured to provide the processor with the abnormal situation response procedures upon the detection of an abnormal situation. The display system further includes a display device in operable communication with the processor, wherein the display device is configured to display information from the sensors regarding the abnormal situation and the abnormal situation response procedures

Display system and method for generating a display

A display system and method for providing a display. A display system includes a computer processor, the computer processor being configured to receive information from a plurality of sensors. The computer processor is further configured to detect an abnormal situation, based on information received from the plurality of sensors. The display system further includes a database including abnormal situation response procedures in operable communication with the processor, wherein the database is configured to provide the processor with the abnormal situation response procedures upon the detection of an abnormal situation. The display system further includes a display device in operable communication with the processor, wherein the display device is configured to display information from the sensors regarding the abnormal situation and the abnormal situation response procedures

Aircraft situational awareness improvement system and method

The present invention in its various aspects is as set out in the appended claims. In one embodiment, a method for improving aircraft pilot situational awareness includes receiving and processing datalink messages and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data in an aircraft. A spatial and temporal situational model for the aircraft is generated based on the processed datalink messages and the processed ADSB data. At least a portion of the spatial and temporal situational model is rendered on a display device within the aircraft. In another embodiment, an aircraft pilot situational awareness improvement system includes a display device and a processor. The display device is coupled to receive image rendering display commands and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to render one or more images. The processor is configured to receive datalink messages and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) and is configured, upon receipt thereof, to process the received datalink messages and the received ADS-B data, generate a spatial and temporal situational model for the aircraft based on the processed datalink messages and the processed ADS-B data, and supply image rendering display commands to the display device that cause the display device to render at least a portion of the spatial and temporal situational model. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the aircraft pilot situational awareness improvement system and method will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the preceding background

Human Performance Risks and Benefits of Adaptive Systems on the Flight Deck

Objective. Human performance risks and benefits of adaptive systems were identified through a systematic analysis and pilot evaluation of adaptive system component types and characteristics. Background. As flight-deck automation is able to process ever more types of information in sophisticated ways to identify situations, it is becoming more realistic for adaptive systems to adapt behavior based on their own authority. Method. A framework was developed to describe the types and characteristics of adaptive system components and was used to perform a risk/benefit analysis to identify potential issues. Subsequently, eight representative adaptive system storyboards were developed for an evaluation with pilots to augment the analysis results and to explore more detailed issues and potential risk mitigations. Results. Analysis identified the principal drivers of adaptive “triggering conditions” risk as complexity and transparency. It also identified the drivers of adaptations risks/benefits as the task level and the level of control vs. information adaptation. Conclusions. Pilots did not seem to distinguish between adaptive automation and normal automation if the rules were simple and obvious; however, their perception of risk increased when the level of complexity and opacity of triggering conditions reached a point where its behavior was perceived as non-deterministic

Multifunctional avionic display

The present invention provides a screen as defined in claim 1. The screen may include the features of any one or more of dependent claims 2 to 4. The present invention also provides a method as defined in claim 5. The method may include the features of claim 6. The above-mentioned problems of current systems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. In one embodiment, a display screen for displaying multiple sets of information is provided. The display screen includes at least one region of a select color designated to convey a first set of information and a plurality of adjustable areas designated to convey a second set of information. The plurality of adjustable areas overlay at least a portion of the at least one region of select color of the first set of information. Moreover, each adjustable area is defined by an outline and a color encased in the outline. In another embodiment, an aviation display screen is provided. The display screen includes an area location fill, terrain region alerts and a plurality of adjustably patterned weather areas. The area location fill is adapted to indicate non-threatening terrain at a location. The terrain region alerts are adapted to indicate threatening terrain. The plurality of adjustably patterned weather areas overlay at least a portion of the area location fill and the terrain region alerts. Moreover, each patterned weather area has a visibly distinct defining border or outline. The size of each adjustable patterned area is adjustable to allow a desired visibility level of the area location fill and the terrain region alerts. In still another embodiment, a method of displaying different sets of information on the same display screen at the same time is provided. The method comprises, displaying a first set of information with at least one color region that covers a portion of a display and displaying a second set of information with a plurality of adjustably sized areas of select colors. Each adjustably sized area is defined by a visually distinct border such that second set of information is easily discernable from the first set of information when they both occupy the same region of the display even if the first set of information and the second set of information are conveyed with the use of the same color palettes. In still further another embodiment, a method of displaying terrain and weather information on the same display screen simultaneously is provided. The method includes displaying one or more terrain region alerts with one or more colors. Each color represents a level of hazard with an associated terrain. Overlaying the one or more terrain region alerts with a plurality of adjustable patterned weather areas. Each weather area has a color indicative of the intensity of the weather it is associated with and a visibly distinct border. In yet another embodiment; a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method is provided. The method includes displaying one or more terrain region alerts over a given location with one or more regions of colors on a display screen, wherein different colors indicate different levels of concern of the terrain regions. Displaying a plurality of patterned weather areas overlaying at least a portion of the terrain region alerts, wherein each patterned weather area includes a color indicative of the intensity of the weather at a location it represents and a border that is visibly distinct. In finally another embodiment, a display to display multiple sets of information simultaneously is provided. The display includes a means for displaying a first set of information in regions of select colors, a means for displaying a second set of data in the form of a plurality of patterned areas of select colors overlaying at least a portion of the first set of information and a means for adjusting the size of the plurality of pattered areas to provide a desired viewable amount of the first set of information. Each color of the regions of select colors represents a category of the first set of information. Each patterned area is defined by a visibly distinct outline and each color of the patterned area represents a category of the second set of information

Perceptual Grouping Effects on Cursor Movement Expectations

Objective: Two studies were conducted to develop an understanding of factors that drive user expectations when navigating between discrete elements on a display via a limited degree-of-freedom cursor control device. Background: For the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle spacecraft, a free-floating cursor with a graphical user interface (GUI) would require an unachievable level of accuracy due to expected acceleration and vibration conditions during dynamic phases of flight. Therefore, Orion program proposed using a caged cursor to jump from one controllable element (node) on the GUI to another. However, nodes are not likely to be arranged on a rectilinear grid, and so movements between nodes are not obvious. Method: Proximity between nodes, direction of nodes relative to each other, and context features may all contribute to user cursor movement expectations. In an initial study, we examined user expectations based on the nodes themselves. In a second study, we examined the effect of context features on user expectations. Results: The studies established that perceptual grouping effects influence expectations to varying degrees. Based on these results, a simple rule set was developed to support users in building a straightforward mental model that closely matches their natural expectations for cursor movement. Conclusion: The results will help designers of display formats take advantage of the natural context- driven cursor movement expectations of users to reduce navigation errors, increase usability, and decrease access time. Application: The rules set and guidelines tie theory to practice and can be applied in environments where vibration or acceleration are significant, including spacecraft, aircraft, and automobiles

Situation aftermath management system and method: Patent Application

A system and method for assisting flight crew recovery in the aftermath of an unexpected event is provided. A processor is used to detect that an unexpected event has occurred in an aircraft and, in response to detecting that the unexpected event has occurred, state data are stored in memory. The processor is also used to detect that the expected event has been resolved and, in response to detecting that the unexpected event has been resolved, the processor retrieves the state data from the memory, generates an aftermath plan that includes prompts to guide the flight crew to complete the aftermath plan, and continuously updates the aftermath plan until the aftermath plan is completed

Rapid serial visual presentation triage prioritization based on user state assessment

A method and system are provided that prioritize the output of an image triage that is based on rapid serial visual presentation. User responses and estimates of the effectiveness with which each image is likely to have been processed by a user are employed for post triage image prioritization of potential targets. Images associated with a user response, processed during optimal user states, are assigned the highest priority for post triage examination, as targets are likely. Images without a user response that are processed during optimal user states are assigned the lowest priority, as these are unlikely to contain targets. Images with a user response that are processed during suboptimal states are assigned a medium priority, as these are likely to contain a high number of false positives. Images without a user response, processed during suboptimal user states are flagged for reprocessing as these may contain targets that the user may not have detected

Aircraft situational awareness improvement system and method: Patent Application

A system and method are provided for improving aircraft pilot situational awareness. When datalink messages and/or automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data and/or various other data are received in the aircraft, the received data are processed to generate a spatial and temporal situational model for the aircraft. At least a portion of the spatial and temporal situational model is rendered on a display device within the aircraft