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: A display system and method for a vehicle are provided. The display system includes a processor configured to receive data representative of a waypoint and terrain and to supply display commands associated with the waypoint and the terrain; and a display device coupled the processor for receiving the display commands and operable to render three-dimensional terrain and a first symbol elevated from the terrain representing the waypoint.

Abstract: A system for displaying first and second images to a pilot of an aircraft includes, but is not limited to, a sensor subsystem that detects a light transmission originating from outside the aircraft and generates a first signal indicative of the light transmission, a dynamic condition sensor that detects a dynamic condition of the aircraft and generates a second signal indicative of the dynamic condition of the aircraft, a display unit, and a processor that is communicatively coupled to the sensor subsystem and to the dynamic condition sensor and operatively coupled to the display unit. The processor is configured to command the display unit to display a first image corresponding to the first signal, to display a second image overlaid over the first image corresponding to the second signal, and to modify the appearance of the second image to enhance the pilot's ability to discern the first image.

Abstract: A runway indicator is displayed overlying a target runway for providing supplementary guidance to support the pilot's ability to fly a stabilized approach. The highlighted runway position indicator provides cues to verify that the aircraft is continuously in a position to complete a normal landing using normal maneuvering during the instrument segment of an approach and includes a landing threshold, a landing zone on the runway, an approach line leading to the runway, an outline highlighting the sides and ends of the runway, a rectangle larger than and surrounding the runway, and a visual precision path approach indicator.

Abstract: A vision system is provided for confirming continuously updated approach information from a global positioning system or an instrument landing system with that from an inertial navigation system. The approach information from the inertial navigation system is displayed when the global positioning system or the instrument landing system is unavailable or whose approach information is determined to be invalid.

Abstract: A method of displaying information on a display element is provided. The display element may be deployed in a vehicle such as an aircraft. The method obtains range data for objects located in a sensing region at a sampling time, and obtains image data corresponding to an image of the sensing region at the sampling time. The method continues by deriving first graphics content from the range data, and by deriving second graphics content from the image data. The first graphics content is correlated with the second graphics content such that they are spatially and temporally aligned with one another. Then, the correlated graphics content is rendered on the display element.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for providing information relating to taxiing an aircraft at an airport having a plurality of taxi paths. One exemplary method involves identifying a first aircraft location on a first taxi path and a first aircraft heading along the first taxi path, and determining a first subset of possible taxi paths from the plurality of taxi paths based on the first aircraft location and the first aircraft heading, such that each respective taxi path of the first subset intersects the first taxi path at a respective intersection location in the first aircraft heading from the first aircraft location. The method continues by receiving a first input, and when the first input corresponds to a second taxi path of the first subset, providing indication of the second taxi path.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for displaying information on a display device associated with an aircraft. A method comprises rendering a perspective view of terrain on a display device and obtaining sensor data for a sensing region overlapping at least a portion of the viewing region. The method further comprises obtaining tracking data associated with a first object located within the sensing region and correlating a first portion of the sensor data that corresponds to the first object with the tracking data. The method further comprises rendering a graphical representation of the first object on the display device, wherein positioning of the graphical representation of the first object with respect to the terrain is influenced by the correlation with first portion of the sensor data.

Abstract: A flight deck display system for an aircraft or other vehicle includes a first data source of visual feature data that is indicative of visual features of a location of interest, a second data source of flight data for the aircraft, a processor architecture, and a display element. The processor architecture is operatively coupled to the first data source and to the second data source, and it is configured to process the visual feature data, process the flight data, and, based upon the visual feature data and the flight data, generate image rendering display commands. The display element receives the image rendering display commands and, in response thereto, renders a dynamic graphical representation of the location of interest using the visual feature data. The dynamic graphical representation of the location conveys an amount of visible detail that varies as a function of the flight data.

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: A system and method are provided for prioritizing incoming datalink messages. When a datalink message is received in an aircraft, it is parsed into individual information elements. The relevance of the received datalink message is then assessed from the individual information elements. The received datalink message is then categorized into one of a plurality of playback priority categories, based on the assessed relevance of the received datalink message.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for automatically and adaptively configuring a system for a user. User data that includes information representative of temporal and contextual user preferences, behaviors, habits, biases, idiosyncrasies, and tendencies associated with system settings and configurations are loaded into the system. The system is then configured based on the user data. User-initiated operations of the system are continuously monitored to model user performance. The user data are continuously updated based on the modeled user performance, and the system is continuously and automatically reconfigured based on the updated user data.

