Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090189787 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING AN ALTIMETER MIS-SET ALERT ON A PRIMARY FLIGHT DISPLAY - A primary flight display system is provided for deployment on an aircraft including a barometric altimeter and a secondary altitude-determining device. The barometric altimeter provides a first estimated altitude corresponding to a reference pressure setting, and the secondary altitude-determining device provides a second estimated altitude. The primary flight display system includes a primary flight display (PFD), and a controller coupled to the PFD. The controller is configured to generate: (i) an altitude graphic on the PFD indicative of the first estimated altitude, and (ii) a visual alert on the PFD when the difference between the first estimated altitude and the second estimated altitude exceeds a predetermined error threshold. | 07-30-2009 |
20090322594 | DISPLAY OF HIGH-CRUISE-ALTITUDE WEATHER - A method implementable in a weather-radar system of an aircraft, the weather-radar system configured to generate to a display device, in response to radar return information indicating reflectivity levels below a predetermined reflectivity threshold, an image in a first presentation format. The method includes determining if the altitude of the aircraft is above a predetermined threshold altitude, and, if the altitude of the aircraft is above the threshold altitude, displaying, in response to radar return information indicating reflectivity levels below the predetermined reflectivity threshold, the image in a second presentation format different from the first presentation format. | 12-31-2009 |
20100030408 | INTEGRATED INCORRECT TAKE-OFF-SETTING ALERTING SYSTEM - A system implementable in an aircraft for generating a warning includes a processor, a first component configured to receive from a user a desired aircraft control-surface takeoff configuration, a second component configured to provide to the processor a first signal indicative of a current control-surface configuration of the aircraft, and a third component configured to provide to the processor a second signal indicative of the position of the aircraft. The processor may be configured to compare the aircraft position to the contents of a database, determine, based on the comparison, whether the aircraft is on a departure runway from which the aircraft is to depart, and generate an alarm if the aircraft is on the departure runway and the current control-surface configuration is different from the desired control-surface takeoff configuration. | 02-04-2010 |
20100103029 | ENHANCED ALERTING OF CHARACTERISTIC WEATHER HAZARDS - A method of providing weather radar images to a flight crew of an aircraft includes obtaining raw volumetric radar data corresponding to at least one signal reflected off of a weather system. Based on the radar data, the weather system is computationally classified as being of a first type of a plurality of weather-system types. After classifying the weather system, the radar data is image processed, the image processing yielding an image representing the weather system and corresponding to the first weather-system type. The image is displayed on a display device. | 04-29-2010 |
20100201565 | ALERTING OF UNKNOWN WEATHER DUE TO RADAR ATTENUATION - A system and method for determining and displaying an unknown weather due to receiving maximum radar attenuation compensation using a three-dimensional memory. The system and method may also determine whether the flight plan conflicts with an unknown weather zone. The user is alerted to an unknown weather zone and any flight plan conflict with an unknown zone. The user is alerted to the unknown weather zone using displays, sounds, or words that can be generated based on a determined hazard level. | 08-12-2010 |
20110074607 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED AWARENESS OF CLEARANCE FROM CONFLICT FOR SURFACE TRAFFIC OPERATIONS - Systems and methods for improving pilot situational awareness in the airport vicinity. An example method determines if at least one of an aircraft or vehicle in a predefined vicinity of the airport is a conflict based on information about an installation aircraft, information received from the at least one aircraft or vehicle, and a predefined conflict envelope, when the installation aircraft is performing one of an approach to landing, a takeoff operation or a taxi operation at an airport. The method generates and outputs a conflict alert if the installation aircraft determines that the at least one aircraft or vehicle is a conflict. The method generates a clear-of-conflict advisory if the at least one aircraft or vehicle previously determined to be conflicting is determined to no longer be conflicting based on updated information received from the at least one aircraft or vehicle. | 03-31-2011 |
20110184635 | CLOSED AIRPORT SURFACE ALERTING SYSTEM - A system and a method alerts the occupant of an aircraft that the aircraft is in, or approaching, a zone of awareness associated with a closed surface at the airport. | 07-28-2011 |
20110187588 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRESENTING WEATHER HAZARD INFORMATION ON AN IN-TRAIL PROCEDURES DISPLAY - Systems and methods for improving situational awareness on an in-trails procedures display. A radar system transmits a radar signal and receives and stores weather radar reflectivity values into a three-dimensional buffer. A processor determines whether any of the stored weather reflectivity values indicate the presence of a weather hazard and generates one or more weather hazard icons based on the stored weather reflectivity values. An in-trail procedures display device displays the generated weather hazard icons. Wake vortex information for other aircraft is generated and outputted on the in-trail procedures display. Also, the processor receives a request for an altitude change and generates an alert when the aircraft is determined not to be cleared to transition to the requested altitude based on a projected transition, any existing weather hazards, wake vortices of proximate aircraft, and in-trail procedures. | 08-04-2011 |
20110276198 | VERTICAL PROFILE DISPLAY WITH VARIABLE DISPLAY BOUNDARIES - A display system includes instrumentation configured to obtain aircraft data comprising current flight status data of the host aircraft and current flight status data of neighboring aircraft located near the host aircraft. The system also includes a processor coupled to the instrumentation. The processor analyzes and filters the aircraft data, using lateral boundary criteria for the host aircraft, to identify a proper subset of the neighboring aircraft, and the processor generates image rendering display commands based upon the current flight status data of the host aircraft and based upon the current flight status data of neighboring aircraft included in the proper subset. A display element receives the image rendering display commands and, in response thereto, renders a vertical situation display that includes graphical representations of the host aircraft and each neighboring aircraft included the proper subset. | 11-10-2011 |
