Aircraft security system to prevent manual flight operation by unauthorized individuals

• US 20040021581A1
• Filed: 02/03/2003
• Published: 02/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adolf Weigl
• Original Assignee: Adolf Weigl
• Inventors: Weigl, Adolf
• Granted Patent: US 6,882,288 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/945
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/0031 means for overriding or restricting access to flight controls

Abstract

A security system having a detector to detect specific physical characteristics, such as for example the weight of the pilot, is disclosed. The security system further includes a device to prevent activation of manual flight operation or to switch from manual to automatic flight operation or to deactivate manual flight operation, if the detected physical characteristics do not match predefined physical characteristics. By inputting a personal code into an inputting device the pilot may identify himself as an authorized operator at any time with regard to the security system.

Claims

1. A system for the control of an aircraft switchable between automatic and manual flight operation comprising:

detection means to detect physical characteristics of individuals; and

prevention means for preventing the activation of manual flight operation or switching from manual to automatic flight operation or deactivating manual flight operation, if the physical characteristics detected by the detection means do not match predefined physical characteristics.

2. The security system according to claim 1 wherein the physical characteristics comprise the body weight of an individual, and wherein the detection means comprise a weight sensor.

3. The security system according to claim 2 wherein the scale is integrated into a pilot'"'"'s seat of the aircraft as a seat scale.

4. The security system according to claim 1 further comprising storage means to store data about the physical characteristics communicated by the detection means.

5. The security system according to claim 4 further comprising comparison means to compare the data delivered by the detection means with predefined data.

6. The security system according to claim 5 wherein the predefined data is stored in advance in storage means.

7. The security system according to claim 1 wherein automatic or manual flight operation mode is always set.

8. The security system according to claim 7 further comprising an autopilot computer unit and activation/deactivation means to activate/deactivate the autopilot computer unit.

9. The security system according to claim 1 wherein the physical characteristics comprises the iris of an individual and the detection means comprises an image sensor for optical detection of the iris.

10. The security system according to claim 1 wherein the physical characteristics comprise voice of an individual, and the detection means comprise a microphone and a voice analysis unit.

11. The security system according to claim 1 wherein the physical characteristics comprise a fingerprint and/or handprint of an individual.

12. The security system according to claim 1 wherein the physical characteristics are selected from the group consisting of body weight, iris, voice, fingerprint and handprint characteristics.

13. The security system according to claim 1 further comprising an input device for inputting a personal identification code, whereby the input of the personal identification code effects the deactivation of the prevention means and or the capability to activate manual flight operations.

14. The security system according to claim 13 wherein the physical characteristics comprise body weight of an individual resting on a pilot or copilot seat and the detection means comprise a weight sensor.

15. The security system according to claim 14 wherein the physical characteristics are preset as a lower weight threshold value and wherein the weight sensor relays a signal to the prevention means if the weight falls below the lower weight threshold value.

16. The security system according to claim 15 wherein the physical characteristics further comprise a preset higher weight threshold value and wherein the weight sensor relays a signal to the prevention means if the weight rises above the preset higher weight threshold value.

17. Security system according to claim 13 wherein the prevention means comprise electrical, electronic or electromagnetic switches wherein the switches control switchover between manual and automatic flight operations.

18. Security system according to claim 17 wherein a plurality of change-over switches between manual and automatic flight operations are provided and a relay is coupled to each of the change-over switches.

19. Security system according to claim 18 wherein one the detection means comprises one or more weight sensors and wherein each of the one or more weight sensors is coupled to each of the relays.

20. Security system according to claim 2 wherein one the prevention means is independent from an electric circuitry of the aircraft and wherein the prevention means are coupled to an autonomous power supply.

21. A control system for an aircraft switchable between automatic and manual flight operation comprising:

a processing device for entering coordinates of a destination;

a security system comprising detection means to detect physical characteristics of individuals coupled to the processing device; and

an activation/deactivation, coupled to the processing device, wherein the activation/deactivation unit prevents activation of manual flight operation or switches from manual to automatic flight operation or deactivates manual flight operation, if the physical characteristics detected by the detection means do not match predefined physical characteristics.

22. The control system according to claim 21 wherein the control system comprises an electronic “

fly-by-wire”

control system.

23. The control system according to claim 21 wherein the control system is a mechanical control system.

24. A process to prevent manual control of aircraft by unauthorized individuals, comprising:

detecting specific physical characteristics of an operator; and

preventing manual flight operation, if the physical characteristics detected do not match prespecified physical characteristics.