US5270931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Software controlled aircraft component configuration system
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1992-03-12
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Granted: 1993-12-14
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Expires: 2012-03-12
Abstract
Abstract Configuration options for aircraft components are stored in non-volatile reprogrammable memory and selected by way of software under secure conditions without requiring configuration pins. Aircraft components can be reconfigured without taking the aircraft out of service for more than a few minutes.
Inventors
- 👤 Lyle R. Appleford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:30
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/042; G05B19/0426; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/20; G05B2219/23; G05B2219/23406; G05B2219/24; G05B2219/24158; G05B2219/25; G05B2219/25092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A method of selecting configuration options for a programmable aircraft component adapted for airborne use and including a reprogrammable non-volatile memory device the state of which determines the selection of configuration options for said aircraft component, the method comprising: providing said aircraft component with at least one configuration option having a first state and a second state; programming said aircraft component to permit programming of said memory device to select between said first and said second state of said configuration option only when authorization to program said memory device is indicated; indicating said authorization to permit said programming of said memory device wherein said indicating step comprises connecting an enabling device to said aircraft component, said enabling device having an enable state and a disable state, said indicating step further comprising setting said enabling device to the enable state; transmitting configuration option data selection to said aircraft component; writing configuration option data selection into said memory device following an indication that said programming of said memory device is authorized; withdrawing indication of said authorization to permit said programming of said memory device; and programming said aircraft component to permit reading of said memory device to view the state of said configuration option without regard to whether authorization to program said memory device is indicated.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
214 words
A method of selecting configuration options for a programmable aircraft component adapted for airborne use and including a reprogrammable non-volatile memory device the state of which determines the selection of configuration options for said aircraft component, the method comprising: providing said aircraft component with at least one configuration option having a first state and a second state; programming said aircraft component to permit programming of said memory device to select between said first and said second state of said configuration option only when authorization to program said memory device is indicated; indicating said authorization to permit said programming of said memory device wherein said indicating step comprises connecting an enabling device to said aircraft component, said enabling device having an enable state and a disable state, said indicating step further comprising setting said enabling device to the enable state; transmitting configuration option data selection to said aircraft component; writing configuration option data selection into said memory device following an indication that said programming of said memory device is authorized; withdrawing indication of said authorization to permit said programming of said memory device; and programming said aircraft component to permit reading of said memory device to view the state of said configuration option without regard to whether authorization to program said memory device is indicated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of setting said enabling device to the enable state comprises the step of applying a given reference voltage to an enable pin of said aircraft component, said aircraft component being programmed to scan said enable pin and permit further programming of said memory device when said enable pin is connected to said given reference voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of transmitting configuration option data to said aircraft component includes the step of transmitting a navigation database to said aircraft component.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of setting said enabling device to the enable state comprises the step of transmitting authorization data to said aircraft component and said aircraft component is programmed to recognize said authorization data as indicating authorization to further program said memory device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said withdrawing step comprises setting said enabling device to the disable state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said withdrawing step comprises disconnecting said enabling device from the aircraft component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said enabling device comprises an external switch box adapted to connect to the aircraft component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
135 words
An aircraft comprising: a configurable component having at least one configuration option, said option having a first state and a second state, said first and second states of said configuration option governing operation of said configurable component; configuration means for choosing between said first and said second states of said configuration option, said configuration means including controlling means for governing whether said configuration means is enabled for choosing between said first and said second states, wherein said configuration means comprises a data loader unit external to said configurable component; and means coupling said configuration means to said configurable component, wherein said configuration means is enabled by said controlling means to permit choosing between said first and said second states of said configuration option only when authorization to permit choosing is indicated by said controlling means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
135 words
An aircraft comprising: a configurable component having at least one configuration option, said option having a first state and a second state, said first and second states of said configuration option governing operation of said configurable component; configuration means for choosing between said first and said second states of said configuration option, said configuration means including controlling means for governing whether said configuration means is enabled for choosing between said first and said second states, wherein said configuration means comprises a data loader unit external to said configurable component; and means coupling said configuration means to said configurable component, wherein said configuration means is enabled by said controlling means to permit choosing between said first and said second states of said configuration option only when authorization to permit choosing is indicated by said controlling means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
An aircraft according to claim 8 wherein said configuration means comprises means for reading a pre-stored selection and transmitting said pre-stored selection to said configurable component to choose between said first and second states of said configuration option, and wherein said transmission indicates authorization to permit said choosing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An aircraft according to claim 9 wherein said pre-stored selection is transmitted in conjunction with a navigation database.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
An aircraft according to claim 8 wherein said controlling means indicates authorization by transmitting an initialization signal to said configurable component via said coupling means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
An aircraft according to claim 8 wherein said configuration means comprises means for reading a pre-stored selection and transmitting said pre-stored selection to said configurable component to choose between said first and second states of said configuration option and wherein said controlling means indicates authorization by transmitting an initialization signal to said configurable component via said coupling means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
An aircraft according to claim 12 wherein said pre-stored selection is transmitted in conjunction with a navigation database.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
190 words
An aircraft configuration system for configuring options governing the operation of an aircraft comprising: a flight management computer for directing operation of the aircraft, said flight management computer implementing a plurality of configuration options concerning portions of the operation of the aircraft, each of said options having at least two selectable states; a configuration device adapted to be connected to said flight management computer, said configuration device being operative to enable selection for a plurality of said options of one of said at least two states; and an enabler means external to said flight management computer and to said configuration device, said enabler means being adapted to be removed from an area of use of said flight management computer, said enabler means having an enable mode and a disable mode and adapted to be connected to said flight management computer, wherein said configuration device permits viewing of the states of said options irrespective of said enabler means and wherein said configuration device is prevented from selecting ones of said at least two states unless said enabler means is connected to said flight management computer and is in the enable mode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
190 words
An aircraft configuration system for configuring options governing the operation of an aircraft comprising: a flight management computer for directing operation of the aircraft, said flight management computer implementing a plurality of configuration options concerning portions of the operation of the aircraft, each of said options having at least two selectable states; a configuration device adapted to be connected to said flight management computer, said configuration device being operative to enable selection for a plurality of said options of one of said at least two states; and an enabler means external to said flight management computer and to said configuration device, said enabler means being adapted to be removed from an area of use of said flight management computer, said enabler means having an enable mode and a disable mode and adapted to be connected to said flight management computer, wherein said configuration device permits viewing of the states of said options irrespective of said enabler means and wherein said configuration device is prevented from selecting ones of said at least two states unless said enabler means is connected to said flight management computer and is in the enable mode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
An aircraft configuration system according to claim 14 wherein said flight management computer includes an enable pin, said enabler means comprises a manually operated electrical switch, and the connection between said flight management computer and said enabler means comprises a connection between a first terminal of said switch and said enable pin.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
81 words
An aircraft configuration system according to claim 15 wherein a second terminal of said switch is connected to ground relative to said flight management computer, wherein said enabler means is in the disable position when said switch is in an open state as between said first and second terminals and said enabler means is in the enable position when said switch is in a closed state as between said first and second terminals, thereby electrically connecting said enable pin to ground.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
79 words
An aircraft configuration system according to claim 14 further comprising: a data loader unit adapted to interconnect with said flight management computer for uploading configuration data thereto; and a data storage medium for supplying upload data to said data loader unit, wherein said enabler means comprises a data portion stored within said data storage medium and wherein said flight management computer is adapted to recognize said data portion as indicating that said enabler means is in the enable mode.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-12-13 | 1997-06-14 | 1997-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-12-13 | 2001-06-14 | 2001-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-12-13 | 2005-06-14 | 2005-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |