Aircraft Collision Avoidance System (cas) Patents (Class 342/29)
  • Patent number: 8576112
    Abstract: A multifunction airborne radar device includes a plurality of transmit antenna modules and/or receive antenna modules that are fixed relative to the aircraft, placed substantially over the surface of the aircraft so as to form transmit and receive beams, enabling targets to be detected for implementing a sense-and-avoid function. The airborne radar device may also comprise processing means for tracking the detected targets and for generating information sent to an air traffic control center and/or to a control device on board the aircraft. The processing device may also receive data relating to the aircraft, enabling the antenna beams to be adjusted and the tracking calculations to be refined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Patrick Garrec, Pascal Cornic, Stéphane Kemkemian
  • Patent number: 8570211
    Abstract: A non-scanning radar system is installed on an aircraft to detect and avoid bird strikes or collisions with other airborne hazards. Target amplitude, range, and Doppler tracking versus time are used to qualify the collision threat. Avoidance is based on a quick minor altitude change by the pilot or autopilot to exit the imminent bird or other airborne hazard altitude window. In one embodiment, a bistatic passive radar receiver antenna is used in conjunction with an existing geostationary satellite signal. Range and Doppler information are obtained via cross correlation processing of the hazard reflection signal with a direct path reference signal from the satellite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Gregory Hubert Piesinger
  • Publication number: 20130265185
    Abstract: A proximity warning system for a helicopter (22) comprising at least two radar units (1-3), preferably three radar units (1-3) arranged to transmit microwaves and receive reflections of said microwaves from obstacles (10). The at least two radar units (1-3) are fixed next to a main rotor head(s) (20) of the helicopter (22) for horizontally scanning an entire environment of 360° around the helicopter (22), all of said at least two radar units (1-3) operating essentially at the same frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: EUROCOPTER DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • Patent number: 8538669
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for transmitting incursion alerts to a plurality of in-flight aircraft in accordance with preconfigured pilot preferences. The apparatus comprises a data store module containing data sets against which the pilot preferences are evaluated during flight, including weather, airspace and flight restrictions, ground delay programs, and air traffic information. The apparatus further includes a flight path module containing route and position information for each aircraft. An incursion alert processing module evaluates the flight path, data store, and pilot preferences and generates incursion alerts which are transmitted to each aircraft during flight, either directly or via ground based dispatchers or flight operations personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Anand Agarwal, David Brabham, Trip Redner, SatyaBhaskar Payasam
  • Patent number: 8521352
    Abstract: A vehicle can be controlled in a first autonomous mode of operation by at least navigating the vehicle based on map data. Sensor data can be obtained using one or more sensors of the vehicle. The sensor data can be indicative of an environment of the vehicle. An inadequacy in the map data can be detected by at least comparing the map data to the sensor data. In response to detecting the inadequacy in the map data, the vehicle can be controlled in a second autonomous mode of operation and a user can be prompted to switch to a manual mode of operation. The vehicle can be controlled in the second autonomous mode of operation by at least obtaining additional sensor data using the one or more sensors of the vehicle and navigating the vehicle based on the additional sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: David I. Ferguson, Dmitri A. Dolgov
  • Patent number: 8494761
    Abstract: A device and method aids the evaluation of a flight trajectory that is intended to be followed by an aircraft within a constrained environment. The method includes receiving information from a processing unit regarding stationary and moving obstacles, implementing a collision trial based on this information, and displaying any collision risks to the pilot on a display device in the cockpit. Consequently, a pilot can know within the constrained environment whether a flight trajectory needs to be modified to avoid potential collisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (SAS)
    Inventors: Andrea Giovannini, Thomas Pastre
  • Patent number: 8493241
    Abstract: Embodiments for displaying first and second images to a pilot of an aircraft are presented. The embodiments include, but are not limited to, obtaining a first image signal and a second image signal, commanding a display unit to display a first image on a display screen corresponding to the first signal, and computing an image moving velocity of the first image. The method further comprises estimating an image flow velocity for the second image based on the second image signal and comparing the image moving velocity of the first image to the image flow velocity of the second image. After the comparison, the display unit is commanded to display the second image overlaid on the first image, and commanding the display unit to establish an intensity of the second image within a predefined range based upon the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gang He
  • Patent number: 8487785
    Abstract: A system and device is provided for formulating alerts of the items of equipment of an aircraft. The device includes a database of virtual objects representing the items of equipment for constructing a virtual model representative on the one hand of the topological configuration of the network of items of equipment and on the other hand of the configuration of the chain of functional applications implemented by the items of equipment, means for each virtual object to formulate a request for consulting the status of the functional application carried out by the item of equipment associated with the object and means for detecting alerts for formulating requests for consulting the status of each of the objects of the virtual model so as to detect anomalies of configuration of the topology of the network of items of equipment and of the chain of functional applications of the virtual model and to transmit the alerts associated with the anomalies. The device detects and manages the alerts of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: François Fournier, Christian Sannino, Stéphanie Gaudan, Laurent Robert
  • Patent number: 8477048
    Abstract: According to the invention, the device (1) comprises means (3) for detecting, during an altitude capture maneuver, the emission of a first type alarm by the anti-collision system (2) and means (4) for controlling the vertical speed of said airplane (AC), after the emission of such an alarm, until the triggering of the capture phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (SAS)
    Inventors: Paule Botargues, Xavier Dal Santo, Olivier Sapin, Vincent Bompart
  • Patent number: 8477062
    Abstract: A novel and non-trivial radar-based system, module, and method for presenting steering symbology on an aircraft display unit are disclosed. Hazard information acquired from a forward-looking aircraft radar system may be presented as hazard data to a symbology generating processor. A plurality of minimum turn angles may be determined based upon the boundary tangents of the hazard data. Data representative of steering symbology corresponding to a one or more minimum turn angles may be generated, where the symbology may take the form of textual symbology and/or non-textual symbology. Then, the steering symbology data may be provided to a presentation system for depiction of steering symbology on a tactical display unit and/or strategic display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: George R. Kanellis
  • Patent number: 8477063
    Abstract: A obstacle detection system comprises a transmission antenna operable to radiate a radio frequency (RF) signal and a transmitter operable to control transmission of the RF signal from the antenna. The obstacle detection system also comprises a receiver antenna operable to receive a reflection of the RF signal; and processing circuitry operable to analyze a plurality of characteristics of a radar cross section (RCS) of the received reflection to identify an obstacle and one or more physical attributes of the obstacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Meyers, Long Bui, Yi-Chi Shih, Alan G. Cornett
  • Patent number: 8462041
    Abstract: A device and method for secondary radar signal reception with quasi-dynamic or dynamic sectoring of a space to be monitored. The device includes at least one antenna assembly including antenna elements for the reception of transmitted secondary radar signals, a signal processing unit connected via a connection point to the antenna elements for the joint processing of received antenna signals, outputs associated with a couple matrix in the signal processing unit and individual receivers. The couple matrix includes adjustable coefficients for sectoring of the space to be monitored and for performing a superposition of the antenna signals using a multiplicative-additive combination of the received antenna signals. In the case of dynamic sectoring of the space, each receiver receives for each receipt telegram another weighted superposition of the antenna signals with certain couple coefficients, and in the case of quasi-dynamic sectoring the adjustable coefficients are fixed over a longer time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: iAd Gesellschaft für Informatik, Automatisierung und Datenverarbeitung mbH
    Inventors: Hermann Hampel, Ulrich Berold, Gerd Bumiller, Christoph Reck
  • Patent number: 8463463
    Abstract: Methods for flying multiple aircraft in a predetermined formation in which a relative navigation grid is emitted from at least one of the aircraft, a spatial relationship is calculated based on the emitted relative navigation grid, and a relative position of at least one aircraft is altered to position the aircraft in the predetermined formation when the spatial relationship does not conform with the predetermined formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC
    Inventors: Michael Steven Feldmann, Jerry Lynne Page
  • Patent number: 8463534
    Abstract: An aircraft position synchronization system and methods for coordinating positioning of vehicles in motion are presented. A rabbit calculation module calculates a planned position on an orbit pattern of an aircraft in flight, and a planned position-time projection vector comprising a planned velocity vector of the planned position. A display module graphically displays the orbit pattern, the planned position and the planned velocity vector of the planned position moving in real-time along the orbit pattern. The display module further displays the planned position-time projection vector, an actual position of the aircraft, and an actual position-time projection vector of the aircraft based on a bank angle of the aircraft such that a user determines the planned position on the planned position-time projection vector of the aircraft in order to arrive at a predetermined position at a correct time. A rendezvous module coordinates the aircraft with a second aircraft in flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Charles B. Spinelli, Glenn Hanbey
  • Patent number: 8456349
    Abstract: A bistatic radar receiver is centrally located within an array of multiple bistatic transmitters at an airport to precisely determine bird positions and altitudes. Bird target reflections from multiple transmitters are received by the radar receiver. Target location is determined by the transmitter location, receiver location, and measured transmitter-to-target-to-receiver ranges. Target position and altitude accuracy is similar to GPS. The radar receiver antenna is composed of a vertical array of elements and rotated 360 degrees in azimuth. The output of each element is downconverted, digitized, and digitally beamformed to provide multiple simultaneous antenna beams each electronically scanned in elevation. When bistatic transmitters cannot be deployed, a narrow-azimuth wide-elevation transmit antenna beam is overlapped with a wide-azimuth narrow-elevation receive antenna beam electronically scanned in elevation to provide a composite narrow azimuth and elevation beamwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Gregory Hubert Piesinger
  • Patent number: 8446295
    Abstract: According to the invention, the device (1) comprises means (4) for adapting the altitude capture maneuver, means (5) for first detecting the emission of a first type alarm, means (6) for determining a first alarm threshold and means (7) for establishing an activation height threshold from said first alarm threshold and airplane vertical speed at the time of the alarm emission, so that, when the height separating said aircraft (AC) from the altitude set level is strictly higher than said height threshold at the time of the alarm emission, said adaptation means (4) are disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (SAS)
    Inventors: Paule Botargues, Xavier Dal Santo, Olivier Sapin, Vincent Bompart
  • Patent number: 8436762
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a coordinate determiner is operable to identify at least first and second surfaces that each approximately intersect an object, and to determine at least two approximate coordinates of the object from the first and second surfaces, where at least one of the surfaces is nonplanar. For example, if the coordinate determiner is disposed on a fighter jet having at least two short-baseline-interferometers (SBIs), then two surfaces may be the surfaces of two cones having two of the SBIs as respective vertices, the object may be a close-in target, and the coordinate determiner may determine the azimuth and elevation of the target from the cone surfaces. Furthermore, the coordinate determiner or another computation unit onboard the jet may determine the slant range of the target from the elevation and the altitude of the jet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald M. Yannone
  • Patent number: 8436750
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Bernard Fabre, Pascal Gayraud, Nicolas Marty
  • Publication number: 20130106645
    Abstract: A system and methods for onboard sense and avoidance of an object are disclosed. At least one transmitter and at least one transmitter location of the at least one transmitter are selected from a database of transmitters based on a vehicle location of a vehicle, and at least one total signal is received at the vehicle. The at least one total signal comprises a direct signal of at least one broadcast signal from the at least one transmitter, and a reflection signal comprising a reflection of the broadcast signal reflected off an object. An estimated object location of the object is estimated based on the at least one total signal, the at least one transmitter location, and the vehicle location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Anthony P. Goodson, Michael A. Loudiana
  • Patent number: 8432307
    Abstract: A radar device includes an antenna having at least two linear arrays of radiating elements being orthogonal to one another, a first array being used to focus a transmission beam in a first plane and a second beam being used to focus a reception beam in a second plane, orthogonal to the first plane. The focussing of the beam is obtained in the first plane by colored emission followed by a reception beam formation by computation, and in that the focussing of the beam is obtained in the second plane using reception beam formation by computation. The colored emission is carried out by combining antenna transmission sub-arrays in such a manner as to form a sum channel and a difference on reception channel according to the monopulse technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Pascal Cornic, Patrick Le Bihan, Stéphane Kemkemian
  • Patent number: 8401773
    Abstract: An air traffic control system, for use by a human controller controlling a plurality of aircraft held vertically separated in a stack above a minimum stack level, the system comprising at least one processor, and a display device for the human controller, controlled by said at least one processor; further comprising: means for periodically inputting a value representative of local terrestrial air pressure conditions; means for periodically inputting an aircraft flight level reading representing an altitude defined by a reference air pressure measured on the aircraft; means for periodically generating a display on said display device comprising a plurality of flight levels vertically arranged; means for indicating in said display said plurality of aircraft, arranged in a vertical list ranked by flight level; said at least one processor being arranged, on reception of a new said value, to redetermine said minimum stack level and to vary said display so as to indicate changes to said minimum stack level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Nats (En Route) Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Robert Eagles, Jenny Weston, William Casey, Martin Southall
  • Patent number: 8390505
    Abstract: A process and a device for detecting aircrafts circulating in an air space surrounding an airplane is disclosed. The device (1A) comprises means (2, 3) for detecting an aircraft circulating in the air space surrounding the airplane and, in case of a detection, for determining a first position and a second position of the aircraft with respect to the airplane, and means (8A) for comparing said first and second positions so as to check whether they match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations (SAS)
    Inventors: Guillaume Fouet, Xavier Grossin, Sébastien Robert
  • Patent number: 8378843
    Abstract: A telematics system in an asset network is provided. The telematics system includes one or more sensors configured to acquire data from multiple assets at different locations in the asset network. The telematics system also includes a transceiver configured to receive the data acquired from the one or more sensors. The telematics system further includes a data analysis system. The data analysis system includes a central data server configured to receive the data transmitted from the transceiver. The data analysis system also includes a processing circuitry configured to combine data, analyze combined data to detect trends, generate value added services based on the detected trends and distribute the value added services to multiple end users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Patricia Denise Mackenzie, John William Carbone, Charles Burton Theurer, Joseph James Salvo, Joseph Edward Jesson
  • Patent number: 8380367
    Abstract: A surveillance and guidance method and system for use with autonomously guided, man-on-the-loop or man-in-the-loop guided vehicles where the presence of obstacles must be considered in guiding the vehicle towards a target includes a navigation system configured to determine the position of the vehicle on which it is equipped. A communication system is configured for data exchange between the vehicle, neighboring vehicles and ground stations. A surveillance system is configured to detect and locate fixed or moving targets and obstacles. A computer is configured to track the position of targets and obstacles and to provide guidance commands or 4D flight paths to perform collision avoidance with respect to traffic regulations and procedures, and operational airspace restrictions. Additional computer tasks include station keeping or interception of targets. A command and control system is configured to interact with a user interface and control the vehicle's actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: The University of North Dakota
    Inventors: Richard R. Schultz, Florent Martel, Matthew Lendway, Brian L. Berseth
  • Patent number: 8378885
    Abstract: Device and a method for locating a mobile object approaching a surface reflecting electromagnetic waves. The location device includes an emission antenna and a reception antenna. The emission antenna has one or more emission positions emitting a detection signal toward the mobile object. The reception antenna has at least one column of one or more reception positions, receiving a signal transmitted by the mobile object. An emission of the detection signal is activated on each emission position. An emission position that produces a detection by the reception antenna, of the signal of maximum energy transmitted by the mobile object, is selected to track the mobile object. One or more signals of maximum energy, received by one or more reception positions, are used to angularly locate the mobile object. The invention can be used to determine the position of an aircraft in the final landing phase for a guidance device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Pascal Cornic, Eric Barraux, Patrick Garrec
  • Patent number: 8380424
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing vehicle-centric collision avoidance are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes determining a first flight trajectory for a first aircraft. The method also includes determining a second flight trajectory for a second aircraft. A distance between the first aircraft and the second aircraft at a first closest point of approach (CPA) is predicted. The predicted closest point of approach is then compared to a separation perimeter layer. The separation perimeter layer is configured to provide a minimum separation distance from the first aircraft to the second aircraft. When the predicted closest point of approach breaches the separation perimeter, the first flight trajectory is altered to provide collision avoidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Glenn S. Bushnell
  • Patent number: 8380425
    Abstract: Autonomous collision avoidance systems for unmanned aerial vehicles are disclosed. Systems illustratively include a detect and track module, an inertial navigation system, and an auto avoidance module. The detect and track module senses a potential object of collision and generates a moving object track for the potential object of collision. The inertial navigation system provides information indicative of a position and a velocity of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The auto avoidance module receives the moving object track for the potential object of collision and the information indicative of the position and the velocity of the unmanned aerial vehicle. The auto avoidance module utilizes the information to generate a guidance maneuver that facilitates the unmanned aerial vehicle avoiding the potential object of collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: L-3 Unmanned Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Duggan, David A. Felio, Craig S. Askew
  • Patent number: 8374733
    Abstract: A computer-implemented transportation information management system and method permits entry, recording, and transmission of operation and maintenance data related to FAA recordkeeping and recording requirements within an SQL database. A secure website permits entry and display of operation and maintenance data as well as facilitating data input using input devices such as a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer, and a portable computer. The system outputs aircraft operation and maintenance data, automatic alerts of pilot flight and duty time limitations, and flight tracking and monitoring information via a spreadsheet, electronic mail message, text message, and a completed FAA mandatory reporting requirement forms to the aforementioned data input devices. Operation and maintenance data is automatically and continuously transferred to the FAA to populate FAA flight tracking data systems and air traffic control data system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Myfligtdata, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald H. Dexheimer, Raymond D. Shinneman
  • 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: 8368583
    Abstract: An aircraft avian radar is implemented using multiple axial beam antennas mounted on an aircraft. Target range is determined by radar range. Target azimuth and elevation position is determined by triangulation. An end-fire array antenna composed of a series of monopole antenna elements enclosed inside a long thin protective cover fashioned in the form of a stall fence is mounted on the wings, tail, or fuselage to produce a low drag axial beam antenna pattern directed ahead of the aircraft. Other axial beam antenna choices include helical, pyramidal horn, and conical horn antennas mounted on or inside various forward facing surfaces of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Gregory Hubert Piesinger
  • Patent number: 8362925
    Abstract: Embodiments of a process are provided suitable for implementation by an avionics display system deployed on a host aircraft and including a monitor. In one embodiment, the process includes the step of receiving air traffic data indicative of a first flight characteristic pertaining to a neighboring aircraft. The first flight characteristic is selected from the group consisting of: (i) the wake turbulence created by the neighboring aircraft, (ii) the current flight plan of the neighboring aircraft, and (iii) the airspace in which the neighboring aircraft's current detection position should reside to ensure that the neighboring aircraft's actual position resides within the an airspace currently assigned to the neighboring aircraft. A visual representation of the first flight characteristic is generated on the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Brinkman, Pat Langdon
  • Patent number: 8362943
    Abstract: A method for registering a radar system. The method includes obtaining first values for a location of a target relative to the radar system using radar system initiated signals, obtaining geo-referenced location data for and from the target, obtaining second values for the location of the target relative to the radar system using the geo-referenced location data, computing location registration bias errors for the radar system using the first and second values, and registering the radar system using the computed location registration bias errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark H. Jacobs, Yair Alon, Joseph H. Geiger
  • Patent number: 8340906
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for searching and generating trajectory content in a navigation device are provided. The method includes establishing a predetermined search region from a current position; extracting information about first parcels included in the established search region and information about second parcels including information about links of specific trajectory content; and determining whether the specific trajectory content is included in the established search region by comparing the information about the first parcels with the information about the second parcels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-chul Jung, Jeong-hoon Park
  • Patent number: 8335637
    Abstract: A method and a navigation device are disclosed for sharing at least one location message with at least one other device. The navigation device includes a receiver to determine a signal strength of a traffic message channel at a location, a memory to store information representing the signal strength of a traffic message channel, and at least one processor to correlate the information stored in memory to compile a traffic message channel resource and select a traffic message channel based on the traffic message channel resource and a location associated with a navigation device. The method includes determining a signal strength of a traffic message channel at a location, storing information representing the signal strength of a traffic message channel, correlating the information stored in memory to compile a traffic message channel resource, and selecting a traffic message channel based on the traffic message channel resource and a location associated with a navigation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Tomtom International B.V.
    Inventors: William Deurwaarder, Erik Thomassen, Henny Verwaij, Barbara Laermann
  • Patent number: 8332080
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device to assist in navigation in an airport sector. The inventive method and device make it possible to automatically calculate the points of intersection between the path of the flight plan and the zones having speed limitations all around an airport and calculate a speed profile conforming to these limitations. The inventive method and device also make it possible to use an automatic guidance automatically defining flight instructions corresponding to the calculated speed profile. Furthermore, the invention calculates predictions concerning the flight parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Manuel Gutierrez-Castaneda, Stéphane Paris
  • Patent number: 8319679
    Abstract: Systems and methods for predicting when a weather anomaly (e.g., convective cell) will intersect with an aircraft. Direction of movement and velocity information for at least one weather anomaly are received at a processor from a radar system. An intercept point for the at least one weather anomaly is determined based on the received location, direction of movement and velocity information and location and current speed information for the aircraft. Then, a first indicator based on the intercept point is displayed on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Christianson
  • Publication number: 20120280857
    Abstract: A rotary wing aircraft, a rotor blade and a horizon scanning system are provided. The rotary wing aircraft, for example, may include, but is not limited to, a mast, an engine configured to provide rotational force to the mast and a controller. The rotary wing aircraft may further include a rotor blade connected to the mast having a leading edge, a plurality of tubercles positioned on the leading edge of the rotor blade, and a sensor housed within at least one of the plurality tubercles communicatively connected to the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Steven J. Elder
  • Patent number: 8305253
    Abstract: Processing is described for forming a synthetic aperture radar image of the region toward which a platform moves, and for extracting from this image the physical positions of scatterers in the region, including moving scatterers. The processing entails one-dimensional resampling of the received radar data that can be performed as the data are being collected, facilitating real-time operation. Various embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: MARK Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Hershkowitz
  • Patent number: 8300096
    Abstract: Accurate measurements of flight path obstructions are taken from a moving aerial platform. Platform position, including altitude, is combined with dynamic data including target distance and target elevation data to calculate obstruction height or altitude. An optical subsystem on the aerial platform images the obstructions and provides a video stream showing the obstructions. The video stream and aerial platform data are wirelessly communicated to a control terminal where an operator observes a presentation of obstructions and obstruction altitudes or heights. The operator can issue commands to the aerial platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Franklin Abernathy
  • Patent number: 8296054
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for limiting the number of alarms generated by an anticollision system on board an airplane according to which the duration of a phase of capture of a setpoint altitude by the airplane is adjusted so that a theoretical time for collision with an intruder aircraft is greater than a predetermined threshold, when the airplane is close to said setpoint altitude and air traffic exists in the environment of said airplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Paule Botargues, Xavier Dal Santo, Pierre Fabre, Xavier Guery
  • 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: 8271184
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Pascal Gayraud, Nicolas Marty, Bernard Dubourg, Francois Michel
  • Publication number: 20120229325
    Abstract: A radioaltimeter (5) having a signal generator-receiver (10) and signal transceiver means (20) connected to the generator-receiver (10), and a display member (30), said transceiver means (20) comprising a transceiver main member (21) for sending a signal towards a ground (S) in order to determine the height (H) between said main member (21) and said ground (S), said display member (30) having main display means (31) for displaying said height (H). Furthermore, the radioaltimeter (5) includes switch means (40) together with a control unit (50), and secondary display means (32) of said display member (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventor: Herve Dutruc
  • Patent number: 8264400
    Abstract: Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for signature matching. In some examples, the method for signature matching includes receiving a first target profile associated with a first data signal, the first data signal associated with a first target object; receiving a second target profile associated with a second data signal, the second data signal associated with the first target object or a second target object; generating a comparison distance utilizing a comparison distance function and based on a comparison of one or more data points associated with the first target profile and one or more data points associated with the second target profile; and determining a signature matching score based on the comparison distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Nadeeka D. Yapa, Rachel B. Norman
  • Patent number: 8258997
    Abstract: A radar device includes means for emitting microwave-frequency signals; means for receiving signals reflected by a target; computation means; a plurality of antenna systems disposed around the aircraft, an antenna system comprising a set of emission antennas coupled to the emission means and a set of reception antennas coupled to the reception means, each antenna system being dedicated to the coverage of a given angular sector ?; for a given antenna system, the antenna beam on reception being formed by CBF by the computation means on the basis of the signals received by the reception antennas and the antenna beam on emission is pointed by an electronic scanning system in a number greater than or equal to two of directions inside the given angular sector ?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Stéphane Kemkemian, Myriam Nouvel
  • Patent number: 8242950
    Abstract: A delineated collision avoidance system may comprise a processor for executing one or more instructions that implement one or more functions of the collision avoidance system, a transceiver for transmitting information from and receiving information for the host aircraft, and memory for storing the one or more instructions for execution by the processor to implement the one or more functions of the collision avoidance system to: receive from the transceiver information from another aircraft, generate from the received information a track for the other aircraft, and determine whether the track will intersect within a predefined period of time a region of interest around the host aircraft. In a variation, the system may include a display and the memory may include instructions to: determine whether a predefined condition is satisfied and change an appearance of a symbol shown on the display to indicate that the predefined condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Cyro A. Stone, Gregory T. Stayton, Charles C. Manberg
  • Publication number: 20120200447
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing passive bird-strike avoidance. A passive L-band receiver system is located on an aircraft. The system includes a processor and an antenna having an array of four or more elements. The antenna configured to receive L-band signals. The processor receives the L-band signals from the antenna, determines if the received L-band signals indicate a target, determines distance, direction of travel and speed of any determined targets, determines if the target is a flock of birds based on the determined speed and determines if a hazard condition exists based on the distance, direction and speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: David C. Vacanti
  • Patent number: 8232910
    Abstract: A system and method for a terrain awareness warning system. The system includes a radar system configured to transmit a first radio frequency wave and receive a second radio frequency wave, a display for receiving a display signal representative of an obstacle source and an obstacle source data circuit. The obstacle source data circuit includes an interface and a display circuit. The interface is coupled to the radar system and the display. The display circuit is configured to determine the obstacle source based on the second radio frequency wave and to transmit the display signal representative of the obstacle source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark W. Burton
  • Patent number: 8203465
    Abstract: A method for filtering and presenting relevant aircraft traffic to a pilot may include determining a location and altitude of aircraft within a predetermined airspace relative to the pilot's own aircraft. The method may also include presenting a representation of the pilot's own aircraft and a representation of the location of each of the aircraft within the predetermined airspace in relation to the pilot's own aircraft on a display to the pilot. The method may additionally include filtering relevant aircraft within a selected filtering airspace relative to the pilot's own aircraft. The method may further include presenting the representation of the relevant aircraft within the selected filtering airspace in a selected format to distinguish the relevant aircraft within the selected filtering airspace from any other aircraft that may be presented in the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Syed Tahir Shafaat, Tan N. Che, Minh-Tri Le
  • Patent number: 8200416
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a displaying a moving map display for an aircraft is provided. The method includes determining a route of intended travel of the aircraft on the moving map display, determining a rank of relative importance of a plurality of aeronautical symbols displayed on the moving map display based on the determined route of intended travel, and de-emphasizing at least one navigation symbol with the moving map display based on the at least one navigation symbol determined rank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Sven D. Aspen