Claims
- 1. A communication system for communicating messages between an aircraft and an operations center, comprising:
a portable control and display unit; an Aircraft Communication and Reporting System (ACARS) transceiver located on the aircraft to send and receive (1) a data link message communication by the control and display unit; (2) a voice communication by the control and display unit; and (3) a video communication by the control and display unit; and a peripheral device located on the aircraft; wherein the portable control and display unit utilizes the ACARS transceiver to send and receive at least one of the aforementioned communications.
- 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the control and display unit transmits data messages.
- 3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the data messages can be transmitted while in flight.
- 4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the control and display unit transmits a voice communication.
- 5. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the voice communication can be transmitted while in flight.
- 6. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the control and display unit transmits a real-time video and single frames.
- 7. The communication system according to claim 6, wherein the real-time video and single frames can be transmitted while in flight.
- 8. The communication system according to claim 6, wherein the real-time video is streaming video and single frames.
- 9. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the control and display unit functions as a cell phone.
- 10. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a SATCOM antenna.
- 11. The communication system according to claim 10, wherein the ACARS transceiver switches to the SATCOM antenna when a VHF radio is not communicating.
- 12. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the ACARS transceiver transmits and receives a signal over an existing data network.
- 13. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the control and display device controls at least one of the movement and the functions of the peripheral device.
- 14. The communication system according to claim 13, wherein the peripheral device is a camera.
- 15. The communication system according to claim 14, wherein the control and display unit controls the camera movement.
- 16. The communication system according to claim 13, wherein the peripheral device is located in a cockpit of the aircraft.
- 17. The communication system according to claim 13, wherein the peripheral device is located in a cabin of the aircraft.
- 18. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising a panic button located in or on the aircraft.
- 19. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the messages are encrypted.
- 20. A method for communicating messages with a control and display unit in an airborne aircraft and controlling a peripheral device within the aircraft using a portable control and display device, comprising:
sending and receiving a data link message by the control and display unit; sending and receiving a voice communication by the control and display unit; sending and receiving a video communication by the control and display unit; and obtaining the video communication from a peripheral device located in or on the plane controlled by the control and display unit.
- 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the control and display unit sends and receives the messages to an operations center and receives messages from the operations center.
- 22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the control and display unit sends and receives the messages to and from another control and display unit in the aircraft.
- 23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the control and display unit sends and receives positional information concerning the location of the aircraft while airborne.
- 24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the positional information further comprises data regarding other aircrafts in the vicinity.
- 25 The method according to claim 20, wherein the control and display unit sends and receives a sensor condition input from a physical contact.
- 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the physical contact further comprises at least one of a panic button, fire detection and door contacts.
- 27. The method according to claim 20, wherein the video communication further comprising displaying a streaming video.
- 28. The method according to claim 20, wherein the video communication further comprising selecting a video frame to be transmitted to an operations center.
Parent Case Info
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/404,388, filed Aug. 20, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
|
60404388 |
Aug 2002 |
US |