Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for measuring the capacitive state of an operator. The method includes placing an matrix array of pressure detection sensors in physical contact with the individual. The matrix array is integrated into the seat of the operator and continually measures the operator's presence and movement in the seat based on data received from the matrix array of pressure detection sensors. The breathing, movement and actigraphy patterns of the operator are measured and calculated based on the data received from the matrix array of pressure detection sensors. The breathing, movement and actigraphy patterns of the operator are continually analyzed to determine the capacitive state of the operator.

Abstract: Systems and methods capable of increasing reliability of received commands across a variety of different kinds of input devices and modalities are provided. The provided systems and methods easily expand to support additional input devices, and easily adapt to a wide variety of command destinations, such as subsystems and components. The provided systems and methods employ command specific verification strategies before transmitting the command to its destination. The provided systems and methods also concurrently support a wide variety of command destinations, such as subsystems and components.

Abstract: Systems and methods capable of increasing reliability of received commands across a variety of different kinds of input devices and modalities are provided. The provided systems and methods easily expand to support additional input devices, and easily adapt to a wide variety of command destinations, such as subsystems and components. The provided systems and methods employ command specific verification strategies before transmitting the command to its destination. The provided systems and methods also concurrently support a wide variety of command destinations, such as subsystems and components.

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 system and method for performing speech recognition. A speech recognition engine includes a plurality of grammar paths each defining a recognized phrase. The grammar paths each have at least two nodes that are connected by a recognized word. An input device receives a user specified input that corresponds to the recognized word. A microphone receives a user phrase and a processor excludes grammar paths from the speech recognition engine based on an absence of the user specified input. The processor selects the recognized phrase from the non-excluded grammar paths based on the user phrase.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing improved situational awareness for an aircraft while taxiing. An exemplary method generates reflectivity data based on an associated emission at a transceiver located on an aircraft. At a processor, targets are determined if a portion of the generated reflectivity data is greater than a predefined threshold. Then, the analyzed targets are determined as to whether they are within a dynamically defined three-dimensional envelope. The envelope is based on wingtip light module speed and trajectory. On a display device, an indication of the nearest target is presented at the associated range to the nearest target.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for presenting information on a display device associated with an aircraft. A method comprises displaying a navigational map in a viewing area on the display device with initial display settings, identifying selection of a first category of information, and identifying content associated with the first category resulting in a first set of content. The method further comprises automatically updating display settings for the navigational map in response to identifying selection of the first category, wherein the display settings are updated based on the first set of content. The method further comprises displaying the first set of content on the navigational map based on the updated display settings.

Abstract: A method of displaying navigation limits for a planned travel route of a vehicle is presented here. The method calculates estimated navigation limits for the vehicle using an onboard subsystem of the vehicle, where the estimated navigation limits represent self-assessed navigation accuracy of the vehicle relative to the planned travel route. Contracted navigation limits are acquired for the vehicle, where the contracted navigation limits represent specified navigation accuracy of the vehicle, relative to the planned travel route, as mandated by a third party navigation controller. A navigation display is rendered on an onboard display element such that it includes graphical representations of the planned travel route, at least one of the estimated navigation limits, and at least one of the contracted navigation limits.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to present braking distance information to crew of an installation aircraft. An exemplary embodiment determines a braking distance for a braking maneuver of the installation aircraft, wherein the braking distance is based on a current ground speed of the aircraft; and generates a graphical representation that is presented on a display, wherein a location of a graphical icon on the graphical representation indicates the determined braking distance from the installation aircraft.

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: Systems and methods for providing improved situational awareness for an aircraft while taxiing. An exemplary method generates reflectivity data based on an associated emission at a transceiver located on an aircraft. At a processor, targets are determined if a portion of the generated reflectivity data is greater than a predefined threshold. Then, the analyzed targets are determined as to whether they are within a dynamically defined three-dimensional envelope. The envelope is based on wingtip light module speed and trajectory. On a display device, an indication of the nearest target is presented at the associated range to the nearest target.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to present braking distance information to crew of an installation aircraft. An exemplary embodiment determines a braking distance for a braking maneuver of the installation aircraft, wherein the braking distance is based on a current ground speed of the aircraft; and generates a graphical representation that is presented on a display, wherein a location of a graphical icon on the graphical representation indicates the determined braking distance from the installation aircraft.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for the automatic assessment and presentation of data on a display device that describes the operational impact on mission critical parameters resulting from a change in a vehicle's mission plan. The change in mission plan may be inputted manually by the vehicle operator but may also be received electronically and automatically over a data up link from an outside authority.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, the method includes, but is not limited to receiving a first instruction from a first party who is associated with control of the aircraft, to transmit an initial non-verbal communication to a second party who is associated with control of the aircraft. The method further includes transmitting the initial non-verbal communication to the second party over the digital communication link. The method further includes receiving a second instruction from the second party to transmit a non-verbal response to the initial non-verbal communication. The method still further includes transmitting the non-verbal response to the first party over the digital communication link. Either the initial non-verbal communication or the non-verbal response includes data that can be used to derive a text message and a graphic image, and wherein the graphic image includes information that is available to only one of the first party and the second party.

Abstract: A method of displaying navigation limits for a planned travel route of a vehicle is presented here. The method calculates estimated navigation limits for the vehicle using an onboard subsystem of the vehicle, where the estimated navigation limits represent self-assessed navigation accuracy of the vehicle relative to the planned travel route. Contracted navigation limits are acquired for the vehicle, where the contracted navigation limits represent specified navigation accuracy of the vehicle, relative to the planned travel route, as mandated by a third party navigation controller. A navigation display is rendered on an onboard display element such that it includes graphical representations of the planned travel route, at least one of the estimated navigation limits, and at least one of the contracted navigation limits.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for presenting information on a display device associated with an aircraft. A method comprises displaying a navigational map in a viewing area on the display device with initial display settings, identifying selection of a first category of information, and identifying content associated with the first category resulting in a first set of content. The method further comprises automatically updating display settings for the navigational map in response to identifying selection of the first category, wherein the display settings are updated based on the first set of content. The method further comprises displaying the first set of content on the navigational map based on the updated display settings.

Abstract: A method of displaying on a display (104) of a vehicle includes presenting atmospheric uncertainties, including collecting (806) weather data (400), obtaining (802) weather information recorded along trajectories (203, 205, 207) of at least one vehicle (202, 204, 206), the weather information having a higher importance proportional to the portion of the trajectory (210, 216, 218) most recently traversed, creating (804) a threshold uncertainty map (300) of the weather information obtained along the trajectories (203, 205, 207), joining (808) the threshold uncertainty map (300) with the weather data (400), combining (810) an atmospheric field (400) with the joined threshold uncertainty map and the weather data, and displaying (812) the combined atmospheric field, threshold uncertainty map, and weather data on a display (104). The weather data may be recent, historical, or forecasted and may be modified to be a stochastic model.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for the automatic assessment and presentation of data on a display device that describes the operational impact on mission critical parameters resulting from a change in a vehicle's mission plan. The change in mission plan may be inputted manually by the vehicle operator but may also be received electronically and automatically over a data up link from an outside authority.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a financial decision for 4-dimensional navigation of a vehicle includes receiving navigation information for the vehicle. A current location of the vehicle is determined. Data associated with at least one predetermined location of a plurality of predetermined locations is retrieved. A range of costs for said vehicle, representative of the at least one predetermined arrival time for the at least one predetermined location, is estimated. The range of costs is associated with a minimum value of the navigational information and a maximum value of the navigational information. An indicator representative of at least one cost of the range of costs is displayed.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a financial decision for 4-dimensional navigation of a vehicle includes receiving navigation information for the vehicle. A current location of the vehicle is determined. Data associated with at least one predetermined location of a plurality of predetermined locations is retrieved. A range of costs for said vehicle, representative of the at least one predetermined arrival time for the at least one predetermined location, is estimated. The range of costs is associated with a minimum value of the navigational information and a maximum value of the navigational information. An indicator representative of at least one cost of the range of costs is displayed.