SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HIGHLIGHTING AN AREA ENCOMPASSING AN AIRCRAFT THAT IS FREE OF HAZARDS

• US 20150045994A1
• Filed: 08/08/2013
• Published: 02/12/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Krishna, Kiran Gopala, Gurusamy, Saravanakumar, Annapureddy, Vishnu Vardhan Reddy
• Granted Patent: US 9,355,567 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 25/44 Actuating mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/04 Anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/065 Navigation or guidance aids, e.g. for taxiing or rolling

Abstract

A system and method display a hazard free area around an aircraft that is modified to alert a pilot if a threshold distance between a detected object and the aircraft is reached. The modification may include, for example, altering the size of the hazard free area and its color. Additional information that may be displayed includes distance to the object, width of the hazard free area, stopping distance of the aircraft, and a route to avoid the object.

Claims

1. A method for indicating a hazard free area around an aircraft on a moving map, comprising:

displaying an aircraft icon representing the aircraft on the moving map;

displaying a swath icon representing an area around the aircraft on the moving map;

detecting an object by radar in the vicinity of the aircraft;

displaying the object on the moving map; and

modifying the swath icon if the object is within a first threshold distance of the swath.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

modifying the swath icon further if a collision of the aircraft with the object is projected.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a numerical representation of the width of the area.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a numerical representation of the distance from the aircraft to the object.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

highlighting the numerical representation of the distance when the distance from the aircraft to the obstacle reaches a threshold.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

providing a text message warning of the object when the threshold is reached.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

indicating a position on the moving map where the aircraft will stop if brakes are applied.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying an icon of a route the aircraft may take to avoid a collision with the object.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

determining the route by analyzing an airport moving map database, obstacle information, an aircraft type and a current speed of the aircraft.

10. A method for indicating a hazard free area around an aircraft on a moving map, comprising:

displaying an aircraft icon representing the aircraft on the moving map;

detecting a hazard by radar in a first portion of the moving map;

displaying a swath icon representing the hazard free area in a second portion of the moving map and surrounding the aircraft; and

displaying the hazard on the moving map.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

modifying the swath icon further if a collision of the aircraft with the object is projected.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

displaying a numerical representation of the width of the hazard free area; and

displaying a numerical representation of the distance from the aircraft to the object.

13. A system for indicating a hazard free area around an aircraft on a moving map, the system comprising:

a display;

a sensor configured to sense an object;

a synthetic vision system configured to provide the moving map;

a processor configured to;

designate an area around the aircraft;

instruct the display to display the moving map and an icon representing the aircraft on the moving map;

instruct the display to display a swath icon representing the area;

instruct the display to display the object; and

modify the swath icon if a distance between the aircraft and the object is within a threshold.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the processor is further configured to:

modify the swath icon further if a collision of the aircraft with the object is projected.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the processor is further configured to:

display a numerical representation of the width of the hazard free area.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the processor is further configured to:

display a numerical representation of the distance from the aircraft to the object.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein the processor is further configured to:

indicate a position on the moving map where the aircraft will stop if brakes are applied.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein the processor is further configured to:

display an icon of a route the aircraft may take to avoid a collision with the object.

19. The system of claim 13 wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine the route by analyzing an airport moving map database, obstacle information, an aircraft type and a current speed of the aircraft.

20. The system of claim 13 wherein the processor is further configured to:

apply the brakes when an aircraft system determines a collision of the aircraft with the object will otherwise occur.