Portable Computing Device for Real-Time Flight Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for documenting and processing flight data for cabin crew are cumbersome and slow, making it difficult for airlines to react promptly to cabin service-related issues, as paperwork is manually completed and processed after flights, often taking days to be returned and analyzed.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a remote server with a database that communicates with external systems to retrieve and send flight-related data to a portable computing device, such as a tablet, allowing real-time data input and transmission of passenger and seating information, fault reports, and complaints during and after flights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If manual paperwork is used for flight data collection and processing, then device complexity is reduced, but processing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical paperwork systems with electronic digital systems. Cabin crew use portable computing devices (tablets, laptops) to complete flight forms electronically instead of paper, and data is transmitted automatically via email or network connections to the airline's central system, eliminating the need for physical document handling and manual data entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of traditional paper flight forms. Electronic versions of crew reports, passenger manifests, and incident forms are stored and transmitted digitally, allowing instant replication and distribution of flight data without the time-consuming processes of physical document handling.
2Productivity
If electronic portable devices are used for real-time data collection, then processing speed improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multi-functional portable computing devices that can perform multiple tasks: displaying flight information, collecting crew inputs, capturing photos of incidents, signing documents electronically, and transmitting data. This consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single universal device used by cabin crew.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables cabin crew to independently complete and submit flight data without requiring ground staff intervention. The portable devices allow crew members to self-complete forms, self-capture incident photos, self-sign documents, and self-transmit data directly to the airline's central system.
3Reliability
If manual paper forms are dispatched to data processing centers, then system simplicity is maintained, but response time to cabin issues deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes continuous data transmission capability where flight information is automatically sent to the airline's central system during or immediately after the flight. This continuous electronic connection eliminates the discontinuous manual processes of collecting, sorting, and physically transporting paper forms to processing centers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic communication intermediary (email system or network connection) between the cabin crew's portable devices and the airline's central processing system. This intermediary enables automatic data transfer without requiring manual intervention at each step of the process.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed system can be used by cabin crew on-board an aircraft. At a location remote from the aircraft, a server can include a database. The server can selectively communicate with systems external to the server and external to the aircraft to retrieve information related to a flight to be made by the aircraft. The server can run an application for communicating with the external systems to send and receive data to and from the server. The external systems can include a source of baggage information. The server can be configured to transmit the passenger related baggage status information to the portable computing device for storage in the portable computing device database. The portable computing device can be on-board the aircraft. The portable computing device can have a portable storage device database for receipt and storage of flight related information received from the server during the flight.