Communications: electrical – Aircraft alarm or indicating systems
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-16
2001-11-06
Tweel, John (Department: 2736)
Communications: electrical
Aircraft alarm or indicating systems
C701S014000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06313759
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to avionics, and more particularly, to a system that assists in the communication between an aircraft and a ground control station.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Most airports have an air traffic control (ATC) center to coordinate the take-offs, landings, and the general airplane traffic around the airport. Pilots speak via radio to the ATC center to request permission or to receive instructions therefrom. However, as more and more aircraft crowd the skies it is becoming difficult for ATC centers to process the oral communications from so many aircraft.
Another difficulty is that pilots and air traffic controllers may not speak the same language. In such a situation it is difficult for important information to be communicated therebetween. Even if the pilots and air traffic controllers speak the same language, a misunderstanding of instructions or flight identification information may result in an unsafe flying condition. For example, a pilot flying an aircraft having the flight identifier AAL1234 may respond to ATC instructions for flight ALL1234 because the flight identifiers sound very similar.
Still another difficulty is that each ATC center typically broadcasts communications on a single radio frequency. Consequently, pilots listening to that frequency must hear every communication between the ATC center and every other airplane communicating therewith. It may be difficult for the pilot to filter out information pertaining to his or her airplane from the constant stream of irrelevant messages.
It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative to oral communication between an aircraft and an ATC center so that routine requests and instructions are not given via voice.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method of communication between an aircraft and an ATC center that enables an ATC center to manage a large number of aircraft simultaneously.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method of communication between an aircraft and an ATC center that is not unduly burdensome on a pilot, yet ensures that the pilot is made aware of essential air traffic information.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of communication that incorporates standard ATC nomenclature therein so that the method can be easily adopted by the aircraft industry with a minimum of training.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention accomplishes the above objects by providing a system for communicating between an aircraft and a ground control station. The system includes a communications module disposed onboard the aircraft and capable of electronically communicating with the ground control station. The communications module includes an input interface that permits an operator onboard the aircraft to view messages that are sent and received from the ground control station. The input interface has a plurality of display configurations for the viewing and entry of information. The input interface permits data relevant to a flight of the aircraft to be entered by the operator while viewing at least one of the plurality of display configurations.
The invention further provides a method for communicating between an aircraft and a ground control station. A communications module is provided onboard the aircraft. The module electronically communicates with the ground control station and includes an input interface that permits an operator to interact with the module and communicate with the ground control station. Messages that are sent and received from the ground control station are displayed on a portion of the input interface such that an operator may view the messages upon one of a plurality of display configurations. Data relevant to a flight of the aircraft is processed, the data having been entered by the operator while viewing at least one of the display configurations.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4642775 (1987-02-01), Cline et al.
patent: 6020831 (2000-02-01), Nishida et al.
patent: 6043756 (2000-03-01), Bateman et al.
patent: 6043757 (2000-03-01), Patrick
patent: 6108523 (2000-08-01), Wright et al.
patent: 6160497 (2000-12-01), Clark
Eppele Kyle
Jensen Nathan O.
Rockwell Collins
Tweel John
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