CA2468385A1 - System and method to prevent hijacking of aircraft - Google Patents
System and method to prevent hijacking of aircraft Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2468385A1 CA2468385A1 CA002468385A CA2468385A CA2468385A1 CA 2468385 A1 CA2468385 A1 CA 2468385A1 CA 002468385 A CA002468385 A CA 002468385A CA 2468385 A CA2468385 A CA 2468385A CA 2468385 A1 CA2468385 A1 CA 2468385A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- aircraft
- hijacking
- ground
- pilot
- copilot
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title description 8
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000009429 distress Effects 0.000 description 8
- 238000013475 authorization Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D45/00—Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for
- B64D45/0015—Devices specially adapted for the protection against criminal attack, e.g. anti-hijacking systems
- B64D45/0059—Devices specially adapted for the protection against criminal attack, e.g. anti-hijacking systems by communicating emergency situations to ground control or between crew members
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D45/00—Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for
- B64D45/0015—Devices specially adapted for the protection against criminal attack, e.g. anti-hijacking systems
- B64D45/0051—Devices specially adapted for the protection against criminal attack, e.g. anti-hijacking systems by monitoring passengers or crew on aircraft
- B64D45/0056—Devices specially adapted for the protection against criminal attack, e.g. anti-hijacking systems by monitoring passengers or crew on aircraft detecting passenger or crew behavior by sensors, e.g. biometrics
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B64—AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; COSMONAUTICS
- B64D—EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- B64D45/00—Aircraft indicators or protectors not otherwise provided for
- B64D45/0015—Devices specially adapted for the protection against criminal attack, e.g. anti-hijacking systems
- B64D45/0031—Devices specially adapted for the protection against criminal attack, e.g. anti-hijacking systems means for overriding or restricting access to flight controls
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
- G07C9/30—Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass
- G07C9/32—Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check
- G07C9/37—Individual registration on entry or exit not involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voice recognition
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- G07C5/00—Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
- G07C5/008—Registering or indicating the working of vehicles communicating information to a remotely located station
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
- Emergency Management (AREA)
- Alarm Systems (AREA)
Description
SYSTEM AND METHOD TO PREVENT HIJACKING OF AIRCRAFT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method to prevent hijacking of an aircraft, in particular of commercial airlines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Aircraft security has become a major issue in recent years in view of possible terrorist attacks. To protect the pilots and co-pilots, special doors have been designed to prevent unauthorized personnel into the cockpit. However, there is still the possibility of forcing the door open or that it may be left open by inadvertence.
There is therefore a need in the field for an improved security system and method to prevent the hijacking of an aircraft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a method to prevent the hijacking of all types of aircraft, but preferably commercial airliners, using biometrics for positive pilot and copilot identification and a means for detecting the presence of the authorized pilot and copilot seating at the controls of such aircraft.
The implementation of this system will serve as deterrent, and will discourage the use of such aircraft for illegal or suspicious operations by terrorist organizations.
The invention as well as its numerous advantages will be better understood by reading of the following non-restrictive description of a preferred embodiment made in reference to the appending drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Figure 1 is a block diagram of a security system according a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method to prevent hijacking of an aircraft, in particular of commercial airlines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Aircraft security has become a major issue in recent years in view of possible terrorist attacks. To protect the pilots and co-pilots, special doors have been designed to prevent unauthorized personnel into the cockpit. However, there is still the possibility of forcing the door open or that it may be left open by inadvertence.
There is therefore a need in the field for an improved security system and method to prevent the hijacking of an aircraft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a method to prevent the hijacking of all types of aircraft, but preferably commercial airliners, using biometrics for positive pilot and copilot identification and a means for detecting the presence of the authorized pilot and copilot seating at the controls of such aircraft.
The implementation of this system will serve as deterrent, and will discourage the use of such aircraft for illegal or suspicious operations by terrorist organizations.
The invention as well as its numerous advantages will be better understood by reading of the following non-restrictive description of a preferred embodiment made in reference to the appending drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Figure 1 is a block diagram of a security system according a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
2 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
System description The system consists of the following modules:
1.- A Biometric identification system for the pilot, preferred but not limited to fingerprint recognition 2.- A Biometric identification system for the copilot, preferred but not limited to fingerprint recognition
System description The system consists of the following modules:
1.- A Biometric identification system for the pilot, preferred but not limited to fingerprint recognition 2.- A Biometric identification system for the copilot, preferred but not limited to fingerprint recognition
3.- A means to detect whether the pilot has left the seat at the controls of the aircraft.
4.- A means to detect whether the copilot has left the seat at the controls of the aircraft.
5.- A main control module that will contain an embedded computer that will control the complete system.
6.- A local encrypted database located in the main module that will contain the list of authorized pilots and copilots.
7.- An interface to the VHF radio of the aircraft to allow the uploading of the encrypted authorized pilot and copilot list. The same VHF interface may be used to update or remove pilot authorizations, and to access from the ground critical information from the aircraft in case of emergency.
8.- An interface to the aircraft transponder that will allow sending coded instantaneous status-situation codes to the ground based Air Traffic Controllers.
9.- An interface to the aircraft Emergency Location Transmitter that will allow sending coded instantaneous status-situation codes to the International Cospas-Sarsat Program, a program that uses a satellite constellation to relay distress alerts to search and rescue authorities, and ground based stations monitoring the emergency frequencies.
10.- An interface to the Aircraft Autopilot system that will force a predetermined holding pattern or path upon receiving an encrypted command from the main control module.
11.- An interface to the aircraft engine control system.
12.- An interface to a cockpit door switch.
Svstem Operation This System Operation is only an example of a possible aircraft telematic application and it does not restrict this invention to this particular use, whether some, or all of the following description is applied, or if a different or modified system operation is applied using some or all of the modules described herein.
A.-The ground station uploads a list of authorized pilots and copilots to the system database.
B.- The pilot and copilot in duty for a particular flight log into the system by first sitting at the controls of the aircraft and second by having a finger scanned by the optical fingerprint scanner.
C.- The system transmits to the ground station the encrypted system status (Identification accepted or rejected).
D.- If the Identification is accepted, the main module wilt allow the aircraft engines to be started.
E.-If the pilot or copilot leaves the seat at the controls while the engines are running but still on the ground, the main module will shut down the aircraft engines, and an encrypted distress message will be sent through the communication channels.
F.- Once airborne, the system continuously checks for the pilot/copilot present at their respective seats.
G.- If the pilot must leave the seat at the controls, this action must be authorized by a correctly identified fingerprint from the pilot followed by a correctly identified fingerprint from the copilot.
H.- If the copilot must leave the seat at the controls, this action must be authorized by a correctly identified fingerprint from the copilot followed by a correctly identified fingerprint from the pilot.
I.- If the pilot/copilot leaves the seat without following this procedure, the main control module will interpret this as a hijacking in progress and will start the following emergency procedure:
1.- Send an encrypted command to the Autopilot to immediately force and maintain a circular holding pattern.
2.- Transmit the distress code using the VHF channels.
3.- Transmit the distress code using the Transponder 4.- Transmit the distress code using the Emergency Location transmitter.
5.- This actions will continue until the pilot/copilot returns to the seat at the controls and provides a positive fingerprint identification.
6.- In special applications, the system may be turned on or off from the ground using any of the available communication channels.
J- Some applications may require the installation of a cockpit door switch, if door is opened during flight, the pilot/copilot must qualify this door being opened by a fingerprint scan, failure to qualify this action will be interpreted as a hijacking ire progress and will start the following emergency procedure:
1.- Send an encrypted command to the Autopilot to immediately force and maintain a circular holding pattern.
2.- Transmit the distress code using the VHF channels.
3.- Transmit the distress code using the Transponder 4.- Transmit the distress code using the Emergency Location transmitter.
I.- Some applications may also include a means for deploying a visible tell-tale warning that will attract the attention of ground observers to indicate the an on board emergency andlor hijacking.
Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.
Svstem Operation This System Operation is only an example of a possible aircraft telematic application and it does not restrict this invention to this particular use, whether some, or all of the following description is applied, or if a different or modified system operation is applied using some or all of the modules described herein.
A.-The ground station uploads a list of authorized pilots and copilots to the system database.
B.- The pilot and copilot in duty for a particular flight log into the system by first sitting at the controls of the aircraft and second by having a finger scanned by the optical fingerprint scanner.
C.- The system transmits to the ground station the encrypted system status (Identification accepted or rejected).
D.- If the Identification is accepted, the main module wilt allow the aircraft engines to be started.
E.-If the pilot or copilot leaves the seat at the controls while the engines are running but still on the ground, the main module will shut down the aircraft engines, and an encrypted distress message will be sent through the communication channels.
