METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING TAXIWAY STOP BAR INFORMATION TO AN AIRCREW

• US 20140309915A1
• Filed: 04/11/2013
• Published: 10/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Beda, Tomas, Koukol, Ondrej, Pokorny, Ondrej
• Granted Patent: US 9,734,729 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/120
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10048 Infrared image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30256 Lane; Road marking
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/73 using feature-based methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0026 located on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/065 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. for taxiing or rolling

Abstract

A method for displaying stop bar information to an aircrew member of an aircraft includes the steps of capturing a light signature emitted from an area surrounding the aircraft, processing the captured light signature to detect a lighted stop bar, and providing information to the aircrew member regarding the detection of the lighted stop bar.

Claims

1. A system for displaying stop bar information to an aircrew member of an aircraft, the system comprising:

a display subsystem configured to display visual information to the aircrew member of the aircraft;

a position detecting subsystem that is configured to detect a current location of the aircraft with respect to a ground surface and to generate a first signal indicative of the current location of the aircraft;

a light detection subsystem that is configured to detect a light signature emitted from a stop bar; and

a processor operatively coupled with the display subsystem, the position detecting subsystem, and the light detection subsystem,

wherein the processor is configured to receive the first signal from the position detecting subsystem, to receive the second signal from the light detection subsystem, and to generate information regarding the position of a detected stop bar, and wherein the processor is further configured to command the display subsystem to display a graphic depiction of the detected stop bar on the display subsystem.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic data storage unit configured to store a plurality of stop bar positions associated with a corresponding plurality of airport locations, and wherein the processor is further configured to retrieve a plurality of stop bar positions from the electronic data storage unit.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the display subsystem comprises a moving map display subsystem configured to display a map that moves in a manner that corresponds with a movement of the aircraft.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the light detection subsystem comprises an infrared camera.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the system to generate an aural indication of the presence of a lighted stop bar.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the position detecting subsystem is further configured to generate a motional vector of the aircraft.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configure to cause the system to generate a caution alert where the motional vector indicates the aircraft is not able to stop at a detected lighted stop bar.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the system to generate a warning alert where the motional vector indicates the aircraft has crossed a detected lighted stop bar.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the light detection subsystem is configured to detect extended stop bar lights.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the light detection subsystem is configured to detect pavement stop bar lights.

11. A method for displaying stop bar information to an aircrew member of an aircraft, the method comprising the steps of:

capturing a light signature emitted from an area surrounding the aircraft;

processing the captured light signature to detect a lighted stop bar; and

providing information to the aircrew member regarding the detection of the lighted stop bar.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising obtaining data from a database regarding a position and configuration of stop bars at an airport.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein providing information to the aircrew member comprises displaying the information on a map that moves in a manner that corresponds with a movement of the aircraft.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein capturing the light signature comprises capturing an infrared light signature with an infrared camera.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising generating an aural indication of the presence of a lighted stop bar.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising calculating a motional vector of the aircraft.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising generating a caution alert where the motional vector indicates the aircraft is not able to stop at a detected lighted stop bar

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising generating a warning alert where the motional vector indicates the aircraft has crossed a detected lighted stop bar.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein detecting the light signature comprises detecting a light signature emitted by extended stop bar lights or by pavement stop bar lights.