FR3104758A1 - METHOD FOR MANAGING A FUNCTION FOR SEARCHING FOR ELEMENTS IN A GEOLOCATED DATABASE; COMPUTER PROGRAM AND ASSOCIATED HUMAN-MACHINE INTERFACE SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of managing a search function for items in a geolocated database; associated computer program and human-machine interface system Method for managing a search function for elements in a geolocated database, characterized in that the management method is implemented by an interface system man-machine on board an aircraft and managing a search display associated with the search function in conjunction with a navigation display of the aircraft, and in that the management method comprises a phase of updating d 'a geolocated historical database (52) making it possible to store a landmark selected by the pilot through the search display, and a search phase consisting in interrogating the geolocated historical database (52 ) in order to present, to the pilot through the search display, a list of results comprising previously selected reference points. Figure for abstract: 2

Description

Method for managing a search function for items in a geolocated database; computer program and associated human-machine interface system

The present invention relates to the field of man- machine interface systems, also called HMI or MMI ( Man Machine Interface ) systems. The present invention relates more particularly to the field of HMI systems for piloting an aircraft.

Such an HMI system, on board an aircraft, comprises a management device and a user interface, the latter allowing the exchange of information with a user, for example the pilot.

HMI systems for managing a navigation display are known in particular.

A navigation display ND (from the English “ Navigation Display ” ) is a two-dimensional representation (according to the coordinates of longitude and latitude) of the zone overflown by the aircraft. This representation is for example centered on the current geographical position of the aircraft. It presents a model of the terrain of the area overflown. It also presents various information extracted from a geolocated database and from the flight plan followed by the aircraft, itself drawn up from elements of the geolocated database.

Advantageously, the navigation display is associated with an additional display VD (from the English " Vertical Display " ) presenting the flight plan according to an altitude profile as a function of the distance relative to a reference point, for example the current position of the aircraft.

The display on the user interface of such navigation display data is intended to be used for preparation, monitoring and/or replanning of the aeronautical mission.

The purpose of displaying such navigation display data is to provide a clear and coherent overall view of the situation, in particular to improve the safety of a flight of the aircraft.

However, in flight, the pilot of the aircraft may wish to search for elements in the geolocated database, such as for example a waypoint to add to the flight plan, or even the aerodrome closest to the current position. of the aircraft for an emergency landing…

When during the flight or the preparation of the mission, the pilot of the aircraft wishes to search for an element in the geolocated database, a search function in said base is generally available to him. This search function is implemented by the HMI system managing the navigation display. It is typically activated by means of a tactile touch on a dedicated icon, for example in the form of a magnifying glass.

However, such a search function is usually quite sketchy.

An object of the present invention is to provide the pilot of the aircraft with an improved search function, which is particularly easy and quick to use by the pilot.

The subject of the invention is therefore a method for managing a search function for elements in a geolocated database, the management method being implemented by a man-machine interface system on board a aircraft and managing a search display associated with the search function in conjunction with a navigation display of the aircraft, and the management method comprising a phase of updating a geolocated history database making it possible to store a landmark selected by the pilot through the search display, and a search phase consisting in interrogating the geolocated historical database in order to present, to the pilot through the search display, a list of results with previously selected benchmarks.

The method thus allows easy use of the search function thanks to the implementation of a history database of the selections of elements from the geolocated database, in order to present to the pilot elements which are the most likely to be re-selected. What is presented to the pilot is therefore a list of results comprising elements which not only correspond to the current search, but above all which have been selected in the past and stored in the history database.

According to particular embodiments, the method comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or according to all the technically possible combinations:

- the update phase includes the steps of:

+ reception of a landmark selected by the pilot through the search display, the selected landmark corresponding to an element of a main geolocated database, each element being characterized by a plurality of attributes comprising at least one character string type name attribute; And,

+ storage, in the geolocated history database, of the selected landmark, by copying, from the main geolocated database, the values of the attributes of the corresponding element,

and, wherein the research phase includes the steps of:

+ reception of a character string entered by the pilot through the search display;

+ extraction from the geolocated historical database, a list of results, by selecting the elements of the geolocated historical database whose name attribute corresponds to the character string entered; And,

+ generation of search display data intended to allow a presentation of the list of results.

- the storing step further comprises storing the value of a date attribute corresponding to the date of receipt of the selected landmark and/or updating the value of an occurrence attribute corresponding to the number of times that said reference point has been selected, and in which, during the extraction step, the list of results is ordered according to the date attribute and/or the occurrence attribute of the elements of the results list.

- in the extraction step, the list of results is ordered according to a distance criterion, the distance associated with an element of the list of results being the distance separating a geographical position of the element from a current geographical position of the aircraft.

- the results list includes a predetermined maximum number of landmarks.

- the list of results extracted from the historical geolocated database being a first list of results, when the first list of results comprises a number of elements less than the predetermined maximum number, the search phase further comprises a step consisting extracting from the main geolocated database a second list of results, by selecting the elements of the main geolocated database whose name attribute corresponds to the character string entered; and aggregating the first and second lists to obtain a result list comprising the predetermined maximum number of elements.

- each result list item from the first list is presented on the search display with a first symbol and each result list item from the second list is presented on the search display with a second symbol .

- the geolocated history database comprising a plurality of storage zones, each zone being associated with a current mode of operation of the navigation display, during the memorization step, the selected landmark is memorized in the area associated with the current operating mode of the navigation display at the time of reception of the selected waypoint.

- the management method is implemented on a first man-machine interface system of a plurality of man-machine interface systems in communication with each other, the management method further comprising a synchronization phase geolocated historical databases of the plurality of human-machine interface systems, comprising a step of transmitting all or part of the data from the geolocated historical database of the first human-machine interface system to the other man-machine interface systems of the plurality of man-machine interfaces, and a step of updating the historical databases of each of the other man-machine interface systems according to the data received during of the forwarding stage.

The invention also relates to a computer program comprising software instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement a method as defined above.

The invention also relates to a man-machine interface system for displaying a search function for items in a geolocated database, comprising an electronic management device and a user interface connected to the electronic management device , the human-machine interface system being configured to be carried on board an aircraft and configured to manage a search display associated with the search function in conjunction with a navigation display of the aircraft, being configured to put updates a geolocated history database for storing a landmark selected by the pilot through the search display, and being configured to interrogate the geolocated history database in order to present, to the pilot at through the search display, a list of results with previously selected reference points.

The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of a particular embodiment, given solely by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, this description being made with reference to the appended drawings on which:

There is a schematic representation of an HMI system suitable for implementing the method according to the invention;

There is a schematic representation, in the form of functional blocks, of the HMI system of the ;

There is a schematic representation of a display, implemented by the HMI system of the , comprising an icon symbolizing a search function superimposed on a navigation display;

There is a schematic representation of a display, implemented by the HMI system of the , including the display of an icon, an input bar and a drop-down menu following the opening of the search function;

There is a schematic representation of a display, implemented by the HMI system of the , including updating the contents of the drop-down menu when a character string is being entered by the driver; And,

There is a flowchart of an embodiment of the method according to the invention, implemented by the HMI system of the .

There represents an MMI system 10 for aiding the piloting of an aircraft. The MMI system 10 is intended to be installed in the cockpit of this aircraft.

The aircraft is for example a helicopter. As a variant, the aircraft is an airplane, or even a drone that can be controlled remotely by a pilot.

The HMI system 10 comprises a user interface 11 and a management device 12.

The user interface 11 is for example constituted by a touch screen 18 connected to the management device 12.

Alternatively, the user interface comprises several touch screens. In yet another variant, the user interface comprises at least one screen and various hardware peripherals, such as a mouse to select such or such information displayed on the screen and/or a real keyboard allowing entry, in particular of characters .

