CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate generally to aircraft systems
for displaying ATC clearance messages. More particularly, embodiments of the subject
matter relate to systems and methods for associating ATC clearance messages with cockpit
alerts.
BACKGROUND
[0003] During flight various cockpit system alerts associated with various onboard aircraft
systems may become active alerting the flight crew to a condition that needs to be
considered during the mission. The cockpit system alerts may occur as a result of
incorrectly entered data by a flight crew member, one or more failure conditions with
an avionics system on the aircraft, or an external condition that can affect the mission,
such as surrounding traffic or a prevailing weather condition. Fault isolation (
e.
g., through fault tree analysis or a checklist procedure) to determine the cause of
the cockpit system alert can be time consuming and increase flight crew workload,
and some alerts may require immediate attention to ensure safe flight operations.
In some cases, air traffic control (ATC) clearance messages to the flight crew of
the aircraft may provide advanced warning of conditions that may result in the occurrence
of a cockpit alert or advisory message. Requiring a flight crew member to search through
old clearance messages to find a reason for a cockpit alert can add to a flight crew
member's workload during flight.
[0004] Hence, it is desirable to provide a system and method for providing context for cockpit
alerts without requiring a flight crew member to search through old clearance messages
to find a reason for a cockpit alert. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics
of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description
and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the
foregoing technical field and background.
SUMMARY
[0005] 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.
[0006] A flight deck system for identifying a cockpit alert context during an aircraft mission
is disclosed. The flight deck system includes a controller configured to: store message
content in a clearance look-up table for one or more clearance messages received from
air traffic control (ATC) during the aircraft mission that contain cockpit data about
which an avionic system in an aircraft may later sense and generate a cockpit system
alert (
e.
g., cockpit alert or cockpit advisory) for display on a cockpit display device; monitor
a plurality of avionic systems in the aircraft for a cockpit system alert; retrieve
an ATC clearance message from the clearance look-up table that corresponds to a detected
cockpit system alert when a cockpit system alert is detected; and signal an aircraft
display device to display the ATC clearance message in a visually distinguishable
manner that indicates that the displayed ATC clearance message relates to a detected
cockpit system alert.
[0007] A method in a flight deck system for identifying a cockpit alert context during an
aircraft mission is disclosed. The method includes: storing message content in a clearance
look-up table for one or more clearance messages received from air traffic control
(ATC) during the aircraft mission that contain cockpit data about which an avionic
system in an aircraft may later sense and generate a cockpit system alert (
e.
g., cockpit alert or cockpit advisory) for display on a cockpit display device; monitoring
a plurality of avionic systems in the aircraft for a cockpit system alert; retrieving
an ATC clearance message from the clearance look-up table that corresponds to a detected
cockpit system alert when a cockpit system alert is detected; and signaling an aircraft
display device to display the ATC clearance message in a visually distinguishable
manner that indicates that the displayed ATC clearance message relates to a detected
cockpit system alert.
[0008] A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with programming instructions configurable
to cause a controller in an aircraft flight deck system to perform a method for identifying
a cockpit alert context during an aircraft mission is disclosed. The method includes:
storing message content in a clearance look-up table for one or more clearance messages
received from air traffic control (ATC) during the aircraft mission that contain cockpit
data about which an avionic system in an aircraft may later sense and generate a cockpit
system alert (e.g., cockpit alert or cockpit advisory) for display on a cockpit display
device; monitoring a plurality of avionic systems in the aircraft for a cockpit system
alert; retrieving an ATC clearance message from the clearance look-up table that corresponds
to a detected cockpit system alert when a cockpit system alert is detected; and signaling
an aircraft display device to display the ATC clearance message in a visually distinguishable
manner that indicates that the displayed ATC clearance message relates to a detected
cockpit system alert.
[0009] Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from
the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings and the preceding background.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Embodiments of the subject matter will hereinafter be described in conjunction with
the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an example flight environment such as one around
a busy aerodrome, in accordance with some embodiments;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting example avionics equipment, in accordance with
some embodiments;
FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting an example display primary flight display that illustrates
the display of a cockpit system alert and an example graphical display page that has
a first window for displaying generated textual messages and a second window for displaying
an ATC clearance message that is associated with the cockpit system alert, in accordance
with some embodiments;
FIG. 4 is a system block diagram of depicting example avionics equipment that includes
an example alert context module, in accordance with some embodiments;
FIG. 5 is a process flow chart depicting an example process in an example alert context
module for identifying a cockpit alert context during an aircraft mission, in accordance
with some embodiments; and
FIG. 6 is a process flow chart depicting another example process in an example alert
context module for identifying a cockpit alert context during an aircraft mission,
in accordance with some embodiments, in accordance with some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended
to limit the application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound
by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background,
summary, or the following detailed description. As used herein, the term "module"
refers to any hardware, software, firmware, electronic control component, processing
logic, and/or processor device, individually or in any combination, including without
limitation: application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate-array
(FPGA), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory
that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit,
and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.
[0012] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be described herein in terms of functional
and/or logical components and various processing steps. It should be appreciated that
such functional and/or logical components may be realized by any number of hardware,
software, and/or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions.
For example, an embodiment of the present disclosure may employ various integrated
circuit components, e.g., memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic
elements, look-up tables, or the like, which may carry out a variety of functions
under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. In addition,
those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present disclosure
may be practiced in conjunction with any number of systems, and that the systems described
herein is merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0013] For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to signal processing, data
transmission, signaling, control, and other functional aspects of the systems (and
the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail
herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein
are intended to represent example functional relationships and/or physical couplings
between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional
functional relationships or physical connections may be present in an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0014] During flight various cockpit alerts or advisory messages (both cockpit alerts and
advisory messages are referred to herein as cockpit system alerts) associated with
various onboard aircraft systems may become active alerting the flight crew to a condition
that needs to be considered during the mission. The cockpit system alerts may occur
as a result of incorrectly entered data by a flight crew member, one or more failure
conditions with an avionics system on an aircraft, or an external condition that can
affect a mission, such as surrounding traffic or a prevailing weather condition. Fault
isolation (e.g., through fault tree analysis or a checklist procedure) to determine
the cause of a cockpit system alert can be time consuming and increase flight crew
workload, and some alerts may require immediate attention to ensure safe flight operations.
[0015] In some cases, air traffic control (ATC) clearance messages to the flight crew of
an aircraft may provide advanced warning of conditions that may result in the occurrence
of a cockpit alert or advisory message. The subject matter described herein discloses
apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles for associating received ATC clearance
messages with cockpit system alerts thereby providing context for the cockpit alerts
or advisory messages. As a result of associating an ATC clearance message with a cockpit
alert or advisory message, a flight crew member can reference the associated ATC clearance
message when a cockpit system alert occurs to find the reason behind the occurrence
of the cockpit system alert without having to engage in time consuming fault isolation.
The reduced flight crew workload that can be achieved using the disclosed apparatus,
systems, techniques, and articles can be extremely helpful and may help enable single
pilot operation for many operating scenarios.
[0016] As an example, ATC is responsible for providing cautionary wake-turbulence information
through the VHF Radios to assist flight crew members (
e.
g., pilots) prior to the flight crew assuming visual responsibility for avoidance.
ATC will issue wake-turbulence cautionary advisories and the position, altitude if
known, and direction of flight based on aircraft wake turbulence categories. However,
if a pilot accepts a clearance to visually follow a preceding aircraft, the pilot
accepts responsibility for both separation and wake turbulence avoidance. The controllers
will also provide a Wake Turbulence Cautionary Advisory to pilots of visual flight
rules (VFR) aircraft, with whom they are in communication and on whom, in the controller's
opinion, wake turbulence may have an adverse effect. This advisory includes the position,
altitude, and direction of flight of larger aircraft followed by the phrase "CAUTION-WAKE
TURBULENCE." After issuing the caution for wake turbulence, the air traffic controllers
generally do not provide additional information to the following aircraft.
[0017] Considering the above operational scenario with respect to wake turbulence, if a
WAKE alert is triggered on a cockpit system, the flight crew needs to understand the
context of the alert, such as the aircraft category causing such alert, minimum safe
in-trail distance, intentions of leading aircraft, etc. Such information would already
have been provided in the by ATC in an ATC clearance message, such as in the following
example:
SOUTHWEST TWO FIFTY EIGHT SAN FRANCISCO TOWER CAUTION WAKE TURBULENCE BOEING SEVEN
THREE SEVEN HOLDING IN POSITION WIND ONE NINE ZERO AT ONE TWO RUNWAY TWO EIGHT RIGHT
CLEARED TO LAND
[0018] Upon the flight crew seeing the WAKE alert on a cockpit display, the flight crew
may be interested in more information such as details regarding the aircraft that
is causing the wake and in identifying a safe distance/speed for maintaining required
spacing to avoid a catastrophic event such as temporary loss of control or to ensure
passenger comfort. The disclosed apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles can
associate the prior ATC clearance message with the WAKE alert to provide the flight
crew with more information regarding the conditions leading to the WAKE alert.
[0019] In another example, if a TRAFFIC ALERT is triggered in TCAS (traffic collision avoidance
system) or a TRAFFIC message is displayed on an avionics display, the flight crew
may be interested in more information regarding why the TRAFFIC ALERT was triggered.
In this example, a prior ATC clearance message was provided that is related to the
TRAFFIC ALERT:
ECHO ROMEO TRAFFIC IS MOVING TO YOUR TWELVE TO ONE O'CLOCK IN ONE FIVE MILES GULFSTREAM
SIX AT FIVE THOUSAND CLIMBING TO SEVEN THOUSAND
[0020] The disclosed apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles can associate the prior
ATC clearance message with the TRAFFIC ALERT to provide the flight crew with more
information regarding the conditions leading to the TRAFFIC ALERT.
[0021] Several different cockpit systems may trigger alerts. Some alerts are routed to the
CAS (Crew Alerting System). Some alerts, such as FMS triggered alerts, are displayed
in the MCDU Scratchpad. Some other alerts are displayed in an INAV window depending
on the criticality of the alert. The disclosed apparatus, systems, techniques, and
articles can associate prior ATC clearance message with various alerts, regardless
of the source and where displayed, to provide the flight crew with more information
regarding the conditions leading to the alert.
[0022] The disclosed apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles can associate ATC clearance
messages with associated cockpit system alerts to reduce the amount of fault isolation
that must be conducted when a cockpit system alert is experienced in an aircraft cockpit
during a mission. The disclosed apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles can integrate
cockpit alerts with relevant VHF communications to provide better situational awareness
to the flight crew. The disclosed apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles can
be integrated with a transcription system used in an aircraft to transcribe ATC clearance
messages received in the aircraft.
