Runway Presentation Patents (Class 340/972)
  • Patent number: 11817000
    Abstract: A system and method to assist piloting an aircraft in landing phase is disclosed. The system includes a pseudo glide path calculation module that includes a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the one processor and having instructions stored upon. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the one or more processors to receive coordinates for a runway, receive exit path coordinates for a runway, receive aircraft configuration data, receive aircraft status data, receive runway environmental data, calculate a relative position of the aircraft in reference to the exit path coordinates and the runway environmental data, generate a pseudo displaced threshold for the runway, and generate a pseudo approach glide path profile based on the pseudo displaced threshold. The pseudo displaced threshold and the pseudo approach glide path profile may be depicted on a display. A runway occupation time may also be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Jaibir Singh
  • Patent number: 11708174
    Abstract: An aircraft includes an engine and a system that is configured to detect an event associated with the engine during a take-off. The system is further configured to determine a speed of the aircraft a particular time after the event and to determine a remaining distance between the aircraft and an end of a runway at the particular time. The system is also configured to compare the speed of the aircraft to a take-off rejection speed threshold. The take-off rejection speed threshold indicates a maximum aircraft speed that would result in the aircraft stopping prior to a particular distance from the end of the runway. The take-off rejection speed threshold is selected from a plurality of aircraft speeds generated during aircraft deceleration simulations. The system is also configured to generate an indication recommending whether to continue the take-off based on comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Oscar Kipersztok, David J. Finton
  • Patent number: 11681301
    Abstract: In an aspect, a system for a guidance interface for a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft comprises a plurality of flight components that are mechanically coupled to the VTOL aircraft. The VTOL aircraft also comprises an output device that is configured to present a display of the outside environment. The output device may overlay the display with a datum, a focal point, and a guidance symbol. The datum may be associated with the flight components of the VTOL aircraft. The focal point may be indicative of a desired landing location for the VTOL aircraft. The focal point may be determined by at least a predetermined flight plan. The guidance symbol may be a symbol that includes an optimal flight path to the focal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Moy, Collin Freiheit
  • Patent number: 11592315
    Abstract: A system and method for sensing height above landing surface for an aircraft, processing that sensed height information to provide information useful to the aircraft pilot for assisting with the landing and flare-to-land maneuver, and providing the processed information in a peripheral vision display indicating landing conditions sequentially without interfering with pilot vision and focus on the landing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventor: John M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 11479365
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides computer vision systems and methods for an aircraft. The computer vision systems and methods identify a runway based on video frame data from a camera mounted to the aircraft, extract runway pixel positions associated with the runway, determine the aircraft position in a real world coordinate frame based on the pixel positions, the aircraft position including an aircraft lateral position and an aircraft elevation, receive predefined aircraft position data and go-around rules for a compliant approach to the runway, calculate an aircraft position deviation based on the aircraft position and the predefined aircraft position data, determine whether the aircraft position deviation is in conformance with the go-around rules, and output an indication of conformity with the go-around rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Zhong Chen, Gang He, Min Wu, Carl Dins
  • Patent number: 11453512
    Abstract: A method that recommends capturing a stream of images of the landing zone, using a first imaging system to calculate position information for the landing zone on the basis of at least one real image of the stream, using an autopilot system to determine a current position of the landing zone at the current calculation instant, using a second imaging system to verify the presence of a landing zone at the current position in the real image, and generating an alarm if the presence is not found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventor: Marc Salesse-Lavergne
  • Patent number: 11436933
