Flight mode system for personal electronic device

A personal communications device includes a processor, a plurality of subsystems connected to the processor for exchanging signals therewith, at least one of the subsystems being configurable between a flight mode and a non-flight mode, an input device connected to the processor for inputting a flight mode selection thereto, and a flight mode module operable on the processor for causing the processor to monitor for input of a predetermined flight mode selection through the input device and configure the at least one subsystem into flight mode upon the input of the flight mode selection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems for personal electronic devices that are used onboard aircraft during flight.

Under current safety regulations it is not permissible to have a mobile phone turned on during an aircraft flight. Other devices such as laptop computers are permitted to be used only at certain times during the flight.

Devices such as wireless enabled PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) blur the distinction between mobile phone and computer as in addition to the wireless phone capability they contain computer-related functionality that is useful to a user even when the wireless part of the device must not be used. For this reason some wirless enabled PDA's, and other similar devices, can be switched into a “radio-off mode” which disables the radio functions of the device so it can otherwise be used during a flight. For example, one type of wirless-enabled PDA includes a menu icon that can be used to disable the radio. On such PDA, once the radio is displayed, the word “OFF” is shown next to a signal strength indicator on the display screen.

Many larger computing devices such as laptop computers are now also incorporating radio transmitting devices such as Wireless LANs and other peripherals, based on for example IEEE 802.11 and Bluetooth™.

It is currently necessary for the user of a wireless capable electronic device to be able to configure the wireless capable device for safe operation onboard an aircraft. However laptop computers in particular can be highly complex devices where the level of expertise necessary to safely reconfgure all the peripherals is such that this is beyond the capability of the average user and a major chore even for the expert user. In addition the wireless aspects of the devices and other peripherals may not be the only sources of interference with aircraft systems. The high frequencies of current microprocessor clock speeds are themselves in the radio frequency spectrum and it may be necessary to reduce the clock speeds of some devices to avoid the possibility of interference.

Thus, there is a need for simple and convenient mechanisms for configuring a personal electronic device for use onboard an aircraft and a need for an indicator that can be used by a variety of devices to indicate to users and/or flight crew that the devices are safe to use mid-flight.

SUMMARY

According to example embodiments, systems and methods are provided for allowing personal electronic devices to be placed in a flight mode so that the device can be used during normal flight of an aircraft.

According to one example embodiment, a personal communications device includes a processor, a plurality of subsystems connected to the processor for exchanging signals therewith, at least one of the subsystems being configurable between a flight mode and a non-flight mode, an input device connected to the processor for inputting a flight mode selection thereto, and a flight mode module operable on the processor for causing the processor to monitor for input of a predetermined flight mode selection through the input device and configure the at least one subsystem into flight mode upon the input of the flight mode selection.

According to another example is a method of placing personal electronic devices within an aircraft into a flight safe mode in which the electronic devices are configured for flight aboard the aircraft, including transmitting a flight mode signal to the personal electronic devices located within the aircraft thereby signalling the personal electronic devices to enter a flight safe mode.

Like reference numerals are used throughout the Figures to denote similar elements and features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings,FIG. 1shows, for explanatory purposes, a representation of an aircraft5containing a number of passengers, at least some of whom have brought aboard personal electronics devices (PEDs)10. Personal electronics devices10may include a range of different types of devices. By way of example,FIG. 2shows a personal electronics device10according to example embodiments of the invention. The device10ofFIG. 2is a two-way communication device having at least data and, in some embodiments, also voice communication capabilities and/or the capability to communicate with other computer systems on the Internet. Depending on the functionality provided thereby, in various example embodiments the devices10may include, among other things, hand-held data communication devices, multiple-mode communication devices configured for both data and voice communication, mobile telephones, and/or PDAs (personal digital assistants), laptop computers, tablet computers or other portable processor based systems that are enabled for wireless communication. In some example embodiments, at least some of the systems and methods described herein could be applied to electronics devices that are not enabled for wireless communications, such as non-wireless network enabled PDAs or laptop computers for example.

The device10shown inFIG. 2includes a communication subsystem11for exchanging wireless communications radio frequency signals with a wireless network50. As will be apparent to those skilled in the field of communications, the particular design of the communication subsystem11will be dependent upon the communication network in which the device is intended to operate, but will generally include an RF (radio frequency) transmitter12and an RF receiver14for exchanging signals with wireless network50. In devices that are not enabled for wireless communication, communications subsystem11may be omitted or inactive.

The device10includes a microprocessor38that controls the overall operation of the device. The microprocessor38interacts with communications subsystem11and also interacts with further device subsystems such as the display22, flash memory24, random access memory (RAM)26, auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems28, serial and/or USB port(s)30, keyboard or keypad32, speaker34, microphone36, a short-range communications subsystem40, and any other device subsystems generally designated as42. The device10includes at least one oscillator based clock circuit20which provides clock signals to microprocessor38and/or at least some of the device subsystems.

Some of the subsystems shown inFIG. 1perform communication-related functions, whereas other subsystems may provide “resident” or on-device functions. Notably, some subsystems, such as keyboard32and display22for example, may be used for both communication-related functions, such as entering a text message for transmission over a communication network, and device-resident functions such as a calculator or task list.

Resident on device10are various software modules52, including for example operating system software54, a flight mode module56and various software applications60. In an example embodiment, software modules52are stored in a persistent store such as flash memory24or a hard drive or a similar storage element. The software modules52or parts thereof may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store such as RAM26. Received communication signals may also be stored to RAM26.

The microprocessor38enables execution of software modules52on the device. A predetermined set of applications which control basic device operations, including at least data and voice communication applications for example, will normally be installed on the device10during manufacture. Further applications60, may also be loaded onto the device10through the network50, an auxiliary I/O subsystem28, serial and/or USB port(s)30, short-range communications subsystem40or any other suitable subsystem42, and installed by a user in the RAM26or a non-volatile store for execution by the microprocessor38.

In a data communication mode, a received signal such as a text message or web page download will be processed by the communication subsystem11and input to the microprocessor38, which will preferably further process the received signal for output to the display22, or alternatively to an auxiliary I/O device28. A user of device10may also compose data items such as email messages for example, using the keyboard32in conjunction with the display22and possibly an auxiliary I/O device28. Such composed items may then be transmitted over a communication network through the communication subsystem11.

Serial and/or USB port(s)30inFIG. 1would normally be implemented in a personal digital assistant (PDA)-type communication device for which synchronization with a user's desktop computer (not shown) is desirable. Such a port30would enable a user to set preferences through an external device or software application and would extend the capabilities of the device by providing for information or software downloads to the device10other than through a wireless communication network.

A short-range communications subsystem40is a further component which may provide for communication between the device10and different systems or devices, which need not necessarily be similar devices. For example, the subsystem40may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components and/or a wireless LAN (“Local Area Network”) RF communications module based on, for example, Bluetooth™ or IEEE802.11 to provide for communication with similarly enabled systems and devices. The exact configuration of short range communications system40would depend on the specific short range network that it operated in, but if enabled for short range RF communications, would generally include a suitably configured RF transmitter44and RF receiver46.

Wireless mobile network50is, in an example embodiment, a wireless packet data network, (e.g. Mobitex™ or DataTAC™), which provides radio coverage to mobile electronic devices10, typically employing a terrestrial base stations having associated coverage areas in a cellular-type configuration. Among other things, wireless mobile network50may also be a voice and data network such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) and GPRS (General Packet Radio System), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), or various other third generation networks such as EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) or UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems).

According to embodiments of the invention, among the software modules resident on personal electronic device10is flight mode module56. Flight mode module56includes instructions for execution by microprocessor38to place the device10into a “flight mode” so that the device10can be safely used during the periods of an aircraft flight when non-transmitting personal electronic devices are typically allowed to be on. In various embodiments, the flight mode module56may, among other things, be a stand-alone software application60, part of the operating system54, or part of another software application52. In some embodiments, the functions performed by flight mode module56may be broken up among different software modules, rather than integrated into a single module. Furthermore, in some embodiments, at least some of the functions performed by the flight mode module may be implemented in firmware of the device10.

FIG. 3shows, by way of example only, a front view of an embodiment of the personal electronic device10ofFIG. 2, although it will be understood that the physical configuration of the device10could vary widely from that shown inFIG. 3. In the embodiment of device10of shown inFIG. 3, the components and subsystems of device10are housed within a rigid case162that is configured to be hand held while the device10is in use. Although the case162is shown as a single unit inFIG. 3, it could, among other possible configurations, include two or more case members hinged together (such as a flip-phone configuration or a clam shell-style lap top computer, for example), and could be larger or smaller than a handheld unit. In an example embodiment, the keyboard32includes character input buttons or keys for user input of displayable characters, such as substantially similarly sized alphanumeric buttons or keys164and a larger elongated space bar button or key166. The keyboard32also includes non-alphanumeric command or control buttons or keys such as line feed or enter key167, CAP key168and CTRL key169. In the example embodiment ofFIG. 3, the keys on the face of device10are positioned to be actuated by the thumbs of the user, however in various embodiments the device10may also have an integral or connectable keyboard of a smaller or larger size. In some example embodiments, alphanumeric keys164and space bar key166are arranged in a QWERTY-style or Dvorak-style keyboard having the plurality of alphanumeric keys164arranged in a plurality of rows across the face163of case162, with the elongate space bar key166centrally located below the last row of alphanumeric keys164. Alternative keyboard layouts and configurations are used in other embodiments of device10, and in some embodiments the key board may be replaced by or supplemented with other input mechanisms such as a stylus/touch screen combination, a touch pad, and/or voice activated input, for example. In the embodiment ofFIG. 2, the device10includes auxiliary I/O system28, which includes a rotate-able and push-able thumbwheel170. The display system22includes an LCD display72housed in casing162.

The operation of the personal electronic device10will now be discussed according to at least one example embodiment of the invention in which the flight mode module56assists a user in configuring the device10for operation in a “flight mode” and provides feedback to indicate that the device is or is not in the flight mode.FIG. 6shows a flow chart of a process600carried out by the device10under the instruction of flight mode module56. With reference to the flow chart ofFIG. 6, in example embodiments, the flight mode module56configures the microprocessor38to monitor for and detect the occurrence of one or more predetermined flight mode selection events that indicate that the device10is to be put into a flight mode (step602). As will be explained below, in various embodiments different flight mode selection events may be used to place the device10into flight mode. The following paragraphs set out example flight mode selection events according to some example embodiments of the invention.

With reference toFIGS. 3 and 6, in one example embodiment, flight mode initiation is triggered by user selection of an easily recognizable icon (step602-A). In such an embodiment, the device10includes an icon menu user input mode in which a visual user interface180on screen172displays a plurality of pictorial icons182. Icons182are each selectable to link to or launch an associated application or open an associated folder. Such icons may for example be used to select an E-mail manager application, a calendar application, a note pad application, and the like. Among the selectable icons is a clearly recognizable “flight mode” icon184which can be highlighted or focussed by a user through movement of an on-screen position indicator186, commonly referred to as a caret or cursor. In the embodiment ofFIG. 3, the on-screen position indicator186is moved through the icon menu items184by rotating the scroll wheel170. When an icon menu item is highlighted or focussed by the on-screen indicator186, clicking on or depressing the scroll key170results in selection of the focussed item.

According to example embodiments, selection of the easily recognizable flight mode icon184is recognized by the microprocessor38as a predetermined flight mode initiation event, thereby starting the flight mode process400. In an example embodiment, the flight mode icon includes a pictorial that will generally be universally understood by device users as indicating a flight mode, regardless of the languages understood by the users. For example, the flight mode icon184in the illustrated example includes the silhouette of an aircraft. It will be appreciated that various user input mechanisms for selecting icons can be used in various embodiments, including for example touch screen and touch pad and voice activated input mechanisms, among others.

In some example embodiments, flight mode is initiated by activation of a specialized key on keyboard32(step602-B). For example, as shown inFIG. 3, the keyboard32can include a specialized flight mode key198which when pressed signals to microprocessor38that flight mode has been selected. In the illustrated example, the flight mode key198includes a pictorial representation of an aircraft to aid in easily and universal recognition of the key. In some embodiments, a combination of keys may need to be activated simultaneously and/or sequentially to initiate flight mode on the device10. For example, the shift or alt or other key may need to be pressed in combination with flight mode key198in order to put the device10into flight mode.

With reference toFIG. 4, in another example embodiment, the device10is programmed to present a configuration or settings menu188, which may be a drop down menu that is reached through a “settings/control panel” button or icon in user interface180. The settings menu includes a list of configurable device settings, among which is included a flight mode option116. When a user scrolls through the items of menu118and selects the flight mode option116, it signals to the microprocessor38that flight mode initiation has occurred (step602-C).

In another example embodiment, the device10includes a start-up or login option that can be selected by the user to configure the device into flight mode. For example, with reference toFIG. 5, the login window192includes a flight mode option line194so that the user is prompted to select or deselect flight mode when starting up or logging on to the device10. If flight mode is selected (by selecting the “Y” (Yes) box inFIG. 5) then it signals to the microprocessor38that flight mode initiation has occurred (step602-D).

In some example embodiments, the device10is configured such that more than one type of event can be used to put the device in flight mode. For example, in an example embodiment, the device10is configured such that the user is able to select flight mode icon184, or press a designated key176, or select the flight mode option190from menu188, or check the flight mode option194on login window192, and any of these actions put the device10into flight mode.

In example embodiments, once the device10has been placed into flight mode, it stays in flight mode until the user takes explicit action to de-select or turn off the flight mode. Thus, as indicated in step603, the flight mode status is stored in persistent memory of the device10such that on device power up a previous selection event placing the device10in flight mode is remembered when step202is performed. Such a feature permits a user to put the device10into flight mode prior to or just after boarding aircraft, then power down for aircraft take-off, and have the device10remain in flight mode when the powering back up after take-off.

Once flight mode has been selected, as indicated in step604, all device subsystems (including all device peripherals) are configured as required are performed so that the device10complies with the in-flight operating requirements for personal electronic devices. In an example embodiment, during installation of the flight mode module on the device10, a set-up process is executed during which all device subsystems that need to be re-configured or altered for the flight mode are stored in persistent memory a flight mode list210, along with the required configuration action. The flight mode list210is consulted during flight mode configuration step604and such that all subsystems in the list210are configured or modified accordingly so that the device10can operate in a flight mode in which it conforms to all predetermined requirements for personal electronic devices on aircraft during normal flight. As indicated in step605, if the device10is equipped with a communications subsystem11for a long range wireless network50, the communications subsystem is shut off so as to disable RF transmitter12. As indicated in step606, if the device10is equipped with a short range RF communications system40such as a wireless LAN, then such system is shut off so as to disable short range RF transmitter46. As indicated in step608, if the device10is equipped with a clock running at a clock speed exceeding that permitted for a personal electronic device on a commercial aircraft, then the clock speed is reduced to fall below a range that may cause RF interference. Other device subsystems may also be adjusted.

As indicated in step610, in at least some example embodiments, the flight mode module56configures the microprocessor38to turn on a prominent and easy to understand flight mode indicator once the device10has been placed into flight mode. With reference to step610-A andFIG. 3, in one example embodiment, the display screen172of the device displays an electronic image204of an aircraft, which could be flashing, in a status bar202area of the display, thereby providing a visible feedback that the device is in a flight mode. The use of an aircraft image provides an indicator that can be universally understood regardless of language. With reference to step610-B andFIG. 3, in another example embodiment, in place of or in addition to displayed image204, a light such as an LED206is provided on the device casing162for indicating when the device is in flight mode. The LED could, for example, be blue in flight mode to indicate that the device is safe to be used, and could be located next to, or under, a printed and/or embossed image208of an aircraft on the casing162. The light could be off when not in flight mode, or could be a different color, for example “red”, and then turn on or change color when flight mode is entered. The use of an obvious flight mode indicator is beneficial not only for providing feedback to the user, but also for providing feedback to aircraft crew who may want to check the personal electronic devices of passengers to ensure that they are in flight mode.

Thus, the flight mode module56and method600provide a system in which the user of the device can cause the device to enter flight mode by selecting from easily understood visual images and/or text that is/are presented in a fashion easily understood by the user. Once the user selects flight mode, all steps necessary to make the device conform to normal in-flight requirements are automatically executed, and an easily identifiable flight mode indicator is presented to the user (or flight crew).

As noted above, in example embodiments, once in flight mode the device10will stay that way until the user takes positive steps to return to a normal operating mode. In this regard,FIG. 7shows a method700for exiting flight mode and returning to a normal non-flight mode. In method700, the microprocessor38monitors for de-selection of flight mode (step702). A user can de-select flight mode in a manner similar to which it was selected in the first place, for example by selecting an icon from interface182, a menu item from settings menu188, or the no (N) flight mode setting in login window192, or repressing flight mode key198. Once flight mode is de-selected, the new flight mode status (off) is stored (step703), the operating characteristics of the device10are restored to their previous non-flight mode conditions (step704), including for example reactivating the wireless network communications subsystem11(step705), reactivating the short range communication subsystem40(step706) and increasing the clock speed (step708). The flight mode indicator is also turned off (step710). In one example embodiment, an audible alarm is sounded (step712) either before, after and/or during reconfiguration step704to indicate that flight mode has been exited. Such alarm can be used to help notify the device user and/or the aircraft flight crew of the de-selected flight mode status.

Referring again toFIG. 1, in yet another example embodiment of the invention, the personal electronic devices10are configured to enter flight mode when device10receives a predetermined radio signal. In such embodiments, the aircraft5includes a special aircraft control unit (CU) transmitter200under the control of the aircraft flight crew for transmitting a flight mode initiation RF signal to the personal electronic devices10that are located with the cabin and cargo areas of the aircraft5. Upon receipt of the predetermined signal, each receiving device10is configured into its flight mode. In various embodiments, the flight mode initiation RF signal may be a signal that is intended for receipt by communications subsystem11of devices10, and in some embodiments, it may be a signal intended for receipt by short range communications subsystem40of devices10. In some embodiments, the aircraft control unit200may transmit a variety of different RF signals in order to be compatible with different types of devices10. In some embodiments, infra-red signals may be used in place of or in addition to RF signals.

In some embodiments, the aircraft control unit200transmits a first predetermined signal to indicate that the aircraft5is in normal flight (“normal flight” signal) and that flight mode operation of devices10is permitted, and a second predetermined signal (“takeoff/landing” signal) to indicate that the aircraft5is taking off or landing or in a state of emergency (the time period when all personal electronic devices10should be turned off). The “normal flight” signal may be transmitted continuously during normal flight durations when flight mode operation is permitted, or may be transmitted periodically at set intervals, or may just be transmitted at the start of normal flight durations, in various embodiments. Similarly, the “takeoff/landing” signal could be transmitted continuously during takeoff/landing/emergency durations, or may be transmitted periodically during such durations, or may just be transmitted at the start of takeoff/landing/emergency durations in various embodiments.

In one embodiment, when the “takeoff/landing” signal is transmitted, the device10is configured to automatically shut off. When the “normal flight” signal is transmitted, the device10is placed into flight mode. In some embodiments once a “takeoff/landing” signal is received from aircraft200, the device is placed into flight mode and shut off. The device will immediately power down again if powered up when the “takeoff/landing” signal is still being received, but will power up in flight mode if the takeoff/landing signal is no longer being received. The “normal flight” signal can be transmitted during flight to put any personal electronic devices10that were off during the initial “takeoff/landing” signal into flight mode. Once the aircraft has landed, the user can manually return to normal mode as using the de-selection methods discussed above.

Thus, in one example embodiment in which an aircraft control unit is used to transmit a “takeoff/landing” signal and a “normal flight” signal, the method used by device10for handing the “normal fight” signal would be similar to that shown in method600ofFIG. 6, with the “normal flight” signal functioning as a flight mode selection event. The “takeoff/landing” signal would also function as a flight mode selection event, however would have the added feature of triggering a device shutdown. Thus, as shown in steps802,803and804of method800ofFIG. 8, upon detection of a “takeoff/landing” signal, the device10would store the flight mode status in persistent memory and then power down. When the device10was subsequently powered up, the positive flight mode selection is recalled in step602of method600, and the device subsystems configured according to the flight mode list210. In some embodiments, the device subsystems could be re-configured prior to device shut down alternatively or as well.

The aircraft control unit200could have a configuration similar to that shown inFIG. 2, among other possible configurations, could be a handheld or other portable unit, or could be a stationary unit integrated into the aircraft5.

In some embodiments, other indicators could be used to indicate that a device10is in a flight mode. By way of example,FIG. 9shows personal electronic device10having a configuration similar to that of cell-phone type device that has some processor based functionality. In such a telephone enabled device in an example embodiment dialling a predetermined number, for example “333” on numerical keypad32would return a textual “flight safe” message220on the device screen172when the device was in flight mode. In some example embodiments, entry of a predetermined word or phrase by a person such as a flight crew member would return a textual “flight safe” message220on the device screen172when the device was in flight mode.

In one configuration, the device10includes an auxiliary input device28that measures air pressure and inputs a signal representative of air pressure to microprocessor38. In such configuration, the flight mode module56is configured to monitor the measured air pressure to detect if a change in air pressure occurs that is indicative of aircraft takeoff, and if so sound an alarm if the device is not in flight safe mode. Sudden changes in air pressure, for example drop in air pressure in excess of a predetermined threshold within a predetermined time interval is interpreted by flight mode module56as indicative of aircraft takeoff in one example embodiment. In another example, a simple drop in air pressure below a predetermined threshold is interpreted by flight mode module56as indicative of aircraft takeoff in one example embodiment. In one configuration, the device is automatically put into flight safe by the flight mode module56upon detecting a change in air pressure occurs that is indicative of aircraft takeoff, and a visual and/or audible indication provided that the device10has switched into flight safe mode.

The above-described embodiments of the present invention are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to the particular embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims appended hereto.