Anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system and method

• US 6,810,310 B1
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Issued: 10/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Global IP Developer LLC
• Original Assignee: Theodore Mcbain
• Inventors: McBain, Theodore
• Primary Examiner(s): Marc-Coleman, Marthe Y.
• Application Number:
  US10/262,559
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 701/35, 701/3, 701/11, 244/118.5, 244/75.R, 340/945, 340/540, 340/573.1, 340/574, 340/426.24, 380/258
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0031 means for overriding or restricting access to flight controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0034 by ground-control override
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0051 by monitoring passengers or crew on aircraft

Abstract

An anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system is disclosed. The anti-terrorist pilot sensor system comprises a pilot sensor and an aircraft central processor unit operatively coupled to the pilot sensor. The aircraft central processor unit includes a transceiver operatively coupled to the aircraft central processor unit. An autopilot of the aircraft is operatively coupled to the aircraft central processor unit. A ground control remote from the aircraft is operatively coupled to the aircraft central processor unit and the ground control includes a transceiver coupled to the ground control. An aircraft override is operatively coupled to the ground control and is operatively coupled to the aircraft central processor unit. A divert element is operatively coupled to the central processor unit and the divert element includes a transceiver. The ground control is in operative communication with the divert element. A protected object including a transceiver and a divert beacon is in operative communication with the divert element. A method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system comprises activating the anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system. The method includes detecting a divert beacon transmitted from a protected object. The method includes transmitting a signal from a divert element to a central processor unit of the aircraft that the divert beacon exists. The method includes processing the signal in the central processor unit and activating an aircraft autopilot onto a divert flight path.

Claims

1. An anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system comprising:

a pilot sensor;

an aircraft central processor unit operatively coupled to said pilot sensor, said aircraft central processor unit including a transceiver operatively coupled to said aircraft central processor unit;

an autopilot of an aircraft operatively coupled to said aircraft central processor unit;

a ground control remote from the aircraft operatively coupled to said aircraft central processor unit, said ground control including a transceiver coupled to said ground control;

an aircraft override operatively coupled to said ground control and operatively coupled to said aircraft central processor unit;

a divert element operatively coupled to said central processor unit, said divert element including a transceiver, said ground control being in operative communication with said divert element; and

a protected object including a transceiver, said protected object including a divert beacon, said protected object in operative communication with said divert element.

2. The anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 1 wherein said ground control includes an emergency divert signal and said emergency divert signal is communicated to said divert element.

3. The anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 1 wherein said divert element includes at least one divert flight path.

4. The anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 1 wherein said protected object is selected from the group consisting of ships, skyscrapers, military assets, national treasures and geographic places of interest.

5. The anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 1 wherein said divert element can operate independently of said pilot sensor.

6. A method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system comprising:

activating the anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system;

detecting a divert beacon transmitted from a protected object;

transmitting a signal from a divert element to a central processor unit of the aircraft that said divert beacon exists;

processing said signal in said central processor unit; and

activating an aircraft autopilot onto a divert flight path.

7. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 6 further comprising:

transmitting an emergency divert signal from a ground control to said divert element of the aircraft.

8. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 6 wherein said activating said anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system includes activating a pilot sensor.

9. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 6 further comprising:

transmitting a signal to a ground control.

10. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 6 wherein said detecting a divert beacon transmitted from a protected object is detected by said divert element.

11. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 6 further comprising:

deactivating said aircraft autopilot;

returning manual flight control to the aircraft.

12. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 6 further comprising:

transmitting a divert beacon from said protected object.

13. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 6 further comprising:

transmitting an emergency divert signal from another aircraft to said divert element.

14. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 6 further comprising:

transmitting an emergency divert signal from another aircraft through said ground control to said divert element.