Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Roger L Yum

Travis S VanDerKamp

Daniel Y Chiew

David A Frank

Christopher A Scherer

Sarah Barber

Carlo L Tiana

Weston James Lahr

Marcin Kolesinski

Randy H Jacobson

Alexander D Reid

Bernard S McCaffrey

Thomas C Olson

Tiffany D Williamson

David J Inman

Ryan L Niehaus

Michael R Goodloe

Terri L Engels

A system and method for creating avionic databases is disclosed. The system may receive an avionic database of an area, surveyed coordinate points of the area, and new satellite imagery of the area. The system may georeference the new satellite imagery using the surveyed coordinate points as ground control points, generating georeferenced coordinate points of the new satellite imagery in different locations of the area. The system may create a second avionic database based on the georeferenced coordinate points.

Aerial image geo-registration via aeronautical database content as ground control points

Combined taxi signage may be generated from taxi signage for a first origination node and taxi signage for a second origination node, the first origination node and the second origination node being of a select proximity and orientation relative to an aircraft. The taxi signage for the first origination node may be generated from the first origination node and at least a first termination node stored within an airport surface routing network data, and a first turning angle determined based on a comparison between the first origination node and the at least the first termination node. The taxi signage for the second origination node may be generated from the second origination node and at least a second termination node stored within the airport surface routing network data, and a second turning angle determined based on a comparison between the second origination node and the at least the second termination node. The combined taxi signage may be included in a combined billboard displayed on the display device of the aircraft.

Combining taxi signage generated from airport surface routing network data

An offscreen traffic information indicator system includes signal receivers for receiving traffic messages from proximate air and ground vehicles and a traffic indicator for determining the positions of the host aircraft and the proximate vehicles based on the traffic messages. Based on the locations of the host aircraft and proximate vehicles and their proximity to airport runways, the traffic indicator may designate runways as relevant runways (or receive relevant runway designations from the flight management system of the host aircraft) and designate proximate vehicles as relevant to the host aircraft. A display unit may display, along with a dynamic map of a region near the host aircraft, relevant runway indicators for relevant runways within the mapped region and offscreen traffic indicators for relevant aircraft positioned outside the mapped region.

Off-screen traffic information indicator

Present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for combining image data received from two or more vision systems are disclosed. A system may be comprised of a first vision source, a second vision source, and an image generator ('IG'). The first vision source may be could configured to generate a first image data set and a depth buffer data set, and the second vision data source could configured to generate a second image data set. The IG could be configured to receive both the first and second image data sets; the depth buffer data set; and generate a third image data set as a function of both image data sets, the depth buffer data set, and a pixel cutoff distance that may be fixed or variable. In addition, the pixel cutoff distance may be determined as a function of input variable data.

Image combining system, device, and method of multiple vision sources

A present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method for presenting a monochrome, three-dimensional image of terrain on a Head-Up Display ('HUD') unit is disclosed. Based upon aircraft navigation and terrain data, an image data set representative of a lighted solid image of terrain comprised of a plurality of intensities of one color may be generated. The image data set may be determined as a function of terrain data and color intensity data, where the color intensity data could be comprised of one or more shading effects, one or more texturing effects, or a combination of both. Based upon the image data set, a three-dimensional perspective of a terrain scene outside the aircraft may be presented to the pilot.

System, apparatus, and method for presenting a monochrome image of terrain on a head-up display unit

The present disclosure is directed to a dynamic field of view (FOV) for a synthetic vision system (SVS) scene. The FOV within the SVS scene may switch between a FOV conformal to the real world outside of a vehicle and a wider FOV when beneficial. In an aircraft, for example, generating the SVS scene with the narrower FOV may be optimal during flight, while on the ground a wider FOV may improve situational awareness during taxiing. Determination of the airborne or grounded status of the aircraft may be based on speed, altitude, user input, or a received signal. Although the foregoing has been described within a particular context, the present disclosure is not limited to this scenario and may be applied to any vehicle in any situation where dynamically changing between a narrower FOV and a wider FOV is beneficial.

Synthetic vision dynamic field of view

A present novel and non-trivial system, apparatus, and method for enhancing an image presented to the pilot on an aircraft display unit. Locations of visible and invisible objects related to aviation such as airports, navigation aids and facilities, and airspace are enhanced by providing location highlighters of the objects. Data representative of the terrain and location of objects located in a scene outside the aircraft are retrieved from one or more data sources. An image generating processor generates an image data set representative of a three-dimensional perspective of a scene outside the aircraft, wherein the image data set is determined as a function of the terrain data and highlighter data associated with the location data. The image data set may be provided to a Head-Down Display unit, Head-Up Display unit, or both for display.

Growing community of inventors

Marion, IA, United States of America

Roger L Yum