Patent Publication Number: US-2005125151-A1

Title: Global real-time transmission and control system in safety for aircraft by a/v and digital data and salvaging system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of Invention  
      The present invention relates to an aircraft tracking technology and the salvaging technology. More particularly, the present invention relates to a global real-time transmission and control system in safety and a salvaging system for an aircraft by audio/video (A/V) and digital data.  
      2. Description of Related Art  
      In the current daily life, aircraft has been well known by people as a tool for public transportation, aerial reconnaissance, and so on. The aircraft can be any type of aerobus, cargo-airplane, or even fighters in military use. As the communication technology has also been well developed, it allows the aircraft to have communication equipment to communicate with a ground control system. Also and, the ground control system can also manage the aircraft.  
      When the aircraft flies in the sky to perform a duty, such as transporting passengers from one place to another place, or a duty to scout the ground surface, the communication measure is a wireless measure to transmit signals. Usually, the pilot should report his information, such as surface position and height, to the ground control system for tracking the location of the aircraft and the flight route. However, if the pilot fails to report his correct location due to, for example, absent mind, it then results in many errors, and further may cause an air accident. Or, the aircraft may loose contact due to some emergent events. In this situation, the location of the aircraft or what happens on the aircraft cannot be known.  
      As the wireless telecommunication technology is further developed, technologies of global positioning system (GPS) or likewise GLONASS have been successfully developed. If the aircraft carries the sensing device for the GPS or GLONASS, the location of the aircraft with respect to the ground surface could be automatically detected and would be sent to the ground control system. However, from the view point of the whole operation system, it so far has no automatic tracking system with full function for the aircraft.  
      Additionally, the current design of equipment on the aircraft cannot also transmit the A/V and digital data to the ground control system, in which for the current status only the audio signal can be transmitted. Particularly, the ground control system cannot directly control the aircraft, to obtain the desired video information.  
      Especially, when an emergent event or even a hijacking occur on the aircraft on flight, the ground control system cannot actively control the video equipment on the aircraft to handle the actual situation on the aircraft.  
      For the conventional communication system, it still has no automatic tracking system for the aircraft with full function for tracking and monitoring uses, to efficiently track the flight route and obtain the actual scene which has happened.  
      Furthermore, when the aircraft flies away from the land area or has been beyond the radar detecting area, the location and the situation had occurred of the aircraft cannot be detected in active manner.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention provides a global real-time transmission and control system of an A/V and digital information, and can be instantly down-link for the A/V and digital information of the actual scene of damage to the ground control system. Also and, the invention can be used in environmental protection, transportation, coast cruise, and so on, so as to, in real-time, transmit the A/V and digital information down to the ground control system. Moreover, it can also be used to capture the 3-D scene at the battle field for military events, and the system can be activated when an emergent event or hijacking occur on a commercial aerobus. Furthermore, it can be used in photo-reconnaissance and the related with the ground control system to setup an automatic tracking system for aircraft.  
      The invention provides a global real-time transmission and control system of an A/V and digital information, which can track the position of the aircraft by up-linking and down-linking the A/V information and can control the A/V devices equipped on the aircraft. This automatic tracking system includes an aircraft A/V transmitting system installed on the aircraft, an A/V automatic tracking system on ground for the aircraft, and a ground control system. The aircraft A/V transmitting system includes a global positioning unit, a height positioning unit, a video/camera unit, an A/V information and digital information down-link unit, a bi-directional digital signal unit, and a microprocessing unit. The A/V automatic tracking system is used to receive information from the A/V and digital down-link unit and the bi-directional digital signal unit, and automatically transmit the received information to the ground control system. According to the actual need for the situation, the ground control system can actively obtain the A/V information by the video/camera unit through the aircraft A/V transmitting system and the ground control system.  
      It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings,  
       FIG. 1  is system diagram, schematically illustrating a global real-time transmission and control system of an A/V and digital information, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is function block diagram, schematically illustrating an aircraft A/V and digital information transmitting system, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 3  is function block diagram, schematically illustrating an aircraft automatic tracking and A/V system, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 4  is function block diagram, schematically illustrating a central control station system, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 5  is a drawing, schematically illustrating a global tracking mechanism for the global real-time transmission and control system of an A/V and digital information, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a drawing, schematically illustrating a salvaging system, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and  
       FIG. 7  is a drawing, schematically illustrating the structure on the aircraft with respect to the salvaging system. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      In the invention, a global real-time transmission and control system of an A/V and digital information and a salvaging system are provided, so as to automatically track an aircraft in a bi-directional manner and actively obtain the audio/video (A/V) and digital data. The A/V and digital data can include, for example, the video, audio, or digital data of 3-dimensional position of the aircraft. The digital data can also include any data information in other types. The use of video, audio, and digital data in alone or combination is optional in the invention. The ground control system can actively select and turn on one or multiple video/camera devices on the aircraft, so as to actively obtain the A/V information, and to observe what occurs inside the aircraft inside or the situation outside of the aircraft. For example, a geology structure of the ground surface is taken during reconnaissance. The invention has the function of up-link for control and function of down-link for A/V and digital data.  
