US6633801B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for providing information to pilots
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2000-10-20
•
Granted: 2003-10-14
•
Expires: 2020-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A portable computer system allows a pilot to efficiently and effectively manage time-oriented and other flight-related tasks. The system preferably includes a microprocessor coupled to a display/input screen. The microprocessor, which includes or is coupled to a timer, preferably executes one or more application programs that are configured to receive information from and display information to the pilot. The application program is preferably hierarchically arranged and menu-driven for navigating among the various displays and thereby retrieving the desired information or initiating the desired functionality.</PTEXT>
Inventors
- 👤 Stanley H. Durlacher
- 👤 Paul A. Mandrafino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:43
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G5/00; G08G5/20; G08G5/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A system for use by a pilot in managing and performing flight-related tasks, the system comprising: a housing configured for carrying by the pilot onto an aircraft; a display/input screen mounted to the housing; and a programmable microprocessor coupled to the display/input screen and disposed within the housing, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to periodically display independently of the aircraft's position one or more bulletins on the screen directing the pilot to perform a specific flight-related task.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A system for use by a pilot in managing and performing flight-related tasks, the system comprising: a housing configured for carrying by the pilot onto an aircraft; a display/input screen mounted to the housing; and a programmable microprocessor coupled to the display/input screen and disposed within the housing, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to periodically display independently of the aircraft's position one or more bulletins on the screen directing the pilot to perform a specific flight-related task.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising an acknowledgement button for activation by the pilot, the acknowledgement button in communicating relationship with the programmable microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to clear the one or more displayed bulletins from the screen in response to activation of the acknowledgement button by the pilot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 2 further comprising a warning element operatively coupled to the microprocessor, the warning element directed to issue at least one of a visual, tactile and aural reminder to the pilot by the microprocessor if a corresponding acknowledgement is not received within a predetermined time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 2 wherein one or more of the bulletins instructs the pilot to check an aircraft subsystem.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 2 further comprising an enroute timer accessible by the microprocessor that tracks elapsed time of a flight, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to first display a given bulletin after a predetermined elapsed time into the flight and to thereafter repeatedly display the given bulletin at a programmed interval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to stop displaying the given bulletin after the bulletin has displayed a preset number of times.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the microprocessor displays one or more programming windows on the display/input screen for establishing the given bulletin, and the one or more programming windows include at least one data entry fields configured to receive the preset number of times that the given bulletin is to be displayed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein in one or more of the bulletins instruct the pilot to check on the status of an aircraft subsystem.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising an enroute timer accessible by the microprocessor that tracks elapsed time of a flight, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to first display a given bulletin after a predetermined elapsed time into the flight and to thereafter repeatedly display the given bulletin at a programmed interval.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor displays one or more programming windows on the display/input screen for establishing a first bulletin.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
89 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the one or more programming windows include a plurality of data entry fields, the plurality of data entry fields configured to receive one or more of: a specified message corresponding to the first bulletin, a specified initial time at which the message is to be first displayed on the display/input screen, an indication as to whether the message is to be repeated periodically during the flight, and a specified time interval for setting the period during which the message is to be repeated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the microprocessor translates information received from the pilot into a format that is compatible with a Pilot Report (PIREP) standard.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the microprocessor displays the translated information in PIREP format on the display/input screen.
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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) | 2006-10-13 | 2007-04-14 | 2007-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-10-13 | 2011-04-14 | 2011-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-10-13 | 2015-04-14 | 2015-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |