U.S. patent application number 10/095607 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-25 for system and method for visually indicating receipt of a radio communication directed to a uniquely identified vehicle.
Invention is credited to Crouch, Wayne C., Foley, Martin J., Mitchell, Robert P..
Application Number | 20020097168 10/095607 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23852694 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020097168 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mitchell, Robert P. ; et
al. |
July 25, 2002 |
System and method for visually indicating receipt of a radio
communication directed to a uniquely identified vehicle
Abstract
A system for visually indicating receipt of a radio
communication directed to a user having an associated unique
identification code. The system includes a radio transponder having
an audio output, means for obtaining and storing the unique
identification code; a speech recognition circuit operably
connected to the radio transponder audio output and the stored
identification code; and a visual indicator operably connected to
an output of the speech recognition circuit, such that when the
stored identification code and said audio input are substantially
the same the visual indicator is driven to activation. A method is
similarly disclosed.
Inventors: |
Mitchell, Robert P.;
(Jacksonville, NC) ; Crouch, Wayne C.;
(Edwardsville, IL) ; Foley, Martin J.; (Pasadena,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SONNENSCHEIN NATH & ROSENTHAL
P.O. Box 061080
Wacker Drive Station, Sears Tower
Chicago
IL
60606-1080
US
|
Family ID: |
23852694 |
Appl. No.: |
10/095607 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10095607 |
Mar 11, 2002 |
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09466680 |
Dec 20, 1999 |
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6356209 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/945 ;
340/539.1; 340/815.4; 704/E15.045 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 715/961 20130101;
G10L 15/26 20130101; Y10S 715/971 20130101; G10L 2015/088
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/945 ;
340/539; 340/815.4 |
International
Class: |
G08B 021/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for visually indicating receipt of a radio
communication directed to a user having an associated unique
identification code, said system comprising: a radio transponder
having an audio output; means for obtaining and storing said user
associated unique identification code; a speech recognition circuit
operably connected to said audio output and to said storing means;
and a visual indicator operably connected to an output of said
speech recognition circuit, such that when said stored audio and
said audio output are substantially the same said visual indicator
is driven to activation.
2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said system further
comprises an audio output device operably connected to said audio
output of said radio transponder.
3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said means for
obtaining and storing said user associated unique identification
code includes an audio input device operably associated with said
speech recognition circuit.
4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said audio input
device is integral to said radio transponder.
5. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said audio input
device is operably connected to said speech recognition
circuit.
6. The invention according to claim 5 wherein said speech
recognition circuit continues to drive said visual indicator until
said audio input and said stored audio are substantially the same
whereby said visual indicator remains active until said user speaks
said associated unique identification code.
7. A kit for retrofitting a vehicle to provide a visual indication
of receipt of a radio communication directed to a user having an
associated unique identification code, said vehicle having at least
a pre-existing radio transponder, audio input device and audio
output device, said kit comprising: means for obtaining and storing
said user associated unique identification code; a speech
recognition circuit operably connected to said audio output and to
said storing means; and a visual indicator operably connected to an
output of said speech recognition circuit, such that when said
stored audio and said audio output are substantially the same said
visual indicator is driven to activation.
8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said kit is self
contained within a housing.
9. The invention according to claim 8 said kit further including an
insulation displacement connector for connecting the kit to the
preexisting circuits.
10. A method for visually indicating receipt of a radio
communication directed to a user having an associated unique
identification code, said method comprising: storing the unique
identification code; monitoring ongoing radio communications for
utterance of the unique identification; and indicating in a visual
manner substantially contemporaneous use of the unique
identification code within the ongoing communication.
11. The invention according to claim 10 further comprising
extinguishing the visual indication upon response by a user to
receipt of the unique identification code.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to communication systems, and in
particular to a system and method for providing a visual indication
of a radio communication directed to a unique identified vehicle.
This system and method having particular utility in aircraft and
ground test equipment.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] The air space is a busy place, especially near airports or
other landing strips, for both pilots and air-traffic controllers.
As the air traffic becomes increasingly populated, controllers must
efficiently and systematically give instructions via radio to
pilots in that heavily populated air space. Similarly, pilots rely
on the radio transmissions from the air traffic controllers as a
means of increasing safety.
[0003] There may be many reasons why a pilot might not clearly
receive radio instructions from air traffic controllers such as
workload, cockpit noise, weather, other closely spaced aircraft, or
any number of other reasons. If the pilot-air traffic controller
communications routine is disrupted because a pilot missed a radio
instruction, then multiple errors can occur. Not only are there
delays because the controller has to repeat his instructions, but
other aircraft are vulnerable because that one pilot did not
receive instructions in a timely fashion.
[0004] Many inventions have addressed this and similar problems.
For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,425 to Anderson et al. teaches a
pilot unique transmission radio frequency signal to communicate
with the air traffic controllers. The prior art also describes
various methods of warning pilots of faulty conditions. U.S. Pat.
No. 2,259,123 to Wells et al described a complex system for
aircraft instrumentation where a unitary panel of lights would show
at a glance, all the aircraft instruments status. U.S. Pat. No.
2,337,535 to Acs Jr., describes a visual warning system activated
by an abnormal condition in the aircraft instrument panel. In U.S.
Pat. No. 3,582,949 to Forst, discloses an audiovisual warning
system activated as a result of a monitored condition in fault.
Unfortunately, none of the prior art has sought to exploit the idea
of a redundant visual indication to uniquely identify a
transmission from air traffic controllers to a given aircraft.
[0005] There have been various in home applications of audio
signals driving a visual indication. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,638 to
Goldschmied, an audio responsive display where the lights are
modulated to the audio signal is described. In U.S. Pat. No.
3,890,381 to Hopkins, a system for energizing a lamp upon receipt
of predetermined acoustic signals such as telephones or alarm
clocks is described. These systems employ fixed circuits that
cannot be programmed or changed without physically adjusting the
receiving circuit components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Essentially, the prior art does not address let alone
sufficiently solve the problem of a pilot missing radio
instructions from an air traffic controller. The prior art does not
teach the idea of using the pilot unique, existing call sign from
the radio output to activate a visual indication which results in a
redundant method of notifying a pilot of an air traffic controller
instruction. Also, none of the prior art teaches the idea of a
programmable call activated system whereby any aircraft can have a
qualified person set or change the unique call sign. Additionally,
the prior art does not teach the idea that fixed ground test
equipment or portable ground test or monitoring systems could also
be programmed to be call activated in the same fashion as the
aircraft system previously described.
[0007] These and other objects and features of the present
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light
of the following disclosure and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of an
aircraft visual indicating system;
[0009] FIGS. 2A and 2B are logic flow diagrams depicting the
operation of an aircraft visual indicating system; and
[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the call recognition circuit of
the aircraft visual indicating system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0011] While the present invention may be embodied in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and discussed
herein a few specific embodiments with the understanding that the
present disclosure is to be considered only as an exemplification
of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the
invention to the embodiments illustrated.
[0012] Modem aircraft utilize a transponder to transmit and receive
radio frequency (RF) signals from the ground or control tower. As
illustrated by the block diagram in FIG. 1, the aircraft visual is
indicating system 100 includes a radio transponder 101, a
transponder audio line 102, audio output device 103, mode switching
means 108, audio input device 107, call recognition circuit 104 and
visual display 106. It is contemplated that the aircraft visual
indicating system 100 will use the radio transponder, transponder
audio line, and audio output device already found in most modem day
aircraft and ground test equipment and consequently be retrofitted
thereto. Alternatively, though, 20 the aircraft visual indicating
system 100 can be produced as a specific unit including all of the
requisite components.
[0013] Radio transponder 101 may be any commercially available
radio transponder rated for aircraft use, such as King model KT76C,
Terra model TRT250D, Narco model AT-150, Garmin model GTX320, or
Rockwell Collins model RTU-4200. Some of these transponders have
associated microphones which accept vocal input from the pilots.
These transponders are connected by means known by those skilled in
the art to an audio panel. The audio panel generally will also
house one or more audio output devices such as a speaker and a
headset jack. This audio panel may be any audio panel rated for use
in commercial aircrafts such as King model KMA-24, Terra model
TMA-350D, Apollo model SL1O or Garmin model GMA340. The audio
output device can be a speaker, but is commonly a pilot
headset.
[0014] Ground test or monitoring equipment such as hand held
transceivers or aviation scanners (not shown) would similarly
include the radio transponder 101, the transponder audio line 102,
and audio device 103 shown in FIG. 1. For instance, hand held
transceivers currently used in the industry are ICOM model IC-A4 or
Communications Specialists model TR70, however, any hand held
transceiver may benefit from the advantages provided by the present
invention. The aviation scanners used in the industry are Bearcat
Aviation Uniden model BC350A or model BC120XLT.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the input of the call recognition
circuit 104 is operably connected to the transponder output audio
line 102 from the radio transponder 101. As shown in the preferred
embodiment of FIG. 1, audio input device 107--which preferably
comprises a microphone--is operably connected to a second input of
call recognition circuit 104. Alternatively, in embodiments where
the radio transponder has an associated audio input device, that
input device can be used in place of audio input device 107.
[0016] Visual display 106 is connected to an output of call
recognition circuit 104. The visual display device may comprise one
or more devices known by those skilled in the art that provide a
visual indication to a human being, including lamps, LED's, and
graphical displays. The visual display may be mounted in a variety
of locations. For instance, in aircraft applications, visual
display 106 can be located in the cockpit, including incorporating
same into the instrument panel, physically attaching it to a
pilot's helmet, or incorporating same into a heads up display. In
ground test equipment applications, the visual display can be
included in the existing package, attached or otherwise physically
associated with the test equipment packaging/housing.
[0017] The mode switching means 108 is operably connected to the
call recognition circuit 104 and is used to toggle between either a
set up or operation mode. As is known in the art, mode switching
means can be a mechnical switch, touch switch, computer-controlled
status or any other mechanism for selecting between modes.
[0018] The initialization of the system begins by switching to
setup mode. Among other possible operations, "setup mode" enables
the aircraft's unique call sign (i.e. N721A, WH2238, United 310
Heavy) to be entered and stored in call recognition circuit 104. In
a preferred approach, a qualified person performs this function by
reading the call sign into the audio input device. However, it is
also contemplated that the call sign could be "keyed in" or
selected from a software display pull-down menu (or other graphical
means) by using a mouse or similar pointing device. The operation
of the system continues by switching to the operation mode where
the call recognition circuit monitors the audio line 102 for the
correct call sign.
[0019] FIG. 2A describes the setup mode of call recognition circuit
104. First, the call recognition circuit prompts (visually or
orally) the qualified person (through the audio output device 103)
to enter the aircraft's specific call sign. The qualified person
then "inputs" the correct call sign into the call recognition
circuit via audio input device 107, keyboard, or other user input
device. In a preferred embodiment, the call recognition circuit
then repeats the prompt sequence (visually or orally) to verify the
stored call sign. The qualified person is notified by audio output
device 103, by visual output device 106, or by a combination of the
two that the setup is complete. The qualified person can now change
the system mode via mode switching means 108 to the operation
mode.
[0020] In the operation mode, as shown in FIG. 2B, call recognition
circuit 104 (FIG. 1) listens for a radio transmission that contains
a call sign that matches the stored call sign. Once the call sign
is detected, an output signal is sent to visual display 106 (shown
in FIG. 1).
[0021] The detailed layout of the call recognition circuit 104
(FIG. 1) is shown in FIG. 3. A commercially available speech
recognition integrated circuit such as Sensory Circuits, Inc. RSC
164 or Images Company HM 2007 known by those skilled in the art
functions as speech recognition circuit 205. Such a circuit is
adaptable to this type of application and information about it is
readily available from the manufacturer. The power control switch
207 is used to control power from the power supply 209 to the
speech recognition circuit 205, the audio impedance transformer
203, and the visual display driver 211. The audio from the
transponder or microphone is connected to the audio impedance
transformer 203 which is used to pre-condition the audio signal for
the speech recognition circuit 205. When activated, the speech
recognition circuit 205 outputs a signal to the visual display
driver 211 which provides signal conditioning and can optionally
include a is predetermined time circuit that provides the visual
output signal. The time circuit will allow the visual display 106
of FIG. 1 to be illuminated for any desired length of time. In
addition, the time the visual indication is provided could
alternatively be tied to the vocal response from the user. In
particular, if an air traffic controller sends an instruction,
including the programmed aircraft call sign, a visual indicator
would be activated by call recognition circuit 104. In response,
the pilot confirming receipt of the instruction would repeat the
instruction into audio input device along with his call sign. This
repetition of the call sign from a local audio source would, in
turn, shut off the visual indicator. Similarly, a manual switch,
such as a momentary contact switch could be used to shut-off the
visual display.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, the identification is programmed by
entering setup mode as selected by mode switching means 108 by a
qualified person who provides the desired call pattern. Once the
setup is completed, the mode switching means 108 can be switched to
the operation mode. In this mode, the speech recognition circuit
205 of FIG. 3 monitors the audio speech patterns from the radio
transponder and audio input device. Detailed operation of the
speech recognition circuit 205 can be found in the manufacturer's
literature and is readily available. If the transmitted speech
pattern matches the desired speech pattern of the stored call sign,
then the speech recognition integrated circuit 205 provides an
output signal that is sent to visual display 106 of FIG. 1 via the
visual display driver 211 of FIG. 3 to warn the pilot of an
instruction. In this manner, fewer radio instructions will be
missed by the pilot.
[0023] The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and
illustrate the invention and the invention is not limited thereto.
Those of the skill in the art who have the disclosure before them
will be able to make modifications and variations therein without
departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, it
would be apparent to those of skill in the art having the present
specification and claims to incorporate this system into an
emergency vehicle, such as a police car and perhaps even utilize
the pre-existing emergency lights to indicate receipt of directed
radio instruction when the police officers are outside the police
car.
* * * * *