Patent Publication Number: US-7903594-B1

Title: Multifunctional cellular modem for aircraft computing devices

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to flight systems and more particularly to a multifunctional cellular modem for aircraft computing devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Flight management systems (FMS) are computerized avionics components found on many aircraft to assist pilots in navigation, flight planning, and aircraft control functions. FMS utilize databases which typically are updated frequently. Updating aircraft with the new database is critical. Typically, manual distribution is utilized to update FMS databases. This means that every time the database is updated, thousands of floppy disks must be made, shipped all over the world, and physically installed in every aircraft. 
     Consequently, it would be desirable to provide a solution which addresses the above-referenced problems and limitations of the current solutions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a multifunctional cellular modem for an aircraft computing device (ACD). The ACD is connectible to a wireless handheld cellular communication device to provide a cellular connection for the ACD. The wireless handheld cellular communication device may comprise any kind of wireless handheld cellular communication device including, but not limited to, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a portable personal digital computer with a cellular card. The wireless handheld cellular communication device may be connected to the ACD via any kind of connection including, but not limited to, a USB (universal serial bus) connection, a serial connection, a parallel connection, an IEEE (institute of electrical and electronics engineers) 1394 connection, an infrared connection, a Wi-Fi connection, and a Bluetooth connection. 
     The ACD may utilize the wireless handheld cellular communication device as a cellular modem to download a file. The file may be downloaded from the Internet. The file may comprise a FMS (flight management system) database or other important files, such as documents or charts. Alternatively, the wireless handheld cellular communication device may include a storage media and the wireless handheld cellular communication device may download and store the file in the storage media. The wireless handheld cellular communication device may download the file from the Internet. The storage media may comprise any kind of storage media including, but not limited to, random access memory (RAM), flash memory, a hard disk drive, and an optical storage drive. Then the ACD may download the file from the storage media of the wireless handheld cellular communication device. The ACD may be installed in the aircraft and may be operable to install the downloaded file in the aircraft or equipment of the aircraft, such as a FMS. 
     The present invention provides a system and method for providing a file for an aircraft when Wi-Fi coverage may not be available. By utilizing a wireless handheld cellular communication device as a cellular modem to download a file, or by downloading a file to the storage a media of wireless handheld cellular communication device and then to an ACD, an ACD is operable to provide a file for an aircraft without requiring costly dedicated PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) cellular cards and service contracts for every ACD. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The numerous objects and advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a system for providing a file for an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB); 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a system for providing a file for an EFB, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a system for providing a file for an aircraft, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a file for an aircraft, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a file for an aircraft, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     An aircraft computing device (ACD) is any computing device on an aircraft which needs to obtain a file from a remote source. An example of an ACD includes, but is not limited to, Electronic Flight Bags (EFB). EFB are electronic management devices that help flight crews perform flight management tasks more easily and efficiently with less paper. Some EFB installed in aircraft include a wireless connection to the Internet. One the EFB is connected to the Internet the EFB can be utilized to download the new database (or other important files such as documents or charts) and installed into the aircraft equipment. However, EFB typically only include 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi capabilities for the wireless connection. Unfortunately, Wi-Fi is not available at every location where the aircraft may be. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an electronic flight bag (EFB)  200  may include one or more PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) slots  202  and a cellular connection  205  may be added to an EFB by installing a PCMCIA cellular card  204  in an available PCMCIA slot  202  in the EFB  200 . Adding a cellular connection  205  to an EFB  200  would allow downloading of files to the EFB  200  when Wi-Fi is not available. The EFB  200  would be able to utilize the PCMCIA cellular card  204  as a cellular modem to connect to the Internet (or other location where a file as located) and download a file. 
     However, this solution would require the additional hardware cost of purchasing a PCMCIA cellular card  204  for every EFB  200 . Also, cellular contracts would have to be obtained and monthly cellular fees would have to be paid specifically for each PCMCIA cellular card  204  utilized in every EFB  200 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 ; a system for providing a file for an EFB  300 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is illustrated. The EFB  300  is connectible to a wireless handheld cellular communication device  304  to provide a cellular connection  305  for the EFB  300 . The wireless handheld cellular communication device  304  may comprise any kind of wireless handheld cellular communication device including, but not limited to, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a portable personal digital computer with a cellular card. The EFB  300  is shown connected to the wireless handheld cellular communication device  304  via a USB (universal serial bus) connection  301 . However, the wireless handheld cellular communication device  304  may be connected  301  to the EFB  300  via any kind of connection including, but not limited to, a serial connection, a parallel connection, an IEEE (institute of electrical and electronics engineers)  1394  connection, an infrared connection, a Wi-Fi connection, and a Bluetooth connection. 
     The EFB  300  may utilize the wireless handheld cellular communication device  304  as a cellular modem to download a file. The file may be downloaded from the Internet. The file may comprise a FMS (flight management system) database or other important files, such as documents or charts. 
     Alternatively, the wireless handheld cellular communication device  304  may include a storage media and the wireless handheld cellular communication device  304  may download the file and store the file in the storage media. The storage media may comprise any kind of storage media including, but not limited to, random access memory (RAM), flash memory, a hard disk drive, and an optical storage drive. The wireless handheld cellular communication device  304  may download the file from the Internet. Then the EFB  300  may download the file from the storage media of the wireless handheld cellular communication device  304 . In this way, the wireless handheld cellular communication device  304  does not have to be connected to EFB  300  when the file is initially downloaded to the wireless handheld cellular communication device  304  and stored in the storage area. Rather, the wireless handheld cellular communication device  304  only needs to be connected to the EFB  300  when the file is downloaded to the EFB  300  from the storage area of the wireless handheld cellular communication device  304 . For example, the wireless handheld cellular communication device  304  may download the file throughout the day, overnight, or when the wireless handheld cellular communication device  304  is in a cellular service area. After the file has been downloaded and stored in the storage media of the wireless handheld cellular communication device  304 , the wireless handheld cellular communication device  304  is connected to the EFB  300  and the EFB  300  downloads the file from the storage area of the wireless handheld cellular communication device  304  to the EFB  300 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 ; a system  400  for providing a file for an aircraft  401 , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is illustrated. The system  400  includes an aircraft  401 , an EFB  402  and a wireless handheld cellular communication device  403 . The EFB  402  may be installed in the aircraft  401 . The EFB  402  is operable to utilize the wireless handheld cellular communication device  403  to download a file for the aircraft. The file may be downloaded from the Internet. The file may be downloaded from a storage media included in the wireless handheld cellular communication device  403 . The EFB  402  may operable to install the downloaded file in the aircraft  401  or equipment of the aircraft  401 , such as a FMS. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a method  500  of providing a file for an aircraft, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is shown. In step  501 , an EFB is provided, which is installable in an aircraft. In step  502 , a wireless handheld cellular communication device is provided. The wireless handheld cellular communication device may comprise any wireless handheld cellular communication device including, but not limited to, a cellular phone, a PDA, and a portable personal digital computer with a cellular card. In step  503 , the wireless handheld cellular communication device is connected to the EFB. The wireless handheld cellular communication device may be connected to the EFB via any kind of connection including, but not limited to, a USB connection, a serial connection, a parallel connection, an IEEE 1394 connection, an infrared connection, a Wi-Fi connection, and a Bluetooth connection. In step  504 , the wireless handheld cellular communication device is utilized as a cellular modem for the EFB. In step  505 , a file is downloaded for the aircraft. The file may be downloaded from the Internet. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a method  600  of providing a file for an aircraft, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is shown. In step  601 , an EFB is provided, which is installable in an aircraft. In step  602 , a wireless handheld cellular communication device is provided, which includes a storage media. The storage media may comprise any kind of storage media including, but not limited to, random access memory (RAM), flash memory, a hard disk drive, and an optical storage drive. The wireless handheld cellular communication device may comprise any wireless handheld cellular communication device including, but not limited to, a cellular phone, a PDA, and a portable personal digital computer with a cellular card. In step  603 , the file is downloaded utilizing the wireless handheld cellular communication device. In step  604 , the file is stored in the storage media of the wireless handheld cellular communication device. In step  605 , the wireless handheld cellular communication device is connected to the EFB. The wireless handheld cellular communication device may be connected to the EFB via any kind of connection including, but not limited to, a USB connection, a serial connection, a parallel connection, an IEEE 1394 connection, an infrared connection, a Wi-Fi connection, and a Bluetooth connection. In step  606 , the file for is downloaded for the aircraft from the storage media of the wireless handheld cellular communication to device to the EFB. The file may be downloaded from the Internet. 
     The present invention provides a system and method for providing a file for an aircraft when Wi-Fi coverage may not be available. By utilizing a wireless handheld cellular communication device as a cellular modem to download a file, or by downloading a file to the storage media of a wireless handheld cellular communication device and then to an ACD, an ACD is operable to provide a file for an aircraft without requiring costly dedicated PCMCIA cellular cards and service contracts for every ACD. 
     It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes disclosed is an example of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes may be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present invention. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented. 
     It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof, it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.