Method and apparatus for designating waypoints on a navigational display

• US 6,449,556 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2000
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Pauly, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Louis-Jacques, Jacques H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Broadhead, Brian J.
• Application Number:
  US09/552,215
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: 701/206, 701/207, 701/300, 701/302, 701/201, 701/120, 701/14, 701/4
• US Class Current: 701/206
• 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: G08G 5/003 Flight plan management

Abstract

A navigation system such as a flight management system allows operator-defined waypoints to be selected. A pilot waypoint can be selected via an interface which provides a place-bearing-distance label when the waypoint is not on a flight plan. The label is in an along-track-distance format when the waypoint is on the flight plan. The labels provide information in a fashion consistent with Air Traffic Control (ATC) phraseology.

Claims

1. A navigation system for an operator of a vehicle, the navigation system comprising:

a display;

a user input device; and

electronic circuitry coupled to the user interface and the display, the electronic circuitry providing indicators on the display relating to a flight plan, a reference point being selectable via the user interface, the display providing a textual reading related to a position of a symbol on the display with respect to the reference point, the position of the symbol being controlled via the user interface, the textual reading providing only a distance along the flight plan from the reference point if the symbol is positioned substantially on the flight plan and the textual reading comprising a direction and a distance from the reference point to the symbol when the symbol is not positioned substantially on the flight plan.

2. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the navigation system is a flight management system (FMS).

3. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the textual reading is provided on a pop-up label on the display.

4. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the position of the symbol is controlled via a cursor.

5. The navigation system of claim 4, wherein a rubberized line connects the reference point and the cursor.

6. The navigation system of claim 1, further comprising:

a speaker configured to provide an audible indication of the position of the symbol.

7. The navigation system of claim 6, wherein the audible indication is utilized to confirm the placement of the symbol.

8. A method of providing an operator-defined waypoint on a navigational display within a vehicle, the method comprising:

selecting a point on a navigational display having indicators representative of a navigational plan;

deciding whether the selected point is substantially located on the navigational plan; and

displaying a reading related to a position of a symbol used to define the selected point with respect to a reference points the reading providing only a distance along the navigational plan from the reference point if the selected point is substantially located on Fe navigational plan and the reading comprising a direction and a distance from the reference point to the selected point if the selected point is not substantially located on the navigational plan.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the reading is compatible with air traffic controller phraseology.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the reading is a textual reading provided on a pop-up label.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the selecting step utilizes a mouse or a joystick.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

moving a cursor to the selected point on the display.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing a rubberized line on the display from the reference point to the cursor.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

providing an audible indication of the location of the selected point.

15. A graphical flight management system for use in aircraft, the graphical flight management system comprising:

means for displaying a flight plan;

means for selecting a waypoint; and

means for providing on the means for displaying a textual reading related to a position of a symbol used to select the waypoint with respect to a reference point, the textual reading providing only a distance along the flight plan from the reference point if the symbol is positioned substantially on the flight plan and the textual reading comprising a direction and a distance from the reference point to the symbol when the symbol is not positioned substantially on the flight plan.

16. The graphical flight management system of claim 15, wherein the reading is compatible with air traffic controller phraseology.

17. The graphical flight management system of claim 15, wherein the reading is provided on a pop-up label.

18. The graphical flight management system of claim 15, wherein the reference point is selected via the means for selecting the waypoint.

19. The graphical flight management system of claim 15, wherein the position of the symbol is controlled via a cursor.