[0023] A transcription system can transcribe over-the-air voice communications between an
air traffic controller (ATC) and a flight crew member such as a pilot. Over-the-air
communications may include both ownship communications and traffic communications.
Ownship communications may include commands from ATC for an ownship pilot, and may
also include traffic alerts. Traffic communication may include commands for traffic
pilots. Knowledge of these commands can provide situational awareness to an ownship
pilot.
[0024] The disclosed apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles can analyze received ATC
clearance messages, determine which are relevant to potential cockpit system alerts,
associate the ATC clearance message that is most relevant to an active cockpit system
alert, and cause the associated ATC clearance message to be displayed in a dedicated
location when the cockpit system alert becomes active, which can help flight crew
members with efficient decision making and smooth handling of the condition that necessitated
the cockpit system alert. The disclosed apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles
can reduce heads down time of a pilot and can result in cognitive workload reduction
for a pilot.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an example flight environment 100 such as one
around a busy aerodrome. The example environment 100 includes a plurality of aerial
vehicles (ownship aircraft 102 and traffic aircraft 104, 106 in this example), but
could include a variety of types of aerial vehicles such as helicopters, UAVs (unmanned
aerial vehicles), and others. The example environment 100 also includes a plurality
of flight operation centers (FOCs)
(e.g., air traffic control towers 108, 110) containing control personnel such as air traffic
controllers (ATC) for directing ground and air traffic in the vicinity of the aerodrome.
[0026] The example ownship aircraft 102 includes avionics equipment 112 that receives the
ongoing communications between the aerial vehicles (
e.
g., 102, 104, 106) and ATC (
e.
g., via towers 108, 110) using communication equipment 114, and presents the ongoing
communications as a continuous stream of audio to a transcription system 116. The
transcription system 116 decodes the continuous stream of audio, generates formatted
text from the decoded continuous stream of audio, and signals an aircraft (A/C) display
device 118 to display the generated formatted text for viewing by the flight crew
onboard the ownship aircraft 102. The aircraft display device 118 may be one of many
types of graphical display units onboard an aircraft such as a navigation display,
a PFD (primary flight display), a PED (personal electronic device), an EFB (electronic
flight bag), HUD (heads up display), HDD (heads down display), and others. The display
of the formatted text may be made via a graphical display page 120 that displays each
generated textual message (M1, M2, M3, M4, . ..) in a manner that visually identifies
which messages are directed to the ownship aircraft and which messages are directed
to ATC.
[0027] The ownship aircraft 102 may also include a flight deck system (
e.
g., as part of the transcription system 116 or separate from the transcription system
116) for associating ATC clearance messages with cockpit alerts and causing an appropriate
ATC clearance message (
e.
g., Help message 124) to be displayed at an appropriate time in a specific location
122 (e.g., on the graphical display page 120) when a cockpit alert occurs. The display
of the help message 124 can provide context for the cockpit alert. The displayed help
message 124 may provide a reason why the cockpit alert occurred.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting example avionics equipment 200. The example avionics
equipment 200 includes communication equipment 202 and an example transcription system
204 for receiving ongoing over-the-air communications and generating formatted text
from the over-the-air communications for display onboard an aerial vehicle. The example
communication equipment 202 includes a Com radio 206 (such as that known in the art)
and an intercom channel 208 (such as that known in the art) for receiving over-the-air
communications between various aerial vehicles (ownship and traffic aerial vehicles)
and ATC. The example communication equipment 202 also includes an audio panel 210
(such as that known in the art) for accumulating the over-the-air communications from
various sources and outputting the audio from the over-the-air communications.
[0029] The example transcription system 204 is configured to receive audio communications
from or directed to a flight operating center (FOC) (
e.
g., an ATC center or some other FOC) via the communication equipment 202 (
e.
g., via audio panel 210), extract message content from the received audio communications,
generate formatted text from the extracted message content, and display the formatted
text from the received voice communications onboard the aerial vehicle. The example
transcription system 204 is also configured to receive data link communications (DLC)
(
e.
g., CPDLC (controller pilot data link communication)) from or to an FOC (such as ATC)
via a data link system 216, extract message content from the DLC, generate formatted
text from the extracted message content, and display the formatted text from the received
DLC communications onboard the aerial vehicle. The example transcription system 204
includes a transcription module 212 for extracting message content from the received
audio communications and the DLC, and an output module 214 for generating formatted
text from the extracted message content, generating graphics for displaying the formatted
text, and signaling an aircraft display 218 to display the generated graphics onboard
the aerial vehicle. The example transcription system 204 further includes an alert
context module 215 for associating received ATC clearance messages with cockpit system
alerts thereby providing context for the cockpit alerts or advisory messages. The
example alert context module 215 can analyze received ATC clearance messages, determine
which are relevant to potential cockpit system alerts, associate the ATC clearance
message that is most relevant to an active cockpit system alert, and cause the associated
ATC clearance message to be displayed (
e.
g., via the output module 214) in a dedicated location (
e.
g., on the A/C display 218) when the cockpit system alert becomes active.
[0030] Each of the transcription module 212, the output module 214, and the alert context
module 215 is implemented by a processing component such as a controller (
e.
g., the same or separate controllers). The processing component includes at least one
processor and a computer-readable storage device or media encoded with programming
instructions for configuring the processing component. The processor may be any custom-made
or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing
unit (GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable
gate array (FPGA), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with
the processing component, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip
or chip set), any combination thereof, or generally any device for executing instructions.
