Patents by Inventor Steve C. Johnson

Steve C. Johnson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20070299608
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining reliability of Global Positioning System (GPS) ground speed. An example system receives GPS track information and GPS ground speed, determines a change in GPS track information and determines reliability of the GPS ground speed based on the determined change in GPS track information relative to the GPS ground speed. The system sets a GPS ground speed based on the determined reliability. A GPS ground speed output is set to zero, if the GPS ground speed is determined unreliable and the GPS ground speed output is set to the GPS ground speed, if the GPS ground speed is determined reliable. The system sends the GPS ground speed output to a Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS). Also, the system sets the GPS ground speed output to zero, if a received GPS ground speed validity signal or a received GPS track validity signal indicate invalid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuo Ishihara, Kevin J. Conner, Steve C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7205906
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system, method and computer program product for reducing nuisance warnings during low altitude flight conditions and in the presence of low position uncertainty. The system includes a first component that determines whether the aircraft is in a low altitude flight condition and a second component that determines the position, positional uncertainty, and the heading. The system also includes a third component that attenuates and refines the look-ahead envelope in accord with the determined condition of flight and positional uncertainty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steve C. Johnson, Yasuo Ishihara, Kevin J Conner
  • Patent number: 7133754
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for using airport information based on the flying environment are provided. When a helicopter is determined to be approaching a runway, ground proximity warning envelopes are automatically reduced to prevent unwanted, or nuisance, terrain alerts. On the other hand, when a helicopter is flown near a runway without intent to land or when a helicopter is taking off, ground proximity warning envelopes may remain unchanged. As a result, nuisance alerts are reduced when a helicopter is approaching a runway for landing and ground proximity warnings may remain in effect to maximize protection when a helicopter is flying near a runway without an intent to land or is taking off from a runway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuo Ishihara, Steve C. Johnson, Kevin J Conner
  • Publication number: 20040167684
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for using airport information based on the flying environment are provided. When a helicopter is determined to be approaching a runway, ground proximity warning envelopes are automatically reduced to prevent unwanted, or nuisance, terrain alerts. On the other hand, when a helicopter is flown near a runway without intent to land or when a helicopter is taking off, ground proximity warning envelopes may remain unchanged. As a result, nuisance alerts are reduced when a helicopter is approaching a runway for landing and ground proximity warnings may remain in effect to maximize protection when a helicopter is flying near a runway without an intent to land or is taking off from a runway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Yasuo Ishihara, Steve C. Johnson, Kevin J. Conner
  • Patent number: 6600977
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for alerting an aircraft flight crew of an inconsistency during an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to a selected runway. The system includes a component configured to receive glideslope and localizer signals, and a component configured to determine aircraft approach angle to runway end. Also, a component configured to alert the aircraft flight crew of an approach inconsistency, if the determined aircraft approach angle to runway end is less than a threshold angular value and one or more parameters based on aircraft position and the received glideslope and localizer signals are met. The component configured to determine aircraft approach angle to runway end determines the aircraft approach angle to runway end based on aircraft geometric altitude, a vertical figure of merit, a horizontal figure of merit, runway elevation, and aircraft distance to runway threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steve C. Johnson, Yasuo Ishihara
  • Patent number: 6577931
    Abstract: A terrain avoidance system, method and computer program product for reducing nuisance alarms. The system includes a geometric altitude component, first and second vertical safety margin generators, and an alert component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J Conner, Yasuo Ishihara, Steve C. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20020128756
    Abstract: A terrain avoidance system, method and computer program product for reducing nuisance alarms. The system includes a geometric altitude component, first and second vertical safety margin generators, and an alert component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Kevin J. Conner, Yasuo Ishihara, Steve C. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20020097169
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system, method and computer program product for reducing nuisance warnings during low altitude flight conditions and in the presence of low position uncertainty. The system includes a first component that determines whether the aircraft is in a low altitude flight condition and a second component that determines the position, positional uncertainty, and the heading. The system also includes a third component that attenuates and refines the look-ahead envelope in accord with the determined condition of flight and positional uncertainty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Steve C. Johnson, Yasuo Ishihara, Kevin J. Conner
  • Publication number: 20020040263
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for alerting an aircraft flight crew of an inconsistency during an instrument landing system (ILS) approach to a selected runway. The system includes a component configured to receive glideslope and localizer signals, and a component configured to determine aircraft approach angle to runway end. Also, a component configured to alert the aircraft flight crew of an approach inconsistency, if the determined aircraft approach angle to runway end is less than a threshold angular value and one or more parameters based on aircraft position and the received glideslope and localizer signals are met. The component configured to determine aircraft approach angle to runway end determines the aircraft approach angle to runway end based on aircraft geometric altitude, a vertical figure of merit, a horizontal figure of merit, runway elevation, and aircraft distance to runway threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventors: Steve C. Johnson, Yasuo Ishihara