System and methods for wireless health monitoring of a locator beacon which aids the detection and location of a vehicle and/or people

• US 8,618,928 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2011
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L3 Technologies, Inc. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: L-3 Communications Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Weed, Michael E., Berecz, Endre
• Primary Examiner(s): HOFSASS, JEFFERY A
• Application Number:
  US13/021,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20120200460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/539.13, 340/539.16, 340/539.17, 340/539.18, 340/945, 340/971, 340/636.1, 701/468
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2045/0065 Black boxes, devices automatically broadcasting distress signals
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 2045/0085 Devices for aircraft health monitoring, e.g. monitoring flutter or vibration
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 45/00 Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for camouflage F41H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/022 Means for monitoring or calibrating
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/756 using a signal generator for modifying the reflectivity of the reflector G01S13/758 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0226 Transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0231 Emergency, distress or locator beacons
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/50 On board measures aiming to increase energy efficiency

Abstract

Systems (224, 222, 700) and methods (800) for providing wireless health monitoring for a locator beacon (216). The methods involve: coupling a Transponder and Sensor Module (TSM) to the locator beacon such that at least one condition of the locator beacon or a battery (230) of the locator beacon can be remotely monitored; periodically detecting the condition by the TSM (224); and periodically and wirelessly transmitting, from the TSM to a wireless device (222, 700) located in proximity to the TSM, a signal including information describing the condition detected by the TSM. The TSM can include, but is not limited to a transponder (e.g., an RFID tag) and sensor. The wireless device, can include, but is not limited to a transponder interrogator.

Claims

1. A method for wireless health monitoring of a locator beacon mechanically attached to a housing of a data recorder provided to record specific performance parameters of a vehicle, comprising:

coupling a first Transponder and Sensor Module (TSM) directly to or adjacent to said locator beacon such that at least one condition of said locator beacon or a battery of said locator beacon can be remotely monitored with assistance of the first TSM, wherein the first TSM comprises a first electronic circuit with a power source separate from the battery of the locator beacon and wherein said coupling is provided by at least one of

a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed along a peripheral edge of said first TSM,

at least one securing protrusion extending from said first TSM and frictionally engaging a surface of a bracket used to mount said locator beacon to an object,

at least one clip clipping said first TSM to said locator beacon or said bracket, and

at least one clamp clamping said first TSM to said locator beacon or said bracket;

periodically detecting said condition by said first TSM;

wirelessly transmitting, from said first TSM to a wireless device electrically coupled to a second electronic circuit of the data recorder and located in proximity to said first TSM, a signal including information describing said condition detected by said first TSM;

communicating the information from the wireless device to the second electronic circuit via a wired connection;

using the information by the second electronic circuit to detect a data recorder failure.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a second TSM is integrated within a label of said locator beacon.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising detecting a condition of a surrounding environment by said first TSM.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said data recorder is a flight data recorder.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising reporting, by said data recorder, a health of said locator beacon or said battery to a remote computing device for analysis by a user thereof.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data recorder failure is detected by determining if a value describing said condition exceeds or falls below a threshold value;

and wherein the data recorder failure is reported to a remote computing device if said value is determined to exceed or fall below said threshold value.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising displaying said information by said wireless device so that a user thereof can determine if said locator beacon or said battery needs maintenance or needs to be replaced.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said condition comprises a moisture level, a temperature, a battery charge capacity or a battery voltage level.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first TSM comprises a transponder and said wireless device comprises a transponder interrogator.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said transponder is an RFID tag and said transponder interrogator is an RFID reader.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said transponder is an energy harvesting transponder.

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

analyzing by said first TSM information describing said condition; and

wirelessly transmitting said signal if results of said analyzing step indicate that said locator beacon or said battery need to be replaced.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising automatically ordering a new locator beacon or battery in response to the reception of said signal at said wireless device.

14. A system, comprising:

a data recorder configured to record specific performance parameters of a vehicle;

a locator beacon mechanically attached to a housing of the data recorder and comprising a battery; and

a first Transponder and Sensor Module (TSM) comprising a first electronic circuit with a power source separate from the battery of the locator beacon, the first TSM coupled directly to or adjacent to said locator beacon and configured (a) to detect at least one condition of said locator beacon or said battery, and (b) to wirelessly transmit a signal including information describing said condition to a wireless device electrically coupled to a second electronic circuit of the data recorder and located in proximity to or remote from said first TSM;

wherein said first TSM comprises at least one of

a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed along a peripheral edge thereof and configured to bond said first TSM to said locator beacon or a bracket used to mount said locator beacon to an object,

at least one securing protrusion extending therefrom and configured to frictionally engage a surface of said bracket,

at least one clip configured to clip said first TSM to said locator beacon or said bracket, and

at least one clamp configured to clamp said first TSM to said locator beacon or said bracket; and

wherein the second electronic circuit uses the information to detect a data recorder failure.

15. The system according to claim 14, further comprising a label bonded to said locator beacon and having a second TSM integrated therewith.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein said first TSM is further configured to detect a condition of a surrounding environment.

17. The system according to claim 14, wherein said data recorder is a flight data recorder.

18. The system according to claim 14, wherein said data recorder is configured to report a health of said locator beacon or said battery to a remote computing device for analysis by a user thereof.

19. The system according to claim 14, wherein said data recorder is further configured to:

determine if a value describing said condition exceeds or falls below a threshold value; and

report the data recorder failure to a remote computing device if said value is determined to exceed or fall below said threshold value.

20. The system according to claim 14, wherein said wireless device is configured to display said information so that a user thereof can determine if said locator beacon or said battery needs maintenance or needs to be replaced.

21. The system according to claim 14, wherein said condition comprises a moisture level, a temperature, a battery charge capacity or a battery voltage level.

22. The method according to claim 14, wherein said first TSM comprises an RFID tag and said wireless device comprises an RFID reader.

23. The method according to claim 14, wherein said first TSM comprises an energy harvesting transponder.

24. The system according to claim 14, wherein said first TSM is further configured to:

analyze information describing said condition; and

wirelessly transmit said signal if results of said analysis indicate that said locator beacon or said battery need to be replaced.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein said wireless device automatically places an order for a new locator beacon or battery in response to the reception of said signal thereat.

26. A flight data recorder system, comprising:

a recorder chassis;

a data recorder system disposed in said chassis including

a system interface arranged for wired communication with an aircraft, and

a computer processor and a memory in communication with said system interface and arranged to record in the memory information concerning flight data from said aircraft;

a data recorder short range wireless communication circuit;

a locator beacon physically secured to said recorder chassis;

a sensor module secured to the locator beacon, the sensor module comprising

at least one monitoring circuit which is arranged monitor at least one parameter associated with the locator beacon or a battery of said locator beacon, and

a sensor module wireless communication circuit arranged to communicate monitoring data obtained by said monitoring circuit to said data recorder short range wireless communication circuit.

27. The flight data recorder system according to claim 26, wherein said computer processor is configured to communicate with said aircraft using said system interface responsive to said monitoring data.

28. A flight data recorder system, comprising:

a recorder chassis

a data recorder system disposed in said chassis including

a system interface arranged for wired communication with an aircraft, and

a computer processor and a memory in communication with said system interface and arranged to record in the memory information concerning flight data from said aircraft;

a data recorder short range wireless communication circuit;

a locator beacon physically secured to said recorder chassis;

a sensor module secured to the locator beacon, the sensor module comprising

at least one monitoring circuit which is arranged monitor at least one parameter associated with the locator beacon or a battery of said locator beacon, and

a short range sensor module wireless communication circuit arranged to communicate monitoring data obtained by said monitoring circuit to a monitoring device on board or adjacent to said aircraft.

29. The flight data recorder system according to claim 28, wherein said sensor module is removably attached to an exterior of said locator beacon.

30. The flight data recorder system according to claim 29, wherein said sensor module is removably attached by a mechanical fastening arrangement that facilitates removal and attachment of said sensor module without use of tools.