On-Demand Audio Information System and Method For Air Combat

• US 20080143558A1
• Filed: 03/10/2005
• Published: 06/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Rafael - Armament Development Authority Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Rafael - Armament Development Authority Ltd.
• Inventors: Ben-Ari, Tsafrir
• Application Number:
  US10/598,985
• Publication Number:
  US 20080143558A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/967
• 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: G01D 7/12 Audible indication of meter readings, e.g. for the blind
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/00 Speech synthesis; Text to speech systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence

Abstract

A method for providing on-demand audio information to a pilot of a first aircraft during aerial combat engagement with a hostile aircraft. The method includes receiving a pilot-initiated request for information, identifying the pilot-initiated request as either a first request-type or a second request-type. If the pilot-initiated request is identified as the first request-type, retrieving output information relating to current flight parameters of the first aircraft; if the pilot-initiated request is identified as the second request-type, retrieving output information relating to current flight parameters of the hostile aircraft; and generating a verbal message audible to the pilot containing the output information.

Claims

1. A method for providing on-demand audio information to a pilot of a first aircraft during aerial combat engagement with a hostile aircraft, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a pilot-initiated request for information;

(b) identifying the pilot-initiated request as either a first request-type or a second request-type;

(c) if the pilot-initiated request is identified as the first request-type, retrieving from at least one system of the first aircraft output information relating to current flight parameters of the first aircraft;

(d) if the pilot-initiated request is identified as the second request-type, retrieving from at least one system of the first aircraft output information relating to current flight parameters of the hostile aircraft; and

(e) generating a verbal message audible to the pilot containing said output information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pilot-initiated request is provided by the pilot operating a finger-operated control.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said finger-operated control is located to be operable from a normal hand position while operating at least one of a hand-held flight control and a hand-held weapon control.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the pilot-initiated request is identified as a first request-type or a second request-type according to which of a plurality of said finger-operated controls is operated by the pilot.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the pilot-initiated request is identified as a first request-type or a second request-type according to a time-sequence in which a single finger-operated control is operated by the pilot.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the information relating to current flight parameters of the first aircraft includes at least two current flight parameters chosen from the group comprising:

a current speed of the first aircraft;

a current altitude of the first aircraft; and

a current attitude of the first aircraft.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the information relating to current flight parameters of the first aircraft includes at least:

a current speed of the first aircraft;

a current altitude of the first aircraft; and

a current attitude of the first aircraft.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the information relating to current flight parameters of the hostile aircraft is derived from a radar system of the first aircraft.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the information relating to current flight parameters of the hostile aircraft is retrieved via a data communication system from a source remote from the first aircraft.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the information relating to current flight parameters of the hostile aircraft includes at least a current speed of the hostile aircraft.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the information relating to current flight parameters of the hostile aircraft includes at least:

a current speed of the hostile aircraft; and

a current aspect angle of the hostile aircraft relative to the first aircraft.

12. A method for providing on-demand audio information to a pilot of an aircraft, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a pilot-initiated request for information;

(b) retrieving from at least one aircraft system information relating to current flight parameters of the aircraft; and

(c) generating a verbal message audible to the pilot containing said information.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the pilot-initiated request is provided by the pilot operating a finger-operated control.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said finger-operated control is located to be operable from a normal hand position while operating at least one of a hand-held flight control and a hand-held weapon control.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the information includes at least two current flight parameters chosen from the group comprising:

a current speed of the aircraft;

a current altitude of the aircraft; and

a current attitude of the aircraft.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the information includes at least:

a current speed of the aircraft;

a current altitude of the aircraft; and

a current attitude of the aircraft.

17. A method for providing on-demand audio information to a pilot of a first aircraft during aerial combat engagement with a hostile aircraft, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a pilot-initiated request for information;

(b) retrieving from at least one system of the first aircraft information relating to current flight parameters of the hostile aircraft; and

(c) generating a verbal message audible to the pilot containing said information.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the pilot-initiated request is provided by the pilot operating a finger-operated control.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said finger-operated control is located to be operable from a normal hand position while operating at least one of a hand-held flight control and a hand-held weapon control.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the information is derived from a radar system of the first aircraft.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the information is retrieved via a data communication system from a source remote from the first aircraft.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the information includes at least a current speed of the hostile aircraft.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the information includes at least:

a current speed of the hostile aircraft; and

a current aspect angle of the hostile aircraft relative to the first aircraft.