Abstract: A method of generating aircraft flight deck alerts is provided. An onboard alerting subsystem determines that an alert needs to be generated, and an onboard monitoring subsystem obtains a fatigue level of a flight crew member. An alert is generated with nominal audiovisual characteristics when the fatigue level is indicative of a non-fatigued physiological condition of the flight crew member, and with enhanced audiovisual characteristics when the fatigue level is indicative of a fatigued physiological condition. In addition, an automated flight crew training exercise can be launched when the flight crew member is fatigued, in an attempt to engage the flight crew member and alleviate fatigue.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving situational awareness on an in-trail procedures display. The present invention provides a display with visual identification and indication for aircraft that do not meet the ITP criteria. In the in-trail procedures display, feedback is provided when a pilot selects an invalid ITP flight level, unambiguous feedback is provided to the pilot upon selection of a valid flight level, and valid inter-target aircraft located in intervening flight levels after selection of a valid flight level are positively identified and invalid target aircraft for selection are uniquely identified.

Abstract: A system and method of efficiently and effectively triaging an image that may include one or more target entities are provided. An image that may include one or more target entities is retrieved. The retrieved image is then divided into a plurality of sub-images, and each sub-image is displayed in a display region to a user. Each sub-image that was previously displayed is then divided into a plurality of sub-images, and each sub-image that was just divided is displayed to the user in the display region. The steps in the previous sentence are then repeated a determined number of times. During the initial display of the sub-images, and during each subsequent recursion, data are collected from the user and estimates of target entity locations are derived from the collected data.

Abstract: A display system includes instrumentation configured to obtain aircraft data comprising current flight status data of the host aircraft and current flight status data of neighboring aircraft located near the host aircraft. The system also includes a processor coupled to the instrumentation. The processor analyzes and filters the aircraft data, using lateral boundary criteria for the host aircraft, to identify a proper subset of the neighboring aircraft, and the processor generates image rendering display commands based upon the current flight status data of the host aircraft and based upon the current flight status data of neighboring aircraft included in the proper subset. A display element receives the image rendering display commands and, in response thereto, renders a vertical situation display that includes graphical representations of the host aircraft and each neighboring aircraft included the proper subset.

Abstract: A system and method of efficiently and effectively triaging an image that may include one or more target entities are provided. A target entity to be searched for in the image is specified. The image, or at least a selected portion of the image, is then divided into a plurality of individual image chips each having a chip size based on the specified target entity. Each image chip is then successively displayed for a presentation time period.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for recognizing particular objects of interest in a captured image. One or more salient features that are correlative to an object of interest are detected within a captured image. The captured image is segmented into one or more regions of interest that include a detected salient feature. A covariance appearance model is generated for each of the one or more regions of interest, and first and second comparisons are conducted. The first comparisons comprise comparing each of the generated covariance appearance models to a plurality of stored covariance appearance models, and the second comparisons comprise comparing each of the generated covariance appearance models to each of the other generated covariance appearance model. Based on the first and second comparisons, a determination is made as to whether each of the one or more detected salient features is a particular object of interest.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for selecting a touchdown point for a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The eye movements of a user are tracked relative to an image being rendered on a display screen. An updated touchdown point location is determined from the tracked eye movements, and an updated touchdown point is rendered at the updated touchdown point location on the display screen.

Abstract: A system and method of efficiently and effectively triaging an image that may include one or more target entities. The image is divided into a plurality of individual image chips, and each image chip is successively displayed to a user for a presentation time period. Data are collected from the user at least while each image chip is being displayed. For each image chip, a probability that the image chip at least includes a target entity is assigned, based at least in part on the collected data. The image is then displayed with the assigned probabilities overlaid thereon.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dividing an image into a plurality of image chips for presentation on a display. Potential objects of interest are detected within an image by detecting features therein that correspond to objects of interest. The image is uniformly divided into a plurality of preliminary image chips. Triage image chips are generated by automatically adjusting each preliminary image chip such that the potential objects of interest detected within each preliminary image chip are at least substantially centered in each preliminary image chip.

Abstract: A method of providing weather radar images to a flight crew of an aircraft includes obtaining raw volumetric radar data corresponding to at least one signal reflected off of a weather system. Based on the radar data, the weather system is computationally classified as being of a first type of a plurality of weather-system types. After classifying the weather system, the radar data is image processed, the image processing yielding an image representing the weather system and corresponding to the first weather-system type. The image is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: An electroencephalograph system and method for controlling the stability of an adaptive filter during high noise spikes in ocular sensor channels. The method comprises receiving a signal from at least one sensor and determining when an adaptive filter algorithm is subject to becoming unstable based on a signal from the at least one sensor. Operation of the adaptive filter algorithm is suspended while the algorithm is subject to becoming unstable.

Abstract: A system and method of efficiently and effectively triaging an image that may include one or more target entities are provided. A target entity to be searched for in the image is specified. The image, or at least a selected portion of the image, is then divided into a plurality of individual image chips each having a chip size based on the specified target entity. Each image chip is then successively displayed for a presentation time period.

Abstract: A system and method of efficiently and effectively triaging an image that may include one or more target entities are provided. An image that may include one or more target entities is retrieved. The retrieved image is then divided into a plurality of sub-images, and each sub-image is displayed in a display region to a user. Each sub-image that was previously displayed is then divided into a plurality of sub-images, and each sub-image that was just divided is displayed to the user in the display region. The steps in the previous sentence are then repeated a determined number of times. During the initial display of the sub-images, and during each subsequent recursion, data are collected from the user and estimates of target entity locations are derived from the collected data.

Abstract: A system and method of dynamically calibrating an image triage system. An image that may include one or more target entities is into a plurality of individual non-calibration image chips. Each non-calibration image chip is successively displayed to a user for a presentation time period. A calibration image chip that includes a synthetic target entity is selectively displayed, for the presentation time period, between the successive display of two non-calibration image chips. Calibration data are collected from the user at least while each calibration image chip is being displayed, and the image triage system is dynamically calibrated using the calibration data.

Abstract: A system and method of efficiently and effectively triaging an image that may include one or more target entities are provided. The image is divided into a plurality of individual image chips that each have a determinable image complexity. The image complexity of each image chip is determined, and each image chip is successively displayed to a user for a presentation time period that, for each image chip, varies based on the determined image complexity of the image chip.

Abstract: A system and method of hierarchical monitoring for subordinate assessment is described. Generally, the system receives remotely sensed data about a user's physiology and contextual state, and extracts features that are related to the workload currently being experienced by a single subordinate and/or group of subordinates. The system builds workload indices based on levels of these features. The system uses statistical process control techniques in conjunction with the workload indices to identify suboptimal user states. Information regarding a particular subordinate or the group of subordinates may be presented in a variety of different ways. As a result, a superior can easily determine the condition of the one or more subordinates and make task adjustments to influence workload levels.

Abstract: A system and method of efficiently and effectively triaging an image that may include one or more target entities. The image is divided into a plurality of individual image chips, and each image chip is successively displayed to a user for a presentation time period. Data are collected from the user at least while each image chip is being displayed. For each image chip, a probability that the image chip at least includes a target entity is assigned, based at least in part on the collected data. The image is then displayed with the assigned probabilities overlaid thereon.

Abstract: A system and method of hierarchical monitoring for subordinate assessment is described. Generally, the system receives remotely sensed data about a user's physiology and contextual state, and extracts features that are related to the workload currently being experienced by a single subordinate and/or group of subordinates. The system builds workload indices based on levels of these features. The system uses statistical process control techniques in conjunction with the workload indices to identify suboptimal user states. Information regarding a particular subordinate or the group of subordinates may be presented in a variety of different ways. As a result, a superior can easily determine the condition of the one or more subordinates and make task adjustments to influence workload levels.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that prioritize the output of an image triage that is based on rapid serial visual presentation. User responses and estimates of the effectiveness with which each image is likely to have been processed by a user are employed for post triage image prioritization of potential targets. Images associated with a user response, processed during optimal user states, are assigned the highest priority for post triage examination, as targets are likely. Images without a user response that are processed during optimal user states are assigned the lowest priority, as these are unlikely to contain targets. Images with a user response that are processed during suboptimal states are assigned a medium priority, as these are likely to contain a high number of false positives. Images without a user response, processed during suboptimal user states are flagged for reprocessing as these may contain targets that the user may not have detected.

Abstract: An electroencephalograph system and method for controlling the stability of an adaptive filter during high noise spikes in ocular sensor channels. The method comprises receiving a signal from at least one sensor and determining when an adaptive filter algorithm is subject to becoming unstable based on a signal from the at least one sensor. Operation of the adaptive filter algorithm is suspended while the algorithm is subject to becoming unstable.