초록 ▼

A system and method for filtering various targets (such as ground vehicles, stationary objects, and aircraft) from display on a display screen within the cockpit of an "Own Ship" aircraft. The system and method withhold from display any non-exempt targets that have an altitude that is either: (1) gr

A system and method for filtering various targets (such as ground vehicles, stationary objects, and aircraft) from display on a display screen within the cockpit of an "Own Ship" aircraft. The system and method withhold from display any non-exempt targets that have an altitude that is either: (1) greater than an upper-threshold altitude; or (2) less than a lower-threshold altitude. The upper-threshold altitude and the lower-threshold altitude may be set to user-specified, customized values as desired to accommodate current flying conditions. In addition, the system and method may also be configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes, each of which features a different upper threshold altitude/lower threshold altitude combination. The system and method are preferably configured to reset certain threshold altitudes to pre-defined default altitudes in response to the aircraft landing.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A system for displaying aeronautical information, said system comprising: a central processing unit; a memory coupled to said central processing unit; and a display screen coupled to said central processing unit, said central processing unit being configured for executing the steps of:

We claim: 1. A system for displaying aeronautical information, said system comprising: a central processing unit; a memory coupled to said central processing unit; and a display screen coupled to said central processing unit, said central processing unit being configured for executing the steps of: 1) receiving, from a user, a user-specified upper-threshold altitude; 2) receiving altitude-related information regarding one or more targets; 3) using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is greater than said user-specified upper-threshold altitude; and 4) withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 3, wherein said central processing unit is further configured for: displaying said user-specified upper-threshold altitude on said display screen; displaying a lower-threshold altitude on said display screen; displaying a current filtering mode on said display screen, wherein said current filtering mode is selected from a group consisting of: look-up mode, look-down mode, and look level mode. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said central processing unit is further configured for replacing a current upper-threshold altitude with said user-specified upper-threshold altitude. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said central processing unit is further configured for: 5) using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is less than a current lower-threshold altitude; and 6) withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 5. 4. The system of claim 3, wherein said current lower-threshold altitude has been specified by a user, and said central processing unit is farther configured for receiving, from a user, said current lower-threshold altitude. 5. The system of claim 3, wherein said current lower-threshold altitude is pre-defined, and is substantially not user-modifiable. 6. The system of claim 3, wherein said central processing unit is further configured for displaying on said display screen any targets that are detected by said system and that have an altitude that is both greater than said current lower-threshold altitude and less than said user-specified upper-threshold altitude. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein said central processing unit is further configured for: receiving an exempt target designation identifying at least one exempt target that is not to be withheld from display on said display screen based on a relationship between said user-specified upper-threshold altitude and an altitude of said exempt target; and in response to said exempt target being detected by said system, displaying said exempt target on said display screen regardless of whether an altitude of said exempt target is greater than, less than, or equal to said user-specified upper-threshold altitude. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said user-specified upper-threshold altitude is defined relative to an altitude of an "Own Ship" aircraft. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein said user-specified upper-threshold altitude is defined relative to the ground over which an "Own Ship" aircraft is positioned. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein: said central processing unit is further configured for operation in both a first filtering mode and a second filtering mode; and said user-specified upper threshold altitude is a first upper-threshold altitude; and wherein said central processing unit is configured for: in response to said central processing unit operating in said first filtering mode: executing said Step 3 of using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is greater than said user-specified upper-threshold altitude, and executing said Step 4 of withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 3; and in response to said central processing unit operating in said second filtering mode: 5) using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is greater than a second upper-threshold altitude, and 6) withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 5. 11. A system for displaying aeronautical information, said system comprising: a central processing unit; a memory coupled to said central processing unit; and a display screen coupled to said central processing unit, said central processing unit being configured for executing the steps of: 1) receiving, from a user, a user-specified lower-threshold altitude; 2) receiving altitude-related information regarding one or more targets; 3) using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is less than said user-specified lower-threshold altitude; and 4) withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 3, wherein said central processing unit is further configured for: receiving an exempt target designation identifying at least one exempt target that is not to be withheld from display on said display screen based on a relationship between said user-specified lower-threshold altitude and an altitude of said exempt target; and in response to said exempt target being detected by said system, displaying said exempt target on said display screen regardless of whether an altitude of said exempt target is greater than, less than, or equal to said user-specified lower-threshold altitude. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said central processing unit is further configured for replacing a current lower-threshold altitude with said user-specified lower-threshold altitude. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein said central processing unit is further configured for: 5) using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is greater than a current upper-threshold altitude; and 6) withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 5. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein said current upper-threshold altitude has been specified by a user, and said central processing unit is further configured for receiving, from a user, said current upper-threshold altitude. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein said current upper-threshold altitude is pre-defined, and is substantially not user-modifiable. 16. The system of claim 13, wherein said central processing unit is further configured for displaying on said display screen any targets that are detected by said system and that have an altitude that is both greater than said user-specified lower-threshold altitude and less than said current upper-threshold altitude. 17. The system of claim 11, wherein said user-specified lower-threshold altitude is defined relative to an altitude of an "Own Ship" aircraft. 18. The system of claim 11, wherein said user-specified lower-threshold altitude is defined relative to the ground over which an "Own Ship" aircraft is positioned. 19. The system of claim 11, wherein: said central processing unit is further configured for operation in both a first filtering mode and a second filtering mode; and said user-specified lower threshold altitude is a first lower-threshold altitude; and wherein said central processing unit is configured for: in response to said central processing unit operating in said first filtering mode: executing said Step 3 of using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is less than said user-specified lower-threshold altitude, and executing said Step 4 of withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 3; and in response to said central processing unit operating in said second filtering mode: 5) using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is less than a second lower-threshold altitude, and 6) withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 5. 20. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of: 1) receiving, from a user, a user-specified upper-threshold altitude; 2) receiving altitude-related information regarding one or more targets; 3) using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is greater than said user-specified upper-threshold altitude; and 4) withholding from display on a display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 3, wherein said computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions for: receiving an exempt target designation identifying at least one exempt target that is not to be withheld from display on said display screen based on a relationship between said user-specified upper-threshold altitude and an altitude of said exempt target; and in response to said exempt target being detected by a surveillance system, displaying said exempt target on said display screen regardless of whether an altitude of said exempt target is greater than, less than, or equal to said user-specified upper-threshold altitude. 21. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein said computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions for replacing a current upper-threshold altitude with said user-specified upper-threshold altitude. 22. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein said computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions for: 5) using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is less than a current lower-threshold altitude; and 6) withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 5. 23. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein said current lower-threshold altitude has been specified by a user, and wherein said computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions for receiving, from a user, said current lower-threshold altitude. 24. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein said current lower-threshold altitude is pre-defined, and is substantially not user-modifiable. 25. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein said computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions for displaying on a display screen any targets detected by a surveillance system that have an altitude that is both greater than said current lower-threshold altitude and less than said user-specified upper-threshold altitude. 26. The computer-readable medium of claim 20, wherein said user-specified upper threshold altitude is a first upper threshold altitude; and wherein said computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions for: allowing a user to select between a first filtering mode and a second filtering mode; in response to said user selecting said first filtering mode: executing said Step 3 of using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is greater than said user-specified upper-threshold altitude, and executing said Step 4 of withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 3; and in response to said user selecting said second filtering mode: 5) using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is greater than a second upper-threshold altitude, and 6) withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 5. 27. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of: 1) receiving, from a user, a user-specified lower-threshold altitude; 2) receiving altitude-related information regarding one or more targets; 3) using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is less than said user-specified lower-threshold altitude; and 4) withholding from display on a display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 3, wherein said computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions for: receiving an exempt target designation identifying at least one exempt target that is not to be withheld from display on said display screen based on a relationship between said user-specified lower-threshold altitude and an altitude of said exempt target; and in response to said exempt target being detected by a surveillance system, displaying said exempt target on said display screen regardless of whether an altitude of said exempt target is greater than, less than, or equal to said user-specified lower-threshold altitude. 28. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein said computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions for replacing a current lower-threshold altitude with said user-specified lower-threshold altitude. 29. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein said computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions for: 5) using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is greater than a current upper-threshold altitude; and 6) withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 5. 30. The computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein said current upper-threshold altitude has been specified by a user, and wherein said computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions for receiving, from a user, said current upper-threshold altitude. 31. The computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein said current upper-threshold altitude is pre-defined, and is substantially not user-modifiable. 32. The computer-readable medium of claim 29, wherein said computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions for displaying on said display screen any targets that are detected by said computer-readable medium that have an altitude that is both greater than said user-specified lower-threshold altitude and less than said current upper-threshold altitude. 33. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein said user-specified lower threshold altitude is a first user-specified lower threshold altitude; and wherein said computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions for: allowing a user to select between a first filtering mode and a second filtering mode; in response to said user selecting said first filtering mode: executing said Step 3 of using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is less than said user-specified lower-threshold altitude, and executing said Step 4 of withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 3; and in response to said user selecting said second filtering mode: 5) using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is less than a second lower-threshold altitude, and 6) withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 5. 34. A method of displaying information on a display screen, said method comprising the steps of: 1) receiving, from a user, a user-specified upper-threshold altitude; 2) receiving altitude-related information regarding one or more targets; 3) using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is greater than said user-specified upper-threshold altitude; and 4) withholding from display on a display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 3, wherein said method further comprises the steps of: receiving an exempt target designation identifying at least one exempt target that is not to be withheld from display on said display screen based on a relationship between said user-specified upper-threshold altitude and an altitude of said exempt target; and in response to said exempt target being detected by a surveillance system, displaying said exempt target on said display screen regardless of whether an altitude of said exempt target is greater than, less than, or equal to said user-specified upper-threshold altitude. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein said method further comprises the step of replacing a current upper-threshold altitude with said user-specified upper-threshold altitude. 36. The method of claim 34, wherein said method further comprises the steps of: 5) using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is less than a current lower-threshold altitude; and 6) withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 5. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein said current lower-threshold altitude has been specified by a user, and wherein said method further comprises the step of receiving, from a user, said current lower-threshold altitude. 38. The method of claim 36, wherein said current lower-threshold altitude is pre-defined, and is substantially not user-modifiable. 39. The method of claim 36, wherein said method further comprises the step of displaying on said display screen any targets that are detected by a surveillance system and that have an altitude that is both greater than said current lower-threshold altitude and less than said user-specified upper-threshold altitude. 40. A method of displaying information on a display screen, said method comprising the steps of: 1) receiving, from a user, a user-specified lower-threshold altitude; 2) receiving altitude-related information regarding one or more targets; 3) using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is less than said user-specified lower-threshold altitude; and 4) withholding from display on a display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 3, wherein said method further comprises the steps of: receiving an exempt target designation identifying at least one exempt target that is not to be withheld from display on said display screen based on a relationship between said user-specified lower-threshold altitude and an altitude of said exempt target; and in response to said exempt target being detected by a surveillance system, displaying said exempt target on said display screen regardless of whether an altitude of said exempt target is greater than, less than, or equal to said user-specified lower-threshold altitude. 41. The computer-readable medium of claim 40, wherein said method further comprises the step of replacing a current lower-threshold altitude with said user-specified lower-threshold altitude. 42. The method of claim 40, wherein said method further comprises the steps of: 5) using said altitude-related information to identify one or more targets that have an altitude that is greater than a current upper-threshold altitude; and 6) withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said one or more targets identified in said Step 5. 43. The method of claim 42, wherein said current upper-threshold altitude has been specified by a user, and wherein said method further comprises the step of receiving, from a user, said current upper-threshold altitude. 44. The method of claim 42, wherein said current upper-threshold altitude is pre-defined, and is substantially not user-modifiable. 45. The method of claim 42, wherein said method further comprises the step of displaying on said display screen any targets that are detected by a surveillance system that have an altitude that is both greater than said user-specified lower-threshold altitude and less than said current upper-threshold altitude. 46. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of: 1) receiving an upper-threshold altitude; 2) identifying one or more targets that have an altitude that is greater than said upper-threshold altitude; 3) receiving an exempt target designation identifying at least one exempt target that is not to be withheld from display on a display screen based on a relationship between said user-specified upper-threshold altitude and an altitude of said exempt target; 4) withholding from display on said display screen one or more of said targets identified in said Step 2; and 5) in response to said at least one exempt target being detected by a surveillance system, displaying said at least one exempt target on said display screen regardless of whether an altitude of said at least one exempt target is greater than, less than, or equal to said upper-threshold altitude. 47. The computer-readable medium of claim 46, wherein said exempt target designation has been made automatically based on one or more flight characteristics of said at least one exempt target. 48. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of: 1) receiving a lower-threshold altitude; 2) identifying one or more targets that have an altitude that is less than said lower-threshold altitude; 3) receiving an exempt target designation identifying at least one exempt target that is not to be withheld from display on a display screen based on a relationship between said lower-threshold altitude and an altitude of said at least one exempt target; 4) withholding from display on a display screen one or more of said targets identified in said Step 2; and 5) in response to said at least one exempt target being detected by a surveillance system, displaying said at least one exempt target on said display screen regardless of whether an altitude of said at least one exempt target is greater than, less than, or equal to said lower-threshold altitude. 49. The computer-readable medium of claim 48, wherein said exempt target designation has been made automatically based on one or more flight characteristics of said at least one exempt target.