AVIONICS NAVIGATION POWER RANGE INDICATOR

• US 20140336921A1
• Filed: 08/22/2013
• Published: 11/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin International, Inc. (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Garmin International, Inc. (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Schulte, Christopher E.P., Leeper, Douglas E. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,170,126 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/409
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/005 Flight directors indicating arrangements specially adapted for rotary gyroscopes G01C19/32

Abstract

An electronic device is described that includes a range indicator for conveying a range of travel until the electronic device ceases operation due to loss of power. In implementations, the electronic device includes a display device, a memory operable to store one or more modules, and at least one processor coupled to the display device and the memory. The processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to cause display of navigation information at the display device. The navigation information includes a map graphic representing an area an aircraft is traversing. The navigation information also includes an end of use situation that represents a range of travel for the aircraft until the electronic device ceases operation due to a loss of power.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a display device;

a memory operable to store one or more modules;

at least one processor coupled to the display device and the memory, the at least one processor operable to execute the one or more modules to;

estimate a range of travel available before a loss of electrical power, and

display, on the display device, navigation information including a map graphically representing the available range of travel.

2. The electronic device as recited in claim 1, further including a back-up power source operable to furnish electrical power to the electronic device, wherein the estimated range of travel is based upon the estimated and/or calculated power of the back-up power source.

3. The electronic device as recited in claim 2, wherein the back-up power source includes a battery and the estimated and/or calculated range of travel is based upon the estimated remaining power of the battery.

4. The electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more modules are configured to cause the one or more processors to alter a display attribute of the navigation information to convey the range of travel until the electronic device at least substantially ceases operation due to loss of power.

5. The electronic device as recited in claim 4, wherein a first area of the map graphic comprises a first display attribute to represent the range of travel and a second area of the map graphic comprises a second display attribute to represent areas outside the range of travel, the first display attribute different from the second display attribute.

6. The electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the estimated range of travel is based upon at least one of a geographic position of the device or a flight characteristic of an aircraft associated with the device.

7. The electronic device as recited in claim 6, wherein the flight characteristic comprises at least one of an altitude of the aircraft, an airspeed of the aircraft, a flight plan of the aircraft, a Winds and Temperatures Aloft Forecast, a terrain height, or a navigational input of the aircraft.

8. An electronic device comprising:

a display device;

a memory operable to store one or more modules;

a processor coupled to the display device and the memory; and

a back-up power source operable to provide electrical power to the display device, memory, and processor after failure of a primary power source,

wherein the processor is operable to execute the one or more modules to;

estimate a range of travel available based upon an estimated power of the back-up power source, a geographic position of the electronic device, and a flight characteristic of an aircraft associated with the electronic device, and

display, on the display device, navigation information including a map graphically representing the available range of travel.

9. The electronic device as recited in claim 8, wherein the flight characteristic comprises at least one of an altitude of the aircraft, an airspeed of the aircraft, a flight plan of the aircraft, a winds aloft forecast, a winds aloft calculation, a terrain height, topography, topography, or a navigational input of the aircraft.

10. The electronic device as recited in claim 8, wherein the one or more modules are configured to cause the one or more processors to alter a display attribute of the navigation information to convey the range of travel until the electronic device at least substantially ceases operation due to loss of power.

11. The electronic device as recited in claim 10, wherein a first area of the map graphic comprises a first display attribute to represent the range of travel and a second area of the map graphic comprises a second display attribute to represent areas outside the range of travel, the first display attribute different from the second display attribute.

12. The electronic device as recited in claim 8, wherein the display device, memory, processor, and back-up power source are incorporated into a cockpit of the aircraft.

13. The electronic device as recited in claim 8, wherein the display device, memory, processor, and back-up power source are incorporated into a portable housing.

14. The electronic device as recited in claim 8, further including a satellite navigation receiver operable to determine the geographic position of the electronic device.

15. The electronic device as recited in claim 8, wherein the back-up power source includes a battery and the estimated and/or calculated range of travel is based upon the estimated and/or calculated remaining power of the battery.

16. A method comprising:

causing navigation information to be displayed at a display device of an electronic device, the navigation information including a map graphic representing an area being traversed by the electronic device, the electronic device powered by a battery;

estimating a range of travel available before a loss of electrical power from the battery;

altering a display attribute of the map to graphically represent the available range of travel; and

updating the estimate of the available range of travel based upon remaining power of the battery.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein updating the estimate of the available range of travel is further based upon a flight characteristic of an aircraft associated with the electronic device.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the flight characteristic comprises at least one of an altitude of the aircraft, an airspeed of the aircraft, a flight plan of the aircraft, a winds aloft forecast, a winds aloft calculation, a terrain height, topography, or a navigational input of the aircraft.

19. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the navigation information includes a first area represented by a first display attribute indicating the range of travel of the electronic device and a second area represented by a second display attribute indicating areas outside the available range of travel, the first display attribute different from the second display attribute.

20. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the battery functions as a backup to a primary power source and the display attribute of the map is altered in response to a failure or interruption of the primary power source.