FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to onboard systems, computing devices, and methods carried out by systems and devices, and more specifically, to systems, devices, and methods for establishing multiple Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) sessions with a flight management computer.

BACKGROUND

Modern aircraft are often equipped with a Flight Management Computer (FMC) that automates one or more functions of the aircraft, such as tracking a position of the aircraft, managing a flight plan for the aircraft, and calculating a course of the aircraft. In some instances, aircraft are equipped with multiple FMCs (e.g., for redundancy in the case of a failure of a given FMC. Pilots may interact with a given FMC using a Multi-Function Control and Display Unit (MCDU).

However, a typical MCDU generally provides only rudimentary user interface components for interacting with an FMC. For instance, some MCDUs may include a small monochrome display device and tightly-packed alphanumeric keys, which may limit interaction with the FMC. Other MCDUs may have an improved user interface, though these MCDUs may still lack user interface components that may facilitate richer interaction with the FMC.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a method carried out by an onboard system includes establishing a connection between a first EFB and an aircraft interface device (AID). The connection between the first EFB and the AID is associated with a connection identifier for the first EFB. The method further includes setting a session identifier for the first EFB in response to a session request by the first EFB over the connection between the first EFB and the AID, and establishing a session between the first EFB and an FMC based on the session identifier for the first EFB. The session between the first EFB and the FMC is established over the connection between the first EFB and the AID in accordance with the connection identifier for the first EFB. The method also includes establishing a connection between a second EFB and the AID. The connection between the second EFB and the AID is associated with a connection identifier for the second EFB. In addition, the method includes setting a session identifier for the second EFB in response to a session request by the second EFB over the connection between the second EFB and the AID, and establishing a session between the second EFB and the FMC based on the session identifier for the second EFB. The session between the second EFB and the FMC is established over the connection between the second EFB and the AID in accordance with the connection identifier for the second EFB.

In an embodiment, an onboard system includes an FMC, an AID, a first EFB, a second EFB, a processor, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the onboard system to establish a connection between the first EFB and the AID. The connection between the first EFB and the AID is associated with a connection identifier for the first EFB. The instructions further cause the onboard system to set a session identifier for the first EFB in response to a session request by the first EFB over the connection between the first EFB and the AID, and establish a session between the first EFB and the FMC based on the session identifier for the first EFB. The session between the first EFB and the FMC is established over the connection between the first EFB and the AID in accordance with the connection identifier for the first EFB. The instructions also cause the onboard system to establish a connection between a second EFB and the AID. The connection between the second EFB and the AID is associated with a connection identifier for the second EFB. In addition, the instructions cause the onboard system to set a session identifier for the second EFB in response to a session request by the second EFB over the connection between the second EFB and the AID, and establish a session between the second EFB and the FMC based on the session identifier for the second EFB. The session between the second EFB and the FMC is established over the connection between the second EFB and the AID in accordance with the connection identifier for the second EFB.

In an embodiment, a method carried out by an onboard system includes establishing a connection between a first EFB and an AID. The connection between the first EFB and the AID is associated with a connection identifier for the first EFB. The method further includes making a first session determination that no EFB has an established session with the FMC, and in response to making the first session determination, establishing a session between the first EFB and an FMC based on a session identifier for the first EFB. The session between the first EFB and the FMC is established over the connection between the first EFB and the AID in accordance with the connection identifier for the first EFB. The method also includes establishing a connection between a second EFB and the AID. The connection between the second EFB and the AID is associated with a connection identifier for the second EFB. In addition, the method includes making a second session determination that the first EFB has an established session with the FMC, and in response to making the second session determination, establishing a session between the second EFB and the FMC based on a session identifier for the second EFB. The session between the second EFB and the FMC is established over the connection between the second EFB and the AID in accordance with the connection identifier for the second EFB.

These and other features, and characteristics of the present technology, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of ‘a’, ‘an’, and ‘the’ include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

