Electronic Marker Generation Patents (Class 342/182)
  • Patent number: 12025698
    Abstract: An avionics computer system receives or calculates storm growth rate data, converts that data into a renderable format, and displays that data visually. The avionics computer system receives location and trajectory data, projects a future storm size/height based on the trajectory and growth rate, and determines if the storm is likely to intersect the trajectory when the aircraft is projected to reach the storm location. Certain threshold growth rates are associated with some artifice indicating the severity of the storm. The application of such artifice may be weighted according to the aircraft trajectory, estimated growth rate, and a projected proximity to the storm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Divesh Lakhi, Ross Lintelman, Vasanthakumar Kungarupalayam Sellamuthu
  • Patent number: 11982735
    Abstract: High speed scrubbing of airspace radar returns is provided. A system can include a central processing unit (“CPU”) and a graphical processing unit (“GPU”). The CPU loads time-ordered airspace radar return data that includes radar returns each encoded as an object with location information, time information, and property information. The GPU generates arrays including the location information, the time information, and the property information reorganized into a location array, a time array, and a property-based array. The GPU receives an indication to scrub a display of at least a portion of the airspace radar return data to a time window prior to a current display time or subsequent to the current display time. The GPU retrieves, from the arrays, a location entry and a property-based entry that satisfy the time window. The GPU renders frames with pixels corresponding to the location entry, the time entry, and the property-based entry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: RavenOPS, Inc.
    Inventors: Delaney Gillilan, Joshua Ouellette, Randall Shults, Thomas Balough
  • Patent number: 11899124
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing realtime, 3D visualization of radar system functionality. A visualization system can receive information from a radar system, such as radar commands and radar parameters. After extracting data from the commands and/or parameters, the visualization system generates a three-dimensional (3D), realtime display showing a field of view (FOV) of radar operations including representations of beams generated by the radar system and targets tracked by the radar system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Wassim S. Habib, Richard Fennelly, Mark G. Brodmerkle, Chukwuemeka Nolisa, Toni S. Habib, James S. Connerney
  • Patent number: 11810058
    Abstract: A method and system for managing carrier vessel information are provided. A carrier path and shipment planning system receives carrier information associated with individual carrier vessels from a plurality of carrier information sources. Based on the carrier information the carrier path and shipment planning system processes the carrier information to form complete path scenarios. The carrier path and shipment planning system associates control rules to the complete path scenarios to determine one or more candidate paths. The carrier path and shipment planning system can then generate various interfaces for identifying selected, ranked paths, information associated with a competitive marketplace and availability information for contracting for cargo shipment. A user can then further manipulate the user interfaces for scenario planning or filtering available selections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Signal Ocean Ltd
    Inventors: Ioannis Martinos, Dimitrios Tasoulis, Michail Epitropakis, Roussos Paschopoulos, Emilio Frazzoli
  • Patent number: 11787547
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a receiver configured to receive temperature data for a region of airspace from a data source external to the vehicle. The system also includes processing circuitry configured to determine one or more moisture values for the region of airspace based on radar returns received by a weather radar onboard the vehicle. The processing circuitry is further configured to determine a potential for icing at a location within the region of airspace based on the one or more moisture values and further based on the temperature data received from the data source. The processing circuitry is also configured to generate an output based on the determined potential for icing at the location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Haifeng Wang, Jing Song
  • Patent number: 11561300
    Abstract: A close-range microwave imaging method includes: implementing Fourier transform in a pre-set rotation axis direction on an echo signal reflected from a target object and acquired by rotating an array antenna around the pre-set rotation axis to obtain a first echo signal, wherein the first echo signal is represented in polar coordinates; multiplying the first echo signal by a pre-set reference function to obtain a second echo signal; converting the second echo signal into rectangular coordinates by a pre-set algorithm to obtain a third echo signal; and implementing three-dimensional Fourier transform on the third echo signal to obtain three-dimensional image data of the target object. By means of the method, three-dimensional image data of a target object can be obtained fast, fast imaging of the target object can be realized, the data processing amount is small, the imaging precision is high and the method is easy to implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignees: CHINA COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., SHENZHEN VICTOOTH TERAHERTZ TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chunchao Qi, Guangsheng Wu, Shukai Zhao, Qian Xiao, Aixian Wang
