Systems and methods for determining best path for avoidance of terrain, obstacles, or protected airspace

• US 20060158350A1
• Filed: 03/03/2006
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Navico Incorporated (Brunswick Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Glover, John H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,589,646 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/963
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/005 with correlation of navigation data from several sources, e.g. map or contour matching G01C21/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/106 Change initiated in response to external conditions, e.g. avoidance of elevated terrain or of no-fly zones
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/045 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. determination of anti-collision manoeuvers radar or analogous systems specially adapted for anti-collision between aircraft G01S13/933

Abstract

Systems and methods for generating navigation signals for a vehicle in an auto-avoidance situation. In one embodiment the method includes analyzing two or more paths with respect to information about obstructions stored in a database. The method disclosed then selects a path and generates navigation signals, if an auto avoidance situation exists.

Claims

1. A method for generating navigation signals for a vehicle in an auto-avoidance situation, the method comprising:

analyzing two or more paths with respect to information stored in a database regarding obstructions;

selecting one of the analyzed paths based on the analysis; and

generating navigation signals based on the selected paths, if an auto-avoidance condition exists.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein auto-avoidance initiation is activated by at least one of ground proximity, vehicle position, protected airspace, and obstacle information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing is further based on at least one of performance capabilities of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle, and performing an integrity analysis.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending vehicle control commands to a vehicle control system wherein the vehicle control system automatically controls the vehicle based on vehicle control commands.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing further includes storing the vehicle path information in a database.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is at least one of a surface based vehicle, a subsurface based vehicle, and an airborne vehicle.

7. A computer program product stored on a computer readable medium for generating navigation signals for a vehicle in an auto-avoidance situation, the computer program product comprising:

a component for analyzing two or more paths with respect to information stored in a database regarding obstructions;

a component for selecting one of the analyzed paths based on the analysis; and

a component for generating navigation signals based on the selected paths, if an auto-avoidance condition exists

8. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the component for analyzing is further based on at least one of performance capabilities of the vehicle, speed of the vehicle, and performing an integrity analysis.

9. The computer program product of claim 7, further comprising a component to send vehicle control commands to a vehicle control system wherein the vehicle control system automatically controls the vehicle based on vehicle control commands.

10. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein a component for auto-avoidance initiation is activated by at least one of ground proximity, vehicle position, protected airspace, and obstacle information.

11. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein a component for analyzing further includes storing the vehicle path information in a database.

12. The computer program product of claim 7, wherein the vehicle is at least one of a surface based vehicle, a subsurface based vehicle, and an airborne vehicle.

13. A system for generating navigation signals for a vehicle in an auto-avoidance situation, the system comprising:

means for receiving obstruction information;

means for authenticating the obstruction using an integrity check

means for analyzing possible vehicle routes; and

wherein the system is coupled to a vehicle control system and has the ability to automatically control the vehicle if a auto-avoidance situation exists.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the obstruction information comprises information regarding terrain, obstacles and protected airspace.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the system is coupled to a database in order to store flight path information and obstruction information.

16. The database of claim 15, wherein the system is further coupled to at least one of a terrain database, airport database, obstacle database, and a protected airspace database.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the route is selected based on vehicle capabilities, proximity of chosen path, and vehicle speed.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the vehicle is at least on of a surface based vehicle, a subsurface based vehicle, and an airborne vehicle.