Patent ID: 9245449
Filing Date: 2016-01-26
CPC Classification: G05D,G08G

Claim Text:
1. A method performed by at least one processing unit onboard an aircraft, the method comprising: receiving a starting location and an ending location for a phase of flight of an aircraft; receiving a set of constraints for the phase of flight of the aircraft, wherein operations of the aircraft during the phase of flight are subject to the set of constraints, and wherein each particular constraint of the set of constraints includes: an error attribute specifying a likelihood of errors associated with said particular constraint and an aging attribute specifying an expiration time of said particular constraint; assigning to each particular constraint of the set of constraints an importance level based on at least the error attribute and the aging attribute of said particular constraint, wherein a relatively lower likelihood of errors associated with said particular constraint and a relatively longer time remaining till the expiration time of said particular constraint correspond to a relatively higher importance level assignment of said particular constraint; analyzing the set of constraints to determine an optimal trajectory between the starting location and the ending location, the optimal trajectory being determined based on compliance with the set of constraints, wherein when the set of constraints cannot be satisfied simultaneously, a trajectory that satisfies a maximum number of relatively higher importance level constraints in the set of constraints is deemed the optimal trajectory; and directing the aircraft to operate according to the optimal trajectory determined.