Computer human methods for the control and management of an airport

• US 20030083804A1
• Filed: 05/31/2001
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1990
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Harold Robert Pilley
• Original Assignee: H. Robert Pilley
• Inventors: Pilley, Harold R., Wortley, Lois
• Application Number:
  US09/871,328
• Publication Number:
  US 20030083804A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/120
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/047 Displays or indicators G01S1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/071 DGPS corrections
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/15 Aircraft landing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/20 Integrity monitoring, fault detection or fault isolation of space segment
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/41 Differential correction, e.g. DGPS [differential GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0009 Transmission of position information to remote stations involving assistance data G01S5/0236
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0026 located on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0043 Traffic management of multiple aircrafts from the ground G08G5/003 takes precedence; data processing specially designed for resource management, e.g. scheduling or allocating time, human or machine resources G06Q10/06
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0082 for monitoring traffic from a ground station radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/025 Navigation or guidance aids radar or analogous systems specially adapted for landing purposes G01S13/913
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

An Airport Control and Management Method for use by an air traffic controller which provides for a GNSS compatible computer processing environment which supports airport control and management functions in the air and on the ground. The computer system provides for automation and a computer human interface supporting air traffic controller functions. The processing environment is based upon GNSS compatible position, velocity, time information and GNSS spatially compatible databases. The computer human interface combines the data entry role of issuing clearances with automated routing, conformance monitoring and lighting control functions. The system and methods utilize precise GNSS compatible zones, the Earth Centered Earth Fixed (ECEF) WGS-84 coordinate reference frame, GNSS compatible local coordinate frames such as local and state plane grids, travel path information management processes which allow for the intelligent control of airport lighting systems. True airport independent processing is achieved when the ECEF coordinate reference frame is utilized. The system utilizes broadcast Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS) information from participating aircraft and vehicles Although the processing methods may be employed using other surveillance information derived from radar ot multi-lateration sources with some degradation in performance due to radar inaccuracies and inability to produce accurate 3-dimensional GNSS compatible velocity. Radio receiving equipment receives the broadcast ADS information which is then supplied to the computer system. The computer system utilizes GNSS compatible position and velocity data to control the operation of airport lights using zone incursion processing methods. The methods and processes employed provide a fundamental framework for increased airport safety, operational efficiency, energy savings and improved automation resulting in reduced controller workload.

Claims

1. A GNSS compatible airport control and management method providing a computer human interface for use by a controller in the monitoring, control and management of at least one vehicle selected from the group comprising aircraft and ground vehicles the system comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying on at least one display device interfaced to an airport control and management processor with data entry capability means at least one airport control and management command of a plurality of commands selected from the group consisting of Display View, Arrival Waypoints, Departure Waypoints, Vehicle Data and Airport Lights;

(b) determining in said airport control and management processor the ascertained position of said at least one vehicle, said position being GNSS referenced;

(c) using said data entry capability means to allow a controller to select said at least one airport control and management command and

(d) using said display means to present on said at least one display device said at least one vehicle'"'"'s ascertained position to the controller, thus allowing the controller to monitor the position of said at least one vehicle.

2. A GNSS compatible airport control and management method according to claim 1, wherein said ascertained position is derived from a surveillance system selected from the group comprising automatic dependent surveillance, radar surveillance and Mode S surveillance.

3. A GNSS compatible airport control and management method as recited in claim 2, wherein said ascertained position is derived from Mode S multi-lateration.

4. A GNSS compatible airport control and management method as recited in claim 2, further comprising:

(a) using said display means to present said display view command on said at least one display device;

(b) using said data entry capability means to allow a controller to select said display view command, resulting in the presentation of a list of graphic views on said at least one display device;

(c) using said data entry capability means to allow a controller to select a particular graphic view from said list of graphic views resulting in said display means presenting said selected graphic view on said at least one display device.