F.- Once airborne, the system continuously checks for the pilot/copilot present at their respective seats.
G.- If the pilot must leave the seat at the controls, this action must be authorized by a correctly identified fingerprint from the pilot followed by a correctly identified fingerprint from the copilot.
H.- If the copilot must leave the seat at the controls, this action must be authorized by a correctly identified fingerprint from the copilot followed by a correctly identified fingerprint from the pilot.
I.- If the pilot/copilot leaves the seat without following this procedure, the main control module will interpret this as a hijacking in progress and will start the following emergency procedure:
1.- Send an encrypted command to the Autopilot to immediately force and maintain a circular holding pattern.
2.- Transmit the distress code using the VHF channels.
3.- Transmit the distress code using the Transponder 4.- Transmit the distress code using the Emergency Location transmitter.
5.- This actions will continue until the pilot/copilot returns to the seat at the controls and provides a positive fingerprint identification.
6.- In special applications, the system may be turned on or off from the ground using any of the available communication channels.
J- Some applications may require the installation of a cockpit door switch, if door is opened during flight, the pilot/copilot must qualify this door being opened by a fingerprint scan, failure to qualify this action will be interpreted as a hijacking ire progress and will start the following emergency procedure:
1.- Send an encrypted command to the Autopilot to immediately force and maintain a circular holding pattern.
2.- Transmit the distress code using the VHF channels.
3.- Transmit the distress code using the Transponder 4.- Transmit the distress code using the Emergency Location transmitter.
I.- Some applications may also include a means for deploying a visible tell-tale warning that will attract the attention of ground observers to indicate the an on board emergency andlor hijacking.
Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.
Claims (8)
1.- A system using a plurality of modules including biometric identification preferably but not limited to fingerprint scanners and pilot/copilot presence to prevent the hijacking of aircraft, specifically but not limited to commercial aircraft.
2.- A system using a plurality of modules including biometric identification preferably but not limited to fingerprint scanners and pilot/copilot presence to serve as a deterrent to discourage the use of such aircraft for illegal or suspicious operations by terrorist organizations.
3.- A system that will force such aircraft in a predetermined holding pattern or path if it detects a hijacking in progress.
4.- A system that will disable the engines of aircraft while in the ground if it detects a hijacking in progress.
5.- A system that will transmit the hijack condition to ground stations using every possible means of communications, including but not limited to HF, VHF, UHF
radio, Identification transponders, and Emergency Locator Transmitters.
radio, Identification transponders, and Emergency Locator Transmitters.
6.- A system that will allow under certain conditions for ground control to interrogate the status of critical aircraft components.
7.- A system that will allow under certain conditions for ground control to reprogram the autopilot and/or force the aircraft into a predetermined holding pattern or path.
8.- A system for deploying a visible tell-tale warning that will attract the attention of ground observers to indicate the an on board emergency and/or hijacking.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002468385A CA2468385A1 (en) | 2004-05-26 | 2004-05-26 | System and method to prevent hijacking of aircraft |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002468385A CA2468385A1 (en) | 2004-05-26 | 2004-05-26 | System and method to prevent hijacking of aircraft |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2468385A1 true CA2468385A1 (en) | 2005-11-26 |
Family
ID=35453737
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002468385A Abandoned CA2468385A1 (en) | 2004-05-26 | 2004-05-26 | System and method to prevent hijacking of aircraft |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2468385A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN106920300A (en) * | 2017-01-12 | 2017-07-04 | 中国商用飞机有限责任公司 | The gate control system and its control method of a kind of cockpit door, and aircraft |
| CN111583481A (en) * | 2020-04-21 | 2020-08-25 | 中国商用飞机有限责任公司 | Access control system for cockpit door of aircraft and aircraft |
-
2004
- 2004-05-26 CA CA002468385A patent/CA2468385A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN106920300A (en) * | 2017-01-12 | 2017-07-04 | 中国商用飞机有限责任公司 | The gate control system and its control method of a kind of cockpit door, and aircraft |
| CN106920300B (en) * | 2017-01-12 | 2024-03-15 | 中国商用飞机有限责任公司 | Access control system of cockpit door, control method thereof and aircraft |
| CN111583481A (en) * | 2020-04-21 | 2020-08-25 | 中国商用飞机有限责任公司 | Access control system for cockpit door of aircraft and aircraft |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |