Methods and systems for displaying aircraft engine characteristics

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.