Abstract: This invention provide systems and methods for cockpit flight crew preflight planning and subsequent, systematic recall and execution of procedures, ground/inflight navigation, and communications using portable electronic data storage and display devices. A capability is provided within a portable electronic data storage and display device to replace and replicate the typical preflight planning methodology of the individual flight crew member to facilitate execution of a procedures, navigation and communications plan from preflight to postflight. A user may create a usable subset of the potentially thousands of available pages of data or data reference pages stored in the portable electronic data storage and display device, organizing the perhaps 100 or less individual pages of data, static or interactive, desired for a specific leg of the flight in order that required information is immediately available in an expected order of need.

Abstract: A system in a method are provided for sending and receiving messages between a point located on the ground and a point located on an aircraft via an Iridium Short Burst Data Service. The messages may conform to Airlines Electronic Engineering Committee (AEEC) Specification 618. The messages may be ground-to-air messages or air-to-ground messages. The messages may be ACARS messages and at least some of the messages may have a length exceeding a maximum payload of the Iridium Short Burst Data Service. ACARS messages, which exceed the maximum payload of the Iridium Short Burst Data Service may be segmented and each of the segments may be sent in respective Iridium Short Burst Data messages via the Iridium Short Burst Data Service. When the separate Iridium Short Burst Data messages are received, the segments may be combined to reconstruct the ACARS message for delivery to an intended destination.

Abstract: A lightweight autonomous device is provided that can (1) determine its own positional information, (2) detect, via sensors with which it communicates, a position of a moving or stationary target, (3) calculate a relative position of that target to the device's own known position, and (4) transmit data regarding the target to a local or remote receiving station where the data can be interpreted and displayed. The disclosed device may employ global positioning satellites for position-keeping, detect and collect information from individual sensors regarding targets, calculate position information regarding targets by comparing sensor information with the device's known position, and communicate information to a compatible receiving system at a remote location, as well as performing local processing on the information.

Abstract: Disclosed systems and methods are directed to an ability to use a portable data storage and display device to communicate via communication satellites with remote receiving nodes by incorporating, attached to, located within, or locally in data communication with, the device, a satellite communication transceiver. Direct access to virtually any communication technology from a portable data storage and display device to provide voice and data communications with receiving nodes of differing capabilities, which include autonomous direct satellite communication capability, is effected.

Abstract: Disclosed systems and methods are directed to an ability to use a portable data storage and display device to communicate via communication satellites with remote receiving nodes by incorporating, attached to, located within, or locally in data communication with, the device, a satellite communication transceiver. Direct access to virtually any communication technology from a portable data storage and display device to provide voice and data communications with receiving nodes of differing capabilities, which include autonomous direct satellite communication capability, is effected.

Abstract: A software application hosted on portable electronic digital data storage and display devices, such as Class 1 or 2 certified EFB computing devices in the cockpits of aircraft, integrates system components to allow users to initiate voice communications with various receiving destinations via a WiFi or other communications network. The portable electronic data storage and display device may be configured with a microphone and speakers to facilitate voice transmission and reception via a communications link established between the device and a destination computer, or alternatively a PSTN device to facilitate voice transmission via an accessible “direct dial” telephone system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and reporting a quick access recorder (QAR) data in real time. The system includes a QAR for recording fault information, a removable portable hardware component that stores, analyzes and displays the fault information, an onboard data communication network that enables the QAR and the portable hardware component to exchange information, and an air-ground data transmitting device for transmitting the fault information from the vehicle. The removable portable hardware component may be an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) that hosts a QAR Manager application and communication technologies to manage and report all applications on the EFB.

Abstract: To facilitate crew coordination and interaction using portable electronic data storage and display devices, automated and interactive capabilities allow any of several crew members to forward information regarding a page of data which the crew member has selected using the user interface of his or her portable electronic data storage and display device to the portable electronic data storage and display device of any other crew member or all other crew members particularly those who, due to task loading, may be unable to immediately employ the data manipulation and control functions resident in their own portable electronic data storage and display device. Data thus displayed is available for independent or interactive manipulation as though it had been locally rather than remotely selected.

Abstract: Dynamic aircraft/vehicle specific load planning and weight balancing systems and methods are used to automate the process of weighing passengers and their baggage, including carry-on baggage, to accurately and quickly determine the passenger and passenger baggage location on a specific aircraft/vehicle to generate an efficient and precise aircraft load plan and provide data to determine loaded aircraft weight and balance. Digital scale(s) and passenger ticket/boarding pass scanner(s) are used to acquire the weight and location data, which can be fed to a processor to process the data to determine appropriate weight and balance for each flight and/or transmit data to other systems to be included in their determination of vehicle weight and weight distribution/balance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and reporting a quick access recorder (QAR) data in real time. The system includes a QAR for recording fault information, a removable portable hardware component that stores, analyzes and displays the fault information, an onboard data communication network that enables the QAR and the portable hardware component to exchange information, and an air-ground data transmitting device for transmitting the fault information from the vehicle. The removable portable hardware component may be an Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) that hosts a QAR Manager application and communication technologies to manage and report all applications on the EFB.

Abstract: Dynamic aircraft/vehicle specific load planning and weight balancing systems and methods are used to automate the process of weighing passengers and their baggage, including carry-on baggage, to accurately and quickly determine the passenger and passenger baggage location on a specific aircraft/vehicle to generate an efficient and precise aircraft load plan and provide data to determine loaded aircraft weight and balance. Digital scale(s) and passenger ticket/boarding pass scanner(s) are used to acquire the weight and location data, which can be fed to a processor to process the data to determine appropriate weight and balance for each flight and/or transmit data to other systems to be included in their determination of vehicle weight and weight distribution/balance.

Abstract: The invention provides a communication and control system and method including a portable control and display unit, such as a portable handheld pocket PC, an aircraft mounted integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite receiver, a VHF radio modem, an Aircraft Communication and Reporting System (ACARS) transceiver, a backup battery for power, and a camera aboard the aircraft which is controlled by the portable control and display unit. The control and display unit transmits and receives data messages, voice communication and video communication, and control the operation and functions of the camera while in flight or on the ground. The control and display unit also communicates as a cell phone.