Dynamic Adaptation of Trigger Thresholds to Manage When Data Messages Are Transmitted

• US 20130073120A1
• Filed: 09/20/2011
• Published: 03/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Hale, Ryan D., Bailey, Louis J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,639,401 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/2
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0021 located in the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0052 for cruising combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value G01C23/00

Abstract

Systems and methods for remotely setting a value for a trigger threshold variable used by a processor unit onboard an aircraft to determine if and when a data message should be transmitted from the aircraft. The method comprises the following steps performed by a computer: (a) obtaining data representing a flight plan or flight trajectory of the aircraft and flight information; (b) obtaining data representing business considerations; (c) computing a value of the trigger threshold variable as a function of at least the flight plan or flight trajectory data and the business considerations data; and (d) constructing a trigger threshold data message containing the computed value of the trigger threshold variable.

Claims

1. :

A method for remotely setting a value for a trigger threshold variable used by a processor unit onboard an aircraft to determine if and when a data message should be transmitted from the aircraft, comprising;

(a) obtaining electronic data representing flight information and a flight plan or flight trajectory of the aircraft;

(b) obtaining electronic data representing business considerations;

(c) computing a value of the trigger threshold variable as a function of at least the flight information and flight plan or flight trajectory data and the business considerations data; and

(d) constructing a trigger threshold data message containing said computed value of the trigger threshold variable.

2. :

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein operations (a) through (d) are performed in response to one of or a combination of the following;

a change in costing structure, current aircraft flight phase, a maneuver, reaching a predetermined location or predetermined altitude, and receipt of a manually requested or transmitted message from the user.

3. :

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the trigger threshold variable value is a number representing a specified change in estimated time of arrival of the aircraft that will trigger the transmission of a data message from the aircraft.

4. :

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the trigger threshold variable value is a number representing a specified time for the aircraft to go to a predetermined point or altitude that will trigger the transmission of a data message from the aircraft.

5. :

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the trigger threshold variable value is a number representing a specified wind magnitude difference that will trigger the transmission of a data message from the aircraft.

6. :

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the trigger threshold variable value is a number representing a specified difference between an estimated time of arrival of the aircraft and a current time that will trigger the transmission of a data message from the aircraft.

7. :

The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising determining a current value of the trigger threshold variable stored in the onboard computer prior to performing operation (c).

8. :

The method as recited in claim 1, wherein operation (c) comprises computing a flight path or flight trajectory data as a function of at least said flight plan data.

9. :

The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising determining the validity of the computed value of the trigger threshold variable.

10. :

The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising scheduling the message transmission for a later time.

11. :

A method for remotely setting a plurality of values for a trigger threshold variable used by a processor unit onboard an aircraft to determine when data messages should be transmitted from the aircraft, comprising;

(a) obtaining data representing flight information and a flight plan or flight trajectory of the aircraft;

(b) obtaining data representing business considerations;

(c) computing a plurality of values of the trigger threshold variable as a function of at least the flight information and flight plan or flight trajectory data and the business considerations data; and

(d) constructing a trigger threshold data message containing said plurality of computed values of the trigger threshold variable.

12. :

The method as recited in claim 11, wherein steps (a) through (d) are performed in response to one of or a combination of the following;

a change in costing structure, current aircraft flight phase, a maneuver, reaching a predetermined location or predetermined altitude, receipt of a manually or automatically requested message, or a transmitted message from the aircraft.

13. :

The method as recited in claim 11, wherein each trigger threshold variable value is a number representing a specified difference between an estimated time of arrival of the aircraft and a respective current time that will trigger the transmission of a data message from the aircraft.

14. :

The method as recited in claim 11, wherein each trigger threshold variable value is a number representing a respective specified time for the aircraft to go to a predetermined point or altitude that will trigger the transmission of a data message from the aircraft.

15. :

The method as recited in claim 11, wherein operation (c) comprises computing a flight path as a function of at least said flight plan data.

16. :

A system for remotely setting a value for a trigger threshold variable used by a computer onboard an aircraft to determine if and when a data message should be transmitted from the aircraft, comprising a processor system programmed to perform the following operations;

(a) obtaining data representing flight information and a flight plan or flight trajectory of the aircraft;

(b) obtaining data representing business considerations;

(c) computing a value of the trigger threshold variable as a function of at least the flight information and flight plan or flight trajectory data and the business considerations data; and

(d) constructing a trigger threshold data message containing said computed value of the trigger threshold variable.

17. :

The system as recited in claim 16, wherein operations (a) through (d) are performed in response to one of or a combination of the following;

a change in costing structure, current aircraft flight phase, a maneuver, reaching a predetermined location or predetermined altitude, and receipt of a manually or automatically requested message or transmitted message from the aircraft.

18. :

The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the trigger threshold variable value is a number representing one of the following;

a specified change in estimated time of arrival of the aircraft that will trigger the transmission of a data message from the aircraft;

a specified wind magnitude difference that will trigger the transmission of a data message from the aircraft;

a specified difference between an estimated time of arrival of the aircraft and a current time that will trigger the transmission of a data message from the aircraft; and

a specified time for the aircraft to go to a predetermined point or altitude that will trigger the transmission of a data message from the aircraft.

19. :

The system as recited in claim 16, further comprising determining a current value of the trigger threshold variable stored in the onboard computer prior to performing operation (c).

20. :

The system as recited in claim 16, wherein operation (c) comprises computing a flight path as a function of at least said flight plan data.

21. :

The system as recited in claim 16, further comprising determining the validity of the computed value of the trigger threshold variable.

22. :

The system as recited in claim 21, further comprising scheduling the message transmission for a later time.