  • Patent number: 11484790
    Abstract: A method for displaying a virtual vehicle includes: calculating a virtual world comprising the virtual vehicle and a representation of a physical object at a virtual position; calculating a virtual position of a point of view within the virtual world based on a position of the point of view at the racecourse; and calculating a portion of the virtual vehicle within the virtual world that is visible from the virtual position of the point of view, wherein the portion of the virtual vehicle visible from the virtual position of the point of view comprises a portion of the virtual vehicle that is unobscured, from the virtual position of the point of view, by the representation of the physical object at the virtual position of the physical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: BUXTON GLOBAL ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: E. Dale Buxton, II, Alejandro Agag
  • Patent number: 11351961
    Abstract: Proximity-based vehicle security systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes determining a napping event of a vehicle occupant within a vehicle, determining, based on signals of external sensors of the vehicle, when an object has entered one of a plurality of distance-based zones during the napping event, each of the distance-based zones being associated with a unique security response, and invoking the unique security response of the one of a plurality of distance-based zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Brian Bennie
  • Patent number: 10677916
    Abstract: A device comprising a radar for taking at least one radar image of the terrain in front of the aircraft in a zone containing at least one characteristic pattern, the position of the characteristic pattern being known, an image processing unit for detecting, on the radar image taken by the radar, a characteristic symbol representing the characteristic pattern, a computation unit for determining, from at least the position of the characteristic symbol in the image and from characteristics of the radar image acquisition, relative position information illustrating the position of the aircraft in relation to the characteristic pattern, and for determining the position of the aircraft, from the relative position information and from the known position of the characteristic pattern, and a unit for transmitting at least the position of the aircraft to at least one user system, for example a landing aiding system or an SVS display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Olivier Laplace, Camille Caruhel, Pascal Laurens
  • Patent number: 10526059
    Abstract: A ship vicinity information display device is provided, which is capable of displaying a position etc. of a destination of another ship based on information of the destination obtained from the other ship, in a mode which is intuitively easy to understand. A radar indicator may include a display unit, an AIS interface, and processing circuitry. The display unit may be capable of displaying an image of a situation in the vicinity of one ship. The AIS interface may receive the information of the destination of the other ship. The processing circuitry may acquire a longitude and latitude of the destination based on the destination information of the other ship and graphically display at least one of the position of the destination of the other ship and a direction of the destination from the other ship (other-ship destination symbol), on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Morita, Yugo Kubota, Hidetoshi Kaida
  • Patent number: 10365360
    Abstract: A radar apparatus (100) for detecting around a ship is provided. The apparatus (100) includes an unstable area detecting module (10) configured to observe a variation in a signal level corresponding to detection data over a plurality of scans, obtain unstableness of the observed detection data, and detect unstable areas (41, 42, 43, 44, 410, 420, 430, 440) based on the unstableness, a determining module (22) configured to measure a size of each of the areas and determine the area as a small target object area (41, 43) when the size of the area is below a given threshold, a processing module (6) configured to process the detection data corresponding to the small target object area (41, 43) to be emphasized when displayed, than the detection data corresponding to the other unstable area (42, 44), and a display unit (8) configured to display the processing result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: FURUNO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takumi Fujikawa, Yugo Kubota
  • Patent number: 10156659
    Abstract: A portable communication device, including a location detection unit configured to determine the location of the device, a lightning detection unit configured to determine a distance between the lightning strike and the device, and a radio frequency circuit configured to output, via a communication network, data indicative of the location of the device and the distance between the lightning strike and the device. A system, including a lightning detection database and an analysis unit configured to receive, from the device via the communication network, data indicative of the location of the device and the distance between a lightning strike and the device, determine the location of the lightning strike based in part on the distance from the lightning strike to the location of the device, and store the location of the lightning strike in the lightning detection database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: ACCUWEATHER, INC.