[0031] The computer readable storage device or media may include volatile and nonvolatile
storage in read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory
(KAM), for example. KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that may be used to
store various operating variables while the processor is powered down. The computer-readable
storage device or media may be implemented using any of a number of known memory devices
such as PROMs (programmable read-only memory), EPROMs (electrically PROM), EEPROMs
(electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electric, magnetic, optical,
or combination memory devices capable of storing data, some of which represent executable
programming instructions, used by the processing component.
[0032] The example transcription module 212 is configured to retrieve message content from
a plurality of received messages. The plurality of received messages may include a
plurality of CPDLC messages and a plurality of voice messages. The example transcription
module 212 is configured to transcribe message content from the plurality of received
voice messages to text. The example transcription module 212 is also configured to
extract message content from the plurality of received CPDLC messages as text.
[0033] The example transcription module 212 is configured to decode the audio from the voice
messages using speech recognition techniques to convert the audio into text. The speech
recognition techniques may be implemented using machine learning techniques such as
deep neural networks, statistical techniques, rule-based systems, and others. The
example transcription module 212 may use various techniques such as NLP to convert
the text from the audio and/or DLC to formatted text.
[0034] The example output module 214 is configured to generate a graphical message element
for each of the plurality of received messages that includes a section for displaying
a textual representation of the message content for a corresponding received message.
[0035] The example alert context module 215 is configured to analyze message content retrieved
by the example transcription module 212 for association with a potential future cockpit
system alert, and store message content in a clearance look-up table for one or more
clearance messages received from ATC that contain cockpit data about which an avionics
system in the aerial vehicle may later sense and generate a cockpit system alert (
e.
g., a cockpit alert or cockpit advisory) for display on the A/C display 218. The example
alert context module 215 is further configured to monitor a plurality of avionic systems
in the aerial vehicle for a cockpit system alert and retrieve an ATC clearance message
from the clearance look-up table that corresponds to a detected cockpit system alert
when a cockpit system alert is detected. The example alert context module 215 is further
configured to signal the A/C display 218 to display the retrieved ATC clearance message
in a visually distinguishable manner that indicates that the displayed ATC clearance
message relates to a detected cockpit system alert.
[0036] Table 1 shown below provides an example data structure for data that may be stored
in a clearance look-up table for one or more clearance messages received from ATC
that contain cockpit data about which an avionics system in the aerial vehicle may
later sense and generate a cockpit system alert.
Table 1: Conversation Look Up table
Clearance ID |
Clearance |
Data |
Context |
Sub Systems |
1 |
ECHO ROMEO TRAFFIC IS MOVING TO YOUR TWELVE TO ONE O'CLOCK IN ONE FIVE MILES GULFSTREAM
SIX AT FIVE THOUSAND CLIMBING TO SEVEN THOUSAND |
Traffic |
Detect and Avoidance, Enroute |
PFD, TCAS |
2 |
CLEARED FOR ILS27L AND INTERCEPT FROM NORTH |
Approach |
Approach, Landing |
FMS, NAV RADIO |
3 |
PHOENIX ALTIMETER TWO NINER EIGHT EIGHT |
Barometer setting |
Approach |
FMS, ADS |
4 |
SOUTHWEST TWO FIFTY-EIGHT SAN FRANCISCO TOWER CAUTION WAKE TURBULENCE BOEING SEVEN
THREE SEVEN HOLDING IN POSITION WIND ONE NINE ZERO AT ONE TWO RUNWAY TWO EIGHT RIGHT
CLEARED TO LAND |
Aircraft Wake turbulence category |
Wake |
EGPWS, PFD |
[0037] In this example, for each of a plurality of ATC clearance messages that has cockpit
data, the data structure includes a unique identifier in column 1, clearance data
in column 2, a category for the clearance message in column 3, a context for the clearance
message in column 4, and an associated sub system(s) for the ATC clearance message
in column 5. The clearance look-up table has information for mapping the clearance
data with a cockpit system alert.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting an example graphical display page 300 that has a first
window 302 for displaying generated textual messages (M1, M2, M3, M4, ...) in a manner
that visually identifies which messages are directed to an ownship aircraft and which
messages are directed to ATC and a second window - alert help window 304 - for displaying
an ATC clearance message 306 that is associated with an active cockpit system alert.
Also, depicted in FIG. 3 is an example display primary flight display 310 that indicates
that a cockpit system alert, traffic alert 312, has been detected and is active. The
ATC clearance message 306 displayed in the second window 304 can provide context for
the Traffic alert 312. Thus, a flight crew member, such as a pilot, upon viewing the
Traffic alert 312 can turn his attention to the alert help window 304 to gain context
regarding why the Traffic alert 312 is active without having to engage in time consuming
fault detection.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a system block diagram of depicting example avionics equipment 400 that
includes an example alert context module. The example avionics equipment 400 include
communication equipment 402, a transcription system 404, and onboard systems 406,
and an example alert context module 408. The example communication equipment 402 includes
a COM radio 410 for receiving over-the-air communications from ATC and traffic aircraft,
a Pilot audio system 412 for receiving flight crew member communication, and a datalink
system 414 for receiving over-the-air datalink communications. The example transcription
system 404 includes a speech to text convertor/ATC transcription module 416 for converting
speech to text and a keyword spotter and sentence segmentor 418 for deriving segmented
text from the output of the speech to text converter 416 and segmented text from uplink
text from the datalink system 414. The example onboard systems 406 include a flight
management system (FMS), a flight control (FC) system, a traffic alert and collision
avoidance system (TCAS), a weather (WX) system, a Fuel system, an engine (Eng) system,
an electrical (Elec) system, and a hydraulics (Hyd) system, among others.
