1. A computer-implemented method for displaying aircraft engine information, comprising:
directing the display of an icon that represents an overall operational state of an aircraft engine, the overall operational state including one of a started state and an unstarted state;
receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of engine operating parameters while the engine is changing between the unstarted state and the started state;
if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the started state;
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 unstarted state; and
directing a change in a displayed characteristic of the icon at least proximate to a time when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from the one of the started state and the unstarted state to the other of the started state and the unstarted state.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the one state is a first overall operational state, the other state is a second overall operational state, and directing a change in the characteristic of the icon includes directing a first change in the characteristic of the icon, and wherein the method further comprises directing a second change in a characteristic of the icon at least proximate to a time when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes to a third overall operational state.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein directing a change in a characteristic of an icon includes changing the icon to include a representation of a fan.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein directing the display includes directing the display of a representation of an engine inlet without a representation of a fan when the engine is in the unstarted state and with the representation of a fan when the engine is in the started state.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the engine is in the started state or the unstarted state based at least in part on a signal corresponding to engine rpm.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
when the engine is in the started state, displaying a fan icon representative of a fan; and
when the engine has failed, ceasing to display the fan icon and instead displaying an icon representative of an X.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeatedly directing changes in the display of the icon as the aircraft engine changes from the unstarted state to the started state.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the overall state of the aircraft engine from at least one engine operating parameter selected from engine rpm, thrust, engine pressure ratio, exhaust gas temperature, oil pressure, oil temperature, oil quantity, fuel flow, combuster burner pressure and vibration.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing a display corresponding to operator instructions based at least in part on the overall operational state of the aircraft engine.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the one state is a first overall operational state, the other state is a second overall operational state, and directing a change in the characteristic of the icon includes directing a first change in the characteristic of the icon, and wherein the method further comprises:
directing a second change in the display of the icon at least proximate to a time when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes to a third overall operational state; and
directing a display of a visual cue corresponding to an operator instruction when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the third overall operational state.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving an indication as to whether the engine is operating normally or not;
directing a display of a first visual cue when the engine is operating normally; and
directing a display of a second visual cue different than the first visual cue when the engine is not operating normally.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a graphical representation of actual and available engine thrust in addition to the icon.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the one state is a first overall operational state, the other state is a second overall operational state, and directing a change in the characteristic of the icon includes directing a first change in the characteristic of the icon, and wherein the method further comprises:
directing a second change in a displayed characteristic of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes to a third overall operational state; and
directing a third change in a displayed characteristic 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.
16. A computer-implemented method for displaying aircraft engine information, comprising:
directing the display of an icon that represents an unstarted state of an aircraft engine;
directing a display of an alphanumeric message indicating at least approximately how close the aircraft is to achieving the started state; and
as an overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from the unstarted state to a started state, repeatedly directing changes in a displayed characteristic of the icon and in the display of the alphanumeric message.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein repeatedly directing changes in the display of the icon includes increasing an amount of a display field having a selected display characteristic as the aircraft engine changes from the unstarted state to the started state.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein repeatedly directing changes in the display of the icon includes increasing an amount of a display field having a selected color as the aircraft engine changes from the unstarted state to the started state.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising repeatedly directing changes in the display of the icon as the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from the started state to the unstarted state.
20. A computer-implemented method for displaying aircraft engine information, comprising:
directing the display of an icon that represents an unstarted state of an aircraft engine, the icon representing an aircraft engine having an inlet;
as an overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from the unstarted state to a started state, repeatedly directing first changes in a displayed characteristic of the icon, including increasing an amount of a display field having a selected color; and
when the aircraft engine achieves the started state, directing a second change in a displayed characteristic of the icon to indicate the started state, the second change including presenting a fan icon at the inlet portion of the engine icon.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising:
directing a third change in the display of the icon when the aircraft engine is operating with a malfunction that requires a reduction in aircraft engine power; and
directing a fourth change in the display of the icon when the aircraft engine is operating with a malfunction that requires the aircraft engine to be shut down.
22. A computer-readable medium having contents that cause a computing device to display information corresponding to an overall operational state of an aircraft engine by performing a method, comprising:
directing the display of an icon that represents an overall operational state of an aircraft engine, the overall operational state including one of a started state and an unstarted state;
receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of engine operating parameters while the engine is changing between the unstarted state and the started state;
if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the started state;
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 unstarted state; and
directing a change in a displayed characteristic of the icon at least proximate to a time when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from the one of the started state and the unstarted state to the other of the started state and the unstarted state.
23. The computer-readable medium of claim 22 wherein the one state is a first overall operational state, the other state is a second overall operational state, and directing a change in the characteristic of the icon includes directing a first change in the characteristic of the icon, and wherein the method further comprises directing a second change in a characteristic of the icon at least proximate to a time when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes to a third overall operational state.
24. The computer-readable medium of claim 22 wherein directing the display includes directing the display of a representation of an engine inlet without a representation of a fan when the engine is in the unstarted state and with the representation of a fan when the engine is in the started state.
25. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, further comprising determining whether the engine is in the started state or the unstarted state based at least in part on a signal corresponding to engine rpm.
26. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, further comprising repeatedly directing changes in the display of the icon as the aircraft engine changes from the unstarted state to the started state.
27. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, further comprising:
directing a display of a first visual cue corresponding to an indication that the engine is operating normally when the engine is operating normally; and
directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to an indication that the engine is not operating normally when the engine is not operating normally.
28. The computer-readable medium of claim 22 wherein the one state is a first overall operational state, the other state is a second overall operational state, and directing a change in the characteristic of the icon includes directing a first change in the characteristic of the icon, and wherein the method further comprises:
directing a second change in a displayed characteristic of the icon when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes to a third overall operational state; and
directing a third change in a displayed characteristic 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.
29. A computer system for displaying information corresponding to the operation of an aircraft engine, comprising:
a determining component with contents capable of determining an overall operational state of the aircraft engine, the overall operational state including one of a started state and an unstarted state, the determining component further being capable of:
receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of engine operating parameters while the engine is changing between the unstarted state and the started state;
if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the started 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 unstarted state; and
a display component with contents capable of displaying an icon indicating the overall operational state of the aircraft engine, the display component further being capable of directing a change in a displayed characteristic of the icon at least proximate to a time when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from the one of the started state and the unstarted state to the other of the started state and the unstarted state.
30. The system of claim 29 wherein the display component is capable of directing the display of a representation of an engine inlet without a representation of a fan when the engine is in the unstarted state and with the representation of a fan when the engine is in the started state.
31. The system of claim 29, wherein the display component is capable of repeatedly directing changes in the display of the icon as the aircraft engine changes from the unstarted state to the started state.
32. The system of claim 29 wherein the display component is capable of:
directing a display of a first visual cue corresponding to an indication that the engine is operating normally when the engine is operating normally; and
directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to an indication that the engine is not operating normally when the engine is not operating normally.
33. A computer system for displaying information corresponding to the operation of an aircraft engine, comprising:
determining means for determining an overall operational state of the aircraft engine, the overall operational state including one of a started state and an unstarted state, the determining means being capable of:
receiving a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of engine operating parameters while the engine is changing between the unstarted state and the started state;
if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding ranges, determining that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the started 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 unstarted state; and
display means for displaying an icon indicating the overall operational state of the aircraft engine, the display means further being capable of directing a change in a displayed characteristic of the icon at least proximate to a time when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from the one of the started state and the unstarted state to the other of the started state and the unstarted state.
34. The system of claim 33 wherein the display means is capable of directing the display of a representation of an engine inlet without a representation of a fan when the engine is in the unstarted state and with the representation of a fan when the engine is in the started state.
35. The system of claim 33, wherein the display means is capable of repeatedly directing changes in the display of the icon as the aircraft engine changes from the unstarted state to the started state.
36. The system of claim 33 wherein the display means is capable of:
directing a display of a first visual cue corresponding to an indication that the engine is operating normally when the engine is operating normally; and
directing a display of a second visual cue corresponding to an indication that the engine is not operating normally when the engine is not operating normally.
37. 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, wherein:
the qualitative overall operational state includes one of a started state and an unstarted state;
the icon has a characteristic that changes when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from the one of the started state and the unstarted state to the other of the started state and the unstarted state; and
the computer readable medium is configured to:
receive a plurality of signals corresponding to a plurality of engine operating parameters while the engine is changing between the unstarted state and the started state;
if all the engine operating parameters are within corresponding ranges, determine that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the started state; and
if fewer than all the engine operating parameters are within the corresponding ranges, determine that the overall operational state of the aircraft engine is the unstarted state.
38. The computer-readable medium of claim 37 wherein the icon includes a representation of an engine inlet without a representation of a fan when the engine is in the unstarted state and with the representation of a fan when the engine is in the started state.
39. The computer-readable medium of claim 37, wherein a characteristic of the icon changes repeatedly as the aircraft engine changes from the unstarted state to the started state.
40. A computer-implemented method for displaying aircraft engine information, comprising:
directing the display of an icon that represents an overall operational state of an aircraft engine, the overall operational state including one of a started state and an unstarted state; and
directing a change in a displayed characteristic of the icon at least proximate to a time when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from the one of the started state and the unstarted state to the other of the started state and the unstarted state, wherein directing the display includes directing the display of a representation of an engine inlet without a representation of a fan when the engine is in the unstarted state and with the representation of a fan when the engine is in the started state.
41. A computer-implemented method for displaying aircraft engine information, comprising:
directing the display of an icon that represents an overall operational state of an aircraft engine, the overall operational state including one of a started state and an unstarted state;
directing a change in a displayed characteristic of the icon at least proximate to a time when the overall operational state of the aircraft engine changes from the one of the started state and the unstarted state to the other of the started state and the unstarted state;
when the engine is in the started state, displaying a fan icon representative of a fan; and
when the engine has failed, ceasing to display the fan icon and instead displaying an icon representative of an X.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A computer implemented multi-dimensional sound conferencing method for a plurality of conference participants comprising:
assigning, via a processor, each conference participant to a unique position on a computer generated map, wherein the plurality of conference participants includes speaking participants and listening participants;
determining a direction on the map of each participant from each other participant,
receiving a voice sound from one of the speaking participants;
leveling the voice sound from the one speaking participant to a common leveled voice sound for the speaking participants;
attenuating the leveled voice sound to an attenuated voice sound such that the attenuated sound is representative of a distance between the one speaking participant and each of the listening participants;
converting the leveled and attenuated voice sound to a converted sound corresponding to the direction to each of the listening participants from the one speaking participant; and
transforming the converted sound to binaural sound for transmission to each listening participant.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the map is a virtual room,
3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the virtual room has a plurality of predefined positions.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein a direction is determined in the virtual room from each predefined position to each other predefined position in the virtual room.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the sound from each speaking participant is assigned a virtual speaker associated with a direction from each listening participant.
6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the map includes a sound ring around each participant.
7. The method according to claim 6 wherein each virtual speaker is associated with a position around the sound ring.
8. The method according to claim 2 further comprising the virtual room having a plurality of walls defining the room.
9. The method according to claim 5 wherein reverberation is added to the received sound directed to each of the virtual speakers other than the virtual speaker associated with the speaking participant.
10. The method according to claim 8 wherein reverberation is added to the received sound directed to each of the virtual speakers other than the virtual speaker associated with the speaking participant.
11. The method according to claim 10 wherein each virtual speaker is associated with a position around a sound ring around each participant.
12. A computerized method for simulating a three dimensional audio experience during a conference between a plurality of participants, the method comprising:
receiving, via a processor, a plurality of voice sounds from conference speaking and listening participants;
associating each voice sound with a unique one of the participants;
presenting to each participant, via a computer display communicating with the processor, a virtual map of a virtual room showing a plurality of different positions in the room equal to or greater than the number of conference participants;
each participant selecting a different position on the map within the virtual room;
leveling, via the processor, a voice sound received from each participant to a common leveled voice sound;
attenuating, via the processor, a volume of the common leveled voice sound to an attenuated sound such that the attenuated sound is representative of a distance between the speaking participant and each of the listening participants on the map;
converting the leveled and attenuated voice sound to a converted sound corresponding to the direction to each of the listening participants from the speaking participant on the map; and
transmitting the converted sound to each of the listening participants.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising determining a direction from each position in the room to each other position in the virtual room.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising associating a different speaking participant with each different position and wherein each converted sound is determined from the direction of the speaking participant associated with its position in the room.
15. A non-transient non-transitory tangible machine readable storage medium, storing instructions that, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method of audio programming for a plurality of conference participants, the method comprising:
assigning, by the computing device, the plurality of conference participants each to a different position on a map, wherein the plurality of participants includes speaking participants and listening participants;
determining, by the computing device, a direction on the map of each speaking participant from each listening participant;
receiving, by the computing device, a voice sound from a speaking participant;
leveling, by the computing device, the voice sound from the speaking participant to a common leveled voice sound for the participants;
attenuating, by the computing device, a volume of the leveled voice sound to an attenuated sound, such that the attenuated sound is representative of a distance between the speaking participant and each of the listening participants;
converting, by the computing device, the leveled and attenuated voice sound to a converted sound corresponding to the direction to the listening participants from the speaking participant;
transforming, by the computing device, the converted sound to binaural sound for audio transmission to each of the listening participants.
16. The medium according to claim 15 wherein the virtual room has a plurality of predefined walls.
17. The medium according to claim 16 wherein the sound from each speaking participant is assigned a virtual speaker associated with a direction from each listening participant.
18. The medium according to claim 17 wherein the map includes a sound ring around each participant.
19. The method according to claim 18 wherein each virtual speaker is associated with a position around the sound ring.
20. A computer system comprising:
a memory storing instructions; and
a processor coupled with the memory to execute the instructions, the instructions configured to instruct the processor to
assign to each of a plurality of participants in an audio conference a different position on a computer generated map, wherein the plurality of participants includes speaking participants and listening participants;
determine a direction on the map of each speaking participant from each listening participant;
receive a voice sound from a speaking one of the participants;
level the voice sound from the speaking participant to a common leveled voice sound for the speaking participants;
attenuate a volume of the leveled voice sound to an attenuated sound, such that the attenuated sound is representative of a distance between the speaking participant and each of the listening participants;
convert the leveled and attenuated voice sound to a converted sound corresponding to the direction to each of the listening participants from the speaking participant; and
transform the converted sound to binaural sound for audio transmission to each of the listening participants.
21. The system according to claim 20 wherein the map is a virtual room.
22. The system according to claim 21 wherein the virtual room has a plurality of predefined unique positions.
23. The system according to claim 20 wherein the instructions are further configured to instruct the processor to: after the transform step, cancel a crosstalk effect in the binaural sound, such that the binaural sound is configured to maintain accurate directional information when a listening participant is not using headphones.
24. The system according to claim 20 wherein the instructions are further configured to instruct the processor to add reverberation to the converted sound.
25. The system according to claim 20 wherein the instructions are configured to assign a virtual speaker to each sound received from each speaking participant a virtual speaker associated with a direction from each listening participant.