Methods and apparatus for airspace navigation

• US 20050246071A1
• Filed: 07/06/2005
• Published: 11/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2000
• 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., Yokota, Ryuichi
• Granted Patent: US 7,453,375 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 43/00 Arrangements or adaptations of instruments arrangements of cameras B64D47/08; aeronautical measuring instruments per se G01C
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/005 Flight directors indicating arrangements specially adapted for rotary gyroscopes G01C19/32

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for airspace navigation. Airspace navigation information for an aircraft is displayed in a first mode, such as, in a horizontal mode. One or more navigation events may then be detected, such as, proximity to a terrain feature, weather, traffic etc. The airspace navigation information for the aircraft is then displayed using dual modes, e.g., a horizontal mode and a vertical mode. Display parameters, such as colors, resolution, distance, scale, etc. may be set automatically or by a user. The display may also include information, such as avionics systems information, and communications information.

Claims

1-23. -23. (canceled)

24. An airspace navigation system comprising:

a navigation data module to receive navigation data;

a controller to detect a navigation event based on the navigation data; and

a display to provide the navigation data in a horizontal mode and a vertical mode, in response to the navigation event.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein, the navigation data module receives global positioning system signals.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the navigation data module receives data indicating weather conditions.

27. The system of claim 24, wherein the navigation data module receives data from an avionics system of an aircraft.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein the navigation data module receives data from a communications system of an aircraft.

29. The system of claim 24, wherein the navigation data module receives data from a computer readable medium.

30. The system of claim 24, wherein the navigation data module receives data from a network.