Aircraft System Control and Reporting via a Mobile Device

• US 20150051756A1
• Filed: 08/14/2013
• Published: 02/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Owyang, Ethan Carl, Kirkland, David T.
• Application Number:
  US13/966,960
• Publication Number:
  US 20150051756A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 19/00 Aircraft control not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling a plurality of different systems on an aircraft. A mobile device is connected to an aircraft network on the aircraft. The mobile device is moveable to a plurality of different locations on the aircraft. The mobile device receives input from an operator identifying controls for controlling functions performed by the plurality of different systems on the aircraft. The controls are sent from the mobile device to the plurality of different systems on the aircraft via the aircraft network.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a plurality of different systems on an aircraft, comprising:

connecting a mobile device to an aircraft network on the aircraft, wherein the mobile device is moveable to a plurality of different locations on the aircraft;

receiving, by the mobile device, input from an operator identifying controls for controlling functions performed by the plurality of different systems on the aircraft; and

sending the controls from the mobile device to the plurality of different systems on the aircraft via the aircraft network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

connecting the mobile device to the aircraft network comprises connecting the mobile device to a wireless network on the aircraft via a wireless connection; and

sending the controls from the mobile device to the plurality of different systems on the aircraft comprises sending the controls from the mobile device to the aircraft network via the wireless connection.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

connecting the mobile device to the aircraft network comprises connecting the mobile device to the aircraft network via a wired connection; and

sending the controls from the mobile device to the plurality of different systems on the aircraft comprises sending the controls from the mobile device to the aircraft network via the wired connection.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

displaying a plurality of control interfaces for the functions performed by the plurality of different systems on a user interface on the mobile device; and

receiving the input from the operator via the plurality of control interfaces on the user interface.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving, by the mobile device, reports from the plurality of different systems on the aircraft via the aircraft network; and

storing the reports on the mobile device.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving, by the mobile device, reports from the plurality of different systems on the aircraft via the aircraft network; and

displaying the reports on a plurality of report interfaces for the plurality of different systems on a user interface on the mobile device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of different systems on the aircraft are selected from an in-flight entertainment system, a public address system, an information system, a cabin services system, and an attendant call system.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

an aircraft network data processing system on an aircraft, wherein the aircraft network data processing system is configured to;

receive controls for controlling functions performed by a plurality of different systems on the aircraft from a mobile device, wherein the mobile device is moveable to a plurality of different locations on the aircraft; and

deliver the controls received from the mobile device to the plurality of different systems.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the aircraft network data processing system is configured to receive the controls from the mobile device via a wired connection to the mobile device.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the aircraft network data processing system is configured to receive the controls from the mobile device via a wireless network.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the aircraft network data processing system is configured to provide a number of system control applications to the mobile device, wherein the number of system control applications define control interfaces for the functions performed by the plurality of different systems.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mobile device is configured to:

display a plurality of control interfaces for the functions performed by the plurality of different systems on a user interface on the mobile device; and

receive input identifying the controls from an operator via the plurality of control interfaces on the user interface.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the aircraft network data processing system is configured to receive reports from the plurality of different systems and to send the reports to the mobile device.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the mobile device is configured to display the reports on a plurality of report interfaces for the plurality of different systems on a user interface on the mobile device.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the mobile device is configured to store the reports on the mobile device.

16. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the plurality of different systems on the aircraft are selected from an in-flight entertainment system, a public address system, an information system, a cabin services system, and an attendant call system.

17. A method of controlling a plurality of different systems on an aircraft, comprising:

receiving, by an aircraft network data processing system on the aircraft, controls for controlling functions performed by the plurality of different systems on the aircraft from a mobile device, wherein the mobile device is moveable to a plurality of different locations on the aircraft; and

delivering the controls from the mobile device to the plurality of different systems by the aircraft network data processing system.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein receiving the controls from the mobile device comprises receiving the controls from the mobile device via a connection selected from a wired connection and a wireless connection.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

providing a number of system control applications from the aircraft network data processing system to the mobile device, wherein the number of system control applications define control interfaces for the functions performed by the plurality of different systems.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

receiving reports from the plurality of different systems by the aircraft network data processing system; and

sending the reports from the aircraft network data processing system to the mobile device.