Traffic Analysis Or Control Of Aircraft Patents (Class 701/120)
  • Patent number: 11297474
    Abstract: A computing method for transmitting data from a ground computing device to an aircraft computing device, comprises receiving, by an aircraft API executing on an aircraft interface computing device, an initial communication from an aircraft service executing on the aircraft computing device located onboard an aircraft; determining, by the aircraft API, that a data file is to be transmitted from the ground computing device to the aircraft computing device; transmitting, to the ground computing device, a data signal configured to cause the data file to be transmitted from the ground computing device to a transient storage location associated with the aircraft interface computing device; and causing the data file to be transmitted from the transient storage location to the aircraft computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Reynold Rullan Panergo, Lakshmi M. Puttaswamy, Mycah Mattox, Subramaniam Natarajan, Selvakumar Santharam, Timothy William Anstey, Nathan T. VanRheenen
  • Patent number: 11287823
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to differentiating between active and inactive construction zones. In one example, this may include identifying a construction object associated with a construction zone. The identified construction object may be used to map the area of the construction zone. Detailed map information may then be used to classify the activity of the construction zone. The area of the construction zone and the classification may be added to the detailed map information. Subsequent to adding the construction zone and the classification to the detailed map information, the construction object (or another construction object) may be identified. The location of the construction object may be used to identify the construction zone and classification from the detailed map information. The classification of the classification may be used to operate a vehicle having an autonomous mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: David I. Ferguson, Donald Jason Burnette
  • Patent number: 11279557
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval system including a storage structure having storage shelves, each storage shelf having slats for supporting stored items where the slats are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, an autonomous transport vehicle including at least one sensor configured to sense each of the slats and output a signal indicating when a slat is sensed, and a controller for verifying a location of the autonomous transport vehicle within the storage structure based on at least the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Symbotic LLC
    Inventors: Robert Sullivan, Michael Cyrulik, Stephen C. Toebes
  • Patent number: 11267485
    Abstract: A system for context-aware decision making of an autonomous agent includes a computing system having a context selector and a map. A method for context-aware decision making of an autonomous agent includes receiving a set of inputs, determining a context associated with an autonomous agent based on the set of inputs, and optionally any or all of: labeling a map; selecting a learning module (context-specific learning module) based on the context; defining an action space based on the learning module; selecting an action from the action space; planning a trajectory based on the action S260; and/or any other suitable processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Gatik AI Inc.
    Inventors: Gautam Narang, Apeksha Kumavat, Arjun Narang, Kinh Tieu, Michael Smart, Marko Ilievski
  • Patent number: 11238742
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting a potential ambiguity in a sequence of clearance communications using conversational contextual information to identify potentially related communications. One exemplary method involves obtaining a first clearance communication associated with a first aircraft, obtaining a second clearance communication associated with a second aircraft, identifying a first conversational context associated with the first clearance communication, identifying a second conversational context associated with the second clearance communication, identifying a discrepancy between the first clearance communication and the second clearance communication based at least in part on the first conversational context and the second conversational context, and in response to identifying the discrepancy, generating a user notification at one of the first aircraft and the second aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Narayanan Srinivasan, Gobinathan Baladhandapani, Hariharan Saptharishi
  • Patent number: 11217105
    Abstract: A method for managing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is described. The method includes receiving a flight plan that describes a proposed flight mission of the UAV in an airspace; adding one or more predefined points to the flight plan to create an enhanced flight plan, wherein each of the predefined points is associated with a set of conditions and a set of locations; and transmitting the enhanced flight plan to the UAV for storage of the predefined points on the UAV while the UAV carries out the proposed flight mission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Heikki Mahkonen, Ravi Manghirmalani, Attila Takács
  • Patent number: 11195420
    Abstract: A method for assisting in a flight management of an aircraft calculates a local cost function CF(xi, hj) at various altitudes hj along a planned vertical reference flight trajectory over a discrete set of points P(xi, hj) which forms a two-dimensional grid in which the planned vertical reference flight trajectory varies, the local cost function CF(xi, hj) being calculated locally at each point P(xi, hj) according to aircraft data and environmental data predicted at said local point P(xi, hj). Then, for each point P(xi, hj) of the grid, the method determines a neighbourhood including the point P(xi, hj), and associates a colour K(xi, hj) therewith that is dependent on the value of the local cost function CF(xi, hj) using a predetermined bijective lookup transformation. Next, the method displays the coloured grid formed by the coloured neighbourhoods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Xavier Blanchon, Guillaume Boyer, Guillaume Meulle, Sonia Vautier
  • Patent number: 11189179
    Abstract: A method for revising a target take off time in the environment of an airport, associated system and aircraft having such a system. The method includes steps implemented by a computer of an aircraft, including acquisition from an information source of a current position of the aircraft in the environment of the airport and determination of a revised take off time from the current position of the aircraft, from airport data and from performance data of the aircraft, comparison of the target take off time, previously stored in a data memory of the aircraft, to the revised take off time, and if the difference between the target take off time and the revised take off time is greater than a tolerance value, sending by a communication unit of the aircraft of the revised take off time to a system external to the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Airbus (S.A.S.)
    Inventor: Olivier Chauvet
  • Patent number: 11161609
    Abstract: Provided is a multi-UAV continuous movement control method for energy efficient communication coverage. The method includes: determining observation information at a current moment, the observation information including one or more of the following: energy consumption information of a UAV, coverage indication information of users covered by a UAV network facilitated by the UAV or coverage fairness information of the UAV network; determining control information corresponding to the observation information using a DDPG model according to the observation information, wherein the DDPG model is generated from a DDPG algorithm with sample information as an input, the sample information indicating a mapping relationship between sampled observation information and sampled control information; and controlling the UAV to move according to the control information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: BEIHANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xianbin Cao, Wenbo Du, Peng Yang, Xing Xi, Dapeng Wu
  • Patent number: 11163036
    Abstract: An ADS-B spoofer being an false ADS-B squitter, an ADS-B squitter being an aircraft position information signal transmitted to secondary radars, the ADS-B squitters being detected over time at different bearings of the antenna in rotation of the radar, the method comprises, for each secondary radar, at least the following steps: a first step of detection of an ADS-B spoofer; a second step of location of the position in azimuth of the ADS-B spoofer generator, the second step comprising the following operations: measurement of the azimuth of the antenna of the secondary radar and of the received powers on the sum, difference and control patterns of the antenna upon the detection of an ADS-B squitter; generation and storage of at least one assumption of azimuth of the spoofer for each ADS-B squitter detected, the assumption being equal to the sum of the azimuth of the antenna and of the estimated bearing of the spoofer, the estimated bearing being characterized by the ratio of the received power on the sum patte
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventor: Philippe Billaud
  • Patent number: 11146927
    Abstract: A computing method for transmitting data from an aircraft computing device on an aircraft to a ground computing device, comprises receiving, by an aircraft API executing on an aircraft interface computing device, an initial communication from an aircraft service executing on the aircraft computing device; determining, by the aircraft API, that a data file is to be transmitted from the aircraft computing device to the ground computing device; transmitting, to the aircraft computing device, a data signal configured to cause the data file to be transmitted from the aircraft computing device to a transient storage location associated with an aircraft interface computing device; and causing the transmission of the data file from the transient storage location to the ground computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Reynold Rullan Panergo, Lakshmi M. Puttaswamy, Mycah Mattox, Subramaniam Natarajan, Selvakumar Santharam, Timothy William Anstey, Nathan T. VanRheenen
  • Patent number: 11136141
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to methods and systems for avoiding a collision between an aircraft on the ground and an obstacle using a three-dimensional visual indication of the area or plane of winglets on the wingtips of the aircraft. The method includes receiving a video image from a camera positioned in one of the winglets, the video image representing a field of view through which the winglet of the aircraft will pass along a present heading of the aircraft. Next a processor determines a three-dimensional area or plane within the field of view through which the winglet of the aircraft will pass. An overlay is displayed within the field of view to assist the pilot in avoiding collisions with obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignees: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Securaplane Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert O'Dell, Frank Manochio, Jason Meade, Michael Boost, Jamie Clive Marshall
  • Patent number: 11130501
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a system, method and apparatus for controlling an autonomous driving vehicle. A specific embodiment of the method comprises: periodically sending a heartbeat signal and/or communication data to a master control terminal device to determine whether the master control terminal device fails; and in response to determining a failure of the master control terminal device, acquiring data collected by a standby sensor, analyzing the data to generate a control instruction, and sending the generated control instruction to an electronic controller to enable the electronic controller to control the autonomous driving vehicle. The implementation improves the reliability of the autonomous driving vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ronghong Liu, Jiangyuan Sun, Qin Yan, Zijian Zhang
  • Patent number: 11132908
    Abstract: A departure sequencing system models airport operations and provides suggested gate pushback times for aircraft. In various embodiments, a departure sequencing system includes an airport state analyzer, a taxi-out predictor, and a pushback optimizer. The departure sequencing system may utilize stochastic models, and resolve aircraft conflicts using a business rules engine. Via use of the departure sequencing system, taxi times may be reduced, taxi fuel burn may be reduced, and airport throughput may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: American Airlines, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilhan Ince, Lourdmareddy Gumireddy, Hakan Ergan, Bo Zhang
  • Patent number: 11128368
    Abstract: A method of localizing an object is provided. The method comprises deactivating a wireless system in a defined zone and then activating a wireless data concentrator located in the defined zone, wherein the wireless data concentrator is electrically isolated from the wireless system. The wireless system is activated, wherein the wireless system is electrically coupled to a circuit breaker with a known location in the defined zone. A signal from the wireless system is received at the wireless data concentrator. The distance of the wireless system from the wireless data concentrator is determined based on the signal, and a location is assigned to the wireless system within the defined zone based on the distance of the wireless system from the wireless data concentrator and the known location of the circuit breaker in the defined zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Christopher P. Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11107360
    Abstract: Automated air traffic control systems and methods may include one or more sensors, such as radar sensors, that are positioned and oriented at opposite ends of a runway. The sensors may detect aerial vehicles on the runway, as well as aerial vehicles within approach corridors at opposite ends of the runway, and other aerial vehicles proximate the runway. Based on data received by the sensors, various characteristics of aerial vehicles can be determined, and instructions for the aerial vehicles can be determined based on the detected characteristics. Then, the aerial vehicles may utilize the determined instructions to coordinate their operations proximate the runway, which may include takeoff, taxiing, and/or landing operations. Further, speech-to-data processing may be used to translate between data and speech or audio input/output in order to enable coordination between unmanned aerial vehicles, manned aerial vehicles, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gur Kimchi, Brian Beckman
  • Patent number: 11094206
    Abstract: Embodiments provide for vertical flight path optimization by generating a plurality of waypoints with allowable parameters for a flightpath at which a course, including elements for heading, altitude, and speed, of an aircraft is adjustable; calculating a number of unique trajectories available based on the plurality of waypoints; when the number of unique trajectories is greater than a threshold number of trajectories, performing a probabilistic assessment of the unique trajectories to identify an elite set of trajectories that include those trajectories with efficiency metrics within an upper range of a set of assessed trajectories; identifying mobile waypoints in trajectories of the elite set of trajectories; performing a global optimal path assessment, wherein positions of mobile waypoints are adjusted within an associated trajectory to identify an optimal trajectory for the aircraft on the flightpath; and providing the optimal trajectory to the aircraft to follow the flightpath according to the optimal t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Louis J. Bailey, Jose A. Fregnani, Italo Romani De Oliveira
  • Patent number: 11092957
    Abstract: A navigation controller system and method for retrieving control of a remotely controlled device includes an onboard primary controller supportable on a remotely controlled device and adapted to control operation thereof, a base controller adapted to communicate with the onboard primary controller by a first mode of communications to provide instructions to control and operate the remotely controlled device, and an auxiliary controller module supportable on the remotely controlled device either separately from or integrated into the onboard primary controller and adapted to communicate with the base controller by a second mode of communications not the same as the first mode of communications so that the auxiliary controller module acts as a backup to disable, disconnect or otherwise take over control from the onboard primary controller when it is rendered non-responsive to communications from the base controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventor: Rayomond H. Chinoy
  • Patent number: 11092976
    Abstract: A construction machine work management system including a construction machine, an aircraft equipped with a camera, and a management device is provided. The construction machine work management system includes a processor configured to execute a program stored in a memory to implement processes of specifying a progress region within a work site on which work progress has been made by the construction machine, and setting up a flight path of the aircraft so that the camera of the aircraft can capture an image of the progress region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masato Koga, Masahito Indoh, Masaki Ogawa
  • Patent number: 11074819
    Abstract: A method and system for providing cost data via an operating cost app for a flight associated with a flight plan, by a computing device including: obtaining cost data of the flight plan by executing the operating cost app to implement an operating cost integrator application integrated with the operating cost app to interface with a plurality of service providers for retrieving operating cost data of the flight plan from each of the service providers; obtaining, by the at least one processor, real-time aircraft performance parameters affecting the actual cost of the flight including: a landing time and a takeoff time; determining an actual cost of the flight by using software solutions of the operating cost app, and by calculating ground charges at the airport derived from the sensed data by the operating cost app and presenting the actual cost of the ground charge, via a display device for displaying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Muthusankar Subramaniyan, Visvanathan Thanigai Nathan, Raghu Shamasundar, Vijayvenkatesh Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 11069254
    Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide for a method a training system. The training system includes a physical sensor system connected to a physical vehicle. The physical sensor system is configured to obtain real atmospheric obscuration data of a real atmospheric obscuration. The training system also includes a data processing system comprising a processor and a tangible memory. The data processing system is configured to receive the real atmospheric obscuration data, and determine based on the real atmospheric obscuration data whether a target is visible to the physical vehicle in a simulation training environment generated by the data processing system. The simulation training environment at least including a virtual representation of the physical vehicle and a virtual representation of the real atmospheric obscuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Robert James Lechner
  • Patent number: 11056010
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method. The method comprises retrieving a first message comprising flight information that is input into a flight information system associated with a flight. The method also comprises receiving a second message comprising flight information that is input into the flight information system associated with the flight based on the first message. The method further comprises verifying that the flight information that is sent in the first message matches the flight information that is received in the second message. The method additionally comprises providing a notification in response to verifying that the flight information that is sent in the first message does not match the flight information that is received in the second message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Louis J. Bailey
  • Patent number: 11024183
    Abstract: An air traffic control support system for more quickly grasping a flight plan in air traffic control is provided. An air traffic control support system 3 includes a learning unit 100 and a prediction unit 200. The learning unit 100 generates a prediction model, based on learning data including a past flight plan and information that affected formulation of the past flight plan. The prediction unit 200 predicts a flight plan, based on information that affects formulation of the flight plan and a prediction model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sawako Mikami, Yousuke Motohashi, Kazuhiko Awahara, Akihito Kataoka
  • Patent number: 11024182
    Abstract: A method may include receiving flight plan data representing a set of current flight plans and receiving surveillance data representing a set of current aircraft statuses. The method may further include generating merged data representing a set of flight portions that remain to be flown. The method may also include receiving operational context data representing airspace configurations, airport configurations, or a combination thereof, and receiving weather data. The method may include generating predicted flight traffic data by performing a simulation of flights over a duration of time, the simulation based at least partially on the merged data, the operational context data, and the weather data. The method may further include generating a user output based at least partially on the predicted flight traffic data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Luis D'Alto, Alicia Grech, Javier Lopez Leones, Andrés Muñoz Hernández, Miguel Vilaplana, Anthony Weatherington
  • Patent number: 10997865
    Abstract: An airport congestion detection apparatus includes a predictor input module coupled to a multiple airport information system. The input module obtains from the multiple airport information system weather data for a current point in time and flight information for a predetermined airport. A controller coupled to the input module determines one or more of a number of predicted flight departures from the predetermined airport and a number of predicted flight arrivals to the predetermined airport within a future predetermined time period based on the weather data for the current point in time and the flight information, and determines, from the predictions, a congestion index for the predetermined airport. A user interface coupled to the controller presents to an operator of the airport congestion detection apparatus the congestion index so that one or more of a flight plan characteristic or an aircraft loading characteristic is modified based on the congestion index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Elham Boozarjomehri, Veronica MacInnis, Nina Rajabi Nasab, Ziqian Zhu
  • Patent number: 10972421
    Abstract: A method and a device detect and reproduce radiotelephony messages emitted by a plurality of transmitters via radio at an air traffic controller workplace. It is analyzed whether a plurality of radiotelephony messages arriving at the air traffic controller workplace overlap one another chronologically, and if they do, one of the radiotelephony messages is prioritized and immediately emitted at the air traffic controller workplace. At least one other radiotelephony message is buffered, and the at least one buffered radiotelephony message is emitted at the air traffic controller workplace after the end of the prioritized radiotelephony message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Frequentis AG
    Inventor: Robert Aster
  • Patent number: 10957205
    Abstract: This application discloses a flight tag obtaining method, terminal, and server. A takeoff geographic location of a first unmanned aerial vehicle can be obtained when the first unmanned aerial vehicle takes off. The takeoff geographic location of the first unmanned aerial vehicle can then be sent to a server. A flight tag returned by the server can be obtained. The flight tag can indicate whether another aerial vehicle took off from the takeoff geographic location of the first unmanned aerial vehicle before the first unmanned aerial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Kaifeng Li, Jia Wei, Jialun Li, Xiangxin Zhang, Qiuli Huang
  • Patent number: 10943492
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a system for transmitting four-dimensional trajectories to an aircraft. Four-dimensional trajectory information for a four-dimensional trajectory for a flight of an aircraft is received. The four-dimensional trajectory information includes trajectory change points describing the four-dimensional trajectory. A subset of the trajectory change points that describe a shape of the four-dimensional trajectory is selected. A message containing the subset of the trajectory change points is created in a format used by an aircraft computer system in the aircraft. The message is transmitted to the aircraft computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Samet M. Ayhan, Ian A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10924180
    Abstract: Methods and systems for free space communication comprising one or more satellites that may provide a continuous communication link between two or more terminals are disclosed. A first satellite may be configured to send and/or receive data signals from a first terminal through a first link, and a second satellite may be configured to send and/or receive data from a second terminal through a second link. The first satellite and the second satellite may be coupled through a crosslink. The satellites and the terminals may be positioned at a minimum latitude threshold in order to take advantage of the decreasing circumference of the earth at increasing latitudes. The system and the method may comprise dividing the communication pathway between into a plurality of smaller segments, which when linked together approximate an optimal pathway for low latency and enable maintaining of higher bandwidth between the two terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Via Space Networks Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Bournes
  • Patent number: 10916148
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention are provided to generate a plurality of flight trajectories that do not conflict with other aircraft in a local area. Interventions by an air traffic control system help prevent collisions between aircraft, but these interventions can also cause an aircraft to substantially deviate from the pilot's intended flight trajectory, which burns fuels, wastes time, etc. Systems and methods of the present invention can assign a standard avoidance interval to other aircraft in the area such that a pilot's aircraft does not receive an intervention by an air traffic control system. Systems and methods of the present invention also generate a plurality of conflict-free flight trajectories such that a pilot or an automated system may select the most desirable flight trajectory for fuel efficiency, speed, and other operational considerations, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Double Black Aviation Technology L.L.C.
