Automated aerodrome lighting control system

• US 8,681,020 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2011
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Mathew, Sabu, Ambika, Nithin, Peter, Wesley, Balasa, Swetha, Veerabhadraiah, Shashidhara
• Primary Examiner(s): La, Anh V
• Application Number:
  US13/316,142
• Publication Number:
  US 20130147641A1
• Time in Patent Office: 837 Days
• Field of Search: 340/948, 340/947, 340/953, 340/980, 340/972, 340/642, 340/931, 340/933, 315/130, 244/114.R, 701/16, 434/42
• US Class Current: 340/948
• CPC Class Codes: B64F 1/18 Visual or acoustic landing aids taxiing aids B64F1/002
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0026 located on the ground

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for automated control of aerodrome lighting. An exemplary system includes a communication radio, an aerodrome lighting data source, and a processor. The communication radio is configured to selectively transmit radio frequency (RF) signals. The aerodrome lighting data source is configured to at least selectively supply aerodrome lighting data representative of light control characteristics of aerodrome lighting associated with individual aerodromes. The processor is in operable communication with the aerodrome lighting data source and the communication radio, and is configured to selectively retrieve, from the aerodrome lighting data source, aerodrome lighting data associated with an individual aerodrome, and selectively command the communication radio to transmit RF signals consistent with the light control characteristics associated with the individual aerodrome.

Claims

1. An automated aerodrome lighting control system, comprising:

a communication radio configured to selectively transmit radio frequency (RF) signals;

an aerodrome lighting data source configured to at least selectively supply aerodrome lighting data representative of light control characteristics of aerodrome lighting associated with individual aerodromes;

a processor in operable communication with the aerodrome lighting data source and the communication radio, the processor configured to;

selectively retrieve, from the aerodrome lighting data source, aerodrome lighting data associated with an individual aerodrome, and

selectively command the communication radio to transmit RF signals consistent with the light control characteristics associated with the individual aerodrome.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an emulator in operable communication with the processor and the communication radio, the emulator configured to generate an emulated audio frequency signal and supply the emulated audio frequency signal to the communication radio.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

the processor is further configured to supply an emulator command to the emulator; and

the emulator is responsive to the emulator command to generate the emulated audio frequency.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein:

the communication radio includes a user-operated radio microphone, the radio microphone having a transmit switch that, when operated, at least generates a microphone click signal; and

the emulated audio signal is an emulated microphone click signal.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to command the communication radio to retransmit the RF signals consistent with the light control characteristics associated with the individual aerodrome when a predetermined time period has lapsed.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein:

the system is at least partially disposed within an aircraft;

the processor is adapted to receive a signal indicating that the aircraft has landed; and

the processor is further configured to command the communication radio to retransmit the RF signals consistent with the light control characteristics associated with the individual aerodrome when (i) the predetermined time period has lapsed and (ii) the processor receives the signal indicating that aircraft has landed.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to:

start a timer at least commensurate with commanding the communication radio; and

determine when the predetermined time period has lapsed using the timer.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the light control characteristics include a transmission frequency and a lighting system type.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a display device having a display, the display device configured to receive image rendering display commands and configured, upon receipt thereof, to selectively render one or more images on the display,

wherein the processor is in operable communication with the display device and is further configured to selectively supply image rendering display commands to the display device that cause the display device to render, on the display, information associated with controllable aerodrome lighting.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the display device comprises a touchscreen display.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the information associated with controllable aerodrome lighting comprises a user interface that includes selectable options associated with the controllable aerodrome lighting.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the options associated with the controllable aerodrome lighting include relative light intensity.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the options associated with the controllable aerodrome lighting include a dialog box that queries an operator as to whether the controllable aerodrome lighting is illuminated.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the information associated with controllable aerodrome lighting comprises aerodrome lighting status information.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the aerodrome lighting status information includes one or more of:

an indication that the radio was commanded to transmit the RF signals;

time remaining before the controllable aerodrome lighting will automatically extinguish; and

a frequency at which the radio transmitted the RF signals.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to selectively supply image rendering display commands to the display device that causes the display device to render, on the display, a user interface that includes one or more interactive fields to selectively activate the processor to, and inactivate the processor from, at least commanding the communication radio to transmit RF signals.

17. The system of claim 9, wherein:

the processor is further adapted to receive flight plan data, the flight plan data including at least data representative of a destination airport having an aerodrome on which to land an aircraft; and

the processor is further configured to automatically command the communication radio to transmit the RF signals consistent with the light control characteristics associated with the aerodrome on which the aircraft may land when at least one predetermined criterion is met.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the at least one predetermined criterion includes one of:

the aircraft being within a selected range of the destination airport;

the aircraft being within a selected amount of time before reaching the destination airport; and

the aircraft being within a selected airspace region.

19. The system of claim 9, wherein:

the processor is further adapted to receive flight plan data, the flight plan data including at least data representative of a destination airport having an aerodrome on which to land an aircraft; and

the processor is further configured to command the display device to render, on the display, a user interface when at least one predetermined criterion is met, the user interface including one or more interactive fields to selectively activate the processor to, and inactivate the processor from, at least commanding the communication radio to transmit the RF signals consistent with the light control characteristics associated with the aerodrome on which the aircraft may land.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one predetermined criterion includes one of:

the aircraft being within a selected range of the destination airport;

the aircraft being within a selected amount of time before reaching the destination airport; and

the aircraft being within a selected airspace region.