[0040] The example alert context module 408 includes a semantic/intent/data analyzer 420
for analyzing segmented text from the transcription system 404 and for identifying,
from the segmented text for each of the plurality of ATC clearance messages, whether
cockpit data is included about which an onboard system 406 may later sense and generate
a cockpit system alert for display on an display device, a context for included cockpit
data, and each onboard system within the aircraft that is associated with the cockpit
data. The example semantic/intent/data analyzer 420 is also configured to store message
content, for each of the plurality of ATC clearance messages that has cockpit data,
the unique identifier, clearance data, context, and associated onboard system for
the ATC clearance message in a clearance look-up table 422 in a datastore on the aerial
vehicle. The clearance look-up table 422 is configured to map clearance data with
a cockpit system alert.
[0041] The example alert context module 408 further includes an alert parser 424 and a relevant
clearance extractor 426. The example alert parser 424 is configured to monitor the
onboard systems 406 for cockpit system alerts generated by the onboard systems 406.
The example alert parser 424 is also configured to monitor page/widget data 425 from
various cockpit displays for cockpit system alerts.
[0042] The example relevant clearance extractor 426 is configured to retrieve alerts identified
by the example alert parser 424 and match them up with corresponding ATC clearance
messages stored in the clearance look-up table 422 to the extent any corresponding
ATC clearance message exists. The example clearance extractor 426 is figured to cause
the latest or most relevant corresponding ATC clearance message to be displayed in
a visually distinguishable manner on an aircraft display 428.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a process flow chart depicting an example process 500 in an example alert
context module (
e.
g., alert context module 215 or 408) for identifying a cockpit alert context during
an aircraft mission. The order of operation within the process 500 is not limited
to the sequential execution as illustrated in the figure but may be performed in one
or more varying orders as applicable and in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0044] The example process 500 includes receiving a clearance message (operation 502) and
parsing the clearance message and generating tokenized text/data from the received
clearance message (operation 504).
[0045] The example process 500 includes, for each clearance message, extracting the possible
cockpit system, context, and avionics data (operation 506) and storing the data, context,
and sub system (
e.
g., cockpit system) along with unique clearance ID in the clearance message in a clearance
look-up table 509 (operation 508).
[0046] The example process 500 includes, scanning sub systems for cockpit alerts (operation
510) and determining if an alert is triggered (decision 512). When an alert has been
triggered, the example process 500 includes determining if clearance data is available
for this cockpit alert in the clearance look-up table (decision 514). When clearance
data is available for this alert, the example process 500 includes displaying and
highlighting the clearance message on a cockpit display operation 516).
[0047] FIG. 6 is a process flow chart depicting an example process 600 in an example alert
context module (
e.
g., alert context module 215 or 408) for identifying a cockpit alert context during
an aircraft mission. The order of operation within the process 600 is not limited
to the sequential execution as illustrated in the figure but may be performed in one
or more varying orders as applicable and in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0048] The example process 600 includes storing message content in a clearance look-up table
for one or more clearance messages received from air traffic control (ATC) during
an aircraft mission that contain cockpit data about which an avionic system in an
aircraft may later sense and generate a cockpit alert or cockpit advisory for display
on a cockpit display device (operation 602) and includes monitoring a plurality of
avionic systems in the aircraft for a cockpit system alert (e.g., cockpit alert or
cockpit advisory) (operation 604). Storing message content may comprise identifying
one or more ATC clearance messages that contain cockpit data; and storing message
content from the identified one or more ATC clearance messages in the clearance look-up
table. Identifying one or more ATC clearance messages that contain cockpit data may
comprise analyzing a plurality of ATC clearance messages, wherein each of the plurality
of ATC clearance messages has a unique identifier; retrieving segmented text from
the analyzed ATC clearance messages; and identifying, from the segmented text for
each of the plurality of ATC clearance messages, whether cockpit data is included,
a context for included cockpit data, and each sub system within the aircraft that
is associated with the cockpit data. Storing message content may comprise storing,
for each of the plurality of ATC clearance messages that has cockpit data, the unique
identifier, clearance data, context, and associated sub system for the ATC clearance
message in the clearance look-up table, wherein the clearance look-up table maps the
clearance data with a cockpit system alert.
[0049] The example process 600 includes retrieving an ATC clearance message from the clearance
look-up table that corresponds to a detected cockpit system alert when a cockpit system
alert is detected (operation 606). Retrieving an ATC clearance message from the clearance
look-up table may comprise searching the clearance look-up table, when a cockpit system
alert is detected, for a corresponding ATC clearance message using context and associated
sub system information for the cockpit system alert; and identifying one or more corresponding
ATC clearance messages based on the search. Retrieving an ATC clearance message from
the clearance look-up table may comprise identifying the unique identifier for a most
recent one of the one or more corresponding ATC clearance messages identified based
on the search; and retrieving the ATC clearance message corresponding to the unique
identifier.
[0050] The example process 600 includes signaling an aircraft display device to display
the ATC clearance message in a visually distinguishable manner that indicates that
the displayed ATC clearance message relates to a detected cockpit system alert (operation
608). Signaling the aircraft display device to display the ATC clearance message in
a visually distinguishable manner may comprise signaling the aircraft display device
to display the ATC clearance message corresponding to the unique identifier in a visually
distinguishable manner. Signaling the aircraft display device to display the ATC clearance
message in a visually distinguishable manner may comprise signaling the aircraft display
device to display the ATC clearance message corresponding to the unique identifier
in a display window that is dedicated to displaying the ATC clearance message that
relates to the detected cockpit system alert.
