Low-cost flight training and synthetic visualization system and method
First Claim
1. A flight training and synthetic visualization system comprising:
- a. a self-contained mobile data recording unit, comprising;
i. an inertial measurement means to continuously sense three-dimensional orientation of said mobile data recording unit in terms of yaw, pitch, and roll;
ii. a position detector means for generating signals representative of the three-dimensional position in space of said mobile data recording unit;
iii. a magnetic field sensing means to provide continuous magnetic heading information for said mobile data recording unit;
iv. an environmental sensing means for determining various ambient environmental conditions;
v. a processor means to gather navigational information captured by the components of said mobile data recording unit;
vi. a storage device for storing said navigation information for future download;
vii. an embedded software means to manage and preserve power of said mobile data recording unit by selectively disabling said components of said mobile data recording unit;
viii. a user input means to allow an operator to control the settings and activities of said mobile data recording unit;
ix. a user feedback means to provide status information on said mobile data recording unit to said operator;
x. an internal, rechargeable power source;
xi. a charging means for said rechargeable power source;
xii. a means for transferring said navigational information to a secondary computer system; and
xiii. a protective enclosure;
b. A graphics software engine executing on said secondary computer system for creating a display of said navigational information;
c. A data transfer means for transferring said navigational information, calibration data, and status information between said mobile data recording unit and said software engine; and
d. A centralized data storage and retrieval system designed to accept and assimilate said navigational information from said software engine, and to provide additional data and graphics for enhancing said display of said navigational information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low-cost training and synthetic visualization system and method directed to improving an individual'"'"'s airborne performance in general aviation, skydiving, and other aerial applications. The system is comprised of a self-contained mobile sensor and data storage device for recording the travel path, orientation, and forces acting upon an object as it moves through space, a desktop graphics software program for creating a playback of the recorded data on a three-dimensional representation of the environment through which the object moved, a means of linking the sensor and data storage device to the software program for the purpose of exchanging information, and a centralized data storage and retrieval system designed to accept, assimilate and redistribute the recorded data.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A flight training and synthetic visualization system comprising:
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a. a self-contained mobile data recording unit, comprising;
i. an inertial measurement means to continuously sense three-dimensional orientation of said mobile data recording unit in terms of yaw, pitch, and roll;
ii. a position detector means for generating signals representative of the three-dimensional position in space of said mobile data recording unit;
iii. a magnetic field sensing means to provide continuous magnetic heading information for said mobile data recording unit;
iv. an environmental sensing means for determining various ambient environmental conditions;
v. a processor means to gather navigational information captured by the components of said mobile data recording unit;
vi. a storage device for storing said navigation information for future download;
vii. an embedded software means to manage and preserve power of said mobile data recording unit by selectively disabling said components of said mobile data recording unit;
viii. a user input means to allow an operator to control the settings and activities of said mobile data recording unit;
ix. a user feedback means to provide status information on said mobile data recording unit to said operator;
x. an internal, rechargeable power source;
xi. a charging means for said rechargeable power source;
xii. a means for transferring said navigational information to a secondary computer system; and
xiii. a protective enclosure;
b. A graphics software engine executing on said secondary computer system for creating a display of said navigational information;
c. A data transfer means for transferring said navigational information, calibration data, and status information between said mobile data recording unit and said software engine; and
d. A centralized data storage and retrieval system designed to accept and assimilate said navigational information from said software engine, and to provide additional data and graphics for enhancing said display of said navigational information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of flight instruction and analysis, comprising the steps of:
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a. mounting a mobile data recording unit containing a plurality of navigation sensors on a moving body;
b. generating, by said mobile data recording unit, measurements of the orientation and movement through three-dimensional space of said moving body;
c. recording, by said mobile data recording unit, of said measurements;
d. transferring said measurements to a secondary computer system for display and manipulation;
e. processing said measurements on said secondary computer system so that errors found in the data streams recorded by said navigation sensors can be corrected and augmented by data streams from other sensors;
f. creating a graphical display of said measurements on said secondary computer system; and
g. downloading aerial or satellite images and other data from an external, centralized data storage and retrieval system into said secondary computer system for the purpose of augmenting said graphical display. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of real-time flight training, comprising the steps of:
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a. pre-downloading aerial or satellite images from an external, centralized data storage and retrieval system into a portable computer system for use during a trip;
b. mounting a mobile data recording unit containing a plurality of navigation sensors on a moving body;
c. locating said portable computer system on said moving body near said mobile data recording unit;
d. generating, by said mobile data recording unit, measurements of the orientation and movement through three-dimensional space of said moving body;
e. transmitting said measurements to said portable computer system in real-time for immediate display and manipulation;
f. processing said measurements on said portable computer system so that errors found in the data streams recorded by said navigation sensors can be corrected and augmented by data streams from other sensors; and
g. creating a graphical display of said measurements on said portable computer system in real-time as said trip is occurring. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification