Method of producing graphically enhanced data communications

• US 8,335,988 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2007
• Issued: 12/18/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Fahy, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHUONG, TRUC T
• Application Number:
  US11/866,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20090089693A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,904 Days
• Field of Search: 715/764, 715/747, 715/771
• US Class Current: 715/753
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/063 Content adaptation, e.g. replacement of unsuitable content

Abstract

A method of producing graphically enhanced data communications. The method comprises receiving a datalink text message, parsing the datalink text message into message components, and identifying the message components capable of graphical enhancement by using rules for applying graphical enhancements. The method further comprises retrieving appropriate graphic components from a graphics library corresponding to the identified message components using the rules for applying graphical enhancements, and assembling the graphic components into a composite graphic presentation using rules for assembling graphics. The datalink text message is then combined with the composite graphic presentation for display.

Claims

1. A method of producing graphically enhanced data communications from an aircraft or an air traffic control center, the method comprising:

receiving a text message comprising a controller pilot data link communication (CPDLC) text message, a data link initiation capability text message, an automatic dependent surveillance text message, an airline operational communications text message, or an aeronautical administration communication text message;

parsing the text message into message components;

identifying the message components capable of graphical enhancement by using rules for applying graphical enhancements;

retrieving appropriate graphic components from a graphics library corresponding to the identified message components using the rules for applying graphical enhancements, the graphic components comprising representations of aircraft navigational instructions;

assembling the graphic components into a composite graphic presentation using rules for assembling graphics; and

combining the text message with the composite graphic presentation for display.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the text message is an air-to-ground or ground-to-air text message.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the text message is received by an aircraft or a ground facility.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the rules for applying graphical enhancements are predefined.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the rules for applying graphical enhancements are user defined.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphics library is a predefined graphics library.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the graphics library is a user defined graphics library.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the rules for assembling graphics are predefined.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the rules for assembling graphics are user defined.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the combined text message and composite graphic presentation are viewable on a display system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the display system is implemented as part of an aircraft cockpit, an air traffic control center, or an airline facility.

12. A computer having instructions stored therein for a method of producing graphically enhanced data communications according to claim 1.

13. The computer of claim 12, wherein the computer comprises a flight communication management unit, a flight management computer, or an air traffic control computer.

14. The computer of claim 12, wherein the text message is an air-to-ground or ground-to-air text message.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon for a method of producing graphically enhanced data communications from an aircraft or an air traffic control center, the method comprising:

receiving a text message comprising a controller pilot data link communication (CPDLC) text message, a data link initiation capability text message, an automatic dependent surveillance text message, an airline operational communications text message, or an aeronautical administration communication text message;

parsing the text message into message components;

identifying the message components capable of graphical enhancement by using rules for applying graphical enhancements;

retrieving appropriate graphic components from a graphics library corresponding to the identified message components using the rules for applying graphical enhancements, the graphic components comprising representations of aircraft navigational instructions;

assembling the graphic components into a composite graphic presentation using rules for assembling graphics; and

combining the text message with the composite graphic presentation for display.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the text message is an air-to-ground or ground-to-air text message.

17. A system for producing graphically enhanced data communications from an aircraft or an air traffic control center, the system comprising:

a processor; and

at least one computer readable medium operatively coupled to the processor, the computer readable medium having instructions executable by the processor to perform a method comprising;

receiving a text message comprising a controller pilot data link communication (CPDLC) text message, a data link initiation capability text message, an automatic dependent surveillance text message, an airline operational communications text message, or an aeronautical administration communication text message;

parsing the text message into message components;

identifying the message components capable of graphical enhancement by using rules for applying graphical enhancements;

retrieving appropriate graphic components from a graphics library corresponding to the identified message components using the rules for applying graphical enhancements, the graphic components comprising representations of aircraft navigational instructions;

assembling the graphic components into a composite graphic presentation using rules for assembling graphics; and

combining the text message with the composite graphic presentation for display.