IP Library Granted Patent US 12670796
Granted Patent B2
US 12670796 · App. 18/627,505 · Granted Jun 30, 2026

Systems and methods for providing information within an aircraft communications addressing and reporting system (ACARS) message to a communication device

Inventors: Alyssa Ambos (Austin, TX); Jeffrey Lee Williams (Littleton, CO)
Assignee: The Boeing Company
G08G5/21G06K7/1417G08G5/26
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12670796
App. No.
18/627,505
Granted
Jun 30, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and a method include a communication device including a display, and a control unit in communication with the communication device. The control unit is configured to receive an Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) message in a first format. The first format includes aviation information. The control unit is further configured to change the aviation information in the first format into a second format that is electronically viewable on the display. The second format differs from the first format. The control unit is further configured to show the aviation information in the second format on the display. An aircraft is operated based on the aviation information.

Claims (44)

1 . A system comprising:

a communication device including a display; and

a control unit in communication with the communication device,

wherein the control unit is configured to:

receive an Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) message in a first format, wherein the first format includes aviation information,

change the aviation information in the first format into a second format that is electronically viewable on the display, wherein the second format differs from the first format, wherein the aviation information in the second format includes encoded operational data configured to restrict operation of the communication device, wherein the encoded operational data includes geospatial data used to match tracked geospatial data of the communication device, and wherein the control unit is configured to change the aviation information in the first format into the second format by converting the aviation information in the first format into one or more quick response (QR) codes including the aviation information, and

show the aviation information in the second format on the display.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a database including aviation terms, wherein the control unit is configured to change the aviation information in the first format into the second format by translating the aviation information in the first format based on the aviation terms.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is separate, distinct, and remote from the aircraft.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is onboard the aircraft.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication device is within a flight deck or cockpit of the aircraft.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the communication device further comprises an imaging device, wherein the imaging device is configured to acquire an image of the ACARS message in the first format, and wherein the control unit is configured to receive the image of the ACARS message in the first format from the communication device.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the aviation information in the second format includes encoded operational information configured to automatically control one or more controls of the aircraft.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is an artificial intelligence or machine learning system.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to lock the communication device to render the communication device inoperable in response to the geospatial data not matching the tracked geospatial data of the communication device.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the aviation terms include encodings for meteorological and aeronautical messages that allow geometries and syntax to be accurately decoded and transformed.

11 . A method for a system comprising:

a communication device including a display; and

a control unit in communication with the communication device,

wherein the control unit is configured to:

receive an Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) message in a first format, wherein the first format includes aviation information,

change the aviation information in the first format into a second format that is electronically viewable on the display, wherein the second format differs from the first format, and

show the aviation information in the second format on the display,

wherein the method comprises:

receiving, by the control unit, the ACARS message in the first format;

changing, by the control unit, the aviation information in the first format into the second format, wherein said changing comprises converting the aviation information in the first format into one or more quick response (QR) codes including the aviation information;

restricting operation of the communication device according to encoded operational data within the aviation information, wherein the encoded operational data includes geospatial data used to match tracked geospatial data of the communication device; and

showing the aviation information in the second format on the display.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said changing comprises translating the aviation information in the first format based on the aviation terms.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the aviation terms include encodings for meteorological and aeronautical messages that allow geometries and syntax to be accurately decoded and transformed.

14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

acquiring, by an imaging device of the communication device, an image of the ACARS message in the first format; and

receiving, by the control unit, the image of the ACARS message in the first format from the communication device.

15 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising automatically controlling one or more controls of the aircraft based on encoded operational data within the aviation information.

16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the control unit is an artificial intelligence or machine learning system.

17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said restricting the operation comprises locking the communication device to render the communication device inoperable in response to the geospatial data not matching the tracked geospatial data of the communication device.

18 . An aircraft comprising:

an internal cabin;

a communication device including a display, wherein the communication device is within the internal cabin; and

a control unit in communication with the communication device, wherein the control unit is within the internal cabin, wherein the control unit is configured to:

receive an Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) message in a first format, wherein the first format includes aviation information,

change the aviation information in the first format into a second format that is electronically viewable on the display, wherein the second format differs from the first format, wherein the aviation information in the second format includes encoded operational data configured to restrict operation of the communication device, wherein the encoded operational data includes geospatial data used to match tracked geospatial data of the communication device, and wherein the control unit is configured to change the aviation information in the first format into the second format by converting the aviation information in the first format into one or more quick response (QR) codes including the aviation information, and

show the aviation information in the second format on the display.

19 . The aircraft of claim 18 , further comprising a database including aviation terms, wherein the control unit is configured to change the aviation information in the first format into the second format by translating the aviation information in the first format based on the aviation terms.