System for assuming and maintaining secure remote control of an aircraft

• US 6,917,863 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2002
• Issued: 07/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karl F. Milde Jr
• Original Assignee: Karl F. Milde Jr
• Inventors: Matos, Jeffrey A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANCHO, RONNIE M
• Application Number:
  US10/328,589
• Publication Number:
  US 20030130770A1
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 701/16, 701/17, 701/3, 701/11, 701/14, 701/36, 244/76.R, 244/189, 244/175, 244/3.11, 244/118.5, 280/270, 340/541, 340/945, 340/574, 340/540, 380/258
• US Class Current: 701/16
• 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 45/0059 by communicating emergency situations to ground control or between crew members
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0022 characterised by the communication link data switching networks in general H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0052 for cruising combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value G01C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0056 in an emergency situation, e.g. hijacking
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18506 Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18508 with satellite system used as relay, i.e. aeronautical mobile satellite service

Abstract

A method is disclosed for assuming and maintaining secure remote control of and aircraft in the event of an attack upon, or incapacity of the pilot of the aircraft. The method includes the following steps:

• • (a) providing a secure transmission link by and between first transmitting and receiving means (“first T/R means”) on an aircraft to be controlled and second transmitting and receiving means (“second T/R means”) at a location remote from the aircraft, thereby permitting secure communication between the aircraft and the remote location;
  • (b) transmitting a command between the aircraft and the remote location for interrupting pilot control of the aircraft and initiating remote control of the aircraft;
  • (c) transmitting flight data from the aircraft to the remote location via the transmission link;
  • (d) transmitting control data from the remote location to the aircraft via the transmission link; and
  • (e) maintaining remote control of the aircraft until the need for remote control has ended or the aircraft has landed safely.

Claims

1. A method of assuming and maintaining secure control of an aircraft in the event of an attack upon, or incapacity of, a pilot of the aircraft, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a secure transmission link by and between first transmitting and receiving means (“

first T/R means”

) on a first aircraft and second transmitting and receiving means (“

second T/R means”

) at a location remote from the first aircraft, thereby permitting secure communication between said first aircraft and said remote location;

(b) initiating and executing a command to prevent on-board control of the flight of said first aircraft by any personnel on said first aircraft and transmitting said command from one of said first aircraft and said remote location to the other;

(c) transmitting flight data from said first aircraft to said remote location via said transmission link;

(d) transmitting flight control data from said remote location to said first aircraft via said transmission link; and

(e) manually piloting said first aircraft by remote control from said remote location to actuate aerodynamic control surfaces of said first aircraft in substantially real time to control the flight of the first aircraft without guidance of an autopilot, until the need for said remote pilot control has ended or until said first aircraft has landed safely.

2. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said command is initiated by pressing a button in a cockpit of said first aircraft.

3. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said command is initiated by speaking a voice word.

4. The method defined in claim 3, further comprising the step of determining whether the voice word is spoken by an authorized person and initiating said command only if it is spoken by said authorized person.

5. The method defined in claim 3, further comprising the step of determining whether a certain word is spoken, and initiating said command only if said word is spoken.

6. The method defined in claim 5, wherein said word is changed from time to time.

7. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said command is initiated by inputting a certain alphanumeric code by means of an input device in the first aircraft.

8. The method defined in claim 7, wherein said code is changed from time to time.

9. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said command is initiated off-site of said first aircraft.

10. The method defined in claim 9, wherein said command is initiated off-site of said first aircraft when requested by an authorized person.

11. The method defined in claim 9, wherein said command is initiated when Air Traffic Control suspects that said pilot is unable to properly control the first aircraft.

12. The method defined in claim 9, wherein said command is initiated when the first aircraft deviates from an expected flight path.

13. The method defined in claim 9, wherein audio sounds in the first aircraft are transmitted to said remote location via said first and second T/R means and wherein said command is initiated when such sounds indicate that said pilot is unable to properly control the first aircraft.