Abstract: A methods, apparatus and system are provided for a vehicle with a ground navigational display. The system may include a display, a navigation system determining a location of the vehicle, a database storing a map including locations of buildings on the map and a processor. The processor may be configured to display the map on the display based upon the location of the vehicle, assign a fixed height to all of the buildings displayed on the display, and render the buildings displayed on the display in three-dimensions and having the assigned fixed height.

Abstract: A system for enhancing a vehicle operator's orientation and ability to navigate a vehicle includes, but is not limited to, a display unit, a data storage unit, a position determining unit and a processor communicatively connected to the display unit, the data storage unit and the position determining unit. The processor is configured to obtain a position and heading of the vehicle from the position determining unit, to obtain terrain data from the data storage unit, and to control the display unit to display a three-dimensional representation of a terrain representative of an actual terrain proximate the vehicle. The processor controls the display unit to overlay a three-dimensional compass onto the three-dimensional representation of the terrain to display both the heading of the vehicle and the location of the vehicle with respect to the actual terrain.

Abstract: A system for displaying first and second images to a pilot of an aircraft includes, but is not limited to, a sensor subsystem that detects a light transmission originating from outside the aircraft and generates a first signal indicative of the light transmission, a dynamic condition sensor that detects a dynamic condition of the aircraft and generates a second signal indicative of the dynamic condition of the aircraft, a display unit, and a processor that is communicatively coupled to the sensor subsystem and to the dynamic condition sensor and operatively coupled to the display unit. The processor is configured to command the display unit to display a first image corresponding to the first signal, to display a second image overlaid over the first image corresponding to the second signal, and to modify the appearance of the second image to enhance the pilot's ability to discern the first image.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for displaying information on a flight deck display onboard an aircraft. An exemplary method comprises obtaining image data for an imaging region and displaying, on the display device, a graphical representation of a first portion of the image data using a first visually distinguishable characteristic and a graphical representation of a second portion of the image data using a second visually distinguishable characteristic. The first portion corresponds to a portion of the image data above an attitude reference and the second portion corresponds to a portion of the image data below the attitude reference, and the first visually distinguishable characteristic and the second visually distinguishable characteristic are different.

Abstract: Systems and methods for outputting instructions when a vehicle is not responding to a roll-angle alert. An example system includes one or more altitude sensors that determine one of altitude above ground level or barometric altitude, one or more roll-angle sensors that determine the roll-angle of the vehicle, and a processor. The processor receives the altitude and roll-angle information, determines if an excessive roll-angle condition exists based on the received altitude and roll-angle information, and generates a roll-angle alert signal if a roll-angle alert condition exists. The processor generates a roll-direction signal based upon vehicle position relative to the horizon and outputs the determined roll-direction signal via the one or more output devices, if one of the condition still exists after the time delay, the vehicle roll-angle has deteriorated away from the desired threshold, or the roll-angle rate is greater than a roll-angle rate threshold.

Abstract: A flight deck display system and related operating methods for an aircraft are provided. The system includes a processor architecture and a display element coupled to the processor architecture. The processor architecture is configured to receive real-time aircraft data and terrain data for the aircraft and, based upon the real-time aircraft data and the terrain data, generate image rendering display commands. The display element receives the image rendering display commands and, in response thereto, renders a primary flight display that includes a conformal view of terrain corresponding to a flight deck viewpoint. The primary flight display also includes a conformal terrain avoidance guidance (TAG) element on the view of terrain. The TAG element includes visual indicia of a desired navigation path that is intended to avoid terrain that obstructs a current flight path of the aircraft.

Abstract: A vehicle display system displays enhanced vision (EV) and captured images, for example synthetic vision (SV) images, to an operator of a vehicle. The display system includes an EV vision system for generating EV images, an SV database containing information regarding terrain and objects of interest for a travel path of a vehicle, an SV system for generating SV images based on travel of the vehicle and information from the SV database, a processor for filtering the EV images and merging the filtered EV image with the SV image, and a display for displaying the merged SV and filtered EV images.

Abstract: A system for enhancing a vehicle operator's orientation and ability to navigate a vehicle includes, but is not limited to, a display unit, a data storage unit, a position determining unit and a processor communicatively connected to the display unit, the data storage unit and the position determining unit. The processor is configured to obtain a position and heading of the vehicle from the position determining unit, to obtain terrain data from the data storage unit, and to control the display unit to display a three-dimensional representation of a terrain representative of an actual terrain proximate the vehicle. The processor controls the display unit to overlay a three-dimensional compass onto the three-dimensional representation of the terrain to display both the heading of the vehicle and the location of the vehicle with respect to the actual terrain.