    Abstract: This method consists in: obtaining the positions of the thresholds of the runways of the aerodrome; a runway model being a polygonal modeling of the runways, associating each runway with polygons, a portion common to two secant runways being represented by polygons common to the modelizations of the two secant runways; determining a correction plane of a terrain model located below the thresholds of the runways; defining a contour area around the runway model, based on the runway model and the correction plane; correcting a terrain model so that any point outside the contour area is projected onto the correction plane and any point within the contour area is projected onto the contour area; combining the corrected field model and the runway model to obtain an improved virtual representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Emmanuel Monvoisin, Olivier Gentil, Guillaume Labarthe
  • Patent number: 11282400
    Abstract: An aircraft-based runway overrun awareness alerting system (ROAAS) for an aircraft primary flight display (PFD) is disclosed. In embodiments, the ROAAS is embodied aboard an aircraft and tracks the position and heading of the aircraft. Further, the ROAAS tracks the energy state of the aircraft as it approaches a runway for landing. Based on the current energy state, as well as the runway parameters, the ROAAS predicts a landing point for the aircraft along the runway. Based on this landing point, as well as the current energy state, the ROAAS determines the current likelihood of runway excursion (e.g., that the aircraft will not have sufficient runway remaining to decelerate or stop) and displays this likelihood as a dynamic graphic element not integrated into any other instruments or components displayed by the PFD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Valerie R. Byxbe, Darin M. Underwood, Tony Vander Velden, Taylor Martin, Bernard S. McCaffrey
  • Patent number: 11176833
    Abstract: A flight management system includes a display for displaying a user interface and a processor coupled with the display and configured to receive flight plan information regarding a flight plan of an aircraft and aircraft status information from an aircraft monitoring system. The processor generates an alert indicating a deviation from the flight plan based on a comparison of the aircraft status information to the flight plan information, and provides the alert on a portion of the user interface displaying information indicative of the aircraft status information. The alert provides one or more user interface controls configured to enable a pilot to interact with the portion of the user interface displaying the information indicative of the aircraft status information to at least one of view additional information regarding the difference between the status information and the flight plan information and modify the flight plan of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Ellen L. McGaughy, Bandi B. Reddy, David L. Leedom
  • Patent number: 10794725
    Abstract: Technologically improved vision systems and methods that provide enhanced water encoding are provided. The vision system receives terrain data from a terrain database and aircraft state data from a navigation system. The vision system commands a display system to display a map image that is reflective of a view from a current location of the platform. The vision system processes terrain data and aircraft state data to identify a water feature, determine a distance between the platform and the water feature, and determine a textural representation for the water feature. The textural representation comprises a symbol and an associated symbol pattern. The vision system commands a display system to overlay, on the map image, the water feature with the textural representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Gang He, Thea L. Feyereisen
  • Patent number: 10676213
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a method of optimal safe landing area determination for an aircraft includes accessing a probabilistic safe landing area map that includes a plurality of probabilistic indicators of safe landing areas for the aircraft. A processing subsystem that includes one or more processing resources generates a list of candidate safe landing areas based on the probabilistic safe landing area map and one or more constraints. At least two of the candidate safe landing areas are provided to a path planner. The list of candidate safe landing areas is ranked based on results from the path planner indicating an estimated cost to reach each of the candidate safe landing areas. Based on the ranking, an indicator of an optimal safe landing area is output as a desired landing location for the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xuchu Ding, Jason C. Derenick, Brendan J. Englot, Igor Cherepinsky, Harshad S. Sane, Christopher Stathis
  • Patent number: 10607494
    Abstract: An instrument flight rules (IFR) approach chart for facilitating a pilot's approach and landing of an aircraft at an airport includes a straight vertical line representing a runway on which the aircraft is to land with the beginning of the runway closer to the bottom than the top of the map, a second straight line representing a final approach flight path vertically aligned with the runway line and extending downwardly from the bottom end of the runway line, third straight lines extending across and perpendicular to the second straight line, altitude numbers at the ends of the third lines on one side of the second line and distance to the runway number at the ends of the third line on a second side of the second line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: 3764729 Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Andre Durocher
  • Patent number: 10600325
    Abstract: Avionic display systems systems generally relate to techniques of displaying images to a pilot, by generating a translucent image to be overlaid on top of a pilot view; determining if the pilot view includes one or more locations of stored visual references including sources of color-based information; overlaying; the translucent image on top of the pilot view; and modifying the translucent image to convey the color-based information to the pilot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Anil Kumar Songa, Mohammed Ibrahim Mohideen
  • Patent number: 10247573
    Abstract: Systems and methods for navigation of a vehicle use a processing system. The systems and methods can allow an aircraft to take-off in low visibility conditions. The processing system includes a cross tracker, an error processor and an error estimator. The cross tracker is configured to determine a cross track deviation using a hybrid positon and runway heading data. The error processor is configured to determine the hybrid positon from inertial reference system data and corrected error data, and the error estimator is configured to provide the corrected error data using estimates derived from delta range data from a global navigation satellite system receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventors: Vladislav Gavrilets, Douglas A. Bell, Paul J. Ronan, Patrick Y. Hwang
  • Patent number: 10063847
    Abstract: The field of the invention is that of viewing systems comprising means for generating stereoscopic images, a viewing device comprising a projector and a semitransparent screen and a pair of stereoscopic glasses. The projector according to the invention comprises means arranged so as to project alternatively a first image emitted at a first wavelength and a second image emitted at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The pair of glasses comprises a first filter and a second filter, the first filter transmitting the entirety of the spectrum except a first narrow spectral band centered on the first wavelength and the second filter transmitting the entirety of the spectrum except a second narrow spectral band centered on the second wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Philippe Coni, Laurent Laluque, Aude Gueguen
  • Patent number: 9725188
    Abstract: A display system of an aircraft, able to display a horizon line able to be deformed and related method are provided. The display system includes a display unit; and an assembly for generating a display on the display unit, able to dynamically display, on the display unit, at least one horizon line and a slope scale relative to the horizon line. Upon approaching a landing strip, the display generator is able to create, on the horizon line, a region that is deformed as a function of the topographical slope of the landing strip approached by the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: DASSAULT AVIATION
    Inventors: Sébastien Lepage, Olivier Baudson, Arnaud Turpin
  • Patent number: 9640081
    Abstract: A dynamic runway indicator is displayed overlying a conformal runway for assisting a pilot in completing an approach to landing on a runway. The dynamic runway indicator includes a polygon, that by changing position with respect to the conformal runway, provides advanced instrumentation cues to the pilot for adjusting the aircraft flight path to a normal, or recommended, path to the runway for landing, thereby assisting the pilot to improve the accuracy and safety of the approach and landing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Gannon, Ivan Sandy Wyatt, Troy Nichols, John G. Suddreth
  • Patent number: 9581465
    Abstract: A system and method displays a synthetic vision system (SVS) image combined with a primary flight display (PFD) including a compass indicating the aircraft heading. An arc on or near the outer edge of the compass indicates the viewing frustum of the SVS view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jason F. Harvey, Gang He
  • Patent number: 9566946
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable media for protecting a pilot of an aircraft or an operator of a vehicle against glare from a luminous object. A system for attenuating glare experienced by an operator of a vehicle is provided with a transparent display unit or screen with adjustable pixels that is interposed between an operator of a vehicle and all or part of a windshield of the vehicle, and a device to control pixel intensity to attenuate glare from a luminous object. A system is provided with a positioning module for determining the position of the operator inside the vehicle, and for determining the position of at least one luminous object outside the vehicle that is a source of glare experienced by the operator. A system is provided with a computing device for computing a glare line between the operator and luminous object and the position of the display screen where the glare line intersects the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS (S.A.S.)
