Cabin situation alert system

• US 6,819,264 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2002
• Issued: 11/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard L. Bissett
• Original Assignee: Richard L. Bissett
• Inventors: Bissett, Richard L.
• Primary Examiner(s): La, Anh V.
• Application Number:
  US10/043,706
• Publication Number:
  US 20030132859A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 340/945, 340/573.1, 340/426.1, 340/539.1, 340/539.11, 340/506, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 244/118.5, 455/431, 701/2, 701/3
• US Class Current: 340/945
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0059 by communicating emergency situations to ground control or between crew members
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 27/008 with transmission via TV or radio broadcast

Abstract

Each flight attendant would carry a small portable receiver/transmitter device, similar in size to a pager, and a central receiver/transmitter located in the cockpit. Each portable receiver/transmitter has a numerical designation (1, 2, 3, etc.) which is unique to that one device. The portable receiver/transmitter has two buttons (yellow alert and red alert), a numerical display, indicator lights, and a vibrator. In a developing situation, a nearby flight attendant presses either the yellow or red alert button (depending on the severity of the situation), producing a radio frequency (RF) signal. The central receiver/transmitter receives, processes, and re-broadcasts the signal to all other portable receiver/transmitters worn by flight attendants. The portable receiver/transmitters vibrate to alert the wearers to the situation. A light (either red or yellow) illuminates on all portable receiver/transmitters, and the numerical designation of the sending receiver/transmitter appears on the displays. In addition, a light corresponding to the sending receiver/transmitter'"'"'s numerical designation appears on the central receiver/transmitter, as well as an audible alarm sound.

Claims

1. An aircraft mounted cabin situation alert system (CSAS) comprising:

A central receiver/transmitter unit;

a plurality of portable receiver/transmitter units;

hidden, guarded buttons in various locations in the aircraft;

a system to prevent inadvertent removal of said portable receiver/transmitter units from the aircraft;

instrument panel-mounted displays, at least one of which is mounted in the cockpit area of a commercial airliner and comprising means for receiving and displaying data including situation alert data from said portable receiver/transmitter units comprising an antenna, a receiving assembly, and a processor section;

said receiving assembly being capable of detecting digitally coded radio frequency signals transmitted by said portable receiver/transmitter units and supplying said detected signals to said processor section;

said means for displaying data comprising a plurality of colored lights and an audible warning tone to attract the attention of the cockpit crew.

2. An aircraft mounted cabin situation alert system (CSAS) according to claim 1 comprising:

an antenna which is shielded to prevent interference with other aircraft systems.

3. An aircraft mounted cabin situation alert system (CSAS) according to claim to claim 1 including canceling means for the user to cancel any displayed information by means of controls on its front panel.

4. An aircraft mounted cabin situation alert system (CSAS) according to claim 1 including means to test, store, and recharge said portable receiver/transmitter units.

5. An aircraft mounted cabin situation alert system (CSAS) according to claim 4 wherein said means to test said portable receiver/transmitter units comprise a push-to-test button mounted on the front panel of said central receiver/transmitter unit, and electrical circuitry allowing only the testing of said portable receiver/transmitter units which are physically inserted in said central receiver/transmitter unit.

6. An aircraft mounted cabin situation alert system (CSAS) according to claim 4 wherein said means to store and recharge said portable receiver/transmitter units comprise recessed slots in the front panel of said central receiver/transmitter unit.

7. An aircraft mounted cabin situation alert system (CSAS) according to claim 6 wherein said recessed slots in the front panel of said central receiver unit comprise contact points to transfer electrical power from said central receiver/transmitter unit to recharge the batteries of said portable receiver/transmitter units.

8. An aircraft mounted cabin situation alert system (CSAS) according to claim 1 comprising means to prevent inadvertent removal of said portable receiver/transmitter units comprising sensors mounted at aircraft doorways.

9. An aircraft mounted cabin situation alert system (CSAS) according to claim 8 wherein said sensors have sending means to send a signal to said portable receiver/transmitter unit, and for activating its vibrator to alert the wearer that it is about to be removed from the aircraft.

10. An aircraft mounted cabin situation alert system (CSAS) according to claim 9 wherein said sending means will send a signal to said central receiver/transmitter unit to activate an aural alarm.

11. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 10 wherein said signal activates instrument panel-mounted displays which provide a visible indication of a potential emergency situation.

12. An aircraft mounted cabin situation alert system according to claim 1 comprising an antenna which is shielded to prevent interference with other aircraft systems, and is adapted to be installed in various locations in the aircraft to facilitate ease of receiving signals from and transmitting signals to said portable receiver/transmitter units.

13. A portable receiver/transmitter unit adapted to be worn on the person of a flight attendant or other cabin crewmember comprising:

a portable receiver/transmitter unit;

means for allowing a flight attendant or other cabin crew to wear said portable receiver/transmitter unit;

means to prevent inadvertent removal of said portable receiver/transmitter unit from the aircraft;

means to transmit a signal comprising at least two buttons, a coded identifier, a processor section, a transmitter section, and an antenna;

said at least two buttons permitting the user to transmit a signal based on the severity of the situation, including but not limited to, yellow alert and red alert.

14. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 13 having a rechargable battery.

15. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 13 wherein said means for allowing a flight attendant or other cabin crew to wear said portable receiver/transmitter unit comprises a member selected from a lanyard attach point, and a belt clip.

16. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 13 having means to transmit a signal to a central receiver/transmitter unit.

17. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 16 having means to transmit a signal to said central receiver/transmitter unit, and to other portable receiver/transmitter units.

18. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 16 having means to prevent actuation of said buttons comprising a removable cover.

19. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 16 having means to program, by means of DIP switches, a digital value corresponding to a printed number on the face of said portable receiver/transmitter unit;

said coded identifier adapted to be used by other portable receiver/transmitter units and the central receiver/transmitter unit to identify which portable receiver/transmitter unit is activated.

20. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 19 having processor means for producing a pulse train composed of said coded identifier and a code based on the severity of the alert, and having routing means to rout it to said transmitter unit.

21. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 20 having acceptor means for accepting said pulse train and for adding it to a radio frequency signal.

22. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 20 having an antenna which is an integral part of said portable receiver/transmitter unit, which antenna is capable of propagating said signal to the far end of the aircraft.

23. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 20 having means to receive, decode, and display information transmitted by other portable/transmitted units.

24. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 21 having means to receive information comprising an antenna, a receiver section, and a processor section.

25. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 24 wherein said antenna has detecting means for detecting a signal from another portable receiver/transmitter unit at the far end of the aircraft, and routing means for routing said signal to said receiver section.

26. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 25 wherein said detecting means for removing the intelligence from said signal and said routing means comprises a pulse train to said processor section.

27. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 23 wherein said means to display comprises a digital display mounted on the face of said portable receiver/transmitter unit.

28. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 23 wherein said means to display comprises lights including at least one indicator light, at least one one of which illuminates depending on the severity of the situation that is broadcast by said sending portable receiver/transmitter unit.

29. A portable receiver/transmitter according to claim 27 in which said digital display displays the number of the sending portable receiver/transmitter unit.

30. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 13 having means to provide a tactile alert to the wearer in the event another portable receiver/transmitter unit is activated.

31. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 30 wherein said tactile alert comprises a vibrator assembly.

32. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 30 wherein said tactile alert comprises hidden, guarded buttons located at strategic points within the aircraft.

33. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 32 wherein said tactile alert buttons include a cover to guard against accidental activation.

34. A portable receiver/transmitter unit according to claim 13 having means to prevent inavertent actuation of said buttons.