Runway Presentation Patents (Class 340/972)
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Patent number: 8589071Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Thea L. Feyereisen, Ivan Sandy Wyatt, Gang He, Glenn Connor
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Publication number: 20130300587Abstract: A system and method are provided for displaying images to an aircrew member of an aircraft during approach to a runway. Synthetic approach texture objects for the runway are modified and displayed in accordance with current coordinates, altitude, and speed of the aircraft. The approach texture objects are identical, regularly spaced objects each having a surface forming a plane parallel to the runway.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2012Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Ivan Sandy Wyatt, Thea L. Feyereisen, Gang He
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Patent number: 8576094Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a display device associated with a vehicle are provided. A first image is caused to be displayed on the display device. The first image is at least representative of an actual terrain over which the vehicle is navigating. A second image is rendered over the first image on the display device. The second image includes a digital navigation corridor boundary corresponding to an actual navigation corridor boundary of an actual navigation corridor in which the vehicle is navigating. A luminance of at least a portion the digital navigation boundary on the display device is increased based on a proximity of a trajectory of the vehicle to the actual navigation corridor boundary.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2008Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: John G. Suddreth, Sergio Cecutta, Frank Cupero
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Publication number: 20130278444Abstract: A system and method are described for receiving a NOTAM and storing information relating to the distance of a temporarily displaced threshold for a runway. When that runway is selected for approach and landing, the temporarily displaced threshold and new aiming point are automatically displayed. The change made to the display using NOTAM data can be indicated to the pilot by distinct symbology or particular color, or by using an icon or an annunciation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Sadguni Venkataswamy, Prashant Prabhu, Ravindra Jayaprakash, Anil Kumar Songa, Mallikarjuna Narala
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Publication number: 20130271300Abstract: Systems and methods for using flight management system (FMS) takeoff and landing (TOLD) data to determine when an alert (advisory and caution) is present. Short-runway alerts are provided on runway line-up on the ground or during approach based on FMS TOLD data. The present invention also integrates FMS TOLD data with a two(or three)-dimensional airport moving map (AMM) display to allow the AMM to display which runways can safely accommodate the aircraft given the aircraft's gross weight and takeoff performance data. Indications are provided when suitable runway length exists for an intersection departure or when suitable runway length exists for landing for any given selected runway or a runway with a land and hold short (LAHSO) clearance in affect.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2012Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: David Pepitone, Ratan Khatwa
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Patent number: 8531315Abstract: A method and system for displaying three dimensional images of runways and terrain, as well as additional information, on one or more screens of an avionics display system is provided. The system merges elevation information for terrain points and elevation information for runway points by grouping runways together that are within a threshold distance of each other. For each group, a plane is calculated. The calculated plane is then projected onto all of the runways within the group. The plane may also be projected onto a subset of neighboring terrain points. The adjusted elevation created by the projection of the plane are then used in creating the images for display on the synthetic vision display. The result is that all of the runways within a group, along with their neighboring terrain, are displayed as being coplanar.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: L-3 Communications Avionics Systems, Inc.Inventors: Brett A. Painter, Joshua C. Seabloom
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Patent number: 8532844Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for presenting content on a display device onboard an aircraft. A method comprises displaying, on the display device, information corresponding to a first procedure and displaying an annotation associated with the first procedure on the display device. The first procedure is associated with an airport and prescribes operation of the aircraft in a vicinity of the airport, and the annotation comprises user-defined information pertaining to the first procedure.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Blake Wilson, Dave Pepitone, Roger W. Burgin
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Patent number: 8531308Abstract: The disclosed technology, in certain embodiments, includes a method and system for displaying messages in a wide-spectrum display includes a visible element comprising a first portion of a message and an invisible element comprising a second portion of the message. In one aspect, the method includes the step of displaying, in the visible element, e.g. an image from a film, a captured photograph or a first part of an advertisement. In certain embodiments, content may be displayed in the invisible element including, for example, subtitles, metadata or a second part of an advertisement. An individual may choose to view the invisible element by viewing the wide spectrum display through a wavelength conversion device. Also disclosed are the use of the display in games, and of its integration in wearable material.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2008Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Kameraflage, Inc.Inventors: Connor Dickie, Jeffrey Shell
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Patent number: 8527190Abstract: A method and system for aiding the taxiing of an aircraft on an airport domain enables automatic planning and execution of taxiing. The system includes a trajectory generating device for generating a taxiing trajectory of the aircraft on the airport domain, with the aid of a navigation data base, and piloting aiding devices that use the trajectory for aiding the taxiing of the aircraft. For example, the piloting aiding devices may include an automatic piloting/taxiing device and a display device.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2011Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations (SAS)Inventors: Jean-Claude Mere, Lucille Revertegat
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Patent number: 8502701Abstract: Technologies are described herein for displaying runway status information to a pilot in an aircraft. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a runway status display module displays a runway status indicator indicating the runway status information at a fixed scale independent of a scale of the map on a map display. In another aspect, the runway status indicator is displayed on a non-map display indicating the runway status of the runway. In another aspect, the runway status indicator is displayed at a position independent from a depiction of the runway on the aircraft display.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Juliana Joo-Hong Goh, Samuel T. Clark, Jill M. Martins, Roglenda R. Bowe
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Patent number: 8494766Abstract: A flight management system for use in automatically generating a flight path trajectory for an aircraft. The flight path trajectory includes a plurality of waypoints and a plurality of vectors that extend between each waypoint of the plurality of waypoints. The flight management system includes a processor that is configured to calculate a first flight path trajectory including an origin waypoint and a destination waypoint. A tactical command that indicates a change in flight trajectory is received. A second flight path trajectory based at least in part on the tactical command is calculated. The calculated second flight path trajectory includes a departure waypoint along the first flight path trajectory, an intercept waypoint along the first flight path trajectory, and a departure vector from the departure waypoint to the intercept waypoint.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: GE Aviation Systems, LLCInventor: Randy Lynn Walter
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Patent number: 8487787Abstract: A near-to-eye display allows an operator of a vehicle, such as a pilot of an aircraft, to see an obstacle on a conformal pathway, such as a runway or taxiway. The obstacle may be boundaries of the pathway or an object captured by an optional Infrared camera.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Carl A. Best, Frank Cupero
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Patent number: 8462019Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method for generating runway visual aids on an aircraft display unit, where such visual aids could be comprised of surface markings corresponding to the runway. Navigation data and runway data may be provided to an image generating processor which, in turn, generates an image data set representative of at least one visual aid corresponding to one runway located in the scene outside the aircraft. The intensity or brightness of a visual aid could vary when the aircraft is operating on the approach phase of flight. The variation of such intensity could be defined as a function of the navigation data and the data representative of one or more waypoints. The image data set may be provided to a Head-Down Display unit, a Head-Up Display unit, or both, each visual aid is presented on the screen of the display unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Travis S. VanDerKamp, Tiffany D. Williamson, Daniel Y. Chiew
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Patent number: 8457872Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing the flight of an aircraft flying along a trajectory and being subject to an absolute time constraint (on a downstream point) or relative time constraint (spacing with respect to a downstream aircraft), the said aircraft comprising a flight management system calculating a temporal discrepancy to the said time constraint, wherein the said method includes the following steps: the calculation of a distance on the basis of the temporal discrepancy, the modification of the trajectory: if the temporal discrepancy to the time constraint corresponds to an advance, the lengthening of the trajectory by the distance; if the temporal discrepancy to the time constraint corresponds to a delay, the shortening of the trajectory by the distance.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: ThalesInventor: Guy Deker
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Patent number: 8436750Abstract: The invention is a method making it possible to calculate and monitor the provisional landing distance and the configuration of the aircraft and flight parameters during the changes in the landing phase manoeuvre. The method consists in determining the landing runway then in analyzing the configuration and the dynamic parameters of the aeroplane, the meteorological and airport data in order to assess, from a performance database, whether the planned braking is suitable and will stop the aeroplane before the end of the runway.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2009Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: ThalesInventors: Bernard Fabre, Pascal Gayraud, Nicolas Marty
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Patent number: 8401775Abstract: An air traffic control system for control of airport ground traffic includes a graphical display system configured to display a surface map, and configured to enable a controller to input, via a graphical input device, a taxi route along the surface map. Furthermore, the system includes a processor operatively coupled to the graphical display system, wherein the processor is configured to provide the surface map to the graphical display system. The processor is programmed to interpret the taxi route, and modify the taxi route to a taxiway path existing on the surface map. The system includes a transmitter communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein the transmitter configured to transmit the taxiway path to an aircraft, and a datalink interface positioned onboard the aircraft and configured to receive and display the transmitted taxiway path.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: David Rozovski, Juliana J. Goh, Jean M. Crane, Michael E. Dey
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Patent number: 8396617Abstract: An assistance method and device for lateral control of an aircraft upon an approach phase is disclosed. The device (1) comprises means (25) to predict in flight a risk of runway lateral excursion and means (20) to advise the pilot of the aircraft about the existence of such a risk.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Airbus Operations (SAS)Inventors: Stéphane Puig, Jérôme Gauvin
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Patent number: 8386092Abstract: A hold line awareness system for alerting an occupant of an aircraft that the aircraft is approaching a hold line at an airport. In one broad aspect the invention includes an airport database located on an aircraft. The airport database is configured to store location information for a plurality of hold lines at the airport. A positioning system is located on the aircraft. The positioning system is configured to determine the aircraft location. A processor is located on the aircraft and is operatively connected to the airport database and the positioning system. The processor is configured to calculate the distance between the aircraft location and a hold line and provide a processor alerting output signal if the distance is less than a predetermined value. A sensory effector is located on the aircraft and operatively connected to the processor for receiving the processor alerting output signal and providing a tactile alert to an occupant in response thereto.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2008Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Matthew J. Carrico, Maureen A. Lehman
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Publication number: 20130041529Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2011Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventors: Gang He, Thea L. Feyereisen, Ivan Sandy Wyatt, Ken Leiphon, David Wright
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Patent number: 8370005Abstract: Methods are provided for presenting procedure information for an airport on a display device onboard an aircraft. A method comprises displaying a map on a display device and displaying a briefing panel overlying a portion the map. The briefing panel includes a plurality of segments, wherein each segment is associated with a type of procedure information for the airport.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Blake Wilson, Jary Engels, Ivan Sandy Wyatt, Roger W. Burgin
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Patent number: 8339284Abstract: A visual display system is provided, and includes a visual display element configured to display a visual display with three-dimensional, conformal background information at a first perspective; and a processor coupled to the visual display. The processor can be configured to evaluate flight path information and to adjust the visual display into a second perspective if the flight path information cannot be accurately displayed at the first perspective relative to the background.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2008Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Gang He
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Patent number: 8335642Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for displaying a symbol representing an aircraft. The symbol is displayed representing the aircraft at a location on a map at a first level of detail. The symbol represents a position of the aircraft on the map, moves on the map in a manner that represents movement of the aircraft with respect to features on the map, has a fixed level of detail that does not change as levels of detail change for the map, and has an anchor point at a first point on the symbol in which the anchor point is used as a point of rotation for the symbol. A second point is identified for the anchor point on the symbol such that view point of the symbol at the second level of detail remains fixed relative to the display of the symbol at the first level of detail. The map is displayed at the second level of detail. The symbol is displayed on the map using the second point for the anchor point.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2007Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Patrick Ralf Wipplinger, Rick Ellerbrock
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Publication number: 20120299752Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable medium are provided for displaying air and ground surveillance information on a portable electronic device. The receipt of a plurality of surveillance messages is enabled for both air and ground vehicles on the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device is connected by a wireless connection to a surveillance server. A plurality of surveillance messages are received by the portable electronic device after establishing a communication link with the surveillance server. Surveillance information is extracted from the plurality of surveillance messages by the portable electronic device. The surveillance information is rendered on a display of the portable electronic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Mohamed R. Mahmoud, Johnathan J. Pesce
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Patent number: 8319667Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2008Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Roger W. Burgin, Blake Wilson, Sandy Wyatt
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Patent number: 8271184Abstract: The invention relates to the field of monitoring and aid to taxiing of an aircraft at an airport. The invention is a method of checking and monitoring the taxi plan and relates to a monitoring system comprising means for checking the pathway of the plan and means for signalling on the taxi aid the waiting time for the next clearance ahead of the aircraft along the pathway, the means for checking the pathway comprising a device for checking the pathway constraints and a device for checking the clearances, the device for checking the constraints making it possible to test and to display on the taxi plan the information descriptive of the constraints and the device for checking the clearances making it possible to check the clearances and to add the missing clearances to the taxi plan.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: ThalesInventors: Pascal Gayraud, Nicolas Marty, Bernard Dubourg, Francois Michel
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Patent number: 8264378Abstract: Technologies are described herein for providing enhanced center and range control on an aircraft display. According to embodiments, a display mode is selected to display a map on the aircraft display. A range input for displaying the map in the selected display mode at a desired range and a centering input for centering on a predefined map location on the aircraft display are received. The range input and the centering input associated with the selected display mode are then stored. When the selected display mode is deselected and then reselected, the map is displayed on the aircraft display in the selected display mode according to at least one of the stored range input and the centering input associated with the selected display mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jill M. Martins, Samuel T. Clark, Juliana J. Goh, Roglenda R. Bowe
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Patent number: 8249806Abstract: A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for varying the intensity of a visual aid depicted on an aircraft display unit. Visual aids could represent visible features such as markings on a runway surface. Data representative of visual aids may be provided by a navigation reference data source with errors inherent in the data which may be measured by one or more quality parameters. Also, errors associated with quality parameters are inherent in navigation data which provided positional information. Because of these errors, the depiction of visual aids on an egocentric display unit may appear misaligned with the corresponding visible feature. To compensate for the misalignment, an image generating processor generates visual aid data representative of at least one variable-intensity visual aid, wherein the intensity of each visual aid varies and such variation is based upon at least one quality parameter of the data.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventor: Patrick D. McCusker
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Patent number: 8193948Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Geoffrey A. Shapiro, Alena L. Benson, Matthew J. Carrico, Randy H. Jacobson
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Patent number: 8175760Abstract: 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).Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2006Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Airbus Operations SASInventors: Patrice Rouquette, Nolween Laveant, Didier Have, Arnaud Le Tellier
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Patent number: 8165810Abstract: A navigation system includes a display device displaying, on a cockpit pilot display unit, a set of indications including an aircraft symbol which illustrates the position of the aircraft and a map part which represents the airport and moves in relation to the aircraft symbol according to the current position of the aircraft in the airport, the aircraft symbol fixed on the cockpit pilot display unit in a centered position in a standard display. The system also has an actuating unit for deactivating the standard display to enable the aircraft symbol to be displaced on the cockpit pilot display unit, and an actuating unit for controlling a temporary displacement of the set of indications on the cockpit pilot display unit such that the aircraft symbol displayed moves away from the centered position.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Airbus Operations SASInventors: Fabien Fetzmann, Pierre Coldefy, Armand Jacob, Stephane Collins
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Patent number: 8160759Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: FlightAware, LLCInventors: Daniel Baker, Karl Lehenbauer, David Cameron McNett, Mark L. Duell, Jr.
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Patent number: 8125352Abstract: The invention pertains to optoelectronic devices for aiding the guidance and taxiing of aircraft, comprising a so-called head-up collimator allowing the presentation of information in the pilot's visual field. It applies notably to large-size civil aircraft of the Boeing 747 or Airbus A380 type. The optoelectronic device comprises means for calculating a deviation factor for the actual trajectory of said aircraft relative to a theoretical trajectory on said traffic way, means for generating symbols and at least one head-up collimator comprising means for displaying and superimposing said symbols on the outside landscape. The deviation factor is calculated on the basis of an angle (PÂ?G) and that the means for generating symbols generate a symbol representing said deviation factor, so as to be superimposed on said traffic way.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2007Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: ThalesInventors: Bernard Dubourg, François Michel
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Patent number: 8078344Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2005Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: David B. Dwyer, Aaron J. Gannon
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Patent number: 8060262Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Roger W. Burgin, Blake Wilson
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Publication number: 20110241900Abstract: Navigation aid instrument for an aircraft pilot including: a first display device (R3) extending horizontally, wherein the centre of the display device embodies the longitudinal axis (X) of the aircraft, a mobile marker can move on either side of the centre of the first display device (R3) indicating the aircraft flight direction relative to the ground, and the mobile marker is further away from the centre of the display device (R3) the further the aircraft drifts from the rectilinear flight path, and/or two left (R2) and right (R1) display devices that extend vertically at a distance from each other and have the function of indicating the angle of inclination of the aircraft wings relative to the horizontal respectively on the left side or right side of the aircraft, wherein a mobile marker can move either along the left display device (R2), or along the right display device (R1) to indicate to the pilot which way his aeroplane is inclined and the value of the inclination is higher the further the mobileType: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2009Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: OMEGA SAInventors: Claude Nicollier, Emmanuel Fleury, Reto Galli
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Patent number: 8026833Abstract: The device (1) comprises means (5) for calculating a controlled speed enabling the aircraft to observe a longitudinal separation relative to an aircraft of the convoy that precedes it.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Airbus Operations SASInventors: Fabrice Villaume, Pierre Scacchi
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Patent number: 8010245Abstract: A display system for an aircraft includes a processing unit configured to determine a touchdown point for the aircraft and to supply display commands associated with the touchdown point; and a display device coupled the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and operable to render symbology representing the touchdown point.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Troy Nichols, Michael C. Little
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Patent number: 7999699Abstract: The general field of the invention is that of systems for aiding the guidance of an aircraft on an airport. The system according to the invention comprises means for determining at least one element of the topology of the airport in relation to the position of the aircraft for selecting. Selecting means are provided by the pilot of the aircraft for the element. Generating means are provided to generate at least one guidance or safety set-point using the topological element. Presenting means are provided for the element or the associated set-point on a man-machine interface to the pilot of the aircraft.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: ThalesInventors: Christophe Caillaud, Guy Deker, Nicolas Marty
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Patent number: 7986249Abstract: A method of visually presenting aviation obstacles to an operator of an aircraft is disclosed. The method comprises receiving departure information associated with a runway having a departure end, parsing the departure information to determine a presence of an obstacle associated with the runway, determining a location of the obstacle relative to the departure end of the runway, and displaying a graphical representation of the runway and a graphical representation of the obstacle in the location relative to the departure end of the runway.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Blake Wilson, Roger W. Burgin, Aaron Gannon, Dave Pepitone
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Patent number: 7961115Abstract: A display system is provided that renders a horizontal situation indicator that includes required navigation performance (RNP) and estimated position uncertainty (EPU) values rendered non-numerically and in a fairly intuitive manner. A processor receives at least data representative of a desired course of the aircraft, data representative of the RNP for the aircraft, and data representative of the EPU for the aircraft. The processor renders, on a display device, a horizontal situation indicator that includes an aircraft symbol representative of a top-down view of the aircraft, an RNP boundary graphic representative of at least one RNP boundary for the aircraft, and an EPU graphic representative of the EPU for the aircraft. The aircraft symbol is rendered at a position that is representative of actual aircraft position relative to the desired course, and the RNP boundary graphic is rendered at a position relative to the rendered aircraft symbol.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Anup Raje
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Publication number: 20110095913Abstract: A method and system for displaying three dimensional images of runways and terrain, as well as additional information, on one or more screens of an avionics display system is provided. The system merges elevation information for terrain points and elevation information for runway points by grouping runways together that are within a threshold distance of each other. For each group, a plane is calculated. The calculated plane is then projected onto all of the runways within the group. The plane may also be projected onto a subset of neighboring terrain points. The adjusted elevation created by the projection of the plane are then used in creating the images for display on the synthetic vision display. The result is that all of the runways within a group, along with their neighboring terrain, are displayed as being coplanar.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: L-3 COMMUNICATIONS AVIONICS SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Brett A. Painter, Joshua C. Seabloom
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Publication number: 20110090096Abstract: Technologies are described herein for displaying runway status information to a pilot in an aircraft. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a runway status display module displays a runway status indicator indicating the runway status information at a fixed scale independent of a scale of the map on a map display. In another aspect, the runway status indicator is displayed on a non-map display indicating the runway status of the runway. In another aspect, the runway status indicator is displayed at a position independent from a depiction of the runway on the aircraft display.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Inventors: Juliana Joo-Hong Goh, Samuel T. Clark, Jill M. Martins, Roglenda R. Bowe
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Patent number: 7924172Abstract: A synthetic vision system (SVS) for an aircraft, including a user input device for receiving runway correction commands from a user. The runway correction commands are in response to discrepancies observed by the user between an observed runway position in the real world and a synthetic vision runway position depicted on an electronic display device. The user input device provides runway corrections. An SVS computer is operatively connected to the electronic display device for providing SVS image data to the electronic display device in response to received runway parameter data. A runway parameter server device (RPSD) is operatively connected to the user input device and to the SVS computer for receiving the runway corrections from the user input device and providing the runway parameter data, including any corrected data provided by the user, to the SVS computer.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Swearingen, David A. Frank
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Patent number: 7908078Abstract: A method of providing a visual runway awareness and advisor display is provided. The method comprises obtaining current craft position and trajectory, determing if a runway is being targeted, and displaying runway alerts and guides on a graphical display with the runway based on the runway being targeted, current craft position and current craft trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2005Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Gang He
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Patent number: 7908077Abstract: A land use compatibility software module uses an existing suite of airport management programs to generate exception reports for FAA Part 77 land use compatibly surveys. Land use compatibility management is a manually intensive and time-consuming process. The noise officer may have to compute whether a proposed structure violates FAA's obstruction clearance criteria as set out in FAA's standard for obstacle clearance zones (Part 77). With these three-dimensional zone shapes entered into AirScene™, the user may enter lat/long and height data for potential obstructions, such as cellular telephone towers as mentioned in the above example. The system will plot the potential obstructions on the map and will determine whether or not the height and proposed position of the tower violates the FAA's obstruction criteria for that runway. The system may be used to generate “exception reports” for proposed structures.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2005Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Alexander E. Smith, Jonathan C. Baldwin, Robert P. Blair, Thomas J. Breen
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Patent number: 7890248Abstract: A device, method and computer program product for locating aircraft with respect to airport runways and taxiways, determining if a conflict exists between an aircraft having operating the invention and another aircraft, and generating and annunciating conflict awareness advisories as a function of determining that a conflict exists.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: John J. Poe, Scott R. Gremmert, Kevin J Conner
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Publication number: 20110025530Abstract: A method displaying a pathway (226, 502) for an aircraft includes receiving (302, 402, 602) an instrument generated course generally in alignment with a runway centerline (214), determining (304, 404, 604) the pathway (226, 502) based on aircraft flight parameters in which the aircraft may fly in order to intersect the instrument generated course, rendering (306, 406, 606) on a display the instrument generated course and the pathway; and periodically repeating (308, 408, 608) the determining and rendering steps. The energy state of the aircraft may be considered in determining the pathway and optional indices (508) may be displayed indicating deviation from the pathway centerline.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2009Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.Inventor: Gang He
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Publication number: 20110006920Abstract: An aircraft approach path indicator (1) including a projector unit (6) adapted to provide three discernibly different signals (11, 12, 13), wherein one of the signals (11) indicates an approach path which is too high, one of the signals (12) indicates an approach path which is too low and the other signal (13) indicates an approach path which is safe, and wherein the three discernibly different signals comprise bands of light, wherein the three different signals are generated by a first projector (6a) and a second projector (6b), wherein the first and second projectors are located in fixed relationship to each other, and wherein each projector emits light of a different colour in a band, and wherein the two bands of light emitted by the projectors overlap, and wherein in the region of the 10 overlap a third band of light of the third colour is formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Inventor: Gerard Miet Bauer
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Patent number: 7868785Abstract: A method of symbolically representing a location of an aircraft on a display in the aircraft is disclosed. It is determined whether the aircraft is operating proximal one of a runway and a taxi-way. A range of the display is selected. Features are displayed near a location of the aircraft on the display at a first scale that corresponds to the selected range. A first symbol representing a current location of the aircraft is displayed on the display at the first scale in solid form. A second symbol representing the current location of the aircraft is displayed on the display at a second scale in non-solid form when a size of the first symbol representing the aircraft at the first scale obscures the displayed features on the display. The size of the first symbol is smaller than a size of the second symbol.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2008Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.Inventor: Yifei Wang
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Patent number: 7817065Abstract: The invention relates to a system with a device for determining the current position of the aircraft, a display device displaying, on a viewing screen an airport map, wherewith is associated a symbol illustrating the current position of the aircraft, an interface device enabling the display of the display device to be operated by an operator, a storage device storing a plurality of airport maps, a device for determining a reference point for each airport, whereof the map is stored in the storage device, and a selecting device which selects an airport map stored in the storage device so as to transmit same to the display device so that it can be displayed, and which comprises a device enabling an airport map to be automatically selected, based on the current position of the aircraft and as airport reference point.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2006Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Airbus FranceInventors: Fabien Fetzmann, Pierre Coldefy, Thierry Malaval