Method and apparatus for displaying aircraft engine characteristics Number:7,142,131 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent A method and system for displaying aircraft engine information. In one embodiment, the method includes directing the display of an icon that represents a qualitative, overall operational state of an aircraft engine, with the overall operational state being determined from a plurality of engine operating parameters. The method can further include directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second operational state. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the change in the characteristic of the icon can include a change in the color or other visual characteristic of the icon, and the color or other visual characteristic of the icon can correspond directly to instructions to the pilot for actions suggested or required as a result of the current engine operational state.<H characteristics, displaying, Method, and, appa, 7142131.html, Patent, pto, 7142131

Title: Method and apparatus for displaying aircraft engine characteristics

Abstract: A method and system for displaying aircraft engine information. In one embodiment, the method includes directing the display of an icon that represents a qualitative, overall operational state of an aircraft engine, with the overall operational state being determined from a plurality of engine operating parameters. The method can further include directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second operational state. In a further aspect of this embodiment, the change in the characteristic of the icon can include a change in the color or other visual characteristic of the icon, and the color or other visual characteristic of the icon can correspond directly to instructions to the pilot for actions suggested or required as a result of the current engine operational state.

Patent Number: 7,142,131 Issued on 11/28/2006 to Sikora

Inventors: Sikora; Joseph A. (Seattle, WA)
Assignee: The Boeing Company (Chicago, IL)

Appl. No.: 10/189,114

Filed: July 3, 2002

Current U.S. Class: 340/971 ; 340/945; 340/963; 701/29

Current International Class: G01C 21/00 (20060101)

Field of Search: 340/971,945,963 244/180,195 701/29

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Primary Examiner: Pham; Toan N.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Perkins Coie LLP

Claims

I claim:

1. A computer-implemented method for displaying aircraft engine information, comprising: directing the display of an icon that represents a qualitative, overall operational state of an aircraft engine, the overall operational state being determined from a plurality of engine operating parameters; and directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to the plurality of engine operating parameters; and determining the overall operational state of the aircraft engine based at least in part on the plurality of signals.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to the plurality of engine operating parameters; if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state; and if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the overall operational state of the aircraft engine from the plurality of engine operating parameters, wherein the plurality of engine operating parameters is selected from engine rpm, thrust, exhaust pressure ratio, exhaust gas temperature, oil pressure, oil temperature, oil quantity, fuel flow, combuster burner pressure and vibration.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein directing a change in the display includes directing a change in the display when the overall operational state changes from a first overall operational state in which the engine is operating within at least one parameter range to a second overall operational state in which the engine is operating outside the at least one parameter range.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing a display corresponding to pilot instructions based at least in part on the overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: directing a display corresponding to a first pilot instruction when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state; and directing a display corresponding to a second pilot instruction when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: directing a display of a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state; and directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: directing a display of a first visual cue corresponding to an indication that the engine is operating normally when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the first overall state; and directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to an indication that the engine is not operating normally when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein directing the display of an icon includes directing the display of a graphical icon representative of the aircraft engine.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein directing the display of an icon includes directing the display of an icon having a shape representative of the aircraft engine.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein directing the display of an icon includes directing the display of text corresponding to an identity of the aircraft engine.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein directing a change in the display of the icon includes directing a change in a color of the icon.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the icon includes text and wherein directing a change in the display includes directing a change in the text.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein directing a change in the display of the icon includes directing a change in a line thickness of the icon.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein directing a change in the display of the icon includes directing a change in a line intensity of the icon.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein directing a change in the display of the icon includes directing a change in a background shading of the icon.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing the display of a text message in addition to the icon.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a graphical representation of actual and available engine thrust in addition to the icon.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the at least one engine operating parameter at least proximate to the icon.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the at least one engine operating parameter at least proximate to the icon only when the at least one engine operating parameter is outside a particular range.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing the display of a text message corresponding to the cause of the change from the first overall operational state to the second overall operational state.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing the display of an informational text message corresponding to the state of the aircraft engine.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the aircraft engine is a first aircraft engine and the icon is a first icon, and wherein the method further comprises: directing the display of a second icon that indicates an overall operational state of a second aircraft engine, the overall operational state of the second aircraft engine being determined from at least one engine operating parameter of the second aircraft engine; and directing a change in the display of the second icon when the overall operational state of the second aircraft engine changes from a third overall operational state to a fourth overall operational state.

25. The method of claim 1, further comprising: directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes to a third overall operational state; and directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes to a fourth overall operational state; wherein the aircraft engine is not running when the overall operational state is the first overall operational state, and wherein the aircraft engine is operating within normal limits when the overall operational state is the second state, further wherein the aircraft engine is operating with a malfunction that requires a reduction in aircraft engine power when the overall operational state is the third overall operational state, still further wherein the aircraft engine is operating with a malfunction that requires the aircraft engine to be shut down when the overall operational state is the fourth overall operational state.

26. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining a size of the icon to be at least approximately constant as the display of the icon is changed.

27. A computer-implemented method for displaying information corresponding to the operation of an aircraft engine, comprising: receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of engine operating parameters; determining if the engine operating parameters are within corresponding ranges of values; and if all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding ranges, directing the display of a single qualitative visual cue indicating an overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising directing a change in the display of the single visual cue when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state.

29. The method of claim 27 wherein the overall operational state is a first overall operational state, and wherein the method further comprises determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is a second overall operational state if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding ranges.

30. The method of claim 27 wherein the single qualitative visual cue is a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction and wherein the method further comprises directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction if the engine operating parameters are not within the corresponding ranges, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

31. The method of claim 27 wherein directing the display of a visual cue includes directing a graphical display representative of the aircraft engine.

32. The method of claim 27 wherein the visual cue includes an icon representative of the aircraft engine, and wherein the method further comprises directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state, the change in the display including a change in a color of the icon.

33. The method of claim 27, further comprising directing the display of a text message corresponding to the cause of a change from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

34. A computer-implemented method for displaying information corresponding to the operation of an aircraft engine, comprising: receiving at least one signal corresponding to at least one engine operating parameter; determining an overall operational state of an aircraft engine based at least in part on the at least one engine operating parameter; and directing the display of a single qualitative visual cue that indicates the overall operational state and the need for a crew action.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein directing the display of a single visual cue includes directing the display of an icon having a color correlated with a suggested response to the overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein the at least one signal is one of a plurality of signals corresponding to plurality of engine operating parameters, and wherein the method further comprises: receiving the plurality of signals; and determining the overall operational state of the aircraft engine based at least in part on the plurality of signals.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein the at least one signal is one of a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of engine operating parameters, and wherein the method further comprises: receiving the plurality of signals; if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding ranges, determining that the state the overall operational aircraft engine is a first overall operational state; and if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is a second overall operational state.

38. The method of claim 34, further comprising: directing a display of a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction if the at least one engine operating parameter is within a corresponding range of values; and directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction if the at least one engine operating parameter is not within the corresponding range, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

39. The method of claim 34 wherein directing the display of a visual cue includes directing a graphical display representative of the aircraft engine.

40. The method of claim 34 wherein the visual cue includes an icon representative of the aircraft engine, and wherein the method further comprises directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state, the change in the display including a change in a color of the icon.

41. The method of claim 34, further comprising directing the display of a text message corresponding to the cause of a change from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

42. A method for displaying information corresponding to the operation of an aircraft engine, comprising: directing the display of an icon that indicates a qualitative overall operational state of the aircraft engine, the overall operational state being determined from at least one engine operating parameter; directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state; and when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is at least one of the first and second overall operational states, directing a display corresponding to a crew instruction.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein directing a display corresponding to a crew instruction includes directing the display of an icon having a color correlated with the crew instruction.

44. The method of claim 42 wherein directing a display corresponding to a crew instruction includes directing the display of an icon having a color correlated with a crew instruction to reduce power to the aircraft engine.

45. The method of claim 42 wherein directing a display corresponding to a crew instruction includes directing the display of an icon having a color correlated with a crew instruction to shut down the aircraft engine.

46. The method of claim 42 wherein directing a change in the display includes directing a change in a color of the display.

47. The method of claim 42, further comprising: receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of engine operating parameters; if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding ranges, determining that the overall operational state the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state; and if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state.

48. The method of claim 42 wherein directing the display of the icon includes directing a graphical display representative of the aircraft engine.

49. The method of claim 42, further comprising directing the display of a text message corresponding to the cause of a change from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

50. A method for displaying aircraft engine information, comprising: directing the display of an icon that indicates a qualitative overall operational state of an aircraft engine, the overall operational state being determined from a plurality of engine operating parameters; and directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state, wherein the change includes changing a color of the icon from a first color to a second color different than the first color.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising: if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is a first overall operational state; and if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the parameter ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is a second overall operational state.

52. The method of claim 50, further comprising: directing a display of a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction if the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges; and directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

53. The method of claim 50 wherein directing the display of the icon includes directing a graphical display representative of the aircraft engine.

54. The method of claim 50, further comprising directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of aircraft engine changes from the first overall operational state to the second overall operational state, the change in the display including a change in a color of the icon.

55. The method of claim 50, further comprising directing the display of a text message corresponding to the cause of a change from the first overall operational state to the second overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

56. The method of claim 50 wherein in the aircraft engine is a first aircraft engine and the icon is a first icon, and wherein the method further comprises directing the display of a second icon indicating the overall operational state of a second aircraft engine.

57. A method for displaying aircraft engine information, comprising: receiving signals corresponding to a plurality of engine operating parameters; determining whether or not all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges; directing the display of a graphical icon representing an aircraft engine and indicating a qualitative overall operational state of the aircraft engine, the overall operational state being determined from the plurality of engine operating parameters; directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state, wherein the change includes changing a color of the icon from a first color to a second color different than the first color, and wherein the engine is not running when the overall operational state is the first overall operational state, further wherein the engine is running within normal limits when the state is the second overall operational state; changing a color of the icon to a third color when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes to a third overall operational state in which the aircraft engine is operating with a malfunction that requires a reduction in engine power; and changing a color of the icon to a fourth color when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes to a fourth overall operational state in which the aircraft engine is operating with a malfunction that requires the aircraft engine to be shut down.

58. The method of claim 57 wherein changing the color from the first color to the second color includes changing the color from white to green, and wherein changing the color to the third color includes changing the color to amber, further wherein changing the color to the fourth color includes changing the color to red.

59. A computer-implemented method for displaying aircraft engine information, comprising: directing the display of an icon that indicates a qualitative overall operational state of an aircraft engine, the overall operational state being determined from a plurality of engine operating parameters; directing the display of an indication of thrust produced by the aircraft engine, the indication of thrust being different than the icon; and directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state.

60. The method of claim 59, further comprising: if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges, determining that the overall operational state the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state; and if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state.

61. The method of claim 59, further comprising: directing a display of a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges; and directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

62. The method of claim 59 wherein directing the display of the icon includes directing a graphical display representative of the aircraft engine.

63. The method of claim 59, further comprising directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state, the change in the display including a change in a color of the icon.

64. The method of claim 59 wherein in the aircraft engine is a first aircraft engine and the icon is a first icon, and wherein the method further comprises directing the display of a second icon indicating an overall operational state of a second aircraft engine.

65. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a computing device to display information corresponding to a qualitative overall operational state of an aircraft engine by performing a method, comprising: directing the display of an icon that indicates the qualitative overall operational state of the aircraft engine, the overall operational state being determined from a plurality of engine operating parameters; and directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state.

66. The computer-readable medium of claim 65, the contents of which are further capable of: receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to the plurality of engine operating parameters; if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges, determining that the overall operational state the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state; and if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state.

67. The computer-readable medium of claim 65, the contents of which are further capable of: directing a display of a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges; and directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

68. The computer-readable medium of claim 65, the contents of which are further capable of directing the display of an icon having a graphical representation of the aircraft engine.

69. The computer-readable medium of claim 65, the contents of which are further capable of directing the display of an icon that includes text corresponding to an identity of the aircraft engine.

70. The computer-readable medium of claim 65, the contents of which are further capable of directing a change in the display of the icon when a state of aircraft engine changes from a first state to a second state, the change in the display including a change in a color of the icon.

71. The computer-readable medium of claim 65, the contents of which are further capable of directing the display of a text message corresponding to the cause of a change from the first overall operational state to the second overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

72. The computer-readable medium of claim 65 wherein the aircraft engine is a first aircraft engine and the icon is a first icon, and wherein the contents of the computer-readable medium are further capable of directing the display of a second icon indicating that a second aircraft engine is operating within selected ranges.

73. A computer system for displaying information corresponding to the operation of an aircraft engine, comprising: a determining component with contents capable of determining a qualitative overall operational state of the aircraft engine based on a plurality of engine operating parameters; and a display component with contents capable of displaying an icon indicating the overall operational state of the aircraft engine and changing a characteristic of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state.

74. The computer system of claim 73 wherein the determining component is further capable of: receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to the plurality of engine operating parameters; and determining the overall operational state of the aircraft engine based at least in part on the plurality of signals.

75. The computer system of claim 73 wherein the determining component is further capable of: receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to the plurality of engine operating parameters; if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges, determining that the overall operational state the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state; and if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state.

76. The computer system of claim 73 wherein the display component is further capable of: displaying a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction if all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges; and displaying a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

77. A computer system for displaying information corresponding to the operation of an aircraft engine, comprising: determining means for determining a qualitative overall operational state of the aircraft engine based at least in part on a plurality of engine operating parameters; and display means for displaying an icon indicating the overall operational state of the aircraft engine and changing a characteristic of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state.

78. The computer system of claim 77 wherein the determining means are configured to receive a plurality of signals corresponding to the plurality of engine operating parameters and determine the overall operational state of the aircraft engine based at least in part on the plurality of signals.

79. The computer system of claim 77 wherein the determining means are configured to receive a plurality of signals corresponding to the plurality of engine operating parameters, and if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges, determine that the overall operational state the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state, and if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, determine that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state.

80. The computer system of claim 77 wherein the display means are configured to display a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding parameter ranges and display a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding parameter ranges, the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction.

81. The computer system of claim 77 wherein the display means are configured to display a graphical representation of the aircraft engine.

82. The computer system of claim 77, wherein the display means are configured to change the display of the icon when the overall operational state of aircraft engine changes from the first overall operational state to the second overall operational state, the change in the display including a change in a color of the icon.

83. The computer system of claim 77, wherein the display means are configured to display a text message corresponding to the cause of a change from the overall operational first state to the second overall operational state of the aircraft engine.

84. The computer system of claim 77 wherein the aircraft engine is a first aircraft engine and the icon is a first icon, and wherein the display means are configured to display a second icon indicating an overall operational state of a second aircraft engine.

85. A computer-readable medium containing a data structure having information for display, the information when displayed including an icon that indicates a qualitative overall operating state of the aircraft engine, the icon having a characteristic that changes when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state, the characteristic of the icon being based on a plurality of engine operating parameters.

86. The computer-readable medium of claim 85 wherein the icon includes a graphical display representative of the aircraft engine.

87. The computer-readable medium of claim 85 wherein the icon has a shape representative of the aircraft engine.

88. The computer-readable medium of claim 85 wherein the characteristic of the icon that changes includes a color of the icon.

89. The computer-readable medium of claim 85 wherein the characteristic of the icon that changes includes a line thickness of the icon.

90. The computer-readable medium of claim 85 wherein the characteristic of the icon that changes includes in a line intensity of the icon.

91. The computer-readable medium of claim 85 wherein the characteristic of the icon that changes includes a background shading of the icon.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for displaying aircraft engine characteristics, such as the operational state of the engines, to the flight crew of the airplane.

BACKGROUND

Modern aircraft engine flight deck displays typically include computer-driven display screens dedicated to presenting engine status information. These display screens typically present to the pilots engine data indicating the values of a variety of engine operating parameters. For example, the display screens can present a primary engine display 111 (shown in FIG. 1A) and a secondary engine display 112 (shown in FIG. 1B). The primary engine display 111 can present top-level engine parameter data, such as exhaust pressure ratio (EPR) at an EPR display 113a, low pressure compressor shaft rotation speed (N1) at an N1 display 113b, and exhaust gas temperature (EGT) at an EGT display 113c. The primary engine display 111 can include multiple sets of displays 113a c (two are shown in FIG. 1A), one set for each engine of the aircraft.

The secondary engine display 112 can include information corresponding to other engine operating parameters. For example, the secondary engine display 112 shown in FIG. 1B can include intermediate compressor shaft rotation speed (N2) at an N2 display 113d, high pressure compressor shaft rotation speed (N3) at an N3 display 113d, fuel flow at a fuel flow display 113f, oil pressure at an oil pressure display 113g, oil temperature at an oil temperature display 113h, oil quantity at an oil quantity display 113i, and engine vibration at an engine vibration display 113j.

One characteristic associated with the foregoing approaches for displaying engine data is that the pilot or other crew member operating the aircraft must be able to quickly view the data, integrate and interpret the data, and determine whether the data warrant an action on the part of the crew. If an action is required, in many cases, the pilot must determine what the action is. One drawback with this approach is that it can be time-consuming and costly to train pilots to quickly and efficiently carry out the foregoing steps.

One approach to addressing the foregoing problem is to display engine thrust, as well as other engine operating parameters, in a color coded manner that indicates when the thrust or other parameters exceed predetermined limits. One such method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,081 to Abbott et al. However, this approach may also suffer from some of the foregoing drawbacks, namely, that presenting pilots with a plurality of parameter information still requires them to integrate and interpret the information. Also it may still be time-consuming to train pilots to understand the information presented to them, and it may take time to train the pilots to understand what action is required based on the data they see.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed toward a computer-implemented method and system for displaying aircraft information. In one aspect of the invention, the method includes directing the display of an icon that represents a qualitative, overall operational state of an aircraft engine, with the overall operational state being determined from a plurality of engine operating parameters. The method can further include directing a change in the display of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state. For example, the method can include displaying an icon having a shape representative of an aircraft engine, and can further include changing a color of the icon as the overall operational state of the engine changes.

In another aspect of the invention, the method can include directing a display of a first visual cue corresponding to a first pilot instruction when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the first overall operational state, and directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to a second pilot instruction when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the second overall operational state, with the second pilot instruction being different than the first pilot instruction. For example, the method can include directing the display of the icon to have a first color (such as amber) when the overall operational state of the engine is such that the power to the engine should be reduced. The color of the icon can be changed to a second color (such as red) when the overall operational state of the engine is such that the engine should be shut down.

In another aspect of the invention, a computer system for displaying information corresponding to the operation of an aircraft engine includes a determining component with contents capable of determining a qualitative overall operational state of the aircraft engine based on a plurality of engine operating parameters. The computer system can further include a display component with contents capable of displaying an icon indicating the overall operational state of the aircraft engine and changing a characteristic of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from a first overall operational state to a second overall operational state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A 1B illustrate engine flight deck displays in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a system for displaying aircraft engine characteristics in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for displaying aircraft engine characteristics in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a display for presenting aircraft engine states and pilot instruction cues in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a display for presenting aircraft engine states and pilot instruction cues in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes methods and systems for displaying aircraft engine characteristics. Many specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and in FIGS. 2 5 to provide a thorough understanding of these embodiments. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the present invention may have additional embodiments, and that the invention may be practiced without several of the details described below.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a system 210 that displays the state of one or more aircraft engines in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one aspect of this embodiment, the system 210 can include a computer 220 having one or more input/output devices 221, a processor 222, a memory 223, and a display unit 224. In other embodiments, the functions carried out by the system 210 can be distributed over a plurality of computers or processing platforms. In any of these embodiments, the input/output devices 221 can receive signals corresponding to engine operating parameter signals 226, and, optionally, crew input signals 225. The processor 222 can determine the overall operational state of each engine, based at least in part on one or more of the engine operating parameter signals 226. The processor 222 can then direct the display of an icon on the display unit 224 that qualitatively indicates the overall operational state of the engine and, optionally, a visual cue that indicates to the pilot (a) whether an action is required and if so, (b) what the action should be.

In one embodiment, the computer 220 can be generally similar to existing avionics computers, but can be programmed and/or configured to carry out the foregoing processes. For example, the computer 220 can include an engine controller computer (EEC or FADEC) and/or an aircraft display computer. In any of these embodiments, one or more of the input/output devices 221 can be configured to receive the engine operating parameter signals 226 directly from the aircraft engines and/or from intermediate computers or processors. One or more of the input/output devices 221 can be configured to receive the crew input signals 225 and can accordingly include a keypad, mouse pad, touch screen, or other such device. The crew input signals 225 can be used to tailor certain aspects of the manner in which information is presented on the display 224, or obtain additional information, without affecting the content of the information. One or more of the input/output devices 221 can also be configured to access a computer-readable medium (such as a CD or diskette). Directions for carrying out processes in accordance with embodiments of the invention can be stored on such media, and/or in the memory 223. The display 224 on which the information is presented can include a CRT screen, an LCD screen, or any other device that is configured to present engine-related information to the crew.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a process 300 for presenting aircraft engine information to the crew. The process 300 includes receiving engine operating parameter signals (process portion 302). The overall operational state of the engine is then determined, based on at least one of the operating parameters (process portion 304). In one embodiment, the overall operational state of the engine can be selected from one or more pre-established states. For example, the pre-established states can include states for which (a) the engine is shut down, (b) the engine is operating normally, (c) the engine is running and is operating with a malfunction or condition that requires the pilot to reduce the engine power level, and (d) the engine is running and operating with a malfunction or condition that requires the pilot to shut the engine down. In other embodiments, the pre-established states can include a state in which the engine is starting up, a state in which the engine has been shut down normally and is available for restart, and/or a state in which the engine has been shut down in an emergency procedure and/or is unavailable for restart.

In process portion 306, an icon is displayed representing the overall operational state of the engine. The process 300 can further include determining a change in the overall operational state (process portion 308) and changing the display of the icon to reflect changes in the overall operational state (process portion 310). The process 300 can further include displaying one or more visual cues corresponding to a pilot instruction that is based on the operational state of the engine (process portion 312). Further details of the content and manner in which the engine-related information is displayed are provided below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 illustrates a display 430 suitable for presentation on the display device 224 (FIG. 2) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In one aspect of this embodiment, the display 430 presents one or more icons 431 (two are shown in FIG. 4 as a first or left icon 431a and a second or right icon 431b). In one embodiment, each icon 431 can include an outline 433 having a shape that is roughly representative of an aircraft engine. In other embodiments, the icons 431 can have other shapes, such as those described below with reference to FIG. 5. In any of these embodiments, each icon 431 represents a qualitative, overall operational state of the corresponding aircraft engine, such as the states described above with reference to FIG. 3. The overall operational state is a level of abstraction beyond engine operating parameters (such as N1, EPR, or EGT) and quantities calculated from the engine operating parameters (such as engine