Secured client-server computer system for interactive applications

Abstract

A client-server type computer system for graphical applications is provided, that is to say, for displaying data in the form of software units called "widgets" on display screens called "display units", said system being intended to control the operation of a machine, the machine including at least one human-machine interface allowing interaction with the widgets, said system managing critical data or functions. The computer system includes a securing engine controlling the integrity of the display of the critical widgets, the sending of commands which is performed by means of the human-machine interface, the input and display of the critical data. The main provisions of this securing engine are the use of computer "signatures", the provision of "feedback" circuits and the use of guard mechanisms or dedicated confirmation dialogue boxes. Preferably, the machine is an aircraft, the computer system is the avionics on board said aircraft and the display screens are the cockpit display systems.

Description

technical field [0001] The field of the invention is secure so-called "client-server" computer systems for interactive applications, and especially for avionics applications. Background technique [0002] This "client-server" system, widely used in the world of computer networking, first appeared in cockpit avionics systems at the beginning of the new millennium. The cockpit avionics system should be understood to cover all electronic and computer devices that enable the processing, display, control and modification of information required for the piloting and navigation of an aircraft, and more generally for accomplishing the tasks of the aircraft during flight. [0003] The ARINC 661 standard provides a standardized framework for implementing these computer architectures in aeronautics. The main components of such a system are: [0004] - Graphics Server, providing the ability to draw basic graphical objects according to cues, which are received in the form of requests o...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0023] Introducing a client-server architecture into critical systems creates problems with the execution of integrity checks

The current feedback mechanism covering all functional subsystems cannot be used directly on the server on the one hand and on the client on the other hand

[0024] Furthermore, user interaction, that is to say the crew initiates commands from the graphical interface, is currently not performed for critical functions or with additional devices that are severely limited in terms of human factors

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