Traffic Analysis Or Control Of Aircraft Patents (Class 701/120)
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Patent number: 9965961Abstract: A method for en-route flight path optimization is disclosed. A plurality of alternate flight paths between an origin and a destination of the aircraft in flight is determined based on real-time weather data, air traffic conflict data, and air space constraint data. Further, flight time savings and fuel savings for each of the plurality of alternate flight paths with respect to an actual path is computed. Furthermore, an optimal flight path from the plurality of alternate flight paths is determined based on the computed flight time savings, fuel savings, and a priority for the flight time savings and the fuel savings.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: AIRBUS GROUP INDIA PRIVATE LIMITEDInventor: Ashutosh Agrawal
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Patent number: 9928747Abstract: A method for calculating a fuel consumption differential corresponding to an aircraft changing from an original trajectory (which incorporates the cost model of the airline through speed and altitude parameters within the flight plan) to a revised trajectory, the method including (1) calculating a first total excess energy associated with flying the aircraft at the original trajectory beginning at an execution time, the first total excess energy including excess energy due to climb and excess energy due to deviation of the original trajectory from an efficiency curve of the aircraft; (2) calculating a second total excess energy associated with flying the aircraft at the revised trajectory beginning at the execution time, the second total excess energy including excess energy due to climb and excess energy due to deviation of the revised trajectory from the efficiency curve; (3) comparing the first and second total excess energies to obtain a total excess energy differential; and (4) calculating the fuel consuType: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Karl J. Rein-Weston, Colette A. Posse
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Patent number: 9922571Abstract: A small aircraft includes a computer system configured to determine its own location, establish a datalink with a ground station and send the location information to the ground station in an ADS-B compliant format. The ground station then transmits the ADS-B compliant small aircraft information as a virtual ADS-B signal from the small aircraft to air traffic controllers and local ADS-B capable aircraft. Likewise, a ground station incorporates a virtual ADS-B In function to receive ADS-B information in a non-ADS-B datalink channel. The ground station performs ADS-B In applications without the burden of the small aircraft carrying the actual ADS-B equipment.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: William T. Greenleaf, Daniel J. Clark, Phillip L. Ellery
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Patent number: 9916764Abstract: A common operating environment (COE) display system for vehicle operations, such as for air transport provides coordination of logistics information with dispatch or a controller. An operational plan, such as a flight plan or other operational plan describing vehicle deployment is stored, and a map visualization system displays a map region. An in-vehicle display depicts the operational plan, providing displays of current and projected operational conditions of the vehicle within different time phases of the operational plan. Communication as either text or other data allows transmission can be performed as text, attachments or a combination of text and attachments. Messages (text) and attachments (files) are exchanged only through the server, and the items exchanged are recorded for analysis and forensic purposes.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2017Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: WXPOS, INC.Inventors: Scott T. Shipley, Mark D. Spence
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Patent number: 9911339Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing aircraft performance are provided. In one example, a method can include accessing an initial model that defines operating cost of an aircraft at a series of model operating states. The method also can include identifying one or more sample operating states for analyzing aircraft cost during flight. The method also can include receiving one or more real-time flight performance parameters indicative of aircraft operating cost while the aircraft is operating at the identified sample operating states. The method also can include generating an updated model that defines operating cost of the aircraft using the initial model as well as data defined by the real-time flight performance parameters. The method also can include determining an enhanced operating state based at least in part on the updated model and outputting the enhanced operating state for control of the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LLCInventors: David Michael Lax, Sridhar Adibhatla, Szabolcs Andras Borgyos, Mark Lawrence Darnell
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Patent number: 9898932Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for monitoring an area utilizing an unmanned vehicle. These mechanisms identify an area to be monitored by an unmanned vehicle and identify an unmanned vehicle assigned to monitoring the identified area. The mechanisms further generate, for the unmanned vehicle, a travel path to be traversed by the unmanned vehicle using a function to randomize generation of the travel path. Moreover, the mechanisms program the unmanned vehicle to traverse the generated travel path and initiate operation of the unmanned vehicle to collect data about the area while traversing the generated travel path. In addition, the mechanisms monitor the area utilizing the unmanned vehicle based on the data collected by the unmanned vehicle while traversing the generated travel path.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Jay A. Brown, Thomas J. Watson
