Apparatus and methods for providing a flight display in an aircraft

• US 20030179109A1
• Filed: 01/24/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Chamas, Bassam H., Nalbach, Joseph S., Yokota, Ryuichi
• Granted Patent: US 7,268,702 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/973
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/005 Flight directors indicating arrangements specially adapted for rotary gyroscopes G01C19/32

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for flight instruments in an electronic format. The flight instruments may appear in a standard configuration, including both primary flight instruments and secondary flight instruments. The apparatus and methods may also provide some or all of the primary flight instruments in one visual representation.

Claims

1. A method for providing flight information on an aircraft display, comprising:

displaying heading flight information on the display, wherein the heading flight information further comprises a compass rose;

displaying attitude flight information on the display, wherein the attitude flight information comprises an artificial horizon, and wherein the artificial horizon is situated within the compass rose;

displaying turn indicator flight information on the display, wherein the turn indictor flight information further comprises bank angle indicator information and turn rate information, and wherein the bank angle indicator information and turn rate information is depicted on the compass rose; and

wherein the flight information is depicted over background information, wherein the background information further comprises terrain data.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying highway-in-the-sky indicator flight information on the display.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a reference frame on the display for providing a reference when flying an intended course.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a heading bug on the display, wherein the heading bug points to a location on the compass rose corresponding to an intended heading for the aircraft.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the turn indicator flight information further comprises inclinometer indicator information, and wherein the inclinometer indicator information is situated within the compass rose.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying two-color ground/sky information, wherein one color indicates ground and the other color indicates sky.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying two-shade ground/sky information, wherein one shade indicates ground and the other shade indicates sky.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying altitude flight information on the display.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying airspeed flight information on the display.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying vertical speed indicator flight information on the display.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying transponder flight information on the display.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying intercom flight information on the display.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying communication flight information on the display.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying selection flight information on the display to indicate available choices of flight information to be depicted on the display.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the compass rose further comprises a numerical heading indication.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein there are two marks on the compass rose to indicate a standard rate turn.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the marks are doghouse-shaped.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the terrain data is transparent.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the terrain data is three-dimensional.

20. A system for providing flight information on an aircraft display, comprising:

a displaying component configured to display heading flight information on the display, wherein the heading flight information further comprises a compass rose;

a displaying component configured to display attitude flight information on the display, wherein the attitude flight information comprises an artificial horizon, and wherein the artificial horizon is situated within the compass rose;

a displaying component configured to display turn indicator flight information on the display, wherein the turn indictor flight information further comprises bank angle indicator information and turn rate information, and wherein the bank angle indicator information and turn rate information is depicted on the compass rose; and

wherein the flight information is depicted over background information, wherein the background information further comprises terrain data.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display highway-in-the-sky indicator flight information on the display.

22. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display a reference frame on the display for providing a reference when flying an intended course.

23. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display a heading bug on the display, wherein the heading bug points to a location on the compass rose corresponding to an intended heading for the aircraft.

24. The system of claim 20, wherein the turn indicator flight information further comprises inclinometer indicator information, and wherein the inclinometer indicator information is situated within the compass rose.

25. The system of claim 20, further comprising a displaying component configured to display two-color ground/sky information, wherein one color indicates ground and the other color indicates sky.

26. The system of claim 20, further comprising a displaying component configured to display two-shade ground/sky information, wherein one shade indicates ground and the other shade indicates sky.

27. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display altitude flight information on the display.

28. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display airspeed flight information on the display.

29. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display vertical speed indicator flight information on the display.

30. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display transponder flight information on the display.

31. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display intercom flight information on the display.

32. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display communication flight information on the display.

33. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display selection flight information on the display to indicate available choices of flight information to be depicted on the display.

34. The system of claim 20, wherein the compass rose further comprises a numerical heading indication.

35. The system of claim 20, wherein there are two marks on the compass rose to indicate a standard rate turn.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the marks are doghouse-shaped.

37. The system of claim 20, wherein the terrain data is transparent.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the terrain data is three-dimensional.

39. A computer-implemented method of providing flight information on an aircraft display, comprising:

displaying heading flight information on the display, wherein the heading flight information further comprises a compass rose;

displaying attitude flight information on the display, wherein the attitude flight information comprises an artificial horizon, and wherein the artificial horizon is situated within the compass rose;

displaying turn indicator flight information on the display, wherein the turn indictor flight information further comprises bank angle indicator information and turn rate information, and wherein the bank angle indicator information and turn rate information is depicted on the compass rose; and

wherein the flight information is depicted over background information, wherein the background information further comprises terrain data.

40. A system for providing flight information on an aircraft display, comprising:

a displaying means for displaying heading flight information on the display, wherein the heading flight information further comprises a compass rose;

a displaying means for displaying attitude flight information on the display, wherein the attitude flight information comprises an artificial horizon, and wherein the artificial horizon is situated within the compass rose;

a displaying means for displaying turn indicator flight information on the display, wherein the turn indictor flight information further comprises bank angle indicator information and turn rate information, and wherein the bank angle indicator information and turn rate information is depicted on the compass rose; and

wherein the flight information is depicted over background information, wherein the background information further comprises terrain data.

41. A method for providing flight information on a display, comprising:

displaying heading flight information on the display, wherein the heading flight information further comprises a compass rose, which extends from approximately the top of the display to approximately the bottom of the display, and wherein the compass rose further comprises at least one numerical heading indicator;

displaying attitude flight information on the display, wherein the attitude flight information further comprises an artificial horizon, and wherein the artificial horizon is situated within the compass rose;

displaying turn indicator flight information on the display, wherein the turn indictor flight information further comprises bank angle indicator information, turn rate information, and inclinometer indicator information, wherein the bank angle indicator information and turn rate information is depicted on the compass rose, wherein there are two doghouse-shaped marks on the compass rose to indicate a standard rate turn, and wherein the inclinometer indicator information is situated within the compass rose; and

wherein the flight information is depicted over background information, wherein the background information further comprises terrain data.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

displaying highway-in-the-sky indicator flight information on the display.

43. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

displaying a reference frame on the display for providing a reference when flying an intended course.

44. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

displaying a heading bug on the display, wherein the heading bug points to a location on the compass rose corresponding to an intended heading for the aircraft.

45. The method of claim 41, further comprising displaying two-color ground/sky information, wherein one color indicates ground and the other color indicates sky.

46. The method of claim 41, further comprising displaying two-shade ground/sky information, wherein one shade indicates ground and the other shade indicates sky.

47. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

displaying altitude flight information on the display.

48. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

displaying airspeed flight information on the display.

49. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

displaying vertical speed indicator flight information on the display.

50. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

displaying transponder flight information on the display.

51. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

displaying intercom flight information on the display.

52. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

displaying communication flight information on the display.

53. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

displaying selection flight information on the display to indicate available choices of flight information to be depicted on the display.

54. The method of claim 41, wherein the compass rose further comprises a numerical heading indication.

55. The method of claim 41, wherein the terrain data is transparent.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the terrain data is three-dimensional.

57. A system for providing flight information on a display, comprising:

a displaying component configured to display heading flight information on the display, wherein the heading flight information further comprises a compass rose, which extends from approximately the top of the display to approximately the bottom of the display, and wherein the compass rose further comprises at least one numerical heading indicator;

a displaying component configured to display attitude flight information on the display, wherein the attitude flight information further comprises an artificial horizon, and wherein the artificial horizon is situated within the compass rose;

a displaying component configured to display turn indicator flight information on the display, wherein the turn indictor flight information further comprises bank angle indicator information, turn rate information, and inclinometer indicator information, wherein the bank angle indicator information and turn rate information is depicted on the compass rose, wherein there are two doghouse-shaped marks on the compass rose to indicate a standard rate turn, and wherein the inclinometer indicator information is situated within the compass rose; and

wherein the flight information is depicted over background information, wherein the background information further comprises terrain data.

58. The system of claim 57, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display highway-in-the-sky indicator flight information on the display.

59. The system of claim 57, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display a reference frame on the display for providing a reference when flying an intended course.

60. The system of claim 57, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display a heading bug on the display, wherein the heading bug points to a location on the compass rose corresponding to an intended heading for the aircraft.

61. The system of claim 57, further comprising a displaying component configured to display two-color ground/sky information, wherein one color indicates ground and the other color indicates sky.

62. The system of claim 57, further comprising a displaying component configured to display two-shade ground/sky information, wherein one shade indicates ground and the other shade indicates sky.

63. The system of claim 57, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display altitude flight information on the display.

64. The system of claim 57, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display airspeed flight information on the display.

