Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Timothy J Etherington

Geoffrey A Shapiro

Laura Maxine Smith-Velazquez

Jason C Wenger

Alex Postnikov

Douglas A Bell

Sarah Barber

Michael James Krenz

Patrick Dennis McCusker

Tracy J Barnidge

Eric N Anderson

Richard D Jinkins

Richard Marcel Rademaker

Felix B Turcios

Arlen E Breiholz

Joseph L Tchon

Charles Bradford Dirks

Thomas L Vogl

Thomas M Gordon

Nicholas M Lorch

Carlo A Tiana

Alexei Postnikov

A method. The method includes receiving user input data from a user interface system. The user input data includes user gesture data, wherein the user gesture data is associated with one or more detected user gestures. The method also includes manipulating one or more graphical flight path elements based at least upon received user gesture data. The method further includes performing at least one flight path modification operation based at least upon one or more factors and the received user gesture data. The method additionally includes outputting updated graphical data to the user interface system, wherein the updated graphical data includes updated graphical flight path element data and updated graphical flight path data.

Graphical method to set vertical and lateral flight management system constraints

A system includes an auto-flight system and a touchscreen flight mode control panel. The auto-flight system is configured to control a plurality of primary flight modes. The touchscreen flight mode control panel is communicatively coupled to the auto-flight system. The touchscreen flight mode control panel is configured to receive primary flight mode data from the auto-flight system. The touchscreen flight mode control panel is also configured to graphically present each primary flight mode of the plurality of primary flight modes to a user. The touchscreen flight mode control panel is further configured to detect touch gestures and direct executions of the user. The touchscreen flight mode control panel is additionally configured to output touch gesture data and direct execution data to the auto-flight system.

Simplified auto-flight system coupled with a touchscreen flight control panel

A method and system are disclosed for stereoscopic three dimensional (S3D) display of synthetic environment (SE) data simultaneously with operational symbology data to the operator of a vehicle. The method receives a plurality of data objects and places the objects within a plurality of levels of a presentation hierarchy and further within a plurality of S3D depth layers based on a set of data and operator focused rules. The method simultaneously displays to the operator each of the plurality of objects in the plurality of S3D depth layers according to the placement. The method transitions an object from one depth layer to a more proximal or distal depth layer to indicate relative motion or urgency. The method reserves a depth layer most proximal to the operator for a warning while a most distal set of depth layers is reserved for SE objects.

Synthetic environments with stereoscopic avionics displays system and related method

Present novel and non-trivial systems and methods for combining image data received from two or more vision systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, an image generator receives navigation data representative of at least one surface of interest (e.g., runway of intended landing) and aircraft position, retrieves navigation reference data representative of surface information, creates zone data representative of a lighting awareness zone for each surface of interest, receives first image data from a first source and second image data from a second source, identifies third image data from the first image data and the zone data, generates fourth image data from the second and third image data, and provides the fourth image data to a display system, thereby increasing situational awareness by enhancing the pilot's ability to detect or recognize the runway environment.

Image data combining systems and methods of multiple vision systems

Flight control panel

The present examples provide circuits, systems, processes, and the like for providing precision course guidance, typically for improved positive course guidance below published minimum descent altitude or decision altitude, including just in time calculations of obstacle free flight paths. The calculated flight path may be presented in the context of a synthetic scene of the environment surrounding the aircraft. To provide precision course guidance, exemplary avionics systems, processes and the like, as described below may be utilized.

System supporting flight operations under instrument meteorological conditions using precision course guidance

An aircraft landing and/or taxiing system has a plurality of landing zone, runway, and/or taxiway lights capable of receiving information signals and transmitting optically signals representative of the information signals. A processing system for providing the information signals to the plurality of lights is also used. The system also comprises a sensor tuned to receive light of a specific range of wavelengths, the light being emitted from the lights. Also, a processing system coupled to the sensor and configured with software to interpret signals received by the sensor is used. Program code runs on the processing system. The program code is configured to determine the location of an aircraft on the taxiway based on the light signal received from one or more of the taxiway lights. Also, the aircraft landing and/or taxiing system utilizes modulated lights to provide information pertinent to aircraft landing and/or taxiing operations.

Modulation of aircraft guidance lights

A novel and non-trivial system and methods for displaying partial images and non-overlapping images acquired by vision systems representing scene is disclosed. A system is disclosed for displaying partial images and shared, non-overlapping images on a display comprises a forward-looking imaging device system, an image system, a terrain rendering processor, and an indicating system. The terrain rendering processor determines, based on visibility data, which part of an image of one system will be displayed. A method is disclosed for displaying a partial image on a display unit. A terrain rendering processor determines acceptable and unacceptable visibility data based on contrast data of first image data, and based on such determination, presents image data corresponding to unacceptable data to the indicating system for presentation on a display unit. A second method is disclosed for displaying two images on a display unit of an aircraft. A terrain rendering processor determines acceptable and unacceptable visibility data based on contrast data of first image data, and based on such determination, presents image data corresponding to both acceptable and unacceptable data to the indicating system for presentation on a display unit.

System and methods for displaying a partial images and non-overlapping, shared-screen partial images acquired from vision systems

A method of increasing situational awareness of terrain is disclosed. A representation of a terrain feature is generated from a source of stored data. A distance from a reference point to the terrain feature is determined. The representation of the terrain feature is attenuated if the distance from the reference point to the terrain feature is within a predetermined range. The representation of the terrain feature is displayed.

Method and system for providing depth cues by attenuating distant displayed terrain

A display system for a vehicle is provided. The display system includes a display configured to render a representation of an intended vehicle path. At least one relative speed indicator is rendered upon the display. The at least one relative speed indicator is configured to move along the representation of the intended vehicle path, in an area of the display that is peripheral to a focus area of the display, in response to a difference between an actual value of a speed-based parameter and a preferred value of a speed-based parameter of the vehicle.

Method of integrating speed deviation cues in a vehicle navigation display

A device for enhancing altitude awareness in an avionics display is disclosed. The device includes an altitude indicator that displays a current altitude on the avionics display. A scrolling display of altitude levels is displayed with the altitude indicator on the avionics display. The scrolling display includes a plurality of scaled numbers that represent predetermined intervals of altitude levels surrounding the current altitude. The scrolling display also includes a non-numeric graphic construct that is displayed adjacent the plurality of scaled numbers. The graphic construct has first and second substantially mirror-image portions that are positioned on first and second opposing sides of the plurality of scaled numbers. A controller causes the altitude indicator to display the current altitude on the avionics display. The controller also causes the scrolling display to display the predetermined intervals of altitude levels surrounding the current altitude and to vary the graphic construct consistent with the predetermined altitude levels that are displayed. A vertical speed indicator may be superimposed upon the scrolling display.

Growing community of inventors

Cedar Rapids, IA, United States of America

Timothy J Etherington