Method and apparatus for tracking aircraft and securing against unauthorized access

• US 20030193409A1
• Filed: 05/08/2003
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kelly C. Crank
• Original Assignee: Kelly C. Crank
• Inventors: Crank, Kelly C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,995,689 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/970
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0031 means for overriding or restricting access to flight controls
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0056 detecting passenger or crew behavior by sensors, e.g. biometrics
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0059 by communicating emergency situations to ground control or between crew members
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0013 with a ground station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0082 for monitoring traffic from a ground station radar or analogous systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/0086 for monitoring terrain radar or analogous systems specially adapted for terrain avoidance G01S13/935

Abstract

A system for monitoring an aircraft receives navigation signals and deriving a position vector therefrom and also receives an input representative of altitude of the aircraft above ground level. The system samples the position vector at a selected sample rate and outputs a succession of samples of the position vector, the sample rate depending on whether the altitude of the aircraft above ground level is less than a predetermined value. Data packets that contain respective samples of the position vector are transmitted to a ground-based receiving station. The ground-based receiving station may calculate secondary data.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring an aircraft, comprising:

a first means aboard the aircraft for receiving navigation signals and deriving a position vector therefrom,

a second means aboard the aircraft for receiving an input representative of altitude of the aircraft above ground level,

a third means aboard the aircraft for sampling said position vector at a selected sample rate and outputting a succession of samples of said position vector, said third means being responsive to the second means to increase the sample rate in response to the altitude of the aircraft being less than a predetermined value,

a fourth means aboard the aircraft for receiving the succession of samples of the position vector and generating data packets that contain respective samples of the position vector, and

a fifth means aboard the aircraft for transmitting the data packets to a ground-based receiving station.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein each sample of said position vector includes a latitude value, a longitude value and an altitude above sea level value.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein the data packets further contain an aircraft identifier.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the data packets further contain date and time values.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the first means receives navigation signals from global navigation satellites.

6. A combined airborne and ground-based system for monitoring an aircraft, comprising:

a first airborne means for receiving navigation signals and deriving an aircraft position vector therefrom,

a second airborne means for sampling said aircraft position vector at a selected sample rate and outputting a succession of samples of said aircraft position vector,

a third airborne means for receiving the succession of samples of the aircraft position vector and generating data packets that contain respective samples of the aircraft position vector, and

a fourth airborne means for transmitting the data packets,

a first ground-based means for receiving the data packets, and

a second ground-based means for extracting the aircraft position vector samples from the data packets and calculating an aircraft flight parameter from the position vector samples.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the second ground-based means calculates multiple aircraft flight parameters from the position vector samples.

8. A system according to claim 6, wherein the second ground-based means calculates at least one of aircraft heading, aircraft speed, and aircraft path from the position vector samples.

9. A system according to claim 6, wherein the second ground-based means includes a means for comparing the position of the aircraft, represented by a position vector sample, with the positions of a plurality of ground-based facilities, selecting one of said ground-based facilities, and calculating a distance vector from the aircraft position to said one ground-based facility.

10. A system according to claim 9, wherein the second ground-based means includes a means for graphically displaying said distance vector and updating the graphic display of the distance vector in accordance with position vector samples contained in successive data packets received by the first ground-based means.

11. A system according to claim 9, wherein the second ground-based means includes a means for graphically displaying said distance vector and numerical data defining said distance vector.

12. A system according to claim 6, wherein the second ground-based means includes a means for calculating a trajectory of the aircraft based on position vector samples contained in successive data packets received by the first ground-based means and for calculating a net terminal location of the aircraft based on terrain features and the trajectory of the aircraft.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the second ground-based means includes a means for conditionally asserting an alarm signal and a means for comparing current values of control settings of the aircraft with stored values to determine whether the trajectory of the aircraft can be adjusted sufficiently to avoid collision with terrain features by adjusting the values of the control settings and, if so, canceling the alarm signal, and, if not, reporting the net terminal location to a ground-based facility for emergency response.

14. A system according to claim 12, wherein the second ground-based means includes a means for comparing the net terminal location of the aircraft with the positions of a plurality of ground-based facilities, selecting at least one of said ground-based facilities, and calculating a distance vector from each selected ground-based facility to the net terminal location.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the second ground-based means includes a means for graphically displaying said distance vector.

16. A system for transmitting an alert signal in response to a condition aboard a transport vehicle, comprising:

a first means for sensing the value of a selected parameter aboard the transport vehicle,

a second means for storing an acceptable value of said selected parameter,

a third means for comparing said sensed value of said parameter with said acceptable value and asserting a status signal in the event that the sensed value does not match, within an acceptable tolerance range, said acceptable value,

a fourth means for receiving navigation signals and deriving a vehicle position vector therefrom,

a first wireless transmission means responsive to said third means and said fourth means for generating a vehicle position signal from which the vehicle position vector can be extracted and for transmitting the vehicle position signal to a ground-based facility in the event that said status signal is asserted, and

a second wireless transmission means for transmitting an alert signal to a ground-based facility in the event that said status signal is asserted.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the transport vehicle is an aircraft and the second wireless transmission means includes a transponder.

18. A system according to claim 16, wherein the transport vehicle is an aircraft and the first wireless transmission means includes a transmitter for transmitting the position signal via satellite.

19. A system according to claim 16, wherein the transport vehicle is an aircraft and the position vector derived by the fourth means includes a latitude value, a longitude value and an altitude above sea level value.

20. A system for controlling access to a controlled space aboard a transport vehicle, comprising:

a first means aboard the transport vehicle for sensing a biometric characteristic associated with a person requesting access to the controlled space,

a second means aboard the transport vehicle for evaluating the biometric characteristic and determining, based on the biometric characteristic, whether the person is authorized to access the controlled space,

a third means distinct from the transport vehicle for evaluating the biometric characteristic and determining, based on the biometric characteristic, whether the person is authorized to access the controlled space, and

a fourth means for providing wireless communication between the second and third means and, in the event that both the second means and the third means have determined that the person is authorized to access the controlled space, approving the person'"'"'s request for access and otherwise denying the request for access.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein the first means comprises at least one microphone and a means for prompting the person to utter a predetermined log-in statement.

22. A system according to claim 20, wherein in the event that both the second means and the third means have determined that the person is not authorized to access the controlled space, the fourth means unconditionally denies the person'"'"'s request for access.

23. A system according to claim 20, wherein in the event that one of the second means and the third means have determined that the person is not authorized to access the controlled space and the other of the second means and the third means have determined that the person is authorized to access the controlled space, the fourth means conditionally denies the person'"'"'s request for access.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein the first means includes a means operative for sensing a second biometric characteristic associated with the person requesting access to the controlled space in the event that the fourth means conditionally denies the person'"'"'s request for access.

25. A system according to claim 20, wherein the first means comprises at least one microphone. and a means for prompting the person to utter a first predetermined log-in statement, and in the event that the fourth means conditionally denies the request for access, for prompting the person to utter a second log-in statement.

26. A system according to claim 25, wherein the second means includes a means for determining authenticity of the person'"'"'s response to the prompt to utter the second log-in statement, the third means includes a means for determining authenticity of the person'"'"'s response to the prompt to utter the second log-in statement, and the fourth means include a means for transmitting an alert in the event that both the second means and the third means determine that the person'"'"'s response to the prompt to utter the second log-in statement is not authentic.

27. A system according to claim 20, including a non-volatile means for storing a database containing a record having as one field the person'"'"'s response to the prompt and as another field a code that identifies the person.

28. A system according to claim 27, including a means for receiving a list of persons authorized to access the controlled space during a predetermined time interval and for denying access to the controlled space during the predetermined time interval to any person not on the list.

29. A system according to claim 28, including a means for disabling alteration of the database during the predetermined time interval.

30. A system according to claim 20, wherein the controlled space includes an outer space and an inner space, and the system includes a means for temporarily approving access to the inner space by a person approved for access to the outer space.

31. A system according to claim 20, comprising at least one microphone for acquiring sounds generated in the controlled space, a means for evaluating characteristics of the sounds acquired by the microphone, and a means for transmitting an alert in the event that the evaluation determines that the sounds originated with a person who is not authorized to be present in the controlled space.

32. A system for monitoring a condition aboard a transport vehicle, comprising:

a first means aboard the vehicle for storing a record of biometric conditions associated with persons who are authorized to access a controlled space of the vehicle,

a second means aboard the transport vehicle for sensing a current biometric condition in the controlled space,

a third means for storing a record of the current biometric condition sensed by the second means,

a fourth means responsive to the second means for comparing the current biometric condition sensed by the second means with the record stored by the first means and transmitting an alert signal if the current biometric condition does not match the record stored by the first means,

a fifth means aboard the vehicle for transmitting the record stored by the third means.

33. A system according to claim 32, wherein the second means is a microphone for acquiring an audio signal representing utterances of persons seeking access to the controlled space.

34. A flight recorder system with remote wireless access, for use aboard an aircraft, comprising:

a microphone means 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, reading data from the data storage means in LIFO sequence and transmitting the data to a ground-based facility for evaluation.

35. A flight recorder system according to claim 34, comprising a compression means for receiving the data from the data storage means and compressing the data prior to download.

36. A flight recorder system according to claim 34, wherein the data storage means comprises a data buffer means for receiving and temporarily storing the digital audio data and related position and time data.

37. A flight recorder system according to claim 36, wherein the data buffer means is of variable depth.

38. A flight recorder system according to claim 36, wherein the data buffer means is a circular buffer.

39. A flight recorder system according to claim 36, further comprising a non-volatile memory for receiving data from the data buffer means.

40. A flight recorder system according to claim 39, comprising a compression means for receiving the data from the data buffer means and compressing the data prior to storage in the non-volatile memory.

41. A flight recorder system according to claim 34, comprising a camera for acquiring images within the aircraft and storing image data in the data storage means for subsequent download.

42. A flight recorder system according to claim 34, wherein the wireless means reads the data from the data storage means in an indexed access mode for transmission to the ground-based receiving station.

43. A flight recorder system according to claim 34, wherein the wireless means reads the data from the data storage means in LIFO mode for transmission to the ground-based facility.

44. A flight recorder system according to claim 43, wherein the wireless means reads the data from the data storage means in response to a command received from a remote location.

45. A flight recorder system according to claim 43, wherein the wireless means reads the data from the data storage means in response to a command received from the ground-based facility.

46. A system for identifying a person aboard an aircraft, comprising:

a microphone for acquiring an audio signal representative of an utterance spoken by the person,

a processing means for processing the audio signal and generating a spectrogram of extracted characteristics of the utterance,

a storage means for storing spectrograms of extracted characteristics of utterances of identified persons, and

a comparison means for comparing the spectrogram generated by the processing means with the spectrograms stored by the storage means and generating a signal that indicates whether the spectrogram generated by the processing means matches a spectrogram stored by the storage means.

47. A combined airborne and ground-based system for monitoring an aircraft, comprising:

a first airborne means for receiving navigation signals and deriving an aircraft position vector therefrom,

a second airborne means for sampling said aircraft position vector at a selected sample rate and outputting a succession of samples of said aircraft position vector,

a third airborne means for receiving the succession of samples of the aircraft position vector and generating data packets that contain respective samples of the aircraft position vector, and

a fourth airborne means for transmitting the data packets,

a first ground-based means for receiving the data packets, and

a second ground-based means including a means for determining the position of the aircraft, represented by a position vector sample, selecting a spatial domain that includes the position of the aircraft, and providing a display of the spatial domain, the second ground-based means having a first state in which it displays the spatial domain as an air traffic control navigational display and a second state in which it displays the spatial domain and correlated terrestrial features that are not shown in the first state.

48. A combined airborne and ground-based system for monitoring an aircraft, comprising:

a first airborne means for receiving navigation signals and deriving an aircraft position vector therefrom,

a second airborne means for sampling said aircraft position vector at a selected sample rate and outputting a succession of samples of said aircraft position vector,

a third airborne means for receiving the succession of samples of the aircraft position vector and generating data packets that contain respective samples of the aircraft position vector, and

a fourth airborne means for transmitting the data packets,

a first ground-based means for receiving the data packets, and

a second ground-based means including a means for comparing the position of the aircraft, represented by a position vector sample, with the positions of a plurality of ground-based facilities, allowing selection of one of said ground-based facilities, and calculating a distance vector from the aircraft position to said one ground-based facility.

49. A system according to claim 48, wherein the second ground-based means calculates multiple aircraft flight parameters from the position vector samples.

50. A system according to claim 48, wherein the second ground-based means includes a display means having a first state in which it displays general air-traffic control information pertaining to the vicinity of the selected ground-based facility and a second state in which it displays said distance vector and terrestrial features in the vicinity of the selected ground-based facility.

51. A system according to claim 48, including a display means having a first state in which it displays general aircraft navigational information pertaining to the vicinity of the selected ground-based facility and a second state in which it displays said distance vector and terrestrial features in the vicinity of the selected ground-based facility.

52. A system according to claim 51, wherein the general aircraft navigational information that is displayed in the first state of the display means includes terrestrial information but does not include said terrestrial features.