FR2845792A1 - Planning system for rostering airline pilots, uses server that is synchronized with clients used by pilots to update rostering information on client and server - Google Patents

Abstract

The planning system has individual terminals that can connect to a server having a central memory holding timed and dated information. The terminals can communicate with the server and has a memory to record scheduling information specific to the user. The client and server are synchronized whenever they are connected.

Description

PLANNING SYSTEM AND METHOD

  The present invention relates to a scheduling system and method, allowing a user to record and receive alerts in a time

  local, based on events and time-stamped information from different information sources.

  Various planning solutions are known in the prior art. By way of example, PCT patent application 10 W00140981 describes a system for assisting a traveler to plan his flights comprising a wireless telecommunications device making it possible to communicate with a basic network holding information on flights (ie localities origin and destination and departure times 15), as well as a memory, a clock, a logic unit, and a display and its control. The memory contains information on the itinerary of the traveler, and the different time periods and corresponding timetables, and the locality of the traveler associated with each of the time periods. The clock shows the current period of time in current time. The logic unit obtains by selective communications with the basic network selective information on the schedule of the next flight on a given date, originating from the current location of the traveler and as destination the next destination of the traveler. The display command makes it possible to selectively display the information concerning the flights departing from the current locality of the traveler for the current period of time and the departure times 30 according to the given date. The logic unit obtains by selective communications information on a second flight following the next, some portions of which can be displayed by means of the display command. In other preferred embodiments, the memory stores information about the next and next flight, and the display control includes a manual entry for switching between the schedules of the next flight.

and the next.

  This solution does not allow variable planning to be fixed as a function of additional events or disturbances, and of constraints such as

compulsory rest periods.

  When a pilot completes a period comprising a succession of flights, he must take into account an initial planning, but also unexpected circumstances such as delays, airport modifications, and respect the regulatory and local constraints, such as travel times between

  the airport and the resting place for example.

  Fully centralized management is not satisfactory, as it would require a connection

  between the individual equipment and the server.

  To overcome these drawbacks, the invention relates, in its most general sense, to a planning system comprising individual terminals and a server comprising a centralized memory of time-stamped information, the terminals comprising means for exchanging digital data with the server, characterized in that each terminal includes a memory for recording time-stamped information specific to the user, and means for acquiring personal time-stamped information, and in that the server comprises means for synchronizing the information exchanged between the server and a terminal on the one hand, and the information coming from the centralized memory on the other hand. The system according to the invention is designed for example

  to provide airline airline employees with a way to manage their time interactively and efficiently.

  Advantageously, the individual terminals are constituted by programmable wristwatches comprising a means of communication with a server by

  through a telecommunications network.

  According to a variant, the server includes a memory for recording an information base relating to

time constraints.

  The invention also relates to a planning method using individual terminals and a server, comprising a step of recording in each individual terminal time-stamped information specific to the user, and of recording in a memory of the server the time-stamped information. relating to the events of each of the users equipped with an individual terminal, characterized in that the method further comprises steps of transferring data entered on an individual terminal to the server, of recalculating all the time-stamped information of said users as a function of the information previously recorded in the server, of the information transmitted by the individual terminal and of the information contained in a constraint table, in order to determine an updated time-stamped event table, transmitted to the terminal

  individual of the user concerned.

  Preferably, the time-stamped information is

  recorded in the server according to a reference time and what it comprises a step of recalculating in the individual terminal of the event markers as a function of the time-stamped information recorded in a local memory, and of the local time.

  The system according to the invention calculates and tracks the timetable and assists the user in the management

of it.

  The combination of the personal interactive terminal and the server accessible on the Internet becomes a means of communication between the airline and its cabin crew. It also allows each individual to optimize

  his schedule according to his lifestyle.

  Today, cabin crew are informed, at the start of each period (week or month) of their employment

  time (flight schedule, rest, ground training, ...).

  The working time (duty time) is divided into

  different intervals (flying time, standby, ...).

  The timetable can be transmitted via the Internet, 10 minitel or fax, but the user cannot customize it. Each actual work interval is validated

  manually, on a document on which are written the start and end times of these intervals, signed by the flight crew.

  These documents are then sent to the airline which uses them for the logistics management of the

crew.

  In the same way for the other professions 20 mentioned, this management is done manually, on paper or

via a portable terminal.

  None of the products existing on the market offer personalization in the management of the employment of

UTC time.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the

  description which follows, referring to an example not

  limiting of implementation, o: - Figure 1 shows the general diagram of information exchange; - Figure 2 represents the functional diagram - Figure 3 represents the diagram of the flow of information; - Figure 4 shows the terminal architecture

  detailed individual functions.

  The planning system which is the subject of the present invention comprises: a program set up on the Internet (server) with secure and personalized access; - a personal interactive terminal (type programmable watch strap) individual terminal (Personal Interactive Timer); - an individual server-terminal synchronization module. It is intended for certain categories of professions where trips are frequent, resulting in timetables comprising variable hours with a permanent time difference. The exact forecast of the program requires the organization of his days in advance, which has become an intellectual gymnastics

  time consuming and stress generating.

  The server and the individual terminals make it possible in particular to relay the logistics organization of the airlines to the pilot for greater precision and simplified retrieval of the computerized data. Figure 1 shows the block diagram of the system.

  First, the server (1) transmits to the individual terminal (2).

  These data are transmitted via a synchronization module (3) and a telecommunications network, for example the Internet. These data are transmitted in the form of a digital file 30 or a digital table comprising a succession of events defined by a start time, and a descriptor formed by a sequence of alphanumeric characters. The time data is determined with respect to a reference time, for example the universal time UTC. They are recorded in the memory of the terminal (2), which is constituted for example by a wristwatch comprising physical or wireless connectivity for communication with the telecommunications network. The server (1) of the airline company contains the data relating to the regulations in force. They define the different time intervals that allow time management for flight personnel (duty

  time, flight time, rest, standby, etc.).

  The airline company sends to the server (1) the activity program that it has established for each user (flights, training, rest ...) for the coming period. At each synchronization, the server (1) updates the data of the individual terminal (2) and recovers the data which has been collected in the memory of this

  last, since the last synchronization.

  Thanks to its interfaces (with the server or

  directly with the user) the terminal (2) is customizable.

  It allows the user to enter their personal data (travel time, preparation time, appointment, etc.). This information is made up of sequences comprising a duration and a descriptor. They make it possible to calculate time markers triggering alarms from the terminal (2), as a function of time-stamped information recorded during the synchronization steps, and of time information entered by the user. These markers are recorded in a memory of the terminal (2) and if necessary updated

  during each synchronization step.

  The terminal interfaces (2) also allow

  data collection during real time use.

  Once programmed (by the server and by the user), the terminal (2) automatically calculates, with respect to a mobile reference time (take-off time), all of the subsequent scheduled tasks

  and earlier (waking up, journey, briefing, etc.).

  The terminal (2) puts on the universal time base 5 (UTC) markers which are used to generate alarms to indicate a start or end of a phase or to collect the

  user's real time schedule data.

  At each start of the interval, the personal terminal

  issues an alarm and requests confirmation of the start of counting.

  If the interval is confirmed, the terminal

records the time.

  Likewise at the end of each interval.

  In case of delay or cancellation of the task to be accomplished, the user can configure the terminal to

shift the markers.

    each alarm, or at any other time, markers can be set which will be used by the server to decode and calculate the different intervals 20 created by these markers (trace) and thus trace the use

of the user's real time.

    the end of each period (week, month, etc.)

  the user connects to the server to access his personal page and send his data, as well as receive the 25 data for the following period.

  Figure 2 shows the block diagram.

  - the server receives the user's timetable from the company; the server receives regulatory information from the company; - the server transmits the timetable data to the individual terminal; - the server transmits the regulatory data to the individual terminal; - the server receives the timetable

real user.

  The system makes it possible to connect the server and the user in order to transmit and receive the information relating to the timetable of the user. To allow time management of the user, the individual terminal receives from the Server, information concerning the payment and the timetable of the pilot. The individual terminal also receives from the user, his personal preferences, confirmations in real time. It then calculates its schedules for the user, in real time on a UTC basis

and issues alarms.

  The individual terminal permanently memorizes the use of real time and transmits to the Server the data corresponding to the use of real time (trace). The data recorded and exchanged consist of: the timetable dates, timetables, flights 20 (departure, arrival, Flight time); - payment: time intervals (before a flight, before takeoff, after landing, ...), airports (UTC offset); - personal preferences: airports (journey time 25), time intervals, dates (appointment to schedule, task to be performed ...);

- yes / no confirmations.

  The system must therefore process five data formats: - Dates - Flight Schedules - Airports - Time intervals

  Figure 3 shows the general flow diagram.

  The data is transmitted by the server via an interface allowing the synchronization of the system and the server (cable, IR, satellite, such as a laptop ...) the server 5 transmits the data corresponding to the regulations, which

  will be used to calculate the markers for the trace.

  1. The data is transmitted by the User via an interface allowing the exchange of data with the user (keyboard, screen, camera, ...) 2. Editing of the calendar: the data are

converted to UTC.

3. Data storage.

  4. Generation of markers calculates from all of these 5. 6. 7.

data, timetables to be marked.

Clock marking.

Alarm generation.

  Retrieving employment data from

real time.

  8. Calculation of time intervals

real.

  9. Transmission of real data to the server.

  Figure 4 shows the terminal architecture

  detailed individual functions.

Claims (4)

  1 - Planning system comprising individual terminals and a server comprising a centralized memory 5 of time-stamped information, the terminals comprising means for exchanging digital data with the server, characterized in that each terminal comprises a memory for recording time-stamped information specific to the user, and means for acquiring personal time-stamped information, and in that the server comprises means for synchronizing the information exchanged between the server and a terminal on the one hand, and the information from memory centralized on the other hand.   2 - Planning system according to claim   1, characterized in that the individual terminals consist of programmable wristwatches comprising a means of communication with a server via a telecommunications network.   3 - Planning system according to claim   1 or 2, characterized in that the server includes a memory for recording an information base 25 relating to time constraints.   4 - Planning method using individual terminals and a server, comprising a step of recording in each individual terminal time-stamped information specific to the user, and of recording in a memory of the server the time-stamped information relating to the events of each of the users equipped with an individual terminal, characterized in that the method further comprises steps of transferring data entered on an individual terminal il to the server, of recalculating all of the time-stamped information of said users according to the information previously recorded in the server, information transmitted by the individual terminal and information contained in a constraint table, in order   to determine an updated time-stamped event table, transmitted to the individual terminal of the user concerned.   - Planning method according to claim 10 4, characterized in that the time-stamped information is   recorded in the server according to a reference time and what it comprises a step of recalculating in the individual terminal of the event markers as a function of the time-stamped information recorded in a local memory, and of the local time.