Computer device in an aircraft galley insert and system for setting up an aircraft galley insert

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to galley plug-in configuration via tags. A system for programming an aircraft galley plug-in via tags deployed around the galley includes a tag reader. Such tags may include RFID tags, QR codes, etc. or some combination thereof, and the tag reader includes an optical sensor, a near field communication device, or other RFID reader. The system utilizes these tags to identify the location of the plug-in in the galley, the available communication infrastructure and other attributes of the galley, and other configurable aspects of the galley plug-in, and sets the internal configuration accordingly. The system may communicate data with an external processor. The system utilizes the tags and communicates with the processor to determine the system configuration based on the tags.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Aircraft galley inserts, such as ovens, need to be configured based on their location in the galley and other aspects of the galley configuration. Existing galley inserts are configured via "pin programming" (actually changing electrical connections on the galley insert), firmware / settings updates, etc. These systems are expensive and not prevalent on aircraft. Aircraft have variable galley architectures, and most aircraft are not amenable to existing programming techniques. Summary of the invention

[0002] In one aspect, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a system for programming an aircraft galley insert via tags deployed around the galley. Such tags may include radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, quick response (QR) codes, etc. The system utilizes these tags to identify the location of the insert in the galley and other attributes of the galley, and sets the internal configuration accordingly.

[0003] In another aspect, the system can communicate data with a processor on the aircraft. The system utilizes the tag and communicates with the processor to determine a desired system configuration for the processor based on the tag.

[0004] In another aspect, the tag may include data about available infrastructure. The kitchen plugin may then make configuration changes based on the available infrastructure.

[0005] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory and should not limit the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept disclosed herein and, together with the general description, serve to explain the principles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] By referring to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art can better understand the numerous advantages of the embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein:

[0007] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0008] Figure 2 Environmental diagrams and block diagrams illustrating exemplary embodiments; and

[0009] Figure 3 An environmental diagram and a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Before explaining in detail at least one embodiment of the inventive concept disclosed herein, it should be understood that the application of the inventive concept is not limited to the details of the construction and arrangement of the components or steps or methods set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the inventive concept, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the inventive concept. However, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art who benefit from the present disclosure that the inventive concept disclosed herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features may not be described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the present disclosure. The inventive concept disclosed herein can have other embodiments, or can be practiced or executed in various ways. Similarly, it should be understood that the wording and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered restrictive.

[0011] As used herein, letters following a reference numeral are intended to reference embodiments of features or elements that may be similar to, but not necessarily identical to, previously described elements or features bearing the same reference numeral (e.g., 1, 1a, 1b). Such abbreviated notations are used only for convenience and should not be construed as limiting the inventive concepts disclosed herein in any way unless expressly indicated to the contrary.

[0012] In addition, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or rather than an exclusive or. For example, any of the following conditions satisfies condition A or B: A is true (or exists) and B is false (or does not exist), A is false (or does not exist) and B is true (or exists), and both A and B are true (or exist).

[0013] In addition, "a" and "an" are used to describe elements and components of embodiments of the inventive concept. This is done only for convenience and to give a general meaning of the inventive concept, and "a" is intended to include one or at least one, and the singular also includes the plural, unless it is obvious that it means otherwise.

[0014] Finally, as used herein, any reference to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the inventive concept disclosed herein. The phrase "in some embodiments" appearing in various places in the specification does not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment, and embodiments of the disclosed inventive concept may include any combination of one or more features expressly described or inherently present herein, or a subcombination of two or more such features, as well as any other features that may not necessarily be expressly described or inherently present in the present disclosure.

[0015] Broadly speaking, embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to a system for configuring an aircraft galley insert via tags deployed around the galley. Such tags may include RFID tags, QR codes, near field communication (NFC) transmitters, etc. The system utilizes these tags to identify the insert's location in the galley, as well as other attributes, and sets the internal configuration accordingly.

[0016] refer to Figure 1 , a block diagram of a system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. The system 100 includes a processor 102, a data storage device / memory 104 connected to the processor 102 to implement processor executable code as described herein and store data, and a detector 106 connected to the processor 102. The system 100 is implemented in an aircraft galley insert, such as an oven. The detector 106 is disposed in a surface of the galley insert such that the detector 106 is adjacent to a corresponding tag 112 disposed on a corresponding wall of the aircraft galley. In at least one embodiment, the detector 106 is connected to an ARINC board in the aircraft galley insert.

[0017] In at least one embodiment, the detector 106 includes an RFID tag reader, and the tag 112 includes an RFID tag, or an NFC tag and an NFC tag reader (and / or an NFC transmitter). Alternatively or additionally, the detector 106 includes a camera or a laser line reader, and the tag 112 includes a barcode or a QR code.

[0018] The processor 102 comprises or is in data communication with a processor in the aircraft galley plug-in. The processor 102 (and / or the processor) retrieves configuration data from the data storage device / memory 104; the configuration data is associated with the tag 112. In one embodiment, where the tag 112 is a barcode or RFID tag or barcode, the signal generated by the detector 106 may include an ID associated with the preloaded configuration data. Alternatively or additionally, the tag 112 may directly encode the configuration data. The configuration data may include identifying the aircraft galley plug-in as a primary plug-in or a secondary plug-in.

[0019] The configuration data may include data corresponding to the location of the aircraft galley insert within the galley, or the aircraft, or both, the feeders to which the galley insert is connected, etc. In at least one embodiment, the data storage device / memory 104 may store pre-loaded configuration data including location and feeder data.

[0020] In at least one embodiment, system 100 includes a data communications element 110 coupled to processor 102. Processor 102 may establish a data link connection to a separate computer system (e.g., within an aircraft, in a repair shop, etc.) to receive location and configuration data, send error logs, and power negotiation data.

[0021] refer to Figure 2 , an environmental diagram and a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment are shown. An aircraft galley plug-in 200, such as an oven, may be installed in an aircraft galley near an aircraft wall 202 or a galley monument. The aircraft galley plug-in 200 includes an RFID tag reader 204, which is deployed on the surface of the aircraft galley plug-in 200 near the galley wall 202 when installed. The galley wall 202 includes an RFID tag 206, which is uniquely associated with its location on the galley wall 202 in the aircraft galley. The RFID tag reader 204 reads the RFID tag 206 to identify the installation location and / or other configuration information of the aircraft galley plug-in 200, and configures the aircraft galley plug-in accordingly. The configuration data may include an indication that the galley plug-in 200 is a primary plug-in or an auxiliary plug-in; for example, when power negotiation is not available, a galley plug-in 200 configured as a primary plug-in may always run, while a galley plug-in 200 configured as an auxiliary plug-in may not always run. Different possible configurations may be stored internally and applied when the RFID tag 206 returns a code corresponding to the stored configuration. The RFID tag reader 204 may be limited to a power level to prevent any interference outside the coverage range of the aircraft galley insert 200 .

[0022] refer to Figure 3 , an environmental diagram and block diagram of an exemplary embodiment are shown. An aircraft galley insert 300, such as an oven, may be installed in an aircraft galley near a galley wall 302 or other wall of an aircraft. The aircraft galley insert 300 includes a camera 304 (which may include a laser scanner or a barcode scanner), which is deployed on the surface of the aircraft galley insert 300 near the galley wall 302 when installed. The galley wall 302 includes a QR code or barcode 306 that is uniquely associated with its location on the galley wall 302 in the aircraft galley. The camera 304 reads the tag 306 to identify the installation location and / or configuration of the aircraft galley insert 300 and configures the aircraft galley insert accordingly. Such configuration data may be encoded in the QR code tag 306. The camera 304 may include a black and white camera with infrared capabilities to separate true black print from any contaminants.

[0023] In at least one embodiment, the QR code or barcode 306 may also include an RFID tag as described herein.

[0024] It is believed that through the foregoing description of the embodiments of the disclosed inventive concepts, the inventive concepts disclosed herein and their many attendant advantages will be understood, and it will be clear that various changes can be made to the form, construction and arrangement of its components without departing from the broad scope of the inventive concepts disclosed herein or sacrificing all of its material advantages; and that the various features from the various embodiments can be combined to derive other embodiments. The forms previously described herein are merely illustrative embodiments thereof, and the appended claims are intended to cover and include such changes. In addition, any features disclosed with respect to any of the various embodiments may be incorporated into any other embodiment.

Claims

1. A computer device in an aircraft galley plug-in, comprising: at least one tag reader disposed in a surface of the aircraft galley insert; as well as at least one processor in data communication with the at least one tag reader and a memory, the memory storing processor executable code, the processor executable code being used to configure the at least one processor to: receiving data corresponding to a tag from the tag reader; identifying aircraft galley insert configuration data based on data received from the tag; as well as At least one setting of the aircraft galley insert is changed based on the identified aircraft galley insert configuration data.

2. The computer device of claim 1, wherein the at least one tag reader comprises an RFID tag reader.

3. The computer device of claim 1, wherein the at least one tag reader comprises an optical scanner configured to read a QR code.

4. The computer device of claim 3, wherein the at least one tag reader further comprises an RFID tag reader.

5. The computer device of claim 1, wherein the aircraft galley insert configuration data corresponds to an in-galley location of an aircraft galley insert.

6. The computer apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a data communication device, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: Establishing a data link connection with an external repair shop computer system; and A data set including one or more tag identifiers and corresponding aircraft galley insert configuration data is received.

7. The computer apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to send the identified aircraft galley plug-in configuration data, the power negotiation data, and the one or more error logs to an aircraft computer system.

8. A system for provision of an aircraft galley insert, comprising: at least one tag reader disposed in a surface of the aircraft galley insert; at least one tag, deployed on a wall of an aircraft galley; as well as at least one processor in data communication with the at least one tag reader and a memory, the memory storing processor executable code, the processor executable code being used to configure the at least one processor to: receiving data corresponding to a tag from the tag reader; identifying aircraft galley insert configuration data based on data received from the tag; as well as At least one setting of the aircraft galley insert is changed based on the identified aircraft galley insert configuration data.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one tag reader comprises an NFC tag reader.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one tag reader comprises an optical reader configured to read a QR code.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one tag includes a location in a kitchen and a primary classifier or a secondary classifier encoded as a QR code.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one tag reader further comprises an NFC tag reader.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the aircraft galley plug-in configuration data corresponds to one or more ARINC 812 defined functions.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising a data communication device, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: Establishing a data link connection with the aircraft computer system; and A data set including one or more tag identifiers and corresponding aircraft galley insert configuration data is received.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to send the identified aircraft galley plug-in configuration data, the power negotiation data, and the one or more error logs to an aircraft computer system.

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