65. The system of claim 57, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display vertical speed indicator flight information on the display.

66. The system of claim 57, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display transponder flight information on the display.

67. The system of claim 57, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display intercom flight information on the display.

68. The system of claim 57, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display communication flight information on the display.

69. The system of claim 57, further comprising:

a displaying component configured to display selection flight information on the display to indicate available choices of flight information to be depicted on the display.

70. The system of claim 57, wherein the compass rose further comprises a numerical heading indication.

71. The system of claim 57, wherein the terrain data is transparent.

72. The system of claim 71, wherein the terrain data is three-dimensional.

73. A computer-implemented method of providing flight information on a display, comprising:

displaying heading flight information on the display, wherein the heading flight information further comprises a compass rose, which extends from approximately the top of the display to approximately the bottom of the display, and wherein the compass rose further comprises at least one numerical heading indicator;

displaying attitude flight information on the display, wherein the attitude flight information further comprises an artificial horizon, and wherein the artificial horizon is situated within the compass rose;

displaying turn indicator flight information on the display, wherein the turn indictor flight information further comprises bank angle indicator information, turn rate information, and inclinometer indicator information, wherein the bank angle indicator information and turn rate information is depicted on the compass rose, wherein there are two doghouse-shaped marks on the compass rose to indicate a standard rate turn, and wherein the inclinometer indicator information is situated within the compass rose; and

wherein the flight information is depicted over background information, wherein the background information further comprises terrain data.

74. A system for providing flight information on a display, comprising:

a displaying means for displaying heading flight information on the display, wherein the heading flight information further comprises a compass rose, which extends from approximately the top of the display to approximately the bottom of the display, and wherein the compass rose further comprises at least one numerical heading indicator;

a displaying means for displaying attitude flight information on the display, wherein the attitude flight information further comprises an artificial horizon, and wherein the artificial horizon is situated within the compass rose;

a displaying means for displaying turn indicator flight information on the display, wherein the turn indictor flight information further comprises bank angle indicator information, turn rate information, and inclinometer indicator information, wherein the bank angle indicator information and turn rate information is depicted on the compass rose, wherein there are two doghouse-shaped marks on the compass rose to indicate a standard rate turn, and wherein the inclinometer indicator information is situated within the compass rose; and

wherein the flight information is depicted over background information, wherein the background information further comprises terrain data.

75. A method for providing flight information on an aircraft display, comprising:

displaying heading flight information on the display, wherein the heading flight information further comprises a compass rose, which extends from approximately the top of the display to approximately the bottom of the display, wherein the compass rose further comprises a numerical heading indication;

displaying attitude flight information on the display, wherein the attitude flight information comprises an artificial horizon, and wherein the artificial horizon is situated within the compass rose;

displaying turn indicator flight information on the display, wherein the turn indictor flight information further comprises bank angle indicator information, turn rate information, and inclinometer indicator information, wherein the bank angle indicator information and turn rate information is depicted on the compass rose, wherein there are two doghouse-shaped marks on the compass rose to indicate a standard rate turn, and wherein the inclinometer indicator information is situated within the compass rose;

displaying highway-in-the-sky indicator flight information on the display;

displaying a reference frame on the display for providing a reference when flying an intended course.

displaying a heading bug on the display, wherein the heading bug points to a location on the compass rose corresponding to an intended heading for the aircraft;

displaying two-color ground/sky information, wherein one color indicates ground and the other color indicates sky.

displaying altitude flight information on the display;

displaying airspeed flight information on the display;

displaying vertical speed indicator flight information on the display;

displaying transponder flight information on the display;

displaying intercom flight information on the display;

displaying communication flight information on the display;

displaying selection flight information on the display to indicate available choices of flight information to be depicted on the display; and

wherein the flight information is depicted over background information, wherein the background information further comprises transparent three-dimensional terrain data.

