Patents by Inventor Travis S. VanDerKamp

Travis S. VanDerKamp has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11500474
    Abstract: A system may include a display installed in an aircraft, a hardware button installed in the aircraft, and a processor installed in the aircraft, wherein the processor may be communicatively coupled to the display and to the hardware button. The processor may be configured to: output at least one view to the display; receive a user input from the hardware button; and based at least on the user input, cause a cursor to move to a default position on one of the at least one view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Davis, Marcin Kolesinski, Travis S Vanderkamp
  • Publication number: 20210333888
    Abstract: A system may include a display installed in an aircraft, a hardware button installed in the aircraft, and a processor installed in the aircraft, wherein the processor may be communicatively coupled to the display and to the hardware button. The processor may be configured to: output at least one view to the display; receive a user input from the hardware button; and based at least on the user input, cause a cursor to move to a default position on one of the at least one view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Jason Davis, Marcin Kolesinski, Travis S. Vanderkamp
  • Patent number: 10577123
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide a precaution in an aircraft equipped with a terrain avoidance warning system (TAWS). The precaution is provided before a caution and a warning are issued by the TAWS for a subsequent condition to a precaution condition. The systems and methods determine an existence of the precaution condition at least partially in response to an altitude signal and provide a line on a display indicative of a threshold altitude in response to the precaution condition or a bar on an altitude tape of a primary flight display. The line is between a representation of the aircraft and a representation of terrain. The threshold altitude is an altitude at which a caution is issued by the TAWS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventors: Jon E. Kirtz, Travis S. VanDerKamp
  • Patent number: 10565882
    Abstract: An aircraft path vector analysis system includes at least one processor coupled with a non-transitory processor-readable medium storing processor-executable code for causing the at least one processor to determine a previous path of an aircraft, determine an approach volume based on a location of a runway and a location of the aircraft, determine a projected path vector of the aircraft based on at least one of the previous path of the aircraft and an aircraft performance characteristic, and display data indicative of at least one of the previous path, the projected path vector, and the approach volume on a display device, where the projected path vector indicates whether the aircraft is projected to remain in the approach volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: ROCKWELL COLLINS, INC.
    Inventors: Travis S. VanDerKamp, Jon E. Kirtz, Joseph D. Forrest
  • Patent number: 10290216
    Abstract: Systems and methods for symbolically representing text-based obstacle data on an electronic map are disclosed. In embodiments, a system includes a receiver in communication with a remote server. The receiver is configured to receive one or more textual communications from the remote server. The system further includes an aircraft display system with a display and a controller. The controller is in communication with the display, the receiver, and a memory. The controller is configured to generate an electronic map at the display based on map data retrieved from the memory, wherein the map data includes geographic information and predetermined obstacle information. The controller is further configured to receive the one or more textual communications from the receiver and update the electronic map to include one or more symbolic representations based on obstacle data derived from the one or more textual communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick D. McCusker, Douglas A. Bell, Sarah Barber, Michael J. Schmitt, Brent J. Nelson, Travis S. Vanderkamp
  • Patent number: 10235890
    Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating an aircraft display with a mobile device are disclosed. In embodiments, a system includes an aircraft display and a controller in communication with the aircraft display and a mobile device. The controller is configured to generate a graphical user interface at the aircraft display and mirror the graphical user interface at the mobile device. The controller is further configured to receive a user input via the mobile device and configured to update the graphical user interface at the aircraft display and the mobile device based upon the user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick D. McCusker, Douglas A. Bell, Travis S. Vanderkamp, Sarah Barber, Michael J. Schmitt, Brent J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 10170010
    Abstract: A system may include a display, an avionics server, and an automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) receiver implemented in an aircraft. The avionics server may include a processor configured to host applications. The ADS-B receiver may be configured to receive ADS-B In data associated with traffic information from other aircraft in a vicinity of the aircraft. Execution of the applications may be configured to cause the processor to: generate geo-referenced aeronautical chart graphics data; output the geo-referenced aeronautical chart graphics data to the display; receive the ADS-B In data from the ADS-B receiver; generate geo-referenced traffic graphics data based on the received ADS-B In data; and output the geo-referenced traffic graphics data to the display. The display may be configured to receive the geo-referenced aeronautical chart graphics data and the geo-referenced traffic graphics data and display an image of a selected aeronautical chart overlaid with the traffic information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick D. McCusker, Douglas A. Bell, Travis S. Vanderkamp, Sarah Barber, Michael J. Schmitt, Brent J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9908639
    Abstract: An in aircraft computer renders graphical representations of airfield range marker extensions to a runway extended centerline, even when the runway extended centerline is not rendered. Crossbars of the runway extended centerline are extended as arc segments to the center of the display with chevrons indicating the relative location of the airfield. Distance marker billboards are replicated at the end of the extended arc segments. As the aircraft approaches the airfield, crossbars closer to the airfield are extended. Vertical markers maintain billboards corresponding to range rings around an airfield in a visually prominent location, even when the proximal portion of such range ring is not visible in the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Carlo L. Tiana, Weston J. Lahr, Travis S. VanDerKamp, Sarah Barber, Felix B. Turcios
  • Patent number: 9898165
    Abstract: Present novel and non-trivial methods for electronically recording a taxi route on a display unit are disclosed. In one method, a tax route entry window (“TREW”) such as a taxi clearance entry window is used to present in smaller windows surfaces and next intersecting surfaces from which a pilot sequentially selects surfaces based upon surfaces stated in a taxi clearance. In another method, the TREW is comprised of an airport-specific keyboard or a traditional keyboard with visually-variable, interactive buttons, where an activation or deactivation of each button is dependent upon surfaces specified in the taxi clearance and potential intersecting surface. In another method, selections are made on the TREW and surfaces corresponding to the selections are highlighted in an image presenting a map of surfaces. Additionally, the image presenting a map of surfaces may be panned and zoom to the size of the highlighted surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Felix B. Turcios, Christopher A. Scherer, Travis S. VanderKamp, Sarah Barber, Kirschen A. Seah
  • Patent number: 9552737
    Abstract: A system, device, and method for generating a landing distance indicator (LDI) are disclosed. The LDI generating system may include one or more sources of navigation data, one or more sources of landing distance (LD) factor data, published LD data source, an image generator (IG), and a presentation system. The IG may be configured to navigation data; acquire LD factor data; define LD data; and generate image data as a function of the navigation data and the LD data. The navigation data could include a runway reference point, and the LD data could an LD. The image data could be representative of at least an image of an LDI comprised of a first boundary is based upon a location of the runway reference point, and a second boundary is based upon the runway reference point and the landing distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Ricky J. Theriault, Keith A. Stover, Eric N. Anderson, Travis S. VanDerKamp
  • Patent number: 9533769
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in generating alerts regarding terrain near an aircraft are provided. A method includes determining a plurality of warnings relating to terrain near an aircraft, each warning indicating terrain above a threshold elevation and having a position associated with the warning. The method further includes, for each warning, generating alert data formatted for display as an alert on a display device of the aircraft within a plan view terrain display screen on or proximate to the position associated with the warning and overlapping a visual representation of a portion of the terrain. The method further includes transmitting the alert data to the display device. A same alert shape is used for all warnings, and the alert areas of the alerts are at least partially transparent, such that the visual representations of the portions of the terrain within the alert areas are visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon E. Kirtz, Travis S. Vanderkamp
  • Patent number: 9387938
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in generating alerts regarding terrain near aircraft are provided. A method includes determining a location of interest relative to an aircraft using a terrain awareness and warning system. The method further includes calculating a distance value and a bearing value for the location of interest relative to the aircraft. The method further includes providing first display data to an electronic display and providing second display data to the electronic display. The first display data is configured to cause the electronic display to show an aircraft situation display image indicating the location of interest relative to the aircraft. The second display data is configured to cause the electronic display to show the calculated distance value and the calculated bearing value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis S. Vanderkamp, Samuel M. Waweru
  • Patent number: 9262932
    Abstract: Extended runway systems and methods include generating a runway centerline that extends from a start point on the runway to an endpoint located at a predefined distance from the start point. One or more distance markers are also calculated for the runway centerline. Display data is provided to an electronic display that causes the display to show the runway centerline and the one or more distance markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarah Barber, Christopher A. Scherer, Travis S. VanDerKamp, Victor E. VIllagomez
  • Patent number: 9245378
    Abstract: Present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for generating surface data are disclosed. An image generator is configured to receive navigation data; retrieve first surface data representative of a plurality of elevations; retrieve second surface data representative of location and elevation information (and possibly dimensions and the locations of at least one surface feature) of at least one reference point; determine shading data as a function of the first surface data; modify the first surface data as a function of the second surface data; and generate image data as a function of the modified first surface data and the shading data, where the image data is representative of a three-dimensional perspective of a scene outside a vehicle comprised of at least one flattened surface feature area having one elevation and to which the shading represented in the shading data is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor E. Villagomez, Travis S. Vanderkamp, Christopher A. Scherer
