Wireless flight data recorder with satellite network method for real time remote access and black box backup

• US 10,713,859 B1
• Filed: 09/12/2014
• Issued: 07/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: World Wide Walkie Talkie
• Original Assignee: World Wide Walkie Talkie
• Inventors: McZeal, Jr., Alfred
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Peche, Jorge O
• Application Number:
  US14/484,262
• Time in Patent Office: 2,132 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/12 Releasing
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2045/0065 Black boxes, devices automatically broadcasting distress signals
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2045/0085 Devices for aircraft health monitoring, e.g. monitoring flutter or vibration
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/18 Flotation gear aircraft alighting gear B64C
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 25/20 Releasing of crash position indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/17 Emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/32 Multimode operation in a single same satellite system, e.g. GPS L1/L2
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 Determining position
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 wherein the data carrier is removable
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0866 the electronic data carrier being a digital video recorder in combination with video camera

Abstract

A wireless dual flight data recorder apparatus and wireless network method using satellite communications for providing remote data redundancy, location accuracy, and real-time access to live flight data contained in the black box of an aircraft.

An integrated GPS receiver uses the NAVSTAR GPS Precise Position Service allowing emergency responders immediate access to exact location of the device.

A data collection algorithm streams flight data to a remote data center, performs data compaction for decreasing bandwidth, and data encryption for security prior to transmission to a remote data center.

An ejection sensor system signals a second unit to eject milliseconds before impact reducing shock to the recorder. A flotation system allows the device to float on water, a solar panel extends the life of the batteries, and VoIP video camera recorder allows remote surveillance.

The invention protects critical flight data and passengers ensuring expeditious rescue missions for survivors and investigators.

Claims

1. A wireless GPS enabled dual flight data recorder system comprised of a flight data recorder, and a wireless ejectable flight data recorder, for an aircraft connected to a satellite network for streaming, remotely accessing, for recording critical flight data within the aircraft for remote data storage and retrieval, wherein emergency responders can remotely access said critical flight data in real time via the satellite network, embodied with a cockpit voice recorder system, a data collection processor, a quick access recorder, a wireless satellite network interface, a flotation system, a video/audio port, an on board camera network system, a cockpit network video recorder, a cockpit voice recorder, a subscriber identification module system, an emergency locator transmitter, an ejection sensor system, a remote data center, a gps enabled receiver and real time satellite network connection to a remote data center, comprising,

a satellite network for streaming, accessing, and securely transferring data between said wireless GPS enabled dual flight data recorder system, wireless satellite network interface, quick access recorder, data collection processor, and the remote data center,

a quick access recorder for access to storage of data on removal medium and for facilitating quick convenient access to data contained in the wireless GPS enabled dual flight data recorder system,

a data collection processor utilizing real time streaming for collection of data to the wireless GPS enabled dual flight data recorder system, for data encryption, for data compaction, for data streaming, and for transmission of said critical flight data to the remote data center,

a wireless satellite network interface with an antenna for facilitating a data communications link between, the wireless GPS enabled dual flight data recorder system, the satellite network, the data collection processor, and the remote data center,

a wireless connection interconnecting the flight data recorder and the wireless ejectable flight data recorder, for synchronization of data stored within said wireless GPS enabled dual flight data recorder system,

a solar panel charging system constructed to the wireless ejectable flight data recorder wherein said solar panel charging system provides a means to extend the battery life of the wireless electable flight data recorder,

an ejection sensor system to trigger the wireless ejectable, flight data recorder to eject from the aircraft,

said remote data center configured to decrypt encrypted data stored in the remote data center allowing emergency responders to remotely access critical flight data via satellite network and to remotely monitor said onboard camera network system, the flight data contained in the remote data center and,

a military grade gps satellite system, for establishing precise gps coordinates for computing the precise location of the wireless ejectable flight data recorder.

2. A wireless dual flight data recorder system embodied with a flight data recorder, a wireless ejectable flight data recorder, a remote data center, and a satellite network for streaming critical flight data, data redundancy, and further embodying a wireless satellite network interface, a quick access recorder, a gps system, a real time video surveillance system, for remote backup duplication of critical flight data, and real-time monitoring with access to of said critical flight data within the flight data recorder system of an aircraft, comprising;

means for recording critical flight data and cockpit voice recordings within the cockpit and passenger cabin of the aircraft;

means for ejection of the wireless ejectable flight data recorder to automatically eject from the aircraft utilizing an ejection sensor;

means for recording voice communications within the cockpit of the aircraft, utilizing a cockpit voice recorder;

means for floating the wireless ejectable flight data recorder on water utilizing viable-constructed flotation materials;

means for providing satellite communications connectivity between the quick access recorder, the wireless satellite network interface, and the remote data center;

means for providing a data collection processor for collection of data contained within the wireless dual flight data recorder system wherein a wireless satellite data link is established to remotely backup, and store critical flight data to the remote data center;

means for providing quick access to raw fight data within the wireless dual flight data recorder system via the quick access recorder utilizing a usb port, a subscriber identity module, and cellular network;

means for providing quick access to raw fight data contained within the wireless dual flight data recorder system via the quick access-recorder, the wireless satellite network interface, and the satellite network allowing direct real time access to the wireless dual flight data recorder system and critical flight data stored therein;

means for interstellar communications between the wireless ejectable flight data recorder, the quick access recorder, and the remote data center;

means for remote data storage, storing and duplication of said critical flight data by transmitting said critical flight data to the remote data center;

means for establishing data communications between a real time video surveillance system, and a video camera system, for initiating real time video surveillance and voice communications within the cockpit and passenger cabin of the aircraft;

means for capturing video and audio data within the cockpit and passenger cabin of the aircraft utilizing a cockpit network video recorder;

means for providing data compaction and data encryption for streaming flight data between the quick access recorder the satellite network, and the remote data center utilizing the data collection processor;

means for remote mass storage of data within the remote data center to be utilized for storing critical flight data;

means for providing tracking transmitters and with robust tracking signals for locating the flight data recorder, and the wireless ejectable flight data recorder;

means for establishing wireless data communications between the wireless ejectable dual flight data recorder and the flight data recorder for instant synchronization of data within the wireless dual flight data recorder system;

means for providing solar power to a battery of the flight data recorder, and a battery of the wireless ejectable flight data recorder, utilizing solar panels for extending the life of the battery of the said flight data recorder, and the battery of the wireless ejectable flight data recorder;

means for compacting said critical flight data residing in the memory of the wireless dual flight data recorder system for compacting the critical flight data;

means for high speed transmission of compacted critical flight data, wherein, the compacted critical flight data will be wirelessly transmitted to the remote data center;

means for encrypting the critical flight data contained within the wireless dual flight data recorder system and the remote data center for protecting the integrity, the confidentiality, and the safety of the critical flight data;

means for providing a direct real-time camera visual of the cockpit and passenger cabin of an aircraft for recording video and audio wherein an onboard camera system and camera network is utilized for real-time surveillance within the aircraft;

means for decrypting said critical data to allow emergency responders to securely retrieve, and securely access critical flight data stored within the remote data center and the wireless dual flight data recorder system;

means for decrypting said critical flight data and secured access to encrypted flight data stored within the remote data center;

means for providing data communications to the wireless dual flight data recorder system and the remote data center via a cellular network;

means for providing real time streaming between the wireless dual flight data recorder system and the remote data center.

3. The wireless dual flight data recorder system embodied with a flight data recorder, a wireless ejectable flight data recorder and remote data center, and satellite network for streaming remote backup in accordance with claim 2, wherein recording flight data from the aircraft comprises a cockpit voice recorder cockpit network video recorder and a data collection processor.

