Runway Status Indication and Traffic Filtering for Airport Moving Maps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current airport moving maps do not provide pilots with adequate information about runway status and traffic, leading to increased risks of runway incursions and conflicts, especially in low visibility conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for filtering and displaying runway status and traffic information, which defines monitored volumes around runways, determines runway status based on traffic and monitoring vehicle states, and presents this information through graphical and alphanumeric indicators, as well as audio signals, to enhance pilot awareness and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pilots rely on air traffic control radio transmissions for runway status information, then information can be obtained, but the information may be missed, untimely, incomplete or inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (runway status detection and display system) that acts as a mediator between the actual runway status and the pilot. This system includes detection devices that directly monitor runway status, a processing unit that analyzes the detected information, and a display device that presents the processed information to the pilot. This intermediary system ensures reliable, complete, and timely information transmission without depending on radio communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/communication system (radio transmissions) with an electronic detection and display system. Instead of relying on air traffic control to verbally communicate runway status through radio, the system uses electronic sensors to detect runway status, processes this data electronically, and displays it visually and auditorily in the cockpit, providing more reliable and timely information.
2Device complexity
If current airport moving maps display only ownship position, then the display is simple, but runway status and traffic information are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information display into multiple hierarchical levels. The base layer shows the airport moving map with ownship position, while additional layers overlay runway status indicators, traffic information, and conflict alerts. This segmentation allows the display to remain simple when no additional information is present, while providing comprehensive information when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple information sources and display elements into a unified airport moving map display. It combines ownship position, runway status indicators, traffic vehicle positions, conflict information, and navigation data into a single integrated display system, providing comprehensive information without requiring multiple separate displays or interfaces.
3Reliability
If comprehensive runway status and traffic information is provided to pilots, then safety is improved, but the information processing and display complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors runway status and traffic conditions, processes this information, and provides real-time feedback to the pilot through the display system. The system also incorporates pilot feedback by monitoring aircraft state and adjusting the information presented accordingly, ensuring that the most relevant safety-critical information is prioritized and displayed, thus managing complexity while maintaining high safety standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of information detail in different display areas and under different conditions. Critical safety information such as runway occupation status and immediate conflict warnings are displayed with high prominence and detail, while less critical information is displayed with lower prominence. This selective emphasis maintains safety while managing overall display complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for runway status indication and related traffic information displays and filtering are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method for displaying runway status includes defining a monitored volume for each of one or more runways, determining a runway status for each of the one or more runways based on at least one of a state of at least one traffic vehicle and a monitoring vehicle state with respect to each monitored volume. The method continues with selecting at least one runway status for display based on the state of the monitoring vehicle. The method then presents the at least one runway status within the monitoring vehicle. In an additional embodiment, each monitored volume is based on a length of a corresponding runway, a width of the corresponding runway, and a predetermined altitude above the corresponding runway.