Kevin J Conner

US Patent:

6380870, Apr 30, 2002

Filed:

Feb 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/495979

Inventors:

Kevin J Conner - Kent WA
Steven C. Johnson - Issaquah WA

Assignee:

Honeywell International, Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G08B 2300

US Classification:

340970, 340961, 340963, 340969, 342 65, 701 4, 701 9, 701301

Abstract:

The present invention provides several apparatus, methods, and computer program products for determining a look ahead distance value for use in a ground proximity warning system. Specifically, the present invention provides apparatus, methods, and computer program products that generate a candidate look ahead distance value that provides a constant reaction time for varying aircraft speeds. The apparatus of the present invention includes a processor that generates the constant reaction time look ahead distance by multiplying a desired reaction time by the speed of the aircraft. This constant reaction time look ahead distance value is compared by the processor to other candidate look ahead distance values that have variable reaction times for varying aircraft speeds. If the aircraft is traveling at a relatively high speed, the processor of the present invention selects the constant reaction time look ahead distance value for use in the ground proximity warning system. Importantly, because the present invention switches from a variable reaction time look ahead distance value to a constant reaction time look ahead distance value when the aircraft is travelling at higher speeds, the present invention can provide a look ahead distance value that reduces nuisance alarms for lower speeds, while also providing at least a minimum reaction time for higher speeds.

US Patent:

6477449, Nov 5, 2002

Filed:

Feb 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/495630

Inventors:

Kevin J Conner - Kent WA
Steven C. Johnson - Issaquah WA

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G06F 700

US Classification:

701 4, 701 16, 701205, 340945, 340972

Abstract:

The present invention provides several apparatus, methods, and computer program products for determining a corrected distance between an aircraft and selected runway, such that the corrected distance may be used for ground proximity warning calculations. Specifically, the present invention includes a processor that receives data related to the coordinates of the aircraft and a selected runway. Based on these coordinate values, the processor determines a coordinate distance between the aircraft and selected runway. The processor also compares the altitude of the aircraft to a predetermined glideslope constructed about the runway. Specifically, the processor calculates a distance value that corresponds to the altitude of the aircraft above the runway along the predetermined glideslope. The processor compares the coordinate distance and the calculated distance values and selects either the coordinate distance or the calculated distance value as the corrected distance between the aircraft and the selected runway. For instance, in one embodiment, the processor compares the coordinate and calculated distance values and selects the larger of the values as the corrected distance between the aircraft and the selected runway.

US Patent:

6484071, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

Feb 1, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/496297

Inventors:

Kevin J Conner - Kent WA
Steven C. Johnson - Issaquah WA

Assignee:

Honeywell International, Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G08G 504

US Classification:

701 9, 701 7, 701213, 701214, 701301, 340961, 340963, 340970, 244180, 244181

Abstract:

A ground proximity warning system, method and computer program product are provided that controllably alter the base width of the alert envelope in order to accommodate uncertainties associated with the current position of the aircraft. In one embodiment, the ground proximity warning system, method and computer program product controllably alter the base width of the alert envelope depending upon an error value, i. e. , an uncertainty, associated with the current position of the aircraft. Since the error value associated with the current position of the aircraft is largely dependent upon the type of navigation equipment onboard the aircraft, the ground proximity warning system, method and computer program product of another embodiment controllably alter the base width of the alert envelope depending upon the type of navigation equipment that provides the current position of the aircraft.

US Patent:

6501392, Dec 31, 2002

Filed:

Jul 17, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/907730

Inventors:

Scott Gremmert - Redmond WA
Kevin J Conner - Kent WA
C. Don Bateman - Bellevue WA
John Hruby - Monroe WA

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G01C 2100

US Classification:

340971, 340945, 340949

Abstract:

A system and method that downlinks weather data, generated by existing weather and data sensors, to a groundstation. The groundstation utilizes data from multiple aircraft to form refined weather information, and uplinks the refined weather information to the aircraft. The refined weather information is stored at the aircraft and picture generating equipment, such as an existing on-board ground proximity terrain picture and symbol generator, generates pictorial information depicting the weather information. The pictorial information is displayed, for example by an existing EFIS or weather radar display, in the form of polygons.

US Patent:

6577931, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Jul 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/917374

Inventors:

Kevin J Conner - Kent WA
Yasuo Ishihara - Kirkland WA
Steve C. Johnson - Issaquah WA

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G08G 504

US Classification:

701 14, 701 9, 701120, 701301, 340961, 340970, 244185, 342 29

Abstract:

A terrain avoidance system, method and computer program product for reducing nuisance alarms. The system includes a geometric altitude component, first and second vertical safety margin generators, and an alert component.

US Patent:

6583733, Jun 24, 2003

Filed:

May 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/865366

Inventors:

Yasuo Ishihara - Kirkland WA
Kevin Conner - Kent WA

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G08B 2100

US Classification:

340946, 340970, 701 9

Abstract:

An apparatus, method and computer program product has a first terrain awareness mode and a second terrain awareness mode selectable by the pilot.

US Patent:

6606034, Aug 12, 2003

Filed:

Jul 31, 1995

Appl. No.:

08/509660

Inventors:

Hans R. Muller - Redmond WA
Kevin J. Conner - Kent WA
Steven C. Johnson - Issaquah WA

Assignee:

Honeywell International Inc. - Morristown NJ

International Classification:

G08B 2300

US Classification:

340970, 340963, 342 65, 701 4, 701 9, 701 14

Abstract:

A terrain awareness system (TAS) provides LOOK-AHEAD/LOOK-DOWN as well as LOOK-UP terrain advisory and warning indications to the pilot of an aircraft of a hazardous flight condition. The TAS includes an airport data base as well as a terrain data base that is structured to provide various resolutions depending on the topography of the particular geographic area of interest. Navigational data from a satellite-based navigational system, such as a global positioning system (GPS), is used to provide a LOOK-AHEAD/LOOK-DOWN and LOOK-UP terrain advisory and terrain warning indications based upon the current position and projected flight path of the aircraft. Since the terrain advisory and the warning signals are a function of the flight path of the aircraft, nuisance warnings are minimized.

US Patent:

6622066, Sep 16, 2003

Filed:

Jan 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/056711

Inventors:

Yasuo Ishihara - Kirkland WA 98034
Steven C. Johnson - Issaquah WA 98029
Kevin J Conner - Kent WA 98031-3122

International Classification:

G06F 700

US Classification:

701 9, 701 7, 701 8, 701 14, 701207, 701301, 340970, 340945, 340961, 340969, 340963, 342 29

Abstract:

An apparatus, method and computer program product for suppressing an alert generated by a terrain awareness system rotary wing aircraft of potentially hazardous proximity to terrain also reduces nuisance warnings and provides a terrain display consistent with the unique performance capabilities of such aircraft.