  • Patent number: 9245450
    Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method for generating runway visual aids on an aircraft display unit. Visual aids could comprise of runway indicators corresponding to minimum and maximum rollout and touchdown points, each of which may be determined in real-time by applying input factors to one or more configurable landing profiles. Data representative of visual aids may be provided by one or more sources including runway data sources and real-time input factors. An image generating processor generates an image data set representative of a three-dimensional perspective view of a scene outside the aircraft, wherein the image data set is determined as a function of terrain data, runway data, and visual aid data. The image data set may be provided to a Head-Down Display unit, a Head-Up Display unit, or both, whereby an image contains a runway depicted with at least one visual aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Y. Chiew, David A. Frank, Travis S. VanDerKamp
  • Patent number: 9222800
    Abstract: Present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for presenting taxi information to a pilot are disclosed. A processor receives aircraft taxi information; retrieves navigation reference and object data; generates an image data set as a function of the aircraft taxi information data and the navigation reference and object data; and provides the image data set to a display system. The image data set could be representative of an image in which one or more first location highlighters highlight the location(s) of one or more raised surface features that appear within an egocentric, perspective scene outside the aircraft. The one raised surface feature could be comprised of a raised surface boundary or a raised surface centerline. In an additional embodiment, the image could include one or more second location highlighters highlighting the location(s) of one or more raised surface transition features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Scherer, Travis S. VanderKamp, Felix B. Turcios, John W. Romine, III, Kenneth A. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 9176324
    Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for enhancing an image presented to the pilot on an aircraft display unit. Locations of visible and invisible objects related to aviation such as airports, navigation aids and facilities, and airspace are enhanced by providing highlighter bands with location highlighters. Navigation data representative of aircraft navigation information is received, and location data representative of the location of at least one object located outside the aircraft is retrieved based upon the navigation data. An image generating processor generates an image data set as a function of highlighter data associated with the location data, where the image data set is representative of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional image in which each object is enhanced with location highlighter and/or highlighter band of. The image data set may be provided to a tactical display unit, a strategic display unit, or both for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Christoper A. Scherer, Travis S. Vanderkamp, Victor E. Villagomez, Sarah Barber
  • Patent number: 9000952
    Abstract: Present novel and non-trivial methods for presenting taxi information to a pilot are disclosed. Each method may generate an image data set from taxi information data and navigation reference and object data. A first image data set may be representative of an image in which one or more first location highlighter(s) highlighting the location(s) of one or more raised surface feature(s) appears within an egocentric or exocentric three-dimensional representation of a scene located outside the aircraft. A second image data set may be representative of an image in which one or more unconventional surface feature(s) highlighting the location(s) of one or more raised surface feature(s) appears within an egocentric or exocentric three-dimensional representation of a scene located outside the aircraft. A third image data set may be representative of an image in which one or more unconventional surface feature(s) appears within an airport surface map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis S. Vanderkamp, Christopher A. Scherer, Victor E. Villagomez, Felix B. Turcios
  • Patent number: 8976042
    Abstract: Present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for combining image data received from two or more vision systems are disclosed. A system may be comprised of a first vision source, a second vision source, and an image generator (“IG”). The first vision source may be could configured to generate a first image data set and a depth buffer data set, and the second vision data source could configured to generate a second image data set. The IG could be configured to receive both the first and second image data sets; the depth buffer data set; and generate a third image data set as a function of both image data sets, the depth buffer data set, and a pixel cutoff distance that may be fixed or variable. In addition, the pixel cutoff distance may be determined as a function of input variable data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Y. Chiew, Roger L. Yum, Travis S. Vanderkamp, Alexander D. Reid, Carlo L. Tiana, Weston J. Lahr
  • Patent number: 8933934
    Abstract: The system assures the proper operation of a programmable GPU. A list of shader programs is generated. A programmable GPU is instructed to render a set of graphic primitives to generate test image data into a test area of RAM of the GPU utilizing one of the listed programs. The GPU is instructed to combine test image data from the test area with normal image data to form a composite image as display image data. The data in the GPU RAM is output to an image processing unit (IPU), wherein the data is processed by the IPU. The IPU is utilized to apply a CRC algorithm to the test image data to calculate a check value. The calculated value is compared against a predetermined value for the test area. A fault is reported if the calculated check value does not match the predetermined value. These above steps are then repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan W. Hill, Travis S. Vanderkamp, Victor C. Ashby