System and method for aiding pilots in resolving flight ID confusion

• US 8,681,040 B1
• Filed: 01/22/2007
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Rathinam, Sethu R., Rand, Timothy W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory, Bernarr
• Application Number:
  US11/656,092
• Time in Patent Office: 2,619 Days
• Field of Search: 342 29- 51, 342/175, 342/195, 342/52, 342/57, 342/58, 342/60, 342450-465, 701/1, 701 3- 18, 701120-122, 701/300, 701/301, 702/1, 702/57, 702/66, 702 75- 78, 235/375, 235/384, 455/39, 455/66.1, 704/200, 704/270, 704/275, 340/945, 340/960, 340/971
• US Class Current: 342/37
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/781 Secondary Surveillance Radar [SSR] in general
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0008 with other aircraft

Abstract

The present invention is a method for aiding pilots in resolving flight identifier (flight ID) confusion. The method includes receiving a first flight ID in a processing system. The method further includes comparing the first flight ID to a second flight ID. The method further includes providing an alert when the compared first flight ID and second flight ID are at least substantially similar. The first flight ID is associated with a first aircraft, the second flight ID is associated with a second aircraft, the first aircraft and second aircraft being located in substantially proximal airspace.

Claims

1. A method for aiding a pilot in resolving flight identifier (flight ID) confusion, comprising:

receiving a first flight ID in an onboard processor, the onboard processor located on a first aircraft;

comparing, within the onboard processor, the first flight ID to a second flight ID, said second flight ID being stored in an onboard memory, the onboard memory associated with the onboard processor, the onboard memory located on the first aircraft; and

providing an alert to the pilot of the first aircraft with an onboard alerting device when the compared first flight ID and second flight ID meet a pre-determined similarity threshold, the alert provided without a ground-based signal;

wherein the first flight ID is associated with a second aircraft, the second flight ID is associated with one of;

the first aircraft and a third aircraft, the first, second and third aircraft being within a pre-defined proximity to each other.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

providing an audio alert and a visual alert to the pilot of the first aircraft with the onboard alerting device when the second flight ID is associated with the first aircraft.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor, memory and alerting device are part of a Traffic Alert a Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), the TCAS located on the first aircraft.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the Traffic Alert &

Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) includes an Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) functionality Traffic Computer located on the first aircraft.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor, memory and alerting device are part of a Configurable Integrated Surveillance System (CISS) located on the first aircraft.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor, memory and alerting device are part of an Integrated Surveillance System (ISS) located on the first aircraft.

7. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor, memory and alerting device are part of a Traffic Surveillance System (TSS) located on the first aircraft.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium onboard a first aircraft, the non-transitory computer readable medium having non-transitory computer-executable instructions executable by an onboard processor or a computer device, the computer-executable instructions comprise:

receiving data onboard the first aircraft, the data including;

information associated with a first flight ID, information associated with a second flight ID, and information associated with the first aircraft ID, the information including at least flight ID information and position information, the data received without a ground based signal;

storing said data in an onboard storage device, the onboard storage device in data communication with the onboard processor or computer device;

comparing the information associated with the first flight ID to at least one of;

the information associated with the second flight ID and the information associated with the first aircraft ID, and

providing an alert to the pilot of the first aircraft when the comparing meets a predetermined similarity threshold and a pre-defined proximity threshold.

9. The non-transitory computer readable medium onboard the first aircraft of claim 8, wherein the non-transitory computer-executable instructions for providing an alert further comprises:

comparing the information associated with the first aircraft ID with at least one of the information associated with the first flight ID and the information associated with the second flight ID; and

providing an audio alert and a visual alert to the pilot of the first aircraft on an alerting device onboard the first aircraft operatively connected to the computer device or processor, when the comparing meets the predetermined similarity threshold and the predefined proximity threshold.

10. A system for aiding a pilot of a first aircraft in resolving flight identifier (flight ID) confusion, comprising:

a memory, the memory located onboard the first aircraft;

a processor located onboard the first aircraft configured for being communicatively coupled to the memory, the processor being configured for receiving a first flight ID, the processor further being configured for comparing the first flight ID to a second flight ID, the second flight ID being at least one of;

received by the processor and stored in the memory of the system; and

an alerting device located onboard the first aircraft, the alerting device configured for being communicatively coupled with the processor, the alerting device configured for providing an alert to the pilot of the first aircraft when the compared first flight ID and second flight ID meet a predetermined similarity threshold,

wherein the first flight ID is associated with a second aircraft, the second flight ID is associated with at least one of;

the first aircraft and a third aircraft, the first, second and third aircraft being located within a pre-defined proximity to each other.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the alerting device is configured for providing an audio alert and a visual alert when one of the first flight ID and the second flight ID is associated with ownship.

12. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the alerting device is at least one of an air traffic display and an alert display.

13. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the alerting device is a Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI) display, the CDTI located on the first aircraft.

14. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the alerting device is an Integrated Multi-Function Display (iMFD) located on the first aircraft.

15. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the alerting device is an Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System (EICAS) display located on the first aircraft.

16. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the alerting device is an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) display located on the first aircraft.