Abstract:
A flight data service subscription system allows personnel to subscribe to flight data services using an electronic devices such as a multifunctional display (MFD) onboard an aircraft. The MFD is used to select regional areas of coverage and generate requests for subscriptions to flight data services. Flight data application software running on the MFD manages flight data and the subscription requests. A server operated by a flight data service provider receives the subscription requests from the MFD and dispatches flight data responsive to the requests for the selected region. A wireless local area network on the ground transfers flight data and subscription requests between the MFD and the flight data subscription server.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure generally relates to the ordering, delivery, and installation of flight data in cockpit devices for aircraft, and deal more particularly with a system for subscribing to flight data services using the cockpit devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various electronic instruments and devices used in commercial aircraft utilize flight data obtained from and updated by a flight data service provider. Flight data may include a variety of information in varying formats, including, for example, navigation charts, weather data, airport information, routing, schedules and the like. Multi-functional displays (MFDs) and Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) are typical of electronic display systems intended primarily for cockpit/flightdeck or cabin use to display a variety of aviation data and perform basic calculations. Currently, according to FAA regulations, Class 1 and 2 EFBs are considered Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs), while Class 3 EFB systems are considered as installed equipment. 
     Presently, pilots may subscribe to flight data services either by making a telephone call request to the flight data service provider or by transmitting a request to an online web store hosted by the service provider. After the subscription is booked by the service provider&#39;s ERP (Enterprise Resources Planning) system, the pilot may download the data onto media using a PC and USB devices. The pilot may then transport the media to the cockpit, where it is used to install the flight data in MFDs or Tablet PCs, for example. The subscription process described above is not only time consuming, but requires the use of physical media that may be damaged in transport, rendering the media unusable for flight use. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a flight data subscription system that simplifies the subscription process and reduces reliance on the use of physical media. The present embodiment is intended to satisfy this need. 
     SUMMARY 
     Illustrated embodiments of the disclosure provide a flight data subscription system that allows flight crews to subscribe to desired flight data services from the cockpit/flightdeck or cabin of the aircraft. Flight data subscriptions and updates may be transferred directly from the service provider to onboard electronic devices without the need for physical storage media. The onboard electronic devices using the flight data are registered with the service provider so that the service provider can control the ordering and delivery of flight data and insure that the proper data is delivered only to a registered onboard device. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided for installing flight data into a cockpit device onboard an aircraft. The method comprises the steps of: transmitting a request for flight data from the aircraft to a local area network on the ground; transferring the request from the local area network to a flight data service provider; transmitting the flight data from the flight data service provider to the local area network; and, transmitting flight data to the cockpit device using the local area network. The local area network may comprise, for example, a wireless data link, such as one conforming to IEEE 802. The method further includes the step of selecting a geographic region to which the flight data pertains so that the request for flight data is restricted to the selected geographic region. The method may also include the steps of registering the cockpit device with the service provider, installing a flight data service software application on the registered cockpit device and using the software application to generate the request for flight data. The flight data service software application may be installed either by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the cockpit device, or by the OEM of the aircraft at the time the device is installed in the aircraft. 
     According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a method provides flight data subscriptions to aircraft comprising the steps of: registering a device onboard an aircraft with a flight data service provider; using the device to generate a request for flight data; transmitting the request to a local area network on the ground; forwarding the request from the local area network to the flight data service provider; transmitting, in response to the request for services, the requested flight data from the flight data service provider to the local area network; and, transmitting the requested flight data from the local area network to the device onboard the aircraft. The request for flight data may be transmitted to the service provider using the Internet, and the requested flight data may be transferred from the service provider to the local area network using Internet. 
     According to still another embodiment, a flight data service subscription system is provided, comprising: a device onboard the aircraft for displaying flight data and for generating a request for subscriptions to flight data services; flight data application software running on the device for managing flight data and flight data subscription requests; a flight data service server controlled by a flight data service provider for receiving subscription requests from the device and for dispatching flight data responsive to the requests; and, a wireless local area network on the ground for transferring flight data and subscription requests between the device and the flight data subscription server. The device may comprise a multifunctional cockpit display or a portable personal computer. The system may further include a ground based server connected with the local area network that is coupled with the flight data service server through the Internet. The local area network may include a wireless data link conforming to IEEE 802 that connects the device with the ground based server. The onboard device may include stored maps, means for recalling and displaying the maps, means for selecting regions of the maps for which flight data is desired, and means for generating subscription requests for flight data corresponding to the selected regions. 
     Other features, benefits and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the following description of embodiments, when viewed in accordance with the attached drawings and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS 
         FIG. 1  is a combined block and diagrammatic illustration of a flight data service subscription system. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan illustration of an MFD displaying a map used to select the subscription region. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing the steps used for installing the services activation manager software in an MFD onboard an aircraft. 
         FIGS. 4-6 , taken together, form a flow chart illustration of the steps used in authenticating customers, initiating flight data service requests and automatically downloading of data to an MFD. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , embodiments of the disclosure provide on-demand subscription activation for data services directly from electronic devices onboard an aircraft  38 , such as MFDs  22  or a Tablet PC  23 . The subscription to data services is provided by an information or data service provider  20 , where subscription activation and management, as well as data services are controlled by a server  46 . The service provider  20  hosts a website  29  that includes a website server  31  that can be accessed through the Internet  36  by a local server located at an airport or FBO (Fixed Base Operator)  34 . Server  44  is connected to a Local Area Network (LAN)  45  at the airport  34 . Transceivers  42  on the LAN  45  provide a wireless data link  40  to aircraft  38  at the airport  32 . The data link  40  may form part of a Wi-Fi, ground-based network at the airport  32 , which may conform, for example, to the IEEE 802.XX standard. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the MFD  22  may comprise any of several well known electronic displays that aid the crew on the flight deck of the aircraft  38  in reviewing flight data, such as chart information and performing calculations useful in navigating and piloting the aircraft  38 . The MFD  22  typically includes an electronic display  24 , a series of data entry keys  26 , and optionally, function keys  28 . In the example illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the display  24  shows a geographic map  30  in which the operator has selected a particular geographic region  32 , which, in this case, is an area that generally encompasses North America. The MFD  22  and Tablet PC  23  each may include a wireless radio transceiver which may connect directly to the LAN  45  through the Wi-Fi data link  40 . Alternatively, the MFD  22  and Tablet PC  23  may be coupled with an LAN (not shown) onboard the aircraft  38 , which in turn includes a transceiver that communicates via the data link  40  to the ground based LAN  45 . 
     In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, data services may be ordered directly from the MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23  onboard the aircraft  38  when the aircraft  38  is within transmission range of the LAN  45  at the airport  34 . As will described later in more detail, personnel onboard the aircraft  38  may order data services from the information service provider  20  for selected geographic regions. This is accomplished by the operator calling up a map  30  on the MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23 , and then selecting a region, such as the North American region  32  shown in  FIG. 2 , for which the pilot or navigator wishes to obtain flight information. This flight information will typically include, without limitation, navigational charts, airport information, weather information, scheduling data and similar types of data and information. For airport information, based on the region selected, a list of airports may be displayed from which the pilot or navigator will choose a particular airport. The request for data services for the selected region/information is transmitted via the data link  40  to the LAN  45  and is received by server  44 . Server  44  establishes a connection through the Internet  36  to the service provider&#39;s server  46 . Server  46  verifies that the requesting MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23  has a valid subscription for data services covering the region/information that has been selected, and downloads the requested flight data via the Internet  36  to server  44  which in turn transmits this information via data link  40  to the MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23 . 
     The MFD  22  and/or Tablet PC  23  is provided with Services Activation Manager (SAM) software  27  that allows the customer to activate subscriptions to coverages of interest, and to purchase either yearly, monthly or on a one time basis, flight data using the MFD and/or Tablet PC  23  while onboard the aircraft  38 . The SAM  27  can be loaded into the MFD  22  by the original equipment manufacturer  48  of the MFD  22 , before the MFD  22  is shipped to an aircraft OEM  50 . Alternatively, the aircraft OEM  50  may load the SAM  27  into the MFD and/or Tablet PC  23 . Finally, the owner/operator  52  of the aircraft  38  may load the MFD and/or Tablet PC  23  with the SAM  27 . The information service provider  20  may provide the SAM software  27  to the MFD OEM  48 , aircraft OEM  50  or aircraft operator  52  in any of various media/form, such as a CD, a flash memory card, and downloadable application from the website  29 . 
     Before the subscription is activated from the MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23 , the dealer that sold the aircraft or the customer (e.g. pilot/navigator) that had the MFD  22  installed after-market is required to create a profile in the server  46  through the service provider&#39;s website  29 . Alternatively, the profile data can be gathered over a phone call to the sales line of the Information Service Provider  20 . The details of the profile may include, without limitation, the login information; credit card numbers and associated details; and, the serial number of the MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23  or alternatively, the tail number of the aircraft in which the MFD/Tablet PC is installed. As previously indicated, the SAM application software  27  can be sent to the customers by the service provider  20  in a media suitable to the MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23 . The customer uses the media to load the SAM application  27  into the MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23 . Alternatively, the SAM application software  27  can be preloaded into the MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23  by the MFD OEM  48  or the aircraft OEM  50 . The  27  application software can also be downloaded from the website  29  and installed in the MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23 . 
     The SAM application  27  can be launched by the customer from a menu button on the MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23 . Upon launch, the  27  application automatically will read the Serial Number of the MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23 . If automatic reading of the Serial Number is not possible for a given hardware, then the user may touch screen or dial the characters into the SAM application  27 . When additional flight data services are offered by the service provider  20 , the SAM  27  resident on the MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23  can be updated via the Wi-Fi data link  40  as part of a handshake between the SAM  27  and the website server  31  using Internet  36  and the ground based LAN  45 . All messages sent by the SAM  27  running on the MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23  possess fields appropriate to each message type, including the type/model of MFD system, the Serial Number of the MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23 , SAM version number and sales catalog version number that is currently loaded into the MFD  22  (or Tablet PC). In this manner, the service provider&#39;s subscription/data server  46  can determine the specific services that need to be pushed to the MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23  for particular aircraft  38 . 
     As previously indicated, the data services pushed to the MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23  from server  46  extend only to the coverages requested by the customer or allowed for the type/model of MFD  22  or Tablet PC  23 . Thus, the data services pushed to the MFD  22  by server  46  will typically include a description, item number and the maximum geographic coordinates of the rectangular area under which the service is effective. It should be noted here that most currently available MFDs  22  and Tablet PCs include a built in zoom function that allows the selection of a specific geographic region, such as region  32  shown on map  30  in  FIG. 2 . Keys  26  can be used to type in specific characters as part of the selection process. Based on the type/model of MFD  22 , the SAM  27  resident on the MFD  22  may be preprogrammed with standard coverages (charts and NAV DATA service descriptions and item numbers, including VFR [Visual Flight Rule] coverages) that are offered as standard services from the service provider  20 . 
     The SAM  27  on the MFD  22  utilizes the coordinates of the rectangular region  32  selected by the customer on the MFD  22  and uses these coordinates to determine the list of chart and NAV DATA services that are available within the selected region. These services may be displayed as a list on the MFD  22 , allowing the customer to select one or more desired services. 
     For selected coverages, the SAM  27  may request that the customer choose a time frame for the selected subscription services, such as a yearly subscription, a monthly subscription, a number of updates, or a one time purchase, as well as the mode of payment. In response to these customer selections, the SAM  27  will connect to the service provider&#39;s server  46  and send the subscription request message which includes the MFD serial number, coverages selected, subscription type and payment mode. Upon receipt of this information by server  46 , the order is processed by the service provider  20 . 
     After the service provider  20  completes the order, a confirmation may be returned within a short interval by server  46  to the MFD  22 . This confirmation may include the total amount billed for the requested services and the corresponding available dates for the selective services. The SAM software  27  may display the result of the order processing on the MFD  22  and send an initial service request to the server  46  to receive and load on the MFD  22  the initial data set for the corresponding coverages whose available dates fall on or before the current date. Alternatively, the SAM  27  may display all the available coverages (rather than asking the customer to draw a rectangle) for a particular MFD system and then proceed with loading of the selected coverages. 
     The initial data set may be automatically pushed to the MFD  22  upon receipt of an initial service request from the SAM application  27 . This message may include the MFD serial number and the item numbers of coverages subscribed. 
     Since the SAM  27  knows the available date for each service revision, the SAM  27  may be programmed to send a revision service request on or after the available date, if the revision is yet to be received by the SAM  27  and if the MFD  22  comes into range of the data link  40  at the airport  34 . The message may include the MFD serial number and the item numbers of coverages subscribed for which the data set is available for download. Upon receipt of the revision service request by server  46 , the revision data sets will be automatically pushed to the MFD  22 . 
     In those applications where an aircraft  38  may be operated by several pilots within an aircraft operator organization, the SAM  27  may permit different users of the same MFD system to purchase and activate different flight data item numbers of interest by using the Login ID and Password mechanism (customer will either touch screen or dial the characters for the two fields) discussed below. Accordingly, users of the aircraft  30  can, using the SAM application  27 , view the active list of subscriptions (having corresponding item numbers) and the details that pertain to the particular MFD  22 . 
     Attention is now directed to  FIG. 3 , where the steps are shown for installing an MFD  22  in an aircraft cockpit running a SAM application  27 . In this example, the MFD  22  is installed by the aircraft OEM  50 . After starting the process at  54 , the first step  56  involves the aircraft OEM  50  placing an order with the information service provider  20  for delivery of the SAM application  27 . As shown at  58 , the aircraft OEM  50  provides the service provider  20  with the serial number of the MFD  22  in which the ordered SAM application  27  is to be installed. 
     At step  60 , the aircraft OEM  50  inputs additional details to the service provider&#39;s website  29 . This can be accomplished either by the service provider  20  or personnel at the aircraft OEM  50 , using a webpage. The information provided in step  60  includes, as shown at  62 , customer data such as name, address, email address, phone number, login ID/password, credit card information, etc. At step  64 , the customer details input information to the service provider&#39;s website  29 . This may be accomplished either by the service provider or OEM personnel through a webpage. At step  66 , the aircraft OEM receives the SAM application  27  from the service provider  20 , along with a sales catalog pre-installed by the service provider  20  in the MFD  22 . At step  68 , the aircraft OEM  50  installs the MFD unit  22  into the cockpit of the aircraft  28 , and the installation process is completed at  70 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts the steps for authenticating the use of an SAM application  27  by a customer. The process starts at  72 . At  74 , the SAM  27  locks onto the Wi-Fi data link  40  of the airport or FBO  34  on the tarmac of the airport. At step  76 , the customer launches the SAM client application  27  from a menu on the MFD  22 . At step  78 , the customer enters the appropriate login id and password into the SAM application  27 . Next, at step  80 , the SAM application  27  sends to the airport server  44  information which includes MFD serial number, login ID and encrypted password. 
     Next, at step  82 , the airport server  44  transmits the received information via Internet  36  to the service provider&#39;s server  46  for validation. At  84 , server  46  authenticates the MFD and customer. Next, at step  86 , the SAM application  27  sends information to the server  46  that includes the SAM application version number and sales catalog version number. As shown at  88 , the sales catalog data may include a description, item numbers and maximum coordinates of the rectangular area to which the service coverage applies. Next, at step  90 , server  46  determines if a new version of the SAM  27  and sales catalog are present in the server; if so, then the server  46  downloads them to the MFD  22 . It should be noted here that only the item numbers of service coverages that apply to the type/model of MFD  22  may be downloaded. 
     The process continues in the flow chart shown in  FIG. 5  which details the steps followed by the customer in purchasing the desired coverages using the MFD  22  running the SAM application  27 . At step  92 , the customer is presented with the question of whether he wishes to draw an area of coverage, or select from standard coverages available for a particular type/model of MFD  22 . If the customer elects standard coverages, then at step  98  server  46  determines the applicable list of coverages that are available for the specific MED type/model used by the customer. However, if the customer elects to draw a rectangle to define the area of coverage, then at step  94  the customer uses the MED  22  to draw a rectangular area on a world map displayed on the MFD  22 . 
     At  96 , the SAM  27  sends the coordinates of the rectangular area, the type/model of MFD  22 , and the Serial Number of MFD  22  to the service provider&#39;s server  46 . Although not shown in the drawings, following step  96 , the customer may confirm the coverages and may be allowed to modify the selected area if the selection was not what intended to be selected by the customer. At step  98 , server  46  determines the applicable list of coverages that fall within the rectangular area drawn by the customer in step  94 . At step  100 , server  46  transmits the list of coverages to the SAM  27  on the MFD  22 . At step  104 , the customer selects the desired coverages in the MFD  22  using the SAM  27 . At step  106 , the customer selects the subscription type (e.g. annual, monthly, or single trip kit), and payment mode using the MFD  22  and the SAM  27 . At  108 , the SAM  27  transmits data to server  46  to initiate processing of the request. The details of step  108  are shown at  110  in which the SAM  27  sends the information to the airport server  44 , including MFD serial number, login ID encrypted password, item numbers selected, subscription type, and payment mode. Next, at step  112 , server  46  creates an order in the service provider&#39;s ERP in real-time. As shown at  114 , the ERP books the order and completes the order processing, including payment. At step  116 , the service provider&#39;s server  46  receives an order completion message from the ERP and transmits a success message to the MFD  22 . At step  118 , the SAM  27  displays in the MFD  22  a success message for the customer to view. 
     The process continues in  FIG. 6  which shows more particularly how coverages are automatically downloaded to the MFD  22  for each cycle when the SAM  27  locks onto the Wi-Fi data link  40  of the airport or FBO  34  on the tarmac of the airport. At step  120 , the SAM  27  sends, based on the available dates, a request containing the Serial Number of the MFD  22  via server  44  to the service provider server  46  to download the coverages that have been purchased. At  122 , server  46  verifies that the coverages were purchased and then sends a request to initiate automatic download to the MFD  22  of the first set of data files of coverages that have been purchased. At  124 , when a new cycle data arrives, the SAM  27  automatically transmits a request for new data files of coverages that have been previously purchased. This request is transmitted via server  44  to server  46 . At step  126 , server  46  receives the request for the new data files and verifies the requested coverages were actually purchased by the customer. Then, at step  128 , server  44  sends a request to server  46  to initiate automatic downloading to the MFD  22  of the newest set of data files of coverages. At step  130 , the SAM  27  receives from server  46  the new set of data files for each new cycle. Finally, at step  132 , SAM  27  replaces the old data files with the new data files, and the process ends at  134 . 
     In some applications, it may be desirable to control access to the data that has been previously ordered and downloaded onto to a particular MFD  22 . In order to provide such access control, when the pilot wishes to access data in an area of coverage in order to aid in navigating the aircraft, the SAM  27  application may require the user to login. Upon login by the pilot, the SAM  27  application sends to the servers  31  and  46  the login id/password and MFD serial number. The Server  46  verifies the authentication of both the pilot and the MFD  22 , and then transmits back to the MFD  22  the subscribed item numbers applicable to the pilot&#39;s login ID that were previously downloaded automatically to the MFD  22 . The SAM  27  application receives the item numbers and displays the corresponding description of the coverages. The SAM  27  application then allows the pilot to choose any of the already downloaded coverages for viewing on the MFD in order to help the pilot navigate the aircraft. 
     Although the embodiments of this disclosure have been described with respect to certain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the specific embodiments are for purposes of illustration and not limitation, as other variations will occur to those of skill in the art.