76. A system for providing flight information on an aircraft display, comprising:

a displaying component configured to display heading flight information on the display, wherein the heading flight information further comprises a compass rose, which extends from approximately the top of the display to approximately the bottom of the display, wherein the compass rose further comprises a numerical heading indication;

a displaying component configured to display attitude flight information on the display, wherein the attitude flight information comprises an artificial horizon, and wherein the artificial horizon is situated within the compass rose;

a displaying component configured to display turn indicator flight information on the display, wherein the turn indictor flight information further comprises bank angle indicator information, turn rate information, and inclinometer indicator information, wherein the bank angle indicator information and turn rate information is depicted on the compass rose, wherein there are two doghouse-shaped marks on the compass rose to indicate a standard rate turn, and wherein the inclinometer indicator information is situated within the compass rose;

a displaying component configured to display highway-in-the-sky indicator flight information on the display;

a displaying component configured to display a reference frame on the display for providing a reference when flying an intended course.

a displaying component configured to display a heading bug on the display, wherein the heading bug points to a location on the compass rose corresponding to an intended heading for the aircraft;

a displaying component configured to display two-color ground/sky information, wherein one color indicates ground and the other color indicates sky.

a displaying component configured to display altitude flight information on the display;

a displaying component configured to display airspeed flight information on the display;

a displaying component configured to display vertical speed indicator flight information on the display;

a displaying component configured to display transponder flight information on the display;

a displaying component configured to display intercom flight information on the display;

a displaying component configured to display communication flight information on the display;

a displaying component configured to display selection flight information on the display to indicate available choices of flight information to be depicted on the display; and

wherein the flight information is depicted over background information, wherein the background information further comprises transparent three-dimensional terrain data.

77. A computer-implemented method for providing flight information on an aircraft display, comprising:

displaying heading flight information on the display, wherein the heading flight information further comprises a compass rose, which extends from approximately the top of the display to approximately the bottom of the display, wherein the compass rose further comprises a numerical heading indication;

displaying attitude flight information on the display, wherein the attitude flight information comprises an artificial horizon, and wherein the artificial horizon is situated within the compass rose;

displaying turn indicator flight information on the display, wherein the turn indictor flight information further comprises bank angle indicator information, turn rate information, and inclinometer indicator information, wherein the bank angle indicator information and turn rate information is depicted on the compass rose, wherein there are two doghouse-shaped marks on the compass rose to indicate a standard rate turn, and wherein the inclinometer indicator information is situated within the compass rose;

displaying highway-in-the-sky indicator flight information on the display;

displaying a reference frame on the display for providing a reference when flying an intended course.

displaying a heading bug on the display, wherein the heading bug points to a location on the compass rose corresponding to an intended heading for the aircraft;

displaying two-color ground/sky information, wherein one color indicates ground and the other color indicates sky.

displaying altitude flight information on the display;

displaying airspeed flight information on the display;

displaying vertical speed indicator flight information on the display;

displaying transponder flight information on the display;

displaying intercom flight information on the display;

displaying communication flight information on the display;

displaying selection flight information on the display to indicate available choices of flight information to be depicted on the display; and

wherein the flight information is depicted over background information, wherein the background information further comprises transparent three-dimensional terrain data.

78. A system for providing flight information on an aircraft display, comprising:

a displaying means for displaying heading flight information on the display, wherein the heading flight information further comprises a compass rose, which extends from approximately the top of the display to approximately the bottom of the display, wherein the compass rose further comprises a numerical heading indication;

a displaying means for displaying attitude flight information on the display, wherein the attitude flight information comprises an artificial horizon, and wherein the artificial horizon is situated within the compass rose;

a displaying means for displaying turn indicator flight information on the display, wherein the turn indictor flight information further comprises bank angle indicator information, turn rate information, and inclinometer indicator information, wherein the bank angle indicator information and turn rate information is depicted on the compass rose, wherein there are two doghouse-shaped marks on the compass rose to indicate a standard rate turn, and wherein the inclinometer indicator information is situated within the compass rose;

a displaying means for displaying highway-in-the-sky indicator flight information on the display;

a displaying means for displaying a reference frame on the display for providing a reference when flying an intended course.

a displaying means for displaying a heading bug on the display, wherein the heading bug points to a location on the compass rose corresponding to an intended heading for the aircraft;

a displaying means for displaying two-color ground/sky information, wherein one color indicates ground and the other color indicates sky.

a displaying means for displaying altitude flight information on the display;

a displaying means for displaying airspeed flight information on the display;

a displaying means for displaying vertical speed indicator flight information on the display;

a displaying means for displaying transponder flight information on the display;

a displaying means for displaying intercom flight information on the display;

a displaying means for displaying communication flight information on the display;

a displaying means for displaying selection flight information on the display to indicate available choices of flight information to be depicted on the display; and

wherein the flight information is depicted over background information, wherein the background information further comprises transparent three-dimensional terrain data.