Electronic Marker Generation Patents (Class 342/182)
  • Patent number: 7109913
    Abstract: An airborne weather radar system that detects potentially hazardous weather conditions associated with storms and includes a radar display featuring visual indications of these conditions. The radar display includes a vertical situation display having iconal representations and symbolic icons indicative hazardous weather conditions and aviation hazards along the aircraft's flight path not otherwise immediately apparent or shown on standard weather radar displays. The system includes processes for detecting and predicting hazardous weather conditions such as overshooting thunderstorm tops and vaulted thunderstorm energy and serious hazards such as turbulence and hail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Paramore, Daniel L. Woodell, Sarah Barber
  • Patent number: 7020434
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a computer-based program and system for displaying visually realistic raw radar signals. The computer program includes a RADAR display fade algorithm. The algorithm includes alpha blending and texture mapping for producing a slow fade. Use of two buffers and transfer of data between the buffers to produce a smooth update of the visual display while the sweep of the RADAR ray advances and new or updated RADAR contacts are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Lance A. Legan
  • Patent number: 6967616
    Abstract: An improved system and methods for correlating an interrogation-based air traffic surveillance intruder, such as an Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) intruder, and a GPS-based air traffic surveillance target, such as an Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) target to minimize or eliminate the display of two symbols for the same intruder/target on the CDTI of an aircraft. The method comprises the steps of receiving ADS-B data at a processing unit and calculating select component deltas for the ADS-B data versus an entry in a TCAS intruder file. Progressive weights are assigned to the deltas and the progressive weights are summed, resulting in a total confidence score. Total confidence scores of ADS-B target and TCAS intruder pairs are compared to determine correlation between the ADS-B target and the TCAS intruders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Garmin AT, Inc
    Inventor: Lee McNeil Etnyre
  • Patent number: 6911936
    Abstract: A display system is disclosed for displaying air traffic symbology from a plurality of different types of air traffic surveillance systems on a single monitor. A display device includes a processor for generating display symbology from TCAS, SKE and ADS-B information, and a monitor for displaying the generated symbology in a uniform format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Greg T. Stayton, Kathryn W. Ybarra, James R. Troxel
  • Patent number: 6879280
    Abstract: An aircraft weather radar system is disclosed. The system comprises a radar antenna, aircraft sensors, and a database. The system also comprises a processing device receiving information from the radar antenna and from the aircraft sensors and able to retrieve information from the database. Further, the system comprises a cockpit display coupled to the processing device. The processing device is programmed to estimate storm system characteristics based on the received information from the aircraft sensors and the database and to display the storm system characteristics on a vertical weather profile display using a graphical representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian J. Bull, Steve Paramore, Daniel L. Woodell
  • Patent number: 6839018
    Abstract: A system for allowing pilots to quickly determine weather hazard-free flight paths and weather hazards that exist along the aircraft flight plan. The system includes a memory, a processor, and a display device. The memory stores weather radar return information in a three-dimensional buffer. The processor is coupled to the memory. The processor receives a display distance value signal, retrieves weather radar return information stored in a plane of voxels in the three-dimensional buffer based on the selected display distance value and aircraft position information, and generates an image based on the retrieved weather radar return information. The display device is coupled to the processor for displaying the generated image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Roland Y. Szeto, Bill G. Cornell
  • Publication number: 20040174295
    Abstract: A display system is disclosed for displaying air traffic symbology from a plurality of different types of air traffic surveillance systems on a single monitor. A display device includes a processor for generating display symbology from TCAS, SKE and ADS-B information, and a monitor for displaying the generated symbology in a uniform format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Greg T. Stayton, Kathryn W. Ybarra, James R. Troxel
  • Patent number: 6744396
    Abstract: A surveillance and collision avoidance system provides a presentation of situational awareness information for display that includes a compound symbol for each target spaced at a distance and bearing relative to a host symbol. The target compound symbol includes indicia of (a) whether the target is airborne or on the ground; (b) whether the target is a civil aircraft, a military aircraft identified as a formation member with the host aircraft, or a military aircraft not identified as a formation member with the host aircraft; (c) whether a ground track for the target is unknown, known by passive surveillance, or known by active surveillance; (d) for civil aircraft, whether the target is the subject of no advisory, a traffic advisory, or a resolution advisory; and (e) for a military aircraft, whether the target is the subject of no encroachment advisory, an unintended encroachment advisory, or an intended encroachment advisory. Subsystems selectively use an active or a passive mode of surveillance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems LLC
    Inventors: Cyro A. Stone, Kathryn W. Ybarra, Tom V. Eich
  • Patent number: 6683562
    Abstract: A display system is disclosed for displaying air traffic symbology from a plurality of different types of air traffic surveillance systems on a single monitor. A display device includes a processor for generating display symbology from TCAS, SKE and ADS-B information, and a monitor for displaying the generated symbology in a uniform format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Aviation Communications & Surveillance Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Greg T. Stayton, Kathryn W. Ybarra, James R. Troxel
  • Patent number: 6650275
    Abstract: A method of providing weather radar images to a user includes obtaining radar image data corresponding to a weather radar image to be displayed. The radar image data is image processed to identify a feature of the weather radar image which is potentially indicative of a hazardous weather condition. The weather radar image is displayed to the user along with a notification of the existence of the feature which is potentially indicative of the hazardous weather condition. Notification can take the form of textual information regarding the feature, including feature type and proximity information. Notification can also take the form of visually highlighting the feature, for example by forming a visual border around the feature. Other forms of notification can also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Wallace E. Kelly, Timothy W. Rand, Serdar Uckun, Corinne C. Ruokangas
  • Publication number: 20030137444
    Abstract: A surveillance and collision avoidance system provides a presentation of situational awareness information for display that includes a compound symbol for each target spaced at a distance and bearing relative to a host symbol. The target compound symbol includes indicia of (a) whether the target is airborne or on the ground; (b) whether the target is a civil aircraft, a military aircraft identified as a formation member with the host aircraft, or a military aircraft not identified as a formation member with the host aircraft; (c) whether a ground track for the target is unknown, known by passive surveillance, or known by active surveillance; (d) for civil aircraft, whether the target is the subject of no advisory, a traffic advisory, or a resolution advisory; and (e) for a military aircraft, whether the target is the subject of no encroachment advisory, an unintended encroachment advisory, or an intended encroachment advisory. Subsystems selectively use an active or a passive mode of surveillance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Cyro A. Stone, Kathryn W. Ybarra, Tom V. Eich
  • Publication number: 20030067407
    Abstract: A police radar and/or laser detector senses radiant electromagnetic signals (e.g. radar, laser) characteristic of a police traffic surveillance device and responds thereto with a displayed and/or audible alert. During periods when no alert is necessary, the detector senses and displays, in numeric or bar graph form, vehicle parameters, such as sound pressure level and acceleration. In addition, calculations based on acceleration provide 0-60 m.p.h. time and quarter mile time. Thereby, the detector enhances information available to the driver without the inconvenience, expense, and clutter of multiple displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: Escort Inc.
    Inventors: John Kuhn, Jeffrey J. Clawson
  • Publication number: 20030016158
    Abstract: A display system is disclosed for displaying air traffic symbology from a plurality of different types of air traffic surveillance systems on a single monitor. A display device includes a processor for generating display symbology from TCAS, SKE and ADS-B information, and a monitor for displaying the generated symbology in a uniform format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Greg T. Stayton, Kathryn W. Ybarra, James R. Troxel
  • Patent number: 6469660
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining the integrity of incoming target data and for assigning and displaying a target icon correlated to the target data integrity. Target data integrity depends on the both accuracy and the timeliness of the position data being broadcast about the target. Target data integrity is monitored continuously to display a target icon correlated to the current integrity level. Changes in the target icon alert the flight crew or other user to changes in target data integrity. The icon attributes used to communicate a change in integrity do not interfere with other icon attributes used to communicate other characteristics of a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventors: Steve Horvath, Robert M. Grove, John T. Pratt
  • Publication number: 20020145556
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a radar apparatus can supervise a target easily which should be observed by an enlarging display without any complicated operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Kiya
  • Publication number: 20020126040
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for indicating aircraft height relative to an obstruction in a terrain awareness warning system. The method includes receiving data indicative of geographic features of an obstruction, lateral distance of the geographic feature from an aircraft, height and flight path of the aircraft, calculating a projected height of the aircraft at the location of the obstruction using the data, generating a result signal, and displaying a colored indication on a display screen based on the result signal. The apparatus includes inputs for signals from instruments measuring height, flight path, and location of an aircraft, as well as an input for an instrument providing information about geographic features of terrain surrounding the aircraft. The apparatus includes a means for employing the signals to calculate an effective height of the aircraft relative to the terrain, and a screen display for graphically displaying the results of the calculation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Gerald J. Block
  • Patent number: 6198428
    Abstract: A three-dimensionally designed display radar in which a two-dimensional image data and three-dimensionally designed image data are depicted in combination in a video memory by the aid of an image controller, and they are simultaneously depicted on a screen of a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Japan Radio Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chogo Sekine
  • Patent number: 5909192
    Abstract: A graph of data samples in a graph field on the display, including a first coordinate axis, a second coordinate axis, a trace indicating characteristics of data samples with respect to the coordinate axes, and a plurality of markers indicating positions of respective data samples along the trace is displayed. The markers appear on the display in the form of a symbol and a marker annotation field and are positioned within the graph field adjacent the data sample to which they are tied. The positions of the marker fields of the plurality of markers are calculated according to a preferred orientation with respect to the trace and their respective data samples. Markers are identified for which the marker annotation field according to the calculated position, lie in whole or in part outside the graph field, or for which the marker annotation field overlaps a marker field of another marker in the plurality of markers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Wiltron Company
    Inventors: David Peter Finch, Donald Anthony Bradley
  • Patent number: 5554990
    Abstract: An airspace management system and method includes an alternate quick look mode display option which allows a user to designate a specific geographic region for display in a specified area on a display screen. Within this specified area, which can encompass a portion or all of the display screen, radar plot data is displayed for at least one aircraft for which input radar information is received. Symbols can be assigned to aircraft to differentiate friend and enemy aircraft; colors can be assigned to differentiate friend and enemy aircraft and plots; and radar-measured height information can optionally be displayed. In this quick look mode, near real-time positions for all aircraft within the quick look mode window are displayed, since selection of the quick look mode window bypasses normal time-consuming tracking information processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Terry L. McKinney
  • Patent number: 5543800
    Abstract: A radar decoder circuit for converting NRZL Data to radar video data which s supplied to a radar video display screen. The radar video circuit includes an Erasable Programmable Logic Device which decodes incoming NRZL data to identify a frame sync having twenty four data bits. When the frame sync is identified the location of sixteen bits of synchro data is also determined. The synchro data is then latched into a latch within the Erasable Programmable Logic Device for processing by a Digital-to-Synchro Converter. Control signals for effecting a transfer of the synchro data to the Digital-to-Synchro Converter are provided by enable and latch signal generating circuit within the Erasable Programmable Logic Device. The Digital-to-Synchro Converter converts the digital synchro data to analog synchro signals which are supplied to the radar video display allowing the display to indicate the direction the radar from which the NRZL data is received is pointing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: George T. Mills, Albert T. Gabaldon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5500833
    Abstract: A radar display having particular utility in search and rescue radar systems, employs a computer receiving inputs indicative of aircraft altitude, radar beam tilt angle and radar beam bandwidths to provide signals to the display indicative of where the radar beam intersects the surface under investigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Olson
  • Patent number: 5459472
    Abstract: A device for displaying an image delivered in particular by a radar on a screen of a television monitor associated with a videographic memory the contents of which are controlled by a control assembly for the control of the display and reception of the image to be displayed, the control assembly functions in conjunction with an after glow processor for processing the contents of certain zones of the videographic memory in accordance with a given law a mathematical treatment formula for producing a pseudo-after glow phenomenon of certain points of the radar image displayed on the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Sopelem-Sofretec
    Inventor: Bernard C. Giraudy
  • Patent number: 5426436
    Abstract: A marine radar has a screen on which is displayed a radar image and several representations of the different control functions of the radar such as range, gain and sea clutter setting. The radar also has a key pad with three keys and a tracker ball that is connected to the radar control unit. The control unit generates a marker on the screen that is movable by the tracker ball. To change one of the control functions, the tracker ball is displaced until the marker moves into the region of the representation of the appropriate control function. The control unit then produces three boxes on the screen below the control function to indicate the different options available for that function. The user can select the desired option by pressing the appropriate one of the three keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventors: John H. Davis, Russell C. Gould, Stuart Kirkbride
  • Patent number: 5418535
    Abstract: A radar indicator comprising a source of radar image signals having a first (r,.theta.) format and a digital scan converter responsive to the radar image signals for converting the radar image signals from the first format to digital radar image signals having a second (X-Y) format. The digital scan converter includes an image memory for supplying the digital radar image signals having the second (X-Y) format. A source of external video image signals having the second format, including video synchronization signals is provided. A synchronization signal stripper and clock signal generator circuit is responsive to the video synchronization signals of the external video image signals for generating a clock signal synchronized with the synchronization signals of the external video image signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Cardion, Inc.
    Inventors: Carmine Masucci, Menachem Cohen, John J. Williams
  • Patent number: 5331330
    Abstract: A lightning detection and display system for aircraft is disclosed. A lightning detection system detects the bearing and distance of lightning strikes to the aircraft and the aircraft navigation system determines the aircraft position relative to earth. A computer then calculates the position of each strike relative to earth and displays the aircraft's position and lightning strike locations in their correct relative positions. While the aircraft moves, the computer periodically updates the display data to maintain an accurate depiction. The system stores a history of lightning strikes and displays such history in a time-lapse mode to represent the storm's trend in direction and magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Susnjara
  • Patent number: 5204684
    Abstract: A digital telemetry device includes synchronous counters monitored by a clock. The counters are connected, on the one hand, to two comparators and, on the other hand, to a buffer memory. The comparators generate a telemetry mark which makes it possible to form a tracking window. The buffer memory stores or transmits the value of the counters whenever it receives an echo presence signal.The comparators work with most significant bits (MSB) to generate the telemetry mark, whilst the buffer memory works with least significant bits (LSB) which make it possible to determine the position of the target in relation to the center of the telemetry mark, for example by the use of a "complement-on-two" code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Thomson - CSF
    Inventor: Yves Caudroy
  • Patent number: 5065161
    Abstract: A ship track indicating apparatus displays the ship track of another ship with a line of narrow width on the screen of the indicator of a radar apparatus so that the ship track of another ship can be easily distinguished. The images of another ship are suppressed from being broadened and noise images are prevented from being accumulated. The apparatus includes a radar apparatus for detecting positions of another ship, a transforming device for transforming radar echoes to fine spots, a ship track memory for storing the fine spots representative of positions of another ship to form a ship track, and an indicator for indicating the contents of the ship track memory on the screen thereof. The apparatus also displays the characters of radar echoes such as the size and the attitude thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Furuno Electric Company Limited
    Inventor: Shozou Shibutani
  • Patent number: 5061935
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a three-dimensional display radar, which comprises a radar transmitter-receiver unit for producing signals indicative of information about a bearing of a target, information about distance to the target and information about the received power reflected from the target, respectively, a display, a three-dimensional coordinate converter for converting the bearing information, the distance information and the received power information into signals indicative of both an X-Y coordinate and the height of the target, marker generator for generating range marker signals when the target is three-dimensionally represented on a screen of the display, and a video memory having storage addresses corresponding to respective pixels on the display and for storing the received power information at a storage address corresponding to the X-Y coordinate obtained from the three-dimensional coordinate converter and storing therein the marker signals generated from the marker generator, the video memory being f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Nihon Musen Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Chogo Sekine, Takeshi Abe
  • Patent number: 5032842
    Abstract: A detection system uses a radar apparatus for displaying conditions of the surrounding geographical and an area marker defining a selected geographical area. The area marker and conditions are displayed on an indicator. If a target is determined to be in the area marker, an alarm is activated. The area marker is indicated by specifying only two points on the screen of the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Tanigaki, Yoshiyuki Kiya
  • Patent number: 5012251
    Abstract: A radar capability display apparatus utilizing radar theory equations which are stored in a computer to relate the measured characteristics of interference signals in radar return echoes to determine the amount of radar performance degradation that the interference signals create. These loss of performance factors which are obtained at each antenna beam angle and range, are displayed on the radar's screen as the radar capability display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Peter D. Kennedy, Wayne M. Blasi
  • Patent number: 4797676
    Abstract: A surveillance radar system which has a display processor 1 that receives graphic data from a computer 4 which are edited and divided according to target data and console associated data or background information data and which is edited in two arithmetic logic units 2 and 3 and in response to a console request are combined after being edited and are supplied to output interfaces A, B, C and D and forwarded for transmission to picture screen consoles through refresher channels connected to the output interfaces. The invention is provided for the utilization in surveillance radar systems covering large areas and using a large number of picture screen console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Norbert Koelmans
  • Patent number: 4706090
    Abstract: The present application discloses a ship collision preventive aid apparatus in which a radar picture and a key picture are selected from all pictures displayed on a display means as transmitted through a touch panel, and the operator touches the surface of the touch panel, so that a program for an operation key name selected is executed. Predetermined collision preventive aid data required for collision avoidance are then displayed on a display screen.With operation simplified, appropriate information concerning collision avoidance may be supplied and the entire construction is simplified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignees: Hitachi Zosen Corp, Kabushiki Kaisha Koden Seisakusho
    Inventors: Shinji Hashiguchi, Hisayuki Kimata, Yukuo Koga
  • Patent number: 4623966
    Abstract: Apparatus for assessing maneuvers of a first vehicle (6) so fitted relative to other vehicles (58, 68, 71-74) comprises sensing means for providing signals representative of the positions and velocities of the other vehicles relative to the first vehicle (6), computing means responsive to said signals for computing symbology respectively associated with the other vehicles, and display means coupled to the computing means for displaying the symbology relative to the position of the first vehicle, thereby providing indicia to assess maneuvers of the first vehicle which will avoid collision with the other vehicles, and which will ensure that the first vehicle will not pass closer to the other vehicles than a predetermined distance for all relative positions and velocities thereof, the symbology associated with each of the other vehicles in all encounter circumstances comprises at least a final escape point (FEP) (40) which, if reached by the first vehicle (6), will allow the first vehicle still to avoid the asso
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Sperry Limited
    Inventor: James P. O'Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4620137
    Abstract: A sweep termination generating circuit adopts an octagon boundary for sweep termination which is set by combining a plurality of comparators so as to be circumscribed about the display screen of a circular CRT. When the sweep position is deviated from the center of the display screen for the purpose of displaying a radar image by PPI sweep, the circuit allows the comparators to detect that a scanning signal for scanning an electron beam from the off-center sweep position has reached the boundary for sweep termination and thereby generates a sweep termination signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Tokyo Keiki Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Numaho, Yoshio Kato, Hiroshi Okada, Tetsuro Ogawa