초록 ▼

A programmable symbology is provided that defines a series of geometric forms in the visual field of a pilot. The symbology includes a virtual representation of a predicted flight path of the aircraft and a virtual representation of a projected contact point with an external object, including the gr

A programmable symbology is provided that defines a series of geometric forms in the visual field of a pilot. The symbology includes a virtual representation of a predicted flight path of the aircraft and a virtual representation of a projected contact point with an external object, including the ground. The symbology also provides a virtual representation of a predicted flight path of the aircraft that is projected onto the ground below the projected flight path as a ground path predictor. The symbology further provides a critical slowing air speed indicator.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A symbology system for programming information relative to an aircraft's future position and flight path to create a symbology representing the future position and flight path of the aircraft in the visual field of a pilot, the system comprising:a programmable means for gathering flight travel in

1. A symbology system for programming information relative to an aircraft's future position and flight path to create a symbology representing the future position and flight path of the aircraft in the visual field of a pilot, the system comprising:a programmable means for gathering flight travel information in real time about an aircraft from a number of instruments on the aircraft and using the flight travel information to create a symbology representing the aircraft flight path and future position information in the visual field of a pilot of the aircraft;the symbology, superimposed on the actual terrain in the actual visual field of the pilot, comprising a series of virtual figures at spaced intervals in front of the aircraft delineating the projected flight path of the aircraft and the future predicted position of the aircraft based on the present real time path of travel of the aircraft including any future predicted point of contact of the aircraft with any external object including the ground, the symbology providing visual real time information to the pilot regarding points of future positions at given time intervals of the aircraft relative to the actual surrounding environment and visual real time information about a predicted future contact of the aircraft with any objects in the environment including the ground; anda virtual representation of the predicted flight path of the aircraft corresponding to a span of a helicopter rotor or a wing span of a plane projected onto the terrain below the projected flight path, the virtual representation of the predicted flight path of the aircraft superimposed on the terrain that the pilot views as a ground path predictor that shows a precise path across the terrain that the aircraft will traverse below the predicted flight path of the aircraft during an upcoming maneuver.2. The symbology system of claim 1 wherein the series of virtual images comprises a series of geometric figures at spaced intervals in front of the aircraft through which geometric figures the aircraft would travel in the present flight path, passing through each of the series of geometric figures in a given time period based on real time flight information.3. The symbology system of claim 2 wherein each of the geometric figures in the series of geometric figures is consecutively smaller as the virtual distance from the aircraft increases so that each subsequent geometric figure appears more distant from the aircraft in a simulated perspective view.4. The symbology system of claim 3 wherein the series of geometric figures comprises a series of circles vertically oriented and spaced apart by intervals indicating future positions of the aircraft at spaced time and distance intervals.5. The symbology system of claim 4 wherein the predicted flight path is projected downward from the circles onto the earth, and represented by two fed lines spaced apart.6. The symbology system of claim 2 wherein the predicted future point of contact is designated by a recognizably different imagery from the series of geometric figures representing the predicted flight path.7. The symbology system of claim 6 wherein the predicted point of contact is designated by a different color image.8. The symbology system of claim 6 wherein the predicted point of contact is designated by an asterisk or other symbol.9. The symbology system of claim 6 wherein the predicted point of contact flashes on and off at a specified time interval before predicted impact.10. The symbology system of claim 1 where the spaced intervals may be defined dynamically by the pilot of the aircraft.11. The symbology system of claim 1 wherein color attributes of the symbology may be defined dynamically by the pilot of the aircraft.12. The symbology system of claim 1 where a size of the symbology may be defined dynamically by the pilot of the aircraft.13. The symbology system of claim 1 wherein upon slowing and stopping the aircraft, the symbols are turned off, one-by-one as they begin to loop back toward the aircraft to indicate a rearward motion of the aircraft, and a new symbol is inserted at the point where the aircraft will reach a selected critical airspeed.14. A symbology system for programming information relative to an aircraft's future position and flight path to create a symbology representing the future position and flight path of the aircraft in the visual field of a pilot, the system comprising:a programmable means for gathering flight travel information in real time about an aircraft from a number of instruments on the aircraft and using the flight travel information to create a symbology representing the aircraft flight path and future position information in the visual field of a pilot of the aircraft;the symbology, superimposed on the actual visual field of the pilot, comprising a series of virtual figures at spaced intervals in front of the aircraft delineating the projected flight path of the aircraft and the future predicted position of the aircraft based on the present real time path of travel of the aircraft including any future predicted point of contact of the aircraft with any external object including the ground, the symbology being capable of providing visual real time information to the pilot regarding points of future positions at given time intervals of the aircraft relative to the actual surrounding environment and visual real time information about a predicted future contact of the aircraft with any objects in the environment including the ground;wherein upon slowing and stopping the aircraft, the symbols are turned off, one-by-one as they begin to loop back toward the aircraft to indicate a rearward motion of the aircraft, and a new symbol is inserted at the point where the aircraft will reach a selected critical airspeed.15. The symbology system of claim 14 further comprising a ground path predictor symbology to show a precise path across the terrain that the aircraft will traverse below the predicted flight path of the aircraft during an upcoming maneuver.16. The symbology system of claim 15 wherein the ground path predictor comprises a pair of spaced lines tracking the predicted flight path on the ground below the predicted flight path.17. The symbology system of claim 14 wherein the system is programmed so that a new symbol appears at the future position of the aircraft when it will reach a selected critical air speed.18. The symbology system of claim 17 wherein the new symbol comprises a vehicle-sized wire frame cube to serve both as a useful reference point for intentional slowing, and a warning for those who do not intend to slow so dramatically.