Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for indicating whether an aircraft is below a designated minimum safe altitude level for an altitude sector. A method comprises displaying a graphical representation of a first sector on a display device associated with the aircraft. The first sector corresponds to a geographic area having a first minimum altitude criterion. If a current altitude of the aircraft is below the first minimum altitude criterion, the method continues by displaying the graphical representation of the first sector using a first visually distinguishing characteristic chosen to indicate that the aircraft is below the designated altitude level for the first sector.

Abstract: A method of visually presenting aviation obstacles to an operator of an aircraft is disclosed. The method comprises receiving departure information associated with a runway having a departure end, parsing the departure information to determine a presence of an obstacle associated with the runway, determining a location of the obstacle relative to the departure end of the runway, and displaying a graphical representation of the runway and a graphical representation of the obstacle in the location relative to the departure end of the runway.

Abstract: A flight deck display system and related operating methods for an aircraft are provided. The system includes a processor architecture and a display element coupled to the processor architecture. The processor architecture is configured to receive real-time aircraft data and terrain data for the aircraft and, based upon the real-time aircraft data and the terrain data, generate image rendering display commands. The display element receives the image rendering display commands and, in response thereto, renders a primary flight display that includes a conformal view of terrain corresponding to a flight deck viewpoint. The primary flight display also includes a conformal terrain avoidance guidance (TAG) element on the view of terrain. The TAG element includes visual indicia of a desired navigation path that is intended to avoid terrain that obstructs a current flight path of the aircraft.

Abstract: A display system for an aircraft is provided. The display includes a processing unit configured to receive terrain data and navigation data and to supply display commands with symbology based on the terrain data and navigation data; and a display device coupled the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and operable to render a three-dimensional view with the symbology. The symbology includes terrain, a zero pitch line, and elevation symbology indicating a relative elevation between the zero pitch line and a position in the view.

Abstract: A display system is provided for displaying a categorized data group divided into multiple data group sections by at least one section break. In one embodiment, the display system includes a monitor, a cursor device; and a controller operably coupled to the monitor and to the cursor device. The controller is configured to generate on the monitor: (i) a viewport displaying a portion of the categorized data group, (ii) a scrollbar adjacent the viewport, and (iii) a cursor graphic positioned in accordance with user input received via the cursor device. The cursor device permits a user to interact with the scrollbar to select which portion of the categorized data group is displayed within the viewport. The scrollbar includes a visual representation of each section break included within the categorized data group.

Abstract: Input/steering mechanisms and aircraft control systems are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, an input/steering mechanism is provided for use with an aircraft control system. The input/steering mechanism includes a handlebar, a first panel extending from the handlebar, and a first portion of an alphanumeric keyboard disposed on the panel and adapted to receive a manual input from a user and to transmit an output signal to the aircraft control system in response to the manual input.

Abstract: A method of visually presenting aviation obstacles to an operator of an aircraft is disclosed. The method comprises receiving departure information associated with a runway having a departure end, parsing the departure information to determine a presence of an obstacle associated with the runway, determining a location of the obstacle relative to the departure end of the runway, and displaying a graphical representation of the runway and a graphical representation of the obstacle in the location relative to the departure end of the runway.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for indicating whether an aircraft is below a designated minimum safe altitude level for an altitude sector. A method comprises displaying a graphical representation of a first sector on a display device associated with the aircraft. The first sector corresponds to a geographic area having a first minimum altitude criterion. If a current altitude of the aircraft is below the first minimum altitude criterion, the method continues by displaying the graphical representation of the first sector using a first visually distinguishing characteristic chosen to indicate that the aircraft is below the designated altitude level for the first sector.

Abstract: A display system for a vehicle includes a processing unit configured to receive data representative of flight path information and terrain and to supply display commands associated with the flight path information and the terrain; and a display device coupled the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and operable to render a three-dimensional view, including symbology representing the flight path information on the terrain.

Abstract: A flight deck display system for an aircraft includes a processor architecture configured to receive aircraft instrument data (e.g., altimeter or airspeed) and position data for the aircraft and, based upon the instrument data and the position data, generate image rendering display commands. The system also includes a display element configured to receive the image rendering display commands and, in response thereto, to render a graphical instrument tape. The instrument tape includes a graphical representation of a scrolling altitude or airspeed range that dynamically scrolls in response to changes in the altitude/airspeed data, along with a graphical representation of a position-dependent altitude/airspeed clearance element that conveys an altitude/airspeed restriction for an approaching geographic position of the aircraft. The content of the position-dependent clearance element is influenced by the position data.

Abstract: Input/steering mechanisms and aircraft control systems are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, an input/steering mechanism is provided for use with an aircraft control system. The input/steering mechanism includes a yoke that includes a hub, an alphanumeric keyboard, and a first grip surface. The alphanumeric keyboard is disposed on a face of the hub and is adapted to receive a manual input from a user and to transmit an output signal to the aircraft control system in response to the manual input. The first grip surface is formed on an outer periphery of the hub and is contoured to correspond with one or more fingers of the user, the first grip surface is formed such that a thumb of the user is positioned to rest in proximity to at least a portion of the alphanumeric keyboard when the one or more fingers grip the first grip surface.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a representation of a terrain. The method of generating a representation of a terrain comprises the steps of selecting a set of colors, the colors comprise at least a plurality of colors, determining a minimum terrain elevation, and determining a maximum terrain elevation. A plurality of terrain bands is computed based in part on the set of colors, the minimum terrain elevation, and the maximum terrain elevation. At least one of the limited set of colors is assigned to each of the plurality of the plurality of terrain bands. The representation of the terrain is generated one of the limited set of colors.

Abstract: A method of dynamically displaying lateral deviation in formats on a display is provided. The method comprises assigning one or more positional boundaries for displaying the lateral deviation information, wherein the one or more positional boundaries define areas on a display. The method also comprises calculating display positions of a lateral deviation symbology and determining if each calculated display position is allowed based on where the lateral deviation display would be located, if displayed at each calculated position, in relation to the one or more positional boundaries. The method further comprises, displaying the lateral deviation symbology at the calculated positions when the calculated positions are allowed, and displaying a lateral deviation indicator when the calculated positions are not allowed.

Abstract: A method of providing perspective depth information on a computer screen. The method includes generating light and dark areas so that it appears to the observer a light source is illuminating the information from an imaginary point in space. The method further includes maintaining the appearance of the light source from the imaginary point in space when the information displayed on the computer screen is rotated in relation to the observer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of dynamically transitioning into a distinct display format during unusual attitude conditions. In one embodiment, the method includes collecting attitude data, comparing current attitude to a first set attitude angle, and fading a distinct display format into a display for unusual attitude conditions when current attitude is at least equal to the first set attitude angle.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying traffic targets in a conformal perspective view. The system comprises a display screen for graphical display of data, one or more sensors for obtaining traffic data regarding traffic targets, and one or more processors for receiving traffic data from the one or more sensors and providing input to the display screen. The display screen displays traffic targets as icons in a 3-dimensional graphical representation of real space. The display size of the icons is selected from a finite set of sizes which correspond to a finite set of distance ranges based on the distance to the traffic targets.

Abstract: A display screen for displaying multiple sets of information is provided. In one embodiment, an aviation display screen includes a main window and a plurality of miniature windows. The main window is adapted to illustrate one set of information. Each miniature window is adapted to display a set of avionic information. The avionic display is further adapted to toggle a select set of avionic information in one of the miniature windows into the main widow.

Abstract: A display system and method for an aircraft displays, in real-time, the protected airspace associated with a CTL maneuver. The system processes aircraft approach category data and determines the protected airspace based at least in part on the processed aircraft approach category. An image representative of the determined protected airspace is displayed on the aircraft flight deck display system.

Abstract: An improved system and method are disclosed for indicating the validity of airport runway visual approach slope indicators on an aircraft display. An aircraft display system is provided, which includes a database for storing data about the specific visual approach slope lighting indicator system being used by each airport of a plurality of airports and any special distance and/or usage limitations associated with each such visual approach slope indicator system, a processing unit, a position determination unit, and a visual display. As an aircraft approaches an airport, the processing unit receives the aircraft's current position from the position determination unit, and compares the aircraft's current position data with the distance and/or usage limitation data stored in the database for the approach slope indicator system being used by that airport.

Abstract: An improved system and method for eliminating terrain color confusion in aircraft displays are disclosed. An aircraft display system is described that includes a database for storing terrain data, a processing unit, an altitude determination unit, and a visual display. As the aircraft proceeds along a flight path, the processing unit determines the aircraft's current position and compares associated terrain elevation data stored in the database with altitude data received from the altitude determination unit. For example, if the processing unit's comparison of the stored terrain data and altitude data indicates that relative terrain data need not be displayed, then the processing unit provides absolute terrain color renderings to the display.