630results about "Entertainment/communication arrangement" patented technology

A foldable table apparatus with an integrated keyboard, an integrated display, or both is presented. Such an apparatus is typically mounted behind each seat in a passenger vessel such as an aircraft, bus, or train, and takes the place of the conventional foldable tray. The apparatus permits users to perform computer tasks, access software and other services, while traveling or in transit. The apparatus may be quickly stored to allow passengers to enter and exit their seats conveniently. The apparatus may also serve as a conventional table when the keyboard or display is closed. Connectors may be integrated within the table apparatus to facilitate data transfer to and from a third device. The keyboard apparatus may be removed for cleaning, repair, or replacement. When an array of such apparatus is used, a system is provided to allow such apparatus to access a variety of services using a wired or wireless connection. As users are typically in transit, the system provides the user with the ability to send emails and to use promotional software or services which they may later purchase. A method of targeting advertisements to such users is also provided.

A multi-user wireless communication system for use in an enclosed space includes a distributed aperture antenna having multiple apertures distributed along an outer shield of the antenna. The apertures allow radiated energy to leak from the antenna and form low-power, localized electric fields that can couple receivers to the antenna. The multiple electric fields ensure that the electric field strength is distributed evenly throughout the communication system. The low-power electric fields also reduce the likelihood of electric field leakage that may cause interference with other communication systems outside the enclosed space.

A seat for a passenger vehicle is provided that comprises a first sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an occupant in the seat and a second sensor for validating the seat occupancy. The seat further comprises a transmitter for transmitting a signal indicative of valid occupancy of the seat. The first sensor may be a non-contact, capacitive sensor and the second sensor may comprise a near-field communication device for receiving a seat validation code. A seat validation system may be established on a passenger vehicle such as a train, wherein a central controller may report on seat occupancy status for the vehicle.

A docking system is provided and configured to receive swappable media players. Docking stations provide location-dependent information that the swappable media players may utilize to determine access permissions with respect to content stored on, or otherwise accessible to, the media players. Such content may include media content, product request / order applications, and the like. The location-dependent information may be obtained by the media player from docking station, after which the media player restricts or allows access to certain content based on the location-dependent information. A docking system may be used on an aircraft and can provide location-dependent information based on the location of a docking station relative to a seat, cabin, or other compartment. A cable-less connection may be used between the docking station and media player, which connector may float. A plenum provided along one or more surfaces of the media player allows airflow to cool the media player.

An aircraft is provided comprising a fuselage and a central monitoring system positioned within the fuselage. A plurality of seating elements is also positioned within said fuselage. Each of the plurality of seating elements includes a plurality of seat options integrated into the seating element and an electronics control system integrated into the seating element. The electronics control system includes a seat processor having logic adapted to monitor an operational status of each of the seat options and communicate the operational status to the central monitoring system via wireless communication.

A seatback holder for a tablet computer including a bracket configured to releasably engage within a seatback pocket and a frame pivotally connected to the bracket configured to hold an installed tablet computer securely therein and pivot relative to the bracket to adjust the viewing angle of the installed tablet computer relative to a seatback.

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.

A holster for a passenger seat has a rear face and a peripheral wall which defines a pocket for receiving an IFE device. The holster is moveable between stowed and deployed positions. In the deployed position, an IFE device may be positioned in the pocket for convenient viewing. The tilt angle of the holster may also be adjusted. A method of viewing an IFE device is also disclosed.

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.

A system and method for connecting control devices for display and computing equipment of in-flight entertainment systems (IFESs) in a physical location independent manner in environments where the control devices cannot be co-located and directly connected to the display / computing equipment, such as on an aircraft or other vehicle having space restrictions. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for enabling the use of improved passenger control units (PCU) including control devices such as pointing devices, keyboards, joysticks, and game controllers, and so on, with interactive in-flight entertainment systems.

A wireless local area network adapted for use by users traveling on a mobile platform such as an aircraft. The network includes a network server located on the mobile platform, and at least one network access point connected to the server and accessible wirelessly by at least one user portable electronic device over one of a plurality of non-overlapping network frequency channels. The RF characteristics of this wireless network are specifically tailored to meet applicable standards for electromagnetic compatibility with aircraft systems and RF exposure levels for passengers and flight crews.

High bandwidth network access is extended to vehicles and passengers on vehicles. The network is extended to a vehicle by way of one or more intermediate nodes, which may be other vehicles or signal relays. In order to acquire the vehicles to which to extend the network, route data is provided to the intermediate nodes and to the vehicles. Computers on-board the vehicles and intermediate nodes determine which pairs of vehicles and intermediate nodes should establish links to form a network based on the route data and link scoring. The vehicles and intermediate nodes then control directional antennas to point at each other based on the route data and the scoring to establish the links.

A module for an aircraft having a fuselage structure and a floor element defining a floor plane. The module includes a frame device adapted for mounting a functional element and the frame device is adapted for attachment to the floor element of the aircraft at a first location in the floor plane. The frame device is adapted for attachment to the fuselage structure of the aircraft at a second location, wherein the second location is not in the floor plane.

A seating arrangement for location at the longitudinal centre line of a commercial passenger vehicle that has a longitudinally extending passenger seating area. The seating arrangement includes a pair of seats disposed alongside and secured to each other. Each seat comprising a backrest portion, and a seat pan portion, wherein the seats face at an acute angle to each other, and wherein the backrest portions of the respective seats are nearest the vertex of the acute angle than the seat pan portions.

The frame 9 is mounted on the ceiling 3 of the transportation, on which the liquid crystal panel 7 is stowed in such a manner as the surface of the liquid crystal faces to the ceiling, and when the liquid crystal panel positions for displaying, it is turned by approximately 120 degrees by the drive mechanism 19, so that the passenger sitting at the seat can easily watch it. The driving of the liquid crystal panel from the stowing position to the displaying position is carried out by the motor, the displacing from the displaying position to the stowing position is carried out by the spring. When the liquid crystal panel receives a shock by the collision of a head of passenger during displaying, the detecting device may detect the deviation of the liquid crystal panel and transmit the signal to the control circuit 44. The control circuit 44 returns the liquid crystal panel 7 to the stowing position by releasing the electromagnetic brake.

A system and method provides overall security, service, and maintenance management for airlines. The system intends to reinforce national security by installing safeguard on-board computer system on every commercial airplane, maximize customer confidence and satisfaction by providing scalable security / service management, communicate with FAA, FBI, or CIA systems by using new telecommunication technology, and Interact with Apollo, Saber and other airline legacy systems by providing individualized interfaces. The system also helps flight attendants to have better passenger services, and helps mechanics to have better aircraft maintenance.

An aircraft communications system includes at least one personal electronic device (PED) carried by an aircraft passenger, and an aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. The PED includes a PED near-field communications (NFC) device, a PED wireless transceiver, and a PED controller for transmitting a registration identifier (ID), and communicating via the PED wireless transceiver. The aircraft IFE system includes an IFE video entertainment source, IFE passenger seat displays, a respective IFE NFC device associated with each of the 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 communicating with the PED wireless transceiver via the IFE wireless transceiver based upon one of the respective IFE NFC devices receiving the registration ID from the PED NFC device when in proximity thereto.

A hands-free electronic device holder for holding handheld electronic devices with a screen at or below the user's eye level at a typical distance of 20 to 30 cm is provided. The handheld electronic device is selected from MP3 players, video players, cell phones, PDAs, GPS units or other screen containing devices that display images or interacts with the user via software generated buttons. The hands-free device holder has a flexible adjustable gooseneck, the proximal end of which carries a tab having two spring pins that securely engage with a pocket member. A securement attachment means secures the pocket member to the backside of the handheld electronic device, and two lateral slots receive the pins. The distal end of the flexible adjustable gooseneck connects to a spring clip similar to a clothes line pin, which attaches the hands-free electronic device holder to an airline dining tray or a worktable.

A class divider for an aircraft passenger cabin is provided. The class divider includes a partition positioned immediately aft of a rear row of seats in a first predetermined class area of the aircraft cabin and an aft-facing panel having a width and height generally corresponding to a width and height of the rear row of seats. One or more passenger convenience features selected from the group of video monitors, tray tables, and magazine storage pockets are provided on the aft-facing panel for use by passengers seated immediately aft of the partition in a front row of a second predetermined class area of the aircraft cabin.

A seatback holder for a tablet computer including a bracket configured to releasably engage within a seatback pocket and a frame pivotally connected to the bracket configured to hold an installed tablet computer securely therein and pivot relative to the bracket to adjust the viewing angle of the installed tablet computer relative to a seatback.

A passenger suite seating arrangement that includes first and second passenger suites positioned side-by-side and including respective first and second seats and first and second video monitors respectively positioned in a viewing position directly forward of the first seat and second seats. Third and fourth passenger suites are positioned side-by-side and facing the first and second passenger suites, and include respective third and fourth video monitors positioned and adapted to move between a stowed position laterally offset from a viewing position and a deployed viewing position forward of the third and fourth seats. In the deployed viewing position the third and fourth video monitors block visual contact between occupants of the first and second seats and the occupants of the third and fourth seats.

A mobile platform security architecture is provided for monitoring security activities associated with a network residing on an aircraft. The security architecture includes a plurality of passenger connections to the network, such that each of the passenger connections has an enforced network address and is disposed in proximate location to a passenger seating area; an intrusion detection system connected to the network and operable to detect a security intrusion event whose origination is associated with network; and an airborne security manager connected to the network and adapted to receive the security intrusion event from the intrusion detection system. The security architecture is further operable to perform a security response in accordance with a security policy, where the security response is directed to at least one of the passenger connections.

A video monitor support movable between stowed and deployed positions includes a base attachable to a surface and a carriage fixed to the base. The carriage includes a shaft extendible between the stowed and deployed positions. A constant linear force is applied to the shaft between the stowed and deployed positions, and a mount is fixed to the shaft opposite the carriage for supporting a video monitor.

A hands-free electronic device holder for holding handheld electronic devices with a screen at or below the user's eye level at a typical distance of 20 to 30 cm is provided. The handheld electronic device is selected from MP3 players, video players, cell phones, PDAs, GPS units or other screen containing devices that display images or interacts with the user via software generated buttons. The hands-free device holder has a flexible adjustable gooseneck, the proximal end of which carries a tab having two spring pins that securely engage with a pocket member. A securement attachment means secures the pocket member to the backside of the handheld electronic device, and two lateral slots receive the pins. The distal end of the flexible adjustable gooseneck connects to a spring clip similar to a clothes line pin, which attaches the hands-free electronic device holder to an airline dining tray or a worktable.

A cabin management system for functions which are provided within a passenger compartment, in each seats of a passenger said system comprising a function control unit which has a switching unit for switching individually functions for the respective passenger on and off, wherein the passenger is authenticated by identification means with respect to said cabin management system, said function control units being connected by means of an on-board network to a server which communicates via a wireless interface with a service trolley comprising a display indicating a comfort class selected by the respective passenger to a flight attendant.

An aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system includes an antenna for receiving digital satellite radio signals, and an intermediate frequency (IF) down converter is connected to the antenna for down converting the digital satellite radio signals. A plurality of seat electronic boxes (SEBs) are spaced throughout the aircraft. Each SEB includes at least one IF tuner in communications with the IF down converter.

Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for reducing driver boredom for the driver of a vehicle particularly for vehicle environments such as straight roads and lack of traffic that are likely to induce boredom. An example system includes an electronic circuit such as a computer, a vehicle environment monitor, a driver interface, and a driver stimulation device such as a semitransparent display.

A communications system for an aircraft includes an aircraft IFE system, and at least one personal electronic device (PED) carried by an aircraft passenger. The IFE system includes an IFE video entertainment source, IFE passenger seat displays, a respective IFE NFC device associated with each of the 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, selectively transmitting a respective registration ID from each IFE NFC device, and communicating via the IFE wireless transceiver. The PED includes a PED NFC device, 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 NFC device receiving the registration ID associated with one of the respective IFE NFC devices when in proximity thereto.