SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING A VEHICLE AND A FLEET OF VEHICLES

• US 20130261881A1
• Filed: 03/27/2012
• Published: 10/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rtx Corporation
• Original Assignee: United Technologies Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Scheid, Paul R., Beacham, William H. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,092,920 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/32.6
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/21 Design, administration or maintenance of databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/40 Data acquisition and logging for input to computer G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/00 Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/00 Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled logic circuits H03K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

A system and method for managing a vehicle is provided that includes at least one sensor, a certified processor, a database, a computer network, and a user portal. The at least one sensor is operable to generate data indicative of a critical condition of the vehicle. The certified processor in communication with the computer network and is operable to receive, process and store the data generated by the at least one sensor. The database is in communication with the computer network and is operable to selectively download and store a replica of the data stored on the certified processor via the computer network. The user portal is in communication with the computer network and is operable to enable a user to download, via the computer network, selected portions of the data stored on the certified processor or selected portions of the replica data stored on the database.

Claims

1. A system for managing a vehicle, comprising:

at least one sensor installed on the vehicle, wherein the at least one sensor is operable to generate data indicative of a critical condition of the vehicle;

a certified processor located on the vehicle and in communication with a computer network, wherein the certified processor is operable to manipulate the data generated by the at least one sensor in a manner that maintains a level of criticality of the data, and wherein the certified processor is operable to store the data;

a database located remote from the vehicle and in communication with the computer network, wherein the database is operable to selectively download and store a replica of the data stored on the certified processor via the computer network.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user portal located remote from the vehicle and in communication with the computer network, wherein the user portal enables at least one of a plurality of users to download, via the computer network, selected portions of the data stored on the certified processor or selected portions of the replica data stored on the database.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the user portal is operable to prevent at least one of the plurality of users from downloading selected portions of the data or the replica data.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the user portal permits a first of the plurality of users to access a first selected portion of the data or the replica data, wherein the user portal permits a second of the plurality of users to access a second selected portion of the data or the replica data, and wherein the first selected portion is different from the second selected portion.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the user portal is operable to receive and follow instructions from at least one of the plurality of users.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the instructions direct the user portal to prevent at least one of the plurality of users from downloading selected portions of the data or the replica data.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer network is one of a wired computer network or a wireless computer network.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the database is operable to store the replica data within a hierarchical directory of folders.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the certified processor is operable to execute software, wherein the software is Level A software as defined by Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics DO-178B specifications.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the data generated by the at least one sensor is indicative of whether a part of the vehicle requires repair or replacement.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a microserver in communication with the certified processor and the database.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a subsystem controller in communication with the certified processor and the at least one sensor.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the microserver is not operable to manipulate the data in a manner that maintains the level of criticality of the data, and wherein the database is operable to selectively download and store the replica of the data stored on the certified processor via the computer network and via the microserver.

9. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. A method of managing a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

using at least one sensor installed on the vehicle to generate data indicative of a critical condition of the vehicle;

using a certified processor located on the vehicle to manipulate the data generated by the at least one sensor in a manner that maintains a level of criticality of the data, and using the certified processor to store the data;

selectively downloading and storing a replica of the data stored on the certified processor to a database located remote from the vehicle, via a computer network;

using a user portal located remote from the vehicle and in communication with the computer network to enable at least one of a plurality of users to download, via the computer network, selected portions of the data stored on the certified processor or selected portions of the replica data stored on the database.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

analyzing the selected portions of the data stored on the certified processor or selected portions of the replica data stored on the database to determine whether a part of the vehicle requires repair or replacement.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

preventing at least one of the plurality of users from downloading selected portions of the data or the replica data.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

allowing a first of the plurality of users to access a first selected portion of the data or the replica data and allowing a second of the plurality of users to access a second selected portion of the data or the replica data, wherein the first selected portion is different from the second selected portion.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the certified processor is operable to execute software, wherein the software is Level A software as defined by Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics DO-178B specifications.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the database is operable to store the replica data within a hierarchical directory of folders.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of selectively downloading and storing a replica of the data stored on the certified processor to a database located remote from the vehicle is via a computer network and via a microserver that is in communication with the certified processor and the database, wherein the microserver is not operable to manipulate the data in a manner that maintains the level of criticality of the data.