DE10146167A1 - Anti terrorist safety system for passenger aircraft defines forbidden airspace and takes control from pilot and turns aircraft away if boundary is approached - Google Patents

Abstract

The aircraft (10) carries a computer programmed with a map of e.g. a city (20) or a mountain (40) which must not be approached. Points (30-35) are defined on the map and connected by straight lines to define a city boundary which must not be passed. Points (51-55) may be entered to define a volume surrounding the mountain. If the aircraft approaches any defined boundary, it is steered onto a curved course (11) which takes it well clear of the boundary.

Description

The invention relates to a method for varying the Functionality of objects, as in the preamble of Claim 1 specified.

To vary the functionality of objects are the following Process known:

I. Static variations of the possibility of use

This process is mainly used in the software area applied, whereby in a so-called test version of Use of the software is statically restricted becomes. It is common here either to be complex to limit the project (e.g. number of objects), or to prevent the project from being saved.

II. Temporary variations in the possibility of use

This procedure is also commonly used in Software area applied to the software for a to be able to test for a limited time. Here it is usual that the software after a predetermined Period becomes unusable. Furthermore this will Procedures often used to secure nuclear weapons used, with the use of these weapons blocked and only by means of a radio link transmitted code is activated.

III. Geographical variation of the possibility of use

This procedure is used for DVD players. The player and the disc each contain one Country code, which prevents a disc from being removed a region with a different country code can be.  

However, these methods have the disadvantage that the Variations are independent of the application. A application-specific variation is, however, multiple desirable, for example to abuse a To prevent passenger plane for a terrorist attack.

The invention is therefore based on the object Procedure for varying the functionality of objects create the opportunities to abuse this Objects complicate.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method which the characteristic features of claim 1 having.

Embodiments and advantages of the invention are in the Subclaims, in the description and in the drawings shown.

The application of the method according to the invention will explained below using an aircraft, but what no limitation of the invention means the same The facts apply to all objects in which one Position determination is possible and the functionality by means of Software can be affected.

On the occasion of the terrorist attack on passenger planes on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon September 11, 2001 was looking for a way to approach a Passenger plane to a potential destination for one Prevent or at least complicate the terrorist attack. How an analysis of the problem shows the cause is that a Plane so easily misused for a terrorist attack may that the pilot has sole control over the course of the Machine. If the pilot deviates from the course and one Course correction refused, remains for the security authorities as a last resort only the shooting down of the machine. Around To solve this problem, the freedom of action of the  Pilots should be restricted to the extent that they are not potential Can fly to targets for a terrorist attack.

The method according to the invention makes it possible to restrict the pilot's freedom of action in the required manner and is described in more detail below with reference to the drawing in FIG. 1.

In the method according to the invention, the fact is used that, thanks to modern navigation technology, such as GPS, the position of the aircraft 10 is known very precisely. Therefore, the aircraft's on-board computer can check whether the aircraft is approaching a blocked area 30 . If the aircraft approaches such a blocked area, the on-board computer takes over the control of the plane and steers the aircraft independently past the blocked area.

As a result, the security authorities can assign the potential targets of terrorist attacks, such as residential areas, industrial plants, nuclear power plants or military plants, to areas which the aircraft 10 cannot fly over. In the simplest case, such an area 30 can be defined as a polygon 30 , the coordinates 31 to 35 of which are stored in the memory of the on-board computer.

In simple terms, the on-board computer can contain a digital map with the coordinates 31 to 35 of digital ramparts, this on-board computer withdrawing control from the pilot when approaching such a rampart and changing course 11 such that the aircraft flies along the protective wall.

According to a preferred development of the invention, in addition to the geographic coordinates 51 to 54 , a minimum flight altitude 55 is also specified. In this way, for example in the case of natural obstacles, such as mountains 40 , spaces can be defined 50 into which the aircraft cannot penetrate, which can prevent collisions.

To make manipulation more difficult, it is advisable to Functionality in the event of failure or destruction of the Position determination, as well as a negative output Plausibility check, the functionality of the aircraft limit. Here, for example Aircraft speed reduced to a minimum will give the security agencies more time to respond to give up on this incident.

The inventive method can also be advantageous in Use shipping. Here, for example prevent ships with dangerous goods from moving moving too close to the coast or dangerous shortcuts to take. Furthermore, fishing fleets can be prevented can fish outside their fishing areas by at Leaving the fishing areas automatically catches up with the nets become.

Because modern weapon systems like guns, main battle tanks, Combat aircraft and guided missiles are equipped with GPS it is possible with the inventive method that in the Manufacture or set prior to delivery of weapons the area in which these weapons are used can. This will result in later resale in Crisis areas massively hindered, there for one mission outside the specified area, interventions in the highly complex control electronics of these weapon systems is required. For the manufacturer of these weapon systems this method also has the advantage of being block your own area and thus use it Prevent weapon systems against themselves or at least can complicate.  

Since these weapon systems often have a Telecommunication connection can have this Weapon systems over this telecommunication connection additional areas are communicated within which all for Combat systems required are not activated can. This gives the UN the opportunity to abuse it these weapons of genocide, the use of these weapons to block within the region concerned.

To the theft of biological or chemical weapons too can complicate the storage and transport containers with one Position determining device and a device for Rendering the content unusable so that when leaving a specified area, the device for Deactivation of the contents of the container is activated.

Claims (7)

1. A method for varying the functionality of objects, characterized in that the geographical position of this object is determined and that the functionality of the object can be varied depending on the geographical position. 2. The method according to claim 1, in particular for flying objects, characterized in that the functionality of the object can be varied depending on the flight altitude. 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that at Failure of the position determination the functionality of the Object is restricted. 4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized characterized in that the position determination of a Plausibility check is submitted and that at a negative outcome of the plausibility check Functionality of the object is restricted. 5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, in particular for Weapon systems, characterized in that the for Combat action required systems only within specified areas can be activated. 6. The method according to claim 5, for weapon systems which have a telecommunications connection, thereby characterized that these systems over the Telecommunication connection transmitted additional areas can be within all for combat operations required systems cannot be activated.   7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in particular for storage and transport containers, characterized, that this container with a device for Position determination and a device for Rendering the content unusable and that the device when leaving a specified area which is activated to render the content unusable makes the contents of the container unusable.