      In the salvaging system of the invention, a communication system can be installed on a rescuing aircraft so as to transport salvaging rescuer or any desired matter and then solve the problem occurs on the aircraft.  
      The global real-time transmission and control system of an A/V and digital information of the invention includes three subsystems.  FIG. 1  is system diagram, schematically illustrating a global real-time transmission and control system of an A/V and digital information, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, which includes an aircraft A/V and digital information transmitting system  100 , an aircraft automatic tracking and A/V system  200 , and a central control station system  300 . The invention is suitable for use at ground to track an aircraft flying in the sky in real-time. A 3-dimentional position of the aircraft can be automatically detected, also and the A/V information can be obtained by video/camera device. The central control station system can also send an A/V control signal to turn on the video/camera device for monitoring the actual situation within the shot range.  
      In  FIG. 1 , the aircraft A/V and digital information transmitting system  100  is installed on an aircraft, used to detect an A/V and digital information, including a 3-dimensional position data, an audio data, a video data, and so on. In addition, the A/V and digital information is transmitted out, and an A/V control signal transmitted from the central control station can be received, whereby it can dynamically capture the A/V and digital information as desired.  
      Moreover, the aircraft automatic tracking and A/V system  200  can be installed, for example, on a ground base (not shown) for receiving the down-link information of A/V and digital data. The antenna device can automatically track the 3-dimension position data of the aircraft. Also and, the A/V and digital data or any relevant data can be transmitted out.  
      The central control station system  300 , such as a central control station, receives the A/V and digital information sent from the aircraft automatic tracking and A/V system and can transmit an A/V control signal through the aircraft automatic tracking and A/V system to dynamically control the aircraft A/V and digital information transmitting system to obtain the desired A/V and digital information.  
      In the foregoing subsystems, the aircraft automatic tracking and A/V system and the central control station system can also be installed on a movable vehicle. For example, they can be integrated into a movable system installed on a car, ship, or another rescuing aircraft serving for control or rescue.  
      These three subsystems  100 ,  200 , and  300  are further described in the following.  
       FIG. 2  is function block diagram, schematically illustrating an aircraft A/V and digital information transmitting system, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The aircraft A/V and digital information transmitting system  100  includes a microprocessor  102 , a camera device  104 , a differential correction signal sub-carrier receiving unit  106 , a global positioning unit  108 , such as a GPS sensor or a GLONASS sensor, a video monitoring unit  110 , a microwave transmitting device  112 , a satellite or GSM audio communication system  114 , a satellite video receiving/transmitting device and antenna unit  116 , and a satellite audio digital signal communicator and duplex antenna unit  118 .  
      The microprocessor  102  connects to the other peripheral units and is used to process the input data and accordingly to control the connected peripheral units to proceed the automatic tracking function. The video device  104  takes the A/V information and passes the information to the microprocessor  102 . The video device  104  can provide the image data and audio data. Generally, the video device  104  can be infrared, color, black-white, star-light, or synthetic aperture radar (SAR). Also and the number of the video device  104  can be one or multiple installed at the predetermined locations in the cabin or a proper location such that the outer surface of the aircraft or the geology structure of the ground can be taken. The number of the video devices and their locations can be chosen according to the actual design.  
      The video device  104  can also be controlled by the central control station system outside from the aircraft. The number of the video devices  104  can be more than 100 distributed on the whole aircraft and are selected to be turned on for action. Further still, according to the available channels, multiple video signals at different location can be simultaneously transmitted to the central control station system. Particularly, when an emergent event occurs on the aircraft, the invention allows the central control station system to actively control the video devices to monitor the actual scene.  
      The differential correction signal sub-carrier receiving unit  106  includes a receiving part and antenna part. When aircraft flies in the sky, its location information includes a latitude-longitude location information, and a flying height information. The flying height information is also an essential information. Particularly, when the geological structure is complicate, the height information is important. The differential correction signal sub-carrier receiving unit  106  can precisely correct the height of the aircraft. The precision can be up to 5 meters. The unit  106  can also correct the latitude-longitude location. The differential correction signal sub-carrier receiving unit  106  uses a differential GPS (DGPS) technology, wherein a reference signal is emitted from the ground base, and a differential analysis is performed to precisely obtain the height.  
      The global positioning unit  108  includes, for example, a GPS or a GLONASS, so as to sense the location of the aircraft in latitude and longitude. The data are input to the microprocessor  102 .  
      The monitoring unit  110  is controlled by the microprocessor  102  for usual monitoring use in the aircraft.  
      The microwave transmitting unit  112 , is controlled by the micro processor  102 , so as to detect any information, including performing the down-link of the A/V and digital information to the aircraft automatic tracking and A/V system.  
      The GSM (global system for mobile telecommunication) audio and digital communicator  114  is coupled to the microprocessor  102  in bi-direction, so as to communicate with the ground. In addition, the GSM also receives an A/V control signal to select the desired video device  104  to be turned on for down-linking the A/V and digital information.  
      A satellite communication unit includes, for example, the video receiving and transmitting unit  116  and the satellite audio digital signal communicator and antenna unit  118 . Since the invention can precisely track the aircraft, the satellite antenna on the aircraft can be precisely aligned to the satellite, thereby the A/V communication quality can be maintained. When the aircraft flies out of the detectable ranges of radar at the ground, this unit can replace the communication units  112  and  114  to serve as the transmission of A/V and digital signals. Alternatively, according to the actual communication condition, one communication measure can be switched as the communication measure. The satellite communication transmitting and receiving units  116 ,  118  are the auxiliary equipment, can be activated at anytime. Particularly, when the aircraft flies away from the land area, the unit can be turned on to continue the tracking function.  
       FIG. 5  is a drawing, schematically illustrating a global tracking mechanism for the global real-time transmission and control system of an A/V and digital information, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. On the ground  400 , a number of the tracking system bases form a tracking array  402 . When the aircraft  410  flies within the detectable range of the tracking array  402 , the tracking array  402  is responsible for tracking the aircraft  402 . When the aircraft  404  flies out of the detectable range of the tracking array  402 , such as flying to the outer sea. The video receiving and transmitting unit  116  and the satellite audio digital signal communicator and antenna unit  118  are employed for communicate with the ground through the satellite  408  on the specific track. The communication is bi-directional, so that the aircraft can be globally tracked with the A/V and digital transmission function in real-time.  
      For example, the commercial or passenger aircraft flies over the earth. When the passenger aircraft flies away from the land area, the satellite communication system is activated. When an accident or hijacking event occurs on the aircraft, the aircraft can be located at one place in the global scale. However, the control center can actively obtain the actual scene inside the cabin with respect to the video device. Since the number of passenger aircraft on the sky is large, each aircraft can be assigned with an identification code (ID). The control center can select the aircraft to identify its flying status.  
      The foregoing aircraft A/V and digital information transmitting system can be installed at the proper location. However, in order to avoid the affection on the flying safety, the hardware equipment can be, for example, installed together with other conventional electronic equipment or installed into the pods of the aircraft. The arrangement can be set according to the actual design. Antennas of the satellite communication unit  116  and  118  can be disposed at outer area of the aircraft and are aligned to the satellite.  
      Continuously,  FIG. 3  is a function block diagram, schematically illustrating an aircraft automatic tracking and A/V system, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 3 , the aircraft automatic tracking and A/V system  200  includes a microprocessor automatic-tracking servo controller  202 , a satellite or GSM audio digital communicator  204 , a microwave receiver  206 , a microwave tracking antenna  208 , a monitor  212 , a servo motor unit  214 , an automatic/hand operation mode control unit  216 , and a Satellite video/digital communication unit  218 .  
      The microprocessor automatic-tracking servo controller  202  is coupled to the other peripheral units and devices, so as to process the input data and accordingly control the peripheral units and devices. The microprocessor automatic-tracking servo controller  202  can also communicate with the central control station system to transmit data and any related data.  
      Since the invention can track the location of the aircraft, the satellite or GSM audio digital communicator  204  can communicate with the aircraft A/V and digital information transmitting system in bi-direction. In addition, when an emergent event occurs on the aircraft, or even such as hijacking event, the microprocessor automatic-tracking servo controller  202  can transmit the A/V control signal to the aircraft A/V and digital information transmitting system to select any desired video devices  104  on the aircraft. The desired video device  104  can be activated for observing the actual situation through the scene. If it is necessary, the information can be recorded.  
      The microwave receiver  206  and the microwave tracking antenna  208  form a single tracking unit. The microwave receiver  206  can receive the A/V and digital information and decode the video, audio, and DGPS data, and input the information to the microprocessor automatic-tracking servo controller  202 . According to the location of the aircraft, the servo motor unit  214  can control the microwave tracking antenna  208 , so as to align to the aircraft. Since the invention can precisely track the aircraft, the microwave tracking antenna  208  can be used for a bi-directional communication. The microwave tracking antenna  208  can associate with a satellite video/digital communication antenna  218  for bi-directional communication.  
      In  FIG. 5 , the aircraft automatic tracking and A/V system  200 ,  402  can be installed on the ground  400  to form a tracking array for tracking the aircraft in real-time. When the ground tracking array cannot sufficiently communicate with the aircraft, the satellite communication system, such as the satellite receiving unit and transmitting unit  116 ,  118  can be activated instead, so as to globally maintain the transmission of A/V and digital information.  
      The automatic/manual operation mode control unit  216  can include an automatic operation tracking mode and manual operation tracking mode. According to the actual need, one operation mode of them can be chosen for tracking the aircraft in real-time. Furthermore, the monitor  212  can be used for a usual safety monitor.  
      When the aircraft automatic tracking and A/V system receives the down-linked A/V and digital information, the A/V and digital information are also transmitted to the central control station system  300 .  FIG. 4  is a function block diagram, schematically illustrating a central control station system, according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. The central control station system includes a computer system  302 , a monitor and recording unit  304 , an aircraft flight route monitoring unit  306 , a remote terminal video transmission unit  310 , a satellite and GSM audio phone  314 , an aircraft information tracking network  316 , a satellite GSM data transmission system  318 , a satellite digital data transmission system  320 , a satellite A/V communication unit  322 , and a satellite A/V transceiver  324 .  
      The computer system  302  is connected with the foregoing other peripheral devices and can receive the information transmitted from the microprocessor automatic-tracking servo controller  202  (see  FIG. 3 ), and then accordingly proceed control and process action.  
      The monitor and recording unit  304  is coupled to the computer system  302  to serve as the usual monitor.  
      The aircraft flight route monitoring unit  306  is used to recording the flight route of the aircraft.  
      A communication unit includes, for example, the remote terminal video transmission unit  310 , which can transmit information to a remote terminal video receiver  312 , whereby a communication with person at remote terminal is setup.  
      Audio communication unit includes, for example, the satellite GSM audio phone  314  can communicate and transmit data with other users through the satellite or GSM communication system.  
      The aircraft information tracking network  316  provides another communication route for communication the related persons through the network. However, if the A/V signal cannot be successfully received, the GSM system  318  can also be used to transmit data or the satellite digital data transmission system  320  is used to further transmit data out.  
      Furthermore, the computer system  320  is coupled with the satellite A/V communication unit  322  and the satellite A/V transceiver  324 , so as to achieve the bi-directional communication through the satellite system. As shown in  FIG. 5 , when the aircraft flies far off the land, the forgoing communicating method can be used for tracking the aircraft and to achieve the global monitoring capability. When an emergent event occurs on the aircraft, the actual situation on the aircraft can be actively observed and realized.  
      According to the foregoing tracking system, it can be applied to a salvaging system with the features that the actual scene can be observed and realized by outside persons. However, the salvaging system can only proceed through the wireless communication system without including the rescuer backup. In order to further improve the salvaging effect in active manner, the invention further provide a rescuer backup measure.  
      For the current aviation technology, two aircraft can have solid contact in the air. The invention employs the foregoing wireless tracking system and introduces a rescuer transmission method. As previously described, the tracking system can be integrated into a rescuing aircraft. The rescuing aircraft can also carry rescuers and the needed rescuing matters for solving the emergent event.  
      A general aircraft, such as the passenger aircraft, has large volume. It allows to design with an emergent exit door. Since the rescuing aircraft by itself has tracking ability, the rescuer can be much easier to be transported into the aircraft.  
      In more specific case as an example, the rescuing aircraft usually is much smaller than the aircraft. The rescuing aircraft can land on the passenger aircraft through an affixing device, so that the rescuer can be transport into the passenger aircraft through the exit door.  
      Moreover, for example, when a hijacking event occurs on the aircraft, in order to prevent the invention from being destroyed, the system of the invention can be designed to be located at the place to which is not easily being reached. Or, it can be installed on the exterior part of the aircraft and is controlled by the rescuing aircraft.  
