Computer system to prevent collision between moving objects such as aircraft moving from one sector to another

A method of preventing collisions between aircraft moving in an aircraft control sector comprising:

• continuously generating signals in each aircraft moving within the aircraft control sector which represent the instantaneous velocity and altitude of each aircraft,
• establishing a communication link between each aircraft moving within the control sector and a ground station for providing the ground station with the signals representative of the instantaneous velocity and altitude of each aircraft moving within the aircraft control sector,
• defining an imaginary airspace around the center of each aircraft, the airspaces having a given radius (R) and height (H), and moving with and at the same velocity as the aircraft,
• defining an imaginary airspace having zero velocity around selected objects of terrain located within the aircraft control sector,
• updating the parameters of each defined airspace as the corresponding aircraft travels by analysis of the instantaneous velocity and altitude of each aircraft moving within the control sector which has been relayed to the ground station by the communication link between the aircraft and the ground station,
• comparing the parameter of each aircraft defined airspace one at a time with the parameter of all other defined airspaces within a discreet altitude band to determine whether there is an existing or future course conflict under predetermined criteria,
• producing an indication in the event such conflict is determined, and
• communicating with any aircraft moving within the control sector on which an indication of conflict has been determined.