Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
725076000 | Airplane | 58 |
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 |
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 |
20090077594 | HDD-BASED COMMERCIAL AIRPLANE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM - A system and method for providing a passenger's preferred content in a transportation unit are provided. A user computer ( | 03-19-2009 |
20090077595 | Media Device Interface System and Method for Vehicle Information Systems - An information system suitable for use in cooperation with portable media devices, such as an Apple iPod® digital electronic media device, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The information system supports a simple manner for seamlessly integrating the personal media device with the information system, immersing a user in a rich and intuitive media environment. When the personal media device and the information system are coupled, viewing content from the personal media device can be integrated “on the fly” into the information system via an interactive user interface system. The personal media device likewise can receive control commands and/or operating power from the information system. Thereby, the user can advantageously enjoy his own personal viewing content from the personal media device via the larger video presentation system and/or the enhanced audio presentation system of the information system, while recharging an internal battery system of the personal media device. | 03-19-2009 |
20090083805 | Media Device Interface System and Method for Vehicle Information Systems - An information system suitable for use in cooperation with portable media devices, such as an Apple iPhone® digital electronic media device, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The information system includes a wireless access point and supports a simple manner for seamlessly integrating the personal media device with the information system, immersing a user in a rich and intuitive media environment. When disposed within a predetermined range of the wireless access point, the portable media device and the vehicle information system can initiate, and maintain, communications, preferably without requiring authentication of the portable media device. The personal media device thereby can exchange control commands and viewing content with the information system. Thereby, a user can advantageously enjoy selected viewing content provided by the information system via the personal media device. | 03-26-2009 |
20090113494 | Device for imaging an aircraft cabin - A service network in which a monitoring system is implemented under the aspect of weight and space optimization. The service network for an aircraft includes a multi-purpose flight attendant panel, a bus system and a switch, wherein the multi-purpose flight attendant panel and the switch are connected via the bus system, wherein the switch includes an interface for at least one recording device, and wherein the multi-purpose flight attendant panel includes a control device for controlling the recording device. | 04-30-2009 |
20090119721 | System and Method for Interfacing a Portable Media Device with a Vehicle Information System - An information system suitable for use in cooperation with portable media devices, such as an Apple iPod® digital electronic media device, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The information system provides a user-friendly communication interface for coupling with a portable media device and can perform a plurality of integration tasks simultaneously, enabling the personal media device to become fully integrated with the information system. Viewing content thereby can be selected from video and/or audio viewing content stored internally within the personal media device, and the selected viewing content can be communicated from the personal media device to the information system for presentation via a video presentation system and/or an audio presentation system of the information system. The personal media device likewise can receive control commands and/or operating power from the information system. Thereby, the personal media device advantageously can become a seamless part of the information system. | 05-07-2009 |
20090138920 | Video display device and method for communication of multiple audio and video selection of an aircraft - A multimedia playing device for use in a passenger cabin having a plurality of seats for multiple passengers. The device employs an electronic component to ascertain the individual seat location of each device from the plurality of seats. User rights based on the individual seat location provide the user with varying levels of access to stored audio and video on the device. | 05-28-2009 |
20090307730 | MEDIA ENHANCEMENT MODULE - A media enhancement module ( | 12-10-2009 |
20100005495 | Information and Entertainment System in an Aircraft - An information system in an aircraft, whereby information system data relating to informing, instructing and entertaining passengers can be visually presented. The information system includes an aircraft window with at least one pane and a control unit. The at least one pane, is coated with a translucent display that is coupled to the control unit, which, for the purpose of presenting information, is equipped to supply electrical current in a targeted manner to the display. | 01-07-2010 |
20100064327 | AIRCRAFT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WITH VIDEO FILE LIBRARY AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A video file system for an aircraft carrying a person having a personal electronic device (PED) for displaying video files includes a ground-based video server and an aircraft-based video system. The ground-based video server stores video files, with each video file being updatable from an available status to an unavailable status. The aircraft-based video system copies video files from the ground-based video server while the aircraft is on the ground. A determination is made, via communications with the ground-based video server and while the aircraft is airborne, whether a given video file has been updated from the available status to the unavailable status. The PED is permitted to display the given video file if it has the available status, and is not permitted to display the given video file if it has the unavailable status. | 03-11-2010 |
20100138879 | Entertainment Systems Utilizing Field Replaceable Storage Units - Vehicular entertainment systems where devices in the systems can each utilize a common type of storage units are presented. A vehicular entertainment system can include a media server head unit in communication over a network with a plurality of media players that are installed about the cabin of a vehicle. Media content can be stored on a plurality of field replaceable storage units where each of the storage units can be installed in any one of the players or the server. Each of the storage units can store a substantially identical content set including passenger content, player content, server content, crew content, or other types of content. The server or players can be restricted from accessing content to which they lack rights, possibly based on a location identifier that indicates roles or responsibilities of the players at their installed location. | 06-03-2010 |
20100162325 | In-Flight Entertainment System - An in-flight entertainment system is described. The system includes a plurality of media players that are installed at fixed locations within an aircraft cabin. Individual media players are provided with a dedicated media data storage device physically coupled to the media player such that a playing of specific media requires local access to that media content. The media players are responsive to a centralised signal sent to the media players to effect a display of specific content items at that media player. | 06-24-2010 |
20100186051 | Wireless transmission of information between seats in a mobile platform using magnetic resonance energy - A system and method for communicating audio or video information using inductive magnetic coupling between first and second adjacent seats on a mobile platform. A transceiver is located on the first seat and receives signals from an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system on the mobile platform. The transceiver passes the data on to a transmitter subsystem that generates low power inductive magnetic energy which is received by a receiver subsystem located on the second seat. The low power inductive magnetic energy is converted to electrical signals at the second seat and the information is output to a receiver unit of the receiver subsystem on the second seat. The receiver unit generates an output signal that is applied to an audio jack associated with a personal control unit (PCU) located on the second seat. This system and method enables audio content to be transmitted from the first seat to the second seat in wireless fashion while video content is displayed on a video display unit at the first seat, without affecting the synchronization of the audio signals to the video signals. The low power nature of the inductive magnetic energy, and its rapid falloff with distance from the transmitter, allow channels to be reused at spaced apart seat locations within the mobile platform. | 07-22-2010 |
20100218225 | AIRCRAFT VIDEO CONTROL STATION WITH STOWABLE SEAT - The disclosure provides for an aircraft video control station. In an embodiment, the aircraft video control station comprises a wall mounted control panel, a desktop, a seat that is stowed when not in use, and a cabinet that contains the wall mounted control panel, the desktop, and the seat. The cabinet may have a depth in the range of about 10 inches to about 37 inches, and preferably has a depth of 15 inches. The seat may be in the form of a swing out seat. | 08-26-2010 |
20100235866 | ON-DEMAND ENTERTAINMENT CONTENT FOR PASSENGER VEHICLES - A method and software for providing on-demand entertainment content that includes a server containing stored digital content and configured to transmit their respective stored digital content to the electronic digital display units located proximate to a passenger seat that decodes and displays the video content upon receiving it, and having a user interface that permits a passenger to request the digital movie content stored in the server. | 09-16-2010 |
20110107377 | SERIAL NETWORKING FIBER-TO-THE-SEAT INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM - An entertainment system that exhibits advantages of fiber-to-the-seat systems, has improved failure recovery characteristics, and reduces the connection components is disclosed. In one aspect, an inflight entertainment system comprises a plurality of head end line replaceable units physically interconnected in a ring configuration and a plurality of serially-connected networking line replaceable units physically interconnected in a serial configuration, wherein two of the serially-connected networking line replaceable units at the edge of the serial configuration are physically interconnected with two of the head end line replaceable units, respectively, wherein a loop-free head end data path is maintained between active head end line replaceable units by regulating link participation in the head end data path, and wherein one or more loop-free serially-connected networking data paths are maintained between at least one of the two head end line replaceable units and active serially-connected networking line replaceable units by regulating link participation in the serially-connected networking data paths. | 05-05-2011 |
20110126242 | Inflight entertainment system with screen configurable video display unit roles - An inflight entertainment (IFE) system provides screen configurable video display unit (VDU) roles. Screen configurable VDU roles allow a role for each VDU in the system to be specified in the field through user inputs on the VDU and advertised to the head end system to create awareness of the specified role. Screen configurable VDU roles can reduce the number of discrete VDU line replaceable unit (LRU) types deployed on a single aircraft and across a fleet of aircraft, reducing hardware and software upgrade and sparing costs, while adding substantial flexibility to the system by removing cabin positioning restrictions on certain VDU types and facilitating system reconfiguration. | 05-26-2011 |
20110162015 | INFLIGHT COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - An inflight communication system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes a video display unit (VDU) with a detachable module having a plurality of user interface elements thereon to facilitate, for example, recovery from failure of one of the user interface elements in that the detachable module can be replaced without replacing the entire VDU. In some embodiments, the system includes a VDU with integrated and/or rendered flight attendant call button and/or reading light control button. In some embodiments, the system includes a public address (PA) system that bypasses the IFE head end servers when delivering PA audio to seat audio/visual (A/V) systems, thereby reducing or eliminating the risk of PA audio output failure on seat A/V systems due to server crashes and improving synchronization between the PA audio output on the public loudspeakers and the seat A/V systems. | 06-30-2011 |
20110302616 | VISIBLE LIGHT COMMUNICATION APPARATUS FOR IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM IN AIRCRAFT CABIN - The invention provides a visible light communication apparatus for in-flight entertainment system in an aircraft cabin in which a visible light communication (VLC) system is used for wireless communication of various contents data for in-flight entertainment. The invention provides a visible light communication apparatus for in-flight entertainment system in an aircraft cabin comprising an illuminating apparatus for illuminating the aircraft cabin via light emitted from an OLED element | 12-08-2011 |
20120023526 | AIRCRAFT SEAT WITH SHARED CONTROL ARCHITECTURE - The invention essentially concerns an aircraft seat ( | 01-26-2012 |
20120030717 | Systems and Methods for Prioritizing Wireless Commuinication of Aircraft - A method for wireless communication of aircraft. The method includes, inter alia, in any feasible order, (1) in accordance with detecting a touchdown of the aircraft, assigning a first priority for transmitting information and a second priority for receiving media content; (2) in accordance with detecting an arrival of the aircraft at the gate, assigning a third priority for receiving media content; (3) in accordance with detecting a departure of the aircraft, assigning the first priority for transmitting information and the second priority for receiving media content; and (4) in accordance with detecting a departure ready of the aircraft, assigning a fourth priority for receiving essential media content and the second priority for receiving other media content. The first priority is greater than the second priority; and the fourth priority is greater than the second priority. | 02-02-2012 |
20120066726 | Video Display Units for Aircraft In-Flight Entertainment Systems and Methods of Adapting the Same - Some embodiments of the present invention provide video display units including at least one video display monitor at least one sheet of polarized material configured to extend on a viewing surface of the at least one video display monitor. The video display unit is adapted for use in an aircraft in-flight entertainment system. Some video display units include a plurality of video display monitors. Related methods are also provided. | 03-15-2012 |
20120090011 | CONTENT UPLOAD SYSTEM AND CONTENT DISTRIBUTION SERVER - A content upload system includes: a content distributing server that is installed in an airplane and distributes audio-video contents into the airplane; and a plurality of content accumulating servers that are installed in a plurality of airports, in which the airplane is parked, and transmit the audio-video contents to the content distributing server through a network. The content distributing server selectively writes audio-video contents that have not been stored in the content distributing server of audio-video contents transmitted from the content accumulating server while the airplane is parked on the airport. | 04-12-2012 |
20120131619 | On-Board Vessel Entertainment System - An improved user experience is provided for passengers on a vessel such as an airplane, train or ship. Passengers can customize their travel experience ahead of time by accessing a web-based server system to indicate preferences with respect to a number of in-flight entertainment options. The passenger's experience is also enhanced by allowing passengers to share preferences such as media playlists with others. Meals can be ordered on-demand once on board, and seat-to-seat chat as well as group chatting is also made available through an in-seat or other proximate entertainment device. | 05-24-2012 |
20120233645 | IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM - An in-flight entertainment system includes a server and a server client interface. The server/client interface interfaces with the server and a display unit to retrieve a specified data block requested by the display unit, where the server/client interface sends a command to a storage device controller of the server to retrieve the specified data block from a storage device under the control of the server. The server/client interface operating based on its own control logic. | 09-13-2012 |
20120254923 | CABIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, AIRCRAFT OR SPACECRAFT HAVING A CABIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, AND METHOD - The present invention provides a cabin management system for an aircraft or spacecraft, comprising: at least one first terminal, which acts as an interface for one or more passengers; at least one second terminal, which performs safety-related functions; and at least one means set up to provide and/or receive video data to/from the first terminal and safety-related data to/from the second terminal. | 10-04-2012 |
20130055320 | AIR-TO-GROUND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM AND METHOD - A video signal processing system and method is disclosed. The video signal processing system includes at least two receiving modules configured for independently receiving signals for the same video program. Each receiving module is further configured for processing the signals received and providing a corresponding video stream. The video signal processing system further includes a synchronization module and a data processing module. The synchronization module is configured for determining a latency difference between the at least two video streams, and the data processing module is configured for comparing and combining the at least two video streams to provide a merged video stream, which may have a reduced number of damaged or missing frames. | 02-28-2013 |
20130160061 | SKY MARSHAL VIDEO ACCESS - A surveillance device and method provide access to a surveillance system for keeping a cabin of an aircraft under surveillance. A computer program may be used to execute the method for accessing the surveillance system. The surveillance device includes an authentication unit for examining an access-authorisation request for access to the surveillance system, and a control unit for selecting, on the basis of the access-authorisation request, a display unit from a plurality of display units provided in the aircraft, and for relaying a video-image signal corresponding to a captured video image of a subarea of the cabin of the aircraft to the selected display unit for the purpose of displaying the video image. | 06-20-2013 |
20130276037 | APPARATUS FOR AIRCRAFT DUAL CHANNEL DISPLAY - An aircraft cockpit display includes among other things a display panel having a pixel matrix, a backlight for illuminating the matrix, a first video channel having a row driver and a column driver for driving a first portion of the pixels, and a second video channel having a row driver and a column driver for driving a second portion of the pixels. | 10-17-2013 |
20130298173 | AIRCRAFT IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM WITH ROBUST DAISY-CHAINED NETWORK - An aircraft in-flight entertainment system includes a plurality of seat electronic units (SEUs) that are daisy chained through a packet data network (PDN) loop to a content server containing media content. The SEU includes a power supply, a communication switch, a processor, a communication interface, and a power control circuit. The power supply supplies power to the communication switch, the processor, and the communication interface. The communication switch selectively routes packets containing media content through the processor and the communication interface to the video display unit, or through a segment of the PDN loop to a downstream electronic unit. The power control circuit responds to the power supply supplying less than a threshold level of power by supplying power to the communication switch from the segment of the PDN loop connected to the upstream electronic unit and/or the downstream electronic unit. | 11-07-2013 |
20140137164 | IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING DIGITAL CONTENT IN AN AERIAL VEHICLE - An In-Flight Entertainment system is provided with a server unit and a display unit. The server unit is configured to maintain digital content. The display unit is configured to connect to the server unit through a wired network for receiving and presenting the digital content. The display unit further includes a wireless module for wirelessly transmitting the digital content received from the server unit to be presented by a first portable device. | 05-15-2014 |
20140173669 | Method to provide a virtual cockpit experience to the flying passenger - A processing unit for providing aircraft information to passengers of an aircraft, a system comprising the processing unit, an aircraft comprising the system, a method for providing aircraft information to passengers of an aircraft, as well as a computer program for performing the method. The processing unit comprises: a receiving component for receiving cockpit video data representing one or more cockpit video images of at least a section of the cockpit of the aircraft; and a processing component for processing the received cockpit video data such that the processed cockpit video data is retrievable on demand to provide the one or more cockpit video images to the passengers of the aircraft. | 06-19-2014 |
20140208370 | WIRELESS TERMINAL, WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, AND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION CONTROL DEVICE - A wireless terminal communicates with a wireless communication apparatus including one or more wireless access points, and is used in a facility including a plurality of seats. The wireless terminal includes a seat position identifying unit, a distance determination unit, and a processing setting unit. The seat position identifying unit identifies a seat position of a user of the wireless terminal. The distance determination unit determines a distance from the identified position to the one or more wireless access points. The processing setting unit sets the processing associated with communication based on the determined distance. | 07-24-2014 |
