Aspen Connected Panel Patent??
Printed From: Avidyne
Category: Avidyne General
Forum Name: IFD 5 Series & IFD 4 Series Touch Screen GPS/NAV/COM
Forum Description: Topics on Avidyne's IFD 5 Series and IFD 4 Series Touch Screen GPS/NAV/COM
URL: http://forums.avidyne.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=858
Printed Date: 17 May 2024 at 2:48am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Aspen Connected Panel Patent??
Posted By: mfb
Subject: Aspen Connected Panel Patent??
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2015 at 6:25pm
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Is this going to be a problem for those of us who are hoping that the IFD440/540 will communicate with our iPads and Androids? http://www.aspenavionics.com/news/aspens-connected-panel-technology-receives-united-states-patent/" rel="nofollow - http://www.aspenavionics.com/news/aspens-connected-panel-technology-receives-united-states-patent/ Mike
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Replies:
Posted By: ddgates
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2015 at 6:41pm
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There are a lot of us who would like to see interconnectivity with the Aspen equipment. I doubt, though, that they are looking at Avidyne in that regard, though. Would like to be wrong. ------------- David Gates |
Posted By: mfb
Date Posted: 27 Oct 2015 at 11:23pm
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Aspen claims that they have "the industry’s only FAA-certified and patented avionics technology to safely interface wirelessly with non-certified mobile devices such as the Apple iPad or Android devices before, during and after flight." That pretty much describes what I suspect that Avidyne was planning to do with the built in wireless and Bluetooth hardware that's already in the IFD440s and 540s. (The software isn't in place yet to do anything with it.) My concern is that Aspen will claim that their patent covers all certified avionics that talk to iPads and similar gadgets. If that view is upheld, it would mean that our IFD540s could not talk to iPads and Androids unless Avidyne pays a royalty to Aspen for the use of their patent. Avidyne may decide to cough up, or they may decide to forget the whole wireless/Bluetooth thing. Or they may decide to charge ahead as planned and let Aspen sue them for patent infringement. A patent is only worth what you're willing to spend to defend it. In any case, it's not going to make the lives of those of us with IFD540s any simpler or cheaper. But a few patent attorneys are going to be able to increase their standard of living. Mike |
Posted By: DavidBunin
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2015 at 10:17am
| Wouldn't Aspen be more concerned about the much bigger fishie in Olathe? |
Posted By: ddgates
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2015 at 10:36am
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Would it not serve Aspen's interests (e.g., sell more PFD/MFD units) if their equipment talked with the Avidyne units in a collaborative manner? The "connected panel" patent is only useful if the units are actually interfaced? A more expansive view of the patent (to the extreme, panel mounts talking to portables) could be very disruptive to products and processes already in existence, and also in development. The bluetooth keyboard could mitigate some of that, IMO. ------------- David Gates |
Posted By: oskrypuch
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2015 at 11:12am
I believe that the latest firmware updates on the GNS units, broke ASPEN's connected panel. And even if they didn't, obviously G* could do so in future. It may be that ASPEN seeks to use this patent to ensure no future firmware issues with G*, else they would go after the G* streaming setup. * Orest |
ddgates wrote:Posted By: mfb
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2015 at 11:28am
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Sure, but Aspen's Connected Panel requires one of their CG100 Connected Gateway boxes to be installed in addition to the Aspen PFD. The CG100 is the wireless interface. If you have one of those you no longer need the wireless that's built in to the Avidyne IFD540. So the Aspen system costs more ($2500 for the CG100 plus installation plus space to put it) and it negates any work that Avidyne has done to interface their units directly to the outside world. I'm sure that Avidyne could connect their stuff to the Aspen system, just like the Olathe guys do. But that would require more software development work. We all know how fast that goes. And more expense. And more complexity for users, who would have to buy the full Aspen suite in order to connect up their IFD*40s. Or we can all pay a license fee to Aspen for the privilege of turning on our built-in IFD*40 wireless features. Which is exactly how Aspen handles to upgrade options to their PFD. Nobody goes through the effort of getting a patent and making a big splash about it if they don't intend to put up a toll booth that charges everyone who is marginally close to what they're doing. I have a bad feeling about this. Mike |
Posted By: ddgates
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2015 at 11:40am
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I see. Aspen is approaching other issues from an "unlock" - access arrangement. For example, if you want to display a non-Aspen ADS-B on the Aspen MFD, they charge you a $795 unlock. Perhaps Simpson will comment on how Avidyne sees this issue? ------------- David Gates |
Posted By: oskrypuch
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2015 at 11:43am
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Just trying to keep a positive outlook on this. But yes, "patents" in what should be an open architecture, usually lead to loss of flexibility and increased cost to the end consumer. * Orest |
Posted By: ronl
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2015 at 11:47am
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Yes. Garmin specifically tried to block Aspen from using the 430/530 data stream by encoding it with a software update. Shortly there after, Garmin released their own WiFi box in an attempt to squash Aspen's Connected Cockpit concept. IOW, I think they blatantly pirated Aspens idea. That was a primary reason that I decided to go with a 540/440 instead of the 650/750. Personally, I applaud Aspen for standing up to the 800 lb gorilla. Someone needs to if we're going to have any competition in the Avionics market. ------------- Ron L |
Posted By: AviJake
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2015 at 11:47am
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It's fine. Don't sweat it. ------------- Steve Jacobson sjacobson@avidyne.com |
Posted By: mfb
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2015 at 11:52am
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I'm very glad to hear that. |
Posted By: ddgates
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2015 at 12:48pm
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+1 ------------- David Gates |