Tracking aircraft with older version of software/database and initiating autoload of latest version of software/database when aircraft is in safe state for dataload

Abstract

A method for updating aircraft data is provided. The method comprises: receiving one or more messages at a ground system that one or more aircraft is in a safe state on the ground; selecting one or more aircraft in the safe state to receive a software or database update from the ground system; verifying that the selected one or more aircraft in the safe state is in need of the software or database update; initiating a remote loading of the software or database update to the verified selected one or more aircraft in the safe state; and receiving one or more messages at the ground system from the verified selected one or more aircraft indicating a status of the remote loading.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for updating aircraft data on one or more aircraft, the method comprising:
 selecting, by a ground system, one or more aircraft in a safe state on the ground to receive a software or database update from the ground system;   verifying, by the ground system, that the selected one or more aircraft in the safe state is in need of the software or database update; and   initiating, by the ground system, a remote loading of the software or database update to the verified selected one or more aircraft in the safe state, wherein the remote loading comprises:
 sending an auto update command from the ground system to a target avionics component for which the software or database update is needed; 
 saving the auto update command at the target avionics component until a different mode for the target avionics component is entered; and 
 when the different mode is entered, sending a request from the target avionics component to a data loader onboard the aircraft to start the software or database update at the avionics component. 
   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 determining, by the ground system, that the one or more aircraft are in the safe state on the ground prior to selecting the one or more aircraft to receive the software or database update.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 determining, by the ground system, whether each of the selected one or more aircraft will be in the safe state on the ground for an amount of time required to complete the software or database update.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 determining, by the ground system, whether the aircraft can receive the remote dataload.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 sending, by the ground system, one or more messages to the target avionics component on the aircraft indicating that a software or database update is available.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the ground system, one or more dataload status messages from the one or more aircraft indicating a status of the remote loading.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the remote loading of the software or database update is initiated by a data loading software application. 
     
     
         28 . A method for updating aircraft data on one or more aircraft, the method comprising:
 selecting, by a ground system, one or more aircraft in a safe state on the ground to receive a software or database update from the ground system;   verifying, by the ground system, that the selected one or more aircraft in the safe state is in need of the software or database update; and   initiating, by the ground system, a remote loading of the software or database update to the verified selected one or more aircraft in the safe state, wherein the remote loading comprises:
 sending a message from the ground system to the aircraft to start a dataload when the software or database update is available on a data loader of the aircraft; 
 sending a dataload command to the data loader when the software or database update is available on the data loader; and 
 initiating the dataload from the data loader to a target avionics component to start the software or database update at the target avionics component. 
   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the message is sent to a communication management function associated with the target avionics component. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the message is an aircraft communications addressing and reporting system (ACARS) message. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the message is sent to a gateway onboard the aircraft. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , where in the message is an Internet protocol (IP) message. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the verifying includes:
 monitoring a broadcast discrete of the target avionics component operation state; and   receiving an indication of a change of operation state of the target avionics component.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising:
 receiving one or more messages at the ground system that the target avionics component has entered a different operation state.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 receiving, by the ground system, one or more dataload status messages from the one or more aircraft indicating a status of the remote loading.   
     
     
         36 . A system for updating aircraft data on one or more aircraft, the system comprising:
 at least one processor located in a ground operations center; and   a non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions executable by the at least one processor to perform a method for updating aircraft data on one or more aircraft comprising:   selecting, by the least one processor, one or more aircraft in a safe state on the ground to receive a software or database update from the ground system;   verifying, by the at least one processor, that the selected one or more aircraft in the safe state is in need of the software or database update; and   initiating, by the at least one processor, a remote loading of the software or database update to the verified selected one or more aircraft in the safe state, wherein the remote loading comprises:
 sending a message from the ground operations center to the aircraft to start a dataload when the software or database update is available on a data loader of the aircraft; 
 sending a dataload command to the data loader when the software or database update is available on the data loader; and 
 initiating the dataload from the data loader to a target avionics component to start the software or database update at the target avionics component. 
   
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the message is sent to a communication management function associated with the target avionics component. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the message is an aircraft communications addressing and reporting system (ACARS) message. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the message is sent to a gateway onboard the aircraft. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , where in the message is an Internet protocol (IP) message.