SYSTEM AND METHOD TO ACTIVATE AVIONICS FUNCTIONS REMOTELY

• US 20180182252A1
• Filed: 12/28/2016
• Published: 06/28/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Govindillam K, Sreenivasan, K, Nathan, Kalarickal, Sujith
• Granted Patent: US 10,297,162 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 43/00 Arrangements or adaptations of instruments arrangements of cameras B64D47/08; aeronautical measuring instruments per se G01C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2379 Updates performed during online database operations; commit processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0095 Aspects of air-traffic control not provided for in the other subgroups of this main group
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/84 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0866 involving user or device identifiers, e.g. serial number, physical or biometrical information, DNA, hand-signature or measurable physical characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/03 Protecting confidentiality, e.g. by encryption

Abstract

In one embodiment, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle comprises a vehicle control system, at least one vehicle control coupled to the vehicle control system, a vehicle communications system coupled to the vehicle control system, wherein the vehicle control system is configured to enable one or more vehicle functions upon receipt of a function enablement key provided through the vehicle communications system from an operations center, and wherein the vehicle control system is configured to transmit confirmation data from the vehicle to the operations center.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle control system;

at least one vehicle control coupled to the vehicle control system;

a vehicle communications system coupled to the vehicle control system;

wherein the vehicle control system is configured to enable one or more vehicle functions upon receipt of a function enablement key provided through the vehicle communications system from an operations center; and

wherein the vehicle control system is configured to transmit confirmation data from the vehicle to the operations center.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle control system comprises:

a vehicle processing system comprising a vehicle database;

an I/O coupled to the vehicle processing system;

at least one sensor coupled to the vehicle processing system; and

wherein the vehicle processing system is configured to modify the vehicle database in accordance with the function enablement key to enable the one or more vehicle functions.

4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the function enablement key includes one or more unlocking keys;

and

wherein the vehicle processing system is further configured to enable the one or more vehicle functions with the one or more corresponding unlocking keys.

5. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein the vehicle processing system comprises:

a vehicle processor;

a vehicle memory coupled to the vehicle processor; and

wherein the vehicle database resides in the vehicle memory.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle control system is configured to transmit confirmation data from the vehicle to the operations center further comprises the vehicle control system is configured to transmit confirmation data from the vehicle to the operations center to permit the operations center to facilitate payment for the one or more enabled vehicle functions.

7. A processing and communications system, comprising:

a communications system configured to receive confirmation data and transmit function enablement data respectively from and to, directly or indirectly, a vehicle; and

a processing system, coupled to the communications system, configured to authorize enablement of a function on the vehicle by generating the function enablement data.

8. The processing and communications system of claim 7, wherein the processing system comprises:

a system processor; and

a system memory, coupled to the system processor, comprising a center database that identifies functions which can be enabled on the vehicle.

9. The processing and communications system of claim 8, wherein the system memory further comprises an encryption module including an encryption key.

10. The processing and communications system of claim 7, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft.

11. The processing and communications system of claim 7, wherein the function enablement data includes an unlocking key.

12. The processing and communications system of claim 8, wherein the center database includes pricing information for functions of the vehicle which may be enabled.

13. The processing and communications system of claim 12, wherein the processing system is configured to use the pricing information and confirmation data to determine the cost of using each function.

14. A method, comprising:

requesting enablement of a function in a vehicle;

transmitting enablement data through a communications link to the vehicle; and

enabling the function in the vehicle based upon the enablement data.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein requesting enablement of the function in the vehicle further comprises requesting enablement of a function in an aircraft;

wherein transmitting the enablement data through the communications link to the vehicle further comprises transmitting enablement data through the communications link to the aircraft; and

wherein enabling the function in the vehicle based on the enablement data further comprises enabling a function in the aircraft based on the enablement data.

16. The method of claim 14, further compromising encrypting enablement data;

and

wherein transmitting enablement data through a communications link to the vehicle comprises transmitting encrypted data through a communications link to the vehicle.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising decrypting received encrypted data.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

activating the enabled function; and

performing the activated function.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting confirmation data from the vehicle to an operations center.

20. The method of claim 14, further compromising invoicing the vehicle operator for the enabled function.