US6597305B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hazard and target alerting for weather radar
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 2002-02-19
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Granted: 2003-07-22
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Expires: 2022-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A system, method, and computer program product for alerting a flight crew of weather radar return data collected, yet not presently being displayed. The system includes a memory, a processor, and an output device. The memory stores radar return information in a three-dimensional buffer. The processor determines if any radar return information stored in a three-dimensional buffer is within a threshold distance from an aircraft's present position and generates an image based on target data stored in the three-dimensional buffer and selected display parameters. The processor also generates a target alert if any target data is determined to be within a threshold distance from the aircraft's present position and is not included in the generated image. The output device presents the generated target alert.
Inventors
- 👤 Roland Y. Szeto
- 👤 Bill G. Cornell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/41; G01S7/411; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/95; G01S13/953; G01S7/04; G01S7/06; G01S7/064; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A90/00; Y02A90/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A weather radar method comprising: determining if any radar return information stored in a three-dimensional buffer is within a threshold distance from an aircraft's present position; generating an image based on target data stored in the three-dimensional buffer and selected display parameters; and generating a target alert if any target data is determined to be within a threshold distance from the aircraft's present position and is not included in the generated image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A weather radar method comprising: determining if any radar return information stored in a three-dimensional buffer is within a threshold distance from an aircraft's present position; generating an image based on target data stored in the three-dimensional buffer and selected display parameters; and generating a target alert if any target data is determined to be within a threshold distance from the aircraft's present position and is not included in the generated image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein determining if any target data stored in the three-dimensional buffer is within a threshold distance from the aircraft's present position further comprises determining if the target data that is within the threshold distance from the aircraft's present position is at the same altitude as the aircraft and is along at least one of the aircraft's current heading or flight plan.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein generating a target alert comprises generating an audible alarm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein generating a target alert comprises generating at least one of a graphical or textual image and displaying the generated at least one graphical or textual image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the at least one graphical or textual image indicates at least one of distance to aircraft or altitude of the non-displayed target data determined to be within a threshold distance from the aircraft's present position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein generating a target alert comprises generating a target alert if the radar return information determined to be within a threshold distance from the aircraft's present position is above a certain threshold reflectivity value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
A weather radar system comprising: memory configured to store radar return information in a three-dimensional buffer; a processor coupled to the memory, the processor comprising: a first component configured to determine if any radar return information stored in a three-dimensional buffer is within a threshold distance from an aircraft's present position; a second component configured to generate an image based on target data stored in the three-dimensional buffer and selected display parameters; and a third component configured to generate a target alert if any target data is determined to be within a threshold distance from the aircraft's present position and is not included in the generated image; and an output device configured to present the generated target alert.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
118 words
A weather radar system comprising: memory configured to store radar return information in a three-dimensional buffer; a processor coupled to the memory, the processor comprising: a first component configured to determine if any radar return information stored in a three-dimensional buffer is within a threshold distance from an aircraft's present position; a second component configured to generate an image based on target data stored in the three-dimensional buffer and selected display parameters; and a third component configured to generate a target alert if any target data is determined to be within a threshold distance from the aircraft's present position and is not included in the generated image; and an output device configured to present the generated target alert.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the first component further determines if the target data that is within the threshold distance from the aircraft's present position is at the same altitude as the aircraft and is along at least one of the aircraft's current heading or flight plan.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the generated target alert is an audible alarm and the output device is one or more speakers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the generated target alert is at least one of a graphical or textual image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein the at least one graphical or textual image indicates at least one of distance to aircraft or altitude of the non-displayed target data determined to be within a threshold distance from the aircraft's present position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the third component is further configured to generate a target alert if the radar return information determined to be within a threshold distance from the aircraft's present position is above a certain threshold reflectivity value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
102 words
A weather radar computer program product comprising: a first component configured to store radar return information in a threedimensional buffer; a second component configured to determine if any radar return information stored in a three-dimensional buffer is within a threshold distance from an aircraft's present position; a third component configured to generate an image based on target data stored in the three-dimensional buffer and selected display parameters; and a fourth component configured to generate a target alert if any target data is determined to be within a threshold distance from the aircraft's present position and is not included in the generated image.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
102 words
A weather radar computer program product comprising: a first component configured to store radar return information in a threedimensional buffer; a second component configured to determine if any radar return information stored in a three-dimensional buffer is within a threshold distance from an aircraft's present position; a third component configured to generate an image based on target data stored in the three-dimensional buffer and selected display parameters; and a fourth component configured to generate a target alert if any target data is determined to be within a threshold distance from the aircraft's present position and is not included in the generated image.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The product of claim 13 , wherein the second component further determines if the target data that is within the threshold distance from the aircraft's present position is at the same altitude as the aircraft and is along the aircraft's current heading.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The product of claim 13 , wherein the generated target alert is an audible alarm and the output device is one or more speakers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The product of claim 13 , wherein the generated target alert is at least one of a graphical or textual image.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The product of claim 16 , wherein the at least one graphical or textual image indicates at least one of distance to aircraft or altitude of the non-displayed target data determined to be within a threshold distance from the aircraft's present position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The product of claim 13 , wherein the fourth component is further configured to generate a target alert if the radar return information determined to be within a threshold distance from the aircraft's present position is above a certain threshold reflectivity value.
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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) | 2006-07-21 | 2007-01-20 | 2007-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-07-21 | 2011-01-20 | 2011-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-07-21 | 2015-01-20 | 2015-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |