Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for automatically inserting intermediate waypoint information between travel critical waypoint information in an electronic waypoint list. The electronic waypoint list may contain travel critical waypoint information representing a planned track for a ship, an aircraft, a train or a terrestrial motor vehicle such as a truck. Two collinear, travel critical waypoints are received and inserted into the electronic list of waypoints. The location of an intermediate waypoint is then determined from a database containing records of a plurality of waypoints. If the location of the intermediate waypoint exists on a line between the at least two collinear, travel critical waypoints, then the intermediate waypoint is inserted in the electronic list of waypoints. If not, then the intermediate waypoint is discarded and another waypoint is examined to see if it exists on the line.

Abstract: A method for displaying information on a flight deck display element of an aircraft begins by obtaining a user interface command that represents a user-entered selection of a designated target. Relevant data is accessed and processed in response to this command, including aircraft status data for the aircraft, terrain data corresponding to terrain proximate the designated target, and graphics data corresponding to the designated target. Then, a target-focused display is rendered on the flight deck display element. The target-focused display includes a real-time synthetic perspective view of the designated target and the terrain proximate the designated target, wherein content of the target-focused display is influenced by the aircraft status data, the terrain data, and the graphics data.

Abstract: A flight display system is provided for deployment on a host aircraft including at least one obstacle-tracking data source. In one embodiment, the flight display system includes a display device and a controller. The controller is configured to be coupled to the obstacle-tracking data source and to receive data therefrom indicating the current position of a navigational obstacle. The controller is operably coupled to the display device and is configured to generate thereon an obstacle position indicator (OPI) graphic indicating the current position of the navigational obstacle relative to the current field of view of the display device.

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: Methods and systems are provided for locating an item in a window displayed on a display device. The method initializes by receiving a user input when no item is selected within the window. In response to receiving the user input, the method further comprises graphically indicating a search mode on the display device and searching a database associated with the window for an element that satisfies the user input. If an element in the database satisfies the user input, the method further comprises graphically indicating the element in the window.

Abstract: A flight deck display system for an aircraft includes a processor architecture configured to receive aircraft instrument data, waypoint restriction information, and position data for the aircraft and, based upon the received 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 display that includes a perspective view of terrain and at least one waypoint marker corresponding to an approaching waypoint. The waypoint marker includes visually distinguishable characteristics that convey waypoint restriction information (e.g., altitude or airspeed constraint information that governs the waypoint).

Abstract: An input device includes a knob (102, 702) having a rigid material (110, 710) defining an axis and having a surface opposed to the axis. Touch sensing layers (108, 708) are disposed on the surface that sense the position of one or more fingers (120, 122, 124, 126) applied thereto, the touch sensing layers (108, 708) providing a sensed signal (404) indicative of the position of the fingers (120, 122, 124, 126). An electronic device (104, 406, 412, 416, 704) is coupled to receive the sensed signal (404) and provides a gain signal based on the position of the fingers (120, 122, 124, 126) on the touch sensing layers (108, 708).

Abstract: A see-through display system includes a processing unit configured to receive data representative of geo-referenced symbology and terrain data, to compare the geo-referenced symbology to the terrain data, and to generate display commands associated with the geo-referenced symbology based on the terrain data. The system further includes a display device coupled to the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands from the processing unit and to display the geo-referenced symbology.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods and apparatus for displaying images of an external environment, such as an external environment of an aircraft during flight. An embodiment of a display system includes an image sensor and a processing subsystem. The image sensor is adapted to produce sensed image data based on detected electromagnetic energy from a field of view of the external environment. The sensed image data registers within a first area of a display matrix, and the processing subsystem is adapted to identify a feature that registers within the first area. The processing subsystem is also adapted to determine parameters defining a second, smaller area of the display matrix that is positioned in proximity to the feature, and to generate a display signal to include information representing a sensor-based image corresponding to the sensed image data that registers within the second area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying photo realistic features (230, 232, 234) on a display (116) of an aircraft (218) include storing (302) a plurality of photo realistic features (230, 232, 234), the photo realistic features including at least one of terrain (230) and obstacle (232) features. A priority factor is determined (304) that is based on one of, for example, aircraft type, speed, and altitude, and a plurality of display state is prioritized (304) for each of the plurality of photo realistic features (230. 232, 234) in accordance with the priority factor. One of the first and second display states is displayed (308) for each of the plurality of photo realistic features (230, 232, 234) as determined by the prioritizing step (306).

Abstract: A method and system is provided for displaying aircraft symbology. The method includes displaying (302, 502, 702, 902, 1002) a symbol (202) for a first aircraft in a predetermined format, processing (304, 504, 704, 904, 1004) data related to flight conditions of the first aircraft and a second aircraft, determining (306, 506, 706, 906, 1006) a format for the display of the second aircraft based on the processed data, and displaying (308, 508, 708, 908, 1008) a symbol (212, 214, 216, 412, 416, 612, 614, 616, 812, 814, 816) for the second aircraft in accordance with the determined format.

Abstract: A display system for use on a vehicle is presented. The display system comprises a cursor control device, at least one electronic display for displaying a first image comprising a three-dimensional conformal view of a terrain and a first movable cursor, and a processor that is coupled to the cursor control device and the at least one electronic display. The processor is configured to move the first movable cursor on the first image in response to input from the cursor control device and to determine a latitude and longitude that correspond to the position of the first movable cursor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a display device associated with a vehicle are provided. A first image is caused to be displayed on the display device. The first image is at least representative of an actual terrain over which the vehicle is navigating. A second image is rendered over the first image on the display device. The second image includes a digital navigation corridor boundary corresponding to an actual navigation corridor boundary of an actual navigation corridor in which the vehicle is navigating. A luminance of at least a portion the digital navigation boundary on the display device is increased based on a proximity of a trajectory of the vehicle to the actual navigation corridor boundary.

Abstract: A force and movement sensitive non-mechanical coordinate input device (100, 200) provides tactile feedback to a finger (110) of the finger's position on the coordinate input device (100, 200). The coordinate input device (100, 200) includes a plurality of sensing layers (104) having a recognizable shape (112, 212). The sensing layers (104) include at least first and second layers (302, 306) that sense movement of a finger (110), at least a third layer (204) for sensing a force applied by the finger (110), wherein the recognizable shape (112, 212) provides tactile feedback to the finger (110) of the position of the finger (110) on the coordinate input device (100, 200).

Abstract: A display system is provided for a vehicle. The system includes a processor configured to receive data representative of landing information and navigation and control information and to supply display commands associated with the landing information and navigation and control information; and a display device coupled the processor for receiving the display commands and operable to render a three-dimensional view, including first symbology representing the landing information and second symbology representing the navigation and control information. The second symbology is superimposed on the first symbology.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a vehicular near-to-eye (NTE) display screen operable within an operational range limit are provided. An image is rendering on the NTE display screen within a predefined visibility range. The predefined visibility range is within the operational range limit. A luminance of at least a portion of the image is reduced in response to the NTE display screen being moved outside of the predefined visibility range and within the operational range limit.

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: Methods and systems for operating a display device are provided. A first image is caused to be displayed on the display device. The first image is at least representative of a field of view from on-board an aircraft. A second image is rendered over the first image on the display device. A luminance of at least a portion of the second image is temporally modulated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating an avionics system are provided. A predefined set of movements of a headset is detected. In response to the detection of the set of movements, one or more various functions are performed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using a display system for a first vehicle. The system includes a processor adapted to receive data representative of a position of the first vehicle and operable, in response thereto, to supply one or more image rendering display commands and a display device coupled to receive the image rendering display commands and operable, in response thereto, to simultaneously render (i) a first vehicle icon representing the position of the first vehicle and (ii) one or more altitude lines, wherein each altitude line extends at least partially across the image and represents a vertical distance from the first vehicle.