초록 ▼

This invention is a system that monitors many performance parameters and many aircraft operational parameters, and broadcasts this information along with aircraft identification, audio, video, global positioning and altitude data, to a world wide two-way rf network. This information is monitored and

This invention is a system that monitors many performance parameters and many aircraft operational parameters, and broadcasts this information along with aircraft identification, audio, video, global positioning and altitude data, to a world wide two-way rf network. This information is monitored and recorded at a remote, centralized location. At this location, this information is combined with archived data, ATC data, weather data, topological data, map data, and manufacturers' data. Analysis of this combined data allows identification of problems and generation of advisories. Six types of advisories are generated: maintenance, safety of flight, flight efficiency, flight separation, safe to fly and safe to take off. In the event of a crash the remotely recorded data provides an instant indication of the cause of the crash as well as where the crashed plane can be found. Use of this invention allows replacement of the current, on-board flight data recorders thus saving costs and weight. Having the recorded data at a remote site eliminates the need to search for flight data recorders. Other advantages are back-up for ATC radar position data, better control of aircraft separation, improved flight efficiency, and allowing use of simpler and lower power radar.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A remote flight recorder and aircraft advisory system comprising:an aircraft performance means for detecting aircraft performance and control parameters;a cockpit audio detector means for detecting cockpit sounds and turning them into an audio signal;a video camera means

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A remote flight recorder and aircraft advisory system comprising:an aircraft performance means for detecting aircraft performance and control parameters;a cockpit audio detector means for detecting cockpit sounds and turning them into an audio signal;a video camera means for capturing activities in the cockpit, passenger compartment and cargo compartment, and turning them into a video signal;a position and altitude detector means for accurately determining aircraft position and altitude data, and turning these data into a position signal and an altitude signal;a pilot's audio and visual advisory means, located in the cockpit of an aircraft, for providing audio and visual advice to the pilot;a maintenance communications means, located on board said aircraft, for providing maintenance advice to maintenance personnel;a sensor multiplexer receiver and transmitter means, located on board said aircraft, for:accepting said aircraft performance and control parameters, said audio signal, said video signal, said position signal and said altitude signal; converting said aircraft performance and control parameters, when necessary, to digital form; adding an aircraft identification and configuration label; converting said aircraft performance and control parameters, said audio signal, said video signal, said position signal, said altitude signal and said identification and configuration label to an outgoing rf signal and broadcasting said outgoing rf signal; andreceiving an incoming rf signal, converting it to a ground advisory, an in-flight advisory and a maintenance advisory, feeding said ground advisory and said in-flight advisory to said pilot's audio and visual advisory means and feeding said maintenance advisory to said maintenance communication means;an airport traffic control database means for providing information about airport ground and air traffic;an area traffic control database means for providing information about area traffic;a weather database means for providing global weather information;a map database means for providing a map;a global topographic database means for providing topographic elevation data;an aircraft manufacturer's database means for providing aircraft data, maintenance information, and performance, problem and crash avoidance simulations;a central station means, located on the ground, for receiving said outgoing rf signal and converting it to said aircraft performance and control parameters, said audio signal, said video signal, said position signal, said altitude signal and said aircraft identification and configuration label, and broadcasting said incoming rf signal;a processing means, connected to said central station means, for:archiving said aircraft performance and control parameters, said audio signal, said video signal, said position signal and said altitude signal thus creating an archived data database;combining said aircraft performance and control parameters, said audio signal, said video signal, said position signal and said altitude signal with the archived data, said airport ground and air traffic information, said area traffic information, said global weather information, said map, said topographic elevation data, said aircraft data and said performance, problem and crash avoidance simulations;performing additional performance, problem and crash avoidance simulations;generating said on ground, in-flight and maintenance advisories; andconverting said on ground, in-flight and maintenance advisories to said incoming rf signal;a display and control means, connected to said processing means, for displaying operation of said processing means and for allowing operator control of said processing means;a global rf communications network means for conveying said outgoing signal from said aircraft to said central station means and conveying said incoming rf signal from said central station means to said aircraft; anda communications means for allowing communication between said processing means and said airport traffic control database means, said area traffic control database means, said weather database means, said map database means, and said topographic database means.