Communication radio method and apparatus

US6282417A · kind A · utility

Inventor

• David Ward · Belleville, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: May 7, 1999
• Grant date: Aug 28, 2001
• Expiry date: May 7, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G08G5/58
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A radio frequency selecting system operable by a pilot within an aircraft (10). The aircraft (10) travels through successive zones of space (12-28) each having a separate, dedicated frequency (f1-f9) that is used for radio communication between an aircraft (10) in the zone and the controller that provides flight instructions to the pilot while the aircraft (10) is in that zone. The radio includes a display (42) of successive radio frequencies for successive zones, including the last frequency used in the last zone (LF), the current frequency in use in the current zone (CF), and the next frequency expected to be used in the next zone (NF). All of the displayed frequencies are derived from the vehicle present position and its relationship to the successive zones of space through which the vehicle will travel and their dedicated frequencies. A touch operated frequency selector (TOFS) is provided. It includes a cursor and a cursor control (44-46) for moving the cursor to select any of the displayed frequencies. The TOFS further includes a SELECT control (48) operable by touch to move the cursored frequency to the new CF position in the display and tune the radio to the new CF.