Patent Publication Number: US-2015089392-A1

Title: Method to facilitate retrieving an all ready reviewed datalink message for review again

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Currently available Aeronautical data messaging system applications such as future air navigation system (FANS), controller pilot data link communications (CPDLC), aeronautical telecommunications network (ATN) CPDLC, airline operational communication (AOC), Aeronautical Research Incorporated (ARINC)  623 , etc. utilize human-machine-interface (HMI) devices with limited capabilities and size to display message logs. For example, data link systems in aircraft that are equipped with Aeronautical Research Incorporated (ARINC) Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) protocols may use a Multifunction Control Display Unit (MCDU) display with a size of 12 lines and 24 characters per line. Datalink messages are stored in a message log and the message titles are displayed on the MCDU. The pilot views the message log titles displayed on MCDU and selects the message he wants to view. The MCDU size limits the message log title display to 5 titles per MCDU page. If there are more than 5 messages and the message that the pilot wants to retrieve and view again is not on the top (most recent) page of the message log, the pilot scrolls through the pages of the message log to find the message he wants to review. The number of messages in a message log during a single short flight can be 40-50. Long flights often have over 100 messages stored on the message log by the end of the flight. The message log is a finite length. For example, some currently available message logs set a maximum limit of 100 messages in the message log. In that case, when the messages received exceed 100, the oldest message is discarded as a new, additional message is received. 
     Some messages received at the beginning of the flight such as flight plan or weather information may need to be reviewed by the pilot later in the flight. When the pilot wants to review a message received early in the flight at the end of the flight, the pilot is required to scroll back through the sequence of message log pages to find a message received at the beginning of the flight. In some cases, if the maximum limit has been exceeded, the message is no longer in the message log. If the message is still in the message log, the pilot may need to press the scroll button up to ten times and to view up to ten message log pages. While scrolling through the message log, the pilot has his head down for an extended time and is not able to focus on other aspects of the flight. It is undesirable for the pilot to be head down for an extended time. 
     SUMMARY 
     The Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for data messaging system to save and to retrieve selected messages without a reduced amount of head down time and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. 
     The present application relates to a data messaging system. The data messaging system includes means for displaying a message log on a human-machine-interface (HMI) device; means for selecting at least one message identified for quick retrieval at a later time; means for storing the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval in at least one save-selected-message log in one of a functional module and a computer, wherein a number of messages in the at least one save-selected-message log is much less than a number of messages in the message log by an end of a trip; means for displaying titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log on the HMI device in place of the message log; and means for displaying a selected message associated with a title selected from the displayed titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present invention can be more easily understood and further advantages and uses thereof more readily apparent, when considered in view of the description of the preferred embodiments and the following figures in which: 
         FIGS. 1A-1D  are embodiments of data messaging systems to store and retrieve selected messages in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the human-machine-interface (HMI) device of the data messaging system of  FIG. 1A  displaying an exemplary page 1 of 20 in an air traffic control (ATC) message log; 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary page 20 of 20 in an ATC message log; 
         FIGS. 4-6  are an exemplary sequence of three images of an ATC message log displayed on a display when selecting a message for storage in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary page 1 of 2 in a save-selected-message log in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an exemplary page 20 of 20 in an ATC message log indicating the ninety-eighth message has been saved in a save-selected-message log in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of a method of to save and retrieve selected messages in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of the human-machine-interface (HMI) device of the data messaging system of  FIG. 1A  displaying an exemplary page 1 of 2 in an airline operational communication (AOC) message log; and 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of the human-machine-interface (HMI) device of the data messaging system of  FIG. 10  displaying an exemplary page 1 of 2 of an airline operational communication (AOC) message. 
     
    
    
     In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize features relevant to the present invention. Reference characters denote like elements throughout figures and text. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of specific illustrative embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     The technology described herein provides a way for a pilot or air traffic controller to identify and select for storage on a separate, shorter-length log at least one message that the pilot thinks may need to be viewed again at a later time during the flight. When the pilot wants to review one of the selected messages, the pilot is able to select to view the separate, shorter-length log and to scroll through only a relatively few number of messages to find the desired message. The messages selected and stored on the separate, shorter-length log, which is referred to herein as a saved-selected-message log, are never automatically deleted if the number of messages in the message log exceeds a maximum length of the message log. As defined herein, the “length of a log” is the “number of messages” that can be stored in the log. As defined herein, a “message” is a “datalink message”. 
       FIGS. 1A-1D  are embodiments of data messaging systems  5 - 7  to store and retrieve selected messages in accordance with the present invention. The data messaging systems  5 - 7  provide a user with the ability to quickly retrieve, with minimal (or no) scrolling through screen sets, an already reviewed datalink message for review again at a later time. 
