Patents by Inventor Hugues Meunier
Hugues Meunier has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9469414Abstract: This monitoring device for monitoring the stabilization of the final approach phase of an aircraft to a landing runway includes: an acquisiter for acquiring an instantaneous position of the aircraft, a calculator for calculating an instantaneous distance between the instantaneous position of the aircraft, and a characteristic point of the landing runway, a determinater for determining one or more variables relating to the aircraft, when said instantaneous distance is comprised between first and second predetermined distances, and a generator for generating an alert signal, when at least one of said one or more variables is outside the boundary of a respective domain of values. Each boundary depends on the instantaneous distance between the instantaneous position of the aircraft and the characteristic point of the landing runway.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: THALESInventor: Hugues Meunier
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Publication number: 20150307207Abstract: This monitoring device for monitoring the stabilisation of the final approach phase of an aircraft to a landing runway includes: an acquisiter for acquiring an instantaneous position of the aircraft, a calculator for calculating an instantaneous distance between the instantaneous position of the aircraft, and a characteristic point of the landing runway, a determinater for determining one or more variables relating to the aircraft, when said instantaneous distance is comprised between first and second predetermined distances, and a generator for generating an alert signal, when at least one of said one or more variables is outside the boundary of a respective domain of values. Each boundary depends on the instantaneous distance between the instantaneous position of the aircraft and the characteristic point of the landing runway.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2014Publication date: October 29, 2015Inventor: Hugues Meunier
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Publication number: 20140375504Abstract: The invention relates to a system (20) for locating a missing aircraft based on the monitoring and storage of successive positions of aircraft in a group of aircraft flying near one another, including: an ADS-B-out transmitter (22) installed on each aircraft and capable of transmitting information relative to the identifier and position of that aircraft, an ADS-B-in receiver (28) installed on each aircraft and capable of receiving information transmitted by the ADS-B-out transmitters (22) of other aircraft located near it; characterized in that the ADS-B-in receiver (28) of each aircraft includes a memory (30) capable of saving information (29) received from other aircraft, and in that it includes means for recovering the information for a posteriori reconstruction of at least part of the successive positions of at least one missing aircraft from the group in order to facilitate the location of that aircraft.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventor: Hugues Meunier
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Patent number: 8897935Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system for preventing collisions with a terrain. The system includes a detecting means for detecting risks of collision with the terrain after a predetermined forecasting delay. The system further includes a determining means for determining, based on a trajectory followed by the aircraft, a possible limit point for success of the vertical terrain avoidance maneuver. The system further includes indication means for giving indications on azimuth clearance sections, around the direction in which the aircraft is moving, suitable for success of the vertical terrain avoidance maneuver. The system further includes means for estimating a free-travel distance in each azimuth clearance sector on a straight distancing trajectory with constant gradient and over a distance correspond to more than one minute of flight, the free-travel distance being free of potential conflicts with the terrain.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2007Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: ThalesInventors: Hugues Meunier, Nicolas Marty, Julia Percier
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Patent number: 8897934Abstract: Described is a method of protecting an aircraft in approach by signalling against risks of collision with a terrain in steep-sided environments in order to avoid unwanted warnings emanating from clearance sensors of the on-board TAWS (Terrain Awareness and Warning System) while protecting the aircraft when the aircraft fails to observe a published procedure which includes a landing procedure and a take-off procedure. The method, in some embodiments, includes modifying characteristics of at least one of the clearance sensors according to the position deviation of the aircraft relative to a published RNP (Required Navigation Performance) trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2008Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: ThalesInventors: Hugues Meunier, Nicolas Marty, Aurélie Sallier
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Publication number: 20140249737Abstract: Extended and integrated aeronautical safety and surveillance system comprising first means adapted for preventing in-flight collisions between aircraft (“TCAS”) second means for carrying out a function from among the surveillance and air traffic control functions (“ADS-B”). The system also comprises third means for carrying out at least one function from among a set of ground movements assistance functions comprising in particular a function for displaying a map during the movement of an aircraft in an airport. Finally the system is characterized in that the first, second and third means are embedded on one and the same hardware platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Inventors: Hugues MEUNIER, Benoît COUTURIER
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Patent number: 8504224Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring risky atmospheric areas. The invention relates to an onboard device connected to meteorological measurement systems making it possible to calculate danger detection areas in front of the aircraft in order to detect potential areas of penetration of the aircraft into risky atmospheric areas. The areas of intersection between the detection areas and the risky meteorological areas are calculated according to the trajectory of the aircraft stored in the navigation system. The method makes it possible to generate alerts and force the display of the meteorological situation in front of the aircraft in case of danger.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: ThalesInventors: Nicolas Marty, Hugues Meunier, Philippe Salmon
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Patent number: 8400347Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring device and method allowing surveillance of an aircraft in relation to aircraft and/or craft on an airport displacement zone. The invention is a system comprising a dedicated transmitter and receiver to receive the information regarding the location and displacement of the cooperative aircraft and to monitor the location of the said aircraft in relation to the cooperative aircraft. The monitoring application is based on the detection of conflict zones by inter-correlation of constraint surfaces of the airport zone. The invention applies to aircraft carrying communication moans for ADS-B networks for an airport zone monitoring application.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2009Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: ThalesInventors: Bernard Fabre, Nicolas Marty, Hugues Meunier
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Patent number: 8306679Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of protecting an aircraft in approach by signalling against the risks of collision with the terrain in steep-sided environments, in order to avoid unwanted warnings emanating from the clearance sensors of the onboard TAWS system while protecting the aircraft when it fails to observe the published procedure, and this equally in a landing procedure and in a take-off procedure. The method includes conferring an additional function on the conventional TAWS functions, specific to the detection of the potential risks of collision of the aircraft with the terrain when following procedures of reduced protection corridor type, and this without modifying either the logics or the characteristics of the clearance sensor or sensors as currently defined in the TAWSs of the state of the art.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: ThalesInventors: Hugues Meunier, Nicolas Marty, Aurélie Sallier
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Patent number: 8280622Abstract: A system indicating to a pilot that an aircraft has passed the limit-point of success of a standard vertical avoidance maneuver is disclosed. To determine the limit-point, the system monitors a penetration of a model of the terrain being flown over into a first protection volume linked to the aircraft and configured so as to model a standard vertical avoidance maneuver path executed without delay. To determine disengagement azimuth sectors, the system monitors the penetrations of the model of the terrain being flown over into a second protection volume with large azimuth aperture, linked to the aircraft and configured so as to contain the limit-point protection volume and, for the various azimuths covered, paths of a composite maneuver beginning with change-of-heading maneuvers with which to reach the azimuth concerned and continuing with the standard terrain vertical avoidance maneuver.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: ThalesInventors: Hugues Meunier, Nicolas Marty
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Patent number: 8140264Abstract: The field of the invention is that of onboard terrain anticollision systems for aircraft. Collisions with the terrain while the aircraft is fully controlled have been and still remain one of the main causes of air disasters. Several generations of devices for warning of risk of collision with the terrain have been developed for some thirty years now. The most advanced of these systems comprise means of alarm differing according to the maneuver to be performed by the pilot. It is of course vital that the recommended maneuver best guarantee the safety of the aircraft. The device according to the invention proposes a device comprising the calculation of several different safety surfaces or profiles. Their comparisons with the topographic data of the surrounding terrain make it possible to deduce therefrom the best alarm and the best maneuver to be performed to avoid the collision between the aircraft and the ground.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2004Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: ThalesInventors: Philippe Salmon, Hugues Meunier
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Patent number: 8073584Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring dynamic parameters of an aircraft progressing over an airport zone. The aircraft is in the phase of rolling along a traffic lane. The traffic lane comprises ground markings and notably a center line. The device includes at least one means for acquiring images (101), and means (102) for measuring the deviation of the aircraft with respect to the center line on the basis of the acquired images.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2008Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: ThalesInventors: Nicolas Marty, Gilles Francois, Hugues Meunier
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Publication number: 20110291861Abstract: A device for assisting in understanding the traffic surrounding an aircraft during communications between aircraft with one or more ground control organizations performed via a digital data link set up on a frequency, each of the control organizations communicating and exchanging digital messages with a plurality of aircraft on said frequency, includes: reception means for the aircraft to receive the messages exchanged between the aircraft and the ground control organization on said frequency, means for storing the messages received by the aircraft and means for displaying all or some of the received messages.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: THALESInventors: Hugues MEUNIER, Nicolas ROSSI
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Patent number: 7881866Abstract: This Terrain Awareness and Warning System produces a new “Too Low Terrain” predictive alert of “Caution” type when the crew of the aircraft has the possibility of resolving a detected risk of collision with the terrain without interrupting the current maneuver to stabilize at a safety altitude by a leveling-off maneuver, without performing a vertical avoidance maneuver. To do this, it measures the ability of the airplane to avoid the terrain with a sufficient margin without performing a vertical avoidance maneuver, taking into account the location or locations of the penetration or penetrations of the terrain along an alert prober C as well as the capacity of the aircraft to level off knowing the flight conditions.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: ThalesInventors: Hugues Meunier, Denis Ricaud
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Patent number: 7860641Abstract: This system for displaying, on the flight deck of an aircraft travelling on the surface of an airport, an airport map mentioning the surface traffic, for the purpose of a taxiing aid and protection of the ground movements of the aircraft, shows on the airport map only the traffic occupying the airport thoroughfares close to the aircraft, this closeness being defined by the existence of a joining path comprising a number of thoroughfare sections that is less than an arbitrary limit of the order of 1 or 2.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: ThalesInventor: Hugues Meunier
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Patent number: 7739047Abstract: A method for evaluating the licitness of the situation of a craft on the surface of an airport including the steps of: modelling of a first licitness cost surface covering a surface of the airport where the craft is deploying, termed the deployment surface, related to this deployment surface and defined by quantities assigned to its points, which quantities are representative of their memberships in flow constraint zones and of the severity in relation to the craft, of the flow constraints, modelling of a second licitness cost surface covering the deployment surface, related to the craft and defined by quantities assigned to its points, which quantities are representative of their memberships in a girth zone covering a neighborhood of the current position of the craft, and calculation of a score evaluating the significance of the risk of violation of a flow constraint incurred by the craft on the basis of a cross-correlation function of the two licitness cost surfaces referred to one and the same benchmark.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: ThalesInventors: Hugues Meunier, Nicolas Marty
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Publication number: 20100052973Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring device and method allowing surveillance of the location and the displacement of an aircraft in relation to aircraft and/or craft on an airport displacement zone. The invention is a system cooperative with a communication network of ADS-B type and TIS-B comprising a dedicated transmitter and receiver, these transmitters and receivers making it possible to receive the information regarding the location and displacement of the cooperative aircraft and to monitor the location of the said aircraft in relation to the cooperative aircraft. The monitoring application is based on the detection of conflict zones by inter-correlation of constraint surfaces of the airport zone. The invention applies to aircraft on board which are carried communication means for ADS-B networks for an airport zone monitoring application.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2009Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: ThalesInventors: Bernard Fabre, Nicolas Marty, Hugues Meunier
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Publication number: 20100057276Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring risky atmospheric areas. The invention relates to an onboard device connected to meteorological measurement systems making it possible to calculate danger detection areas in front of the aircraft in order to detect potential areas of penetration of the aircraft into risky atmospheric areas. The areas of intersection between the detection areas and the risky meteorological areas are calculated according to the trajectory of the aircraft stored in the navigation system. The method makes it possible to generate alerts and force the display of the meteorological situation in front of the aircraft in case of danger.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2009Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: ThalesInventors: Nicolas Marty, Hugues Meunier, Philippe Salmon
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Publication number: 20100042273Abstract: This system accompanies the alarms of TAWS type and in particular the alarms of “Avoid terrain” type indicating to the pilot that he has passed the limit point of success of a standard vertical avoidance maneuver, indications (32, 33) of free-travel distances in azimuth sectors suited to a clearance maneuver and one or more recommended relief avoidance maneuvers (A, B), both lateral and vertical. For the determination of the limit point, it monitors the penetration of a model of the terrain being flown over into a first protection volume (1) linked to the aircraft and configured in such a way as to model a standard vertical avoidance maneuver trajectory executed without notable delay. For the determination of the azimuth sectors open to a clearance maneuver, it analyzes the penetrations of the model of terrain being flown over in a second protection volume with large azimuth aperture, linked to the aircraft and configured in such a way as to contain the limit point protection volume (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2007Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: ThalesInventors: Hugues Meunier, Nicolas Marty, Julia Percier
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Publication number: 20100042312Abstract: This system for displaying, on the flight deck of an aircraft travelling on the surface of an airport, an airport map mentioning the surface traffic, for the purpose of a taxiing aid and protection of the ground movements of the aircraft, shows on the airport map only the traffic occupying the airport thoroughfares close to the aircraft, this closeness being defined by the existence of a joining path comprising a number of thoroughfare sections that is less than an arbitrary limit of the order of 1 or 2.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2007Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: THALESInventor: Hugues MEUNIER