    Inventor: Richard Shay
  • Patent number: 10909857
    Abstract: Systems, methods and non-transitory computer readable storage media for airspace management within an airspace region at a node of a peer to peer network having a plurality of nodes and maintaining a blockchain containing a current deconflicted flight schedule for the airspace region. One method includes receiving requests for airspace reservations, each including flight plan data, from other nodes over the peer to peer network, compiling the flight plan data to identify conflicts between the requests and the current deconflicted flight schedule, validating the flight plan data of the requests that do not conflict with the current deconflicted flight schedule to generate validated airspace reservations, creating a block containing the validated airspace reservations and interlinking the block with the blockchain such that the blockchain contains a new deconflicted flight schedule for the airspace region for broadcast to the other nodes over the peer to peer network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Bosworth
  • Patent number: 10909863
    Abstract: Techniques for estimating the impact of new operational conditions in a baseline air traffic scenario are described. For at least one flight, embodiments infer an aircraft intent that fits corresponding flight track data. A reconstructed trajectory is computed using the inferred aircraft intent. For at least one flight in an alternative air traffic scenario, an aircraft intent that fits new operational conditions is generated. The new operational conditions include a new air traffic management operation and a new air traffic procedure, and the generated aircraft intent conforms to the new air traffic management operation and the new air traffic procedure. Embodiments compute a generated trajectory of the at least one flight in the alternative air traffic scenario using the generated aircraft intent and compute trajectory-based analytics on each computed trajectory of the baseline and alternative air traffic scenarios using a set of metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Luis P. D'Alto, Marco La Civita, Javier Lopez, Miguel Angel Vilaplana Ruiz
  • Patent number: 10885796
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for ground traffic aircraft management are described herein. One device includes a user interface, a memory, and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive airport information associated with an airport, generate, using the airport information, a map of the airport, display an intersection on the map of the airport, receive a selection of the intersection, and display flight information of each of a plurality of aircraft passing through the intersection within a particular period of time and the map of the airport in a single integrated display responsive to receiving the selection of the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ankita Sinha, Andrea Antonini, Dinesh Ramalingam, John Joyson, Maksood Kadike
  • Patent number: 10885797
    Abstract: Embodiments for managing drones by one or more processors are described. A condition related to the operation of a drone in a selected area is detected. A set of drone operating parameters associated with the operation of the drone in the selected area is changed based on the detecting of the condition. A signal representative of the changing of the set of drone operating parameters is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bradford O. Brooks, Grant D. Miller, Louis S. Sickenius, Srinivas B. Tummalapenta, Robert D. Wilhelm, Hamza Yaswi
  • Patent number: 10878693
    Abstract: Methods and systems to improve the accuracy of traffic signal state change predictions are disclosed. Predictions can be broadcast to vehicle drivers or autonomous systems to improve safety, fuel efficiency and reduce delays. Predictions for fixed-time signals are generated based on their scheduled timing plan and the current clock/time, but these predictions are subject variations, for example, due to traffic signal controller clock drift. Real-time actual, not predicted, data is collected and utilized to correct for these variations. Further, real-time probe data is collected and used to validate correctness of the generated predictions in real time. In one embodiment, GPS data from travelers' devices is utilized to assess validity of the generated predictions, looking particularly at signal stop line crossings relative to predicted green time window. If crossings observed in real time contradict the predicted signal state, the data service providing predictions to users may be suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: TRAFFIC TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jingtao Ma, Thomas Bauer, Kyle Zachary Hatcher, Alex Thomas Marineau
  • Patent number: 10866592
    Abstract: A method is provided for calculating the prediction of required navigation performance for a trajectory associated with a list of segments of a flight plan. A method is also provided for displaying the navigation performance as a corridor trajectory and adapted to guarantee compliance with the navigation performance requirements while offering immediate viewing of the navigation latitude in a corridor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Michel Roger, Christophe Pierre, Hervé Goutelard
  • Patent number: 10861201
    Abstract: An information generation system includes: an acquisition unit to acquire a set of records, each f which indicates a correspondence relation between a setting condition and a processing result for each processing, a generation unit to generate display information in order generate a display image based on the set of records, and a control unit to control a display unit so as to display the display image based on the display information. The display image includes the first area and the second area. Setting condition axes are displayed on the first area. Processing result axes are displayed on the second area. Value objects indicating concrete values of the setting condition are displayed at the setting condition axes. Value objects indicating concrete values of the processing result are displayed at the processing result axes. Between the value objects, relation objects indicating correspondence relations are displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akira Kuroda, Hidenori Matsuzaki, Nobuaki Tojo, Mayuko Koezuka
  • Patent number: 10859398
    Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and techniques are described for automated air traffic management using multiple flight operation modes. In one example, a method includes receiving, by a computing device comprising one or more processors, data associated with one or more aircraft in flight in a controlled airspace. The method further includes selecting, by the computing device, based at least in part on the data associated with the one or more aircraft, a respective flight operation mode from among a plurality of flight operation modes for at least one respective aircraft among the one or more aircraft in flight. The method further includes outputting, by the computing device for transmission to the at least one respective aircraft, an indication of the respective flight operation mode selected for the at least one respective aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: ARCHITECTURE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Douglas Sweet
  • Patent number: 10860023
    Abstract: Controlling a vehicle by producing a sequence of intermediate goals that includes specific goals, additional specific goals and optional goals, from a travel route for a prediction horizon. Testing a feasibility of each intermediate goal (IG), using a first model of motion of the vehicle and a first model of motion of the traffic, by the IG being achieved by satisfying traffic conditions and motion capabilities of the vehicle, after achieving the IG, a next goal of the specific goals and the additional specific goals can also be achieved. Compute a trajectory for each feasible IG, using a second model of motion of the vehicle and a second model of motion of the traffic, and compare each computed trajectory according to a numerical value determined by a cost function and determine satisfaction of constraints on the movement of the vehicle and the vehicle interaction with the road and the traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefano Di Cairano, Karl Berntorp, Heejin Ahn
  • Patent number: 10847038
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for facilitating communications between a client computer system and a vehicle computer system in a vehicle. An operational digital twin establishes communications with the client computer system using a client interface and the vehicle computer system using a vehicle interface. The operational digital twin includes a model of the vehicle computer system. Remote information received from the vehicle computer system is stored. The stored information is sent responsive to a request received from the client computer system. The remote information responsive to request but absent from the stored information is retrieved from the vehicle computer system. The retrieved information is sent to the client computer system, wherein the operational digital twin operates to provide network connectivity between the vehicle computer system in the vehicle and the client computer system with an increased a quality of service to the client computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Aziz Yousif, Arun Ayyagari, David T. Kirkland, Ethan Carl Owyang, Jason Apanovitch, Timothy William Anstey
  • Patent number: 10810892
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for air traffic control (ATC) flight management are described herein. One device includes a memory, and a processor to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive airport information associated with an airport, generate, using the airport information, an ATC flight management analysis that includes an airport map showing locations of aircraft at the airport and a card panel including a number of flight cards, where each respective one of the number of flight cards corresponds to a different respective one of the aircraft at the airport, and a user interface to display the ATC flight management analysis in a single integrated display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Vivek Kalyan, Ankita Sinha, John Joyson, Andrea Antonini, Maksood Kadike, Dinesh Ramalingam
  • Patent number: 10803760
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to rendering an image of objects in a region of an airport taxiway. The image is rendered from data provided by multiple sources. Three-dimensional models of static airport structures located within the region of an airport taxiway are provided. Rendered image data of the region of the airport taxiway if formed based on the retrieved three-dimensional models of the static airport structures. Data indicative of locations of dynamic objects within the region of the airport taxiway is also provided. Symbols identifying the dynamic objects within the region of the airport taxiway are mapped into the rendered image data at the locations indicated by the provided data. The rendered image data is sent to a display device configured to display the rendered image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT AEROSPACE INC.