    Inventor: Vincent Loubiere
  • Patent number: 9532013
    Abstract: A system, device, and method for determining the integrity of sensor-based image(s) are disclosed. The integrity determination system may include one or more sources of passive sensor-based image data, one or more sources of an active sensor-based image data, and an image processing unit (“IPU”). The IPU may receive passive sensor-based image data; receive active sensor-based image data; and (1) determine the integrity of at least the passive sensor-based image data by comparison of the passive sensor-based image data with the active sensor-based image data, and/or (2) combine the passive sensor-based image data with the active sensor-based image data to produce third image data from which a pilot may manually determine the integrity of the first image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick D. McCusker, Carlo L. Tiana, Michael A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9472110
    Abstract: An aircraft taxi path guidance and display system is provided. The aircraft taxi path guidance and display system includes or cooperates with at least one source of aircraft status data, and a source of airport feature data associated with an airport field. The aircraft taxi path guidance and display system includes a processor operationally coupled to the source of aircraft status data and to the source of airport feature data. In response to aircraft status data and airport feature data, the processor predicts undesired deviations from an active surface area (e.g., an excursion). The processor generates corrective action associated with the excursion, and displays symbology that is graphically representative of the corrective action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Muthukumar Murthy, Alpana Priyamvada, Rocco DiVito
  • Patent number: 9251711
    Abstract: A method and a device for the filtering of alerts originating from a collision detection system of an aircraft makes it possible, by proposing a novel condition for alert disabling, to avoid an abnormal drop of an aircraft in the case of a CFIT (controlled flight into terrain) by authorizing the output of the alert when this novel condition is not complied with. This novel condition relies on a method for thresholding the angle of approach of the aircraft (FPA for flight path angle) as a function of the altitude of the aircraft with respect to the runway and of the angle of approach specified for each runway and which is recovered via the terrain database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Bertrand Baillon, Stéphane Fleury, Fabien Vittoz
  • Patent number: 9245452
    Abstract: Systems and methods to accurately display lateral deviation symbology in offset approaches to runways is provided. A system for on-aircraft display of lateral deviation symbology for use in offset approaches comprises means for generating a conformal video display representation of an aircraft's current position, means for notifying a flight crew of the existence of an offset approach, means for displaying an extended runway center line, and means for displaying an approach line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Gang He
  • Patent number: 9041560
    Abstract: A system and method are described for receiving a NOTAM and storing information relating to the distance of a temporarily displaced threshold for a runway. When that runway is selected for approach and landing, the temporarily displaced threshold and new aiming point are automatically displayed. The change made to the display using NOTAM data can be indicated to the pilot by distinct symbology or particular color, or by using an icon or an annunciation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Sadguni Venkataswamy, Prashant Prabhu, Ravindra Jayaprakash, Anil Kumar Songa, Mallikarjuna Narala
  • Patent number: 9000952
    Abstract: Present novel and non-trivial methods for presenting taxi information to a pilot are disclosed. Each method may generate an image data set from taxi information data and navigation reference and object data. A first image data set may be representative of an image in which one or more first location highlighter(s) highlighting the location(s) of one or more raised surface feature(s) appears within an egocentric or exocentric three-dimensional representation of a scene located outside the aircraft. A second image data set may be representative of an image in which one or more unconventional surface feature(s) highlighting the location(s) of one or more raised surface feature(s) appears within an egocentric or exocentric three-dimensional representation of a scene located outside the aircraft. A third image data set may be representative of an image in which one or more unconventional surface feature(s) appears within an airport surface map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis S. Vanderkamp, Christopher A. Scherer, Victor E. Villagomez, Felix B. Turcios
  • Patent number: 8983760
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for controlling air traffic. The method and system utilizes aircraft performance data, provided either by an FMS of a capable aircraft or generated by a model based on knowledge of the aircraft, to provide an accurate prediction of aircraft intent so that an accurate estimated time of arrival can be generated. The estimated time of arrival is then used to provide a required time of arrival (RTA) for the aircraft. The RTAs for the aircraft are provided for the aircraft to arrive at a destination, such as an Outer Fix Point, in a desired sequence. The desired sequence is arranged to provide intervals between the aircraft such that they may be able to land at the destination airport without requiring holding and vectoring from top of descent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Airservices, Australia
