Abstract: A server system for an aircraft is provided. In one embodiment, the server system comprises an aircraft server unit that is operative to receive data from one or more data sources, and a software development kit (SDK) application server in operative communication with the aircraft server unit. The SDK application server comprises one or more processing core modules configured to process the data from the one or more data sources, and one or more application modules including one or more aircraft tablet device logic modules that are configured to respectively execute one or more aircraft tablet device applications. The data processed by the one or more processing core modules is separated from the one or more aircraft tablet device logic modules. The SDK application server is configured to communicate with one or more external portable computing devices.

Abstract: A server system for an aircraft is provided. In one embodiment, the server system comprises an aircraft server unit that is operative to receive data from one or more data sources, and a software development kit (SDK) application server in operative communication with the aircraft server unit. The SDK application server comprises one or more processing core modules configured to process the data from the one or more data sources, and one or more application modules including one or more aircraft tablet device logic modules that are configured to respectively execute one or more aircraft tablet device applications. The data processed by the one or more processing core modules is separated from the one or more aircraft tablet device logic modules. The SDK application server is configured to communicate with one or more external portable computing devices.

Abstract: A server system for an aircraft is provided. In one embodiment, the server system comprises an aircraft server unit that is operative to receive data from one or more data sources, and a software development kit (SDK) application server in operative communication with the aircraft server unit. The SDK application server comprises one or more processing core modules configured to process the data from the one or more data sources, and one or more application modules including one or more aircraft tablet device logic modules that are configured to respectively execute one or more aircraft tablet device applications. The data processed by the one or more processing core modules is separated from the one or more aircraft tablet device logic modules. The SDK application server is configured to communicate with one or more external portable computing devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aiding in pilot awareness of obstacles relative to aircraft features. An exemplary processor receives sensor information from one or more sensors mounted in an aircraft feature (e.g. light modules), determines if at least one obstacle is located within a predefined field of view based on the received sensor or database information and generates an image. The image includes an ownship icon having at least one feature representing wingtips of the aircraft and at least one indicator associated with the determined at least one obstacle. A display device presents the generated image. The display device presents a tip of a first sense coverage area adjacent to one wingtip feature associated with the port wing and a tip of the second sense coverage area adjacent to one wingtip feature associated with the starboard wing. The indicator is presented within at least one of the coverage areas.

Abstract: A server system for an aircraft is provided. In one embodiment, the server system comprises an aircraft server unit that is operative to receive data from one or more data sources, and a software development kit (SDK) application server in operative communication with the aircraft server unit. The SDK application server comprises one or more processing core modules configured to process the data from the one or more data sources, and one or more application modules including one or more aircraft tablet device logic modules that are configured to respectively execute one or more aircraft tablet device applications. The data processed by the one or more processing core modules is separated from the one or more aircraft tablet device logic modules. The SDK application server is configured to communicate with one or more external portable computing devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating data from off-vehicle data sources to a vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a method for obtaining data for a vehicle comprises: initiating an information request from on-board a vehicle; formatting the information request onboard the vehicle into a data file format to generate a request file; performing a wireless file transfer of the request file from the vehicle to a data center, wherein the request file is transferred to a file system location; polling the file system location for creation of a response file corresponding to the request file; when the response file is detected within the file system location, retrieving the response file from the data center to the vehicle; and displaying at the vehicle information responsive to the information request from the response file. In some embodiments, the file system location is a file system location uniquely associated with the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for obtaining updated travel condition data at a vehicle is provided. The method identifies a subset of a predetermined travel route that is ahead of the vehicle, based on a selected distance quantity and a current position of the vehicle during traveling; and requests a set of data for the subset, the updated travel condition data comprising the set of data.

Abstract: A maintenance assistance system and method of operating are provided.

Abstract: A method for obtaining updated travel condition data at a vehicle is provided. The method identifies a subset of a predetermined travel route that is ahead of the vehicle, based on a selected distance quantity and a current position of the vehicle during traveling; and requests a set of data for the subset, the updated travel condition data comprising the set of data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for converting taxiway voice commands into taxiway textual commands. In various embodiments, the systems can comprise a radio receiver that is configured to receive the taxiway voice commands from an air traffic control center, a voice recognition processor coupled to the radio receiver that is configured to receive and convert the taxiway voice commands into the taxiway textual commands, and/or a taxiway clearance display coupled to the voice recognition processor that is configured to receive and display the taxiway textual commands.

Abstract: Methods and system are provided for displaying information on a display device of an aircraft as well as processing crowd sourced information from other aircraft, sensors and information systems in a ground server, and provide it back to aircraft via communication means. In one embodiment, the method includes retrieving information that indicates a current situation and that has been entered by a user, the information being from at least one of a server and another aircraft; determining current situation display data based on the information; and graphically displaying the information on the display based on the current situation display data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for converting taxiway voice commands into taxiway textual commands. In various embodiments, the systems can comprise a radio receiver that is configured to receive the taxiway voice commands from an air traffic control center, a voice recognition processor coupled to the radio receiver that is configured to receive and convert the taxiway voice commands into the taxiway textual commands, and/or a taxiway clearance display coupled to the voice recognition processor that is configured to receive and display the taxiway textual commands.

Abstract: A system is configured to generate and display information regarding a strike zone of an aircraft. In some examples, a system is configured to generate and display an image of an environment around an aircraft together with a graphical indication of a strike zone of the aircraft, where the indication is scaled to reflect the strike zone at a distance range of one or more detected objects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing the crew of a vehicle with a potential collision alert. The alert is based on presumed flight-crew action and reaction times, ownship speed, and required distance to safely stop the ownship before intersection with traffic. An exemplary system located aboard an ownship includes a communication device that receives information from a ground traffic; a memory device that stores ownship information and predefined constants; and a processing device that determines a distance to the traffic when the traffic passes the ownship after the ownship stops at a estimated full-stop location, based on the received ownship information and the predefined constants, determines distance to the ground traffic vehicle, based on the determined point in time, and generates a potential collision alert if the determined distance is less than a predefined safe distance value. An exterior lighting device outputs a visual illumination after the potential collision alert is generated.

Abstract: A maintenance assistance system and method of operating are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing airport surface collision-avoidance. A wingtip-mounted camera allows the pilot to positively ascertain that the wingtip will clear objects located in the video. An exemplary system implemented on an aircraft includes a wingtip module having a camera that generates a video stream and a communication device that transmits the generated video stream. A processor receives the video stream and generates a reticule for the video stream. A display device simultaneously presents the video stream and the reticule. The reticule includes a horizon line and is based on a focal length of a lens of the camera and height of the camera above ground. The reticule includes curved and/or straight distance lines and curved or straight travel lines. The travel line(s) correspond to at least one aircraft component or a zone of importance and are based on location of the camera and trajectory of the aircraft.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing the crew of a vehicle with a potential collision alert. The alert is based on presumed flight-crew action and reaction times, ownship speed, and required distance to safely stop the ownship before intersection with traffic. An exemplary system located aboard an ownship includes a communication device that receives information from a ground traffic; a memory device that stores ownship information and predefined constants; and a processing device that determines a distance to the traffic when the traffic passes the ownship after the ownship stops at a estimated full-stop location, based on the received ownship information and the predefined constants, determines distance to the ground traffic vehicle, based on the determined point in time, and generates a potential collision alert if the determined distance is less than a predefined safe distance value. An exterior lighting device outputs a visual illumination after the potential collision alert is generated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aiding in pilot awareness of obstacles relative to aircraft features. An exemplary processor receives sensor information from one or more sensors mounted in an aircraft feature (e.g. light modules), determines if at least one obstacle is located within a predefined field of view based on the received sensor or database information and generates an image. The image includes an ownship icon having at least one feature representing wingtips of the aircraft and at least one indicator associated with the determined at least one obstacle. A display device presents the generated image. The display device presents a tip of a first sense coverage area adjacent to one wingtip feature associated with the port wing and a tip of the second sense coverage area adjacent to one wingtip feature associated with the starboard wing. The indicator is presented within at least one of the coverage areas.