Abstract:
A system and method for controlling a display of geographical data on a primary display device to assist in navigating a mobile platform such as an aircraft, ship, train, land-based motor vehicle, etc. The system includes a graphical user interface module (GUI) for receiving a plurality of user inputs, and an image control module. The GUI generates a primary display of the complete route being traveled on the primary display device. If the entire route does not fit on the display device, then the image control module generates data that the GUI uses to generate a context display on the primary display device. The context display presents the entire route as a smaller image on the primary display device, simultaneously with the primary display. The user inputs for the GUI enable the user to zoom, pan and perform other image control operations on either the primary display or the context display.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is related in general subject matter to pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/564,758, filed concurrently herewith, entitled “System and Method for Terminal Charts and Aeronautical Context Display,” assigned to The Boeing Company, and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into the present application. 
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to maps for use with mobile platforms, and more particularly to a system and method for an electronic moving map and aeronautical context display. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
     Many mobile platforms (such as trains, ships, aircraft and automobiles) employ geographical maps to guide the mobile platform from an origination point to a destination. For example, aeronautical maps are employed in the operation and navigation of commercial passenger aircraft. Generally, the aeronautical maps employed to navigate commercial passenger aircraft are printed paper maps in which the world is sectioned into particular regions due to size and detail constraints. Thus, typically, an aeronautical map will contain only a small fraction of a geographic region so that the map contains the detail necessary for the navigation of the aircraft through that region. 
     When navigating a commercial passenger aircraft on a long flight, multiple aeronautical maps may have to be employed to navigate the aircraft along the desired flight plan. The use of multiple aeronautical maps in the cockpit may be cumbersome, and does not provide the pilot with an overview of the entire flight plan. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a system and method for an electronic moving map and aeronautical context display that would reduce or eliminate the need for a paper-based aeronautical map. 
     SUMMARY 
     A system and method for controlling a display of geographical data to assist in the navigation of a mobile platform is provided. The system includes a graphical user interface module that generates at least one of a primary display or a secondary display, and receives at least one user input. The system also includes an image control module that generates primary display data for display on the primary display based on the at least one user input and determines, based on the primary display data, whether the secondary display is displayed. The user input comprises geographic data to assist in the navigation of the mobile platform. 
     In one implementation, a method of controlling a display of geographical data to assist in the navigation of a mobile platform is provided. The method includes determining a route of the mobile platform, and generating a primary display based on the route. The primary display displays at least a portion of the route to assist in the navigation of the mobile platform. The method also includes generating the context display if the portion of the route displayed does not include all of the route. The context display includes the entire route with an indicator of the portion of the route displayed on the primary display. 
     The present teachings also provide a method of navigating an aircraft using geographical data. The method includes determining a route for the aircraft, in which the route includes an origin and a destination. The method also includes displaying at least a portion of the route to assist in the navigation of the aircraft to the destination from the origin and generating the context display if the entire route from origin to destination is not displayed. The context display includes the entire route with an indicator of the portion of the route displayed. The method further includes moving the indicator, if displayed, based on at least one of a zoom request or a pan request. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a mobile platform incorporating the electronic moving map and aeronautical context display according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a dataflow diagram illustrating an exemplary display control module for the electronic moving map and aeronautical context display of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a first operational sequence for the module of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a second operational sequence for the module of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a third operational sequence for the module of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary view of the electronic moving map and aeronautical context display with the electronic moving map at a first magnification and the aeronautical context display at a first location according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary view of the electronic moving map and aeronautical context display with the electronic moving map at a second magnification and the aeronautical context display at a second location according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart illustrating a fourth operational sequence for the module of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating a fifth operational sequence for the module of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an exemplary view of an alternative electronic moving map and aeronautical context display according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating a sixth operational sequence for the module of  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is an exemplary view of a second alternative electronic moving map and aeronautical context display according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , an aircraft  10  is shown. The aircraft  10  includes a fuselage  12 . The fuselage  12  defines a cockpit  14 . The cockpit  14  includes a display system  16 . The display system  16  includes a graphical user interface (GUI)  18  that is controlled by a display control module  20 , and which has a display screen portion  19 . It will be understood, that although the display system  16  is shown as being mounted within the cockpit  14 , the display system  16  could be a portable system, such as a hand-held display. In addition, it will be understood, that although the display system  16  will be described as having one GUI  18 , the display system  16  could have a plurality of GUIs that is associated with the display system  16 , or a variety of other control modules associated with the aircraft  10 . 
     The GUI  18  receives a user input through a user input device  22 . The user input device  22  may comprise a touch screen, a touch pen, a keyboard, a joystick, a mouse or any other suitable user input device. The GUI  18  includes a primary display  24  presented at a first magnification level display, a secondary or context display  26  presented as an overlay having a second magnification level that is less than the primary display  24 , and a plurality of buttons  28 . The primary display  24  comprises a majority of the GUI display screen  19  and displays primary display data  30 , as will be discussed in greater detail herein. The primary display  24  also includes a compass  29 . The compass  29  indicates the orientation of the aircraft  10  with regard to the primary display  24 . For example, the compass  29  indicates that the primary display  24  is orientated in the north-up position, with primary display data  30  displayed with north at the top of the primary display  24 , or the compass  29  could be orientated in the heading up orientation, such that the direction the aircraft  10  is heading is pointing towards the top of the primary display  24 . The context display  26  displays secondary or context display data  32  in a smaller display window  21 , including an indicator  34 , as will be discussed herein. The buttons  28  enable the receipt of the user input. The buttons  28  include a first pan button  28   a , a second pan button  28   b , a zoom-in button  28   c , a zoom-out button  28   d , a reset zoom level button  28   e , a rectangle zoom button  28   f  and a full screen button  28   g.    
     The first pan button  28   a  enables a user to pan the primary display data  30  to the left, and the second pan button  28   b  enables the user to pan the primary display data  30  to the right. In addition, the user pans the primary display data  30  by moving the indicator  34  within the context display  26  with the user input device  22 . The zoom-in button  28   c  enables the user to increase the magnification of the primary display data  30 , while the zoom-out button  28   d  enables the user to decrease the magnification of the primary display data  30 . The reset zoom level button  28   e  enables the user to reset the magnification of the primary display data  30  to a default setting. The default setting is entered by the user through a GUI for example, but the default setting could also be pre-programmed into the display control module  20 . 
     The rectangle zoom button  28   f  enables the user, through the user input device  22 , to draw a rectangle on the primary display  24  indicative of the area the user would like to increase the magnification of. The full screen button  28   g  enables the viewing of the primary display data  30  on the entire display screen  19  of the GUI  18 . When selected, the buttons  28  generate a signal associated with the selected action for the display control module  20 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the display control module  20  for the primary display  24  and context display  26  is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “module” refers to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, to a combinational logic circuit, and/or to other suitable components that provide the described functionality. In  FIG. 2 , a dataflow diagram illustrates various components of a display control system that is embedded within the display control module  20 . Various embodiments of the display control module  20  may include any number of sub-modules embedded within the display control module  20 . The sub-modules shown in  FIG. 2  may be combined and/or further partitioned to similarly control the display of the primary display data  30  and context display data  32 . Inputs to the display control module  20  is received from other control modules (not shown) within the aircraft  10 , and/or determined by other sub-modules (not shown) within the display control module  20  (not shown). In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the display control module  20  includes a primary display module  36 , a context display module  38 , an image database  40  and a GUI manager module  42 . The primary display module  36 , context display module  38  and the image database  40  form an image control module  43 . 
     The primary display module  36  receives as input data  44  from the image database  40 , context display zoom data  46  and context display pan data  47  from the context display module  38 , and GUI data  48  from the GUI manager module  42 . The data  44  from the image database  40  comprises an image for forming the primary display  24  on the display screen  19 , based on the context display zoom data  46 , the context display pan data  47  and the GUI data  48 . The context display zoom data  46  comprises the image displayed on the context display  26 , including a location of the indicator  34 . The location of the indicator  34  denotes the image to be displayed over the primary display  24  on the display screen  19 . The context display pan data  47  comprises data associated with a revised location of the indicator  34  on the context display  24  upon the receipt of a pan request via the user input device  22 . The GUI data  48  comprises the user input from the user input device  22  indicative of a request to zoom, pan or display a full view of the image displayed on the primary display  24 , and comprises the selected geographical area for display on the GUI  18 . The image for the GUI  18  to display comprises an input from a flight management system associated with the aircraft  10 . 
     Based on the context display zoom data  46 , context display pan data  47  and GUI data  48 , the primary display module  36  determines the data  44  to be received from the image database  40 , with the data  44  comprising the image for display on the primary display  24 . The primary display module  36  then sets primary display data  30  for the GUI manager module  42 . The primary display data  30  is used to form the image for the primary display  24  on the display screen  19  of the GUI  18 . 
     The context display module  38  receives as input data  52  from the image database  40 , primary display pan data  54  and primary display zoom data  56  from the primary display module  36 , and GUI data  48  from the GUI manager module  42 . The data  52  from the image database  40  comprises an image for display on the context display  26 , based on the primary display pan data  54 , the primary display zoom data  56  and the GUI data  48 . The primary display pan data  54  comprises data associated with the image that is used to form the primary display  24  after a pan request is received by the GUI manager module  42 . The primary display zoom data  56  comprises data associated with the image that forms the primary display  24  after a zoom request is received by the GUI manager module  42 . The GUI data  48  comprises the user input from the user input device  22  indicative of a request to pan the primary display  24  being displayed on the display screen  19  through moving the indicator  34  on the context display  26 , as will be discussed further herein. 
     Based on the primary display pan data  54 , the primary display zoom data  56  and GUI data  48 , the context display module  38  determines the data  52  to be received from the image database  40 , with the data  52  comprising the image that forms the context display  26 . The context display module  38  then sets context display data  32  for the GUI manager module  42 . The context display data  32  is used to form the image for display on the context display  26  of the GUI  18 . 
     The GUI manager module  42  outputs the GUI  18  and receives as input user input data  60 . The GUI manager module  42  also receives as input the primary display data  30  and the context display data  32 . The GUI  18  is any suitable GUI, and comprises any number of GUIs to display the primary display data  30  and context display data  32 . Generally, the GUI  18  and user input data  60  comprise a GUI control panel  62  that creates the GUI  18 . The GUI manager module  42 , upon receipt of the primary display data  30  and the context display data  32  outputs the GUI  18  to display the primary display data  30  on the primary display  24  and the context display data  32  on the context display  26 . Further, upon receipt of the user input data  60 , provided through the user input device  22 , the GUI manager module  42  sets GUI data  48  for the primary display module  36  and the context display module  38 . The user input data  60  comprises an origin and/or a destination of a route associated with the navigation of the aircraft  10 , the route of the aircraft, a terminal chart associated with a terminal or airport of the origin and/or destination of the aircraft  10  and/or an airport map associated with the terminal or airport of the origin and/or destination of the aircraft  10 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , a process flow diagram illustrates an exemplary operational sequence  70  performed by the image control module  43 . The operational sequence  70  is associated with determining the data  44 ,  52  for display on the GUI  18 . In operation  72 , a determination is made if a route map request has been received. The route map request could be received as GUI data  48  from the GUI manager module  42  or could comprise input from a flight management system (not shown) associated with the aircraft  10 . The route map request comprises user input indicative of a route of the aircraft  10 , and includes origin and destination data. If the route has been received, then the operational sequence goes to A, in  FIG. 4 . Otherwise, in operation  74 , a determination is made if a terminal chart request has been received. If a terminal chart request has been made, then the operational sequence goes to B in  FIG. 8 . Otherwise, the operational sequence determines that an airport map has been received at operation  76  and goes to C in  FIG. 11 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , a process flow diagram illustrates a second exemplary operational sequence  77  performed by the image control module  43  if a route map request has been received. Starting at A, in operation  78 , a determination is made as to whether the flight plan or route is provided via the flight management system or other suitable input device, such as user input data  60 . If the route is not provided, then the method goes to operation  80 . At operation  80 , the context display  26  is not displayed on the GUI  18 . Then, at operation  82 , an error is flagged and the method loops to operation  78 . 
     Otherwise, if the route is provided, then in operation  84 , a determination is made if the entire route is displayed in the primary display  24 . If the entire route is displayed in the primary display  24 , then the method, in operation  86 , does not display the context display  26 . Next, the method goes to E in  FIG. 5 . Otherwise, if the entire route is not displayed in the primary display  24 , then, in operation  88 , the context display  26  is displayed in the GUI  18 . The context display  26  displayed includes the entire route with the departure or origin airport and the destination airport with the flight plan or route displayed connecting the origin airport with the destination airport. The desired route between the origin and destination airport is highlighted for clarity, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The context display  26  also includes the indicator  34 , which illustrates the data displayed on the primary display  24  ( FIG. 6 ). After displaying the context display  26  in operation  88 , the method goes to D in  FIG. 5 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , a process flow diagram illustrates a third exemplary operational sequence  90  performed by the image control module  43 . Starting at D, with the context display  26  displayed on the GUI  18 , a determination is then made, at operation  92 , if the indicator  34  of the context display  26  has been moved. If the indicator  34  has not been moved, then the operational sequence goes to operation  96 . If the indicator  34  has been moved, through a received pan request, then, at operation  94 , the new area selected through the repositioning of the indicator  34  is displayed on the primary display  24 . Next, the operational sequence goes to operation  96 . In addition, if no context display  26  is displayed in operation  84 , then the operational sequence also goes to operation  96 . 
     In operation  96 , a determination is made as to whether a zoom in request has been made. If a zoom in request has not been made, then the operational sequence goes to operation  98 . Otherwise, if the zoom in request has been made, then the operational sequence goes to operation  100 . In operation  100 , the operational sequence increases the magnification of the primary display data  30  displayed in the primary display  24 . Then, in operation  102 , a determination is made whether to display additional detail on the primary display  24 . The primary display module  36  determines to include a higher level of detail with the primary display data  30  when the magnification level of the primary display  24  is such that the additional detail is read on the primary display  24 . If the primary display module  36  decides to include the additional detail, then in operation  104 , the primary display  24  is updated with the additional data. The additional detail includes airports, route identifiers, morse code, geographical terrain, altitude and/or other suitable data associated with the map on the primary display  24 . For example, with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the magnification of the primary display  24  in  FIG. 6  has been increased in  FIG. 7 . Due to the increase in magnification, additional detail, such as airports  106  and route identifiers  108  are included on the primary display  24  in  FIG. 7 . With reference back to  FIG. 5 , in operation  107 , a determination is made as to whether the context display  26  is displayed on the GUI  18 . If the context display  26  is displayed, then the operational sequence goes to operation  110 . Otherwise, in operation  109 , the context display  26  is displayed on the GUI  18 , and includes the entire route and the indicator  34 , as discussed herein. 
     In operation  110 , the operational sequence decreases the size of the indicator  34  displayed on the context display  26  to represent the new geographic area displayed on the primary display  24 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the size of the indicator  34  is decreased with regard to the indicator  34  associated with the GUI  18  of  FIG. 6 , to represent the new geographic area displayed on the primary display  24 . 
     Next at operation  98 , the operational sequence determines if a zoom out request has been received. If a zoom out request has been received, then the operational sequence goes to operation  112 . Otherwise the operational sequence goes to operation  114 . In operation  112 , upon receipt of the zoom out request, the image control module  43  decreases the magnification of the primary display data  30 . Next, in operation  116 , a determination is made whether to reduce the detail included with the primary display data  30 . If the detail is reduced, then in operation  118  the primary display data  30  is updated with the reduced detail. The detail is removed when, due to the magnification of the primary display data  30 , the detail is unreadable. Otherwise, in operation  120 , a determination is made as to whether the primary display data  30  in the primary display  24  is equal to the entire route, including the origin and destination of the route of the aircraft  10 . If the primary display data  30  is equal to the entire route of the aircraft  10 , then in operation  122 , the context display  26  is removed from the GUI  18 . If the primary display data  30  is not equal to the entire route of the aircraft  10 , then in operation  124 , the indicator  34  will appear together with the context display data  32  to represent the larger amount of geographic data displayed on the primary display  24 . If the zoom-in request is received for displaying a portion of the primary display  24  in greater detail, then the indicator  34  in the context display  26  will decrease its size to reflect the smaller portion of the entire flight route visible on the primary display  24 . If the zoom-out request is received for displaying a greater range of the route on the primary display  24 , then the indicator  34  in the context display  26  will increase its size to indicate that more of the entire flight route is visible on the primary display  24 . Should a zooming-out process result in the display of the entire flight route on the primary display  24 , then the context display  32  is removed along with its content. 
     Next, in operation  114 , a determination is made as to whether a request to change a location of the context display  26  in the GUI  18  has been made. The location of the context display  26  is changed as desired through the user input device  22 , such as through selecting the context display  26  and dragging the context display  26  to a desired location, as shown in  FIG. 7 . Alternatively, a separate GUI could be used to select the location of the context display  26  on the GUI  18 . If the image control module  43  determines that a request to change the location of the context display  26  has been made, then in operation  126 , the image control module  43  updates the GUI  18  with the new location of the context display  26 . 
     Next, in operation  128 , a determination is made as to whether a new chart request has been received. A new chart request could comprise user input data  60  received by the GUI manager module  42 . The user input data  60  could comprise a request to access a different geographic area, such as a terminal chart or airport map associated with the origin and/or the destination of the route of the aircraft  10 . Upon the receipt of a new chart request, the operational sequence goes to F in  FIG. 3 . Otherwise, a determination is made as to whether a power-down request is made in operation  130 . If a power-down request has been made, then the operational sequence ends in operation  132 . Otherwise, the operational sequence loops to operation  92 . 
     With reference back to  FIG. 3 , if a terminal chart has been received in operation  74 , then the operational sequence goes to B in  FIG. 8 . With reference to  FIG. 8 , a process flow diagram illustrates a fourth exemplary operational sequence  133  performed by the image control module  43 . Starting at B, the operational sequence goes to operation  134 . In operation  134 , the image control module  43  displays the terminal chart within the primary display  24 . In operation  136 , a determination is made as to whether the entire terminal chart fits within the primary display  24 . If the entire terminal chart fits within the primary display  24 , then the operational sequence goes to operation  138 . In operation  138 , no context display  26  is displayed on the GUI  18 . Then, the operational sequence goes to H in  FIG. 9 . Otherwise, if the entire terminal chart does not fit within the primary display  24 , then the context display  26  is displayed in operation  140 , with the indicator  34  indicating the portion of the terminal chart displayed on the primary display  24 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . With reference to  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary terminal chart  142  displayed in the GUI  18 . As the terminal chart  142  is too large to fit within the primary display  24 , the context display  26  includes the entire terminal chart  142  with the indicator  34  representing the geographic area of the terminal chart  142  that is displayed in the primary display  24 . 
     With reference back to  FIG. 8 , after the context display  26  is displayed, the operational sequence goes to G in  FIG. 9 . With reference to  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 9  is a process flow diagram that illustrates a fifth exemplary operational sequence  143  performed by the image control module  43 . As the operational sequence  143  performed by the image control module  43  in  FIG. 9  has similar operations as the operational sequence  90  performed by the image control module  43  in  FIG. 5 , the same reference numbers will be used to denote the same operations performed with respect to the display of the terminal chart  142  in the GUI  18 . 
     In  FIG. 9 , starting at G, at operation  92 , a determination is made as to whether a request to move the indicator  34  in the context display  26  in the GUI  18  has been received. If a request to move the indicator  34  has not been received through the GUI  18 , then the operational sequence goes to operation  96 . If the indicator  34  has been moved, through a received pan request, then, at operation  94 , the new area selected through the repositioning of the indicator  34  is displayed on the primary display  24 . Next, the operational sequence to operation  96 . In addition, if no context display  26  is displayed in operation  138 , then the operational sequence also goes to operation  96 . 
     In operation  96 , a determination is made as to whether a zoom in request has been made. If a zoom in request has not been made, then the operational sequence goes to operation  98 . Otherwise, if the zoom in request has been made, then the operational sequence goes to operation  100 . In operation  100 , the operational sequence increases the magnification of the primary display data  30  displayed in the primary display  24 . Then, in operation  102 , a determination is made whether to display additional detail on the primary display  24 . If the primary display module  36  decides to include the additional detail, then in operation  104 , the primary display  24  is updated with the additional data. The additional detail includes approach minimas, elevations, performance and route related information with regard to a terminal chart, and includes runway identification, taxiway identification and gate information in an airport map application, as will be discussed herein. Then, in operation  107 , a determination is made as to whether the context display  26  is displayed on the GUI  18 . If the context display  26  is displayed, then the operational sequence goes to operation  110 . Otherwise, in operation  109 , the context display  26  is displayed on the GUI  18 , and includes the entire route and the indicator  34 , as discussed herein. 
     In operation  110 , the operational sequence decreases the size of the indicator  34  displayed on the context display  26  to represent the new geographic area displayed on the primary display  24 . Next at operation  98 , the operational sequence determines if a zoom out request has been received. If a zoom out request has been received, then the operational sequence goes to operation  112 . Otherwise the operational sequence goes to operation  128 . In operation  112 , upon receipt of the zoom out request, the image control module  43  decreases the magnification of the primary display data  30 . Next, in operation  116 , a determination is made whether to reduce the detail included with the primary display data  30 . If the detail is reduced, then in operation  118  the primary display data  30  is updated with the reduced detail. 
     Otherwise, in operation  120 , a determination is made as to whether the primary display data  30  in the primary display  24  is equal to the entire terminal chart or airport map in an airport map application, as will be discussed herein. If the primary display data  30  is equal to the entire terminal chart or airport map, then in operation  122 , the context display  26  is removed from the GUI  18 . If the primary display data  30  is not equal to the entire terminal chart or airport map, then in operation  124 , the size of the indicator  34  in the context display data  32  is increased to represent the larger amount of geographic data displayed on the primary display  24 . If the zoom-in request is received for displaying a portion on the primary display  24  in greater detail, then the indicator  34  in the context display  26  will decrease its size to reflect the smaller portion of the entire terminal/airport map visible on the primary display  24 . If the zoom-out request is received from the primary display  24 , then the indicator  34  in the context display  26  will increase its size to indicate that more of the entire terminal/airport map is visible on the primary display  24 . Should a zooming-out process result in the display of the entire terminal/airport map on the primary display  24 , then the context display  32  is removed along with its content. 
     In operation  128 , a determination is made as to whether a new chart request has been received. The user input data  60  could comprise a request to access a different geographic area, such as a route or airport map, or terminal chart instead of an airport map in an airport map application, each associated with the origin and/or the destination of the route of the aircraft  10 . Upon the receipt of a new chart request, the operational sequence goes to F in  FIG. 3 . Otherwise, a determination is made as to whether a power-down request is made in operation  130 . If a power-down request has been made, then the operational sequence ends in operation  132 . Otherwise, the operational sequence loops to operation  92 . 
     With reference back to  FIG. 3 , if it is determined that an airport map request has been received then the operational sequence goes to C in  FIG. 11 . With reference now to  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 11  is a process flow diagram that illustrates a sixth exemplary operational sequence  144  performed by the image control module  43 . Starting at C, in operation  146 , the selected airport map is displayed on the primary display  24  of the GUI  18 . Then, in operation  148 , a determination is made as to whether the entire airport map is displayed within the primary display  24 . If the entire airport map is displayed within the primary display  24 , then at operation  150 , no context display  26  is displayed in the GUI  18  and the operational sequence goes to H in  FIG. 9 . Otherwise, if the entire airport map does not fit within the primary display  24  of the GUI  18 , then in operation  152  the entire airport map is displayed on the context display  26  with the indicator  34  representing the portion of the airport map displayed in the primary display  24 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . In  FIG. 12 , a portion of an exemplary airport map  154  is shown in the primary display  24 , and the context display  26  includes the entire airport map  154  with the indicator  34  illustrating the portion of the airport map  154  displayed in the primary display  24 . With reference back to  FIG. 11 , after the context display  26  is determined to be displayed on the GUI  18 , the operational sequence goes to G on  FIG. 9 . 
     With reference back to  FIG. 9 , as the operational sequence associated with the terminal chart is the same as the operational sequence performed by the image control module  43  when an airport map is requested, the operational sequence associated with the receipt of a pan request, a zoom in request, a zoom out request and a new chart request will not be discussed in detail with regard to the airport map application. Rather, it will be understood that the same operational sequence used with a terminal chart application is applicable to an airport map application, and thus, the operational sequence of  FIG. 9  will not be discussed further herein with regard to an airport map application. 
     Thus, in operation, when a user, through the user input device  22 , selects a particular map for display on the GUI  18 , the image control module  43 , determines, based on the size of the map, whether to display the context display  26 . The map selected could be a geographic area associated with the route of the aircraft  10 , a terminal chart associated with an airport, such as the origin or destination airport of the aircraft  10 , or an airport map associated with an airport, such as the origin or destination airport of the aircraft  10 . If the context display  26  is displayed, the context display  26  provides an image of the entire map with the indicator  34  representing the portion of the map displayed on the primary display  24 . With the context display  26  displayed, the user, through the user input device  22 , requests to pan the image in the primary display  24  by moving the indicator  34  in the context display  26 . With or without the context display  26 , the user, through the user input device  22 , may pan, zoom in, or zoom out using the buttons  28 . Based on a request to pan the image, the image control module  43  updates the primary display  24  to display the selected portion, and updates the location of the indicator  34  on the context display  26  to correlate with the image resulting from the panning of the image in the primary display  24 . 
     If a zoom-in request is received, then the image control module  43  displays additional detail on the primary display  24 , if appropriate, and reduces the size of the indicator  34  in the context display  26 , if the context display  26  is displayed. If the context display  26  is not displayed, then the image control module  43  displays the context display  26 . If a zoom-out request is received, then the image control module  43  reduces the magnification of the image in the primary display  24  and reduces the detail displayed on the image in the primary display  24 , if appropriate. Then the image control module  43  increases the size of the context display  26 , if the image displayed in the primary display  24  is not the entire map. If the entire map, terminal chart or airport map is displayed, then the image control module  43  removes the context display  26  from the GUI  18 . 
     If a route map is selected, then a request may be made by the user, through the user input device  22 , to move the location of the context display  26 . If this request is received, then the image control module  43  moves the location of the context display  26  as requested. 
     If a new chart request is received, then the image control module  43  displays the selected map, terminal chart or airport map and perform the operational sequence associated with that type of map. If a power-down request is received, the image control module  43  ends the operational sequence. 
     Thus, the image control module  43  of the present disclosure enables a user to view a portion of the route map, terminal chart or airport map, while providing the user with the context of the image he/she is viewing via the context display  26 . Further, the image control module  43  enables the user to easily zoom and pan the image as necessary for navigating the mobile platform on aircraft. Furthermore, the image control module  43  eliminates the need for paper-based aeronautical maps. 
     While specific examples have been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the claims. Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various examples is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements and/or functions of one example may be incorporated into another example as appropriate, unless described otherwise, above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular examples illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the scope of the present disclosure will include any embodiments falling within the foregoing description and the appended claims.