Method and device for verification of identity aboard an aircraft

• US 7,783,081 B2
• Filed: 03/24/2006
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus
• Original Assignee: Airbus
• Inventors: Pujol, Olivier, Roques, Serge
• Primary Examiner(s): Mariam; Daniel G
• Application Number:
  US11/387,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20060245620A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,614 Days
• Field of Search: 382115-118, 382/209, 382/218, 382119-124, 340/5.2, 340/5.52, 340/5.53, 340/5.8, 340/5.81, 340/5.82, 340/5.83, 713/186, 902/3
• US Class Current: 382/115
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0053 using visual equipment, e.g. cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0056 detecting passenger or crew behavior by sensors, e.g. biometrics
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/12 Fingerprints or palmprints
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/257 electronically G07C9/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A method and device for verification of identity aboard an aircraft combines a device for biometric authentication with a surveillance device making it possible to control the conditions under which biometric authentication is performed. According to complementary stages of the method of the invention, a communication device can communicate information relating to the verification of identity and whereby a state of alert is activated if the information signals an unusual situation aboard the aircraft.

Claims

1. A method for verification of identity aboard an aircraft, comprising the steps of:

performing a biometric authentication in a cockpit of the aircraft, said authentication being of at least one occupant in the cockpit of the aircraft,

supplying information on the biometric authentication carried out,

visually capturing the cockpit of the aircraft with a camera while the biometric authentication is being performed on the occupant, and

analyzing a visually captured image of the cockpit with software means to enumerate a number of occupants of said cockpit of the aircraft prior to the authentication to determine whether persons in addition to or instead of a pilot and co-pilot are present in the cockpit of said aircraft.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

communicating of information recorded during said step of visually capturing to an exterior of the aircraft.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the communicating of information comprises communication of information supplied during the performing said biometric authentication.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

activating a state of alert according to the information supplied during the performing of the biometric authentication or according to information recorded during the step of visually recording.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a predetermined unusual event.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the visually capturing includes photographing the occupants with a camera.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the visually capturing includes recording videos of the occupants with a video camera.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the software means determine whether a number of occupants on which the biometric authentication is performed matches a number of occupants captured in the visually captured image.

9. A device for verification of identity aboard an aircraft, comprising:

at least one means for performing a biometric authentication to verify identity aboard the aircraft;

at least one means for visually capturing a cockpit of the aircraft with a camera in which said means for performing a biometric authentication is located and enumerating a number of occupants of the cockpit with software means prior to performing the biometric authentication to analyze a visually captured image of the cockpit to determine whether persons in addition to or instead of a pilot and co-pilot are present in the cockpit.

10. The device according to claim 9, further comprising:

communication means for transmitting information derived from the at least one means for visually capturing to an exterior of the aircraft.

11. The device according to claim 9, further comprising:

communication means for transmitting information deriving from the at least one means for performing a biometric authentication.

12. The device according to claim 9, further comprising:

a visual means aboard the aircraft to indicate a result of the at least one means for performing a biometric authentication.

13. The device according to claim 9, further comprising:

two means for visually capturing combined with the at least one means for performing a biometric authentication.

14. The device according to claim 9, wherein said means for visually capturing comprises a wide-angle lens.

15. The device according to claim 9, wherein said means for visually capturing comprises a video camera.

16. The device according to claim 9, wherein said means for performing a biometric authentication is a device for authentication by fingerprint recognition.

17. The device according to claim 9, wherein said means for performing a biometric authentication is a device for authentication by iris recognition.

18. The device according to claim 9, wherein said means for performing a biometric authentication is a device for authentication by facial recognition.

19. The device according to claim 9, wherein said means for performing a biometric authentication and the at least one means for visually capturing are combined and are arranged in the cockpit of the aircraft.

20. The device according to claim 9, wherein said means for performing a biometric authentication is arranged in front of a back of a seat to accommodate an individual to be identified, in a direction of normal movement of the aircraft.

21. The device according to claim 9, wherein said means for performing a biometric authentication is arranged on aircraft flight controls.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein the aircraft flight controls comprise means specific to communication of information from the at least one means for performing a biometric authentication.

23. An aircraft cockpit comprising the device according to claim 9.

24. An aircraft comprising the device according to claim 9.

25. The device according to claim 9, wherein the software means determine whether a number of occupants on which the biometric authentication is performed matches a number of occupants captured in the visually captured image.

26. A method for verification of identity aboard an aircraft, comprising the steps of:

performing a biometric authentication in a cockpit of the aircraft, said authentication being of at least one occupant in the cockpit of the aircraft,

supplying information on the biometric authentication carried out,

measuring a total weight of occupants present in the cockpit while the biometric authentication is being performed on the occupant, and

comparing the measured total weight of the occupants present in the cockpit with a predetermined weight of a pilot and co-pilot to determine whether persons in addition to or instead of the pilot and co-pilot are present in the cockpit of said aircraft wherein the method is performed using a processor.