Viewing-Angle Dependent User Interfaces on Aircraft Cabin Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for communicating aircraft cabin information to passengers are complex, cumbersome to install, and costly, leading to inefficient information delivery.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for generating a spatially selective user interface on aircraft cabin surfaces, where information is projected and displayed only from a specific user perspective, using existing surfaces without additional installation, and utilizing 3D modeling and 2D patterns to create perspective-dependent visual appearances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If multiple communication means (loudspeakers, signal lights, displays) are used to provide information to passengers, then information delivery coverage is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation delivery coverageVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling existing cabin surfaces to serve dual purposes: their original function and the additional function of displaying information. The surface portions are configured to provide both their inherent function and serve as display surfaces for information communication, eliminating the need for separate dedicated display devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the information display function with the existing cabin surface structure. By combining the display functionality into the surface portions themselves, the system integrates multiple communication functions into a unified approach, reducing the number of separate devices needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Loss of information

If multiple communication means are installed to provide comprehensive information, then information delivery is improved, but installation cost and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation deliveryVSAvoidinstallation weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The existing cabin surfaces serve themselves by being configured to provide both their original function and information display capabilities. The surfaces utilize their own structural properties to serve as display media, eliminating the need for additional separate display hardware and associated installation infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The surface portions are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - their inherent structural function and the additional information display function. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated display devices, thereby reducing overall system weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If information is provided to all users regardless of their position, then information accessibility is improved, but user attention and information relevance decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accessibilityVSAvoiduser attention
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different surface portions to provide information selectively based on the user's position and viewing angle. Each surface portion is optimized for its specific location, providing relevant information only when viewed from the appropriate angle, thereby improving both accessibility and user attention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts the information display based on the user's position and viewing angle. The surface portions are configured to activate or become visible only when viewed from specific angles, creating a dynamic information delivery system that responds to user location rather than providing static information to all users equally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4624330A1User interface by viewing angle dependent surface portions
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP4624330A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4624330A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4624330A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a user interface onboard an aircraft. In order to provide a facilitated way of providing information to a user, a method (100) for generating a spatially selective user interface on surface parts in an aircraft cabin is provided that comprises the following steps: selecting (102) a user perspective for a location in an aircraft cabin interior; determining (104) a graphic appearance as an interface content for the selected user perspective; projecting (106) the determined graphic appearance onto predetermined visible surfaces of the aircraft cabin interior; determining (108) visual appearances for the predetermined visible surfaces, based on the projected determined graphic appearance, to generate the determined graphic appearance for the selected user perspective; and providing (110) the predetermined visible surfaces with the determined visual appearances.