      An example is provided as follows.  FIG. 6  is a drawing, schematically illustrating a salvaging system, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In  FIG. 6 , if a real contact between the aircraft  600  and the rescuing aircraft  606  is intended. The rescuing aircraft  606  lands on the aircraft  600 . The rescuing aircraft  606  is affixed on the aircraft  600  through the supporting structure  608  and  610 , for example, by suction affixing manner. The rescuing aircraft is affixed on the aircraft  600  by the sufficient suction force. Preferably, the rescuing aircraft  606  lands on top of the aircraft  600 . Since the body of the aircraft is a metallic hard material. In this situation, a buffer part  604 , such as a soft pad, is also included at the contact place, so as to reduce the collision effect.  
      Since the rescuing aircraft  606  has active A/V monitoring capability, the situation inside the aircraft can be observed. The rescuing aircraft  606  can land on the aircraft  600  at the proper time. At this moment, the rescuing aircraft  606  can also known the environment condition in the cabin, such as pressure. Then, a passing route  614  is set to connect to the rescuing aircraft  606  between the exit door  602  of the aircraft  600  and the exit door  612  of the rescuing aircraft  606 . The passing route  614  forms a close space, and the pressure is adjusted. Then the exit door  602  is open from the outside. In this situation, under the active control consideration, the door  602  is designed to open only from the outside. The aircraft  600  by itself cannot open the door  602 .  
      In accordance with the landing of the rescuing aircraft  606 , is a drawing, schematically illustrating the structure on the aircraft with respect to the salvaging system. For example, the exit door  602  is located on top of the aircraft  600 . The affixing locations are arranged around the exit door  602  for landing the rescuing aircraft  606 . The buffer part  604  is disposed on the affixing locations. Alternatively, the buffer part  604  can also be in combination with the supporting structure  608  on the rescuing aircraft in different design. When the rescuing aircraft  606  is affixed, the doors  602 ,  612  can be open, and the rescuer and any salvaging matter can be transported.  
      According to the invention, it includes several advantages as follows:  
      In the invention, a complete system with transmitting and receiving microwave video, audio, digital information is setup. The ground can automatically track the aircraft.  
      For the salvaging system In the invention, the tracking system for aircraft can be installed in a rescuing aircraft. The rescuing aircraft can also provide a transportation of rescuer. As a result, the event occurring on the aircraft can be effectively solved.  
      In the invention, the differential correction signal sub-carrier receiving unit  106  is installed on the aircraft, so as to precisely obtain the latitude, longitude, and flying height of the aircraft, which information is further transmitted to the ground.  
      In the invention, a GSM communication system is used to receive up-link signal to select and activate the video device on the aircraft, and transmit the A/V and data signal to the ground.  
      Since the invention can precisely track the aircraft, the satellite antenna on the aircraft can be precisely aligned to the satellite to up-link data. As a result, the video device can be controlled, and when an event occurs on the aircraft, the situation can be actively monitored.  
      The video device  104  of the invention can be controlled by the central control station for turning on. The number of the video devices can even up to 100 or more at the critical locations. Additionally, according to the available channels, multiple scenes can simultaneously transmitted to the central control station. Particularly, when an emergent event, such as hijacking, occurs on the aircraft, the invention allows the central control station to actively handle the situation.  
      In the invention, the aircraft automatic tracking and A/V system  200  and central control station system  300  can be integrated into a mobile transportation unit, such as on a train, ship or a rescuing aircraft. For example, when a hijacking occurs, the rescuing aircraft can be an air fighter or a specific plane and access the aircraft to deal with related matters. The rescuer can even be transported into the aircraft, such as a passenger aircraft, for solving the event together with the persons in the central control station.  
      In a general view on the whole system, the aircraft and the ground central control station can have bi-directional communication to automatically transmit the A/V and digital data, so as to achieve the tracking purpose.  
      The tracking system of the invention is suitable for use in various situations as follows:  
      1. Photo-reconnaissance on a natural disaster, such as earthquake, flood, fire, for monitoring the actual situation and transmitting the A/V and digital information to the central control station in real-time.  
      2. Real-time transmission of A/V and digital information for the environment protection, traffic condition, or cost guarding.  
      3. Real-time transmission of A/V and digital information for the 3-dimentional battle field.  
      Real-time transmission of A/V and digital information for a commercial aircraft, when a hijacking or an accident occurs on the aircraft.  
      5. Real-time transmission of A/V and digital information for surveying the ground area, a dummy-run, or a damage.  
      6. Real-time transmission of A/V and digital information for news report, such as a TV news instant report.  
      7. The automatic aircraft tracking system associating with the ground control station being applied to a radar tracking, an automatic weapon firing system, a video system with high magnified camera, or a mobile truck-mounted satellites-antenna automatic tracking system.  
      It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention covers modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.