Electronic kit bag

• US 20070027616A1
• Filed: 08/09/2006
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Angela Masson
• Original Assignee: Angela Masson
• Inventors: Masson, Angela
• Granted Patent: US 7,970,531 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration

Abstract

The Electronic Kit Bag (EKB) is a computerized, portable pilot “kit bag” that accepts input data, manipulates said data, and outputs solutions. The EKB consists of standard and state-of-the-art computer parts and peripherals, interfaced for maximum utility. The central operating program of the device assesses the relationships of input data through a logic based, three-dimensional decision-making algorithm. Data output is utilized either directly by the user, by the user through an aircraft system, or directly from the EKB to an aircraft system or autopilot.

Claims

1. A portable, computerized aircraft flight system which accesses, organizes, manages, and manipulates flight data and functions, resulting in output displayed and accessible by a user, comprising:

a portable device having,

hardware with a processor;

memory;

data input means, for permitting said user to input data;

display means for displaying data to said user;

data recording and storage means; and

data output means for permitting said user to output data;

a self-powering element for electrically operating said device independent of a fixed power supply;

software, including an operating system and operating program;

a data source which provides flight data in an electronic format, said data source supplying said data in an input format compatible with said portable device input means;

data delivery means for delivering said data to said portable device; and

,

application software which manipulates and renders said source data, delivering the data in a format consistent with the functionality of the device.

2. The flight system of claim 1 wherein said software includes means of accessing said flight data and functions by means of an application program interface.

3. The flight system of claim 1 wherein said software comprises means of organizing said data by means of a search engine function.

4. The flight system of claim 1 further comprising a communications means whereby said portable device communicates with data sources remote from said device.

5. The flight system of claim 1 further comprising a communications means whereby said portable device communicates with selected data sources.

6. The flight system of claim 1 further comprising a data communications means wherein the preferred embodiment is wireless.

7. The flight system of claim 1 wherein said data delivery means for delivering said data to said portable device is by means of the Internet.

8. The flight system of claim 1 wherein the method of rendering said flight data and functions is by means of an HTML browser format.

9. The flight system of claim 1 wherein said device includes a flight planning component comprising;

a flight planning applications software program;

inputted flight plan data; and

,

a continuous data update capability.

10. The flight system of claim 1 wherein said portable device further comprises an external power source connection capability.

11. The flight system of claim 1 wherein said portable device further comprises data communications means for establishing data communication links between said portable device and disparate data sources.

12. The flight system of claim 1 wherein said portable device further comprises a means of ascertaining position.

13. The flight system of claim 1 wherein said portable device further comprises a means of terrain mapping.

14. The flight system of claim 1 wherein said portable device further comprises means permitting the user to access and manipulate said data and programs by means of peripheral devices comprising;

peripheral ports;

peripheral hardware; and

,

peripheral device drivers.

15. The flight system of claim 1 wherein said portable device further comprises a means of attaching the device to an aircraft, comprising;

a means of securing said device to the aircraft;

a means of allowing the user to view said device'"'"'s display while said device is attached to the aircraft; and

a means of removing said device from said attachment device.

16. The flight system of claim 1 wherein said portable device further comprises a means of attaching said computer and associated power supply to an aircraft, comprising;

a means of securing said device and said power supply to the aircraft;

a means of allowing the user to view said device'"'"'s display while said device and said power supply are attached to the aircraft; and

,

a means of removing said device and power supply from said attachment device.

17. The flight system of claim 1 wherein the portable device further comprises a timing mechanism.

18. The flight system of claim 1 wherein said programs specifically include application program interfaces and search engine routines as the means of relating and aggregating data.

19. The flight system of claim 1 which includes construction characteristics resembling a tablet or other forms consistent with the intended use.

20. The flight system of claim 1 wherein said portable device is attached to vehicles other than aircraft.

21. A portable, computerized aircraft flight system which accesses, organizes, manages, and manipulates disparate data and functions, resulting in output accessible by a user, comprising:

a portable device having,

hardware with a processor;

memory;

data input means, for permitting a user to input disparate data;

display means for displaying data to a user;

data recording and storage means;

data output means for permitting a user to output data;

a power source comprising one or more batteries and an external power connection capability;

software, including an operating system, and program,

application software, and,

a means of docking the device to the aircraft whereby said portable device becomes an operatively interconnected component of the aircraft.

22. The flight system of claim 21 wherein said portable device includes a means of docking the device to the aircraft whereby said portable device becomes an operatively interconnected component of the aircraft, comprising;

a hardware docking assembly on the portable device;

a hardware docking assembly on the aircraft, whereby, when connected the device and aircraft may exchange data and respond to user input as an integrated unit; and

,

an interconnect whereby the device can optionally share the aircraft'"'"'s power source.

23. The flight system of claim 21 wherein said portable device includes a means of docking the device to the aircraft whereby said portable device becomes an operatively interconnected component of the aircraft, comprising;

a hardware docking assembly on the portable device;

a hardware docking assembly on the aircraft;

a computer on the aircraft which sends and receives data,

transmitting between it and said portable device when docked, comprising;

a communication means between said portable device and said aircraft computer; and

,

associated software.

24. The flight system of claim 21 wherein said portable device includes a means of docking the device to the aircraft whereby said portable device becomes an operatively connected component of the aircraft, comprising;

a hardware docking assembly on the portable device;

a hardware docking assembly on the aircraft;

a computer on the aircraft which sends and receives data transmitted between it and said portable device, comprising;

a communication means between said portable device and said aircraft computer;

associated communications software; and

,

a means of controlling moveable aircraft components, comprising;

software which sends commands to designated moveable components; and

,

the aircraft'"'"'s electronically responsive flights control and operating systems.

25. The flight system of claim 21 wherein said portable device receives performance and system data from the aircraft to which it is docked.

26. The flight system of claim 21 wherein said portable device receives performance and system data from the aircraft to which it is docked, manipulates said data, and outputs revised data back to the aircraft thereby effecting changes in the aircraft'"'"'s systems or controls by means of transferring said data electronically.

27. The flight system of claim 21 wherein said portable device receives data from onboard aircraft computers by means of said docking system, manipulates said data, and similarly returns data to the aircraft for display on other aircraft computer systems or display devices.

28. The flight system of claim 21 wherein the portable device is docked for use with transportation vehicles other than aircraft.