The touch screen 18 allows the display of information according to suitable signals received from the device 12. The touch screen 18 offers the possibility to the pilot of the aircraft to carry out operations associated with displayed information, so that signals adapted are transmitted to the device 12.

The management device 12 is an electronic computer, capable of being connected to other devices on board the aircraft for the exchange of data.

The management device 12 comprises a calculation means 14, such as a processor, and an information storage means 16, such as a memory.

The memory notably contains various computer programs, the instructions of which are specific to being executed by the processor.

Among these different programs, the device 12 includes a graphics management module 30, a flight management module 31, a navigation representation module 32 and a search module 34. The search module 34 allows the realization of the function of research.

The memory also includes a storage space 36 for the data necessary for the execution of the programs of the device 12.

On the , the management device 12 is represented in the form of functional blocks.

The graphics module 30 is able to carry out a synthesis of the display data that it receives from the various modules, in particular navigation display data from the navigation representation module 32 and search display data from the search module 34, then to generate and transmit appropriate signals to the touch screen 18 so that the latter generates the corresponding display, comprising in particular a navigation display and a search display. The search display associated with the search function is presented in association with the navigation display, preferably superimposed on the navigation display.

The graphics module 30 is capable of receiving signals generated by the touch screen 18 according to the operations carried out by the pilot. The module 30 is then able to convert these signals into events and to transmit these funds to such and such a module associated with the operation carried out by the pilot.

Space 36 has different storage volumes, including a set of 50 navigation databases.

The set 50 comprises a main geolocated database, referred to below as the aeronautical database 51, a flight plan 53, as well as a terrain model 55.

The aeronautical database 51 is typically a database containing aeronautical data, such as common aeronautical data provided regularly by an aeronautical database supplier and/or user aeronautical data containing for example elements entered by the user itself and/or by a company chartering the aircraft.

The aeronautical data then contained in the base 51 are typically elements of the type chosen from the group consisting of: a landing point, such as a heliport or an aerodrome; a ground-based navigation aid system (navaid); and a waypoint.

As a variant, the main geolocated database also comprises maritime data, such as ship positions.

The aeronautical database 51 thus comprises a plurality of elements, each element belonging to a particular type, such as the airport type, the waypoint type, etc. Each type of element is defined by a plurality of attributes, including in particular a long name attribute (of the character string type), an identifier attribute (of the four-letter type), a geographical position attribute (of the digital doublet).

The flight management module 31 is in particular capable of developing a flight plan. To do this, some of the elements of the aeronautical database 51 are selected and a flight plan is drawn up by determining a trajectory allowing the aircraft to pass, with a certain precision, through each of the selected elements. The resulting flight plan is stored as current flight plan 53 in set 50.

The flight management module 31 is also capable, during the flight, of monitoring in real time the execution of the current flight plan 53. The flight management module 31 uses the current position of the aircraft for this purpose.

It should be noted that as a variant, the module 31, instead of being integrated into the device 12, can be remote, for example in a dedicated flight management system, sometimes referred to as the FMS system for “ Flight Management System” .

The navigation representation module 32 is capable of generating the graphic commands making it possible, at any time, to generate the navigation display on the touch screen 18.

The module 32 uses for this the current position of the aircraft, which is transmitted to it for example by the flight management module 31. The current position of the aircraft is used for example to center the navigation display.

The module 32 is able to interrogate the set of navigation databases 50 to determine the following information: a part of the terrain model 55 in the vicinity of the current position of the aircraft (taking into account the current resolution of navigation display); elements of the aeronautical database 51 in the vicinity of the current position of the aircraft; and the portion of the current flight plan 53 in the vicinity of the current position of the aircraft.

This information is used to generate the ND navigation display shown in . The navigation display ND is centered on the current position of the aircraft, which is marked by an aircraft symbol 60. The navigation display ND presents a portion 62 of the flight plan on a background 64 corresponding to a part modeling the terrain, for example a representation in relief.

Advantageously, the navigation display is associated with an additional display VD (from the English “ Vertical Display” ).

The search module 34 is suitable for providing a search function on a geolocated database. In this general presentation of module 34, it provides a search function on a main geolocated database, i.e. the aeronautical database 51.

Module 34 comprises a state machine unit 41, a display unit 42 and a search engine unit 43.

The state machine unit 41 is able to launch the execution of the other units of the module 34.

During its execution, the search engine unit 43 is able to generate a query on the set of navigation databases 50, in particular on the aeronautical database 51. This query is for example in SQL language.

This query is developed from a generic query with which the search engine unit 43 is configured, as well as data transmitted from the state machine unit 41 during the call to the search engine unit. research 43.

The search engine unit 43 is able to apply the query Rq thus elaborated on the set of navigation databases 50 and to wait for a response Rp.

The search engine unit 43 is able to extract, from the response Rp received, a list of results, which is transmitted to the state machine unit 41.

During its execution, the display unit 42 is capable of generating display data making it possible to present the search display on the touch screen 18 (via the graphics module 30). This search display data is generated taking into account graphic objects 46 with which the display unit 42 is configured, as well as the data transmitted by the state machine unit 41 during the call to the display unit 42.

As illustrated by the , the search display, at least when the search is activated, is preferably composed of graphic objects among a search icon 72, an entry bar 74, a drop-down menu 76 and a virtual keyboard 78.

When the driver performs operations defined on the graphic objects constituting the search display, the corresponding events, delivered by the graphic management module 30, are applied at the input of the state machine unit 41.

Depending on the received event, the state machine unit 41 performs a transition from an initial state to a final state and performs various actions upon arriving at the final state. The operation of the state machine unit 41 is for example described by the following table:

Initial state Final state Event initiating the transition End State Entry Actions E1: Search Closed E2: Open Search + Empty Bar Touch on icon i) Rq based on geolocated data
ii) Display bar (empty) + menu (list of results associated with Rq) + keyboard E2: Open Search + Empty Bar E3: Open Research
+ String being entered Keyboard entry of a character i) Rq on geolocated database with input string
ii) Update bar display (entered string) + menu (results list associated with Rq) E3: Open Search + String being entered E3: Open Research
+ String being entered Keyboard entry of an additional character i) Rq on geolocated database with input string
ii) Update bar display (entered string) + menu (results list associated with Rq) E3: Open Search + String being entered E4: Open Research
+ Selected channel Selection of a search result (touch menu item or “enter” keyboard) search selection passed to navigation representation module
E4: Open Search + Channel Selected E1: Search Closed (E4 Transient) Close menu + bar

There illustrates the search display when the search function is in the first state E1. In this state, the search is inactive and the search display has the single search icon 72, displayed in the upper left corner of the ND navigation display.

When an event of selection of the search icon is received (for example when the pilot exerts pressure on the surface of the touch screen 18 with his finger - touch - or with the tip of a stylus), a transition is initiated which leads to a second state E2, in which the search is activated. As illustrated by the , when the search function is in this second being, the search display comprises, next to the search icon 72, the empty input bar 74, the drop-down menu 76 and the virtual keyboard 78.

Drop-down menu 76 presents a list of results. This list of results results for example from the querying by the search engine unit 43 of the aeronautical database 51 so as to obtain the elements close to the current position of the aircraft.

When the pilot enters a new character in the input bar 74, by means of the virtual keyboard 78, this event leads to a transition from the second state E2 to the third state E3, or, if one is already in the third state E3, to the third state E3.

The content of the drop-down menu 76 is then updated with a list of results which results for example from the querying of the aeronautical database 51 by the search engine unit 43 so as to obtain the elements whose attribute of name and/or identifier begins with the string of characters 79 being entered in the input bar 74.

The search display associated with this third state is shown in where, relative to , the content of the drop-down menu 76 has been updated to take account of the character string 79 being entered.

Finally, when a search element is selected by the pilot, for example by typing "enter" on the virtual keyboard 78, or by selecting an element from the drop-down menu 76, the corresponding event triggers a transition from the third state E3 to the fourth state E4.

The selected element is then transmitted by the search module 34 to the navigation representation module 32 for consideration.

Then, the fourth state being transitory, the search function returns to the first state in which only the search icon 72 is displayed on the navigation display ND. The entry bar 74, the pull-down menu 76 and the keyboard 78 are therefore closed.

The present invention relates to an improvement of the search function described in general terms so far. This improvement consists in providing for the memorization of the elements selected during the use of the search function, in order to display, during a new use of the search function, preferentially previously selected elements. Thus, when the pilot enters a character string, the probability that the element sought by the pilot is presented in the drop-down menu is increased. This makes it easier to find and select an item.

To do this, the aeronautical database assembly 50 includes a geolocated history database, referred to below as the history database 52. The search module 34 also includes an additional processing unit 47 and the state machine 41 and search engine 43 units are specifically adapted.

The structure of the history database 52 is as follows.

An element of the base 52, or reference point, corresponds to an element previously selected by means of the search display, that is to say to an element of the aeronautical database 51. Thus, the base 52 advantageously takes up all the attributes of the base 51. A reference point of the base 52 reflects in particular the attributes of name, identifier and geographical position of the corresponding element of the base 51.

Preferably, the history database 52 includes a date attribute making it possible to store the date of the last selection of a landmark.

Preferably again, the history database 52 comprises an occurrence attribute making it possible to store the number of times that a landmark has been selected.

Advantageously, the history database 52 is limited in the number of its entries, for example to a hundred entries. When writing a new entry, the cue point with the oldest date is removed from base 52.

A memorization phase is carried out when the pilot selects an element, referred to below as the selected reference point.

More precisely, the summer machine unit 41 is adapted so that, during a transition from the third state E3 to the fourth state E4 initiated by the selection of the selected reference point, an additional action is provided consisting of memorize the selected reference point. The operation of the state machine unit 41 is for example modified as follows:

E3: Open Search + String being entered E4: Open Research
+ Selected channel Selection of a search result (touch menu item or “enter” keyboard) i) selection of the search transmitted to the navigation representation module
ii) remembering the search selection in the history database

This additional action consists of calling the processing unit 47 passing it as an argument, for example the name of the selected reference point and the date of selection.

During its execution, the processing unit 47 is able to interrogate the history database 52 to determine whether the selected reference point corresponds to a reference point already present in the base 52. The name attribute is used for this check.

If so, the processing unit 47 is able to update the date attribute of this reference point with the date of selection and to increment the value of the occurrence attribute by one unit. from this reference point.

If not, the processing unit 47 is able to create a new entry in the base 52, to record the selection date as the value of the date attribute of this new entry and to record the unit value as the value of the instance attribute of this new entry.

Then, the processing unit 47 is able to interrogate the aeronautical database 51 so as to extract all the values of the attributes of the element which corresponds to the selected reference point and to save them as values of these same attributes. for the new entry created in base 52. The name attribute is for example used for this query.

Advantageously, if by creating a new entry in the base 52, the maximum number of entries is exceeded, the processing unit 47 is able to delete from the base 52 the reference point whose date attribute is the oldest. .

According to the present invention, the search engine unit 43 is adapted so that a search of the set of aeronautical databases 50 relates to the historical geolocated database 52.

In the currently preferred embodiment, the search engine unit 43 is able to construct a first query against the history database 52.

This first request is elaborated from the generic request with which the search engine unit 43 is configured, as well as data transmitted by the state machine unit 41 during the call to the search engine unit. search 43. These transmitted data correspond to a string of characters 79 being entered by the pilot in the entry bar 74 of the search display.

The search engine unit 43 is able to apply the first request Rq thus elaborated on the base 52 and to wait for a first response.

The search engine unit 43 is adapted to extract from the first response received, a first list of search results.

The search engine unit 43 is able to order this list of results, for example first according to the attribute of occurrence of the reference points of this list, then according to the date attribute of the reference points of this list.

As a variant, the list is ordered according to a criterion of distance from the reference points. In this case, an example of distance is given by the distance between the geographical position of the reference point considered and the current position of the aircraft. It should be noted that if such a distance must be calculated, the unit 41 transmits to the unit 43 the current geographical position information of the aircraft when it calls it.

The search engine unit 43 is able to copy the first list of results into a list of results, which is then transmitted to the state machine unit 41 with a view to updating the content of the drop-down menu 76 of the search display.

Advantageously, the list of results comprises a predetermined number N of elements. N is for example chosen equal to five. This may be a driver-adjustable display setting.

If the first list of results comprises a number of elements smaller than the predetermined number N, the search engine unit 43 is capable of producing a second query on the aeronautical database 51.

This second request is similar to the first, but is intended to be applied to the aeronautical database 51.

The search engine unit 43 is adapted to apply the second request to the base 51 and to wait for a second response.

The search engine unit 43 is adapted to extract from the second response received, a second list of search results.

The search engine unit 43 is adapted to complete the list of results with the elements of the second list of results.

As a variant, the list of results is constructed to comprise a predetermined number of elements resulting from the interrogation of the base 51, for example three elements out of five. This makes it possible to systematically present to the pilot elements which have not been selected in the past and elements which have been selected in the past.

This is for example illustrated by the . When the pilot enters a new character in the character string 79 of the input bar 74, the content of the drop-down menu 76 is updated with a list of results, the elements of which are characterized by a name attribute beginning with the string of 79 characters being typed.

This list of results comes partly from the query of the history database 52 and partly from the query of the aeronautical database 51 by the search engine unit 43 in the input bar 74.

The list of results thus comprises for example a first part 80 comprising here two elements 86 which were previously selected and stored in the base 52. The list of results comprises a second part 82 comprising here three elements 88 extracted from the base 51.

Optionally, the first part 80 and the second part 82 are graphically separated by a separator 84, to allow the pilot to know what each element presented in the drop-down menu 76 corresponds to.

By referring to the , an embodiment of the method for managing a search function on a geolocated database will now be described.

The method 100 comprises an update phase 105 and a search phase 125.

The update phase 105 is initiated by the reception (step 110) by the state machine unit 41 of an event corresponding to the selection of a selected landmark. This event forces a state transition leading to the action consisting in calling the processing unit 47. This call is made by passing to the unit 74 for example the name of the selected reference point and the date of selection.

The next storage step 120 corresponds to the execution of the processing unit 47. The history database 52 is first interrogated to check whether it already includes a landmark whose name corresponds to that of the selected reference point.

If so, the date attribute is updated with the selection date and the occurrence attribute is incremented by one.

If not, a new entry is created in base 52. The selection date is saved as the value of the date attribute of this new entry. The unit value is saved as the value of the instance attribute of this new entry.

According to the name of the selected reference point, the processing unit 47 interrogates the aeronautical database 51 so as to extract all the values of the attributes of the selected reference point and to save them as values of these same attributes. for the new entry created in base 52.

The search phase 125 is independent of the storage phase 105.

The search phase is initiated by the reception (step 130) by the state machine unit 41 of an event corresponding to the entry of a character string in the entry bar 74. This event forces a transition from state leading to the action consisting in calling the search engine unit 43. This call is made by passing to the unit 43 the character string entered and, possibly, the current position of the aircraft.

During step 140, corresponding to the execution of the search unit 43, a first query developed from the entered character string is applied to the history database 52.

The first response returned makes it possible to establish a first list of results. This first list is ordered according to the occurrence attribute, then according to the date attribute of its elements.

If the first list of results comprises a number of elements smaller than the predetermined number N, a second request is generated from the character string entered and applied to the aeronautical database 51 (step 145).

The second response returned makes it possible to establish a second list of results.

The first and second lists of results are finally aggregated to obtain a final list of results. The latter has a number of elements equal to the predetermined number of elements.

Finally, the result list is passed to the state engine unit 43.

The reception by the unit 43 of a list of results initiates a display step (step 150) consisting in executing the display unit 42 to generate search display data such as to allow an update. the contents of the search display drop-down menu.

According to a variant embodiment, the history database 52 is subdivided into a plurality of zones. Each zone is associated with a value of a current operating mode of the navigation display.

Indeed, the module 32 can be able to produce a navigation display according to an operating mode at a current instant. For example, the current operating mode can take three values among a “Normal” mode, an “Insert_Next” mode and a “Direct_To” mode. In “Normal” mode (shown on ), the navigation display ND is centered on the current position of the aircraft. This mode is indicated to the pilot by the aircraft symbol 60 displayed in the center of the navigation display ND. In the “Insert_Next” and “Direct_To” mode, the navigation display is centered on a main element, in particular an element selected following the implementation of the search function.

In the "Insert_Next" mode, a validation event of the main element leads the navigation representation module 32 to transmit to the flight management module 31 the main element so that it can be inserted as an additional waypoint in the flight plan. The module 31 then updates the flight plan and saves the updated flight plan in the set 50, as a new flight plan to follow.

In the "Direct_To" mode, a main element validation event leads the module 32 to transmit the main element to the module 31 so that the flight plan is modified so as to reach this main element directly as the destination of the flight. Module 31 develops a new flight plan and stores it in set 50.

When the state machine unit 41 calls the processing unit 47, an additional argument is passed to the unit 47 corresponding to the value of the current operating mode. The processing unit 47 uses this information to record the selected reference point in the area of the base 52 which corresponds to this value of the current operating mode.

Similarly, when state machine unit 41 calls search engine unit 43, an additional argument is passed to search engine unit 43 corresponding to the value of the current operating mode. The search engine unit 43 uses this information to elaborate a first request making it possible to interrogate the zone of the base 52 which corresponds to this value of the current mode of operation.

As a variant, the management method 100 is implemented by a plurality of HMI systems, for example by two HMI systems, connected together. HMI systems are installed in the aircraft, particularly in the cockpit. Each HMI system is identical to system 10 described above.

During an initialization phase following power-up of the plurality of HMI systems, an HMI system 10, chosen as master system (or Master in English), transmits the data from its history database 52 to other HMI systems, then defined as slave systems. The slave systems replace the data in their own history database 52 with the data received from the master system.

Thus, during a power-up of the plurality of HMI systems, the history databases 52 are synchronized.

During the implementation of the management method 100 on one or the other of the HMI systems, this HMI system then being said to be active, its history database 52 is updated, with the addition of an entry or the update of an existing entry.

The management method 100 then further comprises a phase of synchronization of the history databases 52 of the other HMI systems of the plurality of HMI systems.

The synchronization phase includes for example a transmission stage, during which the active HMI system transmits the input just added or modified to the other HMI systems. During an update step, the other HMI systems update their history database 52 with the information received during the transmission step. In particular, another HMI system adds an entry or modifies an existing entry in its history database 52 by the data received from the active HMI system.

Thus, during the implementation of the management method 100 by the plurality of HMI systems, the history databases 52 are synchronized at all times and therefore consistent with each other. This is particularly necessary when the aircraft is piloted by several pilots, so that each pilot receives identical information.

It is understood that the management method 100 according to the invention and the associated HMI system 10 offer a search function which is simple and quick to use.

Claims (11)

Management method (100) of a search function for elements in a geolocated database, characterized in that the management method is implemented by a man-machine interface system (10) on board an aircraft and managing a search display associated with the search function in conjunction with a navigation display (ND) of the aircraft, and in that the management method (100) includes an update phase (105 ) a geolocated history database (52) making it possible to store a landmark selected by the pilot through the search display, and a search phase (125) consisting of interrogating the geolocated database history (52) in order to present, to the pilot through the search display, a list of results comprising previously selected reference points. Management method (100) according to claim 1, in which the update phase (105) comprises the steps of:
- reception (110) of a landmark selected by the pilot through the search display, the selected landmark corresponding to an element of a main geolocated database (51), each element being characterized by a plurality of attributes comprising at least one character string type name attribute; And,
- storage (120), in the geolocated history database (52), of the selected landmark, by copying, from the main geolocated database (51), the values of the attributes of the corresponding element,
and, wherein the research phase (125) comprises the steps of:
- reception (130) of a character string entered by the pilot through the search display;
- extraction (140) from the geolocated historical database (52), a list of results, by selecting the elements of the geolocated historical database (52) whose name attribute corresponds to the string of input characters; And,
- generation of search display data intended to allow a presentation of the list of results. A management method (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the storing step (120) further comprises storing the value of a date attribute corresponding to the date of receipt of the point of selected marker and/or the update of the value of an occurrence attribute corresponding to the number of times that said reference point has been selected, and in which, during the extraction step (140) the list result list is ordered by the date attribute and/or the occurrence attribute of the result list items. Management method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which, in the extraction step (140), the list of results is ordered according to a distance criterion, the distance associated with an element of the list of results being the distance separating a geographical position of the element from a current geographical position of the aircraft. A management method (100) according to any preceding claim, wherein the result list comprises a predetermined maximum number of landmarks. Management method (100) according to claim 5, in which, the list of results extracted (140) from the geolocated historical database (52) being a first list of results, when the first list of results comprises a number elements less than the predetermined maximum number, the search phase (125) further comprises a step consisting in extracting (145) from the main geolocated database (51) a second list of results, by selecting the database elements main geolocated (51) whose name attribute corresponds to the character string entered; and aggregating the first and second lists to obtain a result list comprising the predetermined maximum number of elements. A management method (100) according to claim 6, wherein each result list item from the first list is presented on the search display with a first symbol and each result list item from the second list is shown on the search display with a second symbol. Management method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the geolocated historical database (52) comprises a plurality of storage zones, each zone being associated with a current mode of operation of the navigation display, during the storing step (120), the selected landmark is stored in the zone associated with the current mode of operation of the navigation display at the time of reception (110) of the selected landmark . A management method (100) according to any preceding claim, the management method (100) being implemented on a first human-machine interface system of a plurality of human-machine interface systems (10 ) in communication with each other, the management method (100) further comprising a phase of synchronizing the geolocated historical databases (52) of the plurality of man-machine interface systems, comprising a step of transmission of all or part of the data from the geolocated historical database (52) of the first man-machine interface system (10) to the other man-machine interface systems (10) of the plurality of interfaces man-machine, and a step of updating the historical databases (52) of each of the other man-machine interface systems (10) according to the data received during the transmission step. A computer program comprising software instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement a management method (100) according to any preceding claim. Man-machine interface system (10) for displaying a search function for items in a geolocated database, comprising an electronic management device (12) and a user interface (11) connected to the electronic management (12), the human-machine interface system (10) being characterized in that it is configured to be carried on board an aircraft and configured to manage a search display associated with the search function in conjunction with a navigation display (ND) of the aircraft, in that it is configured to update a geolocated history database (52) making it possible to store a landmark selected by the pilot through the search display, and in that it is configured to interrogate the geolocated historical database (52) in order to present, to the pilot through the search display, a list of results comprising reference points previously selected.