[0051] The subject matter described herein discloses apparatus, systems, techniques, and
articles for associating received ATC clearance messages with cockpit system alerts
thereby providing context for the cockpit alerts or advisory messages. In one embodiment,
a flight deck system for identifying a cockpit alert context during an aircraft mission
is provided. The flight deck system comprises a controller configured to: store message
content in a clearance look-up table for one or more clearance messages received from
air traffic control (ATC) during the aircraft mission that contain cockpit data about
which an avionic system in an aircraft may later sense and generate a cockpit system
alert (
e.
g., cockpit alert or cockpit advisory) for display on a cockpit display device; monitor
a plurality of avionic systems in the aircraft for a cockpit system alert; retrieve
an ATC clearance message from the clearance look-up table that corresponds to a detected
cockpit system alert when a cockpit system alert is detected; and signal an aircraft
display device to display the ATC clearance message in a visually distinguishable
manner that indicates that the displayed ATC clearance message relates to a detected
cockpit system alert.
[0052] These aspects and other embodiments may include one or more of the following features.
To store message content, the controller may be further configured to identify one
or more ATC clearance messages that contain cockpit data, and store message content
from the identified one or more ATC clearance messages in the clearance look-up table.
To identify one or more ATC clearance messages that contain cockpit data, the controller
may be further configured to analyze a plurality of ATC clearance messages, wherein
each of the plurality of ATC clearance messages has a unique identifier; retrieve
segmented text from the analyzed ATC clearance messages; and identify, from the segmented
text for each of the plurality of ATC clearance messages, whether cockpit data is
included, a context for included cockpit data, and each sub system within the aircraft
that is associated with the cockpit data. To store message content, the controller
may be further configured to store, for each of the plurality of ATC clearance messages
that has cockpit data, the unique identifier, clearance data, context, and associated
sub system for the ATC clearance message in the clearance look-up table, wherein the
clearance look-up table maps the clearance data with a cockpit system alert. To retrieve
an ATC clearance message from the clearance look-up table, the controller may be further
configured to search the clearance look-up table, when a cockpit system alert is detected,
for a corresponding ATC clearance message using context and associated sub system
information for the cockpit system alert; and identify one or more corresponding ATC
clearance messages based on the search. To retrieve an ATC clearance message from
the clearance look-up table, the controller may be further configured to identify
the unique identifier for a most recent one of the one or more corresponding ATC clearance
messages identified based on the search; and retrieve the ATC clearance message corresponding
to the unique identifier. To signal the aircraft display device to display the ATC
clearance message in a visually distinguishable manner, the controller may be further
configured to signal the aircraft display device to display the ATC clearance message
corresponding to the unique identifier in a visually distinguishable manner. To signal
the aircraft display device to display the ATC clearance message in a visually distinguishable
manner, the controller is further configured to signal the aircraft display device
to display the ATC clearance message corresponding to the unique identifier in a display
window that is dedicated to displaying the ATC clearance message that relates to the
detected cockpit system alert.
[0053] In another embodiment, a method in a flight deck system for identifying a cockpit
alert context during an aircraft mission is provided. The method comprises: storing
message content in a clearance look-up table for one or more clearance messages received
from air traffic control (ATC) during the aircraft mission that contain cockpit data
about which an avionic system in an aircraft may later sense and generate a cockpit
system alert (
e.
g., cockpit alert or cockpit advisory) for display on a cockpit display device; monitoring
a plurality of avionic systems in the aircraft for a cockpit system alert; retrieving
an ATC clearance message from the clearance look-up table that corresponds to a detected
cockpit system alert when a cockpit system alert is detected; and signaling an aircraft
display device to display the ATC clearance message in a visually distinguishable
manner that indicates that the displayed ATC clearance message relates to a detected
cockpit system alert.
[0054] These aspects and other embodiments may include one or more of the following features.
Storing message content may comprise identifying one or more ATC clearance messages
that contain cockpit data; and storing message content from the identified one or
more ATC clearance messages in the clearance look-up table. Identifying one or more
ATC clearance messages that contain cockpit data may comprise analyzing a plurality
of ATC clearance messages, wherein each of the plurality of ATC clearance messages
has a unique identifier; retrieving segmented text from the analyzed ATC clearance
messages; and identifying, from the segmented text for each of the plurality of ATC
clearance messages, whether cockpit data is included, a context for included cockpit
data, and each sub system within the aircraft that is associated with the cockpit
data. Storing message content may comprise storing, for each of the plurality of ATC
clearance messages that has cockpit data, the unique identifier, clearance data, context,
and associated sub system for the ATC clearance message in the clearance look-up table,
wherein the clearance look-up table maps the clearance data with a cockpit system
alert. Retrieving an ATC clearance message from the clearance look-up table may comprise
searching the clearance look-up table, when a cockpit system alert is detected, for
a corresponding ATC clearance message using context and associated sub system information
for the cockpit system alert; and identifying one or more corresponding ATC clearance
messages based on the search. Retrieving an ATC clearance message from the clearance
look-up table may comprise identifying the unique identifier for a most recent one
of the one or more corresponding ATC clearance messages identified based on the search;
and retrieving the ATC clearance message corresponding to the unique identifier. Signaling
the aircraft display device to display the ATC clearance message in a visually distinguishable
manner may comprise signaling the aircraft display device to display the ATC clearance
message corresponding to the unique identifier in a visually distinguishable manner.
