US6501392B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aircraft weather information system
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 2001-07-17
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Granted: 2002-12-31
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Expires: 2021-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A system and method that downlinks weather data, generated by existing weather and data sensors, to a groundstation. The groundstation utilizes data from multiple aircraft to form refined weather information, and uplinks the refined weather information to the aircraft. The refined weather information is stored at the aircraft and picture generating equipment, such as an existing on-board ground proximity terrain picture and symbol generator, generates pictorial information depicting the weather information. The pictorial information is displayed, for example by an existing EFIS or weather radar display, in the form of polygons.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott Gremmert
- 👤 Kevin J Conner
- 👤 C. Don Bateman
- 👤 John Hruby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 00:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/95; G01S7/00; G01S7/003; G01W; G01W1/00; G01W1/10; G08; G08G; G08G5/00; G08G5/20; G08G5/21; G08G5/26; G08G5/30; G08G5/34; G08G5/50; G08G5/53; G08G5/55; G08G5/70; G08G5/76; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A90/00; Y02A90/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
An aircraft-based weather information sharing and display system comprising: at a ground station: reception equipment for receiving weather parameters from a plurality of weather-sensing sources; processing equipment for generating a refined weather information report, based on said received weather parameters, using data compression techniques to reduce the size of said weather information report; and transmission equipment for uplinking said refined data-compressed weather information report to a plurality of aircraft and at an aircraft: standard weather information gathering equipment for detecting local weather parameters characterizing a weather condition in the vicinity of the aircraft; transmission equipment for transmitting said local weather parameters to said ground station; reception equipment for receiving said refined data-compressed weather information report uplinked by said ground station; storage equipment for storing received said weather information report and said detected local weather parameters; picture generating equipment for generating symbolic pictorial information based on the received refined weather information and said detected local weather parameters; and weather information display equipment, coupled to the picture generating equipment, for displaying pictorial polygons indicating the dynamic behavior of said weather condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
An aircraft-based weather information sharing and display system comprising: at a ground station: reception equipment for receiving weather parameters from a plurality of weather-sensing sources; processing equipment for generating a refined weather information report, based on said received weather parameters, using data compression techniques to reduce the size of said weather information report; and transmission equipment for uplinking said refined data-compressed weather information report to a plurality of aircraft and at an aircraft: standard weather information gathering equipment for detecting local weather parameters characterizing a weather condition in the vicinity of the aircraft; transmission equipment for transmitting said local weather parameters to said ground station; reception equipment for receiving said refined data-compressed weather information report uplinked by said ground station; storage equipment for storing received said weather information report and said detected local weather parameters; picture generating equipment for generating symbolic pictorial information based on the received refined weather information and said detected local weather parameters; and weather information display equipment, coupled to the picture generating equipment, for displaying pictorial polygons indicating the dynamic behavior of said weather condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said pictorial polygons display the predicted dynamic behavior of said weather conditions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said dynamic behavior comprises the movement of said weather conditions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said dynamic behavior comprises the intensity of said weather conditions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said data compression technique further comprises a weather parameter rate such that the frequency of said uplinking of said weather information report is reduced.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein the ground station further comprises a broadcast scheduling equipment that tailors said weather information report to each of said plurality of aircraft, based on a position of each of said aircraft, such that the length of said weather information report is reduced.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said data compression technique comprises extracting salient features of said refined weather information, and inputting said salient features into said weather information report.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 , wherein said data compression technique comprises formatting said weather information report in an Aviation Weather Information Network format.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1 , further comprising equipment on said aircraft that generates an alert to the aircraft pilot when said processing equipment detects a dangerous weather phenomenon.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for displaying the dynamic behavior of a weather condition on an aircraft display comprising the steps of: receiving a refined data-compressed weather information report uplinked by a weather ground station; decompressing said refined data-compressed weather information report; storing said received refined decompressed weather information report; generating symbolic pictorial information based on said received weather information report utilizing standard picture generating equipment already installed on the aircraft; and displaying pictorial symbols indicating the dynamic behavior of said weather condition using EFIS or weather radar display equipment already installed on the aircraft.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for displaying the dynamic behavior of a weather condition on an aircraft display comprising the steps of: receiving a refined data-compressed weather information report uplinked by a weather ground station; decompressing said refined data-compressed weather information report; storing said received refined decompressed weather information report; generating symbolic pictorial information based on said received weather information report utilizing standard picture generating equipment already installed on the aircraft; and displaying pictorial symbols indicating the dynamic behavior of said weather condition using EFIS or weather radar display equipment already installed on the aircraft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said step of displaying comprises: displaying the area surrounding the aircraft's flight path; and displaying polygons representing the predicted dynamic behavior of significant weather formations, based on said uplinked weather information, relative to said flight path such that a pilot may navigate away from dangerous weather.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said step of displaying comprises overlaying said pictorial symbols over a locally-received weather radar return display.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for providing weather data to an aircraft comprising the steps of: receiving a weather data including a description of at least one weather phenomenon; identifying a coasting interval for said weather phenomenon; transmitting to the aircraft said weather data including said description as a function of said coasting interval.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for providing weather data to an aircraft comprising the steps of: receiving a weather data including a description of at least one weather phenomenon; identifying a coasting interval for said weather phenomenon; transmitting to the aircraft said weather data including said description as a function of said coasting interval.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said description includes a rate data of said phenomenon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
92 words
A computer program product for providing weather data to an aircraft comprising: a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium, said computer readable program code means comprising: a first computer instruction means for receiving a weather data including a description of at least one weather phenomenon; a second computer instruction means for identifying a coasting interval for said weather phenomenon; a third computer instruction means for controlling transmission of said weather data including said description to the aircraft as a function of said coasting interval.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
92 words
A computer program product for providing weather data to an aircraft comprising: a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium, said computer readable program code means comprising: a first computer instruction means for receiving a weather data including a description of at least one weather phenomenon; a second computer instruction means for identifying a coasting interval for said weather phenomenon; a third computer instruction means for controlling transmission of said weather data including said description to the aircraft as a function of said coasting interval.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer program product of claim 15 wherein said description includes a rate data of said phenomenon.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for providing weather data to an aircraft comprising: an input coupled to receive signals indicative of a weather data including a description of at least one weather phenomenon; an output; and a signal processor, coupled to said input and to said output, for: identifying a coasting interval for said weather phenomenon; and controlling transmission of said weather data including said description to the aircraft as a function of said coasting interval.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus for providing weather data to an aircraft comprising: an input coupled to receive signals indicative of a weather data including a description of at least one weather phenomenon; an output; and a signal processor, coupled to said input and to said output, for: identifying a coasting interval for said weather phenomenon; and controlling transmission of said weather data including said description to the aircraft as a function of said coasting interval.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said signal processor comprises a general purpose processor.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for providing weather data to an aircraft comprising: receiving a plurality of weather data including a description of at least one weather phenomenon and a phenomenon rate data; forming a weather model from said plurality of weather data; transmitting said weather model and said rate data to the aircraft.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
51 words
A method for providing weather data to an aircraft comprising: receiving a plurality of weather data including a description of at least one weather phenomenon and a phenomenon rate data; forming a weather model from said plurality of weather data; transmitting said weather model and said rate data to the aircraft.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said step of forming a weather model further comprises the step of comparing said plurality of weather data to a geo-referenced image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said step of forming a weather model further comprises the steps of: comparing an individual one of said plurality of weather data to another one of said plurality of weather data; and quantifying an error in said plurality of weather data using said comparing step; and obtaining a single description of said weather phenomenon.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said step of transmitting comprises transmitting on an aircraft VHF frequency.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said step of transmitting a weather model further comprises the step of transmitting a geometric shape description defining at least an area occupied by said weather phenomenon.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said step of transmitting a weather model further comprises the step of transmitting a compressed image file.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
95 words
A computer program product for providing weather data to an aircraft comprising: a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium, said computer readable program code means comprising: a first computer instruction means for reading a plurality of weather data including a description of at least one weather phenomenon and a phenomenon rate data; a second computer instruction means for forming a weather model from said plurality of weather data; a third computer instruction means for controlling transmission of said weather model and said rate data to the aircraft.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
95 words
A computer program product for providing weather data to an aircraft comprising: a computer readable storage medium having computer readable program code means embodied in said medium, said computer readable program code means comprising: a first computer instruction means for reading a plurality of weather data including a description of at least one weather phenomenon and a phenomenon rate data; a second computer instruction means for forming a weather model from said plurality of weather data; a third computer instruction means for controlling transmission of said weather model and said rate data to the aircraft.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer program product of claim 25 wherein said second computer instruction means further includes a fourth computer instruction means for comparing said plurality of weather data to a geo-referenced image.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
75 words
The computer program product of claim 25 wherein said second computer instruction means further includes: a fourth computer instruction means for comparing an individual one of said plurality of weather data to another one of said plurality of weather data; and a fifth computer instruction means for quantifying an error in said plurality of weather data using said comparing step; and a sixth computer instruction means for obtaining a single description of said weather phenomenon.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer program product of claim 25 wherein said third computer instruction means further includes a fourth computer instruction means for formatting a data message to be transmitted wherein said data message includes a geometric shape description defining at least an area occupied by said weather phenomenon.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer program product of claim 25 wherein said third computer instruction means includes a fourth computer instruction means for formatting said weather model as a compressed image file.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for providing weather data to an aircraft comprising: an input coupled to receive a plurality of weather data including a description of at least one weather phenomenon and a phenomenon rate data; an output; and a signal processor coupled to said input and to said output for: forming a weather model from said plurality of weather data; outputting a control signal to control transmission of said weather model and said rate data to the aircraft.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for providing weather data to an aircraft comprising: an input coupled to receive a plurality of weather data including a description of at least one weather phenomenon and a phenomenon rate data; an output; and a signal processor coupled to said input and to said output for: forming a weather model from said plurality of weather data; outputting a control signal to control transmission of said weather model and said rate data to the aircraft.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said signal processor comprises a general purpose processor.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said weather model comprises a compressed image file.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said control signal comprises a signal useful for controlling transmission of said weather model and said rate data on a VHF transmitter.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said signal processor further operates to: compare an individual one of said plurality of weather data to another one of said plurality of weather data; and quantify an error in said plurality of weather data using said comparing step; and obtain a single description of said weather phenomenon from said plurality of weather data.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said control signal includes a data message describing a geometric area containing said weather phenomenon.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said signal processor further operates to compare said plurality of weather data to a geo-referenced image.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-12-30 | 2006-07-01 | 2006-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-30 | 2010-07-01 | 2010-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-30 | 2014-07-01 | 2014-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |