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CA2151788A1 - Flight visualisation system - Google Patents

Flight visualisation system

Info

Publication number
CA2151788A1
CA2151788A1 CA002151788A CA2151788A CA2151788A1 CA 2151788 A1 CA2151788 A1 CA 2151788A1 CA 002151788 A CA002151788 A CA 002151788A CA 2151788 A CA2151788 A CA 2151788A CA 2151788 A1 CA2151788 A1 CA 2151788A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
plane
flight
microprocessor
present
tunnel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002151788A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Julius Drew
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA002151788A priority Critical patent/CA2151788A1/en
Publication of CA2151788A1 publication Critical patent/CA2151788A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G08SIGNALLING
    • G08GTRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
    • G08G1/00Traffic control systems for road vehicles
    • G08G1/123Traffic control systems for road vehicles indicating the position of vehicles, e.g. scheduled vehicles; Managing passenger vehicles circulating according to a fixed timetable, e.g. buses, trains, trams
    • G08G1/133Traffic control systems for road vehicles indicating the position of vehicles, e.g. scheduled vehicles; Managing passenger vehicles circulating according to a fixed timetable, e.g. buses, trains, trams within the vehicle ; Indicators inside the vehicles or at stops
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01CMEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C23/00Combined 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
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01CMEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C23/00Combined 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
    • G01C23/005Flight directors

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Navigation (AREA)

Abstract

A flight visualisation system for facilitating the navigation of an aircraft comprising visual display means, a microprocessor connected to the visual display means, data storage means for storing projected flight path data, means for inputting real time data into the microprocessor, means for generating an image of the projected flight path as a tube, tunnel or the like on the visual display means and means for generating an image on the visual display means showing the position of the plane in relation to the tube, tunnel or the like.

Description

21~17~

FLIGHT VISUALISATION SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a flight visualisation system and more particularly to such a system for use in general aviation.
s Flying an aircraft has become so complicated that many who begin the process of learning to fly grow discouraged and quit before they finish. Although currently existing instruments perform well individually, a lot of skills and training are required before a pilot can integrate all the data provided by these instruments. This is particularly true at the time oftake offand 10 landing which are the busiest times in the cockpit. Even in a normal VFR flight, the pilot must consult at least the following instruments: the compass, the altimeter, the vertical speed indicator, the air speed indicator.

It is a tedious process, the pilot must:
--look at each separate instrument;
--evaluate what it is telling him (her);
--integrate all the data;
--create a mental image of the plane's astral position in space in relation to the desired position.

Accordingly, it is an object to of the present invention to facilitate the navigation of an aircraft and more particularly, during the landing approach and the take offthereof. With current instruments, the pilot has to constantly monitor the speed, the angle of descend or 25 climb, the direction as well as m~int~in a proper lateral inclination.

This invention will allow all pilots, whether they are VFR or IFR, to concentrate more on flying and less on the interpretation of instruments.

The system envisaged by this invention may, for example, comprise a micro-computer system including a display screen and is electrically attached or connected, for example, to currently existing instruments including an altimeter, a compass, an instrument landing system with marker beacons, a ground positioning system, a horizon indicator, a speed S indicator (air speed and/or ground speed), yaw indicator, pitch indicator, and the like.

Thus, the present invention in, a general aspect, provided a flight vis~ tion system for use .
ln a plane, compr1smg:

a. visual display means;
b. a microprocessor connected to said visual display means;
c. data storage means connected to said microprocessor;
d. means to input the projected flight path data in said data storage means for storage therein;
e. means to generate an image of a selected portion of said projected flight path in the form of an elongated tube, tunnel, or the like on said visual display means;f. means to input data representing the plane's present direction into said microprocessor;
g. means to input data representing the plane's present altitude into said microprocessor;
h. means to input data representing the plane's present ground position into said mlcroprocessor;
i. means to input data representing the plane's present longitudinal inclination into said microprocessor;
2~ j. means to input data representing the plane's present lateral inclination into said microprocessor;
k. means to generate an image on the visual display means showing the present position in space and present bearing of the plane in relation to said tunnel.

21~178~

In the flight visualisation system of the present invention, the image representing the present position and bearing of the plane may be integrated into a single image representing the tunnel as seen from the cockpit ofthe plane. This may be an outside view ofthe tunnel if the place is off course but pointing in the direction of the tunnel, a blank screen if the plane is S headed away from the tunnel and the "inside" of the tunnel if the plane is on course.

In drawings which illustrate an example embodiment ofthe present invention:

Figure 1 is a representation of the image generated on the visual display when the plane is 10 perfectly centered on its projected flight path;

Figure 2 is a representation of the image generated on the visual display when the plane is outside (bottom left and in the wrong direction) its projected flight path;

15 Figure 3 is a representation of the image generated on the visual display when the plane is outside (top right and slightly tilted to the left) its projected flight path;

Figure 4 is a representation of the image generated on the visualisation display when the plane is slightly off (a little too high) its projected flight path;
Figure S is a representation of the image generated on the visualisation display when the plane is slightly off(a little to the left) its projected flight path;

Figure 6 is a representation of the image generated on the visualisation display when the 25 plane is slightly off(a little to the right and pointing a little to the left) its project flight path;

Figure 7 is a representation of the image generated on the vis~ tion display when the plane is slightly off (too high and to the right and pointing to the left and bottom) its projected flight path;

21517~

Figure 8 is a representation of the image generated on the visualisation display when the plane is slightly off (too the right and pointing to the right and top) its projected flight path;

Figure 9 is a representation of the image generated on the visualisation display when the 5 plane is slightly off(a little to the right, yanked or pulled to the right and pointing to the left) its projected flight path;

Figure 10 illustrates in block diagram form an example embodiment of a system inaccordance with the present invention;

Figure 11 illustrates in block diagram form an example embodiment as illustrated in figure 10 but including additional speed input means.

Referring to figure 10, the system includes a microprocessor 1; the microprocessor (eg. a 15 central processing unit--CPU) may form part of any suitable computer system such as a personal computer or a system built into the cockpit of a plane. The visual display means comprises a video interface means 2 and video display monitor 3. The video interface means 2 may comprise any suitable video card for a personal computer. The microprocessor 1 is connected to a suitable data storage means 4 such as for example a hard disk, a CD-ROM, 20 ROM, RAM and the like. The data storage means 4 is connected to a data input means 5 such as for an example a keyboard, a floppy disk reader, a tape reader or the like; the data input means 5 is used to input the projected flight data to said data storage means 4. The microprocessor means 1 is connected to a flight tunnel generation means 6 as well as to a "real" time spacial position and bearing generation means 7. The illustrated system also 25 includes the following real time input means: a direction input means 8 such as a compass;
an altitude input means 9 such as an altimeter; a ground position input means 10 such as G.P.S.; a longitudinal inclination input means 11; an lateral inclination input means 12 such as an horizon indicator. The flight tunnel generation means 6 using the data storage means 4 is configured such that the system generates an image on the video display monitor means 30 3 which reflects a pre-selected portion of the projected flight path in the form of the 215~7~

elongated tube, tunnel or the like; any suitable software can be used for this purpose. Ideally, the centre line of the tunnel corresponds to the centre line of the projected flight path while the outside "walls" or outline of the tunnel corresponds to the permissible deviation from the projected flight path.

The real time spacial position and bearing generation means 7 using the data generated by the input means 8 to 12 is configured such that the system generates an image on the video display monitor means 3 which reflects the present position in space and present bearing of the plane in relation to the abovementioned tube or tunnel, any suitable software can be used 10 for this purpose.

Referring to figure 11, the illustrated system is the same as that shown in figure 10 but includes a horizontal ground speed input means 13 and a vertical ground speed input means 14. The real time spacial position and bearing generation means 7 using the data generated 15 by the input means 8 to 14 is configured such that the system generates an image on the video display monitor means 3 which reflects the present position in space and present bearing of the plane in relation to the abovementioned tube or tunnel.

If desired, a system in accordance with the present invention may also include input means 20 15 for traffic control clearances and vectors; the input from means 15 would be added to that for example of input means 8 to 12, etc... (see figure 11).

Referring to figures 1 to 9, the final destination is represented by point 60 on the horizon.
A series of frames 50 comprising a left side 51, a top 52, a right side 53 and a bottom 54 are 25 programmed to move toward the edge of the display to simulate speed, the distance between each frame 50 and 50" representing a pre-selected distance. Additional lines 54' are used to represent the bottom portion of the tunnel. The bottom of the tunnel can also be identified by higher density of lines or a different colour. Several parallel tunnels may also be shown which may help for increasing traffic density or to inform the pilot of the existence of other 30 flight paths. The tunnels can be identified by numbers, colours or other means.

- 21~1788 Information relating to progress of aircraft along the corridor may be displayed in form of road signs, colour codes or others. Other flight information from traffic control may be displayed on the corridor walls or in the form of signs. The relative speed ofthe aircraft may be provided by the relative movement of parts ofthe grid pattern representing the tunnel. For 5 example, referring to figure 1, the horizontal and vertical lines may move across the monitor screen from the centre thereof outwards so as to give the impression of aircraft movement (ie. the faster these lines move the faster the plane is travelling and vice-versa).

As described above, the monitor screen may have displayed thereon, if desired, two or more 10 flight path tunnels so as to show the pilot when the plane is straying into the flight path of another aircraft; any such additional flight path tunnels would be generated from information stored in the data storage means 4.

This system will allow the pilot to intercept and m~int~in without difficulty the desired track 15 and altitude whether in cross country or airways, approach and landing as well as climb mode. Using the computer it will be possible to program the complete trip in three dimensions including airways and then with information from G.P.S. or V.O.R., I.N.S., or others execute the whole trip as if following the highway. Utilizing several will make it possible to increase the density of the air traffic.
Although the invention has been described using a particular embodiment, it should not be limited thereto. For example, the tunnel is represented as being square but could be round or have any other desired configuration. The tunnel and speed are represented by a series of lines but could also be represented by colours, patterns or the like. Similarly, the bottom of 25 the tunnel is indicated by additional transverse lines but could be represented by any other means.

Claims (9)

1. A flight visualisation system for use in a plane, comprising:
a. visual display means;
b. a microprocessor connected to said visual display means;
c. data storage means connected to said microprocessor;
d. means to input and store the projected flight path data in said data storage means;
e. means to generate an image of a selected portion of said projected flight path in the form of an elongated tube or tunnel on said visual display means;
f. means to input data representing the plane's present direction into said microprocessor;
g. means to input data representing the plane's present altitude into said microprocessor;
h. means to input data representing the plane's present ground position into said microprocessor;
i. means to input data representing the plane's present longitudinal inclination into said microprocessor;
j. means to input data representing the plane's present lateral inclination into said microprocessor;
k. means to generate an image on the visual display means showing the present position in space and present bearing of the plane in relation to said tunnel.
2. A flight visualisation system, as described in claim 1, further comprising:

a. means to input data representing the plane's present horizonal speed into the microprocessor;
b. means to input data representing the plane's present vertical speed into the microprocessor;
3. A flight visualisation system as described in claims 1 or 2 wherein the image of the present position and bearing of the plane is in the form of a graphical representation of the plane.
4. A flight visualisation system as described in claims 1 or 2 wherein the imagerepresenting the tunnel and the image representing the present position and bearing of the plane are integrated into a single image representing the tunnel as seen from the cockpit of the plane.
5. A flight visualisation system as described in claim 4 wherein said integrated image comprises first graphical means to represent the movement of the plane in relation to said tunnel.
6. A flight visualisation system as described in claim 5 wherein said integrated image further comprises second graphical means to represent the bottom portion of the tunnel.
7. A flight visualisation system as described in claims 5 or 6 wherein said first graphical means are in the form of moving lines.
8. A flight visualisation system as described in claim 6 wherein said second graphical means are in the form of additional lines.
9. A flight visualisation system as described in claims 5 and 6 wherein the images of multiple number or colour coded tunnels or corridors are shown to the pilot.
CA002151788A 1995-06-14 1995-06-14 Flight visualisation system Abandoned CA2151788A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002151788A CA2151788A1 (en) 1995-06-14 1995-06-14 Flight visualisation system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002151788A CA2151788A1 (en) 1995-06-14 1995-06-14 Flight visualisation system

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2151788A1 true CA2151788A1 (en) 1996-12-15

Family

ID=4156045

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA002151788A Abandoned CA2151788A1 (en) 1995-06-14 1995-06-14 Flight visualisation system

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2151788A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2299471C2 (en) * 2005-05-26 2007-05-20 Пензенский государственный университет (ПГУ) Flight visualization system
EP2202489A3 (en) * 2008-10-14 2014-03-26 Honeywell International, Inc. Avionics display system and method for generating three dimensional display including error-compensated airspace

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
RU2299471C2 (en) * 2005-05-26 2007-05-20 Пензенский государственный университет (ПГУ) Flight visualization system
EP2202489A3 (en) * 2008-10-14 2014-03-26 Honeywell International, Inc. Avionics display system and method for generating three dimensional display including error-compensated airspace
US8849477B2 (en) 2008-10-14 2014-09-30 Honeywell International Inc. Avionics display system and method for generating three dimensional display including error-compensated airspace

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FZDE Discontinued