Portable exploitation and control system

• US 5,386,371 A
• Filed: 07/21/1994
• Issued: 01/31/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hughes Training, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Eastey, Roger, Mather, Mike, Haumersen, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Voeltz, Emanuel T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEESO, THOMAS R
• Application Number:
  US08/278,684
• Time in Patent Office: 194 Days
• Field of Search: 364/550, 364/188, 364/571.08, 364/579
• US Class Current: 702/122
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203

Abstract

A multi-purpose portable system PECOS (10) is provided having capabilities which allow an operator (16) to perform system operations which include control, exploitation, testing and training for remote systems. The PECOS (10) has a portable housing (30) which encloses the system. Included in the PECOS (10) is a user interface (12) for allowing an operator (16) to interface therewith. Memory (60) is provided for storing application software (14) having control commands which correspond to a plurality of possible remote systems. A processor (58) is further provided for processing the control commands in response to the operator inputs.

Claims

1. A portable multi-purpose system for handling system operations which include control, exploitation, training and test of a remote system, said portable system comprising:

user interface means for receiving operator inputs and providing output operator control signals to allow an operator to interface with said portable system;

memory means for storing designated control commands which provide for desired system operations for a predetermined remote system in response to said output operator control signals;

processing means connected to said user interface means for receiving said output operator control signals and processing said output operator control signals and said control commands to control said predetermined remote system operation, wherein said processing means performs control and exploitation of the remote system; and

portable housing means for enclosing and providing carriage of said user interface, memory and processing means.

2. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said portable housing means comprises:

a bottom compartment containing said memory means and said processing means including a central processing unit and a graphics processor;

a pivoting lid connected to said bottom compartment for opening and closing said portable housing means; and

a handle for allowing an operator to easily transport said portable system.

3. The system as defined in claim 2 wherein said user interface means comprises:

display means including a pivoting graphics display for providing graphical representations which are representative of operating functions.

4. The system as defined in claim 3 wherein said user interface means further comprises:

means for allowing said operator to select desired operating functions; and

means for converting said selected desired operating functions to said operator output control signals.

5. The system as defined in claim 4 wherein said portable system may be operated by a single operator.

6. The system as defined in claim 1 further comprising communication means for providing control output signals to said remote system and for receiving information from said predetermined remote system.

7. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said portable system may control any one of a plurality of remote systems by selecting the control commands for the desired system.

8. The system as defined in claim 7 wherein said remote system operations comprise military system operations.

9. The system as defined in claim 1 wherein said system further comprises:

simulation means for simulating a desired system operation wherein said output operator control signals are processed in conjunction with said simulation means so as to allow for system testing or training therewith.

10. A portable control system for remotely controlling system operations of one of a plurality of remote systems, said portable control system comprising:

a portable housing means having support means for supporting said portable control system, said portable housing means enclosing;

a) user interface means for allowing an operator to communicate with said portable control system, said user interface means receiving operator inputs and providing as an output operator control signals in response to said operator inputs;

b) memory means for storing designated control commands which provide designated system operations in response to said output operator control signals for controlling said one of the plurality of remote system operations; and

c) processing means for receiving said output operator control signals from said user interface means, said processing means processing said output operator control signals in accordance with said designated control commands so as to provide control output signals for controlling said one of the plurality of remote system operations and performing exploitation of said remote system.

11. The system as defined in claim 10 wherein said portable housing means comprises a single unit enclosure that is adapted to be transported and mounted to a desktop or a rack.

12. The system as defined in claim 10 wherein said control output signals from said processing means are transmitted to said one of the plurality of remote systems via a communication means, and said portable control system is further adapted to control each of the plurality of remote systems without substantial changes thereto.

13. The system as defined in claim 10 wherein said support means comprises a plurality of legs connected to the bottom side of said portable housing means for allowing said portable control system to contact a surface therewith.

14. The system as defined in claim 10 wherein said support means comprises at least one bracket for mounting said portable control system on a rack.

15. The system as defined in claim 10 wherein said user interface means comprises:

display means for providing graphical representations which are representative of operating functions;

means for allowing said operator to select desired operating functions; and

means for converting said desired operating functions to said output operator control signals.

16. The control system as defined in claim 10 wherein said portable control system is used to perform test operations.

17. A method for providing control, exploitation, testing and simulation of a subject system, said method comprising;

enclosing a multi-purpose system within a portable housing, said multi-purpose system including a user interface, memory and processor;

transporting said multi-purpose system via said portable housing to a desired location which is suitable for an operator to use said multi-purpose system;

receiving operator inputs via said user interface;

storing control commands in said memory wherein said control commands provide desired system operations for a predetermined subject system in response to operator inputs; and

processing said control commands in response to said operator inputs so as to provide control output signals for providing desired system operations which includes control and exploitation of said predetermined subject system.

18. The method as defined in claim 17 further comprising the step of providing said control output signals to a subject system for control or exploitation thereof.

19. The method as defined in claim 17 further comprising the steps of:

simulating the operation of a desired subject system; and

operating said multi-purpose system in conjunction with said simulation so as to allow for testing or training in the operation and control.

20. A portable multi-purpose system for handling system operations which include control, exploitation, training and testing of a remote system, said portable system comprising:

user interface means for receiving operator inputs and providing output operator control signals to allow an operator to interface with said portable system;

memory means for storing designated control commands which provide for desired system operations for a predetermined remote system in response to said output operator control signals;

processing means connected to said user interface means for receiving said output operator control signals and processing said output operator control signals and said control commands to control said predetermined remote system operation;

portable housing means for enclosing and providing carriage of said user interface, memory and processing means; and

communication means for providing control output signals to said predetermined remote system and for receiving information from said predetermined remote system,

wherein said system operations comprise military system operations for performing control and exploitation of said remote system.

21. The system as defined in claim 20 further comprising simulation means for simulating a desired system operation wherein said output operator control signals are processed in conjunction with said simulation means so as to allow for system testing and training therewith.