OPERATION COMPUTER SYSTEM

Abstract

A portable operation computer system, with particular application for military operations, including a control computer with a CPU, a display and control unit and at least one data interface, and including external components which can be connected to the at least one data interface of the control computer. The CPU is configured, after the control computer has been switched on or after an external component has been connected, to check whether the at least one data interface is connected to at least one of the external components and, if applicable, to which external component each data interface is directly or indirectly connected, and, depending on the result of this check, to automatically select an operating mode for the control computer from a plurality of stored operating modes and to configure the control computer and/or software running on the control computer accordingly.

Claims

1. An operation computer system, comprising at least one control computer, which has a CPU, a display and control unit and at least one data interface, and comprising a plurality of external components which are connectable to the at least one data interface of the control computer, wherein the CPU is configured: after the control computer has been switched on, or after an external component has been connected, to check whether the at least one data interface is connected to at least one of the external components and, if applicable, to which external component each data interface is directly or indirectly connected; and, depending on a result of the check, to automatically select an operating mode for the control computer from a plurality of stored operating modes and to configure the control computer and/or software running on the control computer accordingly.

2. The operation computer system according to claim 1, wherein one of the external components is formed of a satellite navigation receiver.

3. The operation computer system according to claim 1, wherein one of the external components is formed of an operation vehicle computer which is provided in an operation vehicle, which is designed for coupling to the control computer and which is provided with an interface unit for connection to a data interface of the control computer, whereby the operation vehicle computer comprises a vehicle CPU which can be connected to the control computer by the interface unit and the data interface.

4. The operation computer system according to claim 3, wherein the operation vehicle computer is equipped with at least one vehicle interface which can be or is connected for data transmission between the control computer, which is connected to the operation vehicle computer, and at least one vehicle component of the operation vehicle.

5. The operation computer system according to claim 4, wherein the vehicle component which is or can be connected to the vehicle interface is formed of a maintenance and diagnostic computer of the vehicle.

6. The operation computer system according to claim 3, wherein the operation vehicle computer is equipped with at least one weapon system interface which is connectable to at least one weapon system component of the weapon system for data transmission between a weapon system and the control computer, which is connected to the operation vehicle computer.

7. The operation computer system according to claim 6, wherein the weapon system component connectable to the weapon system interface is formed of a control of the weapon system.

8. The operation computer system according to claim 6, wherein the weapon system component connectable to the weapon system interface is formed of a maintenance and diagnostic computer of at least one of the weapon system and the ammunition contained in the weapon system.

9. The operation computer system according to claim 6, wherein the weapon system component connectable to the weapon system interface is formed of a test and training apparatus of at least one of the weapon system and the ammunition contained in the weapon system.

10. The operation computer system according to claim 6, wherein the weapon system component connectable to the weapon system interface is formed of a test or training apparatus of at least one of the weapon system and the ammunition contained in the weapon system.

11. The operation computer system according to claim 3, wherein the operation vehicle computer is equipped with at least one navigation interface connectable to at least one navigation device component of the at least one navigation device for data transmission between at least one internal or external navigation device of the operation vehicle and the control computer, which is connected to the operation vehicle computer.

12. The operation computer system according to claim 3, wherein the operation vehicle computer is equipped with or can be connected to at least one communication device which is connectable to at least one communication component of the at least one external operation control center for data transmission between at least one external operation control center and the control computer, which is connected to the operation vehicle computer.

13. The operation computer system according to claim 3, wherein the operation vehicle computer further comprises at least one monitoring system interface connectable to at least one monitoring component of the monitoring system for data transmission between at least one monitoring system and the control computer, which is connected to the operation vehicle computer.

14. The operation computer system according to claim 13, wherein the monitoring component connectable to the monitoring system interface is formed of a missile equipped with a reconnaissance device of the monitoring system.

