Flight recorder system with remote wireless access
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A flight recorder system with remote wireless access, for use aboard an aircraft having a cockpit, comprising:
- a microphone means within the cockpit for producing digital audio data,an indexing means for indexing the digital audio data relative to aircraft position and time,a data storage means for storing the digital audio data, anda wireless means for receiving a download command specifying at least one index value and, in response to the download command, reading data from the data storage means in an indexed access mode utilizing said at least one index value, and transmitting the indexed-access data to a ground-based facility for evaluation.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flight recorder system with remote wireless access, for use aboard an aircraft, includes at least one microphone for monitoring sounds within a cockpit of the aircraft and producing digital audio data. The digital audio data is indexed relative to aircraft position and time and is stored. A download command is initiated and prompts stored data to be read and transmitted to a ground-based facility for evaluation. A video camera may be provided for acquiring and recording images within the cockpit.
67 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A flight recorder system with remote wireless access, for use aboard an aircraft having a cockpit, comprising:
-
a microphone means within the cockpit for producing digital audio data, an indexing means for indexing the digital audio data relative to aircraft position and time, a data storage means for storing the digital audio data, and a wireless means for receiving a download command specifying at least one index value and, in response to the download command, reading data from the data storage means in an indexed access mode utilizing said at least one index value, and transmitting the indexed-access data to a ground-based facility for evaluation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
5. A combined airborne and ground-based system for monitoring an aircraft comprising:
-
an airborne flight recorder that comprises a microphone means for detecting sounds within a cockpit of the aircraft and producing digital audio data, an indexing means for indexing the digital audio data relative to aircraft position and time, a data storage means for storing the digital audio data, and a means for receiving a download command responsive to an anomaly detected on the aircraft, sufficient to produce an alert and, in response to the download command, reading data from the data storage means in indexed access and transmitting the data wirelessly, and a ground-based facility for receiving, processing and evaluating the data transmitted by the means for receiving the download command. - View Dependent Claims (6, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
9. A combined airborne and ground-based system for monitoring an aircraft comprising:
-
an airborne flight recorder that comprises a microphone means for detecting sounds within a cockpit of the aircraft and producing digital audio data, an indexing means for indexing the digital audio data relative to aircraft position and time, a data storage means for storing the digital audio data, and a means for receiving a download command and, in response to the download command, reading data from the data storage means in one of LIFO or indexed access and transmitting the data wirelessly, and a ground-based facility for receiving, processing and evaluating the data transmitted by the means for receiving the download command, and wherein the system further comprises a means for monitoring the indexing means, relative to the advancing time and position of the aircraft and generating the download command in the event the monitored advancing position of the aircraft projects inevitable intersection with terrain or terrestrial features.
-
-
10. A combined airborne and ground-based system for monitoring an aircraft comprising:
-
an airborne flight recorder that comprises a microphone means for detecting sounds within a cockpit of the aircraft and producing digital audio data, an indexing means for indexing the digital audio data relative to aircraft Position and time, a data storage means for storing the digital audio data, and a means for receiving a download command responsive to an anomaly detected on the aircraft, sufficient to produce an alert and, in response to the download command, reading data from the data storage means in one of LIFO or indexed access and transmitting the data wirelessly, and a ground-based facility for receiving, processing and evaluating the data transmitted by the means for receiving the download command, and wherein the airborne flight recorder comprises a means for analyzing digital audio data produced by the microphone means and, in the event of detecting an anomaly in the digital audio data, generating an alert message and transmitting the alert message to the ground based facility, and the ground based facility includes a means for evaluating the alert message and, in the event that predetermined conditions are met, generating the download command and transmitting the download command to the flight recorder.
-
Specification