20110282568 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN IMPROVED IN-TRAIL PROCEDURES DISPLAY - Systems and methods for improving situational awareness on an in-trail procedures display. The present invention provides a display with visual identification and indication for aircraft that do not meet the ITP criteria. In the in-trail procedures display, feedback is provided when a pilot selects an invalid ITP flight level, unambiguous feedback is provided to the pilot upon selection of a valid flight level, and valid inter-target aircraft located in intervening flight levels after selection of a valid flight level are positively identified and invalid target aircraft for selection are uniquely identified. | 11-17-2011 |
20120150423 | CLOSED AIRPORT SURFACE ALERTING SYSTEM - A system and a method alerts the occupant of a vehicle that the vehicle is in, or approaching, a zone of awareness associated with a closed surface at the airport. | 06-14-2012 |
20130261848 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING NONPROTECTED-AREA AWARENESS AND ALERTING - Systems and methods for providing nonprotected-area awareness and alerting to a crew of a vehicle. An exemplary system determines a safe region based on the received previously defined route based on controlling authority requirements associated with the route, identifies at least one non-safe region based on the determined safe region and then uniquely presents the identified at least one non-safe region on a display such as a moving map display (2D or 3D). | 10-03-2013 |
20130271300 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING RUNWAY AWARENESS WITH TAKEOFF AND LANDING PERFORMANCE DATA - Systems and methods for using flight management system (FMS) takeoff and landing (TOLD) data to determine when an alert (advisory and caution) is present. Short-runway alerts are provided on runway line-up on the ground or during approach based on FMS TOLD data. The present invention also integrates FMS TOLD data with a two(or three)-dimensional airport moving map (AMM) display to allow the AMM to display which runways can safely accommodate the aircraft given the aircraft's gross weight and takeoff performance data. Indications are provided when suitable runway length exists for an intersection departure or when suitable runway length exists for landing for any given selected runway or a runway with a land and hold short (LAHSO) clearance in affect. | 10-17-2013 |
20130321176 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPLAYING OBSTACLE-AVOIDANCE INFORMATION DURING SURFACE OPERATIONS - Systems and methods for aiding in pilot awareness of obstacles relative to aircraft features. An exemplary processor receives sensor information from one or more sensors mounted in an aircraft feature (e.g. light modules), determines if at least one obstacle is located within a predefined field of view based on the received sensor or database information and generates an image. The image includes an ownship icon having at least one feature representing wingtips of the aircraft and at least one indicator associated with the determined at least one obstacle. A display device presents the generated image. The display device presents a tip of a first sense coverage area adjacent to one wingtip feature associated with the port wing and a tip of the second sense coverage area adjacent to one wingtip feature associated with the starboard wing. The indicator is presented within at least one of the coverage areas. | 12-05-2013 |
20130325312 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED AWARENESS OF OBSTACLE PROXIMITY DURING TAXI OPERATIONS - Systems and methods for predicting and displaying targets based on height in relation to the wing, wingtip or other elements of the aircraft, such as engine nacelles. The location of ground obstacles is based on radar returns (from sensors deployed on the ownship), aircraft surveillance data, and/or an airport moving map database. | 12-05-2013 |
20140077975 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING RUNWAY-ENTRY AWARENESS AND ALERTING - Systems and methods for providing runway entry awareness and alerting. An exemplary system includes a processing device that determines pilot intent based on one of a manual runway selection, automatic runway selection, aircraft information received from one or more sensors or received clearance information; receives at least one of aircraft position or motion information; determines if a no access condition exists based on the received information, the stored airport information and the determined pilot intent; and generates at least one of a hold-short gate still image or animation, if the no access condition exists. | 03-20-2014 |
20140118188 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PRESENTING WEATHER HAZARD INFORMATION ON AN IN-TRAIL PROCEDURES DISPLAY - Systems and methods for improving situational awareness on an in-trails procedures display. A radar system transmits a radar signal and receives and stores weather radar reflectivity values into a three-dimensional buffer. A processor determines whether any of the stored weather reflectivity values indicate the presence of a weather hazard and generates one or more weather hazard icons based on the stored weather reflectivity values. An in-trail procedures display device displays the generated weather hazard icons. Wake vortex information for other aircraft is generated and outputted on the in-trail procedures display. Also, the processor receives a request for an altitude change and generates an alert when the aircraft is determined not to be cleared to transition to the requested altitude based on a projected transition, any existing weather hazards, wake vortices of proximate aircraft, and in-trail procedures. | 05-01-2014 |
20150032298 | AIRCRAFT FLIGHT DECK DISPLAYS AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPLAYING INTEGRATED MINIMUM SAFE ALTITUDE AND MINIMUM VECTORING ALTITUDE INFORMATION ON A DISPLAY DEVICE IN AN AIRCRAFT - A method is provided for displaying integrated minimum vectoring and safe altitude information on a display device in an aircraft. The method comprises displaying a graphical representation of a safe altitude sector and a vectoring altitude sector on the display device, and displaying a graphical representation of the aircraft on the display device to indicate the current location of the aircraft and a minimum altitude value associated therewith. The safe altitude sector corresponds to a first geographic area having a designated minimum safe altitude value associated therewith. The vectoring altitude sector corresponds to a second geographic area having a designated minimum vectoring altitude value associated therewith that is below the designated minimum safe altitude value. The graphical representation of the aircraft is displayed within at least one of the graphical representation of the safe altitude sector and the graphical representation of the vectoring altitude sector. | 01-29-2015 |
20150084793 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING AIRPORT FEATURES ON A DYNAMIC AIRPORT MOVING MAP DISPLAY - A method and apparatus is provided for enhancing situational awareness onboard an aircraft during an aircraft ground maneuver such as when taxiing on a runway or taxiway. A three-dimensional view including airport features is rendered in a first airport region that extends a first predetermined distance (D | 03-26-2015 |