Patent ID: 8886445
Filing Date: 2014-11-11
Classification: G06T,G08G

Abstract:
1. A method for using three dimensional map terrain data in an automatic ground collision avoidance system for an aircraft, comprising the steps of: accessing the three dimensional map terrain data on a computer system; selecting the boundaries of the three dimensional map terrain data to be compressed; dividing the selected boundaries of the three dimensional map terrain data into regular geometric areas; defining each regular geometric area with a corresponding free-edged, planar geometric surface; approximating the three dimensional map terrain data within each regular geometric area using the planar geometric surface so that each regular geometric area is defined by a an independent planar geometric surface; checking the terrain approximation for each regular geometric area to determine if the terrain approximation is within user selected tolerances; dividing the regular geometric areas outside the users selected tolerances into smaller regular geometric areas and approximating terrain data as described above for each of the smaller regular geometric areas; recursively repeating the checking and dividing the steps until all terrain approximations for regular geometric areas fall within tolerances; and, outputting final compressed three dimensional map data to the automatic ground collision system for an aircraft.