Patent ID: 7801714
Filing Date: 2010-09-21
Classification: G09B

Abstract:
1. A flight simulator for a family of aircraft, the flight simulator comprising: a module that has a plurality of independent non-volatile memories, each storing a software program that is specific to a different one of the family of aircraft; and a computer, having a hardware unit common to the family of aircraft, that performs a flight simulation function for a specific one of the family of aircraft by selecting and executing a stored software program corresponding to the specific aircraft, wherein: the hardware unit comprises a central processing unit, a connector, and a housing that receives the module, the module comprises a connector for removably electrically and mechanically connecting the module to the hardware unit, via the connector of the hardware unit, the selected and executed software program is retrieved from the independent memory in which it is stored in accordance with a control signal emitted by the central processing unit of said hardware unit, the module comprises a selection section that selects the independent memory storing the selected software program so that the selected software program is retrieved from the selected independent memory in accordance with the control signal emitted by the central processing unit, the module connector corn rises a first connection section that cooperates with a first connection section of the hardware unit's connector for removably, electrically and mechanically connecting the module to the hardware unit so that the selected software program stored by the module is executed by the central processing unit, the module connector comprises a second connection section that cooperates with a second connection section of the hardware unit's connector so that the control signal emitted by the central processing unit is communicated to the module's selection section, the electrical power supply for the module is provided by the hardware unit via the hardware unit's first connection section and the module's first connection section, the family of aircraft is a set of aircraft of different types that comprises equipment that is identical for all aircraft of the family, and said module comprises a locking section that, upon applying power to the module, locks a first-received selection signal, provided by the hardware unit to identify the selected software program, before the hardware unit reads the selected software program so that any subsequently received selection signal does not affect which software program is executed.