Security messenger system

• US 7,398,057 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2003
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARINC Incorporated (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: ARINC Incorporated (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Reilly, Sean, Stefani, Rolf
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost; Dwayne
• Assistant Examiner(s): DESIR, PIERRE LOUIS
• Application Number:
  US10/642,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20040162067A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,785 Days
• Field of Search: 455/431, 455/552.1, 455/452.1, 455/435, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.6, 455/456.4, 455/68, 348/143, 709/230, 709/246, 340/961, 725/105, 701/11
• US Class Current: 455/68
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0053 using visual equipment, e.g. cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0059 by communicating emergency situations to ground control or between crew members
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 47/08 Arrangements of cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1965 the vehicle being an aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1966 Wireless systems, other than telephone systems, used to communicate with a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19684 Portable terminal, e.g. mobile phone, used for viewing video remotely
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18506 Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

The invention provides a communication and control system and method including a portable control and display unit, such as a portable handheld pocket PC, an aircraft mounted integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite receiver, a VHF radio modem, an Aircraft Communication and Reporting System (ACARS) transceiver, a backup battery for power, and a camera aboard the aircraft which is controlled by the portable control and display unit. The control and display unit transmits and receives data messages, voice communication and video communication, and control the operation and functions of the camera while in flight or on the ground. The control and display unit also communicates as a cell phone.

Claims

1. A communication system for communicating messages between an aircraft and a remote operations center, comprising:

at least one portable control and display unit onboard an aircraft that transmits and receives (1) data communication, (2) voice communication, and (3) video communication;

an Aircraft Communication and Reporting System (ACARS) transceiver located on the aircraft to receive from and transmit to the at least one portable control and display unit (1) data communication, (2) voice communication, and (3) video communication; and

at least one peripheral device located on the aircraft,

wherein a user employs the at least one portable control and display unit to transmit messages to and receive messages from a remote operations center via the ACARS transceiver communicating through a VHF radio onboard the aircraft, the messages comprising the at least one of data communication, voice communication and video communication,

wherein the at least one portable control and display unit is configured to transmit a vehicle position at a programmed interval which can only be turned off by encrypted command from a remote site.

2. A method for communicating messages between an aircraft and a remote operations center, comprising:

employing a portable control and display unit onboard an aircraft to send and receive messages that include (1) data communication, (2) voice communication, and (3) video communication to an ACARS transceiver onboard the aircraft,

wherein the portable control and display unit sends and receives positional information concerning the location of the aircraft while airborne,

wherein the at least one portable control and display unit transmits a vehicle position at a programmed interval which can only be turned off by encrypted command from a remote site;

automatically retransmitting messages received from the portable control and display unit via the ACARS transceiver to a remote operations center; and

automatically retransmitting messages received from a remote operations center via the ACARS transceiver to the portable control and display unit.