The Boeing Company

John Wiedemann

Sherwin S Chen

Peter D Gunn

Alireza Majd

Brian David Gilbert

Jason L Hammack

Michael Jefferie Tucker

Robert James Myers

John C Griffin, Iii

Paul D Burkhead

Alessandro Edward Galli

Julianne M Fox

Neal D Molloy

David A Green

Jean Marie Crane

Joseph Adam Sikora

Brian D Kelly

David Paul Eggold

William Milo Bresley

Sean J Flannigan

Charles A Pullen

Bechara J Mallouk

Gordon R A Sandell

Brandon R Boekelman

Christopher David Haus

Sherwin Shye-Min Chen

Sandra C Dam

Jeffery S Harrigan

Arthur D Bernstein

Paul Stemer

Kyle Gardner

John C Iii Griffin

Michael J Tucker

A method, apparatus, and system for displaying information for an aircraft on a display device in a flight deck of the aircraft. A computer system in the aircraft displays a dynamic home page in a graphical user interface on the display device in the flight deck of the aircraft. The information in the dynamic home page is based on the information used to operate the aircraft during a current phase of flight. The computer system changes the information in the dynamic home page as the current phase of flight changes or non-normal conditions occur during operation of the aircraft.

Graphical user interface in a computer system in an aircraft

An interactive speed profile bar that enables crew awareness of the overall planned flight trajectory speed profile. The speed profile bar will have a graphical depiction (e.g., virtual buttons having alphanumeric symbology) of some or all of the speed segments of the speed profile. Each graphical element (e.g., virtual button) includes symbology identifying the applicable speed mode and corresponding target speed change. Each speed segment will start at the inflection point where the speed change will occur in the flight plan, and will continue until the next trajectory speed change. The speed profile bar will be interactive, allowing the flight crew to select the speed segment to change, in response to which selection the system displays graphical user interface elements showing a menu of the available speed segment options. Each individual speed segment is represented by an individual virtual button that can be selected by touching the screen or other input device.

Vertical situation display with interactive speed profile bar

A method, apparatus, and system for displaying information for an aircraft on a display device in a flight deck of the aircraft. Aircraft information is received for a current flight of the aircraft. An interactive strip is displayed in a graphical user interface on the display device in the flight deck of the aircraft. The aircraft information and controls are displayed within regions in the interactive strip, enabling a pilot to operate the aircraft using the interactive strip.

A method and apparatus for displaying information for an aircraft on display devices in a flight deck of the aircraft. A computer system in the aircraft identifies information used to operate the aircraft. The computer system selects a display configuration from a plurality of display configurations for the display devices. The computer system displays the information in windows on display devices in the flight deck of the aircraft in the display configuration. The display configuration simplifies access to the information used to operate the aircraft.

Flight deck display management

Systems and methods for enabling a user (e.g., a pilot) to input information to a computer at a flight deck display station using both a split keyboard and a touch screen. The split keyboard provides space in front of the touch-screen display device, which space is available for a pilot to use as an arm or wrist rest while manually interacting with the touch screen. For example, the split keyboard may be mounted to a shelf having an empty central or middle portion in front of the touch-screen display device. The split keyboard concept entails placing one keypad on one side and another keypad on the other side of the empty middle shelf portion, both keypads being communicatively to the keyboard controller of the computer that controls the display device. The open space between the keypads may also be used for meal trays or tablet computers.

Flight deck display station with split keyboard

A method, apparatus, and system for displaying information for an aircraft on display devices in a flight deck of the aircraft. A computer system in the aircraft identifies information used to operate the aircraft. The computer system selects a display configuration from a plurality of display configurations for the display devices based on a first set of tasks assigned to a pilot for a current flight and a second set of tasks assigned to a copilot for the current flight of the aircraft. The computer system displays the information in windows on display devices in the flight deck of the aircraft in the display configuration. The display configuration simplifies access to the information used by the pilot to perform the first set of tasks and the copilot to perform the second set of tasks.

Flight deck display management system

A vertical situation display system for use in a vehicle such as, for example, an aircraft, is provided. A side view of an intended route of flight may be shown with altitude restrictions, airspace and instrument approach information, a projected flight path and range to airspeed symbol. The system may show terrain, weather, and traffic information along the intended route of flight. The system may be used in conjunction with a navigational display to enhance situational awareness. The system includes a computer, an electronic display device, an electronic entry device, a memory and a database. The database may contain terrain, airspace and flight planning data and may be updatable.

Enhanced vertical situation display

A flight information system may include a plan vertical situation display. The plan vertical situation display may display a vertical view of a flight path of an aircraft. The plan vertical situation display may display at least one path symbol showing at least one of a current path of the aircraft, a modified but not executed route of the aircraft, and an inactive route of the aircraft. The at least one path symbol may be adapted to display each of the current path of the aircraft, the modified but not executed route of the aircraft, and the inactive route of the aircraft. The plan vertical situation display may further display at least one terrain symbol showing a vertical terrain in the flight path along the at least one path symbol.

Method and system for plan map vertical situation display

Methods and systems for handling aircraft control information are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a display medium coupleable to a flight manager, with the flight manager configured to receive and direct instructions for automatically controlling aircraft functions at a future time during flight of the aircraft. The system can further include a display controller coupled to the display medium to present at least one operator activatable element at the display medium and update information presented at the display medium when the operator activates the operator activatable element. For example, the operator activatable element can include an icon presented at a computer display screen, and can be activated by a keystroke.

Systems and methods for handling the display and receipt of aircraft control information

Techniques for representing a holding pattern on a vertical situation display are described. The vertical situation display has a first screen area to depict the holding pattern and second screen area to show a flight path after the holding pattern. The representation of the holding pattern visually informs a flight crew of current and prospective flight conditions.

Representing a holding pattern on a vertical situation display

A navigation system takes a graphical input and translates it into an alpha-numeric entry generally including latitude and longitude information. The system interprets the graphical entry, determines if a waypoint already exists or is depicted at the geographical location identified by the graphical entry and creates a new waypoint if no waypoint already exists or is depicted at the geographical location.

Navigational system with a graphical scratchpad filler

Growing community of inventors

Bothell, WA, United States of America

John Wiedemann