Patent ID: 6799094
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: B64D,G01S,G08G

Abstract:
A passive aircraft monitoring system adapted for mounting in an aircraft and at a location independent of the aircraft for providing information via a telecommunication system to an aircraft owner/operator and related to aircraft location and the current state of the operation of the aircraft, the monitoring system using a satellite positioning system, a satellite communication system and a ground-based satellite communication service, the monitoring system comprising:an aircraft-tracking device adapted for mounting in the aircraft, said device including a microprocessor for processing information related to aircraft location and state of operation of the aircraft; a sensor interface connected to said microprocessor and a first sensor connected to said sensor interface, said first sensor for starting said sensor interface and said microprocessor when the aircraft has gone from being out of operation to being in operation, said sensor interface operating continuously during the operation of the aircraft and monitoring the state of said first sensor; means for receiving radio frequency signals from the satellite positioning system connected to said microprocessor, said means for receiving radio frequency signals adapted for decoding the position coordinates from the satellite positioning system; means for communicating with the satellite communication system and the ground-based satellite communication service and connected to said microprocessor; and a server computer adapted for receiving the position coordinates from said microprocessor via the satellite communication system and the ground-based satellite communication service, said server computer adapted for connection to the telecommunication system for providing non-invasive information to the owner/operator as to the aircraft's location and the current state of operation.