Patent ID: 6014606
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: G01W,H04B

Abstract:
A system for providing a pilot of an aircraft in flight over a global region with near real time weather information in graphic form in respect of the global region, the system comprising:central weather data collection and compiling means for periodically collecting and compiling at a first ground based location weather information throughout the global region from a plurality of weather information data collection sources;a ground based satellite communication service for receiving the compiled weather information from said central weather data collection and compiling means, said ground based satellite communication service including:ground to satellite transmitting means for transmitting said weather information from said ground based satellite communication service;broadcast satellite means including receiving means for receiving said weather information from said ground to satellite transmitting means, amplifying means for amplifying received signals, and transmitting means for broadcasting said weather information throughout said global region;satellite communication receiver means on said aircraft for receiving said satellite broadcast of weather information within the aircraft;weather information processor means within said aircraft for converting said weather information into specific weather map and pictorial depictions; said weather information processor means including input output server means, coupled to said satellite communication receiver means and to a global positioning system receiver, said input output server means for receiving said weather information from said satellite communication receiver means and global position information from said global positioning system receiver;mass memory means for storing at least said weather information and map information of said global region; andcolor liquid crystal panel display means coupled to said weather information processor means for providing a display of graphical information, including a map of at least a portion of said global region and, simultaneously, a depiction of various weather information at the coordinate locations on said map prescribed in said weather information, and pilot selectable display functions;said color liquid crystal panel display means including a touch responsive surface switching means for enabling pilot selection of individual functions for performance by said weather information processor means, including the function of outputting weather information to said color liquid crystal display means, wherein said touch responsive surface switching means comprises an overlay display of the individual functions including a plurality of icons associated with respective functions and graphically represented by said liquid crystal panel display means, and wherein said overlay display includes first icon means for selection of RADAR to provide radar mosaic images, second icon means for selection of the images of lightning; third icon means for selection of weather conditions at a selected airport; fourth icon means for selection of a code for the airport selected; fifth icon means for showing previously received maps of weather data; sixth icon means for display of a definition of the surface observation symbol displayed subsequent to selection of said third icon means; seventh icon means for selecting an airport from a listing; eighth icon means for displaying a smaller geographic region than the region on display; and ninth icon means for displaying a larger geographic region than the region on display,said weather information processor means further including display control means for outputting display information to said color liquid crystal panel display means based upon the function associated with the icon touched by the pilot.