Abstract:
The cockpit access protection system relies upon pass codes for an aircraft and utilizes the galley area as a security area to verify a person&#39;s identity before allowing access to the cockpit. The system includes normal operation to insure that unauthorized personnel do not gain access to the cockpit. Upon breach of security, the cockpit door is automatically locked by personnel on the ground. A false signal of security breach can be overcome by an authorized flight crew member communicating with ground control upon verification that the report of a false security breach is not made under duress. The system also allows emergency access to the cockpit in the event of a medical or other similar emergency. The method of operating such system is also unique.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The invention relates to a system for preventing unauthorized access to airplane cockpits.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Safety of airplane crew and passengers often depends on preventing unauthorized access to the airplane cockpit. Presently, only a weak cockpit door separates the cockpit from the remainder of the aircraft. Preventing unauthorized personnel from gaining control of the cockpit prevents control of the aircraft from being turned over to unauthorized personnel.  
           [0003]    The prior art discloses several methods for preventing unauthorized access. U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,644 (Diaz) discloses a control chamber security system having first and second doors defining an access control vestibule. Magnetic locks are provided on the doors and are controlled by a control panel. A video camera monitors the vestibule.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,828 (Benore et al.) discloses an electronic security system having a lock system controlling access to a plurality of enclosures. The lock mechanism has a specific access code allowing opening and closing of the locks on the door to each enclosure.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,704,845 (Ord) discloses an airplane hijacking prevention system preventing access to a cockpit by a door which can be opened only from the cockpit.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The cockpit access protection system relies upon pass codes for an aircraft and utilizes the galley area as a security area to verify a person&#39;s identity before allowing access to the cockpit. The system includes normal operation to insure that unauthorized personnel do not gain access to the cockpit. Upon breach of security, the cockpit door is automatically blocked by a signal transmission from the ground. When this occurs, all codes for access to other planes are reset. A false signal of security breach can be overcome by an authorized flight crew member communicating with ground control upon verification that the report of a false security breach is not made under duress. The system also allows emergency access to the cockpit in the event of a medical or other similar emergency.  
           [0007]    An aircraft cockpit security system has an aircraft cockpit, the cockpit having a cockpit door to grant access to the cockpit and a lock. A control center, remote from the aircraft cockpit, may be able to lock the cockpit door.  
           [0008]    A system for securing a cockpit includes providing a cockpit door to block access to the cockpit and a galley door to form a galley. The galley may be located between the cockpit and the remaining portion of the aircraft. An indicator may be placed on the galley door to signal when the galley door is locked. Authorized personnel are allowed into said cockpit and the cockpit door is locked.  
           [0009]    It is an object of the invention to provide a system for preventing non-flight personnel from entering the cockpit. It is another object of the invention to provide a cockpit security system that may be installed on any new or existing aircraft.  
           [0010]    It is yet another object of the invention to enable pilots and other flight personnel to have use of the galley area of an aircraft under normal operating conditions.  
           [0011]    It is still another object of the invention to provide pilots with a monitor to view activities outside the cockpit.  
           [0012]    It is still another object of the invention to provide ground control with the ultimate authority to control cockpit access.  
           [0013]    It is yet another object of the invention to allow for cockpit intervention by use of a security code in pilot medical emergencies or other similar hazardous situations.  
           [0014]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide a system that operates to insure against human error, poor judgement, or human intervention actions driven by compassion.  
           [0015]    These and other objects of the invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading the disclosure of the invention.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a view of the components of the invention; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the components of the system within a plane cockpit and galley. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]    With reference to FIG. 1, a remote computer  10  is depicted. This remote computer may be located on the ground, preferably in a highly secure area of FAA ground control. The remote computer communicates with the cockpit access protection system (CAPS) on an aircraft  20 . The remote computer generates a concealed alphanumeric pass code unique for each aircraft. This code is communicated to authorize flight personnel to unlock the cockpit door in case of an emergency. A new code is generated for every flight when CAPS is activated and changes immediately upon a security breach on any other aircraft utilizing CAPS.  
         [0019]    In the event of a security breach, the remote computer scrambles all pass codes for activated aircraft and sends a signal to the system aboard the aircraft experiencing the security breach to lock the cockpit door. Pilots on the aircraft experiencing the security breach cannot open the cockpit until ground control determines that it is safe to do so, or upon deactivation of CAPS. The CAP system may be located in the forward section  25  of the aircraft. The components comprising the CAP system are shown in FIG. 2. The forward end of the cockpit  25  is made from the cockpit  30  and galley area  40 . A network node  36  may be located within the cockpit  30 . The node communicates with and receives instructions from the remote computer located on the ground. The network node also receives the concealed alphanumeric pass code from the remote computer.  
         [0020]    A reinforced cockpit door  38  separates the cockpit  30  from the galley area  40 .  
         [0021]    Also, a galley door  44  having a locked/unlocked indicator light separates the galley area  40  from the passenger seating area. A main cabin door  41  provides an entrance and exit way between the galley and the exterior of the aircraft.  
