Apparatuses and methods for displaying and receiving tactical and strategic flight guidance information

• US 8,121,745 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2011
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Boorman, Daniel J., Griffin, John C. III, Gunn, Peter D., Mumaw, Randall J.
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US13/082,093
• Publication Number:
  US 20110224848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 320 Days
• Field of Search: 701/3, 701/4, 701/8, 701/13, 701/14, 701/16, 701/15, 244/75.1, 244/118.5, 340/945, 340/980
• US Class Current: 701/3
• 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: 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

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for displaying and receiving tactical and strategic flight guidance information are disclosed. A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes displaying at least one first indicator to an operator of the aircraft, with a first indicator corresponding to a first instruction input by the operator for directing a first aircraft behavior and implemented upon receiving an activation instruction from the operator. At least one second indicator corresponding to a second instruction for directing a second aircraft behavior at least proximately the same as the first aircraft behavior is displayed, with the at least one second instruction to be automatically implemented at a future time. The at least one second indicator is at least approximately the same as the at least one first indicator. Indicators can be hierarchically organized to simplify presentation and reduce pilot training time.

Claims

1. A computer-readable storage medium containing instructions executable by a processor for controlling an aircraft system by a method comprising:

receiving an indication of an altitude clearance limit for an aircraft;

displaying the indication of the altitude clearance limit at a display portion of the aircraft;

receiving an instruction from an operator to cease displaying the indication of the altitude clearance limit for the aircraft;

ceasing to display the clearance limit; and

controlling the aircraft to a pre-programmed altitude.

2. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises receiving the indication of a clearance limit directly from air traffic control.

3. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1 wherein the method further comprises receiving the indication of a clearance limit from an operator in communication with air traffic control.

4. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the altitude clearance limit is displayed during linked operation, and wherein during linked operation, the altitude clearance limit is incorporated into a flight plan of the aircraft for automatic execution at a future time.

5. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 4, the method further comprising deleting the altitude clearance limit in response to the aircraft changing to unlinked operation, and wherein during unlinked operation instructions controlling the aircraft are directly implemented in response to an operator request.

6. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises automatically leveling the aircraft at the altitude clearance limit.

7. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing a visual indicator to indicate to an operator whether the altitude clearance limit is active or inactive.

8. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 1, wherein the altitude clearance limit is incorporated into a leg of a flight plan of the aircraft and wherein the method further comprises displaying a visual indication that one or more other legs of the flight plan are not cleared.

9. A method for controlling an aircraft system, comprising:

receiving an indication of an altitude clearance limit for an aircraft;

displaying the indication of the altitude clearance limit at a display portion of the aircraft;

automatically controlling the aircraft to level off at the altitude clearance limit;

receiving an instruction from an operator to cease displaying the indication of the altitude clearance limit for the aircraft;

ceasing to display the clearance limit; and

controlling the aircraft to a pre-programmed altitude, wherein the pre-programmed altitude is provided during linked operation by a predetermined flight plan containing one or more strategic instructions for automatically controlling the aircraft.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the aircraft includes a computer having an least one input device to receive the instruction.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a visual indicator to indicate to an operator whether the altitude clearance limit is active or inactive.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the altitude clearance limit is incorporated into a leg of a flight plan of the aircraft and wherein the method further comprises displaying a visual indication that one or more other legs of the flight plan are not cleared.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the altitude clearance limit is incorporated into a leg of a flight plan of the aircraft and wherein the method further comprises displaying an indication of the altitude clearance limit on a display in association with the leg of the flight plan.

14. A system for controlling an aircraft, comprising:

an input device configured to receive instructions from an operator of the aircraft;

a display device;

a memory; and

a processor coupled among the input device, the display device, the memory,

wherein the processor is configured to;

receive an indication of an altitude clearance limit from the input device;

direct the display device to display the indication of the altitude clearance limit;

receive an instruction from the operator through the input device to cease displaying the indication of the altitude clearance limit for the aircraft;

direct the display device to cease display of the clearance limit; and

control the aircraft to a pre-programmed altitude.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the altitude clearance limit is displayed during linked operation, and wherein during linked operation, the altitude clearance limit is incorporated into a flight plan of the aircraft for automatic execution at a future time.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to delete the altitude clearance limit in response to the aircraft changing to unlinked operation, and wherein during unlinked operation instructions controlling the aircraft are directly implemented in response to an operator request.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the altitude clearance limit is incorporated into a leg of a flight plan of the aircraft and wherein the processor is further configured to direct the display device to display a visual indication that one or more other legs of the flight plan are not cleared.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the altitude clearance limit is incorporated into a leg of a flight plan of the aircraft and wherein the processor is further configured to cause the display device to display an indication of the altitude clearance limit in association with the leg of the flight plan.