Abstract: A system and method for controlling a display of geographical data on a primary display device to assist in navigating a mobile platform such as an aircraft, ship, train, land-based motor vehicle, etc. The system includes a graphical user interface module (GUI) for receiving a plurality of user inputs, and an image control module. The GUI generates a primary display of the complete route being traveled on the primary display device. If the entire route does not fit on the display device, then the image control module generates data that the GUI uses to generate a context display on the primary display device. The context display presents the entire route as a smaller image on the primary display device, simultaneously with the primary display. The user inputs for the GUI enable the user to zoom, pan and perform other image control operations on either the primary display or the context display.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a position indicating display system for an aircraft are provided. The system includes a moving map display representative of an area being traversed by the aircraft such that a current relative position of the aircraft is maintained proximate a center of the display, a first overlay on the moving map display that is indicative of a predetermined track of travel, and a second overlay on the moving map display indicative of a distance range from a suitable alternate airport. The second overlay also displays equal time points to assist flight crews in determining closest suitable alternate airport in the event of a required diversion. Constraints regarding the intended flight route on the organized track system are available for display to the flight crew.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a display of geographical data on a primary display device to assist in navigating a mobile platform such as an aircraft, ship, train, land-based motor vehicle, etc. The system includes a graphical user interface module (GUI) for receiving a plurality of user inputs, and an image control module. The GUI generates a primary display of the complete route being traveled on the primary display device. If the entire route does not fit on the display device, then the image control module generates data that the GUI uses to generate a context display on the primary display device. The context display presents the entire route as a smaller image on the primary display device, simultaneously with the primary display. The user inputs for the GUI enable the user to zoom, pan and perform other image control operations on either the primary display or the context display.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a display of geographical data on a primary display device to assist in navigating a mobile platform such as an aircraft, ship, train, land-based motor vehicle, etc. The system includes a graphical user interface module (GUI) for receiving a plurality of user inputs, and an image control module. The GUI generates a primary display of the complete route being traveled on the primary display device. If the entire route does not fit on the display device, then the image control module generates data that the GUI uses to generate a context display on the primary display device. The context display presents the entire route as a smaller image on the primary display device, simultaneously with the primary display. The user inputs for the GUI enable the user to zoom, pan and perform other image control operations on either the primary display or the context display.

Abstract: A navigation procedure display is described. The navigational procedure display includes a dynamic information area, positioned within the flight procedure display, for displaying a current procedure instruction and at least one successive procedure instruction. The navigational procedure display also includes a moving map area, positioned within the procedure display, for displaying a current position indication in at least three dimensions and situational awareness symbols.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an optimized terrain database identify several regions, including test regions that are established from the identified regions. A first set of terrain data is received for a first test region. The first set of terrain data is compared to a second set of terrain data to determine a set of quality attributes. The quality attributes are used to determine a safety margin for the first test region. The safety margin is applied to other regions having the same or similar characteristics to the first test region. Safety margins are either generated for or applied to all other regions. All regions are then compiled into an area-wide terrain database, up to and including a worldwide database.

Abstract: A data delivery system is provided for delivering updated data information from a sending database system to a receiving database system. The sending database system periodically obtains, from a database updating system, a new data set having both updated data objects and unchanged data objects relative to a loaded data set stored, for example, at a receiving database system. The sending database system performs individual validity checks on the updated data objects and the unchanged data objects. A master validity check is also performed by the sending database system on the individual validity checks for the updated data objects and the unchanged data objects. The individual validity checks and the master validity check may, for example, be cyclic redundancy checks. The receiving database system, such as a flight information system associated with an aircraft, receives the individual validity checks, the master validity check and the updated data objects delivered from the sending database system.

Abstract: A data delivery system is provided for delivering updated data information from a sending database system to a receiving database system. The sending database system periodically obtains, from a database updating system, a new data set having both updated data objects and unchanged data objects relative to a loaded data set stored, for example, at a receiving database system. The sending database system performs individual validity checks on the updated data objects and the unchanged data objects. A master validity check is also performed by the sending database system on the individual validity checks for the updated data objects and the unchanged data objects. The individual validity checks and the master validity check may, for example, be cyclic redundancy checks. The receiving database system, such as a flight information system associated with an aircraft, receives the individual validity checks, the master validity check and the updated data objects delivered from the sending database system.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a display of geographical data on a primary display device to assist in navigating a mobile platform such as an aircraft, ship, train, land-based motor vehicle, etc. The system includes a graphical user interface module (GUI) for receiving a plurality of user inputs, and an image control module. The GUI generates a primary display of the complete route being traveled on the primary display device. If the entire route does not fit on the display device, then the image control module generates data that the GUI uses to generate a context display on the primary display device. The context display presents the entire route as a smaller image on the primary display device, simultaneously with the primary display. The user inputs for the GUI enable the user to zoom, pan and perform other image control operations on either the primary display or the context display.

Abstract: This invention relates to a safety system for aircraft, wherein prohibited airspaces which aircraft may not enter are marked on a digitally stored image of the airspace, wherein the aircraft is provided with an automatic control device that automatically steers the aircraft on to an alternative route, which is situated outside the prohibited airspace, when the probability that the aircraft will enter the prohibited airspace exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating an optimized terrain database identify several regions, including test regions that are established from the identified regions. A first set of terrain data is received for a first test region. The first set of terrain data is compared to a second set of terrain data to determine a set of quality attributes. The quality attributes are used to determine a safety margin for the first test region. The safety margin is applied to other regions having the same or similar characteristics to the first test region. Safety margins are either generated for or applied to all other regions. All regions are then compiled into an area-wide terrain database, up to and including a worldwide database.

Abstract: A navigation procedure display is described. The navigational procedure display includes a dynamic information area, positioned within the flight procedure display, for displaying a current procedure instruction and at least one successive procedure instruction. The navigational procedure display also includes a moving map area, positioned within the procedure display, for displaying a current position indication in at least three dimensions and situational awareness symbols.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a position indicating display system for an aircraft are provided. The system includes a moving map display representative of an area being traversed by the aircraft such that a current relative position of the aircraft is maintained proximate a center of the display, a first overlay on the moving map display that is indicative of a predetermined track of travel, and a second overlay on the moving map display indicative of a distance range from a suitable alternate airport. The second overlay also displays equal time points to assist flight crews in determining closest suitable alternate airport in the event of a required diversion. Constraints regarding the intended flight route on the organized track system are available for display to the flight crew.

Abstract: This invention relates to a safety system for aircraft, wherein prohibited airspaces which aircraft may not enter are marked on a digitally stored image of the airspace, wherein the aircraft is provided with an automatic control device that automatically steers the aircraft on to an alternative route, which is situated outside the prohibited airspace, when the probability that the aircraft will enter the prohibited airspace exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: In a method of detecting a collision risk and preventing air collisions, it is proposed that probabilities should be calculated for the likely presence of one's own aircraft in predetermined sectors at a number of selected times (probabilities of presence) and these probabilities for one's own aircraft and those for other objects should be used to calculate the probabilities of one's own aircraft and at least one of the other objects being present simultaneously in a given sector (probabilities of collision) for the predetermined sectors and selected times.