Aircraft modular data collection platform
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsNathan D. Hiller, Claudia E. Fritz-Thompson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An aircraft data collection system comprising a set of removable data collection units and a computer system. The set of removable data collection units is loadable into a compartment in a commercial aircraft. The computer system is configured to control operation of the set of removable data collection units to collect data during a flight of the commercial aircraft on a flight path. A third party can use a smart phone or other electronic device to control the data collection unit during a commercial aircraft flight. The third party is different from the airline operating the commercial aircraft.
Claims33
An aircraft data collection system comprising:
- a set of removable data collection units that are loadable into a compartment comprising a cargo bay in a commercial aircraft, wherein a removable data collection unit in the set of removable data collection units comprises a removable container that is loadable in the compartment and a sensor system configured to collect data relating to conditions outside of the commercial aircraft, wherein the removable container has a set of ports and a power connection configured to connect to a power source in the commercial aircraft;
- and
- a computer system configured to control operation of the set of removable data collection units to collect data during a flight of the commercial aircraft on a flight path.
A method for collecting data, the method comprising:
- loading a set of removable data collection units in a compartment comprising a cargo bay in a commercial aircraft, wherein a removable data collection unit in the set of removable data collection units comprises a removable container that is loadable in the compartment and a sensor system configured to collect data relating to conditions outside of the commercial aircraft, wherein the removable container has a set of ports and a power connection configured to connect to a power source in the commercial aircraft;
- and
- collecting, by a computer system, the data during a flight of the commercial aircraft along a flight path using the set of removable data collection units.
An aircraft data collection system comprising:
- a set of data collection units configured for use in a compartment comprising a cargo bay in a commercial aircraft, wherein the set of data collection units have a set of ports and a power connection configured to connect to a power source in the commercial aircraft;
- and
- a computer system configured to control operation of the set of data collection units to collect data during a flight of the commercial aircraft on a flight path, wherein the computer system controls operation of the set of data collection units in response to instructions from a third party that is different from an airline operating the commercial aircraft.
A method for collecting data, the method comprising:
- receiving, by a computer system, instructions from a third party to operate a set of data collection units in a compartment comprising a cargo bay in a commercial aircraft, wherein the set of data collection units have a set of ports and a power connection configured to connect to a power source in the commercial aircraft;
- and
- collecting, by the computer system, the data during a flight of the commercial aircraft along a flight path using the set of data collection units in response to receiving the instructions from the third party that is different from an airline operating the commercial aircraft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.