Beacon docking system with visual guidance display

Abstract

A method for parking an aircraft at an expected stopping position at an airport includes a step of receiving an electromagnetic call signal that is transmitted from the aircraft. The electromagnetic call signal includes data that is retrieved from a memory circuit disposed aboard the aircraft, and relates to the type of the aircraft. In addition, positional and trajectory information relating to the aircraft is sensed. Based on the data relating to the type of the aircraft and the sensed positional and trajectory information relating to the aircraft, instructions are determined for guiding the aircraft to an expected stopping position for the specific type of the aircraft. The determined instructions are provided to a pilot of the aircraft, for use in parking the aircraft at the expected stopping position.

1 . A method for parking an aircraft at an expected stopping position at an airport, comprising: 
 using a first transceiver disposed aboard the aircraft, transmitting a call signal including data retrieved from a memory circuit of the transceiver, the data being unique to the specific aircraft-type of the aircraft;    receiving the call signal using a second transceiver that is disposed at a location remote from the aircraft;    using a sensor that is disposed at a location remote from the aircraft, sensing positional and trajectory information relating to the aircraft;    based on the received call signal and the sensed positional and trajectory information relating to the aircraft, determining instructions for guiding the aircraft to an expected stopping position for a specific aircraft-type of the aircraft;    formatting the determined instructions for being displayed using a display device; and,    displaying the said formatted instructions so as to provide to a pilot of the aircraft instructions for parking the aircraft at the expected stopping position.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the call signal is a radio frequency call signal.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the call signal is an optical call signal.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , comprising providing the display device along an exterior surface of a terminal building of the airport for being viewed by the pilot from the aircraft.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the sensed positional and trajectory information relate to a current position and orientation of the aircraft relative to the expected stopping position.  
   
   
       6 . A method for parking an aircraft at an expected stopping position at an airport, comprising: 
 receiving an electromagnetic call signal that is transmitted from the aircraft, the electromagnetic call signal including data that is retrieved from a memory circuit disposed aboard the aircraft and relating to the type of the aircraft;    sensing positional and trajectory information relating to the aircraft;    based on the data relating to the type of the aircraft and the sensed positional and trajectory information relating to the aircraft, determining instructions for guiding the aircraft to an expected stopping position for the specific type of the aircraft; and,    providing the determined instructions to a pilot of the aircraft for use in parking the aircraft at the expected stopping position.    
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein providing the determined instructions comprises formatting the determined instructions for being displayed using a display device.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7 , comprising displaying the said formatted instructions using the display device.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the display device is disposed along an exterior surface of a terminal building of the airport for being viewed by the pilot from the aircraft.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the electromagnetic call signal is a radio frequency call signal.  
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the electromagnetic call signal is an optical call signal.  
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the electromagnetic call signal is transmitted using a wavelength of light that is selected from one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the sensed positional and trajectory information relate to a current position and orientation of the aircraft relative to the expected stopping position.  
   
   
       14 . A method for parking an aircraft at an expected stopping position at an airport, comprising: 
 providing aboard the aircraft a transceiver in communication with a memory circuit, the memory circuit having stored therein data that is indicative of a type of the aircraft;    during parking of the aircraft within the predetermined section of space, transmitting an electromagnetic call signal using the transceiver aboard the aircraft, the electromagnetic call signal including the data that is indicative of the type of the aircraft; and,    parking the aircraft at an expected stopping position for the indicated type of the aircraft in dependence upon instructions that are displayed using an airport-based display device, and that are determined based upon the data that is indicative of the type of the aircraft.    
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 14 , comprising prior to parking the aircraft at the expected stopping position, using a sensor that is disposed at a location remote from the aircraft to sense positional and trajectory information relating to the aircraft.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein the instructions are determined based on the sensed positional and trajectory information relating to the aircraft in combination with the data that is indicative of the type of the aircraft.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the airport-based display device is disposed along an exterior surface of a terminal building of the airport for being viewed by a pilot aboard the aircraft.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the electromagnetic call signal is a radio frequency call signal.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the electromagnetic call signal is an optical call signal.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the electromagnetic call signal is transmitted using a wavelength of light that is selected from one of the ultraviolet, visible and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.