20150128193 | AIRCRAFT IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM HAVING A MULTI-BEAM PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - An in-flight entertainment (IFE) system for an aircraft includes a phased array antenna and control circuitry associated therewith to be carried by the aircraft and to generate dual antenna beams for television programming and Internet data from respective spaced apart satellites. A television programming distribution system is to be carried by the aircraft and coupled to the phased array antenna and control circuitry to provide television programming within the aircraft. At least one access point is to be carried by the aircraft and coupled to the phased array antenna and control circuitry to provide a wireless local area network (WLAN) within the aircraft for the Internet data. | 05-07-2015 |
20150150061 | PORTABLE VEHICLE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS WITH WIRELESS COMMUNICATION OF ENTERTAINMENT CONTENT - A portable entertainment system for a vehicle includes a portable housing, a transceiver, a processor, a memory, and a rechargeable battery. The transceiver communicates through RF signals with Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) operated by vehicle passengers. The rechargeable battery supplies power to the transceiver, the processor, and the memory. The memory is coupled to the processor and includes entertainment content and further includes computer readable program code that causes the processor to communicate a list, of at least some of the entertainment content available in the memory, to the PEDs. A content selection message is received through the transceiver from one of the PEDs that requests communication of a selected one of the entertainment content identified in the list. The selected entertainment content is communicated through the transceiver to the PED. The transceiver, the processor, and the memory are enclosed within the portable housing. | 05-28-2015 |
20150341677 | SERIAL NETWORKING FIBER-TO-THE-SEAT INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM - An entertainment system that has improved failure recovery characteristics and reduces the connection components is disclosed. In one aspect, an inflight entertainment system comprises a plurality of physically interconnected head end line replaceable units and a plurality of serially-connected networking line replaceable units physically interconnected in a serial configuration, wherein two of the serially-connected networking line replaceable units at the edge of the serial configuration are physically interconnected with two of the head end line replaceable units, respectively, wherein a loop-free head end data path is maintained between active head end line replaceable units by regulating link participation in the head end data path, and wherein one or more loop-free serially-connected networking data paths are maintained between at least one of the two head end line replaceable units and active serially-connected networking line replaceable units by regulating link participation in the serially-connected networking data paths. | 11-26-2015 |
20150358647 | Data Network, Method and Playback Device for Playing Back Audio and Video Data in an In-Flight Entertainment System - Data network in an in-flight entertainment system for playing back audio and video data ( | 12-10-2015 |
20160014443 | BROADCASTING OF LAND, WATER, AND AIR CAMERAS | 01-14-2016 |
20160134899 | SERIAL NETWORKING FIBER-TO-THE-SEAT INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM - An entertainment system that has improved failure recovery characteristics and reduces the connection components is disclosed. In one aspect, an inflight entertainment system comprises a plurality of physically interconnected head end line replaceable units and a plurality of serially-connected networking line replaceable units physically interconnected in a serial configuration, wherein two of the serially-connected networking line replaceable units at the edge of the serial configuration are physically interconnected with two of the head end line replaceable units, respectively, wherein a loop-free head end data path is maintained between active head end line replaceable units by regulating link participation in the head end data path, and wherein one or more loop-free serially-connected networking data paths are maintained between at least one of the two head end line replaceable units and active serially-connected networking line replaceable units by regulating link participation in the serially-connected networking data paths. | 05-12-2016 |
20160134920 | PORTABLE VEHICLE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS WITH WIRELESS COMMUNICATION OF ENTERTAINMENT CONTENT - A portable entertainment system for a vehicle includes a portable housing, a transceiver, a processor, a memory, and a rechargeable battery. The transceiver communicates through RF signals with Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) operated by vehicle passengers. The rechargeable battery supplies power to the transceiver, the processor, and the memory. The memory is coupled to the processor and includes entertainment content and further includes computer readable program code that causes the processor to communicate a list, of at least some of the entertainment content available in the memory, to the PEDs. A content selection message is received through the transceiver from one of the PEDs that requests communication of a selected one of the entertainment content identified in the list. The selected entertainment content is communicated through the transceiver to the PED. The transceiver, the processor, and the memory are enclosed within the portable housing. | 05-12-2016 |
725077000 | Seat-back terminal | 17 |
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 |
