Patent Application
20080088433
a is an illustrative screen segment containing scheduled flight arrival information, suitable for use with the invention shown in
b is an illustrative screen segment containing scheduled flight departure information, suitable for use with the invention shown in
c is an illustrative screen segment containing a personalized message, suitable for use with the invention shown in
d is an illustrative screen segment containing scheduled flight service status and preparation information, suitable for use with the invention shown in
For the purposes of promoting and understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
Currently, systems exist which provide general flight status information using visual monitors. The most common example of this is the well known and universally used arrival and departure boards present at virtually every commercial airport. Users can easily view information such as flight number, arrival/departure time, origin/destination, gate, baggage carousel number, and status of a flight. This enables passengers and others in the airport to find the proper time and location for their flight and baggage. Until applicants' invention, this method of presenting flight information had been difficult for air traffic that is not regularly-scheduled commercial flights, such as private or chartered aircraft. In addition, due to the smaller number of passengers and flights, a high level of customization and personalization may be included by the operator. Applicants have incorporated many of the features disclosed herein into a fully functioning website at http:flightaware.com/airportaware/, incorporated herein by reference.
In 1995, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made a wealth of minute-by-minute flight tracking information available for distribution to the public with the creation of the Aircraft Situation Display to Industry (ASDI) service. Through this service, flight tracking data is made available to several vendors who are subsequently able to provide information in a value-added format to their subscribers. The ASDI information includes the location, altitude, airspeed, origin, destination, estimated time of arrival and tail number or designated identifier of air carrier and general aviation aircraft operating on at least the corresponding IFR flight plans within U.S. airspace. General aviation VFR flights that include air traffic control flight following are often included. Early adopters of the information provided by the ASDI service include air charter operators, limousine firms, and fixed base operators (FBOs).
As the growth of the private aviation industry increases, a shift has occurred in the level and efficiency of services demanded by the corporate passengers and affluent individuals commonly aboard. FBOs and other service providers are renovating their facilities in order to compete for the business of a higher end clientele. By incorporating a personalized display capable of visually welcoming passengers and providing pertinent information to them a higher level of client satisfaction is achieved. The present invention is directed toward receiving and processing aviation information and content and providing information of interest to the passengers in one or more aspects of the invention, but the present invention also serves other purposes in addition to these.
Computers 21a-21d include one or more processors or CPUs (50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d, respectively) and one or more types of memory (52a, 52b, 52c, 52d, respectively). Each memory 52 preferably includes a removable memory device. Each processor 50 may be comprised of one or more components configured as a single unit. When of a multi-component form, a processor 50 may have one or more components located remotely relative to the others. One or more components of each processor 50 may be of the electronic variety defining digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or both. In one embodiment, each processor 50 is of a conventional, integrated circuit microprocessor arrangement, such as one or more OPTERON processors supplied by ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES Corporation of One AMD Place, Sunnyvale, Calif. 94088, USA.
Each memory 52 (removable, fixed or both) is one form of a computer-readable device. Each memory may include one or more types of solid-state electronic memory, magnetic memory, or optical memory, just to name a few. By way of non-limiting example, each memory may include solid-state electronic Random Access Memory (RAM), Sequentially Accessible Memory (SAM) (such as the First-In, First-Out (FIFO) variety or the Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) variety), Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), Electronically Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM); an optical disc memory (such as a DVD or CD ROM); a magnetically encoded hard disc, floppy disc, tape, or cartridge media; or a combination of any of these memory types, or other types not included in the above list. Also, each memory may be volatile, nonvolatile, or a hybrid combination of volatile and nonvolatile varieties.
Although not shown to preserve clarity, one or more of computers 21a-21d may be coupled to a display and/or may include an integrated display. Computers 21a-21d may be of the same type, or a heterogeneous combination of different computing devices. Likewise, displays may be of the same type, or a heterogeneous combination of different visual devices. Although again not shown to preserve clarity, each computer 21a-21d may also include one or more operator input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, track ball, light pen, and/or microtelecommunicator, to name just a few representative examples. Also, besides a display, one or more other output devices may be included such as a loudspeaker or printer. Various display and input device arrangements are possible.
Computer network 22 can be in the form of a wireless or wired Local Area Network (LAN), Municipal Area Network (MAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), such as the Internet, a combination of these, or such other network arrangement as would occur to those skilled in the art. The operating logic of system 20 can be embodied in signals transmitted over network 22, in programming instructions, dedicated hardware, or a combination of these. It should be understood that more or fewer computers like computers 21a-21d can be coupled together by computer network 22.
In one embodiment, system 20 operates at one or more physical locations. Web Server 11 is configured as a web server that hosts application business logic 33 for an value added flight tracking information engine, Database Server 12 is configured as a database server for storing aviation information provided by ASDI Server 41, and client computer 31 is configured for providing a user interface 36 for accessing the value added flight tracking information service 10 and providing a video signal to display 32. User interface 36 of client computers 31 can be an installable application such as one that communicates with Web Server 11, can be browser-based, and/or can be embedded software, to name a few non-limiting examples. In one form, display 32 is a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), but may be a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), plasma, laser display device, Digital Light Processing (DLP) monitor, projector or other video display currently known in the art or later developed. Preferably, display 32 is at least 37″ in size allowing it to be easily read from a variety of different locations and distances.
In one embodiment, software installed locally on client computer 31 is used to communicate with Web Server 11. In another embodiment, Web Server 11 provides content such as video clips, images, templates, and/or advertising in addition to flight tracking information to client computers 31 when requested. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the term web server is used generically for purposes of illustration and is not meant to imply that network 22 is required to be the Internet. As described previously, network 22 can be one of various types of networks as would occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. Database (data store) 34 on Database Server 12 can store data such as flight tracking information, departure/arrival notices, flight plans, historical flight information, aircraft information, aviation related content, and/or advertisement messages to name a few representative examples.
In the illustrative embodiment, flight tracking information is received from ASDI Server 41 which is at least one server that is a part of the Aircraft Situation Display to Industry Service (ASDI) provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The feed provided by the ASDI service may be in real time or delayed, such as subject to a five minute delay. Connections to the feed are established in a structured format according to Aircraft Situation Display to Industry: Functional Description and Interface Control Document (available at http://www.fly.faa.gov/ASDI/asdi.html) which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Typical applications of system 20 would include more client computers coupled to displays, like client computer 31 and display 32 at more physical locations, but only one has been illustrated in
In the illustrative embodiment, value added flight tracking information service 10 is associated with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Enhanced Traffic Management System (ETMS) through the Aircraft Situation Display to Industry (ASDI) feed provided from the Volpe National Transportation System Center (VNTSC). The feed may include all flight plan information for flights in the National Airspace System (NAS).
Using the ASDI feed provided by the FAA, flight tracking data including information regarding flights for all aircraft flying using “instrument flight rules” (IFR) is obtained by the service 10. The information includes regularly-scheduled commercial airlines and most charter, private, and corporate airlines, while general aviation VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flights that include air traffic control flight following are often also included. The information provided by the ASDI feed and utilized by the service 10 includes the location, altitude, airspeed, origin, destination, estimated time of arrival and tail number or designated identifier of air carrier and general aviation aircraft. This information is provided through a continuous stream of messages, each message having a type such as those described below:
These messages are used to compile and update a database of records for each flight within the applicable airspace system, such as for the U.S. and/or Canada. In the illustrative embodiment, the database is maintained in data store 34 of Database Server 12 and accessible via Web Server 11. Further information relating to the processing of ASDI messages can be found in pending application Ser. No. 11/530,357, which is herein incorporated by reference, filed on Sep. 8, 2006, and commonly assigned to FlightAware LLC, assignee of the present application.
Using the data stored in Database Server 12, Web Server 11 is able to provide content, containing flight information among other things, to client computer 31 for storage, configuration, and subsequent presentation on display 32. In the preferred form, the content is substantially aviation/business related. Additionally, client computer 31 is operable to customize the flight information it receives from Web Server 11 as well as download/create content to be incorporated into the visual display.
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Once the user is logged in, service 10 retrieves a listing of the current flights scheduled to arrive at or depart from the airport associated with the user (stage 206). In the illustrative embodiment, the airport upon which the FBO user is located is associated with the FBO account when created. In alternate forms, the user may select the airport of interest. In service 10, Web Server 11 retrieves a listing from Database Server 12 all flights scheduled to arrive or depart from the associated airport. The scheduled arrivals and departures are populated within Database Server 12 by the flight tracking information feed provided from ASDI Server 41. In one form, the flight plan data is utilized to identify arriving and departing flights.
Once service 10 populates the listing, the scheduled flights for the associated airport are presented to the user. The user selects a set of flights for inclusion in the display sent to monitor 32 (stage 208). In the illustrative embodiment, the user selects only the flights which are scheduled for service at their FBO. Therefore, the display is highly tailored to upcoming clients. In one form, client computer receives and stores flight information regarding all flights associated with the airport of the user. In an alternate form, the client computer receives and stores only information regarding only the selected flights.
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In a further form, the user may simply transmit a flight identifier, such as a flight or tail number to service 10 in order to select flights for inclusion. Additionally, a user may create a listing of loyal customers, identified by tail number, who frequently utilize the FBO's services. In the event service 10 identifies a flight having a tail number entered in this loyal customer list, the flight may be automatically selected for inclusion. Conversely, tail number of cargo flights or other aircraft that frequent the airport but do not use the FBO can be automatically excluded. In a still further form, the selection of flights may be automated by incorporation of client computer 31 or Web Server 11 with a scheduling system or other record keeping means of the FBO. It shall also be appreciated that various arrangements of web page 300 in addition to additional forms of selecting flights may be utilized without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
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Once the screen layout of the display is set by the user, the system transfers the content required for the customized display (stage 214). In the illustrative embodiment, a screen layout is a combination of one or more display segments which can be combined. Display segments may be flight listings, images, videos, web pages, tickers, and other visual data utilized in a screen layout for display on monitor 32 and stored by service 10. The content, which is included within display segments, may be streamed to the client computer 31, along with flight status information, for incorporation into a signal suitable for transmission to and display upon monitor 32. Additionally, large content, such as video, may be downloaded from service 10 and stored upon client computer 31 or an attached data storage device, for subsequent use. In the preferred form, high definition content, such as news updates, advertisements, and aviation related information is provided in this form. In an alternate form, content may be provided on CD, DVD, or other digital storage medium for use by client computer 31 within display segments.
Turning to
c illustrates a representative client information screen segment 522. In the illustrative embodiment, screen segment 522 may be displayed for a short time after the arrival of a scheduled flight, thereby presenting customized information to the client. Screen segment 522 may include a personalized message 524, a status update 526, a client association 528, and a client image 530. For example, in the event of a corporate executive and guest, the personalize message 524 may be a welcome message welcoming the group, status message 526 may update the passengers of their next activity, whether it be lunch, dinner, or the arrival of a limousine for transportation. Additionally, the display may be tailored to the corporation with whom the executive works by displaying the corporate name, such as client association 528, and the corporate logo, client image 530.
Additionally, in an alternate form, screen segment 530 may be displayed with a listing of the next scheduled flight 532 included along with a listing of the requirements for successfully servicing that flight 534. Segment 530 may be displayed on monitor 32 when no guests are present in the FBO or on a second monitor, not shown, in the service area viewable only by the employees responsible for completing the listed tasks.
In one form, a single screen layout is utilized and displayed, but in the preferred embodiment, numerous screen layouts are displayed sequentially for various times based upon flight information, with the display of targeted screen layouts based upon a variety of criteria, such as the status of a selected flight. For example, in one form, a set of three screen layouts may be sequentially displayed, the first displaying arrivals, the second departures, and the third displaying weather and news content. In a preferred form, a layout may be presented in response to an indication, derived from the substantially real time flight data, that a flight will be arriving soon. Such indication may be determined by a ARTCC boundary crossing, indicating that the flight has entered controlled airspace, an estimated time of arrival, a distance to the destination airport, or an air speed or altitude below a predetermined threshold. In the event that no flights are scheduled for service in the near future, the duration of the news and weather screen layout may be increased. In the event of a recent arrival, a personalized screen layout or series of layout may be displayed, as set by the user.
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While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all equivalents, changes, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions as described herein and/or by the following claims are desired to be protected.
Hence, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification.
