OBSTACLE DETERMINATION AND DISPLAY SYSTEM
First Claim
1. An obstacle avoidance system operable to detect and display obstacles in proximity to an aircraft, the obstacle avoidance system comprising:
- a communications element operable to receive an obstacle indication from one or more proximity sensors associated with the aircraft,wherein the obstacle indication is associated with a reflected signal from an obstacle;
a processor operable to;
acquire a distance and a direction to the obstacle based upon the obstacle indication, anddetermine a threat level posed by the obstacle; and
a display operable to display;
an ownship icon indicative of the aircraft, andan obstacle graphic indicative of the distance and the direction to the obstacle, andwherein the obstacle graphic presents a threat indication based upon the threat level posed by the obstacle,wherein the processor is further operable to determine a relative altitude of the obstacle based upon the obstacle indication,wherein the obstacle graphic presents a relative altitude indication to show whether the obstacle is above or below the aircraft.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An obstacle avoidance system is provided to assist a pilot in avoiding obstacles. The obstacle avoidance system includes a set of proximity sensors and a pilot interface device. The set of proximity sensors detects nearby obstacles by emitting a signal and receiving a reflected signal from an obstacle. A processor receives an obstacle indication from the set of proximity sensors and detects the obstacle that is in proximity to the aircraft based at least in part on the reflected signal. The processor acquires a distance and a direction to the obstacle and calculates a threat level posed by the obstacle. The pilot interface device is operable to display the following: an ownship icon indicative of the aircraft, a velocity vector icon indicative of a velocity vector of the aircraft, and an obstacle graphic indicative of the distance, direction, and threat level of the obstacle.
20 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An obstacle avoidance system operable to detect and display obstacles in proximity to an aircraft, the obstacle avoidance system comprising:
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a communications element operable to receive an obstacle indication from one or more proximity sensors associated with the aircraft, wherein the obstacle indication is associated with a reflected signal from an obstacle; a processor operable to; acquire a distance and a direction to the obstacle based upon the obstacle indication, and determine a threat level posed by the obstacle; and a display operable to display; an ownship icon indicative of the aircraft, and an obstacle graphic indicative of the distance and the direction to the obstacle, and wherein the obstacle graphic presents a threat indication based upon the threat level posed by the obstacle, wherein the processor is further operable to determine a relative altitude of the obstacle based upon the obstacle indication, wherein the obstacle graphic presents a relative altitude indication to show whether the obstacle is above or below the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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3. (canceled)
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10. An obstacle avoidance system operable to detect and display obstacles in proximity to an aircraft, the obstacle avoidance system comprising:
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a set of proximity sensors associated with the aircraft, wherein the set of proximity sensors is operable to emit a signal and receive a reflected signal from an obstacle; a processor operable to; receive an obstacle indication from the set of proximity sensors and detect the obstacle that is in proximity to the aircraft based at least in part on the reflected signal, determine a distance and a direction to the obstacle, and calculate a threat level posed by the obstacle; and a pilot interface device operable to display; an ownship icon indicative of the aircraft, and an obstacle graphic indicative of the distance and the direction to the obstacle, wherein the obstacle graphic presents information indicative of an altitude of a target destination. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16-20. -20. (canceled)
Specification