Automatic ejection seat performance and accomodation optimization based on active input of aircrew data

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11891183-B2
Application number	US-202017036301-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 29, 2020
Priority date	Sep 29, 2020
Publication date	Feb 6, 2024
Grant date	Feb 6, 2024

Abstract

A system for automatic optimization of an ejection system for an aircraft includes the ejection system having a plurality of adjustable settings. The system further includes an input device configured to receive user input. The system further includes a controller coupled to the ejection system and to the input device and configured to adjust at least one of the plurality of the adjustable settings of the ejection system based on the user input.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for automatic adjustment of an ejection system for an aircraft, the system comprising:
the ejection system having a plurality of adjustable settings;
an input device configured to receive user input; and
a controller coupled to the ejection system and to the input device and configured to:
determine an identifier of a user of the system based on the user input;
retrieve specific settings of the user by accessing a database based on the identifier; and
adjust at least one of the plurality of the adjustable settings of the ejection system based on the specific settings of the user retrieved from the database.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the input device includes a microphone configured to detect audio data corresponding to a voice of the user and the controller is configured to determine the identifier of the user by using a voice recognition algorithm on the audio data.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the input device includes an image sensor configured to detect a fingerprint scan of the user and the controller is configured to determine the identifier of the user by analyzing the fingerprint scan.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the input device includes an electronic port configured to be electrically coupled to a portable electronic device, the user input includes specific settings of a user of the ejection system that are transferred from the portable electronic device to the electronic port, and the controller is configured to adjust the at least one of the adjustable settings based on the specific settings of the user.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the electronic port is configured to be physically coupled to and communicate with a portable storage device, and the portable electronic device is the portable storage device.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the electronic port is configured to communicate with a portable computing device, and the portable electronic device is the portable computing device.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the electronic port is configured to communicate with the portable computing device via at least one of a physical connection between the electronic port and the portable computing device or via a wireless connection between the electronic port and the portable computing device.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising the portable computing device having:
a network access device configured to communicate with the electronic port;
a processor coupled to the network access device and configured to run a mobile application; and
a mobile device input device coupled to the processor,
wherein the portable computing device is further configured to transmit the specific settings of the user in response to the mobile device input device receiving a specific user input while the processor is running the mobile application.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of:
the ejection system includes a seat electronic sequencer and the plurality of the adjustable settings include at least one of a parachute deployment timing, a drogue deployment timing, or a thrust angle alignment;
the ejection system includes a seat electronic position controller and the plurality of the adjustable settings include at least one of a seat height, a lumbar support, a headrest position, a rail angle, or an actuator position; or
the ejection system includes an interseat electronic sequencer and the plurality of the adjustable settings include an interseat timing.

10. A method for automatic adjustment of an ejection system for an aircraft, the method comprising:
receiving, by an input device, user input; and
determining, by the controller, an identifier of a user of the ejection system based on the user input;
retrieving, by the controller, specific settings of the user by accessing a database based on the identifier; and
adjusting, by a controller, at least one of a plurality of adjustable settings of the ejection system based on the user input specific settings of the user retrieved from the database.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein receiving the user input includes receiving audio data corresponding to a voice of the user, and wherein determining the identifier of the user includes performing a voice recognition algorithm on the audio data.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein receiving the user input includes detecting, by a camera, a fingerprint scan of the user, and wherein determining the identifier of the user includes analyzing the fingerprint scan.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein:
receiving the user input includes receiving the user input electronically from a portable electronic device via an electronic port;
the user input includes specific settings of a user of the ejection system that are transferred from the portable electronic device to the electronic port; and
adjusting the at least one of the adjustable settings includes adjusting the at least one of the adjustable settings based on the specific settings received from the portable electronic device.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein receiving the user input electronically from the portable electronic device includes receiving the user input via a physical coupling between the portable electronic device and the electronic port.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein receiving the user input electronically from the portable electronic device includes receiving the user input from a portable computing device.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein receiving the user input electronically from the portable electronic device includes receiving the user input at least one of via a physical connection between the electronic port and the portable computing device or via a wireless connection between the electronic port and the portable computing device.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:
running, by a processor of the portable computing device, a mobile application;
receiving, by a mobile device input device of the portable computing device, a specific user input; and
transmitting, by the portable computing device, the specific settings of the user to the electronic port in response to the mobile device input device receiving the specific user input while the processor is running the mobile application.

Assignees

• Ami Ind Inc

Inventors

• Mccumber Ronald John
• Stribrny Casey Andrew
• Bharucha Nicholas K
• Hampton John
• Carson Kassidy L
• Mastrolia Bradley
• Holstine Steve

Classifications

• B60N2/0248

  with memory of positions · CPC title

• B64D25/10 Primary

  Ejector seats · CPC title

• G06F16/2457

  with adaptation to user needs · CPC title

• G06F21/32

  using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints · CPC title

• H04W4/80

  Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication · CPC title