Abstract: Systems and methods for viewing systems and status of a vehicle are provided. One system includes memory configured to store schematic data representing a schematic of the vehicle and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the schematic data. The system further includes a display coupled to the processor and configured to output an image of the schematic, the image providing a transparent direct view of the vehicle and the systems. One method includes the steps of generating an image representing a schematic of the vehicle and the systems, the image providing a transparent direct view of the vehicle and the systems and selectively rotating the image such that a user is capable of viewing the vehicle and the systems from a plurality of angles. Also provided are machine-readable mediums including instructions for executing the above method.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a position indicating display system for an aircraft are provided. The system includes a map display unit configured to display a map representative of an area being traversed by the aircraft, and an overlay comprising an own ship depiction, said overlay displayed on the map for a period of time in response to an input from at least one of a user and an aircraft sensor.

Abstract: A flight deck display system is provided for selectively displaying terminal procedure data. The flight deck display system comprises at least one display device, a terminal procedure data source, and a processor coupled to the at least one display device and the terminal procedure data source. The processor is configured to selectively retrieve the terminal procedure data from the terminal procedure data source based on at least one terminal procedure parameter and display the retrieved terminal procedure data on the at least one display device.

Abstract: A display system for dynamically displaying aircraft flight information. The system includes a processor, memory, and a display. The processor is capable of communicating with the memory, the display, and a system environment of the aircraft. The processor is configured to display a flight map for the aircraft on the display, to evaluate state variable(s) dynamically representing state(s) in the aircraft system environment, and dynamically modify the flight map based at least in part on the evaluation.

Abstract: A system for verifying the generation of a critical symbology includes a display processor configured to generate graphic commands from one or more system inputs. The display processor is further configured to determine the critical symbology. A graphics processing unit is coupled to the display processor. The graphics processing unit is configured to generate a plurality of pixels forming an image and is further configured to mark at least a portion of the plurality of pixels to produce marked pixels of the critical symbology. A graphics logic device is coupled to the graphics processing unit and includes an integrity monitoring function and a memory coupled to the integrity monitoring function. The integrity monitoring function is configured to detect the marked pixels and generate data regarding the critical symbology. The memory is configured to store the data regarding the critical symbology.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to capture images of weather along a portion of a flight path of an aircraft, and are operable to wirelessly communicate information corresponding to the captured images to the aircraft. An exemplary embodiment has at least one camera pointed in a direction corresponding to a portion of the flight path of the aircraft and configured to capture images of weather in proximity to the portion of the flight path, and has a transceiver configured to wirelessly communicate images captured by the at least one camera.

Abstract: The system for presenting visual features to a pilot of an aerial vehicle contains a flight display. The flight display includes a display screen, a programmable device, an input device, and a memory. A plurality of visual features is contained in the memory. A plurality of feature characteristics is contained in the memory. Each of the feature characteristics is linked to at least one of the features. An environmental device communicates with the input device. The environmental device inputs an approximately present environmental condition of the aerial vehicle to the input device. The programmable device compares the approximately present environmental condition to the feature characteristics to determine which of the features stored in the memory to display on the flight display.

Abstract: An aircraft cockpit display arrangement having a primary instrument display region for positioning in front of at least one pilot. The primary instrument display region has a wide screen format panel display and duplicated redundant display drive electronics configured to present both primary flight information and navigational display information on the same screen.

Abstract: An aircraft display system (100) includes a first device (102) providing (402) flight data of a selected flight path of an aircraft (214), a device (106, 114) providing (404) a plurality of data points representative of the terrain (302) below the selected flight path, a processor (104) generating (406) display commands from the flight data and the plurality of data points, and a display (116) coupled to receive the display commands and operable to render (408) in a perspective view an icon representative of the aircraft (214) and the terrain (302) near the aircraft (214).

Abstract: A circuit for a display used on an aircraft causes the display to display a composite terrain image. The composite terrain image can be formed from first terrain data from a terrain database and second terrain data from a radar system. A display control circuit can generate a display signal for the composite terrain image. The display signal is received by the display. The composite terrain image can be viewed by a pilot.

Abstract: A method is present for presenting weather information. A number of weather conditions for a geographic region is identified from weather data for the geographic region. A geometry is selected for a weather condition based on a type of the weather condition to form a number of geometries. Each geometry within the number of geometries has a level of transparency within a corresponding border allowing another geometry to be identified when displayed in an overlapping manner. A spatial extension is selected for the each geometry within the number of geometries based on an extent of an associated weather condition to form the number of geometries. The number of geometries is displayed on a map of the geographic region in which the number of geometries is displayed in locations on the map corresponding to locations of the number of weather conditions in the geographic region.

Abstract: An aircraft system includes a visual display system; a printer; and a flight management system coupled to the visual display system and the printer. The flight management system includes a processor and a plurality of data sources coupled to the processor. The processor includes a crew interface module coupled to the plurality of data sources, a display driver coupled to the crew interface module and the visual display system, and a printer driver coupled to the crew interface module and the printer. The crew interface module is configured to generate a report from data from the data sources and to send the report to the visual display system via the display driver. The visual display system is configured to receive the report and to display the report.

Abstract: The method for aiding in the design of a text to be displayed to a user is provided with: a step (410) of constituting a network of nodes associated with choices, at least part of the said nodes corresponding to a choice of type of text, at least part of the said nodes corresponding to a choice of text display context, at least part of the said nodes corresponding to the determination of whether the text responds to an action of the user and at least part of the said nodes corresponding to the determination that a transducer is at the origin of the text display, a step (415) of associating text design rules with at least part of the said nodes, a step (420, 425) of pathfinding in the said network, by a said designer, in response to the choice associated with each node encountered in the course of the said pathfinding, and for each network node encountered in the course of the said pathfinding, a step (430 to 455) of making each rule associated with the said network node available to the designer.

Abstract: In order to adjust the luminance of indicator lights of a piece of monitoring and control equipment for an airplane, the control for regulating luminous intensity of legends and displays is used to act on the luminance value of the indicator lights. When the indicator lights are illuminated in a “day” mode, the luminance of the indicator lights is independent from the regulation of the luminous intensity of legends and displays. When the indicator lights are illuminated in a “night” mode corresponding to a reduced luminance of the indicator lights relative to the “day” mode, the luminance of the indicator lights can take at least two values according to the luminous intensity regulation value of the legends and displays.

Abstract: A flight control indicator for an aircraft has a set of information sources, a computation unit which determines, on the basis of information emanating from the set of information sources, an item of information regarding actual thrust of an engine of the aircraft, and a display device which is a head-up display device and which presents, on a display screen, an indication of the item of information regarding actual thrust. The item of information regarding actual thrust is associated with a thrust scale and both are presented superimposed on the environment prevailing in front of the aircraft.

Abstract: The invention concerns a piloting indicator (1) comprising data sources (2) which determine the parameter values concerning the propeller and the turbine of the turboprop, as well as the parameter values concerning the aircraft, processing means (3) which calculate, based on said values, a power parameter which takes into account the ratio between the current power of the turboprop engine and the maximum power obtained without air bleed at sea level in standard atmosphere, and display means (5) which display, on a viewing screen (7), at least one characteristic symbol (11) illustrating said power parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for integrated control, access, and customizable presentation of navigation related, flight information data on a multifunction display (MFD) within a cockpit. The MFD includes a bezel having controls located thereon which are adapted for controlling display formats, communication devices, navigational devices, and equipment sensors. A display is located adjacent to the bezel. The display is adapted to include at least one display region having navigation related data. At least one of the controls is operable to variably select a display format for the at least one display region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling activation of a look-ahead function of a terrain alert and warning system. The system receives rate of climb and aircraft speed information, compares the rate of climb and aircraft speed information to a predefined threshold, and deactivates a look-ahead function based on the comparison.

Abstract: The invention discloses differing embodiments of methods, aircraft, and apparatus for communicating the braking conditions of a runway. In one embodiment, braking information may be determined from a first aircraft which has landed on the runway. The braking information may be communicated to air traffic control and/or a second aircraft. Communication of the braking information may take place utilizing an Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast system (ADS-B) and/or other type of automatic networking system.

Abstract: A method is provided for assisting the piloting of a rotorcraft in which vertical speed variation (DVZ) of the rotorcraft is determined as a function of a horizontal speed variation (DVH) of the aircraft and as a function of data representative of the power (W) absorbed for providing the rotorcraft with lift and forward advance, the ratio between variation speed vertical (DVZ) and the horizontal speed (VH) of the rotorcraft is calculated, and a piloting assistance symbol is presented on a display in a position (?) that is a function of the ratio.

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: A weather briefing system that may be used in the cockpit to provide near real-time graphic and text weather information. Weather information and pilot reports are fed to the cockpit from, e.g., a satellite in geosynchronous orbit. Once delivered to the aircraft, the system processes the data stream and formats it for delivery to an end user device. The data is collected from an extensive network of sources. The end user device may be a portable electronic flight bag (EFB), panel-mounted display (MFD), or similar device programmed to display the formatted data. The system provides timely and accurate weather information to pilots of all types of aircraft. This information may be used for pre-flight planning and in-flight decision-making.

Abstract: A vehicle location determination system including a radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogator system positioned on a vehicle; and, a plurality of passive RFID tags positioned in an environment proximate to an intended path of the vehicle. The RFID interrogator system provides the capability of having the vehicle determine its location in the proximate environment based on the interrogation of the passive RFID tags. The present invention is particularly adaptable for use in an airport environment. It is not reliant on any type of ground based interrogation system. Instead, the airport surface movement area (i.e. taxiways, runways, ramps and gates) is only required to have a system of passive RFID tags.

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 device to assist in the piloting of an aircraft in free flight includes a display unit to present, in a display window of a screen, an information presentation illustrating a vertical plane and which is formed so as to position the display window altitude-wise, and to further position a symbol illustrating the aircraft vertically in the display window, where the positioning of the display window and the symbol are based on the current flight phase, the current altitude and the current value of a particular vertical parameter of the aircraft.

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.

Abstract: Described is a heads-up display system for an aircraft having a rotating propeller assembly. The heads-up display system includes an electrical interconnection sheet and a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) electrically connected to the electrical interconnection sheet. The heads-up display also includes means for securing the electrical interconnection sheet onto an outer surface of a propeller blade. A graphics generator disposed in the rotating propeller assembly is in electrical communication with the electrical interconnection sheet to control illumination of the LEDs while the propeller assembly rotates.

Abstract: A system and method of conveying missed approach procedures to a pilot are provided. The system and method include rendering a graphic representation of at least one leg of the missed approach procedure on a display. A determination is made as to whether the aircraft is at least substantially flying the at least one leg of the missed approach procedure. At least one visual characteristic of the rendered graphic is selectively varied based on the determination of whether the aircraft is at least substantially flying the at least one leg of the missed approach procedure.

Abstract: The invention discloses differing embodiments of methods, aircraft, and apparatus for determining the landing conditions of a runway. In one embodiment, braking data may be collected from an aircraft which has landed on the runway; a braking performance measurement of the aircraft may be calculated based on the braking data; and a normalized braking performance measurement may be determined based on the braking performance measurement. The invention may be utilized to predict the expected braking performance of various types of aircraft on the runway. The invention may provide landing performance information to a broad host of users, and/or may be used as a basis for the development of a new aviation standard for the reporting of runway braking action.

Abstract: A system and method for engaging in two-way communication between a pilot and an air traffic controller by speech and hearing processes wherein spoken messages are compared to a database of categorized messages for matching and selecting a categorized message for transmission between pilot and air traffic control.

Abstract: A landing assistance device and method for an aircraft. According to the invention, based on the landing procedure rules attached to the runway (2), a lower threshold and an upper threshold of total energy acceptable for the aircraft (1) are determined and the current total energy of the latter is compared with said thresholds.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for displaying appropriate identifiers on aircraft taxiways on an aircraft flight deck display. Data representative of taxiway segments, in which each taxiway segment at least partially defines the aircraft taxiway, are supplied. At least a portion of the taxiway segments that define the aircraft taxiway are rendered on the flight deck display. The rendered taxiway segments include identified segments and non-identified segments. The identified segments have the identifier associated with the aircraft taxiway rendered thereon. The non-identified segments do not have the identifier associated with the aircraft taxiway rendered thereon.

Abstract: A device to assist in the piloting of an aircraft includes a display unit to present, in a display window of a screen, an information presentation illustrating a vertical plane along a flight path which represents a flight plan and which is formed so as to position the display window altitude-wise, and to further position a symbol illustrating the aircraft vertically in the display window, where the positioning of the display window and the symbol are based on the current flight phase, the current altitude and an altitude relative to the flight path.

Abstract: A wireless communications system, and a corresponding method, for use with an aircraft, includes airborne base station equipment mounted on the aircraft, the base station equipment capable of communication with wireless devices used by subscribers on the aircraft and with one or more wireless communications networks, and switching/transaction processing equipment capable of communication with the base station equipment. The system further includes aircraft location equipment capable of communication with the base station equipment, where the aircraft's geographic location, including latitude, longitude, and altitude, is determined; and a push-pull wireless information system that receives the aircraft's geographic location information.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device (1) comprising means (7) for searching for elements of the airport which are displayed on a display field of a screen (9), means (10) for verifying, for each of said elements, whether it forms part of a first group for which a main anchoring point is located inside a label zone or of a second group for which the main anchoring point is located outside the label zone, means (13) for determining, for the elements of the second group, a secondary anchoring point located at an intersection between an axis of said element and the label zone, and means (15) for presenting on the screen (9) for each element a label comprising data concerning said element, the labels associated with the first group being located at the main point and those associated with the second group at the secondary anchoring zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuselage information display panel of an aircraft for displaying a display section arranged vertically and horizontally provided for each of a plurality of different information items. The display section changes color according to the contents of the displayed information (e.g., whether the displayed information identifies normal or abnormal operation).

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

Abstract: An aircraft optical display system for implementing an enhanced vision system based on weather conditions is described. The display system includes a plurality of imaging sensors configured to receive imaging input data and generate image data, where each imaging sensor is associated with one or more weather conditions. The system further includes a weather conditions input device configured to receive current weather condition information and a weather dependent imaging system configured to receive the current weather conditions information and to select one or more of the plurality of imaging sensors to provide imaging input data in accordance with the current weather conditions information.

Abstract: A current path display indicator for a display device of a vehicle. The current path display indicator includes a flight path indicator (FPI) and a visual cue associated with the FPI to indicate relative direction from the vehicle's current path to a desired path. The visual cue may be embodied in possibly a number of different ways. For example, it may be embodied as an arrow extending from a circular portion of the FPI; a highlighted segment superimposed on the circular portion of the FPI; a triangle extending from the circular portion; or, a pie-shaped marker contained within the circular portion.

Abstract: A method for providing aircraft data link network access for personal electronic devices is disclosed. The method comprises processing communications data for a personal electronic device operating within an aircraft, translating the processed data as a communications management function of the aircraft, and routing the translated data between the personal electronic device and at least one external sub-network of an aircraft data link network.

Abstract: A aircraft traffic display system, aircraft including the display system and a method of displaying aircraft and vehicle traffic in the display system. The system includes an ownship location finder determining ownship location and maps, including airport maps stored in map storage. A traffic information collector collecting information on airport and other traffic. A local display displays ownship on a moving map at a selected range and all airport traffic within range, or a filtered subset thereof. An off-scale traffic processor monitors off-scale traffic beyond the selected range and identifies of-interest off-scale traffic. The local display also provides an indication of any of interest off-scale traffic. The indication may visibly indicate status (e.g., air or ground) of respective said off-scale traffic and may include traffic specific information.

Abstract: A method for improving nighttime visual awareness of a pilot flying an aircraft carrying an air-to-air missile including one or more one gimbaled imaging sensor. The method includes providing a helmet for the pilot, a helmet tracking system for determining the attitude of the helmet relative to the aircraft, and a helmet-mounted display. The method also includes determining a current imaging sensor viewing direction of the imaging sensor of the air-to-air missile, sampling an image from the imaging sensor of the air-to-air missile and displaying the image on the helmet-mounted display. The determining and the displaying are performed so that the image displayed on the helmet-mounted display viewed by the pilot is spatially aligned with the scene viewed by the imaging sensor.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system remotely communicate and interface with an Aircraft Condition Monitoring System (ACMS) on an aircraft. The method and system offer a global communication architecture that can be implemented with existing ACMS devices and with any flight data acquisition unit (FDAU) equipped with a storage card, such as a Personal Computer Memory Card. International Association (PCMCIA) card. In a preferred embodiment, the method and system offer real-time wireless communication between the ACMS on an aircraft and a ground station without any hardware and/or software modifications to the ACMS.

Abstract: The invention relates to a radio-frequency communication system (1), comprising at least one radio-frequency transceiver (2, 3, 4), for transmission and reception according to a VDL mode 3 standard and for reception of status information for a radio-frequency communication of said radio-frequency transceiver (2, 3, 4) and a first man/machine interface (5) which displays at least one set of configuration information for said radio-frequency transceiver device (2, 3, 4). The first man/machine interface (5) also displays some of said status information for the radio-frequency communication for said radio-frequency transceiver device (2, 3, 4).

Abstract: These teachings present triple data transport redundancy in the form of three data bus interfaces that are each designed and manufactured independently from one another and compatible with a common data handling protocol. This protocol can be one that includes no error correction. These interfaces can each couple to a corresponding first, second, and third data bus that may comprise optical data busses. Information gauges can be realized through use a memory that stores a plurality of images comprising views of an information gauge (or gauges) of interest showing a variety of different readings. Upon receiving information regarding a monitored parameter of interest (via, for example, the aforementioned data busses and data bus interfaces), this information can be used to address the stored information gauge view that corresponds to the present parameter value. That particular view can be recalled and displayed to thereby provide the corresponding information to a viewer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for handling aircraft control information are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes a display medium coupleable to a flight manager, with the flight manager configured to receive and direct instructions for automatically controlling aircraft functions at a future time during flight of the aircraft. The system can further include a display controller coupled to the display medium to present at least one operator activatable element at the display medium and update information presented at the display medium when the operator activates the operator activatable element. For example, the operator activatable element can include an icon presented at a computer display screen, and can be activated by a keystroke.

Abstract: A hardware system for passively detecting wires from a mobile transportation system is provided. The hardware system includes a main processor in the hardware system that uses plural commands to manage a preprocessor module and a linker module, wherein the pre-processing module pre-processes a digital image taken from a digital camera of the transport system and reduces non-wire like clutter from the digital image and identifies pixels that can be classified as wire like; and the linker module links the identified pixels to determine if a wire like structure is present and a binary output from the linker module is sent to an output select module that allows a user to select a video output.

Abstract: A flight information communication system has a plurality of RF direct sequence spread spectrum ground data links that link respective aircraft-resident subsystems, in each of which a copy of its flight performance data is stored, with airport-located subsystems. The airport-located subsystems are coupled by way communication paths, such as land line telephone links, to a remote flight operations control center. At the flight operations control center, flight performance data downlinked from plural aircraft parked at different airports is analyzed. In addition, the flight control center may be employed to direct the uploading of in-flight data files, such as audio, video and navigation files from the airport-located subsystems to the aircraft.

Abstract: A display generation system that is able to generate display signals for an underlay image with at least one embedded safety pattern and display images for an overlay image. The display generation system and method are able to determine whether there are any anomalies or graphical errors when an overlay display generated by the system or generated by some other system is displayed simultaneously with the underlay image with the embedded safety pattern. The display generation system uses the embedded safety pattern to detect the occurrence of anomalies in the simultaneous display and uses information from its own generated overlay image to detect graphical errors in the simultaneous display. Flight display systems for aircraft can use the display generation system and method of the present invention to display an underlay image depicting geographical scenery in the vicinity of the aircraft while on the ground, during takeoff or in flight.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aircraft computing and display device that includes a general purpose processor, a touch screen display and a housing. The processor executes logical instructions in the form of computer software. The touch screen display forms an interactive human-machine interface by displaying video graphics and accepting user input with a pressure sensitive surface. The housing retains the processor and the touch screen and is physically configured to replace a legacy device mounted in a cockpit instrument panel of the aircraft.