    Inventor: James T. Candor
  • Patent number: 10094912
    Abstract: An operator terminal of a mission system including at least one screen for displaying environmental data of a mobile carrier of a situation analysis system including at least one image sensor and a real-time spatial position of at least one object of interest. This operator terminal includes a module for obtaining at least one piece of position information representative of the position of the carrier and at least one object of interest. A computing module providing at least two different picture taking quality zones, in a predetermined spatial perimeter centered on the position of the carrier. This operator terminal also includes a module for displaying a map of said picture taking quality zones relative to the position of the carrier. The obtaining, computing and display modules are implemented to obtain a quasi-real-time refresh of said displayed map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Pierre Laborde, Eric Le Pors
  • Patent number: 9983762
    Abstract: A method of adjusting a viewing/masking sector of an environment scanning device, and a corresponding adjusting device and operator terminal are disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes activating a phase of operator adjustment of the parameters, to show, on the information display, an angular viewing/masking sector of the scanning device having radii indicating the central axis orientation and the lateral edges of the angular viewing/masking sector, and touch-sensitive interactive zones configured to be angularly moved by the operator in order to set the corresponding parameters of the environment scanning device. The method further includes adjusting the orientation and aperture of the angular viewing/masking sector based on a touch-sensitive interaction between the operator and the corresponding interactive zones and moving at least one of the corresponding radii toward at least one new adjustment position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Eric Le Pors, Pierre Laborde, Olivier Grisvard, Yannick Mahias
  • Patent number: 9927520
    Abstract: A method of detecting a collision of the marine vessel includes sensing using distance sensors to determine whether an object is within a predefined distance of a marine vessel, and determining a direction of the object with respect to the marine vessel. The method further includes receiving a propulsion control input at a propulsion control input device, and determining whether execution of the propulsion control input will result in any portion of the marine vessel moving toward the object. A collision warning is then generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Aaron J. Ward, Matthew David Jarrell
  • Patent number: 9743067
    Abstract: Methods and devices for generating a stereoscopic image are described. In one aspect, the electronic device includes a main body and a support rotatably coupled with the main body about an axis of rotation. The support is rotatable between a plurality of positions including a first position and a second position. The electronic device also includes a first camera module for generating first camera data and a second camera module for generating second camera data. The second camera module is positioned in spaced relation to the first camera module and coupled to the support away from the axis of rotation. The electronic device further includes a controller coupled with the first camera module and the second camera module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Ryan Alexander Geris, Amandeep Singh Bhullar, William Keith Baker
  • Patent number: 9635069
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes detecting, by a user feedback system, ring-back content provided to a first computing device during a connection period prior to beginning a communication session between the first computing device and a second computing device, and providing, by the user feedback system in conjunction with the detecting of the ring-back content provided to the first computing device, a feedback mechanism that facilitates a user of the first computing device providing feedback regarding the ring-back content. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Dornich, Richard M. Vandoren, Lalit R. Kotecha
  • Patent number: 9401093
    Abstract: A procedure for the detection and display of the ground and of obstacles through the use of detection means installed onboard a vehicle, which detection means send measurement signals toward the ground and receive a plurality of elementary plots (Pe). The procedure makes it possible to create a grid of the ground along a horizontal plane, with each ground cell (Ms(i,j)) consisting of an elementary plot (Pe) having a minimum altitude Zmin(i,j)), and with each other elementary plot (Pe) corresponding to the ground cell (Ms(i,j)) and having a different altitude (Zn(i,j)), thereby forming an obstacle plot (Pon(i,j)). Each newly received elementary plot (Pe) is then compared against the corresponding ground cell (Ms(i,j)) and processed according to its altitude (Zn(i,j)). The ground cells (Ms(i,j)) and/or the obstacle plots (Pon(i,j)) are displayed on display means in order to indicate to the pilot of the vehicle the potential obstacles other than the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Marianne Gillet, Francois-Xavier Filias, Richard Pire
  • Patent number: 9030353
    Abstract: This disclosure provides an information display device. The information display device includes an acquirer for acquiring positional information on one or more display targets including at least one of a landmark serving as a reference mark used when a movable body is in move, another movable body, and a location registered by an operator, and a controller for displaying positional information and circumferential information on the movable body in an information display area, associating at least one of the one or more display targets of which a position is outside the information display area with a direction to which the at least one of the one or more display targets is located centering on the movable body, and displaying the at least one of the one or more display targets in an outer circumferential area of the information display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Furuno Electric Company Limited
    Inventor: Yugo Kubota
  • Patent number: 9019146
    Abstract: A method for indicating a weather threat to an aircraft is provided. The method includes inferring a weather threat to an aircraft and causing an image to be displayed on an aviation display in response to a determination by aircraft processing electronics that the inferred weather threat to the aircraft is greater than a measured weather threat to the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Finley, Roy E. Robertson, Hubert C. Dyche, Gregory J. Koenigs, Charles J. Dickerson
  • Patent number: 9007255
    Abstract: A particular method includes receiving, at a vehicle navigation system, signal strength data indicating strength of a detected radar signal. The method also includes estimating a distance from a vehicle associated with the vehicle navigation system to a source of the detected radar signal based on the signal strength data. The method further includes generating a display that includes a graphical representation related to the source of the detected radar signal. The graphical representation related to the source of the detected radar signal is displayed in a manner that provides information regarding the estimated distance from the vehicle to the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: George A. Jarvis
  • Patent number: 8791852
    Abstract: A standoff range, sense-through-obstruction radar system is capable of detecting micro-Doppler, or life form signatures, and movements through obstructions at stand-off ranges and displaying the target information over a live video feed of the area under surveillance. The sense-through-obstruction radar system comprises an antenna assembly that includes a horn antenna and a reflector configured to reflect radio frequency (RF) energy to/from the horn antenna. An antenna pointing assembly supports the antenna assembly. The antenna pointing assembly is configured to move the antenna assembly to point the antenna assembly toward an obstruction. A sensor assembly is mounted to the antenna assembly so that the sensor assembly is aligned with the RF beam formed from the RF energy reflected from the reflector to the horn antenna. The sensor assembly is configured to detect the location of the obstruction and to provide information to assist pointing of the antenna assembly toward the obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: VAWD Applied Science and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Vinh H. Adams, Robert Adams, Wesley H. Dwelly
  • Patent number: 8742974
    Abstract: A weather radar system for an aircraft is provided. The weather radar system includes processing electronics configured to process radar return data to identify a weather cell, to store information related to the identified weather cell in a database, to receive a selection of an identified weather cell from a user interface, to receive the information related to the selected weather cell from the database, and to cause the information to be displayed textually on a display in response to the received selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Venkata A. Sishtla, Mark C. Fersdahl, Luis R. Granadillo, Edward A. St. John
  • Patent number: 8723686
    Abstract: A method of managing an aircraft in flight may include electronically monitoring for a presence of a threat object along a flight path of the aircraft and at a destination airport of the aircraft, and electronically generating an alert when the presence of the threat object is detected. The alert may include information enabling air traffic control (ATC), flight dispatch, and a pilot of the aircraft to make a collaborative flight path correction decision that may prevent the aircraft from being affected by the threat object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory D. Murray, Kirschen A. Seah, Alan E. Siniff
  • Patent number: 8704701
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to processing air traffic controller (“ATC”) communication directed to aircraft other than the current aircraft. ATC communication is processed using speech recognition and the call sign and augmented flight information for other aircraft is identified. The corresponding aircraft icon on the display representing the aircraft on the display may be augmented by emphasizing the icon and displaying augmented flight information, along with an insignia. This information is displayed for a configurable time duration, after which the display reverts to displaying a conventional aircraft icon and associated flight information on the display. The pilot can subsequently select the aircraft icon and may be presented with a log of past ATC communications for the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Karl Christian Pschierer, Marco Gaertner, Joshua Nicholas Smith
  • Publication number: 20140104100
    Abstract: A target object tracking device is provided. The device includes a memory for storing association information in which a selecting order of target objects is associated with symbols indicating the target objects, respectively, a starting selection accepting module for accepting a selection of the target objects to start tracking thereof, a symbol reading module for reading the symbols for the selected target objects corresponding to the selecting order of the target objects based on the association information, a tracking module for tracking the selected target objects, a symbol displaying module for displaying the symbols read by the symbol reading module, at positions where the target objects tracked by the tracking module are displayed, and a symbol changing module for changing, according to an operation of a user, the association information and displaying the symbols at the positions where the target objects are displayed, based on the changed association information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Furuno Electric Company Limited
    Inventor: Yugo KUBOTA
  • Patent number: 8665133
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improving situational awareness on an in-trails procedures display. A radar system transmits a radar signal and receives and stores weather radar reflectivity values into a three-dimensional buffer. A processor determines whether any of the stored weather reflectivity values indicate the presence of a weather hazard and generates one or more weather hazard icons based on the stored weather reflectivity values. An in-trail procedures display device displays the generated weather hazard icons. Wake vortex information for other aircraft is generated and outputted on the in-trail procedures display. Also, the processor receives a request for an altitude change and generates an alert when the aircraft is determined not to be cleared to transition to the requested altitude based on a projected transition, any existing weather hazards, wake vortices of proximate aircraft, and in-trail procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ratan Khatwa, Dave Pepitone
  • Patent number: 8649915
    Abstract: Specific determinations are made in a moving vehicle (901) and with respect to a person in the vehicle who has an ordinary expected gaze directionality while in the moving vehicle. These determinations can comprise automatically determining a position (101) of the moving vehicle with respect to terrain past which the moving vehicle is traveling, and automatically determining an orientation attitude (102) of the moving vehicle with respect to the terrain, and then automatically using (103) this position and orientation attitude to determine (in the absence of executable program instructions) a synthetic view to provide to the person in the vehicle. By one approach this synthetic view comprises a view of the terrain that comports with the ordinary expected gaze directionality of the person in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Clear View Group LLC
    Inventors: Ovidiu Gabriel Vlad, Lawrence Carl Spaete, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8373590
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of processing an image sensed by an image sensor on board an aircraft fitted with an obstacle-locator system, in which the position and the extent of a zone in the sensed image, referred to as the zone of interest, is determined as a function of obstacle location data delivered by the obstacle-locator system, after which at least one parameter for modifying the brightness of points/pixels in said zone of interest is determined to enable the contrast to be increased in said zone of interest, and as a function of said modification parameter, the brightness of at least a portion of the image is modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Richard Edgard Claude Piré
  • Patent number: 8350753
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for displaying information on a display device associated with an aircraft. A method comprises rendering a synthetic perspective view of terrain on the display device, wherein the synthetic perspective view of terrain is based on a set of terrain data corresponding to a region proximate the aircraft. The method further comprises obtaining location data for a first object, wherein the location data is based at least in part on a beacon signal associated with the first object, and rendering a graphical representation of the first object on the display device. The graphical representation of the first object overlies the synthetic perspective view of terrain and is positioned in accordance with the location data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Subhadeep Pal, Sharad Rathour
  • Patent number: 8279108
    Abstract: The general field of the invention is that of viewing systems of the synthetic vision type SVS, for a first aircraft, the said system comprising at least one cartographic database of a terrain, position sensors, for the said aircraft, an air traffic detection system calculating the position and the danger rating of at least one second aircraft exhibiting a risk of collision with the said first aircraft on the basis of data originating from sensors or systems such as TCAS or ADS-B, an electronic computer, a man-machine interface means and a display screen, the computer comprising means for processing the various items of information originating from the database, sensors and interface means, the said processing means arranged so as to provide the display screen with a synthetic image of the terrain comprising a representation of the said second aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Christian Nouvel, Corinne Bacabara, Jean-Noel Perbet
  • Patent number: 8223063
    Abstract: A system and method for presenting wind speed information in a manner so as to be easily understood and appreciated by viewers of televised weather report presentations and the like. Wind speed information is presented as a planar representation of three-dimensional wind speed data using contour lines, delineating areas with a planar location in the three dimensional data, overlaid on a geographic map display either alone, or in combination with radar reflectivity information. Wind velocity information received from a weather radar system, such as NEXRAD, relative to the weather radar is converted to absolute wind speed information for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventors: Terence F. Kelly, Victor W. Marsh, John S. Moore, William H. Boss
  • Patent number: 8089391
    Abstract: A weather radar system or method can be utilized to determine a location of a weather hazard for an aircraft. The weather radar system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna. The processing electronics can determine presence of the hazard in response to data related to returns received by the weather radar antenna and data from a lightning sensor. The system can include a display for showing the hazard and its location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Kevin M. Kronfeld
  • Patent number: 7973704
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a handheld radar apparatus. The apparatus comprises an antenna (22,23) adapted to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals, a direction sensor (24, 25) that outputs an orientation signal indicative of the orientation of the antenna, and a radar (21) coupled to the antenna (22, 23), the radar (21) adapted to generate an electromagnetic signal for transmission via the antenna (22, 23), and adapted to receive a reflected version of the electromagnetic signal via the antenna (22, 23) reflected from an object. The radar (21) comprises a processor (30) for generating location information indicative of the location of the object using the received reflected electromagnetic signal and the orientation of the antenna (22,23) as indicated by the orientation signal, and a screen (4) adapted to display indicia (e.g. 43a to 43c) representing the object and its location based on the location information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Navman New Zealand
    Inventors: Gregor Wolfgang Storz, Robert Andrew Carr Shepheard
  • Patent number: 7868811
    Abstract: A weather radar system includes an input for receiving lightning detection data and processing electronics for determining a presence of a convective cell or associated hazard. The processing electronics receive weather radar data and the lightning detection data. The weather radar data is related to radar returns. The processing electronics provide temporal or spatial filtering of the lightning detection data to provide filtered data and determine a position of the convective cell or associated hazard in response to the weather radar data and the filtered data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Kevin M. Kronfield, Karen L. Walling
  • Patent number: 7868813
    Abstract: A method (400), a system and a computer program product are disclosed for graphically displaying air traffic control information in an air traffic control system. Information about objects in an air traffic control environment is compiled and calculated (410). Tokens (e.g., text, icons, images, or other symbols) corresponding to the objects in the air traffic control environment are displayed (420). At least two objects are selectively designated (430) in combination as a source object and a target object connected by a bearing and range line token (210, 220, 230, 240). Air traffic control information (212, 222, 232, 242) about the combination of objects associated with the bearing and range line token dependent upon the combination of objects designated in the combination is displayed (440). The displayed air traffic control information is required decision making information to enable an air traffic controller to manage air traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Thales Australia Limited
    Inventors: Mark James O'Flynn, Lillian Chang, Virginie Bernard Blond
  • Patent number: 7847724
    Abstract: A computer software program which plots radar video data on a display screen for viewing by a user in a format that emulates a real display. The radar video data the program plots on the display screen is either recorded radar video data generated by a missile radar video seeker or telemetered radar video data generated by the radar video seeker. The display screen display multiple radar scans of video data in the form of a graph or plot on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Christian L. Houlberg
  • Patent number: 7847725
    Abstract: A computer software program which plots radar video data on a display screen for viewing by a user in a format that emulates a real display. The radar video data the program plots on the display screen is either recorded radar video data generated by a missile radar video seeker or telemetered radar video data generated by the radar video seeker. The display screen display multiple radar scans of video data in the form of a graph or plot on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Christian L. Houlberg
  • Patent number: 7733264
    Abstract: A weather radar system can be utilized on-board an aircraft. The weather radar system includes processing electronics for sensing weather. The processing electronics is configured to utilize sensed weather data to generate a vertical weather prediction for a given altitude in response to a range and an azimuth. The system can also include a display. The display provides visual indicia of the vertical weather prediction in response to the processing electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Jeffery A. Finley, Marvin L. Hooker
  • Patent number: 7724177
    Abstract: Systems and methods differentiate weather, such as storm cells and/or turbulence regions, based on location relative to a planned flight path of an aircraft. An exemplary embodiment compares a location of the weather with a location of a region of space corresponding to the planned flight path of the aircraft. In response to the location of the weather region being outside of the region of space, an icon is presented on a display corresponding to the weather using a first icon format. In response to location of the weather being within the region of space, the icon corresponding to the weather is presented on the display using a second icon format, the second icon format different from the first icon format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Bunch, Ken Kuttler
  • Patent number: 7705769
    Abstract: A system and method for presenting wind speed information in a manner so as to be easily understood and appreciated by viewers of televised weather report presentations and the like. Wind speed information is presented as two or three-dimensional wind speed contour lines, delineating geographic areas corresponding to different wind speeds, overlaid on a geographic map display either alone, or in combination with radar reflectivity information. Wind velocity information received from a weather radar system, such as NEXRAD, relative to the weather radar is converted to absolute wind speed information for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Weather Central, Inc.
    Inventors: Terence F. Kelly, Victor W. Marsh
  • Patent number: 7541970
    Abstract: A weather radar system is capable of mitigating the effects of spurious reflections caused by a reflection lobe. Processing electronics can be used to sense weather and to identify spurious reflections caused by the reflection lobe. The reflection lobe can be caused by antennae or radome characteristics. The weather radar system can include a display that provides visual indicia of the weather with mitigation of the spurious reflections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark B. Godfrey, Daniel L. Woodell
  • Patent number: 7532152
    Abstract: An automotive radar system having a high frequency radio transmitter which generates a radar signal in a known direction. A high frequency radio receiver receives echoes from the radar signal in which each echo represents a reflection of the radar signal from an object. A processor then identifies animate objects, if any, from the received echoes within a range of interest and generates an alert signal for each such identified animate object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Serdar H. Yonak
  • Patent number: 7515069
    Abstract: A display screen for displaying multiple sets of information is provided. The display screen includes at least one region of a select color designated to convey a first set of information and a plurality of adjustable areas designated to convey a second set of information. The plurality of adjustable areas overlay at least a portion of the at least one region of select color of the first set of information. Moreover, each adjustable area is defined by an outline and a color encased in the outline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Dorneich, Stephen G. McCauley, Jeffrey M. Rye, Patricia M. Ververs
  • Patent number: 7515087
    Abstract: A weather radar system or method can be utilized to determine a location of a weather hazard for an aircraft. The weather radar system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna. The processing electronics can determine presence of the hazard in response to data related to returns received by the weather radar antenna and data from a lightning sensor. The system can include a display for showing the hazard and its location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Kevin M. Kronfeld
  • Patent number: 7411541
    Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting vertical weather information on plan view displays. An example method retrieves weather radar return information stored in a volumetric buffer and determines if a weather anomaly of the retrieved weather radar return information is above or below a predefined threshold from a present flight altitude of an aircraft. If a weather anomaly is determined to be above the threshold from the aircraft's present flight altitude, a first image is generated in a first geometric pattern and displaying the first image on a plan view display. If the weather anomaly is determined to be below the aircraft's present flight altitude, a second image is generated in a second geometric pattern and displaying the second image on the plan view display. The first geometric pattern is different from the second geometric pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Ratan Khatwa
  • Patent number: 7339516
    Abstract: A method to present easily understood images that represent targets that are detected through walls or other opaque barriers is disclosed. This method is particularly well suited for sense-through-the-wall radar systems. One of the main challenges of evolving STTW systems is that the practitioners of the technology are generally presented with complicated images to represent the gain adjusted amplitude of signals that are detected by the radar. Interpretation of images from prior art, which can be in the form of the radar speckle, target blob, wiggle plot, and horizontal amplitude intensity displays, shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, requires high levels of skill, focus, and time. Naturally, the foregoing places military and law-enforcement customers of the technology at considerable risk during hostile missions. This invention discloses a method that converts a typical radar signal into an image that is easily understood by a practitioner of STTW technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: RealTronics Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Randall Thompson, Bernt Askild Askildsen
  • Patent number: 7330147
    Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying ground obstructions on a visual display are disclosed. In an embodiment, a ground proximity warning system includes at least one aircraft sensor system operable to acquire aircraft data and a ground proximity warning computer coupled to the aircraft sensor system to process the aircraft data that generates ground proximity warning data corresponding to a sensed ground obstruction. An indicating system including a visual display device then presents an image of a visual symbol corresponding to the sensed ground obstruction. At least one of the computer and the visual display device is controllable to selectively display the visual symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Ratan Khatwa
  • Patent number: 7292178
    Abstract: A weather radar system or method can be utilized to determine potential weather hazard for an aircraft in a terminal area. The weather radar system can utilize processing electronics coupled to an antenna. The processing electronics can determine presence of the potential in response to data related to returns received by the weather radar antenna. The data can include a mean velocity parameter or a spectral width parameter or reflectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Woodell, Roy E. Robertson, Jeffery A. Finley
  • Patent number: 7190303
    Abstract: Systems and methods relate to an aircraft with a CAS that may be employed to enhance pilot awareness. The CAS may be employed on a formation member aircraft to provide a TA that is distinctive for an intruding formation member aircraft, as opposed to a TA provided as a result of an intruding nonmember aircraft. The CAS may also provide a plurality of status indications for aircraft engaged in airborne refueling, as well as aural indications of the present mode of operation for the CAS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Stacey R. Rowlan