Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Sethu R Rathinam

Sarah Barber

Patrick Dennis McCusker

Joel Michael Wichgers

Timothy W Rand

Alan E Siniff

Patrick J Cosgrove

Matthew J Carrico

Richard E Heinrich

Donald J Whalen

John W Borghese

Stefan Koczo, Jr

Frederick M Rudolph

Fred W Powell, Jr

Vivek Sharma

System and methods for incorporating virtual network computing ('VNC') into a cockpit display system ('CDS') are disclosed. A system and method for incorporating VNC into the CDS is comprised of a non-aircraft remote system and a CDS, where the non-aircraft remote system is comprised of a VNC client and a remote display unit, and the CDS comprised of, in part, a VNC server and a PM configured with a method employing an aviation-industry standard protocol (e.g., ARINC 661) and a VNC protocol. A Second method for incorporating VNC into the CDS is comprised of a non-aircraft remote system and a CDS, where the non-aircraft remote system is comprised of a VNC server and a remote display unit, and the CDS comprised of, in part, a VNC client and a processing module (&#x201c;PM&#x201d;) configured with a method employing an aviation-industry standard protocol and a VNC protocol.

ARINC 661 display system and methods incorporating non-ARINC 661 protocols

A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for presenting runway traffic information are disclosed. A partitioned runway awareness zone is established using data received from a source of navigation reference data, where such data could represent runway information, runway awareness zone information, or partitioned runway awareness zone information. After traffic data is received from a source such as an ADS-B, each section of the partitioned runway zone occupied by traffic is determined. Based upon the determination, an advisory data set comprising traffic information is generated and provided to a presentation system, where the advisory data set could include alert data based upon a level of threat. A presentation system used to present traffic information could include a visual display unit(s), an aural alert unit, and/or a tactile alert unit. A portable device such as handheld may be used to present traffic information.

System, module, and method for presenting runway traffic information

Systems and methods for incorporating virtual network computing ('VNC') into a cockpit display system ('CDS') and controlling an aircraft system and a remote system simultaneously with a VNC-incorporated CDS are disclosed. A system for incorporating VNC into the CDS is comprised of a VNC server of a remote system, at least one first user application (&#x201c;UA&#x201d;), a second UA, a pilot input device, and a CDS comprised of, in part, a processing module (&#x201c;PM&#x201d;) configured with a method employing an aviation-industry standard protocol (e.g., ARINC 661) and a VNC protocol. A system for controlling the remote system aircraft system with a VNC-incorporated CDS is comprised with a VNC server of the aircraft system and/or the non-aircraft system, a UA, a pilot input device, a display surface format, and a CDS comprised of, in part, a PM configured with a method employing an aviation-industry standard protocol and a VNC protocol.

Incorporating virtual network computing into a cockpit display system for controlling a non-aircraft system

The present invention is a method for aiding pilots in resolving flight identifier (flight ID) confusion. The method includes receiving a first flight ID in a processing system. The method further includes comparing the first flight ID to a second flight ID. The method further includes providing an alert when the compared first flight ID and second flight ID are at least substantially similar. The first flight ID is associated with a first aircraft, the second flight ID is associated with a second aircraft, the first aircraft and second aircraft being located in substantially proximal airspace.

System and method for aiding pilots in resolving flight ID confusion

A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for presenting clearance-dependent advisory information in an aircraft is disclosed. Clearances include those corresponding to interval management operations and/or trajectory management operations. Data representative of clearance information including data representative of an actual controller intervention threshold ('CIT') information, ownship information, target information, and alert parameter(s) information is received. The actual CIT information is comprised of the CIT of a clearance assigned to an aircraft and/or an designator from which the CIT of the assigned clearance is determined. A dynamic alerting threshold is determined as a function of the received information. If the ownship position meets or exceeds the alerting threshold, an advisory data set comprised of visual advisory information, aural advisory information, and/or tactile advisory information is generated and provided a presentation system in which advisory and/or alert information is presented by an applicable unit of the presentation system.

System, module, and method for presenting clearance-dependent advisory information in an aircraft

A present novel and non-trivial system and method for generating trajectory data for an aircraft in flight is disclosed. Data representative of an aircraft's current trajectory, aircraft parameter(s), and navigation service data are received. As embodied herein, the aircraft parameter(s) may be received from more than one aircraft. An optimized flight trajectory for the aircraft is determined from a trajectory optimizing function and based upon the aircraft's current trajectory data, the aircraft parameter(s) data, and the navigation service data. Then, dispatch center trajectory data representative of the optimized flight trajectory is generated and sent to at least one user such as an aircraft system of the aircraft and/or an air navigation service provider. As embodied herein, the trajectory optimization function could be based upon cost minimization, time minimization, an operator's internal prioritization, or any combination of these.

System and method for generating trajectory data for an aircraft in flight

An apparatus for detecting incursions for an aircraft and surface vehicles includes an incursion processor receiving ownship position from an ownship navigation processor, traffic information from a traffic surveillance processor, and obstacle information from an obstacle detector and generating alert information. The apparatus also includes a display processor receiving airport chart information and providing display information for displaying the alert information and airport chart information.

Runway and airport incursion alerting system and method

The present invention is a method for reducing aviation voice communication confusion. The method includes receiving a first voice radio communication in a processing system. The method further includes receiving a second voice radio communication in the processing system. The method further includes comparing the first voice radio communication to the second voice radio communication. The method further includes providing an alert when the compared first voice radio communication and second voice radio communication are at least substantially inconsistent in content. The processing system implements speech recognition functionality when comparing the first voice radio communication to the second voice radio communication.

System and method for reducing aviation voice communication confusion

The present invention is directed to a traffic display for an aircraft, which includes a vertical traffic indicator. The vertical traffic indicator includes flight levels, depicted utilizing differing visual patterns to represent the current flight level as well as available and unavailable flight levels for transit. The vertical traffic indicator includes aircraft indicators positioned in relation to flight levels to indicate attitude. The aircraft indicators may also include status indicators indicating separation standards, vertical trend, intent, or whether an aircraft is a reference aircraft for an ITP. The traffic display provides clear and intuitive means of understanding the flying environment related to the performance of the ITP, increasing situational awareness and simplifying the ITP. The traffic display is specifically advantageous for performance of an ITP, but may be integrated with displays including terrain, weather, flight plan waypoints, or TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) traffic.

Traffic display

The present invention is a system and method for providing flight management to one or more aircraft via a communication link between a fight management system located outside the aircraft and a flight management system located inside the aircraft. Remote flight management system may monitor and control navigation functions, substantially reducing pilot or crewmember workload. Optimized simultaneous flight management of multiple aircraft located within a specified area or within a specified fleet may be provided. Remote flight management system may be suitable for monitoring and controlling navigation functions for multiple aircraft from a single location.

Growing community of inventors

Cedar Rapids, IA, United States of America

Sethu R Rathinam