14. The method defined in claim 9, wherein video in the first aircraft is transmitted to said remote location via said first and second T/R means and wherein said command is initiated when such video indicates that said pilot is unable to properly control the first aircraft.

15. The method defined in claim 9, wherein a second aircraft flies within the vicinity of said first aircraft and wherein said command is initiated when said second aircraft informs the remote location of an irregularity.

16. The method defined in claim 1, wherein a second aircraft flies in the vicinity of said first aircraft, said second aircraft having third transmitting and receiving means (third TIR means) for communicating with said second T/R means at said remote location and fourth transmitting and receiving means (fourth T/R means) for communicating with said first T/R means on said first aircraft,

whereby said second aircraft serves as a repeater station for communications between the remote location and said first aircraft.

17. The method defined in claim 16, wherein said first T/R means on said first aircraft include means for transmitting and receiving preferentially in the direction of said second aircraft.

18. The method defined in claim 17, wherein said preferential direction transmitting and receiving means include a directional RF antenna.

19. The method defined in claim 17, wherein said preferential direction transmitting and receiving means include laser transmitting apparatus.

20. The method defined in claim 17, wherein said preferential direction transmitting and receiving means include acoustic transmitting apparatus.

21. The method defined in claim 16, wherein said fourth T/R means on said second aircraft include means for transmitting and receiving preferentially in the direction of said first aircraft.

22. The method defined in claim 21, wherein said preferential direction transmitting and receiving means include a directional RF antenna.

23. The method defined in claim 21, wherein said preferential direction transmitting and receiving means include laser transmitting apparatus.

24. The method defined in claim 21, wherein said preferential direction transmitting and receiving means include acoustic transmitting apparatus.

25. The method defined in claim 16, wherein a satellite is located in orbit above the earth, said satellite having seventh transmitting and receiving means (seventh T/R means) for communicating with said third T/R means on said second aircraft and eighth transmitting and receiving means (eighth T/R means) for communicating with said second T/R means at said remote location, wherein said satellite relays communications between said second aircraft and said remote location and said second aircraft relays communications between said satellite and said first aircraft.

26. The method defined in claim 16, wherein said first aircraft has means for reducing the sensitivity of receipt of signals from the second aircraft, when the first and second aircraft are in close proximity.

27. The method defined in claim 1, wherein a second aircraft flies in the vicinity of said first aircraft, said second aircraft incorporating the remote location for control of said first aircraft and having said second T/R means for communicating with said first T/R means on said first aircraft.

28. The method defined in claim 27, wherein said second aircraft comprises a flight control station to enable a substitute pilot aboard said second aircraft to control said first aircraft.

29. The method defined in claim 27, wherein said first T/R means on said first aircraft include means for transmitting and receiving preferentially in the direction of said second aircraft.

30. The method defined in claim 29, wherein said preferential direction transmitting and receiving means include a directional RF antenna.

31. The method defined in claim 29, wherein said preferential direction transmitting and receiving means include acoustic transmitting apparatus.

32. The method defined in claim 29, wherein said preferential direction transmitting and receiving means include laser transmitting apparatus.

33. The method defined in claim 27, wherein said second T/R means on said second aircraft include means for transmitting and receiving preferentially in the direction of said first aircraft.

34. The method defined in claim 33, wherein said preferential direction transmitting and receiving means include a directional RF antenna.

35. The method defined in claim 33, wherein said preferential direction transmitting and receiving means include laser transmitting apparatus.

36. The method defined in claim 33, wherein said preferential direction transmitting and receiving means include acoustic transmitting apparatus.

37. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the flight data transmitted to said remote location and the control data transmitted to said first aircraft are encrypted using at least one encryption key, and further comprising the step of providing said at least one encryption key to said first aircraft and to said remote location.

38. The method defined in claim 37, wherein said at least one encryption key is provided to said first aircraft while at an airport prior to take-off for the flight.

39. The method defined in claim 38, further comprising the step of providing an updated encryption key to said first aircraft and to said remote location during the flight of said first aircraft.

40. The method defined in claim 39, wherein said updated encryption key is encrypted using at least one of the encryption keys previously provided to said first aircraft.

41. The method defined in claim 37, wherein said at least one encryption key is generated at said airport and is provided to both said first aircraft and to said remote location.

42. The method defined in claim 37, wherein said at least one encryption key is generated on said first aircraft and is provided to said remote location.

43. The method defined in claim 37, wherein said at least one key is generated at said remote location and is provided to said first aircraft.

44. The method defined in claim 37, wherein said at least one encryption key is stored on at least one storage medium and said step of providing said encryption key comprises the step of supplying said storage medium to at least one of said first aircraft and said remote location,

whereby said storage medium is the means by which the key is provided to said at least one of said first aircraft and said remote location.

45. The method defined in claim 37, further comprising the step of alerting at least one of an onboard pilot and personnel at the remote location if any one of said command for preventing onboard control of said aircraft, said flight data and said control data are improperly encrypted.

46. The method defined in claim 1, wherein a satellite is located in orbit above the earth, said satellite having fifth transmitting and receiving means (fifth T/R means) for communicating with said first T/R means on said first aircraft and sixth transmitting and receiving means (sixth T/R means) for communicating with said second T/R means at said remote location, wherein said satellite relays communications between said first aircraft and said remote location.

47. The method defined in claim 46, wherein said remote location is attached to the earth.

48. The method defined in claim 46, wherein said remote location is aboard a second aircraft.

49. The method defined in claim 46, wherein the flight data transmitted to said remote location and the control data transmitted to said first aircraft are encrypted using at least one encryption key.

50. The method defined in claim 49, further comprising the step of providing said at least one encryption key from said satellite to said first aircraft and to said remote location prior to or during the flight of said first aircraft.

51. The method defined in claim 49, further comprising the step of providing said at least one encryption key from said remote location to said first aircraft via said satellite prior to or during the flight of said first aircraft.

52. The method defined in claim 49, further comprising the step of providing said at least one encryption key from said first aircraft to said remote location via said satellite prior to or during the flight of said first aircraft.

53. The method defined in claim 46, wherein first T/R means on said first aircraft includes an antenna with a radiation pattern directed upwardly only, said antenna directing communication signals to and from the fifth T/R means on said satellite and not toward the ground.

54. The method defined in claim 53, wherein said first T/R means on said first aircraft and said fifth T/R means on said satellite communicate with each other via a highly directional beam.

55. The method defined in claim 54, wherein said first aircraft transmits, and said satellite receives information about the position of said first aircraft, and said satellite includes means for orienting its antenna in the direction of said first aircraft in response to said position information.

56. The method defined in claim 54, wherein said first aircraft transmits, and said satellite receives information about the position of said first aircraft, and said first aircraft includes means for orienting its antenna in the direction of said satellite in response to said position information.

57. The method defined in claim 46, wherein said second T/R means at the remote location and said sixth T/R means on said satellite communicate with each other via a highly directional beam.

58. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the first aircraft includes an autopilot device for automatically controlling the first aircraft, said method further comprising the step of switching control to the autopilot device, after said command is initiated during any time that the remote pilot control of the first aircraft may not be safely maintained, for any reason.

59. The method defined in claim 58, wherein control is automatically switched to the autopilot device, after said command is initiated, if transmission between the first aircraft and the remote location is interrupted for a prescribed period of time.

60. The method defined in claim 58, further comprising the step of switching control back to the onboard pilot of said first aircraft if the autopilot device and the remote pilot cannot safely maintain control of the first aircraft for any reason.

61. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said first aircraft includes at least one video camera pointed in the direction of flight, and said flight data includes at least one video image of the region of space in the forward flight path of the first aircraft.

62. The method defined in claim 1, wherein said remote location comprises a flight control station to permit a pilot at said remote location to manually pilot said first aircraft.

63. The method defined in claim 1, wherein the first aircraft includes an autopilot device for automatically controlling the first aircraft, said method further comprising the step of switching control to the autopilot device, after said command is initiated, until the remote pilot control of the first aircraft may be safely maintained.