Abstract: The present invention provides systems, apparatus and means to perform various FMS flight plan edits and definition of navigation reference fixes using interactive graphical representations displayed on an MFD rather than a text-based CDU. In two of the embodiments of the present invention, means are provided where minimal pilot actions, i.e., shortcuts, (which may also include entry/adjustment of a numerical value) are performed on an electronic display that accomplish particular flight plan edits as compared to several pilot actions when using a CDU to perform the same edits. In another embodiment of the present invention, a means is provided where the data entry method is graphical in nature rather than alphanumeric text for inserting an airway into a flight plan. The alphanumeric identifiers are represented as graphical objects which are selectable.

Abstract: A hold line awareness system for alerting an occupant of an aircraft that the aircraft is approaching a hold line at an airport. In one broad aspect the invention includes an airport database located on an aircraft. The airport database is configured to store location information for a plurality of hold lines at the airport. A positioning system is located on the aircraft. The positioning system is configured to determine the aircraft location. A processor is located on the aircraft and is operatively connected to the airport database and the positioning system. The processor is configured to calculate the distance between the aircraft location and a hold line and provide a processor alerting output signal if the distance is less than a predetermined value. A sensory effector is located on the aircraft and operatively connected to the processor for receiving the processor alerting output signal and providing a tactile alert to an occupant in response thereto.

Abstract: A system for positioning a graphical object on an electronic display. A coarse positioning input control element provides a coarse position input signal and a fine positioning input control element provides a fine position input signal. A microprocessor is operatively connected to the coarse positioning input control element and the fine positioning input control element for integrating the coarse position input signal and the fine position input signal. The microprocessor output signal is provided to an electronic display. Manipulation of the coarse positioning input control element provides a rapid and coarse manual positioning of a graphical object and manipulation of the fine positioning input control element provides accurate positioning of the graphical object, thereby optimizing the efficiency for graphical object positioning on the electronic display.

Abstract: An information magnification system for providing enhanced display information for a display system for a vehicle. The display system is of a type that includes a first display and a second display. The information magnification system includes a user interface for providing the capability for a user to select a magnification zone of interest on the first display of the vehicle. An information magnification electronics subsystem is associated with the user interface and with the first and second displays to enable the selected magnification zone to be presented on the second display appearing to be behind the physical surface of the second display at a selected distance, thus providing the capability for the user to maintain a far field of focus.