Steve F Horvath

US Patent:

6469660, Oct 22, 2002

Filed:

Apr 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/835091

Inventors:

Steve Horvath - Salem OR 97304
Robert M. Grove - Newberg OR 97132
John T. Pratt - Salem OR 97302

International Classification:

G01S 1300

US Classification:

342179, 342182, 342183, 340961

Abstract:

A method is provided for determining the integrity of incoming target data and for assigning and displaying a target icon correlated to the target data integrity. Target data integrity depends on the both accuracy and the timeliness of the position data being broadcast about the target. Target data integrity is monitored continuously to display a target icon correlated to the current integrity level. Changes in the target icon alert the flight crew or other user to changes in target data integrity. The icon attributes used to communicate a change in integrity do not interfere with other icon attributes used to communicate other characteristics of a target.

US Patent:

6473003, Oct 29, 2002

Filed:

Mar 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/798615

Inventors:

Steve Horvath - Salem OR
Robert Grove - Newberg OR

Assignee:

United Parcel Service of America, Inc. - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

G08B 2100

US Classification:

340945, 340961, 342 32

Abstract:

An electronic cockpit display of traffic information in a pilots own aircraft, comprising: a traffic display out to a distance from the own aircraft at a periphery of the display set by an adjustable scale; and a range indicator display representing a selected physical distance from the own aircraft, the range indicator moving in a selectable range ring mode to maintain the selected distance from the own aircraft represented by the indicator as the adjustable scale changes. The range indicator display optionally may be selectively operable in an alternative half-scale range ring mode, in which the range indicator remains at the halfway position on the display as the adjustable scale changes, and in which the physical distance from the own aircraft represented by the indicator varies with the scale adjustment. Range monitoring may be provided using a range ring as the range indicator.

US Patent:

6826458, Nov 30, 2004

Filed:

Oct 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/029094

Inventors:

Steve Horvath - Salem OR
Robert Grove - Newberg OR
Craig Bowers - San Jose CA

Assignee:

Garmin AT, Inc. - Salem OR

International Classification:

B64C 1134

US Classification:

701 3, 701 4, 701 5, 701 9, 244 1 R, 342 27, 342 29, 342 36, 340945, 340963, 340979

Abstract:

A system for graphically displaying on a cockpit display an indication of closure (i. e. a âclosure indictorâ) with a selected target aircraft. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system only displays a closure indicator if: (1) the selected target aircraft is within a predetermined monitoring zone; and (2) the track of the selected target aircraft is within a pre-determined variation angle of the track of the Own Ship aircraft. If the rate of closure between the selected target aircraft and the Own Ship aircraft is within a predetermined range of values, the closure indicator includes a closing/receding indicia (such as an upwardly or downwardly directed arrow) that indicates whether the Own Ship aircraft is closing in on or receding from the selected target aircraft. The system preferably removes the closure indicator from display when the Own Ship aircraft or the selected target aircraft ceases to be airborne.

US Patent:

7124000, Oct 17, 2006

Filed:

Oct 18, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/967848

Inventors:

Steve Horvath - Salem OR, US
Robert Grove - Newberg OR, US
Craig Bowers - San Jose CA, US

International Classification:

G01C 21/00

US Classification:

701 3, 244 1 R, 340945

Abstract:

A system for graphically displaying on a cockpit display an indication of closure (i. e. a “closure indictor”) with a selected target aircraft. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system only displays a closure indicator if: (1) the selected target aircraft is within a pre-determined monitoring zone; and (2) the track of the selected target aircraft is within a pre-determined variation angle of the track of the Own Ship aircraft. If the rate of closure between the selected target aircraft and the Own Ship aircraft is within a predetermined range of values, the closure indicator includes a closing/receding indicia (such as an upwardly or downwardly directed arrow) that indicates whether the Own Ship aircraft is closing in on or receding from the selected target aircraft. The system preferably removes the closure indicator from display when the Own Ship aircraft or the selected target aircraft ceases to be airborne.

US Patent:

7382285, Jun 3, 2008

Filed:

Oct 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/033299

Inventors:

Steve Horvath - Salem OR, US
Robert Grove - Newberg OR, US
Bob Hilb - Anchorage KY, US
Craig Bowers - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

Garmin AT, Inc. - Salem OR

International Classification:

G08G 5/04

US Classification:

340961, 340970, 701 4, 701 9

Abstract:

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.