4. The wireless dual flight data recorder system embodied with a flight data recorder, a wireless ejectable flight data recorder and remote data center, and satellite network for streaming remote backup in accordance with claim 2, wherein the flight data recorder can automatically eject from an aircraft comprises a system of ejection sensors.

5. The wireless dual flight data recorder system embodied with a flight data recorder, a wireless ejectable flight data recorder and remote data center, and satellite network for streaming remote backup in accordance with claim 2, wherein recording communications within the cockpit and passenger cabin of an aircraft comprises a cockpit voice recorder, cockpit video recorder and a camera network system.

6. The wireless dual flight data recorder embodied with a flight data recorder, a wireless electable flight data recorder and remote data center, and satellite network for streaming remote backup in accordance with claim 2, wherein the flight data recorder will float in the event of a crash in water.

7. The wireless dual flight data recorder system embodied with a flight data recorder, a wireless ejectable flight data recorder and remote data center, and satellite network for streaming remote backup in accordance with claim 2, wherein satellite communications connectivity connects a quick access recorder to the remote data center.

8. The wireless dual flight data recorder system embodied with a flight data recorder, a wireless ejectable flight data recorder and remote data center, and satellite network for streaming remote backup in accordance with claim 2, wherein access to raw flight data from the wireless dual flight data recorder system is through usb port, cellular network, and satellite network.

9. The wireless dual flight data recorder system embodied with a flight data recorder, a wireless ejectable flight data recorder and remote data center, and satellite network for streaming remote backup in accordance with claim 2, wherein said means for transmitting data between the quick access recorder, the satellite network, and the remote data center comprises an antenna, and a data collection processor.

10. The wireless dual flight data recorder embodied with a flight data recorder, a wireless ejectable flight data recorder and remote data center, and satellite network for streaming remote backup in accordance with claim 2, wherein an interstellar telecommunications network is used to control data communications between the quick access recorder and the remote data center.

11. The wireless dual flight data recorder system embodied with a flight data-recorder, a wireless ejectable flight data recorder and remote data center, and satellite network for streaming remote backup in accordance with claim 2, wherein said means for establishing data communication between the a video camera system, a quick access recorder and comprises a video port and a data collection processor for collection of video data.

12. The wireless dual flight data recorder system embodied with a flight data recorder, a wireless electable flight data recorder and remote data center, and satellite network for streaming remote backup in accordance with claim 2, wherein the recording of video and audio of the cockpit and cabin of an aircraft, utilizing a video camera network system, for the collection of video and audio from the cockpit and passenger cabin of the aircraft.

13. The wireless dual flight data recorder system embodied with a flight data recorder, a wireless ejectable flight data recorder and remote data center, and satellite network for streaming remote backup in accordance with claim 2;

wherein data compaction, data encryption, comprises a data collection processor which deploy subroutines that will encrypt data, compress data, and stream data from the wireless dual flight data recorder system to the remote data center.

14. The wireless dual flight data recorder system embodied with a flight data recorder, a wireless ejectable flight data recorder and remote data center, and satellite network for streaming remote backup in accordance with claim 2, wherein remote mass storage of the flight data recorder system comprises multiple data centers which are interconnected for redundancy of flight data collected from the wireless dual flight data recorder system.

15. The wireless dual flight data recorder system embodied with a flight data recorder, a wireless ejectable flight data recorder and remote data center, and with satellite network for streaming remote backup in accordance with claim 2, wherein tracking transmitters operating in unison for transmitting distress radio beacon is used to assist emergency responders to locate the wireless ejectable dual flight data recorder system and survivors.

16. The wireless dual flight data recorder system embodied with a flight data recorder, a wireless ejectable flight data recorder and remote data center, and satellite network for streaming remote backup in accordance with claim 2, wherein a communications data channel is established between the flight data recorder, the wireless ejectable flight data recorder, and the flight data recorder for maintaining data synchronization within the wireless dual flight data recorders system.