| Thales Avionics, Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120039048 | AIRLINE PASSENGER SEAT MODULAR USER INTERFACE DEVICE - A module carrier unit comprises a plurality of passenger interface modules that perform different functions, the functions including at least one of inputting and outputting information, the modules having a common size, shape, and interface; an outer case portion comprising a plurality of receptacles, each having a common size, shape, and interface designed to receive one of the modules, the plurality of receptacles being such that a first module having a first function is operable in a first receptacle, and a second module having a second function is operable in the first receptacle, the modules being removably connected to the receptacles; and a communications interface that performs at least one of transmitting and receiving data to and from a processor located near a seat of a passenger in the vehicle. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20110189863 | BREAK-AWAY CONNECTION FOR IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM - A break-away electrical connection for a passenger audio, audio/video, or data interface in an in-flight entertainment system comprises a magnetic retainer in either or both of a plug and receptacle and an asymmetric mechanical guide for proper alignment of signal polarity. | 08-04-2011 |
| 20110028178 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRELESSLY TRANSFERRING CONTENT TO AND FROM AN AIRCRAFT - A system and method for wirelessly transferring content to and from a vehicle, in particular, an aircraft. The content includes, for example, data, voice, video and multimedia, that can be wirelessly exchanged over a wireless communication link between an aircraft and a ground station while the aircraft is at or near a parking gate, or between aircraft. In an example, the system employs long distance metropolitan area technology, such as IEEE Standard 802.16 wireless technology, to increase transfer range. The parameter of the wireless communication link can be adjusted based on, for example, the location of the link. The content can further be provided between the vehicle and ground station based on priorities, such as the available link speed, importance of the information, and/or anticipated connection time between the vehicle and ground station. A media creation center can be networked to a plurality of base stations. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110004832 | AIRCRAFT CREW USER INTERFACE FOR AN AIRCRAFT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM - Provided is a system and method for displaying a graphic on a crew user interface. The system comprises a crew user interface comprising an input and an output, a server accessed by the crew user interface comprising a display application program that retrieves screen configuration data stored in a non-volatile memory of a database connected to the server and an aircraft entertainment system connected to the crew user interface. The output comprises the graphic that is produced during run-time by the application program interpreting the screen configuration data. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20100262748 | USB REPEATER FOR ON BOARD AIRCRAFT INSTALLATIONS - A USB repeater assembly is provided for connecting a vehicle passenger entertainment system to a seat electronics box that may be at some distance from the entertainment system. The assembly comprises a host connector that connects with the seat electronics box and a device connector that connects with the passenger entertainment system. The passenger entertainment system comprises a USB personal control unit. The repeater assembly is housed within a shell, preferably a hardened one, enclosing a portion of the connectors as well as USB repeater circuitry and through-connects for connections associated with other components of the passenger entertainment system. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100253230 | VEHICLE ENTERTAINMENT AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM PERSONAL CONTROL UNIT WITH RACETRACK LIGHTING DESIGN - A personal control unit (PCU) for a transportation-based entertainment system comprises a number of buttons. Illumination is provided for the buttons by illuminating a border region that is rounded containing some of the keys, and is provided for some of the buttons themselves. A light diffusion mechanism is provided between the illumination source and the illuminated regions related to the keys so that the illumination appears even across the entire PCU. A controller may adjust the illumination level and color of the illumination source. A system may be provided for matching at least one of color and brightness of the PCU lighting with cabin lighting. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100088731 | ADAPTABLE CONFIGURATION PLUG IN A VEHICLE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM - A multimedia delivery system of a vehicle is provided comprising a passive configuration plug designed as a line-replaceable unit that permits quick and easy reconfiguration based on changing needs of the vehicle owner. The system comprises a plurality of multimedia servers comprising multimedia data files, a plurality of end user display devices that display information from the multimedia servers, and a configuration plug designed as a line-replaceable unit comprising: a frame, one or more covers connected to the frame, a plug mount comprising an end-user device plug and a server plug, wherein both the device plug and the server plug each contain a plurality of cable connectors, a plurality of cables, each connecting to a connector of the device plug on one end, and a connector of the server plug on an other end, the connections defining a cable mapping between the devices and the servers. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100066616 | WINDOW MOUNTED ANTENNA FOR A VEHICLE AND A METHOD FOR USING THE SAME - An antenna assembly for installation in a vehicle, such as an aircraft, and a method for using the same. The antenna assembly includes at least one window mounted antenna for an aircraft for enabling the aircraft to communicate wirelessly with a network, such as a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). The window mounted antenna includes a panel that is transparent to visible light and has at least one antenna element, which can be etched onto the panel. The panel can attach to the interior window of the aircraft, or to an inner surface of the inner pressure window of the aircraft, or can replace the interior window, so as to position the antenna element in a side-looking direction with respect to the aircraft. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100060739 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A LIVE MAPPING DISPLAY IN A VEHICLE - A live mapping display system onboard a vehicle may determine a geographic position of a vehicle, access stored image data corresponding to the geographic position, position a camera to direct the camera toward a target region proximate a geographic region corresponding to the accessed stored image data, receive live image data from the camera of a captured image of the target region, generate a display image including the stored image data combined with the live image data, and display the display image. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20090034540 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STREAMING VIDEO ON DEMAND (VOD) STREAMS OVER A LOCAL NETWORK - A system and method for streaming numerous video on demand (VOD) streams over a network, such as a local area medium sized network on a vehicle such as an aircraft. The system and method that provides redundant and restricted paths for streaming numerous VOD streams while providing maximum bandwidth for traffic from multiple sources with minimal packet loss due to contention. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090007194 | REMOTE RECOVERY OF IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT VIDEO SEAT BACK DISPLAY AUDIO - A system and method permit remote recovery of audio from audiovisual or multimedia content for a video display unit. Audio is recovered from the audiovisual content sent to a first network address and is packetized for transmission over a network that may utilized an existing wiring infrastructure that provides audio and video-on-demand content to a second network address. The audio packets are reassembled by hardware associated with the second network address and analog audio created from the audio packets is provided at an output to an audio device. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090007193 | WIRELESS AUDIO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AN IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM - A wireless communication system for a vehicle includes a seat or overhead video display unit, a control and audio unit that is associated with and located remotely with respect to the video display unit, a first wireless transceiver associated with the video display unit, a second wireless transceiver associated with the control and audio unit, where the first and second wireless transceivers are linked together for communication. The video display unit receives audiovisual content and splits audio content for transmission to the control unit. The control unit can similarly transmit control and selection information to the video display unit. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20080313259 | IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT AND CABIN INTEGRATION SERVICE ORIENTED SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE AND METHOD - A software architecture for integrating an in-flight entertainment system and a vehicle cabin functions system. A first network serves the in-flight entertainment system, and a second network serves the vehicle cabin functions system. A first set of common functions is available via the first network, and a second set of common functions is available via the second network. At least one interface links the first and second sets of common functions and is adapted to link at least one additional service to at least one of the first and second networks. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080312778 | SERVER DESIGN AND METHOD - A communication system for a vehicle includes a server that includes a real time operating system, at least one cabin function application that runs on the real time operating system, and at least one in-flight entertainment application that runs on another operating system on top of the real time operating system. Thus, an in-operation entertainment system is capable of providing audio and/or visual content to a large number of locations in a cabin of the vehicle, and a cabin function system is capable of providing various cabin applications, e.g., lighting level control, attendant calling, air conditioning control, etc. at different locations in the vehicle cabin in a manner that is isolated and prioritized over the entertainment system. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080310609 | Distributed cabin interphone system for a vehicle - In one aspect, cabin interphone handsets and passenger announcement speakers in the cabin of a vehicle communicate over an internet protocol data network. Each handset of the system has an internet protocol presence and each passenger announcement speaker of the system has an internet protocol presence. Each handset includes announcement and call management functions so that each handset can communicate with one or more handsets over the network as well as make passenger announcements via one or more passenger announcement speakers. The call setup function and PA function may utilize voice over internet protocol. In another aspect, methods are provided for making interphone calls and passenger announcements using the system. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080244664 | Interface for bulkhead monitor and method for using the same - An interface for a bulkhead monitor in an in-flight entertainment system, and a method for using the same. More specifically, a one-wire interface use to electrically couple a tapping unit and its associated monitor in an in-flight entertainment system. The wire has a first end for coupling to an input of a comparator in the tapping unit, and a second end for coupling to an input of a comparator in the monitor, to couple the tapping unit to the monitor. The interface further includes a second wire for coupling the wire to a load, such as an indicator which indicates an on or off condition of at least the video monitor. The wire of the interface can also carry a signal indicating a indicating at least one of transmitting state and a receiving state of a microcontroller of the monitor. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080237440 | Mounting device for a line replaceable unit in an aircraft and a method for using the same - A mounting device for a line replaceable unit in an aircraft, and a method for using the same. The mounting device provides for easy installation and removal of a line replaceable unit from overhead mounting apparatus or mounting rails in an aircraft, in particular, an Airbus. The mounting device includes a fixing block having a least one opening, and at least one assembly including a shaft portion passing through the opening, a clamping element and a visual position element whose orientation indicates an orientation of the clamping element. The assembly is operable such that the clamping element secures the device to a component of the vehicle when positioned in a first position, and releases the device when positioned in a second position, and the visual position element provides an indication of whether the clamping element is in the first or second position. | 10-02-2008 |