    Inventor: Greg McDonald
  • Patent number: 8917191
    Abstract: A system for controlling an image displayed on a display unit of an aircraft is shown and described. The system includes an enhanced vision system that detects elements of an approach lighting system for display on the display unit. The system also includes a synthetic vision system that uses a database of navigation information and a determined aircraft location to generate synthetic display elements representing the approach lighting system. Display electronics of the system cause the detected elements from the enhanced vision system to be simultaneously displayed on the display unit within a same scene as the generated synthetic display elements from the synthetic vision system. Advantageously, the simultaneous display allows a pilot viewing the display unit to check for whether information provided by the enhanced vision system matches information provided by the synthetic vision system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlo L. Tiana, Kenneth A. Zimmerman, Robert B. Wood
  • Publication number: 20140354456
    Abstract: A dynamic runway indicator is displayed overlying a conformal runway for assisting a pilot in completing an approach to landing on a runway. The dynamic runway indicator includes a polygon, that by changing position with respect to the conformal runway, provides advanced instrumentation cues to the pilot for adjusting the aircraft flight path to a normal, or recommended, path to the runway for landing, thereby assisting the pilot to improve the accuracy and safety of the approach and landing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Gannon, Ivan Sandy Wyatt, Troy Nichols, John G. Suddreth
  • Patent number: 8896466
    Abstract: In one aspect of the method for displaying an image on a screen of a cockpit of an aircraft, control means: control a first display on the screen of an image comprising a background; and then control a second display so that, in at least one zone of the image that is determined independently of the background, the background presents a non-zero second mean luminance that is less than a first mean luminance that it presented during the first display. In another aspect, the control means control the display on the screen of an image comprising a background in such a manner, that at least in a zone of the image that is determined independently of the background, the background presents non-zero mean luminance that is less than mean luminance of the remainder of the background.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Airbus Operations (S.A.S.), Airbus (S.A.S.)
    Inventors: Laurent Georges, Remi Cabaret De Alberti, Laetitia Lambinet, Laurent Brunet
  • Patent number: 8880339
    Abstract: A schematic display for presenting vertical navigation (VNAV) data is disclosed. A planned route such as a flight plan is divided into a series of VNAV legs, and only a VNAV schematic that corresponds to the active VNAV leg is displayed. The VNAV schematic in accordance with the present disclosure is a profile-view schematic for the active VNAV leg, providing a visual representation indicating the locations of the upcoming Top of Climb (TOC) or Top of Descent (TOD). Additional VNAV data may also be presented to provide content context. Since the schematic display in accordance with the present disclosure only displays VNAV data relevant to the active VNAV leg at a given time, the complexities associated with displaying the VNAV schematic is reduced, making the VNAV data easy to read and understand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins Inc.
    Inventors: Seth A. Cooper, David A. Gribble, David L. Leedom, Geoffrey A. Shapiro, Daniel E. Russell, James E. Winfield
  • Patent number: 8847793
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to avionics systems, and more particularly, to collision avoidance systems. In one embodiment, a system is delineated comprising a plurality of detection zones for a plurality of aircraft and means for issuing a report based on one or more of the plurality of detection zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems LLC
    Inventors: Richard D. Ridenour, Robert G. Brewer, Christopher W. Lowe
  • Patent number: 8843255
    Abstract: Methods are provided for presenting procedure information for an airport on a display device onboard an aircraft. A method comprises displaying a map on a display device and displaying a briefing panel overlying a portion the map. The briefing panel includes a plurality of segments, wherein each segment is associated with a type of procedure information for the airport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Blake Wilson, Jary Engels, Ivan Sandy Wyatt, Roger W. Burgin
  • Patent number: 8825238
    Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring an energy height of an aircraft during landing. The system includes a database including landing distance data; a processing unit configured to receive the landing distance data from the database and to calculate a landing distance of the aircraft based on a velocity and a height of the aircraft, the processing unit further configured to provide display signals based on the landing distance; and a visual display coupled to the processing unit and configured to provide a visual image based on the display signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Peptione, Blake Wilson, Roger W. Burgin
  • Patent number: 8816881
    Abstract: A runway digital wind indicator system senses wind conditions at multiple locations, aggregates this data, and communicates up-to-date, usable information to pilots. Meteorological information, including wind speed, direction, and change (i.e., gustiness) plus temperature, humidity, barometer, wind shear, etc., can be sensed by three or more sensor pods placed along a runway (at least one at each end and another in the middle of a given runway). Data from these pods is then transferred to a computer receiver that processes the information into a real-time, concise, readable format that can be displayed to air traffic control, sent to runway digital display signs placed in proximity to runways for direct pilot reference, and/or posted to websites/internet locations that can then be used to wirelessly relay the information to any of a plethora of digital devices that can be accessed directly by a pilot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventors: Roger L. Nakata, Daniel G. Sprinkle
  • Publication number: 20140225753
    Abstract: Methods of illustrating aircraft situational information on a flight display in a cockpit of an aircraft, include determining a location of the aircraft, displaying on the flight display a forward looking graphical representation of the runway from the determined location of the aircraft, displaying situational awareness information on the graphical representation, and updating the location determination, graphical representation and the situational awareness information as the aircraft moves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Peter Jacob Conrardy, Christian Drake Meigs
  • Patent number: 8797191
    Abstract: A display system and method for an aircraft are provided. The display device includes a processing unit configured to receive arrestor bed information associated with a runway and to generate display commands based on the arrestor bed information; and a display device coupled the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and to display symbology representing the arrestor bed information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Subash Samuthirapandian, Fazurudheen A, Chandru Sekaran, Narayanan S
  • Patent number: 8786467
    Abstract: A method and a system for displaying an airport or runway moving map with traffic information on a display screen in the cockpit or flight deck of an aircraft. Symbology representing surface and near-surface aircraft and surface vehicle traffic and associated traffic data are filtered to prevent or limit clutter on the display screen. Traffic symbology is automatically and manually filtered to display only relevant traffic. Traffic data is selectively displayed and displayed as/when relevant or needed. The displayed traffic information may be derived from automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast, traffic information system-broadcast, automatic dependent surveillance-rebroadcast, traffic collision avoidance system or other source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Samuel T. Clark, Roglenda R. Bowe, Stephen Bernard Ortman, Jean Marie Crane
  • Patent number: 8788187
    Abstract: A method and system for providing taxiway navigational information to a crewmember of an airplane taxiing at an airport. An airport taxiway navigation system (“ATNS”) that executes on an onboard computer system that displays a map of the taxiways of an airport, receives the name of each taxiway of the taxi route specified by the taxi clearance, and highlights the taxiways on a displayed map to provide a visual indication of the cleared taxi route for the crewmembers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Reagan Doose, Richard W. Ellerbrock, Glade L. Hulet, John M. Jauglias, Matthew T. Majka
  • Patent number: 8773289
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are present for monitoring a runway. Data is received about the runway from a number of sensors associated with an aircraft while the aircraft performs an operation on the runway. A number of conditions are identified for the runway using the data received from the number of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeanne C. Maggiore, Wayne R. Majkowski, Kevin L. Swearingen
  • Patent number: 8736633
    Abstract: A method and system is described for enhancing ground situational awareness to an aircrew via the display of an airport moving map within an own-ship, including determining the position of the own-ship and an aircraft on one of a taxiway, a runway, or an apron, displaying each of the own-ship and the aircraft on an airport moving map by displaying for each a first symbol that indicates the location on the airport moving map; and displaying a second symbol that changes in transparency in proportion to the range of the airport moving map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Saravanakumar Gurusamy
  • Patent number: 8718911
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for presenting a taxi route for an aircraft at an airport. The method, for example, includes, but is not limited to receiving, by a processor, the taxi route, translating, by the processor, the taxi route into a graphical representation, displaying, on an aircraft display, a map of the airport and the graphical representation, and displaying, a location of a hold short instruction on the aircraft display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Tom McGuffin
  • Patent number: 8706388
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for graphically identifying operational restrictions for an airport area. The aircraft type is identified to form an identified aircraft type. A number of restrictions are identified for the airport area using the identified aircraft type to form a number of associated restrictions. The number of associated restrictions is presented as a number of graphical indicators on a display of the airport area in locations for the number of associated restrictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Karl Christian Pschierer, André Marco Lutz
  • Patent number: 8698655
    Abstract: A system and method of providing aerial navigation for an aircraft comprises presenting an enlarged virtual runway for an identified runway on a display, where the virtual area of the virtual runway remains substantially constant as the aircraft approaches the runway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Garmin International, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Keegan Flanigan, Jay R. Flatland, Merlin R. James, Eric D. Schlef
  • Patent number: 8698654
    Abstract: A vehicle display system diminishes specified display features when in a taxi mode. EV images, SV images, and avionics symbology are displayed, with certain of the images and symbology being diminished when in a taxi mode. Additionally, guidance to the runway centerline is displayed in the taxi mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gang He
  • Publication number: 20140097973
    Abstract: The system according to the invention comprises an assembly for managing the graphic interface of a display, capable of controlling the display, on at least a first region of the display, of a peripheral area formed by a synthetic image comprising at least one synthetic surface representation of the terrain, and capable of maintaining at least one area representative of the position of a landing runway, centered on the landing runway, and at least one front area, adjacent to the center area, substantially free of any synthetic surface representation of the terrain. The management assembly includes means for dynamically defining the length (L) of the front area on the display as a function of a vertical decision position (DP) associated with a selected approach for said landing runway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: DASSAULT AVIATION
    Inventors: Olivier BAUDSON, Arnaud TURPIN
  • Publication number: 20140077975
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing runway entry awareness and alerting. An exemplary system includes a processing device that determines pilot intent based on one of a manual runway selection, automatic runway selection, aircraft information received from one or more sensors or received clearance information; receives at least one of aircraft position or motion information; determines if a no access condition exists based on the received information, the stored airport information and the determined pilot intent; and generates at least one of a hold-short gate still image or animation, if the no access condition exists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Ratan Khatwa, Chris Hamblin
  • Publication number: 20140062729
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product for generating and annunciating to a flight crew if they are on or approaching a closed runway. The present invention alerts the pilot to operations on closed runways with appropriate and non-misleading information, thus allowing the pilot to make better decisions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Conner, Courtney Ashford, Steve C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8638240
    Abstract: Systems and methods for alerting a flight crew if a taxiing collision condition exists. An exemplary system on a host vehicle determines one or more first protection zones around other vehicles on the ground based on the received information about the other vehicles, determines a second protection zone around the host vehicle based on the stored information about the host vehicle and the sensor information and generates an alert, if any of the first protection zones occupies at least a portion of the same geographic area as the second protection zone. The received information includes position, ground speed, vehicle type information and heading or track information. The protection zones include a width dimension that is based on vehicle size information, a base length dimension that is based on the size information, and a variable component of the length dimension that is based on the ground speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John Howard Glover, Kevin J Conner
  • Publication number: 20140015695
    Abstract: A display system and method for an aircraft are provided. The display device includes a processing unit configured to receive arrestor bed information associated with a runway and to generate display commands based on the arrestor bed information; and a display device coupled the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and to display symbology representing the arrestor bed information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Subash Samuthirapandian, Fazurudheen A, Chandru Sekaran, Narayanan S
  • Patent number: 8594916
    Abstract: A graphical display system includes one or more sensors for obtaining data, wherein the data obtained includes position and trajectory data for a craft and airport data; a display element for displaying graphics and data; and at least one processor coupled to the one or more sensors. Based on data received from the one or more sensors regarding craft position and trajectory relative to an airport, the at least one processor determines if a runway is being targeted, selects which runway guides and alerts to display based on data obtained and runway targeted, and sends signals to the display element to display the targeted runway with the selected runway guides and alerts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gang He