1. A method for adapting an aircraft descent segment with constant ground gradient, comprising:
acquiring state variables characterizing the aircraft, environment variables characterizing the environment thereof and path variables characterizing the predicted path thereof at one of the initial and final points of the segment;
calculating a limit ground gradient for at least one performance criterion from the said state variables, the said environment variables and the said path variables;
validating the path initially predicted against the most restrictive limit ground gradient;
and when the path initially predicted is not valid:
checking the feasibility of a command to modify at least one state variable;
if feasibility is verified, predicting the execution of the said command;
otherwise, predicting a modification of one of the initial and final points of the segment with respect to constraints of the flight plan.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of calculating a limit ground gradient for at least one performance criterion comprises calculating a limit air gradient for the said at least one performance criterion.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of calculating the limit air gradient comprises:
calculating an engine thrust resultant;
setting the limit air gradient to a default value;
calculating an aerodynamic drag resultant as a function of the limit air gradient and the state variables of the aircraft;
calculating the limit air gradient as a function of the aerodynamic drag resultant, the aircraft state variables and the engine thrust resultant.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of calculating the aerodynamic drag resultant and the step of calculating the limit air gradient are performed iteratively until a stop criterion is satisfied.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the stop criterion is satisfied when the air gradients obtained in two successive iterations exhibit an angular difference which, in absolute value, is below a predefined threshold.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the predefined threshold has a value small enough to guarantee the convergence of the algorithm.
7. The method of claim 1, comprising at least one performance criterion in relation to the deceleration capacity of the aircraft.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of checking the feasibility of a command to modify at least one state variable involves successively verifying the feasibility of one or more commands of an actuator for modifying a capacity to dissipate a total or a mechanical energy of the aircraft.
9. The method of claim 8, comprising successively verifying:
a command to reduce an engine thrust;
a command to extend slats and flaps;
a command to deploy a landing gear;
a command to extend air brakes.
10. The method of claim 1, comprising presenting the obtained vertical path to a pilot.
11. The method of claim 1, comprising, when the flight plan constraints do not permit the modification of any of the initial and final points of the segment, displaying or emitting a cockpit warning.
12. An aircraft flight management computing device configured to adapt a constant slope descent flight segment, comprising:
a data link configured to acquire state variables characterizing the aircraft, environment variables characterizing the environment thereof and path variables characterizing the predicted path thereof at one of the initial and final points of the segment;
a processor configured to:
calculate a limit ground gradient for at least one performance criterion from the said state variables, the said environment variables and the said path variables;
validate the path initially predicted against the most restrictive limit ground gradient;
and when the path initially predicted is not valid:
check the feasibility of a command to modify at least one state variable;
if feasibility is verified, predict the execution of the said command;
otherwise, predict the modification of one of the initial and final points of the segment with respect to constraints of the flight plan.
13. A computer program stored on a non transient computer readable medium, configured to adapt an aircraft flight segment with constant ground gradient, the said program comprising:
computer code elements configured to carry out an acquisition of state variables characterizing the aircraft, of environment variables characterizing the environment thereof, and of path variables characterizing the predicted path thereof at one of the initial and final points of the segment;
computer code elements configured to perform a calculation using the said state variables, the said environment variables and the said path variables of a limit ground gradient for at least one performance criterion;
computer code elements configured to verify the validity of the path initially predicted with respect to the most restrictive limit ground gradient;
computer code elements configured to perform the following operations when the path initially predicted is not valid:
check the feasibility of a command to modify at least one state variable;
if feasibility is verified, predict execution of the said command;
otherwise, predict a modification of one of the initial and final points of the segment, with respect to constraints of the flight plan.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A system for distributing a transcript-synchronized videoaudio record of a legal proceeding to members of a collaborative workgroup on demand, comprising:
a server, wherein said videoaudio record and a transcript of said proceeding are stored on said server;
means for synchronizing each line of text in said transcript with a corresponding portion of said videoaudio record;
at least one client in communication with said server, wherein said server distributes any of said videoaudio record and said transcript to a member using said client on demand;
means for making page and line designations from said transcript by said members; and
means for editing said videoaudio record, wherein a list of clips is created and made available on demand to said members;
wherein said system is adapted to a web-based network environment;
wherein said system protects access to privileged videoaudio records with secure methods; and
wherein said system is based at least in part on open technology standards.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for synchronizing comprises:
a software program, said program adapted to assign time codes to each frame of said videoaudio record.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein said means for synchronizing further comprises:
means for embedding time codes to a corresponding, portion of said videoaudio record either at each line of text or a portion thereof in said transcript.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein said embedded time codes comprise selectable links, so that selecting a time code grants a member access to the corresponding portion of said videoaudio record.
5. The system of claim 3, wherein said transcript is stored and distributed as a document file having the ability to support embedded links.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein said means for embedding time codes comprises a software program so adapted.
7. The system of claim 5, wherein said means for embedding time codes comprises at least one operator manually inserting time codes.
8. The system of claim 2, wherein said means for synchronizing further comprises:
a database, wherein time codes are captured and related to lines of a text file of said transcript.
9. The system of claim 2, wherein said time codes comprise SMPTE (SOCIETY OF MOTION PICTURE AND ENGINEERS) time codes.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein said videoaudio record is stored as a MPEG (MOTION PICTURE EXPERTS GROUP) file.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein said videoaudio record is distributed as an MPEG file or in a video stream.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein said video stream is scalable according to type of connection between server and client.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein said transcript, said videorecord and said list of clips are distributed on removable storage media.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein said client comprises a web browser.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein said client further comprises a viewer for said videoaudio record.
16. The system of claim 14, wherein said client further comprises a software application for viewing and editing said transcript.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein said means for making page and line designations comprises a highlighter tool, wherein a member selects portions of text from said transcript, so that corresponding time codes for said selected portions of text are captured.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein captured time codes for a portion of text designate start and end points of a videoaudio sequence corresponding to said portion of text.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein said start and end points are written to an edit decision list.
20. The system of claim 19, said means for editing said videoaudio record comprising a video editing system, wherein said edit decision list is passed to said editing system, so that said list of clips is automatically created.
21. The system of claim 16, further comprising tools for any of:
annotating said transcript;
attaching comments to said transcript; and
identifying a member adding a designation, annotation or comment.
22. The system of claim 16, further comprising means for saving member changes to a new version of said transcript and transmitting to said server.
23. The system of claim 22, further comprising a history database at said server wherein said member changes are saved to said history database.
24. The system of claim 16, further comprising means for:
sharing member changes with others in said workgroup;
merging member changes with changes made by other group members;
automatically merging changes made by all members of a workgroup at a predetermined interval and distributing to all group members; and
attributing changes to maker.
25. The system of claim 1, said means for editing said videoaudio record comprising:
a clip tool, wherein said user views said videoaudio record and designates a start and end point to a clip using said clip tool;
a database, said database providing a plurality of fields for labeling and associating other data with said clip;
an edit decision list, wherein said clip is written to said edit decision list; and
a video editing system, wherein said edit decision list is passed to said editing system, so that said list of clips is automatically created.
26. The system of claim 1, wherein said server comprises a video server.
27. The system of claim 26, wherein said video server comprises a streaming video server.
28. The system of claim 1, wherein said legal proceeding comprises a deposition.
29. The system of claim 1, wherein said client communicates with said server across a publicly accessible telecommunication network.
30. The system of claim 29, wherein said network comprises the Internet.
31. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for providing secure transmission between client and server.
32. The system of claim 31, wherein said means for providing secure transmission comprises means for encrypting transmission between client and server.
33. The system of claim 1, wherein said transcript-synchronized videoaudio record is importable to a litigation support software application.
