Methods, devices, and systems for automatic flight logs

• US 7,415,336 B1
• Filed: 11/02/2004
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Burch, Matthew C.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US10/979,908
• Time in Patent Office: 1,386 Days
• Field of Search: 701/35, 701/213, 701/33, 701/120, 701/15, 701/16, 701/200, 701/211, 340/995.27, 340/994, 340/951, 340/995, 340/971, 340/438, 244/76.R
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• 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

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods are provided for automatic flight logs. One method includes receiving one or more location data points associated with a flight, automatically recording the one or more location data points in a flight log, and allowing access through a display user-interface to view and operate on the flight log. Receiving the one or more location data points includes obtaining the location data points from a global positioning system (GPS).

Claims

1. An avionics device, comprising:

a display;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver operable to resolve a location of the device;

an input device operable to be functioned by a pilot to provide a user input;

a processor coupled with the display, GPS receiver, and input device, the processor operable to—

automatically maintain a flight log book utilizing the location determined by the GPS receiver,

control the display to present a visual indication of the flight log book to the pilot, and

utilize the user input to modify at least a portion of the flight log book; and

a housing to house the display, GPS receiver, input device, and processor.

2. The device of claim 1, further including a memory coupled with the processor and operable to store data corresponding to the flight log book maintained by the processor.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the processor is operable to utilize the user input to delete a portion of the flight log book stored within the memory.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the processor is operable to utilize the user input to edit a portion of the flight log book stored within the memory.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is portable and handheld.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further operable to control the display to graphically present flight information.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor and GPS receiver are integral.

8. The device of claim 1, further including a transceiver operable to wirelessly transmit data corresponding to the flight log book to an electronic device external to the housing.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is operable to commence a flight log record upon a first event and end a flight log record upon a second event.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein commencing the flight log record includes recording a present location in the flight log book as a departure location.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein ending the flight log record includes recording a present location in the flight log book as an arrival location.

12. An avionics device, comprising:

a display;

a memory;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver operable to resolve a location of the device;

an input device operable to be functioned by a pilot to provide a user input;

a processor coupled with the display, GPS receiver, memory, and input device, the processor operable to—

automatically maintain a flight log book utilizing the location determined by the GPS receiver,

store data corresponding to the flight log book in the memory,

control the display to present a visual indication of the flight log book to the pilot, and

utilize the user input to modify at least a portion of the flight log book and store data corresponding to the modified flight log book in the memory; and

a portable and handheld housing to house the display, GPS receiver, memory, input device, and processor.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the processor is operable to utilize the user input to delete a portion of the flight log book stored within the memory.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the processor is operable to utilize the user input to edit a portion of the flight log book stored within the memory.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the processor is further operable to control the display to graphically present flight information.

16. The device of claim 12, further including a transceiver operable to wirelessly transmit data corresponding to the flight log book to an electronic device external to the housing.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the processor is operable to commence a flight log record upon a first event and end a flight log record upon a second event.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein commencing the flight log record includes recording a present location in the flight log book as a departure location.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein ending the flight log record includes recording a present location in the flight log book as an arrival location.