Electronic kit bag

• US 8,645,006 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2011
• Issued: 02/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Angela Masson
• Original Assignee: Angela Masson
• Inventors: Masson, Angela
• Primary Examiner(s): To, Tuan C.
• Application Number:
  US13/113,197
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 701/3, 701/528, 342/26.B
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration

Abstract

The Electronic Kit Bag (EKB) is a computerized, portable pilot “kit bag” that accepts input data, manipulates said data, and outputs solutions. The EKB consists of standard and state-of-the-art computer parts and peripherals, interfaced for maximum utility. The central operating program of the device assesses the relationships of input data through logic based, three-dimensional decision-making algorithm. Data output is utilized either directly by the user, by the user through an aircraft system, or directly from the EKB to an aircraft system or autopilot.

Claims

1. A portable, computerized system which accesses, organizes, manages, and manipulates flight data and functions, resulting in output displayed and accessible by a user, comprising:

a portable device having,

hardware with a processor;

memory;

data input means, for permitting said user to input data;

means for data manipulation;

data access means for displaying data to said user;

means for data recording and storage; and

data output means for permitting said user to output data;

a self-powering element for operating said device independent of a fixed power supply;

a data input receiver that enables said portable device to receive data, wherein said data includes a first data from a data source in an input format and updated information;

data delivery means for delivering said data to said portable device;

software, including an operating system and operating program, wherein said software is stored within said memory;

an output interface that facilitates outputting said first data, said updated information and a second data from said portable device,

wherein the data is manipulated internally and integrated through at least one of a linear, or multi-level, cross-access texotrix methodology to provide up-to-the minute operating information; and

wherein an operator can access the means for data manipulation and manipulate said data at any point;

wherein the device can manipulate data in a non-linear algorithm, aggregating and sorting choices;

wherein the device interfaces with and manipulates an operating system of the aircraft.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said software comprises means of accessing said first data, said updated information, said second data and functions by means of an application program interface.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said application software comprises means of organizing said data by means of a search engine function.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a communications means whereby said portable device communicates with data sources remote from said device while said portable device is en route.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said data input receiver enables said portable device to receive data using wireless communications.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said data delivery means for delivering said data to said portable device is by means of an Intranet.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said data delivery means for delivering said data to said portable device is by means of the Internet.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the application software renders first data, said updated information, said second data and functions by means of an HTML browser format.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said portable device includes a flight planning component comprising;

a flight planning applications software program;

inputted a first flight data;

an output data capability which is connected to an aircraft operating system, wherein said output data capability facilitates outputting a second flight data;

a continuous data update capability.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said portable device further comprises an external power source connection capability.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said portable device further comprises data communications means for establishing data communication links between said portable device and disparate data sources.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said portable device further comprises a means of ascertaining position.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said portable device further comprises a means of terrain mapping.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said portable device further comprises means permitting the user to access and manipulate said data and programs by means of peripheral devices comprising;

peripheral ports;

peripheral hardware; and

,

peripheral device drivers.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the portable device further comprises a timing mechanism.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein said programs specifically include application program interfaces and search engine routines as the means of relating and aggregating data.

17. The system of claim 1 which includes construction characteristics of at least one of a tablet, ergonomic knee-top computer, hands free device, or interactive headgear.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein said portable device is used in conjunction with vehicles other than aircraft.

19. The system of claim 1 wherein said portable device further comprises a means of weather mapping, including generating and displaying weather maps from raw data, displaying generated or transmitted maps, and/or overlaying such maps upon other images, such as moving map displays or flight instruments.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein a translucent display screen facilitates overlaying display information directly over at least one of a primary display screen, maps and charts, in the manner of a heads-up display, or display glasses, or display visor.

21. The system of claim 1 which is formatted for use by at least one of:

an end user;

an intermediate user;

by a user through an aircraft system;

or directly from the device to an aircraft system or autopilot.

22. The system of claim 1 similarly constructed for alternate end-user and operators, including:

captains, pilots, commanders, drivers, dispatchers, and operations personnel of boats/ships, automobiles, aircraft, spacecraft, and other transportation devices.

23. The system of claim 1 which relies on external rather than internal memory for at least one of programs, computing and storage.

24. The system of claim 1 which offers input offline or online via at least one of a keyboard, touchpad, touchscreen, memory device, voice recognition, short-cut key, mouse, roller-ball, hardwired device, wireless device, radio, eye-lock, heat recognition, analog, digital, scanning, and any accessible and compatible means, internet and intranet systems included.

25. The system of claim 1 which offers output offline or online available directly or indirectly, electronically or graphically, via at least one of a screen, standard display, heads-up display, printer, electronic voice, or through associated systems by way of cable modem, wireless, electronic, or any available transfer system.