Apparatus, program product, and methods for updating data on embedded control systems

• US 8,290,638 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2008
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Eicke, Michael Dennis, Hostetler, Jeffrey K., Griffin, Edward M., Cawood, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Algahaim, Helal A
• Application Number:
  US12/025,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20090198392A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,716 Days
• Field of Search: 701/3, 701/4, 701/9, 701/14, 345/8, 361/679.03, 708/139
• US Class Current: 701/3
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/005 Flight directors indicating arrangements specially adapted for rotary gyroscopes G01C19/32

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide an augmentation apparatus, program product, and methods for providing updated mission control data to an embedded control system of an aircraft or other vehicle. This augmentation can include a mission system interface unit, a user interface unit, and a display unit. The mission system interface unit can interface with the embedded control system and can exchange data and control signals with the embedded control system. The user interface unit can couple to the mission system interface unit and the display unit to provide a user a direct interface with embedded control system and to supplement the displays of the embedded control system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing updated mission control data to an embedded control system carried by an aircraft, the apparatus comprising:

a mobile display unit positionable to display mission control data to a user during aircraft in flight operations;

a user interface unit operably coupled to the mobile display unit and configured to communicate mission control data to the mobile display unit and to store user modifications to the mission control data defining modified mission control data; and

a mission system interface unit operably coupled to at least one component of an embedded aircraft mission control system storing mission control data created during off-board preflight mission planning, and operably coupled to the user interface unit and configured to receive the modified mission control data therefrom and to provide at least portions of the modified mission control data to the embedded control system during in-flight aircraft operations, the at least portions of the modified mission control data formatted for use by the embedded control system and representing an in-flight updated mission plan, the mission system interface unit including at least one processor, memory operably coupled to the at least one processor, and mission planning program code stored in the memory of the mission system interface unit, the mission planning program code adapted to cause the mission system interface unit to receive the modified mission control data, to format at least portions of the modified mission control data for use by the embedded control system defining formatted mission control data, and to communicate the formatted mission control data to the embedded control system.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1,

wherein the embedded control system includes an avionics multiplex data bus, an avionics computer adapted to provide navigation data to at least one aircraft navigation display device, and a data transfer unit positioned to receive a copy of mission control data created during off-board preflight mission planning defining unmodified mission control data;

and

wherein the mission system interface unit includes a plurality of data bus cards comprising a first data bus card positioned to monitor multiplex bus data on the avionics multiplex data bus, a second data bus card positioned to provide the unmodified and the modified mission control data to the avionics computer via the avionics multiplex data bus, and a third data bus card positioned to receive the unmodified mission control data from the data transfer unit.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the mission system interface unit further includes an ethernet interface in communication with the at least one processor to provide a communication port to the user interface unit to receive the modified mission control data, and an electric power source outlet to provide electrical power to the user interface unit.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 1,

wherein the apparatus further comprises a wearable pilot flight equipment vest including a plurality of pockets for holding pilot flight equipment;

wherein the user interface unit comprises a pilot wearable computer adapted to fit in at least one of the pockets of the wearable pilot flight equipment vest; and

wherein the apparatus further includes a wiring harness adapted to interface the user interface unit with the mission system interface unit, the aircraft cockpit intercom, the aircrew member wearable microphone, and the mobile display unit.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 1,

wherein the user is an aircrew member of an aircraft;

wherein the mobile display unit includes a back-light source compatible with aircraft night vision systems in both dimming ratio and color spectrum; and

wherein the mobile display unit is adapted to be worn around a leg of user aircrew member during aircraft in-flight operations when the aircrew member is in a sitting position to define a digital kneeboard to thereby display mapping data and aircraft routing data to the aircrew member, the aircraft routing data including waypoint changes entered through the user interface unit.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 1,

wherein the mobile display unit includes a touch-screen input device and redundant bezel button to access screen display and user interface unit functions to modify mission control data displayed on the mobile display unit to thereby allow the user to update mission control data stored in the embedded control system;

and

wherein the user interface unit is further adapted to receive hands-on-throttle-and-stick inputs through the embedded control system and through the mission system interface unit for aircraft having an embedded control system so configured, to provide an alternate user interface unit input pathway to modify mission control data displayed on the mobile display unit to thereby allow the user to update the mission control data stored in the embedded control system.

2. An apparatus for providing updated mission control data to an embedded control system carried by an aircraft, the apparatus comprising:

a mobile display unit positionable to display mission control data to a user during aircraft in flight operations;

a user interface unit operably coupled to the mobile display unit to communicate mission control data to the mobile display unit and to store user modifications to the mission control data defining modified mission control data;

the user interface unit including;

at least one processor;

memory operably coupled to the at least one processor;

at least one database stored in the memory of the user interface unit to contain a copy of the mission control data created during off-board preflight mission planning prior to modification defining unmodified mission control data, and to contain a copy of the modified mission control data, when so existing; and

communications control program code stored in the memory of the user interface unit and adapted to cause the user interface unit to communicate at least one of the modified and unmodified mission control data to the mobile display unit for display by the mobile display unit, to store the modified mission control data in the memory of the user interface unit, and to communicate the modified mission control data to the mission system interface unit to thereby provide updated mission control data to be used by the embedded control system; and

the mission system interface unit operably coupled to at least one component of an embedded aircraft mission control system storing mission control data created during off-board preflight mission planning, and operably coupled to the user interface unit to receive the modified mission control data therefrom and to provide at least portions of the modified mission control data to the embedded control system during in-flight aircraft operations, the at least portions of the modified mission control data formatted for use by the embedded control system and representing an in-flight updated mission plan.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the processor of the user interface unit is a general processor, and wherein the user interface unit includes a video processor for processing video signals, a data interface to provide display data to the mobile display unit, and a power interface to provide electric power to the mobile display unit.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 2,

wherein the user is a first aircrew member positioned on board a first aircraft containing the embedded control system;

wherein the embedded control system includes an on-board wireless communication device for communicating aircrew member voice signals to an off-board wireless communication device controlled by a second aircrew member positioned in a second aircraft, a cockpit intercom operably coupled to the wireless communication device, an aircrew member wearable microphone, and at least one cockpit intercom communication conduit operably coupled between the cockpit intercom and the aircrew member wearable microphone to define a cockpit intercom communication line; and

wherein the user interface unit includes a modem positioned to interleave digital data with aircrew member voice signals into the cockpit intercom communication line to allow substantially simultaneous transmission and receipt of digital data signals and voice signals through the on board wireless communication device to thereby provide to the second aircrew member both the modified mission control data and audio instructions associated therewith so that the second aircrew member can update mission control data stored in an embedded control system associated with the second aircraft with the modified mission control data responsive to receipt of the modified mission control data transmitted from the first aircraft.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the communication control program product is further positioned to control the modem and to receive a pilot override command, and to override the interleaving and provide a maximum bandwidth digital burst mode responsive to the pilot override command to thereby prioritize the digital data signals over the voice signals.

11. An apparatus for providing updated mission control data to an embedded control system carried by an aircraft, the apparatus comprising:

a mobile display unit adapted to be worn around a leg of a pilot of an aircraft during aircraft in-flight operations when the pilot is in a sitting position to display mission control data including aircraft routing data and digital mapping data associated with the aircraft routing data to the pilot during aircraft in-flight operations;

a portable user interface unit operably coupled to the mobile display unit and configured to communicate mission control data to the mobile display unit and to store pilot modifications to the mission control data defining modified mission control data; and

a mission system interface unit operably coupled to at least one component of an embedded aircraft mission control system storing mission control data created during off-board preflight mission planning, and operably coupled to the portable user interface unit and configured to receive the modified mission control data therefrom and to provide at least portions of the modified mission control data to the embedded control system during in-flight aircraft operations, the at least portions of the modified mission control data formatted for use by the embedded control system and representing an in-flight updated mission plan, the mission system interface unit including at least one processor, memory operably coupled to the at least one processor, and mission planning program code stored in the memory of the mission system interface unit, the mission planning program code adapted to cause the mission system interface unit to receive the modified mission control data, to format at least portions of the modified mission control data for use by the embedded control system defining formatted mission control data, and to communicate the formatted mission control data to the embedded control system.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 11,

wherein the embedded control system includes an avionics multiplex data bus, an avionics computer adapted to provide navigation data to at least one aircraft navigation display device, and a data transfer unit positioned to receive a copy of mission control data created during off-board preflight mission planning defining unmodified mission control data;

and

wherein the mission system interface unit includes a plurality of data bus cards comprising a first data bus card positioned to monitor multiplex bus data on the avionics multiplex data bus, a second data bus card positioned to provide the unmodified and the modified mission control data to the avionics computer via the avionics multiplex data bus, and a third data bus card positioned to receive the unmodified mission control data from the data transfer unit.

15. The apparatus as defined in claim 11,

wherein the apparatus further comprises a wearable pilot flight equipment vest including a plurality of pockets for holding pilot flight equipment;

wherein the portable user interface unit comprises a pilot wearable computer adapted to fit in at least one of the pockets of the wearable pilot flight equipment vest; and

wherein the apparatus further includes a wiring harness adapted to interface the portable user interface unit with the mission system interface unit, the aircraft cockpit intercom, the pilot wearable microphone, and the mobile display unit.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein the apparatus further comprises a portable battery adapted to fit in at least one of the pockets of the wearable pilot flight equipment vest, and wherein the portable user interface unit includes a wireless transceiver adapted to provide at least one of emergency digital or analog radio communication.

17. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the mobile display unit includes a touch-screen input device and redundant bezel button to access screen display functions and user interface unit functions to modify mission control data displayed on the mobile display unit to thereby allow the pilot to update mission control data stored in the embedded control system.

18. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the portable user interface unit is adapted to receive hands-on-throttle-and-stick inputs through the embedded control system and through the mission system interface unit for aircraft having an embedded control system so configured to provide a portable user interface unit input pathway to modify mission control data displayed on the mobile display unit to thereby allow the pilot to update the mission control data stored in the embedded control system during in-flight operations.

12. An apparatus for providing updated mission control data to an embedded control system carried by an aircraft, the apparatus comprising:

a mobile display unit adapted to be worn around a leg of a pilot of an aircraft during aircraft in-flight operations when the pilot is in a sitting position to display mission control data including aircraft routing data and digital mapping data associated with the aircraft routing data to the pilot during aircraft in-flight operations;

a portable user interface unit operably coupled to the mobile display unit to communicate mission control data to the mobile display unit and to store pilot modifications to the mission control data defining modified mission control data, the portable user interface unit including;

at least one processor;

memory operably coupled to the at least one processor;

at least one database stored in the memory of the portable user interface unit to contain a copy of the mission control data created during off-board preflight mission planning prior to modification defining unmodified mission control data, and to contain a copy of the modified mission control data, when so existing, pre-loaded into at least one component of the embedded mission control system; and

communications control program code stored in the memory of the portable user interface unit, the communications control program code adapted to cause the portable user interface unit to communicate at least one of the modified and unmodified mission control data to the mobile display unit for display by the mobile display unit, to store the modified mission control data in the memory of the portable user interface unit, and to communicate the modified mission control data to the mission system interface unit to thereby provide updated mission control data to be stored in the embedded control system and

a mission system interface unit operably coupled to at least one component of an embedded aircraft mission control system storing mission control data created during off-board preflight mission planning, and operably coupled to the portable user interface unit to receive the modified mission control data therefrom and to provide at least portions of the modified mission control data to the embedded control system during in-flight aircraft operations, the at least portions of the modified mission control data formatted for use by the embedded control system and representing an in-flight updated mission plan.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 12,

wherein the pilot is a first pilot positioned on board a first aircraft containing the embedded control system;

wherein the embedded control system includes an on board wireless communication device for communicating pilot voice signals to an off-board wireless communication device controlled by a second pilot positioned in a second aircraft, an analog cockpit intercom operably coupled to the wireless communication device, a pilot wearable microphone, and at least one analog cockpit intercom communication conduit operably coupled between the analog cockpit intercom and the pilot wearable microphone to define an analog cockpit intercom communication line; and

wherein the portable user interface unit includes a modem positioned to interleave digital data with pilot voice signals into the analog cockpit intercom communication line to allow substantially simultaneous transmission and receipt of digital data signals and voice signals through the on board wireless communication device to thereby provide to the second pilot both the modified mission control data and audio instructions associated therewith so that the second pilot can update mission control data stored in an embedded control system associated with the second aircraft with the modified mission control data responsive to receipt of the modified mission control data transmitted from the first aircraft.

19. A method for providing updated mission control data to an embedded control system carried by an aircraft, the method comprising the steps of:

interfacing an augmentation apparatus with the embedded control system carried by an aircraft, the augmentation apparatus including a mission system interface unit operable to provide in-flight generated mission planning data to the embedded control system;

storing mission control data created during off-board preflight mission planning in the embedded control system defining existing mission planning data;

modifying the existing mission planning data with the augmentation apparatus during in-flight aircraft operations, a user interface unit operably coupled to the mission system interface unit and configured to communicate the modified mission planning data to the mission system interface unit to thereby provide updated mission planning data to be used by the embedded control system; and

providing the modified mission planning data to the embedded control system for use by the embedded control system, the mission system interface unit operably coupled to the embedded control system and to the user interface unit to thereby provide the modified mission planning data to the embedded control system.

20. The method as defined in claim 19,

wherein the embedded control system includes a data transfer unit connected to an avionics multiplex bus;

wherein the mission system interface unit includes a plurality of data bus cards; and

wherein the step of interfacing an augmentation apparatus with the embedded control system includes the steps of connecting a first one of the plurality of data bus cards to the avionics multiplex bus, disconnecting the data transfer unit from the avionics multiplex bus, and connecting the data transfer unit to a second one of the plurality of data bus cards.

21. A method for providing updated mission control data to an embedded control system carried by an aircraft, the method comprising the steps of:

interfacing an augmentation apparatus with the embedded control system carried by an aircraft, the augmentation apparatus including a mission system interface unit operable to provide in-flight generated mission planning data to the embedded control system;

storing mission control data created during off-board preflight mission planning in the embedded control system defining existing mission planning data;

modifying the existing mission planning data with the augmentation apparatus during in-flight aircraft operations, to include displaying the existing mission planning data with a mobile display unit, modifying the existing mission planning data through a portable user interface unit operably coupled to the mobile display unit, and storing the modified existing mission planning data as updated mission planning data; and

providing the modified mission planning data to the embedded control system for use by the embedded control system, to include directing the augmentation apparatus to transfer at least portions of the modified mission planning data to the embedded control system by the mission system interface unit to thereby update the existing mission planning data previously stored in the embedded control system.

22. The method as defined in claim 21, wherein the embedded control system includes a data transfer unit, and wherein the mission system interface unit of the augmentation apparatus reads the existing mission planning data from a data transfer unit, transfers a copy of the existing mission planning data to the embedded control system, and transfers a copy of the existing mission planning data to a portable user interface unit to allow user modification of the existing mission planning data.

23. The method as defined in claim 21,

wherein the embedded control system includes a wireless communication device operably coupled to an aircraft cockpit intercom;

wherein the step of interfacing an augmentation apparatus with the embedded control system includes the steps of interfacing the portable user interface unit with the aircraft cockpit intercom to thereby provide both digital data signal transmissions and analog voice signal transmissions; and

wherein the method further comprises the step of transmitting a digital data signal including at least portions of the modified mission planning data by the portable interface unit, to at least one of;

another similarly augmented aircraft, an airborne command and control facility, or a ground-based command and control facility.