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Patent number: 9884683Abstract: In a method for producing a light program (22) for controlling lighting in an interior (80) of an aircraft (82) during a flight, a sequence list (2a, b) of phases of the day (4a-l) for a full day is set, wherein a time of day (6), a phase duration (8) and lighting data (La-l) for the lighting are assigned to each phase of the day (4a-l), the appropriate phase of the day (4a-l) is selected from the sequence list (2a, b) as first program section (14a) of a flight program (10) on the basis of the local time (12a) at which the flight starts and the proportional associated phase duration (8) is assigned to the first program section as section duration (16a), the appropriate phase of the day (4a-l) is selected from the sequence list (2a, b) as last program section (14b-e) of the flight program on the basis of the local time (12b) at which the flight lands and the proportional associated phase duration (8) is assigned to the last program section (14b-e) as section duration (16b-e), the flight program (10) between fiType: GrantFiled: June 2, 2017Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: DIEHL AEROSPACE GMBHInventor: Sebastian Fehringer
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Patent number: 9877296Abstract: An electronic tag, e.g. for use as a tracker tag or combined tracker and data tag, with a cellular communication module is disclosed. The cellular communication module is configured to transmit an indication of a current geographical location to an external data server. The electronic tag can optionally receive tag data from an external tag reader and optionally comprises an output means configured to output the tag data. The tag's microprocessor is configured to switch off at least a transmitter part of the cellular communication module in response to first data contained in a Mode S signal of an aircraft transponder. Said transmitter part may be switched on again depending on data in signals from external source(s) as received in the tag.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: EC SOLUTION GROUP B.V.Inventor: Graham Michael Kelly
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Patent number: 9852638Abstract: A device moving in a space determines one or more zones around it, wherein the one or more zones are linked to the device and move together with the device through the space. The device detects if a border of a first of the one or more zones starts to intersect or stops to intersect with a border of an area inside the space. If the detecting is affirmative, the device transmits information related to the intersection. An apparatus receives this information from the device and adapts a status value of the area in dependence of the received information.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON(PUBL)Inventors: Branko Djordjevic, Tim Lauterbach, Frank Sell
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Patent number: 9846437Abstract: A preexisting FMS system may be upgraded to increase its functionality by optimizing the control of autopilot and auto-throttle functions and replacing other preexisting components with different components for enhancing the functionality of the FMS system. The preexisting IRU, CADC, DME receiver and DFGC in the upgraded FMS system are in communication with the legacy AFMC but, instead of employing the legacy EFIS, the EFIS is replaced by a data concentrator unit as well as the display control panel and integrated flat panel display, and a GPS receiver. The upgraded FMS system is capable of iteratively controlling the autopilot and auto-throttle during all phases of flight and of such increased functionality as increased navigation database storage capacity, RNP, VNAV, LPV and RNAV capability utilizing a GPS based navigation solution, and RTA capability, while still enabling the legacy AFMC to exploit its aircraft performance capabilities throughout the flight.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2017Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey S. M. Hedrick, Shahram Askarpour
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Patent number: 9836979Abstract: A method and system for identifying demand in a transportation system. A boarding count model is determined based upon passenger arrival information, and a geographic and time-specific generalized boarding model is determined based upon the boarding count model as well as information related to a plurality of stops on a route in the transportation system. For each of the plurality of stops, an approximated uniform arrival model is determined based upon the generalized arrival model and a time period between arriving vehicles at a specific stop, an instantaneous demand model is determined based upon the uniform arrival model, and a probability of no demand model is determined based upon the uniform arrival model. A report including the instantaneous demand and the probability of no demand determined can be generated. Based upon the report, various operational parameters for the transportation system can be manually or automatically adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Conduent Business Services, LLCInventor: John C. Handley
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Patent number: 9836467Abstract: A database which receives input from a data streaming application may include in-flight streamed data within the scope of a command which alters database data. Preferably, the streaming application produces data tuples for input to at least one table of the database. A user submitting modify data commands to apply to multiple tuples meeting some specified logical parameters may define the command scope to include in-flight data in the streaming application, causing the database manager to forward the command to the streaming application. A streaming application manager invokes database agents in respective nodes of the streaming application, which identify in-flight data meeting the specified logical parameters of the command, and apply the modify data operation to such data.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: International Business Machines CompanyInventors: Eric L. Barsness, Daniel E. Beuch, Alexander Cook, John M. Santosuosso
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Patent number: 9824567Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media provide for selective Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) notifications to be made to the crew of an aircraft according to the relevance of the NOTAM to a selected phase of flight of the aircraft. According to embodiments described herein, NOTAMs are received and parsed for subject and status codes. The subject and status codes are used with the selected phase of flight to determine a relevance code each NOTAM according to a set of relevance rules. The relevance rules provide a level of relevance of the NOTAM to the phase of flight and trigger a type of notification according to that level of relevance.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Nico Zimmer, Keyvan Bayram
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Patent number: 9802716Abstract: An identification system and method are provided for aircraft equipped with electric taxi systems for autonomous ground movement that enables airport ground personnel and others outside the aircraft to safely and easily identify the aircraft moving on ground surfaces at an airport as equipped with a pilot-controlled electric taxi system and to distinguish these aircraft from aircraft not moved by electric taxi systems. The identification system may be mounted with nose or main landing gear drive wheels supporting the electric taxi system. The identification system includes an identifying lighting system with lighting elements of a selected number, shape, color, or arrangement positioned on at least a visible face of one or more landing gear wheels. Automatic or manual controls may actuate the identification system to identify electric taxi system-equipped aircraft when the aircraft are moved with the electric taxi system or are stopped.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Borealis Technical LimitedInventors: Jan Vana, Joseph J. Cox, Isaiah W. Cox, Jonathan S. Edelson
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Patent number: 9792108Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for providing a scheme for managing Last-Modified information for resource requests are described herein. In some embodiments, a computing device may determine whether to round up or down an update time of a resource respectively based on whether a request from a client device for the resource is received within a window. In some embodiments, a computing device may receive, from a client device, a first validation request for a resource and a second validation request for the resource. In response to determining that the first validation request was received within a window, the computing device may round down an update time of the resource. In response to determining that the second validation request was received outside of the window, the computing device may determine whether to round up the update time of the resource.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLCInventor: Jonathan Moore
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Patent number: 9784586Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for determining a path (4) for a vehicle (2). The method comprises providing starting and final positions for the vehicle (2), and using the provided positions, determining an ordered sequence of points, thereby providing the path (4) for the vehicle (2). Performing the optimisation process comprises: minimising a distance between the final position and a last point in the sequence; for each point other than a last point in the sequence, constraining a distance between that point and the next point to be equal to a predefined distance; and, for each path point other than the first and last points, constraining an angle between a line that connects that point to the point that precedes it and a line that connects that point to the next point to be greater than or equal to a predefined angle.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS plcInventor: Markus Deittert
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Patent number: 9740200Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes obtaining, from a user device, flight operation information describing an inspection of a vertical structure to be performed, the flight operation information including locations of one or more safe locations for vertical inspection. A location of the UAV is determined to correspond to a first safe location for vertical inspection. A first inspection of the structure is performed is performed at the first safe location, the first inspection including activating cameras. A second safe location is traveled to, and a second inspection of the structure is performed. Information associated with the inspection is provided to the user device.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: UNMANNED INNOVATION, INC.Inventors: Brett Michael Bethke, Hui Li, Bernard J. Michini
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Patent number: 9728093Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for presenting contextual weather information with respect to a predetermined route of a vehicle. Routing data for a vehicle is integrated with weather data for an area to generate contextual weather information.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Thorsten Wiesemann, Theo Hankers, Cindy Dorfmann, Andreas Sindlinger
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Patent number: 9715831Abstract: A permanent wireless onboard to ground operations communications system is provided for an aircraft equipped with a pilot-controllable drive wheel drive system for autonomous ground movement without reliance on the aircraft's engines or external tow vehicles, including an onboard wireless communications link installed to remain permanently with the aircraft designed to interface wirelessly with ground personnel at any airport, aerodrome, or airfield where the aircraft lands immediately upon landing. The permanent wireless onboard to ground operations communications system provides a substantially instantaneous connection between a pilot and ground personnel to facilitate guidance of pilot-controlled autonomous ground movement during taxi, parking in nose-in and parallel orientations, and pushback without reliance on visual signals.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2014Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Borealis Technical LimitedInventors: Isaiah W. Cox, Joseph J. Cox, Joseph Goldman, Jan Vana
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Patent number: 9696795Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to a method of realistic rotation of a virtual object for an interaction between a control object in a three-dimensional (3D) sensory space and the virtual object in a virtual space that the control object interacts with. In particular, it relates to detecting free-form gestures of a control object in a three-dimensional (3D) sensory space and generating for display a 3D solid control object model for the control object during the free-form gestures, including sub-components of the control object and in response to detecting a two e sub-component free-form gesture of the control object in the 3D sensory space in virtual contact with the virtual object, depicting, in the generated display, the virtual contact and resulting rotation of the virtual object by the 3D solid control object model.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2015Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Leap Motion, Inc.Inventors: Alex Marcolina, David S. Holz, Paul A. Durdik
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Patent number: 9691276Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer program product, and device with various means are disclosed for determining the time it takes to a traverse a transportation structure by enclosing a representation of a transportation structure with a bounding polygon, specifying a plurality of gates which represent legitimate entry or exit points of the transportation structure as one or more edges of the bounding polygon, and computing the travel time for a probe traveling through the bounding polygon via the gates. Computing the probe's travel time comprises generating a location trace of movement of the probe, determining an entry and exit time, and calculating the difference between the exit time and the entry time. Determining the entry and exist time can be done by interpolation. An average of a set of computations can be used to get an average of the time it takes traverse the transportation structure.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: HERE Global B.V.Inventors: Bo Xu, Matei Nicolae Stroila, Jane Macfarlane
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Patent number: 9669941Abstract: A weather indicator system and method for generating and presenting weather indicator(s) are disclosed. The weather indicator may include two or more ceiling indicators for presenting minimum and reported ceilings, two or more visibility indicators for presenting minimum and reported visibilities, and at least one scale from which the ceiling and visibility information may be presented to a viewer by the ceiling and visibility indicators, respectively. An indicator generating system could include a source(s) of weather data and an image generator configured to acquire weather data from the source(s) of weather data and generate presentation data representative of the weather indicator as a function of the weather data.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2016Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Jod Viengngern Oudom, Jillian Cae Whitaker
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Patent number: 9672747Abstract: A common operating environment (COE) display system for vehicle operations, such as for air transport provides coordination of logistics information with dispatch or a controller. An operational plan, such as a flight plan or other operational plan describing vehicle deployment is stored, and a map visualization system displays a map region. An in-vehicle display depicts the operational plan, providing displays of current and projected operational conditions of the vehicle within different time phases of the operational plan. Transfer of updates of the operational plan is performed without replacing substantial portions of the stored data for the operational plan, allowing synchronization of the operational plan with a remotely located facility. The system permits a controller or dispatcher to screen share the in-vehicle display based on information previously stored, as updated by the updates, and permits review of the modified operational plan.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: WXOPS, INC.Inventors: Scott T. Shipley, Mark D. Spence
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Patent number: 9654200Abstract: Embodiments include a dynamic wireless aerial mesh network having aerial nodes that provides real-time persistent wide area communications service to provide communications in response to an incident. Typically, the area services is a wide area that is physically inaccessible via ground transportation. In addition, embodiments include the formation of a decentralized mesh supernetwork comprising two or more dynamic wireless aerial mesh networks where each dynamic wireless aerial mesh network is owned by a different agency (e.g., a secure community). A member of a first dynamic wireless aerial mesh network may send a request to a member of a second dynamic wireless aerial mesh network for the first dynamic wireless aerial mesh network to join the second dynamic wireless aerial mesh network to form a mesh supernetwork, and receive an acceptance from the member of the second dynamic wireless aerial mesh network.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Mutualink, Inc.Inventors: Joseph R. Mazzarella, Michael S. Wengrovitz
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Patent number: 9651950Abstract: A system and methods for mission re-planning are presented. Vehicles are monitored in real-time, and an incapacitated vehicle from among the vehicles that performs an incomplete task is detected. A remaining coverage set comprising a remaining coverage area for each of the vehicles is determined. A travel distance from a task completion location of each of the vehicles to a stopped point of the incapacitated vehicle is calculated to provide a travel set. An extra coverage set is determined based on the travel set and the remaining coverage set, and an incomplete coverage area for the incomplete task is calculated. The extra coverage set is compared to the incomplete coverage area and the remaining coverage area to provide a sufficiency list, and an assigned vehicle is selected from the vehicles based on the sufficiency list.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2012Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jung Soon Jang, Matthew A. Vavrina, John L. Vian, Meng Hiot Lim, Caishun Chen
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Patent number: 9612120Abstract: A route planning apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include a display, a user interface, a caution information reader, and a route verifier. The display displays a user-scheduled route on a map. The user interface accepts an input of time and date to travel on the route. The caution information reader reads caution information having influence on the travel and associated with position, and time and date. The route verifier verifies whether the travel on the route is available based on one or more positions, and times and dates at which the caution information read by the caution information reader indicates, one or more positions on the route, and the inputted travel time and date.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2013Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ryu Shimizutani, Masato Okuda, Masami Tagawa, Tomihiko Oda, Takatoshi Morita
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Patent number: 9613534Abstract: Systems and methods for creating a network cloud based hierarchical architecture for supporting unmanned aircraft are disclosed. A system may include a higher level server, one or more lower level server in direct communication with the higher level server, and one or more control station in direct communication with the lower level server. Each control station may be configured to: control flight operations of an unmanned aircraft; acquire flight information and position information of the unmanned aircraft; and provide updates to the lower level server regarding the flight information and position information of the unmanned aircraft. Each lower level server may be configured to: process the flight information and position information received from the control station; and provide updates to the higher level server regarding the flight information and position information received from the control station.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: George F. Elmasry, Rolf Stefani, James Gary Cooper, Jr.
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Patent number: 9598591Abstract: Provided is an ink set having excellent curing properties under LED light, providing printed matter that does not fade or discolor due to a photopolymerization initiator, suppressing color bleeding during image forming, exhibiting favorable adhesion towards a polyvinyl chloride sheet, enabling cock ring to be efficiently suppressed, and demonstrating an extremely low viscosity, high flash point and low skin irritation. The present invention pertains to an ink set containing at least two compositions selected from the group consisting of a yellow ink composition, a magenta ink composition, a cyan ink composition, a black ink composition, a white ink composition, and a clear ink composition, the compositions having the predetermined structure as specified in claim 1, wherein the flash point of the ink compositions is 70° C. or higher, and the viscosity (25° C.) is 5 mPa-s or lower.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: SAKATA INX CORP.Inventors: Shinya Mizutani, Tadashi Hirose, Takuya Myose
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Patent number: 9558670Abstract: A dynamic constraint avoidance route system automatically analyzes routes of aircraft flying, or to be flown, in or near constraint regions and attempts to find more time and fuel efficient reroutes around current and predicted constraints. The dynamic constraint avoidance route system continuously analyzes all flight routes and provides reroute advisories that are dynamically updated in real time. The dynamic constraint avoidance route system includes a graphical user interface that allows users to visualize, evaluate, modify if necessary, and implement proposed reroutes.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Kapil S. Sheth, B. David McNally, Heinz Erzberger, Alexander R. Morando, Alexis A. Clymer, Fu-tai Shih
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Patent number: 9536435Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention are provided to generate a plurality of flight trajectories that do not conflict with other aircraft in a local area. Interventions by an air traffic control system help prevent collisions between aircraft, but these interventions can also cause an aircraft to substantially deviate from the pilot's intended flight trajectory, which burns fuels, wastes time, etc. Systems and methods of the present invention can assign a standard avoidance interval to other aircraft in the area such that a pilot's aircraft does not receive an intervention by an air traffic control system. Systems and methods of the present invention also generate a plurality of conflict-free flight trajectories such that a pilot or an automated system may select the most desirable flight trajectory for fuel efficiency, speed, and other operational considerations, etc.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Double Black Aviation Technology L.L.C.Inventor: Richard Shay
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Patent number: 9533617Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for aircraft collision avoidance with speed-based collision alert time thresholds. In one example, a system is configured to determine predicted trajectories for an own aircraft and a target aircraft. The system is further configured to determine whether a violation of protected airspace is predicted between the own aircraft and the target aircraft. The system is further configured to determine whether a predicted time to closest approach between the own aircraft and the target aircraft is less than an alert threshold time based on a speed of the own aircraft. The system is further configured to generate an alert output, in response to determining that a violation of protected airspace is predicted and that the predicted time to closest approach between the own aircraft and the target aircraft is less than the alert threshold time based on the speed of the own aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Vernon J. Van Steenkist, Ruy C. Brandao, Kevin S. Wilson
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Patent number: 9501937Abstract: A method of controlling airport traffic is provided. The method includes routing a plurality of aircraft towards a runway and selecting a runway approach vector for each of the plurality of aircraft. First approach legs of each runway approach vector are separated from each other by a distance.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jeffery Leon Bruce, Andrew David McDowell
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Patent number: 9499098Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for aircraft collision avoidance with speed-based collision alert time thresholds. In one example, a system is configured to determine predicted trajectories for an own aircraft and a target aircraft. The system is further configured to determine whether a violation of protected airspace is predicted between the own aircraft and the target aircraft. The system is further configured to determine whether a predicted time to closest approach between the own aircraft and the target aircraft is less than an alert threshold time based on a speed of the own aircraft. The system is further configured to generate an alert output, in response to determining that a violation of protected airspace is predicted and that the predicted time to closest approach between the own aircraft and the target aircraft is less than the alert threshold time based on the speed of the own aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Vernon J. Van Steenkist, Ruy C. Brandao, Kevin S. Wilson
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Patent number: 9482552Abstract: A method of simulating a real-time aircraft system input to an avionics component for an aircraft includes receiving the simulation input and providing the simulated input to the avionics component.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LLCInventor: Stephen Dabrowski
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Patent number: 9471176Abstract: Touch or proximity sensors are integrated into control devices such as knobs, dials or wheels incorporated in a user control panel. A control output processor detects whether any of the sensors are outputting signals indicating that a control device is being touched (or nearly touched) by a user. The control output processor causes an associated display area to be highlighted or otherwise modified on a display screen to indicate to the user which control device is being touched. This feature allows for “no-look” interaction with control panels, and keeps the user's eyes focused on the relevant displays where the control devices produce effects. This allows users to preview and verify that the correct control device is being manipulated prior to taking any (potentially erroneous) control actions.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Mark Ivan Nikolic, Stephen Minarsch
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Patent number: 9396663Abstract: A particular method includes sending a taxiing routing message from a device to a vehicle. The taxiing routing message indicates a route assignment associated with an airport. The method also includes in response to receiving an acknowledgment of the taxiing routing message from the vehicle, indicating a status at a graphical user interface. The status is associated with the taxiing routing message.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Nico Zimmer, Bo Vaaben, Krzysztof Pytel, Brian A. Azcuenaga
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Patent number: 9384590Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer program product, and device with various means are disclosed for determining the time it takes to a traverse a transportation structure by enclosing a representation of a transportation structure with a bounding polygon, specifying a plurality of gates which represent legitimate entry or exit points of the transportation structure as one or more edges of the bounding polygon, and computing the travel time for a probe traveling through the bounding polygon via the gates. Computing the probe's travel time comprises generating a location trace of movement of the probe, determining an entry and exit time, and calculating the difference between the exit time and the entry time. Determining the entry and exist time can be done by interpolation. An average of a set of computations can be used to get an average of the time it takes traverse the transportation structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: HERE Global B.V.Inventors: Bo Xu, Matei Nicolae Stroila, Jane Macfarlane
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Patent number: 9378471Abstract: Generally, an airline operations computing system accomplishes rule checking in an efficient and useful manner and provides functionality that allows multiple different users to accomplish schedule changes in a manner that minimizes conflicts between different schedulers. In addition, an airline operations computing system includes a common rules engine that is used by multiple different optimizer and decision support systems of the airline operations computing system.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignees: GE AVIATION SYSTEMS TALERIS LTD, GE FLIGHT EFFICIENCY SERVICES, INCInventors: Julian Pachon, Marc Anderson, David Staheli
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Patent number: 9354078Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for displaying visually distinguishing characteristics if an aircraft is below a minimum altitude or beyond a maximum distance when executing a procedure turn. A procedure turn icon, an aircraft icon indicating the aircraft's present location, terrain/obstacles, and the visually distinguishing characteristics are displayed on a moving map.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Roger W. Burgin, Dave Pepitone, Blake Wilson
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Patent number: 9329083Abstract: A mobile apparatus is provided for measuring photometric characteristics of airport marker lights. The mobile apparatus includes a measuring rod configured to be moved above the marker lights to be checked, in light beams emitted by these marker lights, and a device for measuring the distance between the measuring rod and the marker lights to be checked. The measuring rod carries at least one photometric sensor and includes a device for acquiring and processing the signals emitted by the photometric sensor or sensors during its movement, as a function of the distance measured between the measuring rod and the marker lights to be checked. The device for acquisition and processing is configured to generate a set of data representing photometric characteristics of each marker light checked.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: FB TECHNOLOGYInventor: Lionel Le Cam
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Patent number: 9330573Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for the automatic calculation and presentation of data on a display device alerting a pilot that a change in flight plan is desirable, possible and administratively compliant under air traffic control protocol. The methods and systems may automatically request the flight clearance over a data link or the pilot may override the data link.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2009Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Ruy C. Brandao, Rosa Maria Nicole Weber, Willard R. True, Michael L. Olive, Christine Marie Haissig
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Patent number: 9310204Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing routes is disclosed. An area of interest associated with a number of routes for a number of aircraft and an identification of a number of weightings for a number of characteristics for the number of routes are identified. The number of characteristics includes at least one of a number of environmental characteristics or a number of economic characteristics. A number of new routes are generated based on information about the number of routes associated with the area of interest. Values are identified for characteristics in the number of characteristics for each new route in the number of new routes and for each route in the number of routes based on the information. A performance value is identified for the each new route and for the each route based on the values and the number of weightings for the number of characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2013Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Daniel Lee McGregor, Abigail Maxine Diocares, Paul Henry Bent
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Patent number: 9311820Abstract: A device receives aviation information associated with aviation in a geographical region, and receives configurability options associated with the aviation information. The device analyzes the aviation information based on the configurability options to generate analyzed information, and receives a request for a flight path for a UAV to travel from a first location to a second location in the geographical region. The device calculates the flight path from the first location to the second location based on the analyzed information and capability information associated with the UAV, and generates flight path instructions for the flight path. The device provides the flight path instructions to the UAV to permit the UAV to travel from the first location to the second location via the flight path.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.Inventors: Hani Batla, Ashok N. Srivastava, Douglas M. Pasko, Igor Kantor, Gurpreet Ubhi
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Patent number: 9305269Abstract: Methods and systems for determining routes in a Collaborative Trajectory Options Program (CTOP) enabled Air Traffic Management system are disclosed. A first trajectory with a lowest Network Cost and having an assumed ground delay is identified. A Relative Trajectory Cost of zero is assigned to the first trajectory. A second trajectory is identified and the assumed ground delay of the first trajectory is iteratively incremented until a Network Cost for the second trajectory is approximately equivalent to the Network Cost of the first trajectory. A Relative Trajectory Cost for the second trajectory is determined based at least in part on the iteratively incremented assumed ground delay of the first trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Bo Vaaben, Krzysztof Pytel
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Patent number: 9299340Abstract: A system and method for recognizing speech on board an aircraft that compensates for different regional dialects over an area comprised of at least first and second distinct geographical regions, comprises analyzing speech in the first distinct geographical region using speech data characteristics representative of speech in the first distinct geographical region, detecting a change in position from the first distinct geographical region to the second geographical region, and analyzing speech in the second distinct geographical region using speech data characteristics representative of speech in the second distinct geographical region upon detecting that the aircraft has transitioned from the first distinct geographical region to the second distinct geographical region.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Satyanarayan Kar, Kiran Gopala Krishna, Jitender Kumar Agarwal, Robert E. De Mers
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Patent number: 9296480Abstract: In a craft such as an aircraft, a lavatory unit may be powered by the various outputs of a fuel cell system, including by-products that typically become waste. For example, but not limited to, a combination of the water, oxygen-depleted air, thermal energy and/or electrical energy generated by the fuel cell system may be used to supply water to the faucet and the toilet of the lavatory unit, to supply the lavatory unit with its electrical needs, and to heat and/or disinfect and/or dry the lavatory unit and its surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries, LLCInventor: Razmik Boodaghians
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Patent number: 9286806Abstract: A device for revising a low-altitude flight phase of a flight path of an aircraft includes an input unit configured to allow an operator to input parameters to define an intermediate flight section (Si) which has to be inserted into a low-altitude flight phase, and a processing unit configured to calculate a profile relating to the intermediate flight section (Si) using input parameters, and to automatically insert this profile into the flight phase between a first upstream part (P1) and a second downstream part (P2) so as to establish a revised flight phase (PR).Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2014Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Airbus Operations SASInventors: Thomas Koebel, Nicolas Albert
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Patent number: 9280758Abstract: A method and system is provided that may be used to dynamically modify membership of a collaboration group participating in a collaboration session using dynamic situational information associated with collaboration session and/or collaboration group member candidates. The dynamic situational information may include collaboration session information, environmental information and context information. A change in collaboration session purpose may trigger a modification of group membership in accordance with a concomitant change in group membership criteria. A change of situational information associated with any group member candidate may trigger the modification of group membership, to add or delete the candidate from the group.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: AVAYA INC.Inventors: Thomas Chmara, Guy M. Duxbury, Alan Graves, Brian Vezza
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Patent number: 9262930Abstract: Systems and methods for generating arrival traffic schedules incorporating equipage-dependent in-trail spacing (time or distance). An arrival management system has a ground-based scheduling tool that applies customized spacing buffers between in-trail aircraft depending on the types of FMS equipage onboard aircraft sequence pairs.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Johan De Prins
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Patent number: 9254802Abstract: A method for operating a safety system of a motor vehicle includes the steps of determining a target trajectory of the motor vehicle to be realized with the safety system after an unavoidable collision, wherein the target trajectory is assigned to a target position of the motor vehicle, which target position is safe with regard to secondary collisions, and performing at least one autonomous and/or supporting driving intervention in the form of at least one of a longitudinally guiding intervention and a transverse guiding intervention after the collision for realizing the target trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2012Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Oliver Brenneis, Jörn Freyer, Christopher Hantschke