       FIG. 1A  shows a data messaging system  5  used to store and retrieve selected messages for quick retrieval in accordance with the present invention. The data messaging system  5  includes a functional module  26  and a human machine interface (HMI) device  36  in a vehicle  10 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the vehicle is an aircraft  10 . An antenna  80  external to the aircraft  10  is used to communicatively couple a transceiver (not shown) in the aircraft  10  to a ground station  140  via the wireless communication link  81 . The ground station  140  is communicatively coupled via a ground network  139  to an airline operational communication (AOC)/air traffic controller (ATC) computer  130 , which is also referred to herein as an “air traffic control computer  130 ”. The ground station  140 , the ground network  139 , and the AOC/ATC computer  130  together form a ground-based system. As used herein, the term “AOC/ATC” is used to express “AOC or ATC”. The AOC/ATC computer  130  is communicatively coupled to the HMI device  136 . The AOC/ATC computer  130  on the ground has a similar function and structure as the functional module  26  in the vehicle  10 . The data messaging system  5  as implemented in the aircraft  10  is referred to herein as an avionics messaging system and the data messaging system  5  implemented on the ground is referred to herein as an aeronautical ground messaging system. 
     The functional module  26  includes a HMI  35 , a processor  45 , and storage medium  25 . The storage medium  25  includes the memory  20  and software  29  executable by the processor  45  to implement the processes for the vehicle  10  described herein. The software  29  includes at least one application represented generally as application(s)  24 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the applications  24  include a plurality of applications. In another implementation of this embodiment, the applications  24  include a controller pilot data link communications (CPDLC) application. 
     A message log  22  and a save-selected-message log  23  are stored in the memory  20 . The save-selected-message log  23  is a subset of the message log  22  and only includes those messages that have been identified and selected as messages that may require quick retrieval at a later time. The number of messages in the at least one save-selected-message log  23  is much less than a number of messages in the message log  22  by an end of a trip of the vehicle  10 . If the vehicle  10  is an aircraft  10 , the end of the trip is the end of a flight of the aircraft  10 . Likewise, if the vehicle  10  is a water-based vehicle  10 , the end of the trip is the end of a voyage of the water-based vehicle  10 . Likewise, if the vehicle  10  is a train  10 , the trip ends when the train  10  enters the train station at the final destination. The following description is based on the vehicle  10  being an aircraft  10 , although the technology described herein can be implemented with other types of vehicles  10 . 
     The AOC/ATC computer  130  includes a HMI  135 , a processor  145 , and storage medium  125 . The storage medium  125  includes the memory  120  and software  129  executable by the processor  145  to implement the processes for the ground system described herein. The software  129  includes at least one application represented generally as application(s)  124 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the applications  124  include a plurality of applications. In another implementation of this embodiment, the applications  124  include a controller pilot data link communications (CPDLC) application. A message log  122  and a save-selected-message log  123  are stored in the memory  120 . The save-selected-message log  123  is a subset of the message log  122  and only includes those messages that have been identified and selected as messages that may require quick retrieval at a later time. The number of messages in the at least one save-selected-message log  123  is much less than a number of messages in the message log  122  by an end of a flight of the aircraft. 
     The HMI device  36  in the vehicle  10  includes a display  37  and at least one selection interface represented generally at  40  and  41 . As shown in  FIG. 1A , the vehicle  10  also includes a selection interface  44 , which is a button in the vehicle  10  communicatively coupled to the HMI device  36  and the processor  45 . HMI device  136  in the ground system is similar in structure and function to the HMI device  36  in the vehicle  10 . The HMI device  136  includes a display  137  and at least one selection interface ( FIG. 1C ). 
     The HMI  35  includes a set of screens used by members of an aircraft flight crew to receive and send messages for viewing on the HMI device  36 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the HMI  35  is a CPDLC HMI  35  used by members of an aircraft flight crew to receive and send CPDLC messages. Members of the aircraft flight crew are also referred to herein as “flight crew” and “pilot”. 
     Likewise, the HMI  135  includes a set of screens used by members of a ground crew to receive and send messages for viewing on the HMI device  136 . In one implementation of this embodiment, an air traffic controller (ATC) HMI is used by members of a ground crew to receive and send messages for viewing. 
     In one implementation of this embodiment, CPDLC messages are exchanged over the aeronautical telecommunications network (ATN) and displayed on the HMI device  36 . In another implementation of this embodiment, future air navigation system (FANS) CPDLC messages are exchanged over an ACARS network and displayed on the HMI device  36 . 
     In one implementation of this embodiment, the aircraft HMI device  36  is a multifunction control display unit (MCDU). In another implementation of this embodiment, the aircraft HMI device  36  is a multi-function display (MFD). In yet another implementation of this embodiment, the aircraft HMI device  36  is a touch screen with a key board. In yet another implementation of this embodiment, the aircraft HMI device  36  is a graphical display with a cursor control and a keyboard. 
     In one implementation of this embodiment, the ground-based HMI device  136  is a touch screen with a key board. In yet another implementation of this embodiment, the ground-based HMI device  136  is a graphical display with a cursor control and a keyboard. 
     The message log  22  is used to display the received uplink messages and the transmitted downlink messages on the display  37  of the HMI device  36 . The save-selected-message log  23  is used to display the titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log on the HMI device in place of the message log  22 . The save-selected-message log  23  is also used to display on the HMI device  36  a selected message associated with a title selected from the displayed titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log  23 . 
     Likewise, the message log  122  is used to display the downlink messages received at the ground computer  130  and the uplink messages transmitted by the ground computer on the display  137  of the HMI device  136 . The save-selected-message log  123  is used to display the titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log on the HMI device in place of the message log  122 . The save-selected-message log  123  is also used to display on the HMI device  136  a selected message associated with a title selected from the displayed titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log  123 . 
