US6571171B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for graphically inserting waypoints for a flight management system
Assignee: Rockwell Collins Inc
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Filing: 1999-09-08
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Granted: 2003-05-27
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Expires: 2019-09-08
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for inserting a waypoint into a preexisting flight plan which includes selecting a waypoint on a graphical display of a portion of the flight plan and automatically generating a proposed changed flight plan based upon inserting the waypoint into the nearest leg of the flight plan.
Inventors
- 👤 Martin Pauly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C23/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
261 words
An avionics system comprising: an FMS computer; a display coupled with said FMS computer for displaying FMS information including a graphical depiction of a flight plan, said flight plan including a first waypoint, a second waypoint, and a third waypoint, wherein the first and second waypoints are connected by a first preexisting flight leg and the second and third waypoints are connected by a second preexisting flight leg; a cursor controller, for controlling a cursor shown on said display, said cursor controller coupled with said FMS computer and said display; a potential waypoint displayed on said display as a spatial point; and said potential waypoint coupled to said FMS computer through a graphical user interface, such that a selection of said potential waypoint results in a generation, by a processor, and a display of a first possible flight leg and a second possible flight leg if a user-selected position of the cursor is nearer to the first preexisting flight leg than to the second preexisting flight leg, wherein the first possible flight leg extends between the first waypoint and the potential waypoint, and the second possible flight leg extends between the potential waypoint and the second waypoint, and a third possible flight leg and a fourth possible flight leg if the user-selected position of the cursor is nearer to the second preexisting flight leg than to the first preexisting flight leg, wherein the third possible flight leg extends between the second waypoint and the potential waypoint, and the fourth possible flight leg extends between the potential waypoint and the third waypoint.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
261 words
An avionics system comprising: an FMS computer; a display coupled with said FMS computer for displaying FMS information including a graphical depiction of a flight plan, said flight plan including a first waypoint, a second waypoint, and a third waypoint, wherein the first and second waypoints are connected by a first preexisting flight leg and the second and third waypoints are connected by a second preexisting flight leg; a cursor controller, for controlling a cursor shown on said display, said cursor controller coupled with said FMS computer and said display; a potential waypoint displayed on said display as a spatial point; and said potential waypoint coupled to said FMS computer through a graphical user interface, such that a selection of said potential waypoint results in a generation, by a processor, and a display of a first possible flight leg and a second possible flight leg if a user-selected position of the cursor is nearer to the first preexisting flight leg than to the second preexisting flight leg, wherein the first possible flight leg extends between the first waypoint and the potential waypoint, and the second possible flight leg extends between the potential waypoint and the second waypoint, and a third possible flight leg and a fourth possible flight leg if the user-selected position of the cursor is nearer to the second preexisting flight leg than to the first preexisting flight leg, wherein the third possible flight leg extends between the second waypoint and the potential waypoint, and the fourth possible flight leg extends between the potential waypoint and the third waypoint.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An avionics system of claim 1 wherein said selection of said waypoint is accomplished by moving a cursor over said potential waypoint displayed as a spatial point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An avionics system of claim 2 wherein said selection of said waypoint is accomplished by clicking on said potential waypoint displayed as a spatial point.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
An avionics system of claim 1 wherein said processor is coupled to said display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An avionics system of claim 1 wherein said processor is coupled to said FMS computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
An avionics system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first, second, third, and fourth possible flight legs is confirmed and entered into said FMS computer by generating a confirmation signal.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
220 words
An apparatus for planning an aircraft flight comprising: means for managing flight information; means for displaying information in graphic map formats on an aircraft, said information including a graphical depiction of a flight plan, said flight plan including a first waypoint, a second waypoint, and a third waypoint, wherein the first and second waypoints are connected by a first preexisting flight leg and the second and third waypoints are connected by a second preexisting flight leg; means for controlling a cursor on said means for displaying; means for automatically generating and graphically displaying a first possible flight leg and a second possible flight leg if a user-selected position of the cursor is nearer to the first preexisting flight leg than to the second preexisting flight leg, wherein the first possible flight leg extends between the first waypoint and the potential waypoint, and the second possible flight leg extends between the potential waypoint and the second waypoint, and a third possible flight leg and a fourth possible flight leg if the user-selected position of the cursor is nearer to the second preexisting flight leg than to the first preexisting flight leg, wherein the third possible flight leg extends between the second waypoint and the potential waypoint, and the fourth possible flight leg extends between the potential waypoint and the third waypoint.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
220 words
An apparatus for planning an aircraft flight comprising: means for managing flight information; means for displaying information in graphic map formats on an aircraft, said information including a graphical depiction of a flight plan, said flight plan including a first waypoint, a second waypoint, and a third waypoint, wherein the first and second waypoints are connected by a first preexisting flight leg and the second and third waypoints are connected by a second preexisting flight leg; means for controlling a cursor on said means for displaying; means for automatically generating and graphically displaying a first possible flight leg and a second possible flight leg if a user-selected position of the cursor is nearer to the first preexisting flight leg than to the second preexisting flight leg, wherein the first possible flight leg extends between the first waypoint and the potential waypoint, and the second possible flight leg extends between the potential waypoint and the second waypoint, and a third possible flight leg and a fourth possible flight leg if the user-selected position of the cursor is nearer to the second preexisting flight leg than to the first preexisting flight leg, wherein the third possible flight leg extends between the second waypoint and the potential waypoint, and the fourth possible flight leg extends between the potential waypoint and the third waypoint.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for automatically generating includes a programmed computer processor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means for managing flight information is an FMS.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for automatically generating includes a programmed computer processor.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
232 words
A method of inserting a potential waypoint into a flight plan, said flight plan including a first waypoint, a second waypoint, and a third waypoint, wherein the first and second waypoints are connected by a first preexisting flight leg and the second and third waypoints are connected by a second preexisting flight leg, the method comprising: selecting the potential waypoint; graphically displaying, on a display, the flight plan and the potential waypoint, the potential waypoint being displayed as a spatial point; detemining which of the first and second preexisting flight legs is closet to a user-selected position of a cursor on the display; displaying a first possible flight leg and a second possible flight leg if the user-selected position of the cursor is nearer to the first preexisting flight leg than to the second preexisting flight leg, wherein the first possible flight leg extends between the first waypoint and the potential waypoint, and the second possible flight leg extends between the potential waypoint and the second waypoint; and displaying a third possible flight leg and a fourth possible flight leg if the user-selected position of the cursor is nearer to the second preexisting flight leg than to the first preexisting flight leg, wherein the third possible flight leg extends between the second waypoint and the potential waypoint, and the fourth possible flight leg extends between the potential waypoint and the third waypoint.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
232 words
A method of inserting a potential waypoint into a flight plan, said flight plan including a first waypoint, a second waypoint, and a third waypoint, wherein the first and second waypoints are connected by a first preexisting flight leg and the second and third waypoints are connected by a second preexisting flight leg, the method comprising: selecting the potential waypoint; graphically displaying, on a display, the flight plan and the potential waypoint, the potential waypoint being displayed as a spatial point; detemining which of the first and second preexisting flight legs is closet to a user-selected position of a cursor on the display; displaying a first possible flight leg and a second possible flight leg if the user-selected position of the cursor is nearer to the first preexisting flight leg than to the second preexisting flight leg, wherein the first possible flight leg extends between the first waypoint and the potential waypoint, and the second possible flight leg extends between the potential waypoint and the second waypoint; and displaying a third possible flight leg and a fourth possible flight leg if the user-selected position of the cursor is nearer to the second preexisting flight leg than to the first preexisting flight leg, wherein the third possible flight leg extends between the second waypoint and the potential waypoint, and the fourth possible flight leg extends between the potential waypoint and the third waypoint.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising: accepting a user input that indicates whether one of the first and second possible flight legs and the third and fourth possible flight legs are to be inserted into the flight plan; replacing the first preexisting flight leg with the first and second possible flight legs if the user input so indicates; and replacing the second preexisting flight leg with the third and fourth possible flight legs if the user input so indicates.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-05-26 | 2006-11-25 | 2007-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-05-26 | 2010-11-25 | 2011-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-05-26 | 2014-11-25 | 2015-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |