An automated system to pause and resume for public annoucement in wireless inflight entertainment

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automated system (100) for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement includes a sensor module (102) including an integrated detection unit (104). Further, the sensor module (102) is configured to detect thermal fluctuations via. the integrated detection unit (104) corresponding to a human speech generated during a public announcement. Further, a conversion unit (106) configured to convert the detected thermal fluctuations into a digital signal and facilitates in transmitting the digital signals. Further, a central control unit (108) transmits a pause command to an inflight entertainment server (110) in response to the digital signals received from the conversion unit (106) indicating the presence of the human speech. Further, the central control unit (108) transmits a resume command to the inflight entertainment server (110) in response to the digital signals received from the conversion unit (106) indicating absence of the human speech.

Description

[0001] “AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM TO PAUSE AND RESUME FOR PUBLIC ANNOUCEMENT IN WIRELESS INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT”

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a system to pause and resume wireless inflight entertainment. More particularly, the present invention relates to an automated system to pause and resume the wireless inflight entertainment content during public announcements using electromagnetic thermosensor module.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Recent advancements in in-flight entertainment systems have introduced wireless capabilities, allowing passengers to access and stream media content on their personal devices. These systems typically involve a server, referred to as an in-flight entertainment (IFE) device, installed on the aircraft. The IFE device transmits a localized wireless network signal, enabling passengers to connect to a specific network identifier (SSID) and access a range of entertainment content directly from the server, without the need for physical media or wired connections. However, in compliance with regulatory guidelines, there is a requirement for the video content to be automatically paused during public announcements (PA) and resumed afterward to ensure that passengers receive critical safety and informational messages without interruption.

[0006] A public announcement system is a message announcement system used by the pilot and crew to provide the important information to passengers and crew. The public address system is a crucial communication means to inform passengers about an unexpected or danger situation during the flight. These announcements are essential for flight safety awareness and operational efficiency. By providing comprehensive information, briefing enables flight crew to make informed decisions and ensure the safety of everyone on board during the emergency. However, during these important flight announcements, passengers miss this critical safety information due to audio / video streaming in their in-flight entertainment system, putting their safety and the safety of others at risk and also causes inconvenience to pilot and crew member as they need to repeat the message individually to each passenger who are indulge in live streaming.

[0007] There is public announcement system in which the cabin crew manually pause the in-flight entertainment (IFE) via an app during announcements. However, the crew does not know when the captain will make an announcement. In second option PA system is connected to the in-flight entertainment (IFE) via a wired connection, but these are costly and requires multiple certifications.

[0008] There has been limited advancement in the field of wireless streaming servers, particularly concerning the ability to achieve PA (Public Address) Pause without requiring human intervention or a direct wired connection to the PA system. Existing systems have struggled to effectively address this problem. The primary issue is that the sensors tend to detect any ambient noise within the aircraft, including sounds unrelated to the passenger announcements, thus failing to achieve the desired functionality.

[0009] CN103023593 discloses a method for sending and playing broadcast information, and a system consisting of a server and client equipment. The method for sending the broadcast information comprises the following steps that the server sends a pause instruction to the client equipment according to the monitored broadcast information, so that the client equipment pauses a playing multimedia file according to the pause instruction; and the server sends the broadcast information to the client equipment, so that the client equipment plays the broadcast information. By the embodiment, the playing multimedia file is paused, so that passengers can hear safety instructions or emergency notices played by a flight crew; and therefore, the problem of potential safety hazard, which is caused by missing of important information during flying, of the passengers is solved. However, the drawback related to the invention is that the preset value has to be to be decided by the pilot during the flight and does not provide any automated system to pause wireless inflight entertainment content. WO1998011685A2 discloses an in-flight passenger entertainment system has a first digital network, using fiber optic cables, for communication among components of a headend system including a data server, media controller, and one or more media servers. The in-flight entertainment system is coupled to an aircraft's existing systems through a system interface unit and a system manager unit. The components of the headend system are all coupled to a network switch for routing data within the first network. The network switch is also coupled to one or more zone bridge units, each of which is coupled to multiple seat electronics units. The zone bridge units control all communications between the networks. The zone bridge units and the seat electronics units together form a second digital network. All communications across the networks are transmitted as digital data and when necessary are converted to analog signals at the seat electronics units. Through passenger control sets coupled to the seat electronics units, a passenger has access to audio and video on demand, video games, gambling, telephone service and information services. An overhead audio and video distribution system is used to provide audio and video content as a backup to the video on demand system or as an alternative subsystem in zones of the aircraft in which there are passenger control sets with less than full capability. However, the drawback related to the invention is that it does not provide an automated system to pause wireless inflight entertainment content during flight emergency.

[0010] Current systems lack an effective mechanism to manage this pause-and-resume functionality seamlessly, especially in a wired / wireless setup. Therefore, there is a need for a device or method that can automatically detect public announcements and control the media playback accordingly, without requiring manual intervention or direct wired connections to the aircraft's public announcement system.

[0011] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The main object of the present invention is to provide an automated system to pause wireless inflight entertainment content during public announcements (PA) using sensor module without requiring any manual intervention. Another object of the present invention is to provide an automated system for public announcement pause in wireless inflight entertainment that detects thermal fluctuations using an electromagnetic thermosensor module caused by human speech during public announcement.

[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an automated system to pause wireless inflight entertainment content during public announcements which is reliable and accurate and does not require any direct wired connection.

[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an automated system to pause wireless inflight entertainment content during public announcements which exhibits adaptability in terms of integration to any existing wireless inflight entertainment system.

[0015] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an automated system to pause wireless inflight entertainment content during public announcements which is cost effective and time saving with ease of installation and reduce certification and necessary compliance requirements from respective authorities.

[0016] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention provides an automated system to pause wireless inflight entertainment content during public announcements using a sensor module that utilizes thermal fluctuations caused by human speech during public announcements.

[0018] In an embodiment, the present invention provides an automated system for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement that comprises a sensor module including an integrated detection unit. The sensor module is configured to detect thermal fluctuations via. the integrated detection unit corresponding to a human speech generated during a public announcement. A conversion unit is configured to convert the detected thermal fluctuations into a digital signal and facilitate in transmitting the digital signals. A central control unit is wirelessly connected to an inflight entertainment server and the conversion unit. The central control unit transmits a pause command to the inflight entertainment server in response to the digital signals received from the conversion unit indicating the presence of the human speech. The central control unit transmits a resume command to the inflight entertainment server in response to the digital signals received from the conversion unit indicating absence of the human speech.

[0019] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement. The method comprising steps of a) detecting, by the sensor module, thermal fluctuations via. an integrated detection unit corresponding to a human speech generated during a public announcement, b) converting, by a conversion unit, the detected thermal fluctuations in step (a) into a digital signal, c) transmitting the digital signal from the sensor module to a central control unit, d) generating, by the central control unit, a pause command to an inflight entertainment server upon receiving the digital signal corresponding to the presence of the human speech, thereby pausing wireless inflight entertainment across all connected passenger device, e) generating, by the central control unit, a resume command to the inflight entertainment server upon receiving the digital signal corresponding to the absence of the human speech, thereby resuming wireless inflight entertainment across all connected passenger device.

[0020] The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter set forth brief description of the drawings, detailed description of the invention, and claims appended herewith.

[0021] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] An understanding of the automated system to play and resume for public announcement in wireless inflight entertainment of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following drawings:

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an automated system for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the automated system for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 3 is a flow chart of a method for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The present invention will now be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0027] The present invention now will be described hereinafter with reference to the detailed description, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are indicated. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.

[0028] The present invention provides an automated system to pause wireless inflight entertainment content during public announcements (PA) using sensor module without requiring any manual intervention.

[0029] In an embodiment, the present invention provides an automated system for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement that comprises a sensor module including an integrated detection unit. The sensor module is configured to detect thermal fluctuations via. the integrated detection unit corresponding to a human speech generated during a public announcement. A conversion unit is configured to convert the detected thermal fluctuations into a digital signal and facilitate in transmitting the digital signals. A central control unit is wirelessly connected to an inflight entertainment server and the conversion unit. The central control unit transmits a pause command to the inflight entertainment server in response to the digital signals received from the conversion unit indicating the presence of the human speech. The central control unit transmits a resume command to the inflight entertainment server in response to the digital signals received from the conversion unit indicating absence of the human speech.

[0030] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement. The method comprising steps of a) detecting, by the sensor module, thermal fluctuations via. an integrated detection unit corresponding to a human speech generated during a public announcement, b) converting, by a conversion unit, the detected thermal fluctuations in step (a) into a digital signal, c) transmitting the digital signal from the sensor module to a central control unit, d) generating, by the central control unit, a pause command to an inflight entertainment server upon receiving the digital signal corresponding to the presence of the human speech, thereby pausing wireless inflight entertainment across all connected passenger device, e) generating, by the central control unit, a resume command to the inflight entertainment server upon receiving the digital signal corresponding to the absence of the human speech, thereby resuming wireless inflight entertainment across all connected passenger device.

[0031] Referring to Figure 1, a schematic view of an automated system for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 2, a block diagram of the automated system for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement according to an embodiment of the present invention. For the sake brevity the description of Figure 1 and Figure 2 are described together.

[0032] In an embodiment, the present invention provides an automated system (100) for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement includes a sensor module (102) including an integrated detection unit (104). Further, the sensor module (102) is configured to detect thermal fluctuations via. the integrated detection unit (104) corresponding to a human speech generated during a public announcement. Further, a conversion unit (106) configured to convert the detected thermal fluctuations into a digital signal and facilitates in transmitting the digital signals. Further, a central control unit (108) wirelessly connected to an inflight entertainment server (110) and the conversion unit (106). Further, the central control unit (108) transmits a pause command to the inflight entertainment server (110) in response to the digital signals received from the conversion unit (106) indicating the presence of the human speech. Further, the central control unit (108) transmits a resume command to the inflight entertainment server (110) in response to the digital signals received from the conversion unit (106) indicating absence of the human speech.

[0033] In an embodiment, the present invention provides an automated system (100) which is connected via a power supply connection to an electrical source of an aircraft. The sensor module (102) including the integrated detection unit (104) is configured to detect fractional changes in heat corresponding to human speech. The sensor module (102) includes a connection unit that comprises a plurality of copper wire and at least one USB connector for integration with the aircraft installed adjacent to or on a wire of a public announcement speaker. The sensor module (102) is an electromagnetic thermosensor module. The inflight entertainment server (110) being configured to distribute wireless entertainment to passenger devices. The automated system (100) for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during the public announcement does not need any direct wiring and offers 100% reliability. The automated system (100) for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during the public announcement is cost effective and time saving with ease of installation and reduced certification requirements from respective authorities making it affordable and practical solution to airline operators.

[0034] Referring to Figure 3, a flow chart of a method for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method (200) for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement includes a plurality of steps. The method (200) starts at step a) by detecting, by the sensor module, thermal fluctuations via. an integrated detection unit corresponding to a human speech generated during a public announcement. Further, at step b) converting, by a conversion unit, the detected thermal fluctuations in step (a) into a digital signal. Further, at step c) transmitting the digital signal from the sensor module to a central control unit. Further, at step d) generating, by the central control unit, a pause command to an inflight entertainment server upon receiving the digital signal corresponding to the presence of the human speech, thereby pausing wireless inflight entertainment across all connected passenger device. Further, at step e) generating, by the central control unit, a resume command to the inflight entertainment server upon receiving the digital signal corresponding to the absence of the human speech, thereby resuming wireless inflight entertainment across all connected passenger device.

[0035] In an embodiment, the present invention provides the installation the sensor module adjacent to or on a wire of a public announcement speaker. Further, the sensor module is controlled by specific technique to detect any fraction of the heat change into the digital signal and accordingly activate and deactivate the pause and play of media playback. Therefore, the present invention provides a cost effective, adaptable, wireless, and practical solution compared to the traditional systems that pauses media playback on all connected passenger devices in the aircraft when the public announcement is made and resumes playback after the public announcement is complete enhancing passenger experience by ensuring important announcements are not missed.

[0036] The foregoing description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principals of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:

1. An automated system (100) for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement comprising: a sensor module (102) including an integrated detection unit (104), wherein the sensor module (102) is configured to detect thermal fluctuations via. the integrated detection unit corresponding to a human speech generated during a public announcement; a conversion unit (106) configured to convert the detected thermal fluctuations into a digital signal and facilitates in transmitting the digital signals; and a central control unit (108) wirelessly connected to an inflight entertainment server (110) and the conversion unit (106), wherein the central control unit (108) transmits a pause command to the inflight entertainment server (110) in response to the digital signals received from the conversion unit (106) indicating the presence of the human speech, wherein the central control unit (108) transmits a resume command to the inflight entertainment server (110) in response to the digital signals received from the conversion unit (106) indicating absence of the human speech.

2. The automated system (100) for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the automated system (100) is connected via a power supply connection to an electrical source of an aircraft.

3. The automated system (100) for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor module (102) including the integrated detection unit (104) is configured to detect fractional changes in heat corresponding to human speech.

4. The automated system (100) for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor module (102) includes a connection unit that comprises a plurality of copper wire and at least one USB connector for integration with the aircraft installed adjacent to or on a wire of a public announcement speaker.

5. The automated system (100) for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor module (102) is an electromagnetic thermosensor module.

6. The automated system (100) for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inflight entertainment server (110) being configured to distribute wireless entertainment to passenger devices.

7. A method (200) for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement, wherein the method comprising steps of: a) detecting, by the sensor module, thermal fluctuations via. an integrated detection unit corresponding to a human speech generated during a public announcement; b) converting, by a conversion unit, the detected thermal fluctuations in step (a) into a digital signal; c) transmitting the digital signal from the sensor module to a central control unit; d) generating, by the central control unit, a pause command to an inflight entertainment server upon receiving the digital signal corresponding to the presence of the human speech, thereby pausing wireless inflight entertainment across all connected passenger device; and e) generating, by the central control unit, a resume command to the inflight entertainment server upon receiving the digital signal corresponding to the absence of the human speech, thereby resuming wireless inflight entertainment across all connected passenger device.

8. The method (200) for pausing and resuming wireless inflight entertainment during a public announcement, wherein the step (b) comprises installing the sensor module adjacent to or on a wire of a public announcement speaker.

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