     One embodiment of a selection interface  41  includes icons, shown as buttons on the display  37 , to indicate a selection by the user. When the selection interface  41  is touched, information indicative of the touched selection interface  41  is sent to the processor  45  in the functional module  26 . Another embodiment of a selection interface  40  includes buttons, which are adjacent to the display  37 , to be pressed to indicate a selection by the user. The selection interface  40  is communicatively coupled to the display  37  and the processor  45 . When the selection interface  40  is pressed, information indicative of the pressed selection interface  40  is sent to the processor  45  in the functional module  26 . Another embodiment of a selection interface  44  includes a button, which is offset from the display  37  but within the vehicle  10 , to be pressed to indicate a selection by the user. The selection interface  44  is communicatively coupled to the processor  45 . When the selection interface  44  is pressed, information indicative of the pressed selection interface  44  is sent to the processor  45  in the functional module  26 . 
     The information indicative of the pressed selection interface  40 ,  41 , or  44  is an identification of selected message for quick retrieval at a later time that is on the display  37 . The processor  45  inputs the information indicative of the pressed selection interface  40 ,  41 , or  44  and then stores the selected message identified for quick retrieval in at least one save-selected-message log in a functional module  26  or the computer  130 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the selected message is sent from the message log  22  in the memory  20  to the save-selected-message log  23  in the memory  20  based on instructions from the processor  45 . 
     In another implementation of this embodiment, there is more than one saved-selected-message log, as is described in detail below. In such an embodiment, the processor  45  receives information indicative of which of the saved-selected-message logs the selected message is to be sent, based on a second implementation of one of the selection interfaces  40 ,  41 , and  44 . Alternately, the processor  45  executes the software  29  to determine to which of the saved-selected-message logs the selected message is to be sent, without a second implementation of one of the selection interfaces  40 ,  41 , and  44 . 
     By using the system  5 , a pilot and a ground crew member require less time to find a desired message. The user (e.g., the pilot or the ground crew member) views of a display a message log on a human-machine-interface (HMI) device  36  or  136 . The user selects a message identified for quick retrieval at a later time. The selected message identified for quick retrieval is stored in at least one save-selected-message log  23  or  123  in the functional module  26  or the AOC/ATC computer  130 , respectively. 
     The number of messages in the save-selected-message log  23  and/or  123  is much less than a number of messages in the message log  22  or  122  by an end of a flight. For example, the number of messages in the save-selected-message log  23  or  123  may be five messages, and the number of messages in the message log  22  and/or  122  by an end of a flight may be between 40 and 100 messages. When the user wants to retrieve the message identified for quick retrieval at a later time, the user displays titles of the messages in the save-selected-message log  23  or  123  on the HMI device  36  or  136 , respectively, in place of the message log  22  or  122 , respectively. In one implementation of this embodiment, the user indicates that he or she wants to view the titles of the messages in the save-selected-message log  23  or  123  by pushing the button  44  or  144  ( FIG. 1C ). In another implementation of this embodiment, the user indicates that he or she wants to view the titles of the messages in the save-selected-message log  23  or  123  by touching another selection interface. 
     In one implementation of this embodiment, the saved-selected-message log  123  in the AOC/ATC computer  130  is for a given flight of each of the aircraft  10  that are communicatively coupled to the ground station  140 . In another implementation of this embodiment, the saved-selected-message log  123  in the AOC/ATC computer  130  is for a plurality of flights of several of the aircraft  10  that are communicatively coupled to the ground station  140  for a particular time. 
     Once the user views the titles of the messages in the save-selected-message log  23  or  123  and quickly selects the message to be retrieved, based on the title, the selected message associated with a title selected from the displayed titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log is displayed on the display  137  for the user to view the selected message. 
     As defined herein, “quick retrieval at a later time” is the difference in time it takes the pilot to look at the short list of messages designated for quick retrieval (i.e., quick-time) and the time it takes to find the message to be retrieved in the entire list of all received messages (i.e., regular-time). For an exemplary case, if one assumes that it takes a pilot or air traffic controller about 1-2 seconds to find a desired message in a short list of messages (e.g., five messages), then the quick-time is about 1-2 seconds. If the desired message is near the message in the message log  22  where the pilot starts looking, the regular-time it would take to find the desired message in the entire list of all received messages could be assumed to be as short as 1-2 seconds, which is about the same as the assumed quick-time required to look at the short list of messages designated for quick retrieval. However, if the desired message is at the far end of the list of titles from where the pilot starts looking to find the desired message, one could assume that the regular-time required to find the desired message in the entire list could be about 20-30 seconds. In this latter exemplary case, the quick retrieval (i.e., the difference between regular-time and quick-time) equals a time savings of 19-28 seconds. If the pilot misses the title on a first scroll through the message log  22  and has to look through the list of titles again, one could assume that it could take 40-60 seconds for the pilot to find the desired message. In this case, the quick retrieval equals a time savings of 39-58 seconds. It is to be recognized that these time are exemplary and could be different. In one implementation of this embodiment, a short list of messages is found on a single display screen. In another implementation of this embodiment, a short list of messages is five messages. In yet another implementation of this embodiment, a short list of messages is found on two display screens. 
