System and method for performing 4-dimensional navigation

• US 20070100538A1
• Filed: 10/31/2005
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Wilson, Blake, Wise, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,623,960 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/200
• 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 for a vehicle, comprising:

a processing unit;

means for receiving navigation information, coupled to said processing unit;

a data storage unit coupled to said processing unit; and

a display unit coupled to said processing unit, said processing unit operable to;

determine a current location of said vehicle;

retrieve from said data storage unit at least one predetermined location of a plurality of predetermined locations;

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;

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;

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

if said range of estimated arrival times includes said predetermined time of arrival, display an indicator representing a capability of said vehicle to arrive at said at least one predetermined location at said predetermined time of arrival.

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, said data storage unit, and said display unit are located onboard an aircraft.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said indicator includes a first symbol associated with a current speed of said vehicle, and a second symbol associated with said range of estimated arrival times.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said indicator includes a first symbol associated with a current speed of said vehicle, a second symbol associated with a slower speed of said vehicle, and a third symbol associated with a faster speed of said vehicle.

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

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said display unit comprises at least one of a heads-up display and a heads-down display.

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

10. 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.

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

means for receiving navigation information;

means for determining a current location 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, if said range of estimated arrival times includes said predetermined time of arrival.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

means for displaying 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.

13. A method for performing 4-dimensional navigation for a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

receiving navigation information for said vehicle;

determining a current location of said vehicle;

retrieving at least one predetermined location of a plurality of predetermined locations;

estimating, 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;

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;

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

if said range of estimated arrival times includes said predetermined time of arrival, displaying an indicator representing a capability of said vehicle to arrive at said at least one predetermined location at said predetermined time of arrival.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said vehicle is an aircraft.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said vehicle is at least one of a ship, submarine, train, bus, truck and automobile.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the displaying step comprises the steps of:

displaying a first symbol associated with a current speed of said vehicle; and

displaying a second symbol associated with said range of estimated arrival times.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the displaying step comprises the steps of:

displaying a first symbol associated with a current speed of said vehicle;

displaying a second symbol associated with a slower speed of said vehicle; and

displaying a third symbol associated with a faster speed of said vehicle.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

displaying 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.

19. 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 an indicator representing a capability 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 includes said predetermined time of arrival.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, 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, if said range of estimated arrival times does not include said predetermined time of arrival.