# US 8,788,126 B1 · Object symbology generating system, device, and method

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- Number: US 8,788,126 B1
- Document ID: US8788126B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 13/954,468
- Filed: 2013-07-30
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2013-07-30
- Assignees: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
- Applicants: Ian J. Bull; Weston J. Lahr; Gary J. Albert; Jeff M. Henry
- Inventors: Ian J. Bull; Weston J. Lahr; Gary J. Albert; Jeff M. Henry
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8788126B1

## CPC

- G06F 8/38: for implementing user interfaces
- G01C 23/005: {Flight directors (indicating arrangements specially adapted for rotary gyroscopes G01C19/32)}
- G08G 5/21: located onboard the aircraft
- G08G 5/723: {from the aircraft}
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G01C: MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effects, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S)
- G08G: TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS (guiding railway traffic, ensuring the safety of railway traffic B61L; arrangement of road signs or traffic signals E01F9/00; radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91, G01S15/88, G01S17/88; {radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for anti-collision purposes G01S13/93, G01S15/93, G01S17/93})

## Abstract

A present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for generating object symbology are disclosed. A system may be comprised one or more aircraft systems and a cockpit display system comprised of a system configuration file, a plurality of definition files, and a windows generator (“WG”). The WG may be configured to perform initialization and run-time operations. The initialization operation may be comprised of retrieving a system configuration file; retrieving a first definition file comprised of a first layer; and retrieving one or more second definition files comprised of one or more second layers. The run-time operation may be comprised of receiving a first-layer widget data set; receiving one or more second-layer widget data sets; determining the screen position of each object located within a view frustum; and generating a pixel data set in response to the determination.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for generating object symbology presentable on an aircraft display unit, such system comprising:
at least one aircraft system, where
each aircraft system is an owner of at least one user application; and
a cockpit display system comprised of
a system configuration file,
a plurality of definition files, and
a windows generator configured to
perform a first operation, where such first operation is configured to
retrieve the system configuration file,
retrieve one first definition file comprised of a first layer, where
the first layer is comprised of a plurality of first-layer widgets, where
each first-layer widget is defined by a set of widget parameters, and
one first-layer widget is defined with a set of first-layer widget parameters comprised of
a plurality of angular measurement parameters,
a plurality of screen reference position parameters, and
a plurality of field of view parameters, and
retrieve at least one second definition file, wherein
each second definition file is comprised of at least one second layer, where
each second layer is comprised of at least one second-layer widget, where
at least one second-layer widget is defined with a set of second-layer widget parameters comprised of
a number of objects parameter,
a three-dimensional location of each object parameter, and
a symbol type for each object parameter, and
perform a second operation, where such second operation is configured to
receive a first-layer widget data set, wherein
the first-layer widget data set is representative of the set of first-layer widget parameters,
receive at least one second-layer widget data set, wherein
each second-layer widget data set is representative of one set of second-layer widget parameters, where
the first-layer widget data set and each second-layer widget data set have been sent under one uniform communication interface protocol,
determine the screen position of each object located within a view frustum as a function of at least
the first-layer widget data set, and
the three-dimensional location of each object represented in a set of second-layer widget parameters, and
generate a pixel data set responsive to the determination and representative of at least one symbol, such that
each symbol corresponds to the symbol type for each object located within a view frustum.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein
the first-layer widget data set is received from a first user application owned by an aircraft navigation system,
the first-layer widget data set and at least one second-layer widget data are received from a first user application and a second user application, respectively, where
the first user application and each second user application are owned by the same owner, or
both.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein
the set of first-layer widget parameters is further comprised of
aircraft latitude parameter,
aircraft longitude parameter,
aircraft altitude parameter, and
aircraft heading parameter, and
the three-dimensional location of each object of at least one second-layer widget is defined by
object latitude,
object longitude, and
either object altitude or object elevation.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein
at least one second-layer widget is defined with a set of second-layer widget parameters comprised of
a type of coordinate system parameter corresponding to the three-dimensional location of another second-layer widget, where
the function includes the coordinate system type for each corresponding second-layer widget.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein
the cockpit display system is further comprised of
at least one display unit configured to
receive the pixel data set provided by the windows generator, and
present each symbol represented in the pixel data set on the screen of each display unit.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein
a first angular measurement parameter corresponds to an angular measurement of pitch attitude,
a second angular measurement parameter corresponds to an angular measurement of roll attitude,
a third angular measurement parameter corresponds to an angular measurement of yaw attitude, and
the presentation of each symbol is made against a three-dimensional egocentric perspective of a scene.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein
a first angular measurement parameter corresponds to a rho measurement,
a second angular measurement parameter corresponds to a theta measurement,
a third angular measurement parameter corresponds to a phi measurement, where
the rho, theta, and phi measurements are measurements of an exocentric view, and
the presentation of each symbol is made against a three-dimensional exocentric perspective of a scene.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein
at least one second-layer widget is defined with a set of first-layer widget parameters comprised of
a number of cells along an X-axis of a screen array parameter,
a number of cells along an Y-axis of the screen array parameter,
an angular measurement of size of each cell along the X-axis of the screen array parameter, and
an angular measurement of size of each cell along the Y-axis of the screen array parameter,
at least one second-layer widget is defined with a set of second-layer widget parameters comprised of
a number of rows parameter,
a number of columns parameter, and
a fill style parameter, where
the fill style parameter is indicative of an object located along a Z-axis, and
the windows generator is further configured to
determine the fill style of each screen array cell as a function of at least
the first-layer widget data set, and
each second-layer widget data set, where
the pixel data set includes data representative of at least one fill style, such that
symbology of each fill style is presentable for a three-dimensional perspective.

### Claim 9

A device for generating object symbology presentable on an aircraft display unit, such device comprising:
a windows generator configured to
perform a first operation, where such first operation is configured to
retrieve a system configuration file;
retrieve one first definition file comprised of a first layer, where
the first layer is comprised of a plurality of first-layer widgets, where
each first-layer widget is defined by a set of widget parameters,
one first-layer widget is defined with a set of first-layer widget parameters comprised of
a plurality of angular measurement parameters,
a plurality of screen reference position parameters, and
a plurality of field of view parameters; and
retrieve at least one second definition file, wherein
each second definition file is comprised of at least one second layer, where
each second layer is comprised of at least one second-layer widget, where
at least one second-layer widget is defined with a set of second-layer widget parameters comprised of
a number of objects parameter,
a three-dimensional location of each object parameter, and
a symbol type for each object parameter; and
perform a second operation, where such second operation is configured to
receive a first-layer widget data set, wherein
the first-layer widget data set is representative of the set of first-layer widget parameters;
receive at least one second-layer widget data set, wherein
each second-layer widget data set is representative of one set of second-layer widget parameters, where
the first-layer widget data set and each second-layer widget data set have been sent under one uniform communication interface protocol;
determine the screen position of each object located within a view frustum as a function of at least
the first-layer widget data set, and
the three-dimensional location of each object represented in a set of second-layer widget parameters; and
generate a pixel data set responsive to the determination and representative of at least one symbol, such that
each symbol corresponds to the symbol type for each object located within a view frustum.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein
the first-layer widget data set is received from a first user application owned by an aircraft navigation system,
the first-layer widget data set and at least one second-layer widget data are received from a first user application and a second user application, respectively, where
the first user application and each second user application are owned by the same owner, or
both.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein
the set of first-layer widget parameters is further comprised of
aircraft latitude parameter,
aircraft longitude parameter,
aircraft altitude parameter, and
aircraft heading parameter, and
the three-dimensional location of each object of at least one second-layer widget is defined by
object latitude,
object longitude, and
either object altitude or object elevation.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein
at least one second-layer widget is defined with a set of second-layer widget parameters comprised of
a type of coordinate system parameter corresponding to the three-dimensional location of another second-layer widget, where
the function includes the coordinate system type for each corresponding second-layer widget.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein
the windows generator is further configured to
provide the pixel data set to at least one display unit, whereby
each symbol represented in the pixel data set is presented on the screen of each display unit.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The device of claim 13, wherein
a first angular measurement parameter corresponds to an angular measurement of pitch attitude,
a second angular measurement parameter corresponds to an angular measurement of roll attitude,
a third angular measurement parameter corresponds to an angular measurement of yaw attitude, and
the presentation of each object is made against a three-dimensional egocentric perspective of a scene.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The device of claim 13, wherein
a first angular measurement parameter corresponds to a rho measurement,
a second angular measurement parameter corresponds to a theta measurement,
a third angular measurement parameter corresponds to a phi measurement, where
the rho, theta, and phi measurements are measurements of an exocentric view, and
the presentation of each object is made against a three-dimensional exocentric perspective of a scene.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The device of claim 9, wherein
at least one second-layer widget is defined with a set of first-layer widget parameters comprised of
a number of cells along an X-axis of a screen array parameter,
a number of cells along an Y-axis of the screen array parameter,
an angular measurement of size of each cell along the X-axis of the screen array parameter, and
an angular measurement of size of each cell along the Y-axis of the screen array parameter,
at least one second-layer widget is defined with a set of second-layer widget parameters comprised of
a number of rows parameter,
a number of columns parameter, and
a fill style parameter, where
the fill style parameter is indicative of an object located along a Z-axis, and the windows generator is further configured to
determine the fill style of each screen array cell as a function of at least the first-layer widget data set, and
each second-layer widget data set, where
the pixel data set includes data representative of at least one fill style, such that
symbology of each fill style is presentable for a three-dimensional perspective.

### Claim 17

A method for generating object symbology presentable on an aircraft display unit, such method comprising:
performing a first operation, where such first operation is configured for
retrieving a system configuration file;
retrieving one first definition file comprised of a first layer, where
the first layer is comprised of a plurality of first-layer widgets, where
each first-layer widget is defined by a set of widget parameters, and
one first-layer widget is defined with a set of first-layer widget parameters comprised of
a plurality of angular measurement parameters,
a plurality of screen reference position parameters, and
a plurality of field of view parameters; and
retrieving at least one second definition file, wherein
each second definition file is comprised of at least one second layer, where
each second layer is comprised of at least one second-layer widget, where
at least one second-layer widget is defined with a set of second-layer widget parameters comprised of
a number of objects parameter,
a three-dimensional location of each object parameter, and
a symbol type for each object parameter; and
performing a second operation, where such second operation is configured for
receiving a first-layer widget data set, wherein
the first-layer widget data set is representative of the set of first-layer widget parameters;
receiving at least one second-layer widget data set, wherein
each second-layer widget data set is representative of one set of second-layer widget parameters, where
the first-layer widget data set and each second-layer widget data set have been sent under one uniform communication interface protocol;
determining the screen position of each object located within a view frustum as a function of at least
the first-layer widget data set, and
the three-dimensional location of each object represented in a set of second-layer widget parameters; and
generating a pixel data set responsive to the determination and representative of at least one symbol, such that
each symbol corresponds to the symbol type for each object located within a view frustum.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein
the first-layer widget data set is received from a first user application owned by an aircraft navigation system,
the first-layer widget data set and at least one second-layer widget data are received from a first user application and a second user application, respectively, where
the first user application and each second user application are owned by the same owner, or
both.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein
the set of first-layer widget parameters is further comprised of
aircraft latitude parameter,
aircraft longitude parameter,
aircraft altitude parameter, and
aircraft heading parameter, and
the three-dimensional location of each object of at least one second-layer widget is defined by
object latitude,
object longitude, and
either object altitude or object elevation.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein
at least one second-layer widget is defined with a set of second-layer widget parameters comprised of
a type of coordinate system parameter corresponding to the three-dimensional location of another second-layer widget, where
the function includes the coordinate system type for each corresponding second-layer widget.

### Claim 21 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, further comprising:
providing the pixel data set to at least one display unit, whereby
each symbol represented in the pixel data set is presented on the screen of each display unit.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21, wherein
a first angular measurement parameter corresponds to an angular measurement of pitch attitude,
a second angular measurement parameter corresponds to an angular measurement of roll attitude,
a third angular measurement parameter corresponds to an angular measurement of yaw attitude, and
the presentation of each object is made against a three-dimensional egocentric perspective of a scene.

### Claim 23 (depends on 21)

The method of claim 21, wherein
a first angular measurement parameter corresponds to a rho measurement,
a second angular measurement parameter corresponds to a theta measurement,
a third angular measurement parameter corresponds to a phi measurement, where
the rho, theta, and phi measurements are measurements of an exocentric view, and
the presentation of each object is made against a three-dimensional exocentric perspective of a scene.

### Claim 24 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein
at least one second-layer widget is defined with a set of first-layer widget parameters comprised of
a number of cells along an X-axis of a screen array parameter,
a number of cells along an Y-axis of the screen array parameter,
an angular measurement of size of each cell along the X-axis of the screen array parameter, and
an angular measurement of size of each cell along the Y-axis of the screen array parameter,
at least one second-layer widget is defined with a set of second-layer widget parameters comprised of
a number of rows parameter,
a number of columns parameter, and
a fill style parameter, where
the fill style parameter is indicative of an object located along a Z-axis, and
the windows generator is further configured to
determine the fill style of each screen array cell as a function of at least
the first-layer widget data set, and
each second-layer widget data set, where
the pixel data set includes data representative of at least one fill style, such that
symbology of each fill style is presentable for a three-dimensional perspective.