Abstract: A system for providing a manipulatable graphical display comprising a user input device responsive to a user input, a cursor control device operably coupled to the user input device, and a menu engine operably coupled to the cursor control device. The cursor control device is further configured to process an output received from the user input device and generate a cursor image positioned on a display in response to the user output suitable for locking onto and tracing a path on the display.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting a thrust dissymmetry of an aircraft during a landing are disclosed. The detection device (6) comprises means (7) for detecting, upon a landing, that at least one of the engine control levers occupies an intermediary position comprised between a position threshold and a maximum speed position, as well as at least another engine control lever occupies an idling position, and means (9, 13) for triggering a warning when a landing condition is validated and at least one of the control levers occupies said intermediary position, at least another control lever occupying said idling position.

Abstract: An aircraft navigation aid device includes at least one flight management system, an airport navigation aid unit which is incorporated in this flight management system, and a common interface unit.

Abstract: An operational flight phase determination and indication system for an aircraft includes input/output circuitry for receiving an operational flight phase selector output signal and aircraft sensor signals. A processor is coupled to the input/output circuitry. A flight phase data table is coupled to the processor. The flight phase data table includes a list of the defined operational flight phases for the aircraft. A flight phase transition rules set is coupled to the processor. The flight phase transition rules set includes flight rules for defining flight phase transitions. Program memory and working memory are coupled to the processor. The processor uses input from the input/output circuitry, the flight phase data table, the flight phase transition rules set, the program memory and the working memory to provide an operational mode signal indicating the operational mode of the aircraft.

Abstract: A display system and method for an aircraft simultaneously displays the terrain under the flight plan, or under the current track of the aircraft, as both a two-dimensional lateral situation view image and as a perspective vertical situation view image. This provides improved tactical flight planning, and that does not erroneously show the flight plan passing through the displayed terrain.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for condition-based maintenance of mechanical systems. In one embodiment, a method for performing condition-based maintenance on a mechanical system includes providing a radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag on a component of the mechanical system, sensing one or more operating conditions during operation of the mechanical system, calculating a service life increment of the component based on the one or more operating conditions, and adjusting a service life value stored on the RFID tag. After operation of the mechanical system has ceased, the method includes scanning the service life value stored on the RFID tag, and determining whether at least one of an inspection, a maintenance, and a repair of the component is needed based on the service life value. The mechanical system may be an aircraft, and the operating conditions may include aerodynamic conditions, loads, accelerations, and movements of the aircraft during flight.

Abstract: A method for filtering and presenting relevant aircraft traffic to a pilot may include determining a location and altitude of aircraft within a predetermined airspace relative to the pilot's own aircraft. The method may also include presenting a representation of the pilot's own aircraft and a representation of the location of each of the aircraft within the predetermined airspace in relation to the pilot's own aircraft on a display to the pilot. The method may additionally include filtering relevant aircraft within a selected filtering airspace relative to the pilot's own aircraft. The method may further include presenting the representation of the relevant aircraft within the selected filtering airspace in a selected format to distinguish the relevant aircraft within the selected filtering airspace from any other aircraft that may be presented in the display.

Abstract: An alerts module having a memory storing aircraft data, the aircraft data including identities of aircraft that are grounded and a processor comparing the aircraft data to predetermined rules for determining whether an aircraft is stranded and generating an alert for each of the aircraft that are determined to be stranded, wherein the alert includes the identify of the aircraft that is stranded.

Abstract: A filter frame is provided suitable for use in conjunction with a light filter and a display head assembly including a display head and a bezel. The filter frame comprises a frame member configured to removably hold the light filter between the display head and the bezel. At least one guide member is fixedly coupled to the frame member and configured to engage a peripheral portion of the light filter to retain the light filter within the frame member.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a displaying a moving map display for an aircraft is provided. The method includes determining a route of intended travel of the aircraft on the moving map display, determining a rank of relative importance of a plurality of aeronautical symbols displayed on the moving map display based on the determined route of intended travel, and de-emphasizing at least one navigation symbol with the moving map display based on the at least one navigation symbol determined rank.

Abstract: The invention provides an instrument control panel that is easily customized and reconfigured, and yet provides the familiar tactile sensation of physical knobs, sliders, and buttons. The instrument control panel comprises one or more interface components that are removably coupled to an interface display wherein the interface components communicate with one or more control components disposed behind the interface display. The present invention lends itself particularly well to an instrument panel.

Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for presenting runway advisory information are disclosed. A runway reference may be established using data received from a source of navigation reference data, where such data could represent runway information, runway awareness zone information, landing awareness zone information, and/or runway threshold line information. Navigation data representative of at least aircraft location and input factor data may be received from a source. Phase of flight may be determined using input factor data, and a runway advisory data set may be generated as a function of phase of flight and the positional relationship between aircraft location and the runway reference. Runway advisory data set may be representative of advisory information comprised of visual runway advisory information, aural runway advisory information, tactile advisory information, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A display system for an aircraft includes a processing unit configured to receive data related to an aircraft profile and to supply display commands with symbology based on the aircraft profile; and a display device coupled the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and operable to render a three-dimensional view with the symbology based on the aircraft profile. The symbology may include slope symbology.

Abstract: A device comprises means for computing the air-craft (A) current position, means for determining at least one maximum permitted deviation (E1) around a set position of the flight path of the flight plan according to accuracy and integrity performances of said current position computation and to the restriction of a flight range authorized in a flight corridor (6A, 6B), and a display system (7) for displaying at least one a distance scale (9) on a viewing screen (8), at least one a fixed symbol (10) displaying the current position and two movable pointers (13, 14) displaying the limits of said maximum permitted deviation (E1).

Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for presenting messages to a pilot of an aircraft are disclosed. The system comprises a source for providing message data, a message generating (“MG”) processor, and a presentation system. Message data received from a message data source includes data fields for providing message location on a flight plan and one or more modes of presentation. After receiving the message data, an MG processor generates a message presentation data set corresponding to the message data; the message presentation data set represents a message object shown at the message location on a flight plan and at least one presentation mode. Then, a presentation system receives the message presentation data set and presents the information contained in such data set to one or more units of the presentation system including a visual display unit and/or an aural alert unit.

Abstract: A network of nodes, in which each node is associated with a choice, is used in designing text to be displayed to a user. At least part of the nodes correspond to a choice of a type of text. At least part of the nodes correspond to a choice of a text display context. At least part of the nodes correspond to a determination of whether the text is provided in response to an action of the user. At least part of the nodes correspond to a determination that the message display originates from a transducer. Text design rules are associated with at least part of the nodes. Pathfinding is performed by a designer, using the network of nodes, based on a response to a choice associated with each node encountered in the network of nodes. For each network node encountered during pathfinding, each rule associated with the encountered network node is made available to the designer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for the processing and optimization of flight plans is disclosed. Information regarding a plurality of previous flight plans is received over a digital network and is stored in at least a database. The database preferably includes aviation fuel price information, aircraft performance information, and aviation weather information as well. Upon receiving a request, a server generates at least an optimized portion of a flight plan. In one form, historical flight plan data of others is automatically used to aid in the determination of the optimized route offered to the user for review, with the resulting final flight plan being electronically filed with the FAA upon approval. In a further form, the user may arrange fuel transactions at intermediate destinations with the service provider receiving a fee in exchange for facilitating the transaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for providing an aircraft flight status signal which indicates whether the aircraft is in the air or on the ground, which device calculates the flight status signal as a function of a number of differently provided flight speed signals, a number of differently provided engine status signals, a number of differently provided evacuation signals, a number of differently provided front undercarriage status signals and a number of differently provided main undercarriage status signals.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for intelligently managing the avionics display, information, and controls to more evenly distribute pilot task loads and/or automatically configure/reconfigure displays during flights.

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: A wayfinding device is provided for giving directions to a desired destination within a building having a plurality of wayfinding beacons configured to transmit data using an ultrasound signal. The ultrasound signal can include a plurality of bursts, wherein a sequence of predefined time intervals between consecutive bursts within the plurality of bursts uniquely identifies each wayfinding beacon. The wayfinding device is separate from the wayfinding beacons and includes a wayfinding beacon recognition component configured to identify a wayfinding beacon when the device receives the data through the ultrasound signal from a wayfinding beacon. The device is further programmed to provide directions to a user of the device in a direction toward the desired destination in response to identifying a wayfinding beacon.

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 method identifies turbulence information from turbulence data generated by a set of remote aircraft based on a request to form identified turbulence information. The turbulence information is identified in response to the request received at an aircraft to view the turbulence information. The identified turbulence information is displayed on a display device in the aircraft.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently updating text or symbol annunciations outputted by an avionics system on legacy displays. Instead of using a set sweeping pattern to update the display, a smart updating concept is used. The smart updating concept senses when the pilot is adjusting the selected altitude control (or other user interface device that will alter displayed annunciations), then gives priority to updating the radial lines on the display that contain the annunciation field. Once the annunciation field has been updated, the display returns to normal operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for monitoring the temperature of an aircraft, in which at least one camera connected to a first processing unit, for imaging detection of at least one region of the substantially upwardly-pointing outer surface of the aircraft, detects an images once, several times, or at regular intervals and transmits this to the first processing unit, wherein the light spectrum which may be detected by the camera lies substantially in the infrared range and the first processing unit determines the temperatures of substantially all the pictorially detected locations or has these determined by a downstream signal-processing device, in each case compares the temperature for individual locations with a predetermined maximum design temperature for the relevant location, and if the maximum design temperature is exceeded, generates a warning signal.

Abstract: Gaze based systems and methods are used to aid traffic controllers and/or pilots. A gaze line of an eye of the user viewing the display is tracked using an eyetracker. An intersection of the gaze line of the eye with the display is calculated to provide continuous feedback as to where on the display the user is looking A trace of the gaze line of the eye is correlated with elements of a situation. The user's awareness of the situation is inferred by verifying that the user has looked at the elements of the situation. In an embodiment, the user is notified of the situation when it is determined that the user has not looked at the elements of the situation for a predetermined period of time. The notification is automatically removed once it is determined that the user has looked at the elements of the situation.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for displaying flight plan data. First level flight plan data is displayed and user input is received selecting a selection of a portion of the first level flight plan data. In response to receiving the selection of the portion of the first level flight plan data, second level flight plan data is displayed, wherein the second level flight plan data displayed is used to derive the selected portion of the first level flight plan data selected by the user input.

Abstract: The invention applies particularly to the method and device for displaying forecasts on the flight plan of an aircraft. The method includes representing the craft by a first symbol in its current position and by a second symbol in its future position, modifying the position of the second symbol on the navigation plan in order to change it to a future position, displaying on the viewing screen the first symbol and at the same time the second symbol representing the craft on the navigation plan in a future position and displaying on the viewing screen the navigation data at the instant of the future position of the craft.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving landing gear alerting on a rotary wing aircraft. An example system includes a user interface device that allows a user to set a bug altitude value and a radio altimeter that produces an altitude value, both of which are in communication with a processor. The processor receives a bug altitude setting, generates a landing gear alert altitude value based on the received bug altitude setting and a predefined additive, receives a radio altitude value for the rotary-wing aircraft, and generates a landing gear alert if the radio altitude value is less than the landing gear alert altitude value and the landing gear is not in a landing position. An output device in signal communication with the processor, outputs the generated landing gear alert.

Abstract: The invention relates to aircraft instrument panel equipment. According to the invention, the proposal is for an instrument panel which, in addition to a main display system for horizon and necessary piloting parameters, comprises two items of equipment identical from the point of view of hardware and the point of view of software, each provided with a display screen, automatic pilot set point adjustment buttons, computing means and standby data (standby horizon, altitude, speed). In normal operating conditions, one of the items of equipment is configured in an “automatic pilot set point display” mode; its control buttons are used to give the set points to the automatic pilot computer, and the set points are displayed on the screen. The other item of equipment is configured in “integrated standby data display” mode. It displays on the screen the standby horizon, the standby speed and the standby altitude. The mode may be switched at will or in the event of a failure of one of the two items of equipment.

Abstract: The present general inventive concept relates to a system of method having an electronic flight display that meets the FAR 23.1311(b) regulatory requirement for redundant backup instruments in the cockpit. The present general inventive concept also provides a system and method to detect failures, obstructions, or improper operation of the aircraft pitot pressure sensing system using a combination of dissimilar sensor data that is independent from each other, e.g., allocated from different sources and employed for different purposes on different displays, and displays information on an avionics display screen.

