SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING DIFFERENTIAL WEATHER INFORMATION TO AN IN-FLIGHT AIRCRAFT

• US 20130267186A1
• Filed: 04/10/2012
• Published: 10/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Agarwal, Anand, Payasam, SatyaBhaskar, Redner, Trip, Brabham, David Allen
• Granted Patent: US 9,256,004 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/91
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/10 Devices for predicting weather conditions computers per se G06; display devices G09

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for transmitting updated weather data to an in-flight aircraft. The aircraft transmits a request for updates to a ground system that determines if the data has changed since the last transmission and transmits only the changed data. Data may be tailored to pilot preferences or to pilot requests for data representing a predetermined history.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting data to an in-flight aircraft, the method comprising:

receiving a request for delta data; and

transmitting delta data to the in-flight aircraft.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting delta data comprises transmitting delta weather data.

3. A method according to claim 2 further comprising transmitting an indicator that the data has not changed since the last transmission.

4. A method according to claim 3 further comprising storing past weather transmissions.

5. A method according to claim 2 further comprising:

determining if a pilot preference exists; and

transmitting weather data to the inflight aircraft consistent with the pilot preference.

6. A method according to claim 2 further comprising:

receiving a request that weather data for a predetermined period of past time be transmitted; and

transmitting the requested weather data.

7. A method according to claim 2 wherein the weather data is graphical weather data.

8. A method according to claim 7 further comprising:

determining if the requested graphical weather data has changed since a previous transmission of graphical weather data; and

transmitting updated graphical weather data to the in-flight aircraft.

9. A method according to claim 8 further comprising transmitting an indication that the data has not changed since the last transmission if the graphical weather data has not changed.

10. A system for transmitting updated data to an in-flight aircraft, the system comprising:

a receiver for receiving a request for delta data from the in-flight aircraft;

a processor coupled to the receiver and configured to determine if data has changed since a last transmission of data; and

a transmitter coupled to the processor for transmitting delta data to the in-flight aircraft.

11. A system for transmitting updated data according to claim 10 wherein the updated data is delta weather data.

12. A system according to claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to (1) determine if a pilot preference exists;

and (2) transmits weather data to the in-flight aircraft consistent with the pilot preference.

13. A system according to claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to transmit delta data for a requested period of elapsed time.

14. A system according to claim 11 wherein the processor is further configured to transmit an indication that the data has not changed since the last transmission of data.

15. A system according to claim 11 further comprising a memory for storing past weather transmissions from pilot per aircraft.

16. A system according to claim 15 further comprising a module for comparing current weather data with the most recently transmitted weather data.

17. A method for receiving updated weather information onboard an in-flight aircraft, the method comprising:

requesting only weather information that has changed since a last received weather report; and

receiving the changed weather information in response to the request .

18. A method according to claim 17 further comprising providing pilot preferences in accordance with which weather information is updated prior to transmission to the aircraft.

19. A method according to claim 17 further comprising requesting only weather information updates for a predetermined period of elapsed time.

20. A method according to claim 17 further comprising setting a delta character in a request for weather data indicating that only delta weather data is to be transmitted.

21. A method according to claim 18 further comprising optionally overriding pilot preferences and receiving complete weather data.