     In this manner, the time to find a message is minimized, the reading long list of pages of messages is avoided, and the pilot (air traffic controller) is able to identify a few messages without head down time or with a limited head down time, such as 1-2 seconds. Advantageously, the selected messages stored in the save-selected-message log  23  or  123  are not automatically deleted when the number of messages in the message log  22  is exceeded. 
     When the pilot wants to review a message which has been saved for quick retrieval, the pilot presses a key or button to call up the titles of the messages in the saved-selected-message log  23  which would be a short list of 10 titles or less. The pilot quickly scans the short list of “saved” messages even though some of the messages may be from the beginning of the flight and many messages were received subsequent to the message that the pilot wants to see. The pilot returns to the normal real-time message log  22  after reviewing the message retrieved from the saved-selected-message log  23  on the display  37  of the HMI device  36 . The pilot is also able to view the response to the message retrieved from the saved-selected-message log  23  on the display  37  of the HMI device  36 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the pilot simultaneously views the message retrieved from the saved-selected-message log  23  as well as the response to the message retrieved from the saved-selected-message log  23  on the display  37  of the HMI device  36 . In another implementation of this embodiment, the pilot first views the message retrieved from the saved-selected-message log  23  and can press a button or key to see the response to the message retrieved from the saved-selected-message log  23  on the display  37  if so desired. The capability to save messages for quick retrieval is a feature of an ATC message log and an AOC message log in the vehicle  10 . 
     In one implementation of this embodiment, the selection interface is a button  40 . In another implementation of this embodiment, the selection interface is an icon  41  displayed on the HMI device  36 . In yet another implementation of this embodiment, both the button  40  and the icon  41  are available to the pilot. 
     The functional module  26  can be one of a communication management unit (CMU), a communication management function (CMF), a flight management computer (FMC), a flight management function (FMF), an electronic flight bag (EFB), an avionics module, an avionics functional module, an air traffic control computer, or a future developed functional module for use with avionics. 
     The processor  45  executes software  29 , CPDLC application  23  and other applications  24 , and/or firmware that causes the processor  45  to perform at least some of the processing described here as being performed by the system to reduce head-down time. At least a portion of such software  29  and  129  and/or firmware executed by the processor  45  and any related data structures are stored in storage medium  25  during execution of the software. Memory  20  includes any suitable memory now known or later developed such as, for example, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and/or registers within the processor  45 . In one implementation, the processor  45  includes a microprocessor or microcontroller. Moreover, although the processor  45  and memory  20  are shown as separate elements in  FIG. 1 , in one implementation, the processor  45  and memory  20  are implemented in a single device (for example, a single integrated-circuit device). The software  29  and  129  and/or firmware executed by the processor  45  includes a plurality of program instructions that are stored or otherwise embodied on a storage medium  25  from which at least a portion of such program instructions are read for execution by the processor  45 . In one implementation, the processor  45  includes processor support chips and/or system support chips such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). 
     The selected message stored in the saved-selected-message log  23  is still accessible in the message log  22  unless it was deleted when the message log  22  exceeded the maximum number of saved messages. If the saved-selected-message log  23  contains the maximum number of messages in the saved-selected-message log  23  or  123 , the user is prompted select a message to remove at least one message from the saved-selected-message log  23  or  123 , respectively, to make room for the newly selected message. In that case, the removed message is no longer listed in or accessible from the saved-selected-message log  23  or  123 , respectively. Since the messages that are saved in the saved-selected-message log  23  or  123  have also been maintained in the message log  22  or  122 , the removed message will still be in the message log  22  or  122  unless that message has been deleted as an older message if the maximum limit of the message log  22  or  122  has been exceeded. 
     In one implementation of this embodiment, the saved-selected-message logs  23  and  123  each include two separate saved-selected-message logs; one for ATC messages identified and selected from an ATC message log  22 ; and one for AOC messages identified and selected from an AOC message log  22 . The saved-selected-message log  23  or  123  associated with the ATC message log  22  is referred to herein as an ATC saved-selected-message log  23  or  123 , respectively. The saved-selected-message log  23  or  123  associated with the AOC message log  22  is referred to herein as an AOC saved-selected-message log  23  or  123 , respectively. 
     The same functionality described above is available to the ground crew member using the AOC/ATC computer  130  and the HMI device  136 . This permits the ground crew member to reduce time searching for messages on the message log  122 . It is to be noted that the user in the vehicle  10  is able to implement a saved-selected-message log  23  via a HMI device  36 , regardless of whether or not the user on the ground has access to a saved-selected-message log  123  via the HMI device  136 . 
       FIG. 1B  shows an embodiment of the data messaging system  6  used to store and retrieve selected messages for quick retrieval in accordance with the present invention. The data messaging system  6  differs from the data messaging system  5  in that there is no saved-selected-message log  123  on the ground in the data messaging system  6 . The data messaging system  6  includes a functional module  26 , a human machine interface (HMI) device  36  in a vehicle  10  and includes the ground station  140 , the ground network  139 , an AOC/ATC computer  230 , and a HMI device  136  (not shown in  FIG. 1B ). The AOC/ATC computer  230  includes a message log  122  but does not include a saved-selected-message log. 