         [0022]    Sensors  42  are located on the main cabin door  41  and the galley door  44 . The sensors on the main cabin door send the signal to the remote computer to activate CAPS when closed before departure and to deactivate CAPS upon arrival. The sensors on the galley door sends signals to the network node indicating whether the galley door is open or closed. The galley door  44  prevents access from the passenger area and allows the cockpit crew to use the facilities in the galley. When the cockpit door is open, the galley door remains closed and locked. The unlocked/locked indicator light shows crew members when the galley door is locked or unlocked.  
         [0023]    A keypad  46  having a CAPS light may be located on the bulkhead of the galley next to the cockpit door  38 . The indicator light shows crew members when CAPS is activated or deactivated. The keypad is used by the flight crew to log on to the flight by entering individual social security numbers or other identification numbers. The flight crew must successfully log on before CAPS is activated. The keypad unlocks the cockpit door in case of a pilot or medical emergency or other hazardous situation as will be described later. A two-way radio  48  is also located in the galley. The two-way radio is installed near the keypad and is used for voice communication between the aircraft and ground control.  
         [0024]    A camera  34  connected to monitor  32  within the cockpit allows pilots to view events occurring outside the cockpit to visually determine if any potential safety issues exist. During a security breach, the camera records and sends a live video feed to a monitor at ground control.  
         [0025]    With the components of the system described, the operation of the system will now be detailed.  
         [0026]    After loading of the passengers and before departure of the flight, the CAPS is activated. Upon entering the aircraft, the flight personnel log on to the flight by entering an identification number, such as a social security number or an employee ID on the keypad. The information is sent to the central processor unit for the specific airline. The numbers entered by the flight crew are verified against the personnel schedule to work that particular flight. The flight captain completes the standard departure checklist and the main cabin door is closed. The sensor on the main cabin door triggers the network node  36  to send a signal to the remote computer  10 . The remote computer  10  scrambles the existing pass codes for that aircraft and then generates and files a new, encrypted pass code. At this point, the remote computer activates CAPS for the aircraft.  
         [0027]    During flight, the pilot views the monitor  32  to insure that the galley area  40  is clear and contacts the flight attendant to secure the galley door  44 . Once the galley door  44  is closed and locked, sensors on the galley door send a signal to the node  36  indicating the locked condition. Also, a light facing out to the passenger compartment turns red to indicate the locked position. The red light facing the passenger compartment turns to green to indicate an unlocked door. The pilot then may open the cockpit door  38 . After exiting, the cockpit door is locked and closed. Once in the galley area  40 , the pilot is free to use the facilities in the galley. When the pilot wishes to return to the cockpit, the pilot notifies the copilot within the cockpit. The co-pilot inside the cockpit views the cockpit monitor  32  to insure that the galley area  40  is secure. The copilot releases the lock on the cockpit door  38  and the pilot in the galley  40  enters the cockpit  30  and closes the cockpit door  38 . The cockpit door  38  automatically locks. The pilot signals a flight attendant that it is now safe to open the galley door  44 . When opened, sensors  42  on the galley door  44  send a signal to the node  36  indicating the open condition of the galley door  44 .  
         [0028]    Upon a security breach, the remote computer  10  scrambles all pass codes for CAPS activated aircraft. Also, the remote computer  10  sends a signal to the node  36  located on the aircraft experiencing the security breach of a locked cockpit. Security breach can occur under such conditions as the galley door  44  and cockpit door  38  being opened simultaneously. Pilots on the aircraft experiencing a security breach cannot open the cockpit until the ground control determines that it is safe to do so or upon deactivation of CAPS.  
         [0029]    In the event of a false security breach, an authorized flight personnel contacts ground control through the two-way radio  48 . The crew member must explain the events causing the false security breach and request that the auto-lock of the cockpit door  38  be released. Ground control must verify that the individual is both authorized and not acting under duress. Ground control is able to view the galley area through the video feed of the camera  34 . Ground control must complete a checklist to verify that no security threat exists before releasing the auto-lock of the cockpit door  38 . Only ground control can release the auto-lock on the cockpit door that is initiated by a security breach.  
         [0030]    There is a mechanism for emergency access to a cockpit. This procedure is conducted only when there is an emergency situation putting the pilots in a potentially hazardous situation or when the connection between the aircraft node  36  and remote computer  10  is broken and for that reason the auto-lock on the cockpit door  38  cannot be overridden. For the emergency access, an authorized crew member contacts ground control to alert ground personnel of the situation and request the pass code. Ground control must verify that the individual is authorized and not acting under duress. Upon doing so, ground control provides a pass code to the authorized crew member. The crew member enters the pass code onto the keypad  46  allowing the crew member to open the cockpit door and to remedy the emergency situation. When an emergency condition occurs, all codes of all other aircraft are automatically reset.  
         [0031]    Upon arrival, CAPS is deactivated by the captain completing a standard arrival checklist. When the main cabin door  41  opens, the sensors on the cabin door trigger to node  36  to send a signal to the remote computer. The nodes send the signal. This signal deactivates CAPS on the aircraft and the remote computer scrambles the existing pass code for the aircraft and deactivates CAPS for the aircraft.  
         [0032]    While the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment, variations and modifications would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the claims are to be liberally construed to encompass such modifications and variations.