EP-4738311-A1 - METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PILOT DATA ENTRY FOR AUDIO MESSAGE PARAMETERS ON AN AIRCRAFT

EP4738311A1EP 4738311 A1EP4738311 A1EP 4738311A1EP-4738311-A1

Abstract

A method includes receiving at least one audio message providing instructions to a user to operate an aircraft, and displaying an avionics data entry page on a display device and having multiple data parameter fields to receive one or more avionics parameters of different types from the message. The multiple data parameter fields are arranged in a data entry layout that mimics a parameter display layout of an avionics display so that an individual data parameter field at a mimicked location on the avionics data entry page has a related parameter display position on the avionics display. The method also includes receiving confirmation from the user that at least one of the avionics parameters on the avionics data entry page is correct.

Inventors

FONTES, Brendan
CROUCH, STEVEN

Assignees

Honeywell International Inc.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20251006

Claims (15)

A method, comprising: receiving at least one audio message providing instructions to a user to operate an aircraft; displaying, by at least one processor, an avionics data entry page on a display device and having multiple data parameter fields to receive one or more avionics parameters of different types from the audio message, wherein the multiple data parameter fields are arranged in a data entry layout that mimics a parameter display layout of an avionics display so that an individual data parameter field at a mimicked location on the avionics data entry page has a related parameter display position on the avionics display; and receiving, by at least one processor, confirmation from the user that at least one of the avionics parameters on the avionics data entry page is correct.
The method of claim 1, wherein the avionics display is a primary flight display (PFD).
The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the avionics parameters is entered onto the avionics data entry page by the user.
The method of claim 1, 2, or 3, comprising automatically inputting, by at least one processor, at least one of the avionics parameters transcribed from the at least one audio message and input onto the avionics data entry page.
The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the data entry layout comprises data fields of at least one avionics parameter related to an air traffic control (ATC) instruction, a flight plan, an aircraft position, an aircraft orientation, a take-off, a landing, cruising, or an airspace constraint.
The method of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the data entry layout comprises data fields of altitude, altitude constraint, air speed, direct to location, heading, and barometer positioned relative to each other to mimic the parameter display layout of the same parameter types displayed on the avionics display.
The method of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the data entry layout comprises one or more activators to select alternative units or alternative parameter types for at least one of the data parameter fields.
The method of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the avionics data entry page is dedicated to data entry so that the avionics data entry page is free of movable situational graphics that changes with motion of the aircraft.
The method of claim 8, wherein the movable situational graphics comprises movable non-textual graphics.
A system, comprising: memory; processing circuitry forming at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory and being arranged to operate by: receiving at least one audio message providing instructions to a user to operate an aircraft; displaying an avionics data entry page on a display device and having multiple data parameter fields to receive one or more avionics parameters of different types from the audio message, wherein the multiple data parameter fields are arranged in a data entry layout that mimics a parameter display layout of an avionics display so that an individual data parameter field at a mimicked location on the avionics data entry page has a related parameter display position on the avionics display; and receiving confirmation from the user that at least one of the avionics parameters on the avionics data entry page is correct.
The system of claim 10, wherein the data parameter fields are each a graphical user interface to be selected to enter or change an avionics parameter value in the parameter data fields.
The aircraft of claim 10 or 11, wherein the avionics display is at least one of a (PFD), horizontal situation display (HSD), and vertical situation display (VSD).
The system of claim 10, 11, or 12, wherein the avionics data entry page mimics a primary flight display and having non-moving imitations of an altitude tape and a speed tape.
The system of any one of claims claim 10-13, wherein the avionics data entry page has both a fixed graphical representation of the aircraft and a fixed background adjacent the graphical representation.
The system of any one of claims 10-14, comprising a confirmation activator accessible to the user and having a changing appearance that changes when at least one avionic parameter is entered into at least one avionics parameter data field.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The subject matter described herein generally relates to vehicle systems, and more particularly, to audio messages received on the vehicles. BACKGROUND Modern flight deck displays (or cockpit displays) provide several different displays from which a pilot or other user can obtain information or perform functions related to, for example, flight planning, flight guidance, navigation, and performance management. Modern displays also allow a pilot to input commands or other information to onboard systems, such as navigational clearances or commands issued by an air traffic controller (ATC). For example, air traffic control involves voice communication between air traffic control and a pilot or crewmember onboard the various aircraft, where the ATC may communicate an instruction or a request for pilot action by a particular aircraft using a call sign assigned to that aircraft. The instructions may provide a particular navigation related value, such as altitude, speed, or flight plan location such as a waypoint. However, the entry of the parameters from such audio messages typically involve data entry on multiple displays resulting in a complex process that divides the pilot's attention in multiple directions in a cockpit. Often a pilot writes down the parameters while listening to the audio whether on paper or digital pad for subsequent data entry on the avionics displays. Due to the pilot's attention being directed in multiple directions at once, it is easy for the pilot to forget the meaning of what was written before entering the parameters into an avionics system, or may not be able to read the handwriting. Hence, it is desirable to provide aircraft systems with a single data entry display that is easy to understand and use to enter data from audio messages. BRIEF SUMMARY This summary is provided to describe select concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. In one example implementation, a method includes receiving at least one audio message providing instructions to a user to operate an aircraft, and displaying, by at least one processor, an avionics data entry page on a display device and having multiple data parameter fields to receive one or more avionics parameters of different types from the audio message. The multiple data parameter fields are arranged in a data entry layout that mimics a parameter display layout of an avionics display so that an individual data parameter field at a mimicked location on the avionics data entry page has a related parameter display position on the avionics display. The method also includes receiving, by at least one processor, confirmation from the user that at least one of the avionics parameters on the avionics data entry page is correct. In another example implementation, a system includes memory, and processor circuitry forming at least one processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor is arranged to operate by receiving at least one audio message providing instructions to a user to operate an aircraft, and displaying an avionics data entry page on a display device and having multiple data parameter fields to receive one or more avionics parameters of different types from the audio message. The multiple data parameter fields are arranged in a data entry layout that mimics a parameter display layout of an avionics display so that an individual data parameter field at a mimicked location on the avionics data entry page has a related parameter display position on the avionics display. The processor also operates by receiving confirmation from the user that at least one of the avionics parameters on the avionics data entry page is correct. In yet another example implementation, a non-transitory computer-readable medium has computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to operate by receiving at least one audio message providing instructions to a user to operate an aircraft, and displaying an avionics data entry page on a display device and having multiple data parameter fields to receive one or more avionics parameters of different types from the audio message. The multiple data parameter fields are arranged in a data entry layout that mimics a parameter display layout of an avionics display so that an individual data parameter field at a mimicked location on the avionics data entry page has a related parameter display position on the avionics display. Instructions also cause the computing device to operate by receiving confirmation from the user that at least one of the avionics parameters on the avionics data entry page is correct. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the system and method for data entry for