Flight management system with 3-dimensional flight path display

• US 5,920,321 A
• Filed: 09/30/1996
• Issued: 07/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
• Inventors: Owen, Gary L., Suiter, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phu K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vo, Cliff N.
• Application Number:
  US08/724,533
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 345/427, 345/428, 345/418, 345/419, 345/423, 345/424
• US Class Current: 345/427
• 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 17/00 Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects

Abstract

An FMS with a three dimensional representation of the flight plan is disclosed. The view is adjustable via a joystick or other similar controller and is capable numerous varied views, including both a two dimensional lateral view and a two dimensional elevation view. Software is used to effect the changing views.

Claims

1. A flight management system comprising:

a flight management system computer for performing lateral flight plan calculations, vertical flight plan calculations and performance predicted flight path computations;

a control display unit for displaying textual information regarding flight plan information and for allowing input and output of information with a flight crew, the control display unit coupled to the flight management system computer;

a display for displaying 3-dimensional map presentations of a flight plan, the display coupled to the flight management system computer;

the viewing angle control for allowing flight crew adjustment of a viewing angle of the 3-D map presentation, the viewing angle control coupled to the display; and

,

3-D map presentation generation means for generating a 3-dimensional map relating to the flight plan.

2. Flight management system comprising a flight management computer;

a control display unit;

a display;

a viewing angle control;

means for interconnecting said control display unit, said viewing angle control, said flight management system computer and said display; and

,

means for generating a 3-dimensional map presentation relating to a flight plan.

3. A flight management system of claim 2, wherein said means for interconnecting further comprises means for electronically coupling a viewing angle control with the display.

4. A flight management system of claim 2, wherein the means for interconnecting further comprises means for electronically coupling the viewing angle control to the flight management system computer.

5. A flight management system of claim 2, wherein the means for generating a 3-D map presentation is performed within the flight management system computer.

6. A flight management system of claim 2, wherein the means for generating a 3-D map presentation is coupled to the display.

7. A flight management system of claim 6, wherein the means for interconnecting includes means for electronically coupling the viewing angle control with the display.

8. A flight management system of claim 7 further comprising aircraft altitude sensor means coupled to the display.

9. A flight management system of claim 8 further comprising aircraft pitch/roll/heading sensor means coupled to the display.

10. A flight management system of claim 9, wherein the means for generating a 3-dimensional map presentation generates a 2-dimensional lateral view when the viewing angle controller is disposed in a predetermined position and generates a 2-dimensional profile view when the viewing angle controller is in a second predetermined position, and generates 3-dimensional map presentations when the viewing angle controller is disposed in intermediate predetermined positions between said first predetermined position and said second predetermined position.