# US 9,436,569 B2 · Methods and systems for communicatively coupling vehicles and ground systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,436,569 B2 - Document ID: US9436569B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/968,761 - Filed: 2013-08-16 - Published: 2015-02-19 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-08-16 - Assignees: The Boeing Company - Applicants: The Boeing Company - Inventors: Donald B. Lee; Brian Edward Ward; Timothy M. Mitchell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9436569B2 ## CPC - G06F 11/30: Monitoring - B64F 5/60: Testing or inspecting aircraft components or systems - G02B 6/3817: {containing optical and electrical conductors (cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence)} - G06F 1/32: Means for saving power - H01R 27/02: for simultaneous co-operation with two or more {dissimilar} counterparts - G06F 11/3013: {where the computing system is an embedded system, i.e. a combination of hardware and software dedicated to perform a certain function in mobile devices, printers, automotive or aircraft systems (testing or monitoring of control systems or parts thereof G05B23/02)} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - B64F: GROUND OR AIRCRAFT-CARRIER-DECK INSTALLATIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH AIRCRAFT; DESIGNING, MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING, CLEANING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING AIRCRAFT, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HANDLING, TRANSPORTING, TESTING OR INSPECTING AIRCRAFT COMPONENTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract Methods and systems for communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system are described. The system includes an integrated power and communications connector that couples to the vehicle so that power is supplied to at least selected systems on-board the vehicle. In addition, data is communicated between the vehicle on-board systems and the ground system via the integrated connector. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of communicating data between a vehicle and a ground system, said method comprising: coupling an on-board pin having a power portion and an optical fiber communication portion to a ground system socket having a power portion and an optical fiber communication portion; providing power to an on-board system via the power portions of the pin and socket; and communicating data between the on-board system and the ground system via the optical fiber communication portions of the pin and socket. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein coupling the on-board pin and the ground system socket comprises manually connecting a first connector including the socket to a second connector including the pin. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the on-board system collects data from a plurality of monitors onboard the vehicle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the data communicated between the on-board system and the ground system comprises at least one of advanced avionics data, in-flight entertainment system data, catering system data, passenger system data, and engine monitoring data. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of wireless communication and power line communication occur while communicating data via the optical fiber communication portions of the on-board pin and the ground system socket. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein at least one of wireless communication and power line communication are used as a fail-over mode in the event the optical fiber communication fails. ### Claim 7 A system for communicating with a vehicle on-board system of a vehicle, said system comprising: a ground sub-system for providing power to and communicating with the vehicle on-board system, said ground sub-system comprising an integrated power and communications connector couplable to an on-board connector coupled to the vehicle, said integrated power and communications connector comprising: a socket configured to engage a pin having an outer conductive portion coupled to electrical conductors and an inner communications portion comprising an optical fiber coextensive with an end of the outer conductive portion; wherein, when said integrated power and communications connector and the on-board connector are coupled together, power is supplied via the outer conductive portion to the vehicle on-board system, and data is communicated between the vehicle on-board system and said ground sub-system via the optical fiber. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the pin and said are coupled together by pushing said socket over said pin. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the on-board system collects data from a plurality of monitors on-board the vehicle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein the data communicated between the vehicle on-board system and the ground sub-system comprises at least one of advanced avionics data, in-flight entertainment system data, catering system data, passenger system data, and engine monitoring data. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) A system in accordance with claim 7 wherein at least one of wireless communication and power line communication occur while communicating data via the optical fiber communication portions of said pin and said socket. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A system in accordance with claim 11 wherein at least one of wireless communication and power line communication are used as a fail-over mode in the event the optical fiber communication fails. ### Claim 13 A connector pin comprising: an outer conductive portion having an end configured to engage a socket, said outer conductive portion configured to conduct electric power; and an inner communications portion, said inner communications portion comprising an optical fiber coextensive with said end of said outer conductive portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A connector pin in accordance with claim 13 wherein said outer conductive portion is hollow and said optical fiber is positioned within said outer conductive portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A connector pin in accordance with claim 13 further comprising threads for threadedly engaging said pin to a connector housing.