SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FLIGHT PATH ON PRIMARY DISPLAY
BACKGROUND
[0001] The inventive concepts disclosed herein relate generally to the field of aircraft flight
display systems. More particularly, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein
relate to systems and methods for displaying a flight path marker on a display of an airborne
platform.
[0002] A cockpit of an aircraft may include a display that provides information to help an
operator of the aircraft, such as a pilot, navigate and control the aircraft. It can be difficult to
effectively control the aircraft when performing complex maneuvers such as landing maneuvers,
or when the aircraft is subject to low visibility (e.g., low ambient light or adverse weather
conditions in an environment surrounding the aircraft).
SUMMARY
In one aspect, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to system. The system
includes an airborne platform, a sensor device configured to detect position data regarding the
airborne platform, a processing circuit, and a display device. The processing circuit is
configured to receive the position data, determine a flight path from a current location of the
airborne platform to an end location based on the position data, the flight path including a
plurality of points, and generate a visualization of the flight path that includes a plurality of
markers positioned at corresponding points of the plurality of path points. The display device is
configured to display the visualization.
[0003] In a further aspect, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a display
system. The display system includes a processing circuit configured to receive the position data,
determine a flight path from a current location of the airframe to an end location based on the
position data, the flight path including a plurality of points, and generate a visualization of the
flight path that includes a plurality of markers positioned at corresponding points of the plurality
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of path points. The display system includes a display device configured to display the
visualization.
[0004] In a further aspect, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a method.
The method includes detecting position data regarding an airborne platform. The method
includes determining a flight path from a current location of the airborne platform to an end
location based on the position data, the flight path including a plurality of path points. The
method includes generating a visualization of the flight path that includes a plurality of markers
positioned at corresponding points of the plurality of path points. The method includes
displaying the visualization.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Implementations of the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be better understood
when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description
makes reference to the included drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, and in which some
features may be exaggerated and some features may be omitted or may be represented
schematically in the interest of clarity. Like reference numerals in the drawings may represent
and refer to the same or similar element, feature, or function. In the drawings:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an aircraft control
center according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein;
[0007] FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a visualization of a
flight path according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein;
[0008] FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration of another exemplary embodiment of a visualization
of a flight path according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein;
[0009] FIG. 2C is a schematic illustration of another exemplary embodiment of a visualization
of a flight path according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein;
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(0010] FIG. 2D is a schematic illustration of another exemplary embodiment of a visualization
of a flight path according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein;
(0011] FIG. 2E is a schematic illustration of another exemplary embodiment of a visualization
of a flight path according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein;
(0012] FIG. 2F is a schematic illustration of another exemplary embodiment of a visualization
of a flight path according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein;
(0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display system for an
airborne platform according to the inventive concepts described herein; and
(0014] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method of generating a
visualization of a flight path according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(0015] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the inventive concepts disclosed herein in
detail, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts are not limited in their application to the
details of construction and the arrangement of the components or steps or methodologies set
forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. In the following detailed
description of embodiments of the instant inventive concepts, numerous specific details. are set
forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concepts. However, it
will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure that
the inventive concepts disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, well-known features may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily
complicating the instant disclosure. The inventive concepts disclosed herein are capable of other
embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood
that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting.
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[0016] As used herein a letter following a reference numeral is intended to reference an
embodiment of the feature or element that may be similar, but not necessarily identical, to a
previously described element or feature bearing the same reference numeral (e.g., 1, 1 a, 1 b).
Such shorthand notations are used for purposes of convenience only, and should not be construed
to limit the inventive concepts disclosed herein in any way unless expressly stated to the
contrary.
[0017] Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not to
an exclusive or. For example, a condition A orB is satisfied by any one of the following: A is
true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or
present), or both A and B are true (or present).
[0018] In addition, use of the "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and components
of embodiments ofthe instant inventive concepts. This is done merely for convenience and to
give a general sense of the inventive concepts, and "a" and "an" are intended to include one or at
least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.
[0019] Finally, as used herein any reference to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments"
means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the inventive concepts disclosed
herein. The appearances of the phrase "in some embodiments" in various places in the
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and embodiments of the
inventive concepts disclosed may include one or more of the features expressly described or
inherently present herein, or any combination or sub-combination of two or more such features,
along with any other features which may not necessarily be expressly described or inherently
present in the instant disclosure.
[0020] Broadly, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to
systems and methods for displaying a flight path marker on a display of an airborne platform.
The inventive concepts disclosed herein can be utilized in a number of display devices and
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systems for airborne platforms (e.g., aircraft), including but not limited to flight control and
autopilot systems, navigation systems, and flight display systems. While the present disclosure
describes systems and methods implementable for an airborne platform, the inventive concepts
disclosed herein may be used in any type of environment (e.g., in another aircraft, a spacecraft, a
ground-based vehicle, or in a non-vehicle application such as a ground-based display system, an
air traffic control system, a radar system, a virtual display system).
In some embodiments, a system includes an airborne platform, a sensor device configured to
detect position data regarding the airborne platform, a processing circuit, and a display device.
The processing circuit is configured to receive the position data, determine a flight path from a
current location of the airborne platform to an end location based on the position data, the flight
path including a plurality of points, and generate a visualization of the flight path that includes a
plurality of markers positioned at corresponding points of the plurality of path points. The
display device is configured to display the visualization. By providing a visualization that
includes markers corresponding to path points on of the flight path, systems and methods
according to the inventive concepts disclosed herein can improve operation of airborne
platforms, such as by enabling an operator of the airborne platform to more effectively guide the
airborne platform to the landing location under low visibility or other adverse conditions. The
flight path visualization can be displayed by a primary flight display (PFD), allowing for the
operator of the airborne platfmm to use the flight path visualization while also focusing on other
critical information displayed on the PFD.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view schematic illustration of an aircraft control
center or cockpit 1 0 is shown accordingly to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts
disclosed herein. The aircraft control center 1 0 can be configured for an aircraft operator or
other user to interact with avionics systems of an airborne platform. The aircraft control center
10 may include one or more flight displays 20 and one or more user interface ("UI") elements
22. The flight displays 20 may be implemented using any of a vmiety of display technologies,
. including CRT, LCD, organic LED, dot matrix display, and others. The flight displays 20 may
be navigation (NA V) displays, primary flight displays, electronic flight bag displays, tablets such
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as iPad@ computers manufactured by Apple, Inc. or tablet computers, synthetic vision system
displays, head up displays (HUDs) with or without a projector, wearable displays, watches,
Google Glass®. The flight displays 20 may be used to provide information to the flight crew,
thereby increasing visual range and enhancing decision-making abilities. One or more of the
flight displays 20 may be configured to function as, for example, a PFD used to display altitude,
airspeed, vertical speed, and navigation and traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS)
advisories. One or more of the flight displays 20 may also be configured to function as, for
example, a multi-function display used to display navigation maps, weather radar, electronic
charts, TCAS traffic, aircraft maintenance data and electronic checklists, manuals, and
procedures. One or more of the flight displays 20 may also be configured to function as, for
example, an engine indicating and crew-alerting system (EICAS) display used to display critical
engine and system status data. Other types and functions of the flight displays 20 are
contemplated as well. According to various exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts
disclosed herein, at least one of the flight displays 20 may be configured to provide a rendered
display from the systems and methods of the inventive concepts disclosed herein.
[0022] In some embodiments, the flight displays 20 may provide an output based on data
received from a system external to an aircraft, such as a ground-based weather radar system,
satellite-based system, a sensor system, or from a system of another aircraft. In some
embodiments, the flight displays 20 may provide an output from an onboard aircraft-based
weather radar system, LIDAR system, infrared system or other system on an aircraft. For
example, the flight displays 20 may include a weather display, a weather radar map, and a terrain
display. In some embodiments, the flight displays 20 may provide an output based on a
combination of data received from multiple external systems or from at least one external system
and an onboard aircraft-based system. The flight displays 20 may include an electronic display
or a synthetic vision system (SVS). For example, the flight displays 20 may include a display
configured to display a two-dimensional (2-D) image, a three dimensional (3-D) perspective
image of terrain and/or weather information, or a four dimensional (4-D) display of weather
·information or forecast information. Other views of terrain and/or weather information may also
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be provided (e.g., plan view, horizontal view, vertical view). The views may include
monochrome or color graphical representations of the terrain and/or weather information.
Graphical representations of weather or terrain may include an indication of altitude of the
weather or terrain or the altitude relative to an aircraft. The flight displays 20 may receive image
information, such as a visualization including one or more flight path indicators, and display the
visualization to help an aircraft crew member to control the aircraft, such as to follow the flight
path to an end location such as a landing location (e.g., to a runway).
[0023] The UI elements 22 may include, for example, dials, switches, buttons, touch screens,
keyboards, a mouse, joysticks, cursor control devices (CCDs), menus on Multi-Functional
Displays (MFDs), or other multi-function key pads certified for use with avionics systems. The
UI elements 22 may be configured to, for example, allow an aircraft crew member to interact
with various avionics applications and perform functions such as data entry, manipulation of
navigation maps, and moving among and selecting checklist items. For example, the UI
elements 22 may be used to adjust features of the flight displays 20, such as contrast, brightness,
width, and length. The UI elements 22 may also (or alternatively) be used by an aircraft crew
member to interface with or manipulate the displays of the flight displays 20. For example, the
UI elements 22 may be used by aircraft crew members to adjust the brightness, contrast, and
information displayed on the flight displays 20. The UI elements 22 may additionally be used to
acknowledge or dismiss an indicator provided by the flight displays 20. The UI elements 22 may
be used to correct errors on the flight displays 20. The UI elements 22 may also be used to adjust
the radar antenna tilt, radar display gain, and to select vertical sweep azimuths. Other UI
elements 22, such as indicator lights, displays, display elements, and audio alerting devices, may
be configured to warn of potentially threatening conditions such as severe weather, terrain, and
obstacles, such as potential collisions with other aircraft.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 2A, a flight path visualization 100 is shown according to the
inventive concepts disclosed herein. The flight path visualization 100 can be displayed by the
flight displays 20. The flight path visualization 100 can be displayed by a PFD of an airborne
platform. The flight path visualization 1 00 can provide a visualization of a path travelled by the
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airborne platform through an environment surrounding the airborne platform (e.g., a threedimensional
environment including an airspace about the airborne platform and surface features,
such as runways, ground, buildings, and mountains or other elevated structures). While FIG. 2A
illustrates the visualization to be from a first-person perspective (e.g., a perspective originating
from a nose of the airborne platform and aligned with direction of travel of the airborne
platform), in various embodiments, the visualization can include an image of the airborne
platform (e.g., a third-person perspective, an off-board perspective).
(0025] An apparent distance for the flight path visualization 100 can be defined as a distance
between any two points as seen on the flight path visualization 100 (e.g., a distance between two
pixels corresponding to two points in two-dimensional or three-dimensional space). In some
embodiments, the flight path visualization 100 is a two-dimensional image that includes depth
information (e.g., the flight path visualization 100 is displayed in two-dimensional space but
represents a three-dimensional environment). The flight path visualization 100 may include a
depth factor corresponding to a perspective effect created by the flight path visualization 100
(e.g., depth in a direction perpendicular to the display device displaying the flight path
visualization 1 00). The apparent distance between two points may be a function of the distance
between pixels corresponding to the two points and the depth factor.
[0026] The flight path visualization 100 can include an origin 104. The origin is a current
location of the airborne platform. The origin can be determined based on position data regarding
the airborne platform (e.g., position data received from a position sensor such as a global
positioning system (GPS) onboard the airborne platform). The flight path visualization 100 can
include an end location 108. The end location 108 can be an intermediate or final destination for
the airborne platform. As shown in FIG. 2A, the end location 108 can be a landing location,
such as a runway (e.g., a runway of an airport or an aircraft carrier). In various embodiments,
the end location 1 08 can be a variety of locations, such as a waypoint of a flight path, or a
refueling point (e.g., an aerial refueling point or other rendezvous with another airborne
. platform).
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[0027] In some embodiments, the origin 104 can change in position relative to the flight path
visualization 100. For example, FIG. 2A illustrates the origin 104 to be ina corner portion of
the flight path visualization 100, which may imply that the airborne platform is offset in a left or
right direction from the end location 1 08; as the airborne platform is controlled to account for
this offset, the origin 104 may shift towards the center of the flight path visualization 100.
[0028] The flight path visualization 100 can include one or more path points 112. As shown in
FIG. 2A, the flight path visualization 100 includes three path points 112a, 112b, 112c. The path
points 112 together can form at least part of a flight path. The path points 112 can be determined
for guiding the airborne platform from the origin 104 to the end location 108. Although FIG. 2A
depicts three path points 112 in a current instance of the flight path visualization 100, additional
path points 112 may be depicted as the airborne platform approaches the path points 112, and
may be hidden as the airborne platform moves away from or passes through the path points 112.
The path points 112 may be an ordered sequence of points defining a flight path from the origin
104 to the end location 108. As shown in FIG. 2A, the path point 112a is closest to the origin
104, followed by the path point 112b and then the path point 112c in distance. In some
embodiments, the flight path visualization is shown to scale, such that an apparent distance
between the path points 112 and the origin 104 or the end location 108 is proportional to an
actual distance between the airborne platform and the path points in physical space.
[0029] The flight path visualization 100 can include one or more markers 114. The markers
114 indicate the path points 112. The markers 114 correspond to path points 112. For example,
as shown in FIG. 2A, a first marker 114a corresponds to path point 112a; a second marker 114b
corresponds to path point 112b; and a third marker 114c corresponds to path point 112c.
[0030] FIG.2A illustrates the markers 114 to be cross-shaped (e.g., "X" marks). The arms of
the crosses intersect at the corresponding path points 112, which can help direct the eye of an
aircraft crew member to the path points 112. In some embodiments, the markers 114 increase in
size as an apparent distance between the markers 114 and the origin 1 04 decreases, which can
create a visual effect that the airborne platform is approaching the path points 112 identified by
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the markers 114. The markers 114 can increase in size in a variety of ways, including increasing
an area swept by the markers 114 (e.g., for cross-shaped markers as shown in FIG. 2A, the arms
of the crosses can increase in length or in distance from the corresponding path point 112), as
well as increasing a thickness of features of the markers (e.g., for cross-shaped markers as shown
in FIG. 2A, the arms of the crosses can increase in thickness or width). In some embodiments,
the markers 114 expand to contact one or more edges of the flight path visualization 1 00 at the
same time that the airborne platform approaches or reaches the corresponding path points 112,
providing a visual effect that the airborne platform is passing through the markers 114 and the
path points 112. In various embodiments, the markers 114 can be illustrated by various shapes
(e.g., arrows, boxes, circles, triangles, bullseyes, envelopes).
[0031] The flight path visualization 100 can include a trend vector 116. The trend vector 116
can be determined based on various avionics data regarding the airborne platform (e.g.,
dynamics of the airborne platform; attitude data; altitude data; direction of travel of the airborne
platform detected by an orientation sensor, such as a gyroscope, or received from a flight control
system of the aircraft, such as a yoke or an avionics system that processes signals from the yoke
into steering commands; or any other variety of inputs regarding the position, orientation, speed,
and/or travel path of the airborne platform). The trend vector 116 can originate at or near the
origin 104. The trend vector 116 can correspond to a current direction of travel of the airborne
platform. For example, the trend vector 116 can predict the position of the airborne platform
(e.g., a position of the airborne platform after it follows the trend vector 116 for a duration of
time) based on current dynamics of the airborne platform. While FIG. 2A illustrates the trend
vector 116 as a dashed line path, the trend vector 116 can be illustrated by various shapes (e.g.,
solid line path, arrow, series of boxes or circles).
[0032] In some embodiments, the flight path visualization 100 includes an offset path 118.
The offset path 118 indicates a path along the trend vector, and may originate at the origin 104
and terminate in a plane parallel to the first path point 112a. As such, the offset path 118 can
. indicate an altitude offset 120 between a path that the airborne platform would travel if no
changes in direction were made, and the first path point 112a. The trend vector 116 and/or offset
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path 118 can help provide guidance to the end location I 08 to a user viewing the flight path
visualization I 00.
[0033] In some embodiments, the flight path visualization I 00 includes a flight path 124
defined by the path points 112. The flight path 124 can be illustrated to pass through path points
112 corresponding to visible markers 114, or may also pass through path points 112
corresponding to hidden markers 114. The flight path 124 may help guide an operator of the
airborne platform between path points 112, such as if large directional changes are required to
travel between adjacent path points 112.
[0034] In some embodiments, the flight path visualization I 00 includes one or more indicators
128. The indicators 128 can provide additional information to a viewer regarding the flight path
visualization 100. FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a configuration and arrangement of the
indicators 128, but various other configurations and/or arrangements may be provided (e.g.,
locations of the indicators 128, ordering of the indicators 128, text font, language, or size of the
indicators 128). In some embodiments, where the display device used to display the flight path
visualization includes a user interface for receiving user inputs (e.g., a touchscreen), the
indicators 128 can be switched (e.g., toggled) between different states in response to user inputs.
[0035] The flight path visualization I 00 can include an altitude indicator 128a. The altitude
indicator 128a can display an altitude detected by a position sensor or other altitude det~ction
device, such as an altimeter. In some embodiments, the flight path visualization 1 00 is displayed
on a display that is independently configured to display altitude information (e.g., a PFD), and
the altitude indicator 128a is not included with the flight path visualization 100. The flight path
visualization can include an offset indicator 128b. The offset indicator 128b can display an
offset (e.g., distance in physical space) between a current flight path of the airborne platform
(e.g., a flight path if the airborne platform does not undergo any subsequent change in direction)
and the flight path that includes the path points 112, as measured relative to a plane passing
through the first path point 112a.
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[0036] The flight path visualization 100 can also include a trend indicator 128c, a flight path
indicator 128d, and a marker indicator 128e. The trend indicator 128c can indicate whether the
trend vector 116 is being shown; the flight path indicator 128d can indicate whether the flight
path 124 is being shown; and the marker indicator 128e can indicate the shape of marker used to
show the markers 114. In some embodiments, such as where the flight path visualization 100 is
displayed on a display device that includes a touchscreen, the indicators 128c, 128d, and 128c
can receive a tactile user input (e.g., be touched) indicating a user selection, and in response,
switch between corresponding states (e.g., switch the trend vector 116 between visible or hidden
states, turn the flight path 124 between visible or hidden states, select the shape of the markers
114).
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 2B-2F, various schematic diagrams of various exemplary
embodiments of flight path visualizations 150 are illustration in accordance with the inventive
concepts described herein. The flight path visualizations 150 may include features of the flight
path visualization 100 described with reference to FIG. 2A.
[0038] FIG. 2B illustrates flight path visualization 150a, which displays an environment
surrounding an airborne platform including a first environment portion l52a, a second
environment portion 154a, and a horizon line 156a dividing the first environment portion 152a
from the second environment portion 154a. The flight path visualization 150a includes an
overlay 160a. The overlay 160a can display guidance, dynamics, attimde, altitude, and/or
orientation information. The flight path visualization 150a of FIG. 2B includes a marker 162a
configured to indicate that a flight path (e.g., a flight path analogous to flight path 124 of
FIG. 2A) is outside a view region (e.g., a field of view of the airborne platform or the aircraft
control center 10; a border of the flight path visualization 150a; a region of the environment
visible through the aircraft control center 10 or through a cockpit; a region of the environment
visible where the flight path visualization 150a is displayed by a head-up display) of the flight
path visualization 150a. The marker 162a can indicate a direction of travel that will bring the
. airborne platform towards a destination (e.g., an end location, a landing location). Colors,
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shading, or other visual differentiators may be used to highlight the appearance of the overlay
160a and/or the flight path markers 162a.
[0039] FIG. 2C illustrates flight path visualization 1SOb, which displays a surrounding
environment including first environment portion 1S2b, second environment portion 1S4b, and
horizon line 1S6b; the flight path visualization 1SOb also includes an overlay 160b. Flight path
visualization 1SOb is similar to flight path visualization 1SOa of FIG. 2B, but unlike flight path
visualization 1SOa, here a flight path, indicated by flight path markers 164b (e.g., flight path
markers similar or identical to flight path markers 114 of FIG. 2A), and a runway 166b (e.g., an
image of a runway which may be similar to runway 108 of FIG. 2A), as the flight path is in a
view region of the flight path visualization 1SOb. Colors, shading, or other visual differentiators
may be used to highlight the appearance of the overlay 160b. the flight path markers 164b,
and/or the runway 166b.
[0040] FIG. 2D illustrates flight path visualization 1SOc, which displays a surrounding
environment including first environment portion 1S2c, second environment portion 1S4c, and
horizon line 1S6c; the flight path visualization 1SOc also includes an overlay 160c. Flight path
visualization 1SOc is similar to flight path visualization lSOb, but as compared to the flight path
of flight path visualization !SOb of FIG. 2C, in FIG. 2D, the airborne platform is at a relatively
greater distance from runway 166c. As such, the runway 166c is illustrated having a relatively
lesser apparent size as compared to runway 166b. Similarly, as compared to flight path markers
164b, flight path markers 164c are positioned closer to the runway 166c, with less space between
the flight path markers 164c, and having a relatively lesser apparent size.
[0041] FIG. 2E illustrates flight path visualization 150d, which displays a surrounding
environment including first environment portion 152d, second environment portion 154d, and
horizon line 156d; the flight path visualization !SOd also includes an overlay 160d. Flight path
visualization !SOd is similar to flight path visualization 150c, but as compared to the flight path
of flight path visualization 150c of FIG. 2D, in FIG. 2E, the airborne platform is at a relatively
greater distance from runway 166d (e.g., an even greater distance as compared to FIG. 2C than
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FIG. 2D). In embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 2E, the runway 166d may be illustrated as a
line, rather than a two-dimensional shape mimicking the shape of the end location, emphasizing
that the airborne platform is at a great enough distance (e.g., greater than a threshold distance)
that a length of the runway 166d (e.g., a length extending in a direction away from the airborne
platform) is not resolvable in the flight path visualization 150d (e.g., is less than a pixel size or
less than a threshold number of pixels). As shown in FIG. 2E, the flight path markers 164d are
bunched near the runway 166d. This may indicate that significant altitude and/or altitude
adjustments are not required to reach the runway 166d.
[0042] FIG. 2F illustrates flight path visualization 150e, which displays a surrounding
environment including first environment portion 152e, second environment portion 154e, and
horizon line 156e; the flight path visualization 150e also includes an overlay 160e. Flight path
visualization 150e is similar to flight path visualization 150d, but as compared to the flight path
of flight path visualization 150d of FIG. 2E, in FIG. 2F, the airborne platform is at a relatively
greater altitude from runway 166e. As shown in FIG. 2F, the flight path markers 164d are
relatively small, which can indicate a relatively large distance from the runway 166e, and also
span a relatively greater vertical distance and horizontal distance than the flight path markers
164a-d of FIGS. 2C-2E, which may indicate that a relatively greater amount of altitude is to be
traversed to follow the flight path (e.g., the flight path is relatively steep).
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a display
system 200 is illustrated in accordance with the inventive concepts described herein. The
display system 200 can be included in an airborne platform, such as by being included in or as
part of an aircraft control center or cockpit I 0. The display system 200 can include or be
components of the aircraft control center 10, including the flight displays 20 and user interface
elements 22. The display system 200 includes a processing circuit 210 and a display device 224.
The processing circuit 210 is configured to determine a flight path from a current location of an
airborne platform to a landing location based on position data, the flight path including one or
more path points. The processing circuit 21 0 is configured to generate a visualization of the
flight path that includes one or more markers positioned at corresponding points of the one or
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more path points, such as the flight path visualization 100 described with reference to FIG. 2A,
the flight path visualizations 150 described with reference to FIGS. 2B-2F, and the features
thereof. The display device 224 can be similar to the flight displays 20, and is configured to
display a flight path visualization. The display device 224 can be a PFD, and the flight path
visualization can be overlaid on other information displayed by the PFD.
[0044] The display system 200 can include or be communicatively coupled to a position sensor
220 (e.g., a GPS sensor) and an orientation sensor 222. The display system can be
communicatively coupled to the sensors 220, 222 by a wired connection (e.g., via an electronic
data bus of the airborne platform), or by a wireless connection (e.g., the display system 200 can
include wireless receiver hardware for communicating with the sensors 220, 222). The position
sensor 220 can output the position data as coordinate data. The position sensor 220 can output
the position data as a sequence of positions as a function of time. The orientation sensor 222
(e.g., a gyroscope) can output the orientation data as attitude data or coordinate data (e.g., one or
more angular coordinates), and can output the orientation data as a sequence of orientations as a
function oftime. In some embodiments, the orientation sensor 222 includes or receives an
orientation output from a control device for controlling travel of the airborne platform (e.g., a
steering yoke, an avionics system that controls direction of the airborne platform). In some
embodiments, the position data includes the orientation data (e.g., the position sensor 220 and
orientation sensor 222 can be an integrated device that outputs position information and
orientation information together; the position sensor 220 can receive orientation data from the
orientation sensor 222 and output the position data and orientation data together).
[0045] Referring to FIG. 3 in further detail, the processing circuit 210 is shown to include a
processor 212 and a memory 214. The processor 212 may be implemented as a specific purpose
processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable
gate arrays (FPGAs ), a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing
components. The memory 214 is one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, flash memory, hard
disk storage) for storing data and computer code for completing and facilitating the various user
or client processes, layers, and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory 214
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may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory and may include database
components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information
structure for supporting the various activities and information structures of the inventive
concepts disclosed herein. The memory 214 is communicably connected to the processor 212
and includes computer code or instruction modules for executing one or more processes
described herein. The memory 214 can various circuits, software engines, and/or modules that
cause the processor 212 to execute the systems and methods described herein.
[0046] While FIG. 3 shows the processing circuit 210 to include a single processor 212, in
various embodiments, the processing circuit 210 can include various numbers or arrangements of
processors. For example, the processor 212 can be a multi-core processor. The processor 212
can include a plurality of processors that may be dedicated to different tasks. The processing
circuit 210 can include the processor 212 as well as a graphics processing unit (GPU) (not
shown); the GPU may be configured to retrieve (or be controlled by the processor 212 to
retrieve) electronic instructions for generating a flight path visualization and execute the
electronic instructions in order to generate the flight path visualization for display by the display
device 224.
[0047] In some embodiments, the memory 214 includes a flight path circuit 216. The flight
path circuit 216 can be configured to determine a flight path from a current location of the
airborne platform to an end location based on position data regarding an airborne platform, the
flight path including a plurality of path points. The flight path circuit 216 can receive the
position data from the position sensor 220. The flight path circuit 216 can determine a current
location of the airborne platform based on the position data. The flight path circuit 216 can
determine an end location for the airborne platform (e.g., a waypoint, destination, or landing
location) based on instructions received from an operator of the airborne platform, or from a
navigation system of the airborne platform. The flight path circuit 216 can execute a flight path
algorithm (e.g., an algorithm that draws a line, curve, or other path, such as an aeronautically
. efficient path, between two points in space) to determine the flight path between the current
location and the end location. The path points for which markers are displayed can be selected to
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be equidistant along the flight path, or spaced irregularly (e.g., more path points closer to the
current location of the airborne platform, creating a visual effect that there is a greater range of
motion near the current location for the airborne platform to reach and become aligned with the
flight path).
[0048] In some embodiments, the flight path circuit 216 is configured to receive the position
data as a sequence of positions from the position sensor 220 as a function of time, or receive the
position data as a sequence of positions from the position sensor 220 and store the sequence of
positions with corresponding time stamps. The flight path circuit 216 can also receive the
orientation data as a sequence of orientations from the orientation sensor 222 as a function of
time, or receive the orientation data as a sequence of orientations from the orientation sensor 222
and store the sequence of orientations with corresponding time stamps. The flight path circuit
216 can update (e.g., revise, modifY, re-calculate) the flight path based on the received position
data and/or orientation data. For example, the flight path circuit 216 can set a new current
location of the airborne platform based on the position data, and calculate an updated flight path
to the end location from the new current location.
(0049] In some embodiments, the memory 214 includes a visualization circuit 216. The
visualization circuit 216 is configured to generate a visualization of the flight path that includes
one or more markers positioned at corresponding points of the plurality of path points. The
visualization circuit can generate the visualization to include some or all of the features ·of the
flight path visualization 1 00 illustrated with reference to FIG: 2A or the flight path visualizations
150 described with reference to FIGS. 2B-2F. The visualization circuit 216 can output the
visualization for displaying by the display device 224 (e.g., output the visualization as a twodimensional
or three-dimensional arrangement of pixels). The visualization circuit 216 can
determine distances in physical space between the current location of the airborne platform and
the path points and the end location, convert the distances in physical space to apparent distances
(e.g., distances used to calculate locations of the path points and other features of the
visualization), and generate the visualization based on the apparent distances.
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[0050] In some embodiments, the visualization circuit 216 is configured to update the
visualization as a sequence of positions as a function of time. Responsive to the processing
circuit 210 receiving the position data as a sequence of positions (e.g., such that the flight path
circuit 216 updates the flight path based on the received positions), the visualization circuit 216
can update the visualization based on the updated positions (e.g., based on the updated flight path
determined by the flight path circuit 216), and output the updated visualization.
[0051] In some embodiments, the visualization circuit 216 is configured to generate the
visualization to include a trend vector indicating a trend path of travel of the airborne platform
based on flight data (e.g., a speed or airspeed of the airborne platform) and orientation data
regarding the airborne platform (e.g., a direction of travel). The trend vector can be similar or
identical to trend vector 116 shown in FIG. 2A. In some embodiments, the trend vector is
generated based on the orientation data (e.g., generated independent of speed).
[0052] The visualization circuit 216 can be configured to generate the visualization such that
an apparent size of each marker increases as an apparent distance between the airborne platform
and each marker decreases. For example, the visualization circuit 216 can process the flight path
to determine distances between the current location of the airborne platform and the path points,
and calculate apparent sizes of the markers based on the distances, such that markers that are at a
relatively greater apparent distance from the current location of the airborne platform appear
smaller (e.g., cover less area, are less dense or thick) as compared to markers that are at·a
relatively lesser apparent distance from the current location. The visualization circuit 216 can
update the visualization such that the markers appear to increase in size as the apparent distance
between the current location and the markers decreases (e.g., as the airborne platform approaches
the path points corresponding to the markers), which can create the visual effect that the airborne
platform is approaching the markers and/or passing through the markers.
[0053] In some embodiments, the processing circuit 210 includes, stores, or is
communicatively coupled to a database storing a plurality of predetermined flight paths. The
predetermined flight paths may correspond to a particular end location (e.g., predetermined paths
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for landing on a runway, such as a runway of an airport; predetermined paths for approaching an
aerial refueling platform). The predetermined paths may be associated with an identifier. For
example, if the end location is an airport, the identifier may correspond to the airport (or a
particular flight path for approaching the airport or a runway thereof). The flight path circuit 216
can receive the identifier, and determine the flight path by retrieving the flight path from the
database based on the identifier (e.g., by retrieving the predetermined flight path that corresponds
to the identifier).
(0054] In some embodiments, the display system 200 includes a user input device 226. The
user input device 226 can receive user inputs for controlling operation of the display system 200.
For example, the user input device 226 can receive user inputs indicating selection of features to
be included in or displayed as part of the visualization (e.g., selections regarding showing or
hiding trend vectors, flight paths, the shape used for markers). In some embodiments, the user
input device 226 is integrated with the display device 224 (e.g., the display device is or includes
a touchscreen). The user input device 226 can be similar or identical to the UI elements 22
described with reference to FIG. 1.
(0055] Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary embodiment of a method 300 according to the
inventive concepts disclosed herein may include the following steps. The method 300 may be
performed using various hardware, apparatuses, and systems disclosed herein, such as the
aircraft control center 10, the flight path visualization 100, the display system 200, and/or
components or features thereof.
(0056] A step (31 0) may include detecting position data regarding an airborne platform (or an
airframe thereof). For example, a position sensor (e.g., GPS) may detect the position data. In
some embodiments, the position data is detected and/or outputted as a sequence of positions as a
function of time. The position data can include attitude or orientation data regarding the airborne
platform, or attitude or orientation data can be detected by an orientation sensor (e.g., a
gyroscope), or received from an avionics system or other control system of the airborne platform
that receives directional control instructions.
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[0057] A step (320) may include determining a flight path from a current location of the
airborne platform to an end location (e.g., a landing location) based on position data. The flight
path includes one or more path points between the current location and the end location. The
flight path can be determined by executing a flight path algorithm based on the current location
and the end location. The end location (e.g., a waypoint, destination, or landing location) based
on instructions received fi·om an operator of the airborne platform, or from a navigation system
of the airborne platform. The path points for which markers are displayed can be selected to be
equidistant along the flight path, or spaced irregularly (e.g., more path points closer to the current
location of the airborne platform, creating a visual effect that there is a greater range of motion
near the current location for the airborne platform to reach and become aligned with the flight
path).
[0058] In some embodiments, the flight path is retrieved from a database storing a plurality of
predetermined flight paths. The predetermined flight paths may correspond to a particular end
location (e.g., predetermined paths for landing on a runway, such as a runway of an airport;
predetermined paths for approaching an aerial refueling platform). The predetermined paths may
be associated with an identifier. For example, if the end location is an airport, the identifier may
correspond to the airport (or a particular flight path for approaching the airport or a runway
thereof). The flight path can be determined by retrieving the flight path from the database based
on the identifier (e.g., by retrieving the predetermined flight path that corresponds to the
identifier).
[0059] A step (330) may include generating a visualization of the flight path that includes a
plurality of markers. The visualization may be similar or identical to the flight path visualization
100 described with reference to FIG. 2A or the flight path visualizations 150 described with
reference to FIGS. 2B-2F. The markers can be positioned at one or more path points of the flight
path.
[0060] In some embodiments, the visualization is updated in response to receiving each
position of the airborne platform as a function of time. For example, the relative sizes, shapes,
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and positions of the features of the visualization (e.g., flight paths, path points, markers) can be
modified as the current location of the airborne platform changes and is updated.
[0061] In some embodiments, generating the visualization includes generating a trend vector
that indicates a trend path of travel of the airborne platform based on the position data. For
example, the position data (if it includes a direction of travel, orientation, or attitude of the
airborne platform) or orientation data can indicate a direction that the airborne platform would
travel if no additional changes to direction were made. The trend vector can be aligned with the
current direction of travel. The trend vector can originate at or near the current location (e.g., an
origin depicting the current location) and extend along the current direction of travel.
[0062] In some embodiments, generating the visualization further includes increasing an
apparent size of each marker as an apparent distance between the airborne platform and each
marker decreases. For example, based on the distances between path points and the current
location as indicated by the flight path, the distances to the markers can be determined, and the
apparent size of markers can be modified based on the apparent distance to the markers. As the
visualization is updated as the airborne platform travels, the size of the markers can be
proportionally changed. In some embodiments, generating the visualization includes indicating a
distance by which the airborne platform is spaced or offset from the flight path. For example, a
distance calculated between the closest path point to the current location of the airborne platform
and the trend vector can be determined to be the offset.
[0063] A step (340) may include displaying the visualization. The visualization may be
displayed by a display device (e.g., flight displays 20, display device 224). The display device
may receive the visualization in an electronic format for display (e.g., a two-dimensional or
three-dimensional arrangement of pixel information) and display the visualization based on the
electronic format.
[0064] As will be appreciated from the above, systems and methods for displaying a flight path
. marker on a primary display according to embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed
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herein may improve operation of airborne platforms by providing an operator of the airborne
platform with visual guidance to a destination or other end location, such as during adverse
conditions where visibility outside the airborne platform may be compromised.
[0065] It is to be understood that embodiments of the methods according to the inventive
concepts disclosed herein may include one or more of the steps described herein. Further, such
steps may be carried out in any desired order and two or more of the steps may be carried out
simultaneously with one another. Two or more of the steps disclosed herein may be combined in
a single step, and in some embodiments, one or more of the steps may be carried out as two or
more sub-steps. Further, other steps or sub-steps may be carried out in addition to, or as
substitutes to one or more of the steps disclosed herein.
[0066] From the above description, it is clear that the inventive concepts disclosed herein are
well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as
those inherent in the inventive concepts disclosed herein. While presently preferred embodiments
of the inventive concepts disclosed herein have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it
will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to
those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the broad scope and coverage of the
inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A system, comprising:
an airborne platform;
a sensor device configured to detect position data regarding the airborne platform;
a processing circuit configured to:
receive the position data;
determining a flight path from a current location of the airborne platform to an
end location based on the position data, the flight path including a plurality of path
points; and
generate a visualization of the flight path that includes a plurality of markers
positioned at corresponding points of the plurality of path points; and
a display device configured to display the visualization.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to receive the
position data as a sequence of positions as a function of time, and update the visualization in
response to receiving each position based on each position.
3. The system of cl~im I, wherein the position data includes a position and an orientation of
the airborne platform.
4. The system of claim I, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to receive
flight data indicating a speed of the airborne platform.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the processing circuit is configured to generate the
visualization to include a trend vector indicating a trend path of travel of the airborne platform
based on the flight data and the position data.
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6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is configured to generate the
visualization such that an apparent size of each marker increases as an apparent distance between
the airborne platform and each marker decreases.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein each marker is displayed as at last one of a rectangle or a
cross mark.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the visualization indicates a distance by which the
airframe is spaced from flight path.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to receive an
identifier of the landing location, and to determine the flight path by retrieving the flight path
from a database storing a plurality of predetermined flight paths based on the identifier.
10. A display system, comprising:
a processing circuit configured to:
receive position data from a sensor device configured to detect position data
regarding an airborne platform;
determining a flight path from a current location of the airborne platform to an
end location based on the position data, the flight path including a path point; and
generate a visualization of the flight path that includes a marker positioned at the
path point; and
a display device configured to display the visualization.
11. The display system of claim 10, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to
receive the position data as a sequence of positions as a function of time, and update the
visualization in response to receiving each position based on each position.
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12. The display system of claim I 0, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to
generate the visualization to include a trend vector indicating a trend path of travel of the
airborne platform based on the position data.
13. The display system of claim 10, wherein the processing circuit is configured to generate
the visualization such that an apparent size of each marker increases as an apparent distance
between the airborne platform and each marker decreases.
14. The display system of claim 10, wherein the processing circuit is further configured to
determine that the path point is outside a view region of the visualization, and generate the
visualization such that the marker indicates that the path point is outside the view region.
15. A method, comprising:
detecting position data regarding an airborne platform;
determining a flight path from a current location of the airborne platform to an end
location based on the position data, the flight path including a plurality of path points;
generating a visualization of the flight path that includes a plurality of markers positioned
at corresponding points of the plurality of path points; and
displaying the visualization.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
detecting the position data as a sequence of positions as a function of time; and
updating the visualization in response to receiving each position based on each position.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising generating the visualization to include a
trend vector indicating a trend path of travel of the airborne platform based on the position data.
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18. The method of claim 15, wherein generating the visualization ~1.1rther comprises
increasing an apparent size of each marker as an apparent distance betiveen the airborne platfom1
!
and each marker decreases.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein generating the visualization further comprises
indicating a distance by which the airborne platform is spaced from th(i flight path.
20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
receiving an identifier of the landing location; and
detennining the flight path by retrieving the flight path from a database storing a p1nrality
of predetermined flight paths based on the identifier.