20090288123 | Passenger tray convenience system - An aircraft entertainment, gaming, internet, telephone, information, menu selection, ordering and purchasing system, video projection system, and seat occupied system providing pre-flight, in-flight, post-flight passenger entertainment, internet, information, menu selection, ordering and purchasing, via projected video or image, and a seat occupied system, integrated into an aircraft passenger seat tray. The aircraft passenger seat tray being an all in one convenience system for the aircraft passenger while allowing the normal use of the aircraft passenger seat tray for the resting and support of meal trays, drinks, business usage, etc. | 11-19-2009 |
20100162326 | In-Flight Entertainment System - An in-flight entertainment system is described. The system includes a plurality of media players that are installed at fixed locations. The media players are operable on a control circuit provided to enable local control of power availability at the fixed location. | 06-24-2010 |
20100162327 | In-Flight Entertainment System - An in-flight entertainment system is described. The system includes a plurality if media players that are installed at fixed locations within an aircraft cabin. Individual media players are provided with a dedicated media data storage device physically coupled to the media player such that a playing of specific media requires local access to that media content. | 06-24-2010 |
20110047580 | AV CONTENT VIEW SYSTEM - In video/audio information such as a movie in a mobile terminal connected to a terminal of a seat terminal for a mobile terminal, the video is converted into video data and transmitted to a seat terminal of a front seat via a transmission path. The video data are decoded by a video decoder of the seat terminal of the front seat and displayed on a video display section. Furthermore, audio is listened to by a user via a headphone of the user's own seat. | 02-24-2011 |
20110162016 | Inflight entertainment system video display synchronization - Inflight entertainment (IFE) system with remote control capability and video display synchronization. In one aspect, remote control capability and video display synchronization are used to extend the advantages of touch screen IFE passenger controls to airline passengers who cannot easily reach their seatback video display unit (VDU) due to, for example, cabin seating arrangements, age or disabilities. These advantages are realized through the expedient of a passenger control unit (PCU) touch screen video display that is synchronized with a VDU video display. When the passenger makes a selection by touching the PCU touch screen video display, the VDU video display reflects the selection at latency levels below human perception. In another aspect, remote control capability and video display synchronization are used to allow selections to be made remotely from the passenger's seat, such as by a flight attendant, parent, or interactive game competitor, and reflected on both a remote video display and the passenger's seatback VDU and/or PCU video display at latency levels below human perception. | 06-30-2011 |
20110219408 | AIRCRAFT IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM WITH ENHANCED PASSENGER CONTROL UNITS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - An aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system includes an entertainment source, passenger seatback displays coupled to the entertainment source, and passenger control units. Each PCU is associated with a respective seatback display and includes a touchpad configured to recognize multiple simultaneous touch points. | 09-08-2011 |
20110219409 | AIRCRAFT IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM WITH ENHANCED SEATBACK TRAY PASSENGER CONTROL UNITS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - An aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system includes an entertainment source, passenger seatback displays coupled to the entertainment source, and passenger control units (PCUs). Each PCU is associated with a respective seatback display. Each PCU includes an underside PCU input device carried by an underside of a seatback tray to be accessible by a user from the underside of the seatback tray when the seatback tray is in a stored position, and a topside PCU input device carried by a topside of the seatback tray to be accessible by the user from a topside of the seatback tray when the seatback tray is in a down position. | 09-08-2011 |
20110314507 | REGISTRATION OF A PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE (PED) WITH AN AIRCRAFT IFE SYSTEM USING AIRCRAFT GENERATED REGISTRATION TOKEN IMAGES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A communications system for an aircraft includes an aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, and at least one personal electronic device (PED) carried by an aircraft passenger. The aircraft IFE system includes an IFE video entertainment source, IFE passenger seat displays, an IFE wireless transceiver, and an IFE controller. The IFE controller is for selectively displaying video from the IFE entertainment source on the IFE passenger seat displays, and for generating a respective registration token image on each IFE passenger seat display. The PED includes a PED optical sensor, a PED wireless transceiver, and a PED controller. The PED controller is for communicating with the IFE wireless transceiver via the PED wireless transceiver based upon the PED optical sensor sensing the registration token image. | 12-22-2011 |
20120167148 | Shared Content Storage - Entertainment systems for aircraft and other vehicles are described having a plurality of media players. The media players collectively store a full content set, with each media player storing only a fraction of the full content set. Each of the media players can be configured to index the full content set, such that media players can obtain missing content from other media players. | 06-28-2012 |
20120210372 | SEAT RAIL COUPLING - The present invention relates to a supporting structure, particularly a seat rail, to which passenger seats are mounted. The seat rail has a wave guide for wireless transmission of data signals in at least one direction, and the seat rail includes openings for the transmission of data signals. A wave guide of the seat rail and a coupling wave guide establish a wireless data connection between the supporting structure and the passenger seat. | 08-16-2012 |
20120331512 | AV CONTENTS VIEWING AND LISTENING SYSTEM PROVIDED IN CABIN OF PASSENGER CARRIER - An AV contents viewing and listening system includes a seat terminal apparatus, a compact terminal apparatus, and a display terminal apparatus. The seat terminal apparatus is connected to an AV server that stores AV contents to be distributed including video data and audio data via a transmission path, receives and outputs at least the audio data. A compact terminal apparatus is connected to the seat terminal apparatus via a terminal apparatus transmission path, and receives and displays at least the video data, and a display terminal apparatus receives the video data from the compact terminal apparatus and display the data. The video data is displayed one of by selective changeover between the compact terminal apparatus and the display terminal apparatus, and by simultaneously display on both of the compact terminal apparatus and the display terminal apparatus. | 12-27-2012 |
20130055321 | Inflight Entertainment System with Selectively Preloaded Seat End Video Caches - An inflight entertainment (IFE) system preloads from head end equipment onto seat end video caches subsets of prerecorded video entertainment programs from a library of prerecorded video entertainment programs stored on the head end equipment. Preloading is done independent of play requests made by passengers using the IFE system. The selected subsets are selected using selection metrics such as program popularity, passenger demographics and/or passenger preferences. The same or a different subset may be selected for different passengers. As a result of the selective preloading of the seat end video caches, if the head end equipment or the distribution system becomes inoperable during the flight, the IFE system is able to continue to deliver a limited offering of popular, demographically indicated and/or passenger preferred video entertainment from the seat end video caches, without requiring a large multiplier in storage capacity or loading time. | 02-28-2013 |
20130081091 | Seat End Program Cache Updates for Inflight Entertainment System - An inflight entertainment system and method for use therein reduce the loading time required to preload programs identified in playlists onto seat end equipment. Loading time is reduced by retaining programs included in playlists on seat end equipment across flights and making incremental updates to such programs to account for changes in playlists, rather than updating them wholesale for each flight. Loading time is further reduced by adding programs to seat end equipment for the current flight, where possible, by copying such programs from other seat end equipment, rather than copying them from head end equipment. | 03-28-2013 |
20140013364 | Wireless Audio Transmission Of Information Between Seats In A Mobile Platform Using Magnetic Resonance Energy - A system and method for communicating audio or video information using inductive magnetic coupling between first and second adjacent seats on a mobile platform. A transceiver at the first seat receives signals from an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. The signals are passed to a transmitter subsystem that generates low power inductive magnetic energy which is received by a receiver subsystem located on the second seat. The energy is converted to electrical signals for generating an output signal to an audio jack associated with a personal control unit (PCU) at the second seat. The audio content can then be used at the second seat together with video content displayed on a video display unit at the first seat, without affecting the synchronization of the audio signals and the video signals. | 01-09-2014 |
20140013365 | COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A communication device wirelessly connected to a seat-side communication device having a wireless communication function disposed on an attachment face of a fixed seat is described herein. The communication device is attached to a moving vehicle that moves substantially parallel to the attachment face of a fixed seat. The communication device comprises first moving vehicle faces disposed substantially parallel to the direction in which the moving vehicle moves and directly face the attachment face of the fixed seat, a second moving vehicle face disposed on the bottom face of the moving vehicle, third moving vehicle faces disposed facing the forward or backward movement direction of the moving vehicle, an antenna component configured to communicate with the seat-side communication device, and a controller configured to control the transmission and reception of data. The antenna component is disposed on at least one of the first, second, and the third moving vehicle faces. | 01-09-2014 |
20140208371 | COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - The communication device is installed in a predetermined space. The communication device receives and displays content distributed only within a variable available viewing time. The communication device includes an available viewing time calculation unit configured to calculate the available viewing time, a replay time calculation unit configured to calculate the replay time needed to replay predetermined content, a warning determination unit configured to compare the replay time and the available viewing time and generate warning information when the replay time exceeds the available viewing time, and a display unit configured to display the warning information generated by the warning determination unit. | 07-24-2014 |