Signaling the aircraft display device to display the ATC clearance message in a visually
distinguishable manner may comprise signaling the aircraft display device to display
the ATC clearance message corresponding to the unique identifier in a display window
that is dedicated to displaying the ATC clearance message that relates to the detected
cockpit system alert.
[0055] In another embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with programming
instructions configurable to cause a controller in an aircraft flight deck system
to perform a method for identifying a cockpit alert context during an aircraft mission
is provided. The method comprises: storing message content in a clearance look-up
table for one or more clearance messages received from air traffic control (ATC) during
the aircraft mission that contain cockpit data about which an avionic system in an
aircraft may later sense and generate a cockpit system alert (
e.
g., cockpit alert or cockpit advisory) for display on a cockpit display device; monitoring
a plurality of avionic systems in the aircraft for a cockpit system alert; retrieving
an ATC clearance message from the clearance look-up table that corresponds to a detected
cockpit system alert when a cockpit system alert is detected; and signaling an aircraft
display device to display the ATC clearance message in a visually distinguishable
manner that indicates that the displayed ATC clearance message relates to a detected
cockpit system alert.
[0056] These aspects and other embodiments may include one or more of the following features.
Storing message content may comprise analyzing a plurality of ATC clearance messages,
wherein each of the plurality of ATC clearance messages has a unique identifier; retrieving
segmented text from the analyzed ATC clearance messages; identifying, from the segmented
text for each of the plurality of ATC clearance messages, whether cockpit data is
included, a context for included cockpit data, and each sub system within the aircraft
that is associated with the cockpit data; and storing, for each of the plurality of
ATC clearance messages that has cockpit data, the unique identifier, clearance data,
context, and associated sub system for the ATC clearance message in the clearance
look-up table, wherein the clearance look-up table maps the clearance data with a
cockpit system alert. Retrieving an ATC clearance message from the clearance look-up
table may comprise searching the clearance look-up table, when a cockpit system alert
is detected, for a corresponding ATC clearance message using context and associated
sub system information for the cockpit system alert; identifying one or more corresponding
ATC clearance messages based on the search; identifying the unique identifier for
a most recent one of the one or more corresponding ATC clearance messages identified
based on the search; and retrieving the ATC clearance message corresponding to the
unique identifier. Signaling the aircraft display device to display the ATC clearance
message in a visually distinguishable manner comprises signaling the aircraft display
device to display the ATC clearance message corresponding to the unique identifier
in a display window that is dedicated to displaying the ATC clearance message that
relates to the detected cockpit system alert.
[0057] In another embodiment, a flight deck system for identifying a cockpit alert context
is provided. The flight deck system comprises a controller configured to: analyze
a plurality of received air traffic control (ATC) clearance messages from ATC, wherein
each of the plurality of ATC clearance messages has a unique identifier; retrieve
segmented text from the analyzed ATC clearance messages; identify, from the segmented
text for each of the plurality of clearance messages, whether cockpit data is included,
a context for included cockpit data, and each sub system within the aircraft that
is associated with the cockpit data; store, for each of the plurality of ATC clearance
messages that has cockpit data, the unique identifier, clearance data, context, and
associated sub system for the ATC clearance message in a clearance look-up table,
wherein the clearance look-up table maps the clearance data with cockpit system alerts;
monitor a plurality of avionic systems in the aircraft for alert and advisory messages;
search, when an alert or advisory message is detected, the clearance look-up table
for a corresponding ATC clearance message using context and associated sub system
information for the alert or advisory message; identify one or more corresponding
ATC clearance messages based on the search when data for the one or more corresponding
ATC clearance messages have been stored; identify the unique identifier for a most
recent one of the one or more corresponding ATC clearance messages identified based
on the search; and signal an aircraft display device to display the ATC clearance
message corresponding to the unique identifier.
[0058] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks,
modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments
disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or
combinations of both. Some of the embodiments and implementations are described above
in terms of functional and/or logical block components (or modules) and various processing
steps. However, it should be appreciated that such block components (or modules) may
be realized by any number of hardware, software, and/or firmware components configured
to perform the specified functions. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability
of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits,
and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether
such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular
application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans
may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application,
but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure
from the scope of the present invention. For example, an embodiment of a system or
a component may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements,
digital signal processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, or the like, which
may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors
or other control devices. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
embodiments described herein are merely exemplary implementations.
[0059] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection
with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general
purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated
circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic
device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination
thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor
may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional
processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be
implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and
a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction
with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.
[0060] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed
herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor,
or in a combination of the two. A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash
memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable
disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary
storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information
from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage
medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may
reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the
processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user terminal.
[0061] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, and the like may be
used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without
necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such
entities or actions. Numerical ordinals such as "first," "second," "third," etc. simply
denote different singles of a plurality and do not imply any order or sequence unless
specifically defined by the claim language. The sequence of the text in any of the
claims does not imply that process steps must be performed in a temporal or logical
order according to such sequence unless it is specifically defined by the language
of the claim. The process steps may be interchanged in any order without departing
from the scope of the invention as long as such an interchange does not contradict
the claim language and is not logically nonsensical.
