Vehicle travel can be effected by meteorological events and other events the vehicle encounters during travel. Hence, systems that inform a vehicle traveling in an area subject to a meteorological event or other event are desired. For example, in avionic travel, volcanic ash clouds can have a serious effect on travel of the aircraft. To deal with this type of situation, the aircraft crew needs dynamic real time situational awareness to help navigate the aircraft away from the ash cloud. This is possible only if current volcanic advisories are assessable to the crew at any point during the flight.
For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for and effective and effect system and method of providing the advisory data to a vehicle.
The above-mentioned problems of current systems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. The following summary is made by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding some of the aspects of the invention. Embodiments provide a system and methods of gathering low design assurance level information regarding advisory information and the like and combing the information with high design assurance level information without effecting other function of the vehicle.
In one embodiment, a method of providing advisory information gathered from the internet to a vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving high design assurance level system information at a vehicle embedded system through a first communication system. The vehicle embedded system is used, at least in part, to create a travel path of the vehicle. The low design assurance level information is received through a second communication system. The second communication system is in communication with the internet. Advisory data is dynamically collected from select internet sites through the second communication system with a browser. The browser is further configured to help, at least in part, host the low design assurance level information from the second communication system on the vehicle embedded system without effecting other functions of the vehicle embedment system that are based at least in part on the high design assurance level system information. The collected advisory data received through the second communication system is used to determine imminent and forecasted threats along the created travel path of the vehicle. The determined imminent and forecasted threats relating to the advisory data are displayed on at least one display overlaying the created travel path of the vehicle.
In another embodiment, a method of supplementing high design assurance level system information for an aircraft is provided. The method includes dynamically gathering low design assurance level information from the internet with a communication system based on a requests by a cockpit browser. The low design assurance level information is parsed with the high design assurance level information with a parser of the cockpit browser to generate combined assurance level information. The combined assurance level information is displayed on a display.
In still another embodiment, an information generating system for a vehicle is provided that includes a first communication system, a second communication system a vehicle embedded system and at least one display. The first communication system is configured to receive high design assurance level system information. The second communication system is configured to receive low design assurance level system information. The vehicle embedded system is in communication with the first communication system and the second communication system. The vehicle embedded system includes at least one memory and at least one controller. The at least one memory is used to store at least operating instructions, a browser with parsing functions, the high design assurance level system information and the low design assurance level system information. The at least one controller is configured to implement the browser to collect advisory data through the second communication system and parse the collected advisory data with high assurance level system information to create combined assurance level information. The at least one display is used to display the combined assurance level information.
The present invention can be more easily understood and further advantages and uses thereof will be more readily apparent, when considered in view of the detailed description and the following figures in which:
In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the present invention. Reference characters denote like elements throughout Figures and text.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method of combining high design assurance level information communicated through a first communication system with low design assurance level information communicated through a second communication system without affecting other functions of vehicle embedded system that are based at least in part on the high design assurance level system information. The systems and methods described below are described as applying to an aircraft but embodiments can be applied to any type of vehicle that implements high designed assurance level information.
An example embodiment that is applied to an aircraft communication system 100 is illustrated in
The aircraft operational systems 200 further include a plurality of sensor 216-1 through 216-n that provide such sensor data as, but not limited to, radar sensor data, aircraft performance sensor data, location sensor data and system health data to the controller 210 of the embedded system 210. Also shown in the embedded system 210 of
The aircraft operational systems 200 further includes a second communication system 208. The second communication system 208 may communicate with low design assurance level information, examples of such are provided below in detail, via cell towers, satellite, etc. as discussed above. The aircraft operational systems 200 further includes a browser 210 with parsing functions. In one embodiment the browser 219 is stored in memory 204 an implemented by the controller 202. In other embodiments the browser 210 may be stored in another memory and implemented by another controller. The communications system 206 and 208 include transmitters and receivers.
Referring to
In an embodiment, the browser 210 is a Digital Engine Operating System (DEOS) application that runs an AGM in a partition of the memory 204. The DEOS application takes care of memory partitioning so that lower level browser applications do not impact other sub system. Additionally a layer may be implemented to ensure data that is coming in from the lower level browser application does not impact higher level data so that data coupling with security can be achieved. Memory portioning may be done at system generation time. This ensures that no two different processes use each other's memory partition. Although this may cause internal fragmentation within the memory, it is a secure way to protect critical applications.
An example of advisory information that can be received from the second communication system 208 (and hence low design assurance level information) is volcanic ash advisories. Flying through volcanic ash clouds is a real safety concern since the ash can damage engines of an aircraft. Embodiments provide a system that allows a crew of an aircraft to access advisories (such as a volcanic advisory) during all phases of a flight. It allows for the dynamically updating of the advisories thus helping the crew to negotiate alternative routes with the Air Traffic Control (ATC), avoid costly rerouting, avoid safety issues and damage to the aircraft. In embodiments, a current lateral flight plan that falls on a respective advisory location is highlighted. As discussed above, the system is built on top of the cockpit browser. In an embodiment, the altitudes at which the ash clouds are present are provided in different colors on a Vertical Situation Display (VSD) so the crew can plan a detour well in advance. Further in another embodiment, a Multi-Functional Display (MFD) is used to display the advisory. This helps the crew to choose the closest airport that is not affected so the aircraft can be diverted.
During any phase of the flight, embodiments provide the crew with an “advisory” link such as a “volcanic advisory” button that can be activated. Upon activation, the browser 210 collects data from the web as described above. For example, relating to the “volcanic advisory” example, the browser 210 may access the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) web site which tracks volcanic ash clouds. Information collected by the browser 210 is parsed as described above and then the parsed information is shown on the browser window where the entire flight plan is overlaid on 2-D/3D maps. For example, please see
As discussed above, the advisory information can also be displayed on the VSD. An example of a combination MFD/VDS screen shot 700 is illustrated in
In a volcanic advisory information embodiments, an embodiment, further enhances the situational awareness on the MFD 702 by indicating the situational awareness on the MFD 702 by indicating the active volcano that erupted and caused ash. The symbol used to show the volcano is a triangle in the embodiment. Moreover, in an embodiment, a red color triangle may be used to indicate the volcano. Only the active volcano that has erupted will be shown so as to avoid clutter. This arrangement again will alert the crew as to which volcano along the flight path may affect the aircraft.
Embodiments can be extended to datalink operations where a particular aircraft has only datalink capacity. If the particular airport has only datalink capabilities then the advisory information may be accessed by an ATC/Airline Operational Communication (AOC) uplink and sent to the cockpit. The parser will parse this datalink advisory information and show it on a 2D map which the crew can review during preflight and plan an appropriate detour if needed. The parsed report will be used to show the appropriate advisories on the MFD and VSD as explained above.
Example 1 is a method of providing advisory information gathered from the internet to a vehicle. The method includes receiving high design assurance level system information at a vehicle embedded system through a first communication system. The vehicle embedded system is used, at least in part, to create a travel path of the vehicle. The low design assurance level information is received through a second communication system. The second communication system is in communication with the internet. Advisory data is dynamically collecting from select internet sites through the second communication system with a browser. The browser is further configured to help, at least in part, host the low design assurance level information from the second communication system on the vehicle embedded system without effecting other functions of the vehicle embedment system that are based at least in part on the high design assurance level system information. The collected advisory data received through the second communication system is used to determine imminent and forecasted threats along the created travel path of the vehicle. The determined imminent and forecasted threats relating to the advisory data are displayed on at least one display overlaying the created travel path of the vehicle.
Example 2, includes the method of Example 1, wherein the browser is an aircraft browser.
Example 3 includes the method of any of the Examples 1-2, further comprising; partitioning memory so that the low design assurance level information does not impact other systems of the vehicle.
Example 3 includes the method of any of the Examples 1-3, further comprising; using a layer to ensure the low design assurance level information does not impact other systems of the vehicle.
Example 5 includes the method of any of the Examples 1-4, wherein displaying the determined imminent and forecasted threats relating to the advisory data on at least one display overlaying the created travel path of the vehicle, further comprises; displaying the determined imminent and forecasted threats relating to the advisory data on at least one of a multi-functional display and a vertical situation display.
Example 6 includes the method of any of the Examples 1-5, wherein displaying the determined imminent and forecasted threats relating to the advisory data on at least one display overlaying the created travel path of the vehicle, further comprises; displaying areas associated with the determined imminent and forecasted threats in a select color on a multi-functional display; and displaying path crossing portions of the travel path of the vehicle in vertical situation display in the same color as the areas associated with the determined imminent and forecasted threats on a multi-functional display.
Example 7 includes a method of supplementing high design assurance level system information for an aircraft. The method includes dynamically gathering low design assurance level information from the internet with a communication system based on a requests by a cockpit browser. The low design assurance level information is parsed with the high design assurance level information with a parser of the cockpit browser to generate combined assurance level information. The combined assurance level information is displayed on a display.
Example 8 includes the method of claim 7, further comprising; partitioning memory so that the low design assurance level information does not impact other systems of the vehicle.
Example 9 includes the method of any of any of the Examples 7-8, further comprising; using a layer to ensure the low design assurance level information does not impact other systems of the vehicle.
Example 10 includes the method of any of the Examples 7-9, wherein the low design assurance level information relates to advisory data and the high design assurance level system information relates to a flight path, the combined assurance level information including a location of the advisory data in relation to the flight path.
Example 11 includes the method of any of the Examples 7-10, wherein, the advisory data relates to volcanic ash clouds.
Example 12 is an information generating system for a vehicle that includes a first communication system, a second communication system a vehicle embedded system and at least one display. The first communication system is configured to receive high design assurance level system information. The second communication system is configured to receive low design assurance level system information. The vehicle embedded system is in communication with the first communication system and the second communication system. The vehicle embedded system includes at least one memory and at least one controller. The at least one memory is used to store at least operating instructions, a browser with parsing functions, the high design assurance level system information and the low design assurance level system information. The at least one controller is configured to implement the browser to collect advisory data through the second communication system and parse the collected advisory data with high assurance level system information to create combined assurance level information. The at least one display is used to display the combined assurance level information.
Example 13 is the information generating system for a vehicle of claim 12, further comprising; an operator input in communication with the at least one controller to selectively request the browser collect the advisory data.
Example 14 is the information generating system for a vehicle of any of the claims 12-13, wherein the first communication system uses an Aircraft Communication Addressing Reporting System.
Example 15 is the information generating system for a vehicle of any of the claims 12-14, wherein the second communication system further comprises; a wireless subscriber unit configured to interface communication signals between the vehicle embedded system and a plurality of communication services.
Example 16 is the information generating system for a vehicle of any of claim 15, wherein the plurality of communication services include at least one of a WiFi service, a cellular service and a satellite service.
Example 17 is the information generation system for a vehicle of any of the claims 12-16, further wherein the at least one controller includes and at least one memory includes a data loader management unit with memory.
Example 18 is the information generating system for a vehicle of any of the claims 12-17, further comprising; at least one advanced graphic module used to generate the combined information on the at least one display.
Example 19 is the information generating system for a vehicle of any of the claims 12-18, wherein the at least one display further comprises; an avionic multi-function display and a vertical situation display.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.