34. A method for distributing a transcript-synchronized videoaudio record of a legal proceeding to members of a collaborative workgroup on demand, comprising the steps of:
storing a videoaudio record and a transcript of said proceeding on a server;
synchronizing each line of text in said transcript with corresponding frames in said videoaudio record;
distributing any of said videoaudio record and said transcript from said server to a member using a client in communication with said server on demand;
making page and line designations from said transcript by said members; and
editing said videoaudio record, wherein a list of clips is created and made available on demand to said members; and
protecting access to privileged videoaudio records with secure methods;
said client and said server communicating in a web-based network environment; and
wherein said method is based at least in part on open technology standards.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of synchronizing comprises:
assigning time codes to each frame of said videoaudio record by means of a software program so adapted.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of synchronizing further comprises:
embedding time codes to a corresponding portion of said videoaudio record at each line of text in said transcript.
37. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of:
selecting a time code by a member to access a corresponding portion of said videoaudio record, wherein said embedded time codes comprise selectable links.
38. The method of claim 36, wherein said transcript is stored and distributed as a document file having the ability to support embedded links.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein a software program embeds said time codes so adapted.
40. The method of claim 38, wherein said time codes are embedded manually be at least one operator.
41. The method of claim 35, wherein said step of synchronizing further comprises:
capturing and relating time codes to lines of a text file of said transcript in a database.
42. The method of claim 35, wherein said time codes comprise SMPTE time codes.
43. The method of claim 34, wherein said videoaudio record is stored as a MPEG (MOTION PICTURE EXPERTS GROUP) file.
44. The method of claim 34, wherein said videoaudio record is distributed as an MPEG file or in a video stream.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein said video stream is scalable according to type of connection between server and client.
46. The method of claim 34, wherein said transcript, said videorecord and said list of clips are distributed on removable storage media.
47. The method of claim 34, wherein said client comprises a web browser.
48. The method of claim 47, wherein said client further comprises a viewer for said videoaudio record.
49. The method of claim 47, wherein said client further comprises a software application for viewing and editing said transcript.
50. The method of claim 49, wherein the step of making page and line designations comprises:
selecting portions of text from said transcript by said member using a highlighter tool, so that corresponding time codes for said selected portions of text are captured.
51. The method of claim 49, wherein captured time codes for a portion of text designate start and end points of a videoaudio sequence corresponding to said portion of text.
52. The method of claim 51, further comprising the step of writing said start and end points to an edit decision list.
53. The method of claim 52, said step of editing said videoaudio record comprising:
passing said edit decision list to an editing system, so that said list of clips is automatically created.
54. The method of claim 49, further comprising any of the steps of:
annotating said transcript;
attaching comments to said transcript;
identifying a member adding a designation, annotation or comment; and
appending date andor time of change.
55. The method of claim 49, further comprising the step of:
saving member changes in a new version of said transcript and transmitting to said server.
56. The method of claim 55, wherein said step of saving member changes further comprises:
saving said member changes to a history database at said server.
57. The system of claim 49, further comprising the steps of:
sharing member changes with others in said workgroup;
merging member changes with changes made by other group members;
automatically merging changes made by all members of a workgroup at a predetermined interval and distributing to all group members; and
attributing changes to maker.
58. The method of claim 34, said step of editing said videoaudio record comprising the steps of:
viewing said videoaudio record by said member and designating a start and end point to a clip using a clip tool;
labeling and associating other data with said clip by means of a database;
writing said clip to an edit decision list; and
passing said edit decision list to a video editing system so that said list of clips is automatically created.
59. The method of claim 34, wherein said server comprises a video server.
60. The method of claim 59, wherein said video server comprises a streaming video server.
61. The method of claim 34, wherein said legal proceeding comprises a deposition.
62. The method of claim 1, wherein said client communicates with said server across a publicly accessible telecommunication network.
63. The system of claim 62, wherein said network comprises the Internet.
64. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
providing secure transmission between client and server.
65. The method of claim 31, wherein said step of providing secure transmission comprises:
encrypting transmission between client and server.
66. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
importing said transcript-synchronized videoaudio record to a litigation support software application.