Flight plan intent alert system and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for determining flight path alerts, comprising:
- a processor coupled to the input module;
a database coupled to the processor, the database including terrain information said information inclusive of terrain information for locations along one or more flight paths;
a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including flight plan information, wherein the flight plan information corresponds to one of the one or more flight paths;
a module connected to the processor for receiving flight information and wherein the flight information is provided by one or more of a flight management system and aircraft sensors; and
an output device coupled to the processor, the output device providing an alert upon the occurrence of a specified condition, wherein the processor processes the flight information, the terrain information and the flight plan information and generates the alert upon the occurrence of the specified condition.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Flight plan information is provided in the form of a series of waypoints having attributes which preferably include, among others, latitude, longitude, altitude constraint, and waypoint identifier. A flight path, defined by this information is modeled, and the flight plan model is checked against terrain information to locate any instances in which a potentially unsafe flight altitude exists. In flight, the flight path model is updated using aircraft position so that the path from the aircraft position to the next waypoint is reflected in the model. In the event that a potentially unsafe flight altitude is detected, an alert may be issued to the flight crew. The crew may then amend the flight plan or take other appropriate action.
64 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for determining flight path alerts, comprising:
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a processor coupled to the input module;
a database coupled to the processor, the database including terrain information said information inclusive of terrain information for locations along one or more flight paths;
a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including flight plan information, wherein the flight plan information corresponds to one of the one or more flight paths;
a module connected to the processor for receiving flight information and wherein the flight information is provided by one or more of a flight management system and aircraft sensors; and
an output device coupled to the processor, the output device providing an alert upon the occurrence of a specified condition, wherein the processor processes the flight information, the terrain information and the flight plan information and generates the alert upon the occurrence of the specified condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An apparatus for determining flight path alerts, comprising:
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a processor coupled to the input module;
a database coupled to the processor, the database including terrain information said information inclusive of terrain information for locations along one or more flight paths;
a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including flight plan information, wherein the flight plan information corresponds to one of the one or more flight paths;
a module connected to the processor for receiving flight information and wherein the flight plan information includes information generated based on the flight information; and
an output device coupled to the processor, the output device providing an alert upon the occurrence of a specified condition, wherein the processor processes the flight information, the terrain information and the flight plan information and generates the alert upon the occurrence of the specified condition. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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6. An apparatus for determining flight path alerts comprising;
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a processor coupled to the input module;
a database coupled to the processor, the database including terrain information said information inclusive of terrain information for locations along one or more flight paths, said flight path including one or more legs, and wherein the flight information includes two or more way points, the two or more way points defining a leg, and wherein the processor checks each leg for occurrence of the specified condition;
a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including flight plan information, wherein the flight plan information corresponds to one of the one or more flight paths; and
an output device coupled to the processor, the output device providing an alert upon the occurrence of a specified condition, wherein the processor processes the flight information, the terrain information and the flight plan information and generates the alert upon the occurrence of the specified condition. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification