System and method for performing 4-dimensional navigation

• US 7,623,960 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2005
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Wilson, Blake W., Wise, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black; Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chen; Shelley
• Application Number:
  US11/264,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20070100538A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,485 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200
• US Class Current: 701/204
• 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: G05D 1/106 Change initiated in response to external conditions, e.g. avoidance of elevated terrain or of no-fly zones
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0034 Assembly of a flight plan

Abstract

A system and method are disclosed for computing a vehicle'"'"'s motion in four dimensions (e.g., three spatial dimensions and time) and reliably predicting the vehicle'"'"'s arrival time at a predetermined location, by providing a graphical display to an operator of the vehicle'"'"'s progress that enables the operator to adjust the vehicle'"'"'s movement and achieve the desired arrival time. Specifically, a system and method are disclosed for computing the movement of an aircraft in four dimensions, predicting its arrival time at a predetermined waypoint, and displaying (in a highly intuitive format) the aircraft'"'"'s progress in achieving that desired arrival time. The pilot can then adjust the movement (e.g., speed) of the aircraft in accordance with the parameter(s) displayed, in order to achieve the desired arrival time. Thus, for example, numerous aircraft could be scheduled to arrive at a specific final approach waypoint at a predetermined rate (e.g., one aircraft per minute), which would enable the traffic controllers to optimize runway traffic without having to stack the aircraft in holding patterns and thereby waste fuel. Notably, although an example of an aircraft navigation and control system and method is disclosed, the system and method can be implemented for any type of vehicle (e.g., aircraft, spacecraft, ship, submarine, bus, train, automobile, etc.) whose operator desires to reach a particular location at a specified time.

Claims

1. A system for performing 4-dimensional navigation within a vehicle, comprising:

means for receiving navigation information;

a processing unit coupled to the means for receiving navigational information, said processing unit operable to;

estimate a range of arrival times to at least one predetermined location from said navigation information,

compare the range of estimated arrival times for said at least one predetermined location with a predetermined time of arrival associated with said at least one predetermined location, and

determine if said range of estimated arrival times includes said predetermined time of arrival;

generate display control signals that include signals delimiting said range of estimated arrival times and signals delimiting a current speed; and

a display unit coupled to receive the display control signals from said processing unit, said display unit including an electronic display and being responsive to said display control signals that also render said range of estimated arrival times at a specific position on said electronic display and render said current speed indicator on said display such that the position of the speed indicator on the display conditionally moves within and relative to the position of said range of estimated arrival times on the display.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle is an aircraft.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said vehicle is at least one of a ship, submarine, train, bus, truck and automobile.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said processing unit, said means for receiving navigation information and said display unit are located onboard an aircraft.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said range of estimated arrival times is measured in absolute time.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said predetermined time of arrival comprises a Required Time of Arrival.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said range of estimated arrival times is measured in relative time.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for receiving navigation information comprises a flight management system.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said processing unit is further operable to:

display an indicator representing an inability of said vehicle to arrive at said at least one predetermined location at said predetermined time of arrival, if said range of estimated arrival times does not include said predetermined time of arrival.

10. A system for performing 4-dimensional navigation within a vehicle, comprising:

means for receiving navigation information;

means for determining a current location and a current speed of said vehicle;

means for retrieving data associated with at least one predetermined location of a plurality of predetermined locations;

means for estimating, for said vehicle, a range of arrival times for said at least one predetermined location;

means for comparing said range of estimated arrival times for said at least one predetermined location with a predetermined time of arrival associated with said at least one predetermined location;

means for determining if said range of estimated arrival times includes said predetermined time of arrival; and

means for displaying an indicator representing a capability of said vehicle to arrive at said at least one predetermined location at said predetermined time of arrival said indicator including a symbol representing said range of estimated arrival times of said vehicle and a symbol representing said current speed of said vehicle wherein the position of said speed symbol within the indicator on the means for displaying moves relative to the position of said range of estimated arrival times within the indicator on the means for displaying.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

means for displaying an alarm representing an inability of said vehicle to arrive at said at least one predetermined location at said predetermined time of arrival, if said range of estimated arrival times does not include said predetermined time of arrival.

12. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-usable medium having computer-readable code embodied therein for configuring a computer processor, the computer program product comprising;

a first executable computer-readable code configured to cause a computer processor to receive navigation information for a vehicle;

a second executable computer-readable code configured to cause a computer processor to determine a current location of said vehicle;

a third executable computer-readable code configured to cause a computer processor to retrieve at least one predetermined location of a plurality of predetermined locations;

a fourth executable computer-readable code configured to cause a computer processor to estimate, for said vehicle, a range of arrival times for said at least one predetermined location, said range of arrival times associated with a minimum value of said navigation information and a maximum value of said navigation information;

a fifth executable computer-readable code configured to cause a computer processor to compare said range of estimated arrival times for said at least one predetermined location with a predetermined time of arrival associated with said at least one predetermined location;

a sixth executable computer-readable code configured to cause a computer processor to determine if said range of estimated arrival times includes said predetermined time of arrival; and

a seventh executable computer-readable code configured to cause a computer processor to display within an electronic display an indicator array representing a capability of said vehicle to arrive at said at least one predetermined location at said predetermined time of arrival, wherein said indicator array provides a speed indicator and provides a second indicator displaying said range of estimated arrival times, wherein further the position of said speed indicator on the electronic display moves relative to the position of said second indicator on the display.

13. The computer program product of claim 12, further comprising:

an eighth executable computer-readable code configured to cause a computer processor to display an indicator representing an inability of said vehicle to arrive at said at least one predetermined location at said predetermined time of arrival.