15. The operation computer system according to claim 1, wherein encryption and decryption units are further provided, which are configured to encrypt a data stream which is sent via the respective connections between the control computer and the external component, between the control computer and the operation vehicle computer and/or between the operation control computer and the external component, and to decrypt a data stream which is received via the respective connections.

16. The operation computer system according to claim 1, wherein a reconnaissance device for recording data is provided which each comprise a data recording component connectable to at least one of the control computer and to the operation vehicle computer for data transmission.

17. The operation computer system according to claim 1, wherein the operation computer system is provided for military deployments.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Preferred embodiments of the disclosure herein with additional configuration details and further advantages will be described in greater detail and explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] In the drawings:

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a control computer of an operation computer system according to the disclosure herein;

[0036] FIG. 2 shows the control computer from FIG. 1, comprising a directly connected external component;

[0037] FIG. 3 shows the control computer from FIG. 1, which is connected to an operation vehicle computer;

[0038] FIG. 4 shows the combination, which is shown in FIG. 3, of a control computer and an operation vehicle computer comprising external components which are indirectly connected to the control computer by the operation vehicle computer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a control computer 1 of an operation computer system according to the disclosure herein. The control computer 1 is a portable computer which has a similar design to a toughbook, and is therefore mobile and portable. The control computer 1 is thus provided with a housing 11 which is suitable for rough military use, in which a CPU 10, a storage 16 (such as an electronic storage) and a display and control unit 12, for example a touch screen, are provided. In addition, in the example shown, the control computer 1 is provided with two data interfaces 14, 15, wherein also only one data interface or more than two data interfaces can be provided.

[0040] The data interfaces 14, 15 (and optionally additional data interfaces) preferably have standardized designs so that a plurality of different external components can be connected to the control computer 1 by the data interfaces 14, 15.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows, by way of example, how a mobile satellite navigation receiver 2, which is formed for example of a handheld device, is connected to the data interface 14. By this data communication connect 14, for example the positional data of a current location detected by the satellite navigation receiver are transmitted to the control computer 1. In addition, it can be provided that the control of the portable satellite navigation receiver 2 is made possible by the control unit 12 of the control computer 1.

[0042] The combination, which is shown in FIG. 2, of the control computer 1 and the satellite navigation receiver 2 which is directly connected thereto already forms a unit, which can be inserted in a mobile manner separately, within the portable operation computer system according to the disclosure herein.

[0043] By this unit composed of a portable control computer 1 and a portable satellite navigation receiver 2, it is possible for example to carry out the reconnaissance of a potential area of operations without a specially equipped vehicle being required, and therefore the unit shown in FIG. 2 can also be used in a civil vehicle, for example a rental car. The unit shown in FIG. 2 can equally be carried along by a non-motorized reconnaissance team, since it is portable and suitable for mobile use.

[0044] The connection of the satellite navigation receiver 2 to one of the data interfaces 14, 15 means that the control computer 1 is automatically configured into an operating mode which makes it possible to carry out any task which should be able to be carried out by the directly connected satellite navigation receiver 2. For this purpose, the control computer 1 or the software running thereon is configured in such a way that, after the control computer has been switched on, a check is carried out as to whether the at least one data interface 14, 15 is connected to at least one external component. If the result of this check is positive, a check is consequently carried out as to which external component each data interface 14, 15 is directly or indirectly connected to. In the present case of FIG. 2, the control computer 1 or the software running thereon thus detects that an external component is connected to the data interface 14, and that the external component is a portable satellite navigation receiver 2.

[0045] By this information, the software running on the control computer 1 can select the operating mode, from a plurality of operating modes which are stored for example in the storage 16, for example as a database, which is predetermined for the combination of a control computer 1 and a portable satellite navigation receiver 2 which is shown in FIG. 2.

[0046] Checking the data interfaces 14, 15 and the external components which may be connected thereto can be carried out not only automatically after the control computer has been switched on, but also for example when an external component has just been connected to one of the data interfaces 14, 15. In addition, it can also be provided that an operator can input a command for automatic configuration into the control unit 12, for example by actuating a switch or push-button which is virtually displayed on the control unit 12.

[0047] Instead of or in addition to the satellite navigation receiver 2, reconnaissance devices forming additional reconnaissance devices 8 can be connected to the control computer 1, for example cameras 80 or directional binoculars 82 provided with data capturing devices, which form external components, and the recorded data of which is transmitted to the control computer 1 via the interface 14.

[0048] In FIG. 2, the data interface 15 of the control computer 1 is connected to a data transmission and data receiver 17 via a data communication connection 15, by which means it is possible, when carrying out reconnaissance of collected data, to transmit data to a central operation control center 6 and to receive data therefrom.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a scenario in which the control computer 1 is coupled to an operation vehicle computer 3 via a data communication connection 15 by the data interface 15 thereof.

[0050] Even if the data communication connections 14 and 15 are shown in the embodiments as a physical connection, the data communication connections are not restricted to cable connections, but rather can equally be wireless data communication connections.

[0051] The operation vehicle computer 3 is installed for example in a military, shielded operation vehicle and has properties which are specific to the vehicle. For this purpose, the operation vehicle computer 3 is provided with a vehicle CPU 32 which is connected to an interface unit 30 for bidirectional data transmission. The interface unit 30 comprises a standardized control computer interface 31 which is configured for connection to one of the data interfaces 14, 15 of the control computer 1.

[0052] The operation vehicle computer 3 is equipped with a vehicle interface 34 which is connected to the vehicle CPU 32 for bidirectional data exchange. At least one vehicle component 33 of the operation vehicle can be connected to the vehicle interface 34. A vehicle component 33 of this type can be for example an onboard maintenance and diagnostic system which is thus integrated in the portable operation computer system.

[0053] Furthermore, the vehicle CPU 32 is equipped with a plurality of secondary interfaces. The secondary interfaces comprise for example a weapon system interface 35, a navigation interface 36 and/or a monitoring system interface 38. The above-mentioned secondary interfaces are not necessarily provided in all vehicles which are suitable for the use of the portable operation computer system, but rather the corresponding operation vehicle computer 3 can be configured so as to be adapted to the corresponding operation vehicle. It is thus for example not necessary to equip a vehicle, which is not configured as a weapon carrier or is not a command vehicle for a weapons operation, with a weapon system interface 35. Secondly, the control computer 1 which is connected to the operation vehicle computer 3 automatically detects whether an external component of a weapon system is connected to the weapon system interface 35.

[0054] Lastly, the operation vehicle computer 3 can also be equipped with a communication device or module 37 or can be connected to an external communication device via a communication device interface 37. Both the communication device interface 37 and the integrated communication device 37 which is optionally provided are connected to the vehicle CPU 32 for bidirectional data transmission.

[0055] FIG. 4 shows the unit composed of a control computer 1 and an operation vehicle computer 3, wherein corresponding external components are connected to the secondary interfaces. The weapon system interface 35 is thus connected to a weapon system component 40 of a weapon system 4 via a wired or wireless data transmission connection 35. The weapon system component 40 is formed for example of a weapon control system which is connected to a launching device or structure 42 for ammunition 44, for example missiles, for data transmission. The weapon system component 40 which is connected to the weapon system interface 35 can however also be formed of a control of the weapon system 4, or of a maintenance and diagnostic computer of the weapon system 4 or the ammunition 44 contained in the weapon system 4, or of a test and/or training apparatus of the weapon system or the ammunition 44 contained in the weapon system 4.

[0056] The navigation interface 36 of the operation vehicle computer 3 is connected to a navigation device component 50 of an internal or external navigation device 5, which component is formed for example of a navigation computer, via a data transmission connection 36, which can likewise be wired or wireless. In vehicles which are already provided with a factory-integrated vehicle navigation system, the system can form the navigation device component 50.

[0057] The monitoring system interface 38 is connected to a monitoring component 70 of a monitoring system 7 by a data communication connection 38, which can likewise be wired or wireless, for bidirectional data transmission. In the example shown, the monitoring component 70 is a control unit for a drone 72 which is equipped with a monitoring camera 74. Both the control signals for the drone 72 and for the camera 74 thereof and the image data which is recorded by the camera 74 are transmitted via a bidirectional radio link 76 between the drone 72 and the monitoring component 70 which is formed by the control unit. In this way, both the drone 72 and the camera 74 can be controlled by the control computer 1, and the images captured by the camera 74 can also be displayed on the display and control unit 12 of the control computer 1.

[0058] At least all the wireless data transmission connections comprise encryption and decryption units (not shown), which are configured to encrypt a data stream which is sent via the respective connections between the control computer 1 and the external component, between the control computer 1 and the operation vehicle computer 3 and/or between the operation control computer 3 and the external component, and to decrypt again a data stream which is received via the respective connections.

[0059] The control computer 1 which is connected to the operation vehicle computer 3, in a particularly preferred case, forms a digital vehicle assistant (DVA) as an audiovisual command, guidance and information center, which is provided in the preferably armored and air-conditioned driver cabin by large mobile devices of a tactical air defence system. The driver cabin also provides weather protection and CBRN protection for the operating personnel. The control computer 1 can be connected in the driver cabin to the operation vehicle computer 3 which is permanently installed in each vehicle and which is configured specifically to the vehicle or to the large devices.

[0060] The digital vehicle assistant (DVA) can be installed in the driver cabin of the following large mobile devices of a tactical air defence system: [0061] utility vehicle comprising a tactical operations center (TOC) [0062] utility vehicle comprising a search radar (SR) [0063] utility vehicle comprising a guidance and tracking radar (FR) [0064] reconnaissance utility vehicle [0065] starting device utility vehicle [0066] baggage utility vehicle [0067] reloading utility vehicle [0068] refuelling utility vehicle [0069] energy supply utility vehicle (accompanying utility vehicle for TOC, SR, FR) [0070] troop carrier utility vehicle [0071] maintenance utility vehicle [0072] rescue utility vehicle

[0073] The DVAs, i.e. the units composed of the respective control computers 1 and the respective operation vehicle computers 3, comprising the corresponding external components which are connected thereto of the respective large mobile devices, together form an example of a complex operation computer system according to the disclosure herein which can be put together in the manner of a construction kit. In this case, the specification of the functions which are accessible to the operator, and thus the menu hierarchy which is displayed on the display and control unit 12 of the control computer 1 and provided by the software running on the control computer 1 depends on the type of large device to which each control computer 1 is connected via the associated specific operation vehicle computer 3. The control computer and the software running thereon are identical and thus can be exchanged with each other as desired. The configuration of the software running on the control computer 1 takes place automatically in this case depending on the specific operation vehicle computer 3 which is connected to the control computer, and the external components which are connected thereto. Thus, even when preparing for an operation and throughout the entire operation, it is ensured that the data communication between all those involved in the operation is free of media disruption.

[0074] Reference numerals in the claims, the description and the drawings are used purely for a better understanding of the disclosure herein and are not intended to limit the scope of protection.

[0075] The subject matter disclosed herein can be implemented in software in combination with hardware and/or firmware. For example, the subject matter described herein can be implemented in software executed by a processor or processing unit. In one exemplary implementation, the subject matter described herein can be implemented using a computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions that when executed by a processor of a computer control the computer to perform steps. Exemplary computer readable mediums suitable for implementing the subject matter described herein include non-transitory devices, such as disk memory devices, chip memory devices, programmable logic devices, and application specific integrated circuits. In addition, a computer readable medium that implements the subject matter described herein can be located on a single device or computing platform or can be distributed across multiple devices or computing platforms.

[0076] While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms comprise or comprising do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms a, an or one do not exclude a plural number, and the term or means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority.