Abstract:
A method includes selecting a first communications network from a plurality of communications networks based on one or more aircraft state inputs. The one or more aircraft state inputs include at least one of a flight phase, a flight event, an aircraft position, an aircraft trajectory, an aircraft state, and an aircraft distance from a ground station. The method further includes transmitting data over the first communication network. The method further includes selecting a second communications network from the plurality of communications networks based on a change in the one or more aircraft state inputs.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/835,864 (hereafter “the &#39;864 Application”), entitled “AIRCRAFT DATA LINK NETWORK ROUTING,” filed on Aug. 8, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,729,263. The &#39;864 Application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Flight phase measurements are already in common use in aircraft communication. A specific flight phase is often used to trigger certain communications messages. For example, many aircraft maintenance systems send their reports over an air-ground data link network when an aircraft is on final approach or immediately after touch-down. In addition, air-ground data links send information between an aircraft and air traffic control services when the aircraft is too far from an air traffic control tower to make voice radio communication and radar possible. For example, aircraft data link systems are used for long-distance flights operating over any substantial land and water routes. 
     Recurring costs of aircraft air-ground data link messages are significant. For example, message delivery rates (that is, upload and download speeds) vary considerably during certain flight phases between network service providers, the aircraft&#39;s location, and any applicable air-ground networks and sub-networks within the vicinity of the aircraft. Since connection rates for a specific air-ground network (sub-network) vary by service provider, any incremental improvement in network routing of the aircraft data links between various endpoints represents substantial cost benefits. 
     For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for improvements in aircraft data link network routing. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following specification discusses aircraft data link network routing in an avionics communications system. This summary is made by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding some aspects of one or more embodiments described in the following specification. 
     In one embodiment a method is provided. The method includes selecting a first communications network from a plurality of communications networks based on one or more aircraft state inputs. The one or more aircraft state inputs include at least one of a flight phase, a flight event, an aircraft position, an aircraft trajectory, an aircraft state, and an aircraft distance from a ground station. The method further includes transmitting data over the first communication network. The method further includes selecting a second communications network from the plurality of communications networks based on a change in the one or more aircraft state inputs. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages are better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an avionics communications system; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a message routing portion of an avionics communications system; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a network selection and management portion of an avionics communications system; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for aircraft data link network routing; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method for network selection and management in an avionics communications system. 
     
    
    
     The various described features are drawn to emphasize features relevant to the embodiments disclosed. Reference characters denote like elements throughout the figures and text of the specification. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention describe aircraft data link network routing over various service provider networks through an aircraft communications management unit (CMU). In at least one embodiment, a plurality of wireless networks covering local, metropolitan and wide-area (collectively, of global or continental scales) are used based on an expanded set of programmable message routing rules to select the appropriate network(s) at any given time. The network routing discussed here provides appropriate data link services based on network availability and application needs to various aircraft data link applications. Moreover, message routing and network selections are based on current aircraft states and flight phases. 
     As discussed in further detail below, the message routing and network selection rules are separate from specific networking protocol interfaces. The programmable rules can be customized to meet individual customer requirements of (for example) commercial airlines or aircraft manufacturers, as further described below. In addition, the network routing discussed here provides an application framework that is independent of any present (or future) networking protocol architecture, including any bandwidth efficient (that is, non-spread spectrum) wireless communications networks, as further discussed below. 
     In one implementation, a message routing function block provides a uniform service interface to converging data link applications attempting to communicate over the plurality of wireless networks. Any specific data link application requests are analyzed and the message routing rules are defined based on network availability. A network selection and management function block monitors and selects the various wireless networks and sub-networks for the service interface of the message routing function block. The network selection and management function block analyzes various aircraft state inputs and applies the message routing and network selection rules. The network routing discussed here combines information about network availability, user preferences (as specified in the programmable message routing and network selection rules), and the various data link application requirements to select preferred communications networks for any aircraft data link message routing. 
     Examples of applicable aircraft data link processing applications suitable for use with the network routing discussed here include, but are not limited to, flight management system (FMS) database information, avionics display data downloads, aircraft engine data, electronic flight bag (EFB) data, Quick Access data, Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) data, in-flight entertainment data, Aeronautical Operational Control (AOC) data, Air Traffic Control (ATC) data, Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN) data, and Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) data. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an avionics communications system  100 . The system  100  comprises a CMU  102  having a processing unit  104 . In the example embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the processing unit  104  is at least one of a programmable microprocessor, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a field-programmable object array (FPOA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a programmable logic device (PLD). Communicatively coupled to the processing unit  104  within the CMU  102  are a converged service interface  106  and a network adaptation interface  108 . The converged service interface  106  serves as an on-board routing function for data link messages to (from) the message processing applications  110 . In one implementation, the converged service interface  106  transfers the data link messages between the appropriate message processing applications  110 . Moreover, the converged service interface  106  translates between various data types of the message processing applications  110  for a plurality of routers (discussed below with respect to  FIG. 2 ) to establish connectivity between the aircraft and any requested endpoints. The network adaptation interface  108  provides network-specific adaptation functions to transmit specific application information over certain communications networks as further discussed below with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
     The system  100  further comprises message processing applications  110   1  to  110   K  communicatively coupled to the CMU  102 . It is understood that the system  100  is capable of accommodating any appropriate number of message processing applications  110  (for example, at least one message processing application  110 ) in a single system  100 . As further discussed below with respect to  FIG. 2 , the message processing applications  110   1  to  110   K  include, but are not limited to, an FMS, aircraft traffic services, an aircraft condition monitoring system, an EFB, and similar combinations of CMU-hosted message processing applications thereof. In addition, the system  100  comprises a plurality of network interfaces  112   1  to  112   K  communicatively coupled to the CMU  102 . It is understood that the system  100  is capable of accommodating any appropriate number of network interfaces  112  (for example, at least one network interface  112 ) in a single system  100 . As further discussed below with respect to  FIG. 2 , each of the network interfaces  112   1  to  112   K  are responsive to at least one wireless communications network including, but not limited to, a very high frequency (VHF) data link, a high frequency (HF) data link, a satellite communications (SATCOM) data link, a local area network (LAN) such as a Wi-Fi network, a wide area network (WAN) such as a cellular radio network, a metropolitan area network (MAN) such as a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) network, and similar bandwidth efficient wireless communications networks employing, among others, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)-based 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.16d, 802.16e networking protocols. 
     In operation, the processing unit  104  assigns at least one data link message routing service for a first message processing application  110  based on prescribed criteria (for example, from at least one set of programmable message routing rules). As a first communications network becomes available, the processing unit  104  selects a first message route on at least one of the network interfaces  112  from the assigned routing service. In one implementation, the processing unit  104  detects the available wireless communications networks from the plurality of bandwidth efficient communications networks supported by the CMU  102  that satisfy the prescribed criteria. Moreover, the processing unit  104  dynamically allocates any required bandwidth for the converged service interface  106  to support any communication endpoint requirements independent of data format and transport media for the data link network routing discussed here. 
     As instructed by the processing unit  104 , the at least one network interface  112  transfers data link messages for the first message processing application  110  on the first message route that satisfies the prescribed criteria. In one implementation, the processing unit  104  activates at least one network interface  112  to transfer each of the messages according to a set of programmable network selection rules. If network availability changes over a plurality of flight phases of the aircraft, the processing unit  104  reassigns the at least one data link message route to continue data link message transmissions to and from the aircraft based on the prescribed criteria for each of the message processing applications  110 . In one implementation, the processing unit  104  reassigns the first message route to select at least a second preferred network from the plurality of networks responsive to the network interfaces  112 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a message routing portion of an avionics communications system  200 , similar to the system  100  of  FIG. 1 . The message routing portion of the system shown in  FIG. 2  comprises the processing unit  104 , the network adaptation interface  108 , the message processing applications  110 , and the network interfaces  112 . The processing unit  104  further comprises a message routing function block  202  communicatively coupled to an ATN router  204 , an ACARS router  206  and an Internet Protocol (IP) router  208 . It is understood that additional routers for additional networking protocols are possible, and the network routing discussed here is not limited to any particular networking protocols. In at least one alternate implementation, the routers  204  to  208  form at least a portion of the processing unit  104 . 
     In the example embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the message routing function block  202  is further responsive to the message processing applications  110   1  to  110   5 . The message processing applications  110  comprise a flight management system  110   1 , aircraft traffic services  110   2 , an aircraft condition monitoring system  110   3 , an electronic flight bag (EFB)  110   4 , and a CMU-hosted message processing application  110   5 . As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1 , alternate message processing applications  110  are possible. The message routing function block  202  is further operable to receive a plurality of programmable message routing rules from the CMU  102 . As further discussed below with respect to  FIG. 3 , the message routing rules comprise network selection based on current aircraft equipment configurations, aircraft flight phase, current aircraft position and trajectory, message priority, network availability relative to other networks, relative cost of networks at a given point in time, and the like. 
     The routers  204  to  208  are further responsive to the network interfaces  112   1  to  112   6  through a plurality of adaptation and control blocks  212   1  to  212   6  of the network adaptation interface  108  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The network interfaces  112   1  to  112   6  comprise at least one of a VHF data link radio interface  112   1 , an HF data link radio interface  112   2 , a SATCOM data link radio interface  112   3 , a LAN interface  112   4 , a WAN interface  112   5 , and a MAN interface  112   6 . The adaptation and control blocks  212   1  to  212   6  include a VHF data link (VDL) radio adaptation and control block  212   1 , an HF data link (HDL) radio adaptation and control block  212   2 , a SATCOM data link radio adaptation and control block  212   3 , a LAN adaptation and control block  212   4 , a WAN adaptation and control block  212   5 , and a MAN adaptation and control block  212   6 . 
     In operation, the messaging routing rules from the CMU  102  are analyzed by the message routing function block  202 . As data link messages from the message processing applications  110  are received in the message routing function block  202 , the message routing function block  202  determines which of the routers  204  to  208  will transfer the message over the applicable network interface  112 . In the example embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the message routing rules from the CMU  102  are evaluated by the message routing function block  202  and each of the data link messages pass through the network adaptation interface  108  for any additional network selection adaptation functions that may be required to complete the data link transmission, as further discussed below with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a network selection and management portion of an avionics communications system  300 , similar to the system  100  of  FIG. 1 . The network selection and management portion of the system shown in  FIG. 3  comprises the processing unit  104 , the network interfaces  112 , and the adaptation and control blocks  212   1  to  212   6  of the network adaptation interface  108 . The processing unit  104  further comprises a network selection and management function block  302  responsive to the message routing function block  202  of  FIG. 2 . In the example embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the network selection and management function block  302  is operable to receive a plurality of aircraft state inputs based on a current flight phase of an aircraft hosting the system  100 , as further described below with respect to  FIG. 5 . In one implementation, the plurality of aircraft state inputs comprise aircraft flight phase, aircraft location, network access level, message priority level, and the like. 
     In operation, each of the adaptation and control blocks  212  route aircraft data link messages through a preferred network interface  112  based on the programmable message routing and network selection rules managed by the network selection and management function block  302 . The network selection and management function block  302  monitors and controls the network interfaces  112  based on message routing decisions provided by the message routing function block  202  and on the aircraft state inputs received from the CMU  102 . As illustrated in Tables 1 to 3 below, the network selection and management function block  302  selects the appropriate network based on the aircraft state inputs and informs the appropriate adaptation and control blocks  212   1  to  212   6  to perform the necessary additional network selection adaptation functions to complete the data link transmission through the appropriate network interfaces  112   1  to  112   6 . For example, the WiMAX adaptation and control block  212   6  will format an ACARS message to be transmitted as an IP message by the WiMAX network interface  112   6 . 
     Aircraft State Inputs 
     A partial listing of aircraft state inputs from the CMU  102 , including examples, appears below with respect to Table 1. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Aircraft State Inputs 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Aircraft State 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Inputs 
                 Examples 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Flight Phase 
                 Pre-flight; Climb; Cruise; Descent; 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Takeoff; Approach; Go-Around and Done 
               
               
                   
                 Flight Event 
                 Out; Off; On and In (OOOI) 
               
               
                   
                 Aircraft Position 
                 latitude; longitude; mapping coordinates 
               
               
                   
                 and Trajectory 
               
               
                   
                 Aircraft State 
                 Derived from on-board sensors, including 
               
               
                   
                   
                 but not limited to, strut switch/weight- 
               
               
                   
                   
                 on-wheels; parking brake; engine speed; 
               
               
                   
                   
                 engine oil pressure; air speed; ground 
               
               
                   
                   
                 speed; radio altimeter altitude; 
               
               
                   
                   
                 barometric altitude 
               
               
                   
                 Aircraft distance 
                 Distance to an ACARS VDL ground station; 
               
               
                   
                 from specific 
                 Distance to WiMAX or Wi-Fi access points 
               
               
                   
                 ground stations 
               
               
                   
                 Application 
                 ACARS High Availability; ATN ATC 
               
               
                   
                 Network Type 
                 communications; IP High Availability 
               
               
                   
                 Network Access 
                 ACARS Low Cost; ACARS Low Latency; 
               
               
                   
                 Level and 
                 IP Low Cost 
               
               
                   
                 Relative Cost 
               
               
                   
                 Message 
                 High, Urgent, Low 
               
               
                   
                 Priority Level 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     As provided by Table 1 above, each of the aircraft state inputs are evaluated along with the network selection rules and the programmable message routing rules to route each of the data link messages to the proper network. The routing rules are evaluated dynamically as aircraft state inputs are updated by the CMU  102 . It is understood that the aircraft state inputs presented here are not meant to be an exhaustive listing and that any aircraft state input that may affect aircraft data link message routing can be used. In one implementation, the flight phase and the flight event inputs are adapted from Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC) and ATC standards. 
     Programmable Message Routing and Network Selection Rules 
     A partial listing of programmable message routing rules from the CMU  102 , including examples, appears below with respect to Table 2. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Programmable Message Routing Rules 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Message Routing Rules 
                 Examples 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Application 1, type 1 messages can 
                 High priority 
               
               
                 use any ACARS or IP sub-network 
                 AOC messages 
               
               
                 Application 1, type 2 messages can 
                 Moderate priority 
               
               
                 only use ACARS VHF or IP 
                 AOC messages 
               
               
                 Application 1, type 3 are held until 
                 Low priority 
               
               
                 Wi-Fi network detected 
                 AOC messages 
               
               
                 Application 2, type 1 messages use 
                 ATN ATC messages 
               
               
                 ATN network, VHF sub-network only 
               
               
                 Application 2, type 2 messages use ACARS 
                 FANS messages 
               
               
                 network, VHF or SATCOM sub-networks only 
               
               
                 Application 3, all types of messages can use 
                 External user of 
               
               
                 ACARS or IP networks and any sub-network 
                 converged 
               
               
                   
                 network service(s) 
               
               
                 Application 4, all types of messages can use 
                 External ACARS 
               
               
                 ACARS network and any ACARS sub-network 
                 application(s) 
               
               
                 Application 5, type 1 messages can use 
                 High priority 
               
               
                 any IP sub-network 
                 EFB messages 
               
               
                 Application 5, type 2 messages can use 
                 Low priority 
               
               
                 only low cost IP sub-networks 
                 EFB messages 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     As provided by Table 2 above, each of the programmable message routing rules are evaluated dynamically as aircraft state inputs are updated by the CMU  102 . It is understood that the message routing rules presented here are not meant to be an exhaustive listing and that any programmable message routing rules can be used. For example, the programmable message routing rules illustrated in Table 2 apply to routing applications that implement AOC and Future Air Navigation System (FANS) messaging standards. In order to route the data link messages using programmable message routing rules described above in Table 2, the system  300  actively manages the network (protocol) stacks and sub-networks in the network selection and management function block  302 . The network selection and management function block  302  uses the programmable network selection rules that are also executed dynamically as aircraft and network state changes. Examples of network selection rules are shown below with respect to Table 3. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Programmable Network Selection Rules 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Network Selection Rules 
                 Examples 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Selection based on network 
                 Activate ACARS VHF sub-networks 
               
               
                 types supported by aircraft 
                 always using existing network 
               
               
                   
                 selection rules 
               
               
                 Selection based on current 
                 Activate ACARS SATCOM sub-network 
               
               
                 aircraft state AND other 
                 in (OOOI state OFF) OR (when 
               
               
                 network availability 
                 no other ACARS sub-network 
               
               
                   
                 is available) 
               
               
                 Selection based on aircraft 
                 Activate Wi-Fi when OOOI state 
               
               
                 flight phase 
                 is IN 
               
               
                 Selection based on aircraft 
                 (Activate WiMAX when flight 
               
               
                 flight phase AND other 
                 phase IS NOT Cruise) AND (Wi-Fi 
               
               
                 network availability 
                 is not available) 
               
               
                 Selection based on aircraft 
                 (Activate Cellular WAN when 
               
               
                 flight phase AND other 
                 OOOI state is IN) AND (Wi-Fi 
               
               
                 network availability 
                 is not available) AND (WiMAX 
               
               
                   
                 is not available) 
               
               
                 Selection based on aircraft 
                 Deactivate WiMAX during a Cruise 
               
               
                 flight phase 
                 flight phase 
               
               
                 Selection based on aircraft 
                 (Activate WiMAX when flight phase 
               
               
                 flight phase AND selection 
                 is Descent) AND (within 15 miles 
               
               
                 based on current aircraft 
                 of destination airport) 
               
               
                 position and trajectory 
               
               
                 Selection based on current 
                 Activate ATN in an airspace defined 
               
               
                 aircraft position and 
                 by latitude/longitude region 
               
               
                 trajectory 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     It is understood that the network selection rules of Table 3 are not meant to be an exhaustive listing and that any programmable network selection rules can be used. The programmable network selection rules within the scope of user data link messages can be refined by the customer and loaded in the CMU  102  independent of software that implements the network protocols. In one implementation, each set of the programmable message routing and network selection rules form at least a portion of a customizable feature set of known aircraft communications management systems. The programmable message routing and network selection rule sets that pertain to specific air traffic services can also be loaded independently of the operational software in the CMU  102 , but would be controlled by standard aircraft certification processes. 
       FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating a method  400  for routing aircraft data link messages over a plurality of wireless communications networks. The method  400  addresses providing appropriate data link services based on network availability and application needs to the various on-board aircraft message routing applications discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1 to 3 . The method  400  routes the appropriate data link services over the plurality of wireless communications networks, including the bandwidth efficient wireless networks discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1 to 3 . 
     The method of  FIG. 4  assigns at least one data link message routing service for an aircraft having a first message processing application based on prescribed criteria at block  402 . In one implementation, the at least one data link message routing service receives instructions from a set of programmable message routing rules and a set of network selection rules (similar to the rules discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 1 to 3 ) as the prescribed criteria. Moreover, the method of  FIG. 4  incorporates each set of the message routing rules and the network selection rules as functions of a CMU of the aircraft. 
     If a first (that is, a preferred) communications network is available at block  404 , the method  400  selects a first message route from the assigned routing service at block  406  for the preferred network based on at least one aircraft state input. The method  400  detects available networks from the plurality of bandwidth-efficient wireless communications networks that satisfy the prescribed criteria defined in block  402 . In one implementation, the method  400  translates at least one data type of the first message processing application for at least one router to establish connectivity between the aircraft and any requested endpoints using the first message route. Moveover, the method  400  uses a converged service interface to dynamically allocate any required bandwidth for at least the first message route. 
     While the preferred network is available, the method  400  transmits each of the data link messages on the first message route that satisfies the prescribed criteria at block  410 . When the prescribed criteria changes over a plurality of flight phases of the aircraft (block  408 ), the method  400  reassigns the at least one data link message route at block  402  to least one second preferred network selected from the plurality of bandwidth-efficient wireless communications networks. The reassigned data link message route continues data link message transmissions to and from the aircraft based on the latest prescribed criteria. For example, when the preferred network changes over the plurality of flight phases of the aircraft, one or more network application interfaces are activated (deactivated) as discussed below with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method  500  for network selection and management in an avionics communications system. The method  500  manages the various network application interfaces discussed above with respect to  FIG. 4  based on network availability and application service needs (for example, current aircraft states). The method of  FIG. 5  periodically evaluates at least one aircraft state at block  502 . If the at least one aircraft state has changed since a previous evaluation (block  504 ), each of the programmable network selection rules (for example, network selection rules 1 to N) are individually evaluated at blocks  506   1  to  506   N . Periodic monitoring of the programmable network selection rules ensures that the prescribed message routing criteria in a network selection and management function block (for example, the network selection and management function block  302 ) continue to be satisfied. In one implementation, a current network interface (for example, the network interfaces  112   1  to  112   K ) is activated (deactivated) at blocks  508   1  to  508   N  based on the programmable rule under evaluation. The method of  FIG. 5  resumes after a prescribed time period elapses at block  510 . 
     The methods and techniques described herein may be implemented in a combination of digital electronic circuitry and software residing in a programmable processor (for example, a special-purpose processor, or a general-purpose processor in a computer). An apparatus embodying these techniques may include appropriate input and output devices, a programmable processor, and a storage medium tangibly embodying program instructions for execution by the programmable processor. A process embodying these techniques may be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions that operates on input data and generates appropriate output data. The techniques may be implemented in one or more programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from (and to transmit data and instructions to) a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from at least one of a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). 
     Storage media suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, and include by way of example, semiconductor memory devices; ROM and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; optical disks such as compact disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs), and other computer-readable media. Any of the foregoing may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, a specially-designed ASIC. When information is transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views the connection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media. 
     This description has been presented for purposes of illustration, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Variations and modifications may occur, which fall within the scope of the following claims.