SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING AIR TRAFFIC INFORMATION

• US 20080088433A1
• Filed: 10/17/2006
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flightaware LLC (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Flightaware LLC (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Baker, Daniel, McNett, David Cameron, Lehenbauer, Karl
• Granted Patent: US 7,786,899 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/531
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0034 Assembly of a flight plan

Abstract

A computer-implemented system and method for the processing and presentation of customizable aviation information is disclosed. At plurality of flight information is received over a digital network and is stored in at least a database. The database includes aviation information as well as aviation related content and advertisements. The user is able to customize a series of screen layouts for display using a combination of screen segments containing content stored at least partially in the database. In addition, the user may create personalized messages and status update for display in response to a variety of flight conditions. In one form, the results may be presented using a large display monitor by an aircraft service provider. Additionally, the display may include only flight tracking information relevant to recent and future customers.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

connecting to a server maintaining near real-time flight tracking data over a digital communication network;

transmitting a request to said server for flight tracking data associated with an airport;

creating a targeted message for a first flight included in said flight tracking data;

generating a first display segment comprising at least said targeted message for the first flight and

displaying said first display segment on a monitor in response to a criteria that is based upon a near real-time arrival characteristic of said first flight using data from said server.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said server receives data from the FAA Aircraft Situation Display to Industry service.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said criteria is selected from the group consisting of an ARTCC boundary crossing, an estimated arrival time, an air speed or altitude below a predetermined threshold and a distance from said airport.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said first flight is not a regularly-scheduled commercial flight.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said first display segment includes the name of an entity associated with said first flight.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said entity is a passenger of said first flight.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said entity is a business organization.

8. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of:

generating a second display segment based on a portion of the flight tracking data associated with said first flight; and

displaying said second display segment on said monitor.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said first display segment is displayed simultaneously with said second display segment on said monitor.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said second display segment includes an advertisement.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said advertisement is targeted to said first flight based upon said portion of the flight tracking data associated with said first flight.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein at least said first display and said second display segment are displayed individually in sequence on said monitor.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein at least said first display segment and said second display segment are combined to form a first layout, and said first layout is displayed on said monitor.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said first layout includes at least 3 display segments.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said first layout includes at least 5 display segments.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said first layout is created using a template provided by said server.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein said first display segment is displayed over a static background on said monitor.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said background is downloaded from said server.

19. A method of displaying customized flight information using a computer system comprising a client computer connected to a monitor, said method comprising the steps of:

connecting to a server maintaining near real-time flight tracking information over a digital communication network;

receiving a first listing of flights associated with an airport from said server;

selecting a subset of flights from said listing using said client computer;

generating a first display segment containing personalized information for a first flight in said subset of flights;

receiving flight tracking data associated with said first flight; and

displaying said first display segment on said monitor.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said first display segment also includes the status of an aircraft associated with said first flight.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said personalized information includes the name of an entity associated with said first flight.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said entity is a passenger.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said entity is a business organization.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein said first flight departs from said airport and said first display segment includes status information specific to the destination of said first flight.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said status information is weather information.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein said status information is airport delay information.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said flight delay information is calculated using said near real-time flight tracking information.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein said server receives data from the FAA Aircraft Situation Display to Industry service.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein said selecting includes the entry of a set of flight identification numbers.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said flight identification numbers are tail numbers.

31. The method of claim 19, wherein said subset of flights includes only flights having a pre-established relationship with said location.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said location is a fixed based operator.

33. The method of claim 19, wherein said first display segment is combined with a distinct second display segment to create a first layout, and said layout is displayed on said monitor.

34. The method of claim 19, wherein said digital communication network comprises the Internet.

35. The method of claim 19, wherein said subset of flight is substantially free of regularly scheduled commercial passenger or cargo flights.

36. A system comprising:

a server maintaining a database containing flight tracking information periodically updated with information received from a substantially real-time source;

a client, connected to said server over a digital communication network, operable to allow a user to select a first flight, receive flight tracking information from said server concerning said first flight, generate a layout based at least upon said received flight tracking information; and

provide said layout based upon an indication that a real time arrival characteristic of said first flight has been met; and

a monitor, operably connected to said client, configured to display said layout generated by said client following said indication.