    Inventors: William A. Veronesi, David Ginsberg, Julian C. Ryde, Joseph T. Pesik, Michael James Haukom
  • Patent number: 10803758
    Abstract: A wind prediction system is provided that can be implemented in an air-traffic decision tool or a wind turbine system. An air-traffic decision tool may incorporate a wind prediction system to generate prevailing wind direction predictions and determine a time at which to re-configure runway directions. A wind turbine system may incorporate a wind prediction system to predict power output of a wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith S. Barr, Peter G. Wanninger, Michael Scott Margulis
  • Patent number: 10795354
    Abstract: A flight aiding method for an unmanned aerial vehicle includes receiving a flight aiding instruction to execute a flight aiding function, recording a position of a point of interest, recording a current location of the unmanned aerial vehicle, and defining a forward flight direction of the unmanned aerial vehicle based on the position of the point of interest and the current location of the unmanned aerial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jianyu Song
  • Patent number: 10783795
    Abstract: A landing system for controlling operation of an aerial vehicle flying a final approach to a runway includes a computing device and a LIDAR scanner. The device obtains a first data set indicative of a reference flight path for the final approach. The first data set includes a time-of-flight measurement for each light beam of a first plurality of light beams emitted prior to the aerial vehicle flying the final approach. The device determines an actual flight path for the final approach based, at least in part, on a second data set comprising a time-of-flight measurement for each light beam of a second plurality of light beams emitted from the light source of the LIDAR scanner. Based on the first and second data sets, the device determines the actual flight path deviates from the reference flight path and generates a control action to adjust operation of the aerial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems Limited
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Smith
  • Patent number: 10775532
    Abstract: An adaptive guided wind sonde (AGWS) includes a main body defining a longitudinal axis including a nose end and a tail end including a body that has main wings attached. Secondary wings are on the nose end. A measurement and control system inside the body includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) for providing position and velocity, and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) is for providing inertial measurements. A wing driver is for adjusting a position of at least one of the secondary wings or control surfaces when included on the main wings. A Meteorological Sensor Suite (MSS) is for providing environmental data. An adaptive controller receives data including the position, the velocity, the inertial measurements, and the environmental data for generating wind calculations including a wind speed and a wind direction, and for providing autopilot for the AGWS. Wireless communications is for wirelessly transmitting the wind calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Innovative Automation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald K. MacArthur, Erica Z. MacArthur
  • Patent number: 10748431
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for airfield traffic status management are described herein. One device includes a memory, and a processor to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive airport information associated with an airport, generate, using the airport information, an aircraft arrival and departure analysis, where the aircraft arrival and departure analysis includes aircraft scheduled to arrive at the airport in a graphical view and aircraft scheduled to depart from the airport in the graphical view, where the graphical view includes a graphical representation of an amount of aircraft scheduled to arrive at or depart from the airport for a particular time period, and display the aircraft arrival and departure analysis in a single integrated display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: John Premnath Joyson, Rajesh V. Poojary, Maksood Moidin Kadike
  • Patent number: 10696479
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval system including a storage structure having storage shelves, each storage shelf having slats for supporting stored items where the slats are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, an autonomous transport vehicle including at least one sensor configured to sense each of the slats and output a signal indicating when a slat is sensed, and a controller for verifying a location of the autonomous transport vehicle within the storage structure based on at least the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: SYMBOTIC, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Sullivan, Michael Cyrulik, Stephen C. Toebes
  • Patent number: 10692309
    Abstract: A flight management system which is capable of monitoring changes in airplane characteristics. The flight management system is configured with a datalink management function that enables the uploading of updated performance table data from a ground station via a datalink. Upon receipt of updated aerodynamic and propulsion performance data via the datalink, the flight management system creates or updates a set of airplane performance tables or curves in a database which can be utilized to compute more accurate flight profile and trip prediction parameters, such as estimated time of arrival and predicted fuel consumption quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Geun Il Kim, Roy S. Alcantara, Steven J. Moskalik, Monica S. Alcabin, Caroline Klein, Yian Guan
  • Patent number: 10672278
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing an ad-hoc collaboration between unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are provided. A method includes: configuring intent data of a first UAV using a controller of the first UAV; configuring a collaboration plan for the first UAV and a second UAV based on a determination of a shared intent between the first UAV and the second UAV; executing the collaboration plan by flying the first UAV and gathering data using the first UAV based on the collaboration plan; and sharing the gathered data with an operator of the second UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lisa Seacat DeLuca, Clifford A. Pickover, Dana L. Price, Aaron J. Quirk