[0062] Furthermore, depending on the context, words such as "connect" or "coupled to" used
in describing a relationship between different elements do not imply that a direct
physical connection must be made between these elements. For example, two elements
may be connected to each other physically, electronically, logically, or in any other
manner, through one or more additional elements.
[0063] While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed
description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations
exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments
are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration
of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide
those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary
embodiment of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made
in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without
departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
1. A flight deck system for identifying a cockpit alert context during an aircraft mission,
the flight deck system comprising a controller configured to:
store message content in a clearance look-up table for one or more clearance messages
received from air traffic control (ATC) during the aircraft mission that contain cockpit
data about which an avionic system in an aircraft may later sense and generate a cockpit
alert or cockpit advisory for display on a cockpit display device;
monitor a plurality of avionic systems in the aircraft for a cockpit system alert;
retrieve an ATC clearance message from the clearance look-up table that corresponds
to a detected cockpit system alert when a cockpit system alert is detected; and
signal an aircraft display device to display the ATC clearance message in a visually
distinguishable manner that indicates that the displayed ATC clearance message relates
to a detected cockpit system alert.
2. The flight deck system of claim 1, wherein to store message content, the controller
is further configured to:
identify one or more ATC clearance messages that contain cockpit data; and
store message content from the identified one or more ATC clearance messages in the
clearance look-up table.
3. The flight deck system of claim 2, wherein to identify one or more ATC clearance messages
that contain cockpit data, the controller is further configured to:
analyze a plurality of ATC clearance messages, wherein each of the plurality of ATC
clearance messages has a unique identifier;
retrieve segmented text from the analyzed ATC clearance messages; and
identify, from the segmented text for each of the plurality of ATC clearance messages,
whether cockpit data is included, a context for included cockpit data, and each sub
system within the aircraft that is associated with the cockpit data.
4. The flight deck system of claim 3, wherein to store message content, the controller
is further configured to:
store, for each of the plurality of ATC clearance messages that has cockpit data,
the unique identifier, clearance data, context, and associated sub system for the
ATC clearance message in the clearance look-up table, wherein the clearance look-up
table maps the clearance data with a cockpit system alert.
5. The flight deck system of claim 4, wherein to retrieve an ATC clearance message from
the clearance look-up table, the controller is further configured to:
search the clearance look-up table, when a cockpit system alert is detected, for a
corresponding ATC clearance message using context and associated sub system information
for the cockpit system alert; and
identify one or more corresponding ATC clearance messages based on the search.
6. The flight deck system of claim 5, wherein to retrieve an ATC clearance message from
the clearance look-up table, the controller is further configured to:
identify the unique identifier for a most recent one of the one or more corresponding
ATC clearance messages identified based on the search; and
retrieve the ATC clearance message corresponding to the unique identifier.
7. The flight deck system of claim 6, wherein to signal the aircraft display device to
display the ATC clearance message in a visually distinguishable manner, the controller
is further configured to:
signal the aircraft display device to display the ATC clearance message corresponding
to the unique identifier in a visually distinguishable manner.
8. The flight deck system of claim 7, wherein to signal the aircraft display device to
display the ATC clearance message in a visually distinguishable manner, the controller
is further configured to:
signal the aircraft display device to display the ATC clearance message corresponding
to the unique identifier in a display window that is dedicated to displaying the ATC
clearance message that relates to the detected cockpit system alert.
9. A method in a flight deck system for identifying a cockpit alert context during an
aircraft mission, the method comprising:
storing message content in a clearance look-up table for one or more clearance messages
received from air traffic control (ATC) during the aircraft mission that contain cockpit
data about which an avionic system in an aircraft may later sense and generate a cockpit
alert or cockpit advisory for display on a cockpit display device;
monitoring a plurality of avionic systems in the aircraft for a cockpit system alert;
retrieving an ATC clearance message from the clearance look-up table that corresponds
to a detected cockpit system alert when a cockpit system alert is detected; and
signaling an aircraft display device to display the ATC clearance message in a visually
distinguishable manner that indicates that the displayed ATC clearance message relates
to a detected cockpit system alert.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein:
storing message content comprises: identifying one or more ATC clearance messages
that contain cockpit data; and storing message content from the identified one or
more ATC clearance messages in the clearance look-up table;
identifying one or more ATC clearance messages that contain cockpit data comprises:
analyzing a plurality of ATC clearance messages, wherein each of the plurality of
ATC clearance messages has a unique identifier; retrieving segmented text from the
analyzed ATC clearance messages; and identifying, from the segmented text for each
of the plurality of ATC clearance messages, whether cockpit data is included, a context
for included cockpit data, and each sub system within the aircraft that is associated
with the cockpit data;
storing message content further comprises storing, for each of the plurality of ATC
clearance messages that has cockpit data, the unique identifier, clearance data, context,
and associated sub system for the ATC clearance message in the clearance look-up table,
wherein the clearance look-up table maps the clearance data with a cockpit system
alert;
retrieving an ATC clearance message from the clearance look-up table comprises: searching
the clearance look-up table, when a cockpit system alert is detected, for a corresponding
ATC clearance message using context and associated sub system information for the
cockpit system alert; and identifying one or more corresponding ATC clearance messages
based on the search; and
retrieving an ATC clearance message from the clearance look-up table further comprises:
identifying the unique identifier for a most recent one of the one or more corresponding
ATC clearance messages identified based on the search; and retrieving the ATC clearance
message corresponding to the unique identifier.