Abstract: The present general inventive concept relates to methods and systems to select and display information on an avionics display screen. The systems and methods allow for the selection and display of information using knobs to highlight and select the desired information for display, eliminating the need for a cursor function. The systems and methods also provide for multiple pages and/or multiple windows or “tiles” within these pages and/or windows simultaneously on a single screen of a display, with each window, page, and/or tile being fully controlled independently when selected. The present general inventive concept also relates to systems and methods to provide multiple cues on an electronic display system altitude tape to a pilot in advance and impending approach to a predefined altitude. The present general inventive concept also relates to systems and methods to employ variable resolution topographical data based on display range for an avionics navigation display.

Abstract: A head-up display system includes an aircraft, a predicted flight path generation component that calculates a predicted flight path over a period of time, and a graphic generation component configured to generate a graphical display and project it onto a combiner configured to combine the graphical display with a visual exterior view. A synthetic vision system includes an aircraft, a predicted flight path generation component that receives one or more state parameters and calculates a predicted flight path over a period of time, and a synthetic terrain generation component configured to generate a synthetic view which is displayed on a display. The graphical display and/or the synthetic view includes a three-dimensional depiction of the predicted flight path over the period of time generated utilizing one or more three-dimensional transforms, one or more graphical images based on flight data, and a three-dimensional graphical depiction of a flight plan.

Abstract: An electronic display instrument configured to secure in a desired position over multiple pre-existing instrument holes in a dashboard of an aircraft in place of multiple conventional display instruments, each conventional instrument having a conventional readout. The instrument comprises a display screen having a plurality of readouts corresponding to the conventional readouts of the multiple conventional instruments that the electronic display instrument replaces. The instrument further includes a body having a front and a back opposite the front and a top and a bottom opposite the top. The body is positioned adjacent and connected to the display screen. The instrument also includes an electronics module protruding from the back of the body to position in one of the pre-existing instrument holes in the dashboard panel of the aircraft.

Abstract: A display system and method for an aircraft displays, in real-time, the protected airspace associated with a CTL maneuver. The system processes aircraft approach category data and determines the protected airspace based at least in part on the processed aircraft approach category. An image representative of the determined protected airspace is displayed on the aircraft flight deck display system.

Abstract: An augmented air data and inertial reference system (AADIRS) serving as a standby instrument on an aircraft is provided. A secondary air data and inertial reference system (ADIRS) includes a secondary air data module coupled to a secondary inertial reference module. The secondary air data and inertial reference system is configured to derive secondary air data and inertial reference data using the secondary air data module and the secondary inertial reference module. The secondary inertial reference system is further configured to provide the second air data and inertial reference data to a flight control system for use as a backup source of data for control of the aircraft. A graphics module is coupled to the secondary air data and inertial reference system and a display. The graphics module is configured to receive the secondary air data and inertial reference data and process the secondary air and inertial reference data.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for displaying flight track data.

Abstract: An airport lighting aid simulation system comprises a data storage unit configured to store lighting aid data relating to a plurality of airports. The lighting aid data indicates a type and a location of an airport lighting aid at a runway at each airport. The system also includes a display unit and a processing unit operatively connected to both the data storage device and the display unit. The processing unit is configured to receive an input signal indicative of a target runway, to retrieve a sub-set of the lighting aid data from the data storage unit, the sub-set being indicative of a target runway lighting aid, and to control the display unit to display a target runway description. The system enables a pilot to determine whether a visible runway is the target runway by comparing a view from an aircraft as the aircraft approaches the visible runway with the target runway description.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of display management of display devices of an aircraft cockpit and particularly to a method of synchronizing display parameters of the display devices and associated monitoring system. The invention includes a method for synchronizing at least one display parameter, such as a luminance parameter, through a series of simple controls of a centralized means of control of the levels of the display parameter. The invention also provides a monitoring system including individual means of monitoring the display parameters and a centralized control means. The invention applies, for example, to instrument panels of aircraft having a plurality of viewing units.

Abstract: A method for estimating engine thrust values of an aircraft is disclosed, the method comprising calculating estimated thrust value of an engine based on an equation of longitudinal motion, aircraft data measured during flight and calibrated drag/lift models, and a method for determining the thrust of an aircraft engine, based on information available from tracking the aircraft air-speed, acceleration, and position, the method comprising calculating the thrust, using the following equation: Thrust=mg{dot over (H)}/V+m{dot over (V)}+Drag.

Abstract: A method is present for displaying weather information. A number of weather conditions present within an altitude range along a route of an aircraft is identified from weather data. A type of weather indicator is selected based on a type of weather condition in the number of weather conditions to form a number of weather indicators. A vertical situation display is displayed with the number of weather indicators in a number of locations on a display corresponding to the number of locations for the number of weather conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for displaying a flight plan of an aircraft. The display device includes a display presenting unit making it possible to identify the flight phase of each waypoint of a flight plan which is displayed on a screen, and an activation unit making it possible to directly access a corresponding flight phase page.

Abstract: A terrain advisory display including a display, a processing circuit coupled to the display and wherein the display is configured to generate a three-dimensional image.

Abstract: The parts of the flight plan of an aircraft corresponding to lateral trajectories at low altitude can comprise passages with limited lateral freedom of deployment because of risks of collision with the ground, or because of obstacles on the ground. The method makes it possible to signal them for the attention of the crew, so that said crew should redouble their attention. To do this it uses the display, on an onboard navigation screen, of a vertical profile of margin of maneuver relating to the navigation band widened to the right and to the left by lateral margins of maneuver, superimposed on the vertical navigation profile relating only to the navigation band.

Abstract: An interconnecting apparatus for interconnecting a pilot station of an aircraft to at least one aircraft zone includes a device for communicating between the pilot station and the aircraft zone. The aircraft zone includes a device permitting a person present in the aircraft zone to identify themselves and a display device indicating a functional status of the aircraft. The pilot station includes a display device indicating a location of each person being identified in the aircraft zone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for enhancing the situational awareness of an operator. Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) traffic data transmitted by a traffic entity are received. The ADS-B traffic data are processed to determine traffic entity position. The traffic entity position is mapped to corresponding image coordinates on an enhanced vision system (EVS) display. A region of interest around at least a portion of the corresponding image coordinates is selected. An actual image of the traffic entity is rendered on the EVS display, at the corresponding image coordinates, and with at least a portion of the region of interest being highlighted.

Abstract: A system and method of providing aerial navigation. Techniques are described for receiving global positioning system data, receiving local positioning system data such as instrument landing system data, generating a virtual target flight path using the global positioning system data and the local positioning system data, and presenting a virtual target flight path indicator corresponding to the virtual target flight path. In one implementation, the system includes a user interface, a global positioning component, a local positioning component, and a processing system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automated collection and analysis of aircraft flight data. In accordance with one aspect, a system for collecting flight data associated with an aircraft is provided to transmit collected flight data to a remote system for storage and processing. In accordance with another aspect, a remote system utilizes received aircraft location data to determine whether an aircraft flight incident has occurred, and to alert appropriate emergency services. In accordance with another aspect, a remote system analyzes received aircraft flight data and quantitatively evaluates performance of a pilot. In yet another aspect, a system is provided for graphical and textual display of collected aircraft flight data and pilot performance evaluation data.

Abstract: A system for detection of foreign objects on an aircraft travel surface and ascription of the foreign objects present on the aircraft travel surface to foreign object sources, the system including a foreign object detection subsystem operative to detect foreign objects on an aircraft travel surface, a potential foreign object source identifier subsystem operative to indicate the presence of potential foreign object sources at or near the aircraft travel surface and a foreign object to foreign object source correlator operative to receive inputs from the foreign object detection subsystem and from the foreign object source identifier subsystem indicating at least a time relationship between sensed presence of the potential foreign object sources on the aircraft travel surface and detection of the foreign objects and to provide an ascription output indicating the origin of at least some of the foreign objects detected by the foreign object detection subsystem.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a sensor network in an aircraft for collecting data about the aircraft. The sensor network in the aircraft collects the data about the aircraft. The sensor network comprises a set of wireless sensors attached to a first set of locations for the aircraft, a set of wireless routers attached to a second set of locations for the aircraft, and a set of gateways connected to an aircraft data processing system. The set of wireless routers is capable of receiving the data in wireless signals transmitted by the set of wireless sensors. The set of gateways is capable of receiving data in the wireless signals from the set of wireless routers to form received data and is capable of transmitting the received data into the aircraft data processing system.