HIGH ALTITUDE PARACHUTE NAVIGATION FLIGHT COMPUTER

• US 20070233382A1
• Filed: 08/09/2004
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Atair Aerospace, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Atair Aerospace, Inc.
• Inventors: Preston, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,302,340 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration

Abstract

A navigational computer design for high altitude and other similar navigational needs includes a processor, which receives as input signals from navigational and navigational related sensors such as a GPS, compass, inertial measurement unit and sensors. Processor utilizes the navigational information to provide a display to the user indicating present navigational positional information as well is providing a flight path to follow to the target. The navigational computer includes a device that enables it to operate in a peer-to-peer network with other similar navigational computers such that during use, users may track one another. Once on the ground, the navigational computer may be used to continue navigation.

Claims

1. A navigational computer, comprising:

a display device wherein said display device is a head mounted display;

a plurality of navigational devices, each of said plurality of navigational devices providing a navigational signal;

a central processing unit, responsive to said plurality of navigational signals, for processing said plurality of navigational signals and for providing navigational display information to said display device; and

a peer-to-peer network link, for establishing peer-to-peer communications with at least one other navigational computer, for providing said navigational information to said at least one other navigational computer, and for receiving and displaying navigational information received from said at least one other navigational computer.

2. The navigational computer of claim 1 wherein said plurality of navigational devices are selected from the group consisting of a GPS, a compass, and inertial measurement unit and a pressure sensor.

4. The navigational computer of claim 1 wherein said navigational information includes positional information.

5. The navigational computer of claim 1 wherein said navigational information includes look ahead flight path information giving the user an autopilot flight path to navigate to a desired destination.

6. The navigational computer of claim 1, further including an alert device, responsive to said navigational information, for providing an alert to a user.

7. The navigational computer of claim 6 wherein said alert is a visual alert.

8. The navigational computer of claim 6 wherein said alert is an audible alert.

9. The navigational computer of claim 1 wherein said navigational display information includes a map image.

3. (canceled)

10. (canceled)

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. A navigational computer for a parachute, comprising:

a display device providing output to an operator of the parachute;

a plurality of navigational devices, each of said plurality of navigational devices providing a navigational signal;

a central processing unit, responsive to said plurality of navigational signals, for processing said plurality of navigational signals and for providing navigational display information to said display device; and

a peer-to-peer network link, for establishing peer-to-peer communications with at least one other navigational computer, for providing said navigational information to said at least one other navigational computer, and for receiving and displaying navigational information received from said at least one other navigational computer.

15. The navigational computer of claim 14 further comprises,

an input device providing input from the operator of the parachute.

16. The navigational computer of claim 14 wherein said display device is a head mounted display.

17. The navigational computer of claim 14 wherein said navigational information includes positional information.

18. The navigational computer of claim 14 wherein said navigational information includes look ahead flight path information giving the user an autopilot flight path to navigate to a desired destination.

19. The navigational computer of claim 14, further including an alert device, responsive to said navigational information, for providing an alert to a user.

20. The navigational computer of claim 14 wherein said navigational display information includes a map image.