       FIG. 1C  shows an embodiment of the data messaging system  7  used to store and retrieve selected messages for quick retrieval in accordance with the present invention. The data messaging system  7  differs from the data messaging system  5  in that there is no saved-selected-message log  23  in the vehicle  10  in the data messaging system  7 . The data messaging system  7  includes an AOC/ATC computer  130 , a human machine interface (HMI) device  136  on the ground and a functional module  226 , and a HMI device  36  in the vehicle  10  (not shown in  FIG. 1C ). The functional module  226  in the vehicle  10  includes a message log  22  and does not include a saved-selected-message log. 
       FIG. 1D  shows an embodiment of the data messaging system  8  used to store and retrieve selected messages for quick retrieval in accordance with the present invention. The data messaging system  8  differs from the data messaging system  5  in that the saved-selected-message log  223  is a subset of the message log  22 . In this embodiment, the processor  45  inputs the information indicative of the pressed selection interface  40 ,  41 , or  44  and identifies the selected message identified for quick retrieval. The selected message that is identified for quick retrieval is flagged (e.g., marked or identified) based on an attribute associated with the message within the message log  22 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the unflagged messages in the message log  22  are associated with a first attribute (e.g., type 1) associated with the message while the selected message that is identified for quick retrieval is associated with a second attribute (e.g., type 2). Thus, the “save-selected-message log  223 ” is also referred to herein as “subset  223  of the message log  22 ”. In this manner, the at least one message identified for quick retrieval in at least one save-selected-message log  223  is stored in one of a functional module and a computer as a subset  223  of the message log  22 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the at least one message identified for quick retrieval in at least one save-selected-message log  123  is a subset of the message log  122  in the AOC/ATC computer  130  on the ground. 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the human-machine-interface (HMI) device  36  of the data messaging system of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  displaying an exemplary page 1 of 20 in an air traffic controller (ATC) message log  22 .  FIG. 3  is an exemplary page 20 of 20 in an ATC message log  22 .  FIGS. 4-6  are an exemplary sequence of three images of an ATC message log displayed on a display  37  when selecting a message for storage in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 7  is an exemplary page 1 of 2 in a save-selected-message log  23  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 8  is an exemplary page 20 of 20 in an ATC message log  22  indicating the ninety-eighth message has been saved in a save-selected-message log  23  in accordance with the present invention.  FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of a method  900  of to save and retrieve selected messages in accordance with the present invention. The method  900  is described with reference to  FIGS. 1-8 . 
     At block  902 , a message log  22  is displayed on a human-machine-interface (HMI) device  36  for a flight crew member in an aircraft  10  as shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the message log  22  is an ATC message log  22 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the message log  122  is displayed on a human-machine-interface (HMI) device  136  for a ground crew member. In this latter embodiment, the ground crew member is communicating with the flight crew on the aircraft  10  ( FIGS. 1A and 1B ) before and/or during a flight of the aircraft  10 . 
     At block  904 , at least one message identified for quick retrieval at a later time is selected for storage in at least one save-selected-message log in one of a functional module or a computer. In one implementation of this embodiment, the at least one message in the message log is identified for quick retrieval at a later time by a press of a button  40  or  44  ( FIGS. 1A and 1B ) or by a touch of the button/icon  41  on the display  37 . In another implementation of this embodiment, there are two or more saved-selected-message logs  23  in the memory  20  for at least one of: one or more types of messages; one or more categories of messages; and one or more type of message and one or more category of message. 
     In yet another implementation of this embodiment, at least one message in the message log  22  is automatically identified for quick retrieval at a later time based on at least one of: one or more types of messages; one or more categories of messages; and one or more type of message and one or more category of message. In this embodiment, the processor  45  in the function module  26  executes software  29  to identify messages that are uplinked to the aircraft  10  via the wireless link  81  to determine if the uplinked message is within the category or type of message to be automatically saved. The processor  45  automatically identifies and categorizes the received messages based on at least one of the type of message and/or the category of message. When a message is a desired type of message and/or category of message, the processor  45  selects that message to send to the saved-selected-message log  23 . 
     A type of message is related to the type of data messaging system sending the datalink message. The category of message is related to the content of the datalink message. An exemplary type of message is an ATC message or AOC message. An exemplary category of message is a weather-related message, a flight-plan message, or an altitude-related message. If weather-related messages are all to be saved for quick retrieval, when the uplinked message is related to weather conditions on the predetermined (or alternate) route of the aircraft  10  or at the destination of the aircraft  10 , the processor  45  automatically identifies the uplinked message related to weather conditions as a message to be saved and selects that message. Likewise, the processor  145  in the computer  130  executes software  129  to identify messages that are downlinked from the aircraft  10  via the wireless link  81  to determine if the downlinked message is within the type of message and/or the category of message to be automatically saved. 
     In one implementation of this embodiment, the functional module  26  is an avionics functional module  26  ( FIGS. 1A and 1B ). In another implementation of this embodiment, the computer  130  is an AOC/ATC computer  130  ( FIGS. 1A and 1C ). In yet another implementation of this embodiment, the at least one air-traffic control (ATC) message identified for quick retrieval is selected from the message log  122  in an air traffic control computer  130  by an air traffic controller using the air traffic control computer  130 . In this latter embodiment, the selected message is stored in the saved-selected-message log  123  on the air traffic control computer  130  for later quick retrieval by the air traffic controller. In yet another implementation of this embodiment, the at least one air-traffic control (ATC) message identified for quick retrieval is selected from the message log  22  in a functional module  26  by an a flight crew member in an aircraft  10  ( FIGS. 1A and 1B ). In this latter embodiment, the selected message is stored in the saved-selected-message log  23  on the functional module  26  for later quick retrieval by the flight crew member. 
     When the flight crew member receives and reviews a message on the display  37 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , that he wants to save in the saved-selected-message log  23  in order to be able to call up quickly, the flight crew member replies to the message and then tags the message (using one of the selection interfaces  40 ,  41 , or  44 ) for later quick retrieval. If there is more than one saved-selected-message log  23 , the flight crew member also selects (using one of the selection interfaces  40 ,  41 , or  44 ) one of the at least two saved-selected-message logs  23  for storing the selected message identified for quick retrieval at the later time. Then the processor  45 , based on the selection, causes a copy of the selected message to be sent from the message log  22  to the saved-selected-message log  23 . Alternately, when the processor  45  has automatically categorized a received message based on at least one of a type of message and a category of message and the categorized received message is identified for quick retrieval at a later time, the processor  45 , based on the automatic categorization, causes a copy of the selected message to be sent from the message log  22  to the saved-selected-message log  23 . If there is more than one saved-selected-message log  23 , the processor  45  also automatically selects one of the at least two saved-selected-message logs  23  for storing the selected message identified for quick retrieval at the later time. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the pilot receives an ATC uplink message with directions to maintain flight  390 . The pilot has various reply options including UNABLE, WILCO, or STANDBY shown in display-regions represented generally at  401 ,  402 , and  403 . To reply to the received message, the pilot presses one of the buttons (or icons)  5 L,  5 R, or  6 R next to the respective UNABLE, WILCO, or STANDBY responses. A “SAVE?” prompt is displayed as shown in  FIG. 5  after the pilots elects a closure response such as WILCO shown in display region  402  shown in  FIG. 4 . The “SAVE?” prompt is a text prompt for the pilot to consider if this message is one that he may later want to call up quickly for review. It is to be understood that all received messages are stored in the message log  22 . The “SAVE?” prompt is not related to saving the message in the message log  22 . If the pilot wants to save this message for quick retrieval, he presses (or touches) the “SAVE?” prompt on the message display screen  37  ( FIGS. 1A and 1B ). It is to be noted that the “SAVE?” prompt is an exemplary prompt. Other prompt texts may be used, such as, but not limited to, “QUICK”, “QUICK?”, “FAST”, “FAST?”, “SHORT?”, “SHORT”, “QRETV?”, “QRETV”, “RETRV?”, and “RETRV”. 
     Likewise, when a ground crew member receives an ATC downlink message, the ground crew member has various reply options. Once the ground crew member replies to the received message, a “SAVE?” prompt or an equivalent text prompt is displayed on the display of the HMI device  136  on the ground. This is a prompt for the ground crew member to consider if this message is one that he may later want to call up quickly for review. It is to be understood that all received messages are stored in the message log  122 . The “SAVE?” prompt (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) is not related to saving the message in the message log  122 . If the ground crew member wants to save a message for quick retrieval, he presses (or touches) the “SAVE?” prompt on the message display screen  137  ( FIG. 1C ). 
     Likewise, when the ground crew member reviews a title of a message in the message log  122  on the display  137 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , that he wants to save in the saved-selected-message log  123  in order to be able to call up quickly, then the ground crew member tags (using one of the selection interfaces  140 ,  141 , or  144 ) the message selected for later quick retrieval. If there is more than one saved-selected-message log  123 , the ground crew member also selects (using one of the selection interfaces  140 ,  141 , or  144 ) one of the at least two saved-selected-message logs  123  for storing the selected message identified for quick retrieval at the later time. The processor  145 , based on the selection (or selections), causes a copy of the selected message to be sent from the message log  122  to the saved-selected-message log  123 . Alternately, when the processor  145  has automatically categorized a received message based on at least one of a type of message and a category of message and the categorized received message is identified for quick retrieval at a later, the processor  145 , based on the automatic categorization, causes a copy of the selected message to be sent from the message log  122  to the saved-selected-message log  123  in the air traffic control computer  130 . If there is more than one saved-selected-message log  123 , the processor  145  also automatically selects one of the at least two saved-selected-message logs  123  for storing the selected message identified for quick retrieval at the later time. 
     The sending is implemented via one of a bus, a trace line, or a circuit element that communicatively couples the processor  45  or  145  to the memory  20  or  120 , respectively, and that communicatively couple the message log  22  or  122  to the saved-selected-message log  23  or  123 , respectively. 
     At block  906 , the at least one message identified for quick retrieval in at least one save-selected-message log  23  or  123  is stored in one of a functional module and a computer. The message that was selected and sent during block  904  is stored in the save-selected-message log  23  or  123 . In an embodiment in which there is more than one saved-selected-message log  23 , the message that was selected and sent during block  904  is stored in the save-selected-message log selected by the pilot or assigned by the processor  45 . In another implementation of this embodiment, the selected message that is identified for quick retrieval is stored as a subset  223  of the message log  22 . In this case, the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval is flagged based on an attribute associated with the selected message. In this manner, the subset  223  of selected messages is the saved-selected-message log  23 . 
     In one implementation of this embodiment, when the message log  22  is displayed on the display  37 , the messages that have been stored in the saved-selected-message log  23  are indicated to be saved in the message status field of the message title.  FIG. 8  is an exemplary page 20 of 20 in an ATC message log  22 , which indicates at display region  404 , that the ninety-eighth message has been saved in the save-selected-message log  23 . 
     At block  908 , titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log  23  or  123  are displayed on the HMI device  36  or  136 , respectively, in place of the message log  22 , or  122 , respectively. The titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log  23  or  123  are displayed responsive to an indication by the user that the user wants to retrieve a message from the saved-selected-message log  23  or  123 . If there are two or more pages in the saved-selected-message logs, the user can quickly review the messages on the first page of the saved-selected-message log and then, if the desired message is not in the first page of the saved-selected-message log, the user can scroll to the second page of the saved-selected-message log. Alternately, if there are two or more types of saved-selected-message log, the user can identify which of the saved-selected-message logs to display based on a button press (or icon touch). 
     At block  910 , the selected message associated with a title selected from the displayed titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log is displayed responsive to the selection of the title made by a user during block  908 . In one implementation of this embodiment, the selected message associated with a title selected from the displayed titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log is displayed with the response to the selected message along with the selected message. For example, in  FIG. 6 , the display-region  402  shows that a reply of WILCO was sent to the ground station  140  when the selected message associated with a title selected from the displayed titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log was received. 
     In one implementation of this embodiment, at least one save-selected-message in the at least one saved-selected-message log is selected to be unsaved. As shown in  FIG. 6 , when a message previously stored for quick retrieval is displayed for viewing by the user, the display region  401  shows an “UNSAVE?” prompt to the viewer of the display. In one implementation of this embodiment, the user elects to unsave a selected one of the stored at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval. In this case, the user touches the button or icon  5 L adjacent to display-region  401  to indicate that the message can be unsaved. When a message that was previously stored in a saved-selected-message log is unsaved, the unsaved message is removed from the saved-selected-message log  23  and its status in the message log  22  changes from SAVED to CLOSED if it has not already been deleted from the message log  22 . 
     As described above, the message can be an AOC message.  FIG. 10  is an enlarged view of the human-machine-interface (HMI) device of the data messaging system  5  of  FIG. 1A  displaying an exemplary page 1 of 2 in an airline operational communication (AOC) message log  22 .  FIG. 11  is an enlarged view of the human-machine-interface (HMI) device of the data messaging system  5  of  FIG. 10  displaying an exemplary page 1 of 2 of an airline operational communication (AOC) message. In this embodiment, the message log  22  and  122  is an AOC message log  22  and  122 , respectively ( FIGS. 1A-1D ). Although the vehicle  10  has been discussed herein as an aircraft  10 , the vehicle  10  can also be any vehicle that uses a data messaging system that is configured to maintain a log of the messages and that includes a display for displaying and selecting messages from the log in accordance with the technology described herein. 
     In this manner, a message log is displayed on a human-machine-interface (HMI) device for a user to select at least one message identified for quick retrieval at a later time. The selected message is identified for quick retrieval at a later time in at least one save-selected-message log in a functional module or a computer. The number of messages in the at least one save-selected-message log is much less than a number of messages in the message log by an end of a flight. Titles of the messages can be displayed based on an indication by the user (e.g., touching or pressing a selection interface  40 ,  41 , or  44 ) in the at least one save-selected-message log on the HMI device in place of the message log. Then, based on another indication by the user (e.g., touching or pressing a selection interface  40 ,  41 , or  44 ), a selected message associated with a title selected from the displayed titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log is displayed. The selection interface  40 ,  41 , or  44  is used to select at least one message in the message log  22  that has been identified by a user (e.g., by a pilot or an air traffic controller). In one implementation of this embodiment, a user identifies which of the messages may be useful or desirable to have in a listing that is quickly accessible and that has a limited number of messages to scroll through. In another implementation of this embodiment, a processor  45  identifies which of the messages is useful or desirable to have in a listing that is quickly accessible. The limited listing of messages is useful since a pilot receives up to hundreds of messages during the course of a flight. 
     Example Embodiments 
     Example 1 includes a data messaging system, comprising: means for displaying a message log on a human-machine-interface (HMI) device; means for selecting at least one message identified for quick retrieval at a later time; means for storing the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval in at least one save-selected-message log in one of a functional module and a computer, wherein a number of messages in the at least one save-selected-message log is much less than a number of messages in the message log by an end of a trip; means for displaying titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log on the HMI device in place of the message log; and means for displaying a selected message associated with a title selected from the displayed titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log. 
     Example 2 includes the data messaging system of Example 1, wherein the one of the functional module and the computer includes at least one of a communication management unit, a communication management function, a flight management computer, a flight management function, an electronic flight bag, an avionics module, an airline operational communication computer, an avionics functional module, and an air traffic control computer. 
     Example 3 includes the data messaging system of any of Examples 1-2, wherein the HMI device is one of a Multi-function Control and Display Unit (MCDU), multi-function display, a touch screen with a key board, or a graphical display with a cursor control and a keyboard. 
     Example 4 includes the data messaging system of any of Examples 1-3, wherein the data messaging system is an avionics messaging system and the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval is selected by a flight crew member in an aircraft. 
     Example 5 includes the data messaging system of any of Examples 1-4, wherein the data messaging system is an aeronautical ground messaging system and the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval is selected by a ground crew member using an air traffic control computer. 
     Example 6 includes the data messaging system of any of Examples 1-5, wherein the means for storing the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval in the at least one save-selected-message log comprises: means for automatically storing the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval in the at least one save-selected-message log in the one of the functional module and the computer based on at least one of: one or more types of messages; one or more categories of messages; and one or more type of message and one or more category of message. 
     Example 7 includes the data messaging system of Example 6, wherein the means for automatically storing the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval in the at least one save-selected-message log in the one of the functional module and the computer, further comprises: means for categorizing a received message based on at least one of a type of message and a category of message, wherein selecting by the means for selecting is based on the means for categorizing. 
     Example 8 includes the data messaging system of any of Examples 1-7, further comprising: means for sending the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval to the at least one save-selected-message log. 
     Example 9 includes the data messaging system of any of Examples 1-8, further comprising: means for displaying a response to the selected message associated with the title selected from the displayed titles of the messages in the at least one saved-selected-message log. 
     Example 10 includes the data messaging system of any of Examples 1-9, further comprising: means for unsaying a selected one of the displayed selected messages associated with the title. 
     Example 11 includes the data messaging system of any of Examples 1-10, wherein the at least one save-selected-message log includes at least two saved-selected-message logs, the data messaging system further comprising: means for selecting one of the at least two saved-selected-message logs for storing the selected message identified for quick retrieval at the later time. 
     Example 12 includes the data messaging system of any of Examples 1-11, further comprising means for displaying a response to the selected message along with the selected message when the means for displaying the at least one save-selected-message log is implemented. 
     Example 13 includes a method to save and retrieve selected messages in a data messaging system, the method comprising: displaying a message log on a human-machine-interface (HMI) device; selecting at least one message identified for quick retrieval at a later time for storage in at least one save-selected-message log in one of a functional module and a computer; storing the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval in at least one save-selected-message log in one of the functional module and the computer; displaying titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log on the HMI device in place of the message log; and displaying a selected message associated with a title selected from the displayed titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log. 
     Example 14 includes the method of Example 13, storing the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval in at least one save-selected-message log comprises storing at least one of: at least one air-traffic control (ATC) message identified for quick retrieval selected by a member of an aircraft flight crew; at least one airline operational communication (AOC) message identified for quick retrieval selected by the member of the aircraft flight crew; at least one air-traffic control (ATC) message identified for quick retrieval selected by an ground crew operator; and at least one airline operational communication (AOC) message identified for quick retrieval selected by the ground crew operator. 
     Example 15 includes the method of any of Examples 13-14, wherein storing the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval in the at least one save-selected-message log comprises: automatically storing the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval in the at least one save-selected-message log based on at least one of: one or more types of messages; one or more categories of messages; and one or more type of message and one or more category of message. 
     Example 16 includes the method of any of Examples 13-15, wherein automatically storing the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval in the at least one save-selected-message log in the one of the functional module and the computer, further comprises: categorizing a received message at a processor based on at least one of a type of message and a category of message. 
     Example 17 includes the method of any of Examples 13-16, further comprising: unsaying a selected one of the displayed selected messages associated with the title. 
     Example 18 includes the method of any of Examples 13-17, wherein the at least one save-selected-message log includes at least two saved-selected-message logs, the method further comprising: selecting one of the at least two saved-selected-message logs for the selected message identified for quick retrieval at the later time. 
     Example 19 includes the method of any of Examples 13-18, wherein storing the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval in the at least one save-selected-message log comprises: flagging the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval based on an attribute associated with the message, wherein the save-selected-message log is stored as a subset of the message log. 
     Example 20 includes an avionics data messaging system, comprising: means for displaying at least one of an air-traffic control (ATC) message log and an airline operational communication (AOC) message log on a Multi-function Control and Display Unit (MCDU); means for selecting at least one message identified for quick retrieval at a later time from the at least one of the ACT message log and the AOC message log; means for sending the at least one selected message to the at least one save-selected-message log in at least one of a communication management unit (CMU), a communication management function (CMF), a flight management computer (FMC), or an air traffic control computer; means for storing the at least one selected message identified for quick retrieval in at least one save-selected-message log, wherein a number of messages in the at least one save-selected-message log is much less than a number of messages in the message log by an end of a flight of an aircraft; means for displaying titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log on the MCDU in place of the message log; and means for displaying a selected message associated with a title selected from the displayed titles of the messages in the at least one save-selected-message log. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof