Air traffic depiction for portable and installed aircraft displays
Systems and methods for depicting aircraft traffic. One example system includes an electronic controller coupled to a transceiver and a display for displaying a traffic interface. The electronic controller is configured to provide, on the traffic interface, a map representing a travel area and to provide, on the map, a first graphical representation of a first aircraft within the travel area. The electronic controller is configured to provide, on the map, a second graphical representation of a second aircraft within the travel area and to receive, from the transceiver, a first location of the first aircraft. The electronic controller is configured to receive, from the transceiver, a second location of the second aircraft and, in response to determining that the second location is within a predetermined radius of the first location, transform the traffic interface to highlight a geometric area of the map based on the first location.
1. A method of depicting aircraft traffic on an electronic display, the method comprising:
providing on the electronic display, with an electronic processor, a map representing a travel area;
providing on the map, with the electronic processor, a first graphical representation of a first aircraft within the travel area;
providing on the map, with the electronic processor, a second graphical representation of a second aircraft within the travel area;
receiving, with the electronic processor, a first location of the first aircraft;
receiving, with the electronic processor, a second location of the second aircraft; and,
in response to determining that the second location is within a predetermined radius of the first location, highlighting, with the electronic processor, a geometric area of the map based on the first location,
wherein the second location of the second aircraft is based on a first received communication signal, and
wherein the predetermined radius is a first predetermined radius, and within a second predetermined radius of the first location, the second predetermined radius being larger than the first predetermined radius,
wherein the method further comprises:
providing on the map, with the electronic processor, a third graphical representation of a third aircraft within the travel area;
receiving, with the electronic processor, a third location of the third aircraft based on a second received communication signal; and
in response to losing the second received communication signal, gradually transforming on the map, with the electronic processor, an opacity of the third graphical representation based on a time since the second received communication signal was lost.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the geometric area is semi-transparent.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the geometric area represents an area within the predetermined radius of the first location.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second graphical representation comprises data relating to at least one selected from a group of an altitude of the second aircraft, a heading of the second aircraft, and a speed of the second aircraft.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the second graphical representation further comprises an anticipated flight path of the second aircraft.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first aircraft is a helicopter and the predetermined radius is 2.5 nautical miles.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
providing on the electronic display, with the electronic processor, at least one button for adjusting a zoom level of the map; and
providing on the electronic display, with the electronic processor, a compass.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein gradually transforming the opacity of the third graphical representation based on a time since the second received communication signal was lost includes reducing the opacity as the time increases.
9. A graphical user interface comprising:
a map representing a travel area;
a first graphical representation of a first aircraft within the travel area, the first graphical representation displayed on the map;
a second graphical representation of a second aircraft within the travel area, the second graphical representation displayed on the map; and
a highlighted geometric area based on a first location of the first aircraft, the highlighted geometric area displayed on the map;
wherein the highlighted geometric area is displayed on the map when a second location of the second aircraft is determined to be within a predetermined radius of the first location, and
wherein the graphical user interface further comprises:
a third graphical representation of a third aircraft within the travel area, the third graphical representation displayed on the map;
wherein an opacity of the third graphical representation is gradually transformed based on a time since a received communication signal from the third aircraft was lost.
10. The graphical user interface of claim 9 , wherein the geometric area is semi-transparent.
11. The graphical user interface of claim 9 , wherein the geometric area represents an area within the predetermined radius of the first location.
12. The graphical user interface of claim 9 , wherein the second graphical representation comprises data relating to at least one selected from a group of an altitude of the second aircraft, a heading of the second aircraft, and a speed of the second aircraft.
13. The graphical user interface of claim 9 , wherein the opacity of the third graphical representation is gradually transformed based on an age of the third graphical representation by reducing the opacity as the age increases.
14. A system for depicting traffic on a traffic interface, the system comprising:
an electronic controller including an electronic processor;
a display for displaying the traffic interface, the display communicatively coupled to the controller;
a transceiver communicatively coupled to the controller; and
an electronic controller configured to:
provide, on the traffic interface, a map representing a travel area;
provide, on the map, a first graphical representation of a first aircraft within the travel area;
provide, on the map, a second graphical representation of a second aircraft within the travel area;
receive, from the transceiver, a first location of the first aircraft;
receive, from the transceiver, a second location of the second aircraft;
in response to determining that the second location is within a predetermined radius of the first location, transform the traffic interface to highlight a geometric area of the map based on the first location,
provide, on the map, a third graphical representation of a third aircraft within the travel area; and
gradually transform, on the map, an opacity of the third graphical representation based on a time since a received communication signal from the third aircraft was lost.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the geometric area is semi-transparent.
16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the geometric area represents an area within the predetermined radius of the first location.
17. The system of claim 14 , wherein gradually transforming the opacity of the third graphical representation based on an age of the third graphical representation includes reducing the opacity as the age increases.