Anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system and method

• US 7,145,477 B1
• Filed: 09/19/2002
• Issued: 12/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Global IP Developer LLC
• Original Assignee: Theodore Mcbain
• Inventors: McBain, Theodore
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US10/251,666
• Time in Patent Office: 1,538 Days
• Field of Search: 340/945, 340/575, 340/576, 340/5.84, 340/5.2, 340/5.81, 340/5.82, 340/5.83, 701/14, 701/3, 713/200, 299/118.5
• US Class Current: 340/945
• 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

The disclosed device is directed toward an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system. The anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system comprises a pilot sensor including at least one of a biometric sensor and a physiological sensor. An input component is operatively coupled to the pilot sensor. An aircraft central processor unit is operatively coupled to the pilot sensor. The aircraft central processor unit includes a transceiver operatively coupled to the aircraft central processor unit. The anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system comprises an autopilot of the aircraft operatively coupled to the aircraft central processor unit. A ground control located remote from the aircraft is operatively coupled to the aircraft central processor unit. The ground control includes a transceiver coupled to the ground control. An aircraft override is operatively coupled to the ground control and operatively coupled to the aircraft central processor unit.

Claims

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

activating a pilot sensor attached to the aircraft pilot;

sensing biometric parameters of the aircraft pilot;

sensing physiological parameters of the aircraft pilot;

comparing said sensed biometric and physiological parameters of the aircraft pilot with stored data;

detecting a discontinuity between said biometric and physiological parameters and said stored data;

transmitting a signal to a central processor unit of the aircraft that said discontinuity exists;

processing said signal in said central processor unit;

activating an aircraft autopilot; and

transmitting a signal to a ground control.

2. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 1 further comprising;

transmitting an override signal from said ground control to an emergency override of the aircraft.

3. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 1 wherein said activating said pilot sensor includes inputting information into an input component.

4. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 1 wherein said sensing biometric parameters includes sensing a fingerprint.

5. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 1 wherein said sensing biometric parameters includes sensing an eye retina pattern.

6. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 1 wherein said sensing physiological parameters includes sensing a blood pressure.

7. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 1 wherein said sensing physiological parameters includes sensing a heart rate.

8. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 1 further comprising;

detecting normal matches between said biometric and physiological parameters and said stored data, wherein said stored data includes both normal biometric and physiological data of said aircraft pilot.

9. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 1 wherein said discontinuity signal includes the disconnection of said pilot sensor from operative communication with said central processing unit.

10. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 1 wherein said transmitting a signal to said ground control includes transmitting an emergency signal having aircraft location, flight path and aircraft system indicators.

11. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 1 wherein said activating an aircraft autopilot includes deactivating manual control of the aircraft.

12. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 1 further comprising:

monitoring the aircraft from ground control.

13. The method of operating an anti-terrorist aircraft pilot sensor system of claim 12 wherein said monitoring the aircraft from ground control includes sending and receiving information to the aircraft by use of audio and video.

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

a pilot sensor comprising a glove that includes at least one finger print sensor and at least one pulse monitor;

an input component operatively coupled to said 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 the 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; and

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

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

a pilot sensor comprising a head set that includes at least one eye retina pattern sensor and at least one pulse monitor;

an input component operatively coupled to said 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 the 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; and

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