System and method for rendering an aircraft cockpit display for use with an in-trail procedure (ITP)

• US 8,554,394 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2012
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Shamasundar, Raghu
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheung, Mary
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, YUEN H
• Application Number:
  US13/407,475
• Publication Number:
  US 20130226376A1
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 701/14, 701/4
• US Class Current: 701/14
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0052 for cruising combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value G01C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0078 for monitoring traffic from the aircraft radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91

Abstract

A method for rendering symbology on a cockpit display of a host aircraft, relating to a proposed ITP transition, is provided. The method comprises analyzing data to predict an ITP transition that is possible and economical, rendering on the display symbology textually representative of the possible ITP transition, and rendering on the display symbology textually representative of the time before which the ITP transition is possible.

Claims

1. A method for rendering on a cockpit display of a host aircraft, symbology relating to a proposed ITP transition, the method comprising:

analyzing data to predict a plurality of ITP transitions that are possible and economical;

rendering simultaneously on the display symbology that is textually representative of each possible ITP transition;

rendering on the display symbology textually that is representative of a time while each possible ITP transition is possible.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising analyzing at least one category of data selected from the group consisting of fuel consumption data, performance data, and wind modeling data to predict at least one possible ITP transition.

3. A method according to claim 2 further comprising analyzing flight plan data to predict at least one possible ITP transition.

4. A method according to claim 3 further comprising analyzing traffic data to predict at least one possible ITP transition.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the symbology that is textually representative of one or both of each possible ITP transition and the time while each possible ITP transition is possible changes color as the time remaining during which each ITP transition is possible and economical shortens.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the time is expressed as Greenwich Mean Time.

7. A method according to claim 1 further comprising determining if an ITP transaction is not possible for a specific flight level and rendering symbology textually representative of such on the cockpit display.

8. A method according to claim 1 further comprising determining if an ITP transition is not economical for a specific flight level and rendering symbology textually representative of such on the cockpit display.

9. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

rendering symbology on the cockpit display visually representative of a selection field associated with each possible IPT transition.

10. A method according to claim 9 further comprising selecting on the cockpit display one of the selection fields and in response thereto, auto fill an air traffic control request for approval.

11. A method according to claim 10 further comprising:

rendering symbology on the cockpit display visually representing an updated status upon approval of the air traffic control request.

12. An aircraft display system comprising:

a cockpit display; and

a processor coupled to the cockpit display, the processor configured to (1) analyze data to predict a plurality of IPT transitions that are possible and economical, (2) generate symbology for rendering each of the plurality of the IPT transitions simultaneously on the cockpit display, and (3) rendering on the cockpit display symbology textually representative of the time before which each of the plurality of the ITP transitions are possible.

13. An aircraft display system according to claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to determine if an ITP transition is not possible for a specific flight level and render symbology textually representative of such on the cockpit display.

14. An aircraft display system according to claim 12 where the processor is further configured to determine if an ITP transition is not economical for a specific flight level and rendering symbology textually representative of such on the cockpit display.

15. An aircraft display system according to claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to select a possible ITP transition and autofill and transmit an air traffic control request for approval of the ITP transition.

16. A method for executing an ITP transition, the method comprising:

analyzing data to predict a plurality of ITP transitions that are possible and results in reduced fuel consumption;

simultaneously rendering on a cockpit display symbology textually representative of the plurality of predicted ITP transitions;

rendering on the cockpit display symbology that is textually representative of a time before which each of the plurality of ITP transition may be executed; and

selecting, on the display, one of the plurality of predicted ITP executions.

17. A method according to claim 16 further comprising:

populating an ATC approval request in response to selecting the predicted ITP execution; and

transmitting the approval request to ATC.

18. A method according to claim 17 further comprising:

rendering symbology on the cockpit display visually, representative of the status of the ATC request.