US6038498A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and mehod for aircraft monitoring and control including electronic check-list management
Assignee: Evonik Operations GmbH
•
Filing: 1997-10-15
•
Granted: 2000-03-14
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Expires: 2017-10-15
Abstract
Abstract An aircraft includes a system for managing check lists solely by operation of a four-position rocker switch having a center return position. The system includes check list data organized into three levels and automatically displayed upon occurrence of an abnormal condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel Briffe
- 👤 Guy Mitaux-Maurouard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C23/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A system for managing check lists in an aircraft, comprising: a memory for storing check list data arranged into a plurality of check lists each containing a plurality of items; a color flat panel display device; a multi-position switch; a sensor system for detecting abnormal conditions each corresponding to one check list; and a flight computer coupled to the memory, display device, switch, and sensor system and responding to: an abnormal condition detected by the sensor system by automatically displaying the check list corresponding to the detected abnormal condition; and operation of the switch to respective selected positions by scrolling a screen indicator respectively up and down a displayed list on the display device, calling up a menu of check lists if no list is displayed, and displaying the previous check list on a menu; whereby management of the check list data is provided solely by operation of the multi-position switch.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A system for managing check lists in an aircraft, comprising: a memory for storing check list data arranged into a plurality of check lists each containing a plurality of items; a color flat panel display device; a multi-position switch; a sensor system for detecting abnormal conditions each corresponding to one check list; and a flight computer coupled to the memory, display device, switch, and sensor system and responding to: an abnormal condition detected by the sensor system by automatically displaying the check list corresponding to the detected abnormal condition; and operation of the switch to respective selected positions by scrolling a screen indicator respectively up and down a displayed list on the display device, calling up a menu of check lists if no list is displayed, and displaying the previous check list on a menu; whereby management of the check list data is provided solely by operation of the multi-position switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the switch comprises an automatic center-return switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as recited in claim 2, wherein the switch comprises two orthogonal two-position center return axes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as recited in claim 2, wherein the switch comprises a plurality of momentary-contact positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A system as recited in claim 1, wherein: the check list data comprises a three-level hierarchy of data organized into pages; the computer displays selected ones of the levels of check list data; and the computer responds to operation of the switch by executing functions dependent upon the level of currently displayed check list data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
A system as recited in claim 1, wherein: the lowest level of check list data comprises an instruction level, display of which comprises an ordered list of instruction items; the computer generates signals to cause a screen indicator to selectively associate with an instruction item of displayed data; and operation of the switch to a specified position while instruction level data is being displayed causes an acknowledgment function to be executed for the instruction item associated with the indicator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
A system as recited in claim 6, wherein: execution of the acknowledgment function stores an acknowledgment indicator in memory for the associated item; the computer responds to operator input by causing display of information unrelated to the check list function; the computer responds to subsequent operation of the switch to cause display of the page including the acknowledged instruction item, and generation of a screen indicator positioned at the last acknowledged instruction item.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for managing check lists in an aircraft, comprising: storing in a memory check list data arranged into a plurality of check lists each containing a plurality of items; detecting abnormal conditions each corresponding to one of the check lists; responding to an abnormal condition detected by the sensor system by automatically displaying the check list corresponding to the detected abnormal condition; and responding solely to operation of a multi position switch to manage display of the check list data on the display device.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
85 words
A method for managing check lists in an aircraft, comprising: storing in a memory check list data arranged into a plurality of check lists each containing a plurality of items; detecting abnormal conditions each corresponding to one of the check lists; responding to an abnormal condition detected by the sensor system by automatically displaying the check list corresponding to the detected abnormal condition; and responding solely to operation of a multi position switch to manage display of the check list data on the display device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-14 | 2003-09-13 | 2004-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-14 | 2007-09-13 | 2008-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-14 | 2011-09-13 | 2012-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |