Interactive Aircraft Information System with Segmented Data Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aircraft information systems provide limited interactivity and customization for passengers, failing to match the high interactivity of ground-based services, which restricts personalized information access and entertainment options.

Innovation Solution

An interactive information system for aircraft that combines onboard and offboard data storage, utilizing a computer to generate informative content based on aircraft position, allowing passengers to access and visualize data interactively through a variety of media formats, including maps, sounds, and user profiles, with features like GPS, internet connectivity, voice control, and avatars.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If static content is used for passenger information, then system complexity is reduced, but interactivity and customization capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteractivity and customization capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The information system is segmented into multiple independent components: onboard data storage device, off-board data storage device, access unit, computer for generating informative data, and output unit. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling interactivity and customization without requiring the entire system to be complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The access unit acts as an intermediary between the onboard/off-board data storage devices and the computer. It manages data retrieval and transmission, allowing passengers to access and customize information without directly complicating the core processing system. The output unit serves as another intermediary that presents customized information to passengers in various formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If onboard data storage only is used, then system reliability is improved, but information freshness and variety deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation freshness and varietyVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges onboard data storage device and off-board data storage device into a unified information architecture. The onboard storage provides reliable local access to essential data, while the off-board storage (accessible via access unit during flight) supplements with fresh and diverse information such as current events, weather updates, and additional entertainment content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Data is pre-loaded onto the onboard data storage device before the flight to ensure immediate access and system reliability. Additional data can be accessed from off-board storage during the flight if needed, combining the benefits of pre-prepared reliable data with the flexibility of supplementary fresh data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If personalized information access is implemented, then passenger satisfaction is improved, but data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersonalized information accessVSAvoiddata processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements local quality by tailoring information presentation to individual passenger preferences. The computer generates informative data customized to each passenger's interests, language, and preferences stored in the system. The output unit delivers this personalized content through the passenger's selected format (visual, auditory, or both), making the system easy to operate for each user without requiring excessive processing of universal content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2160327B1Interactive information system for an airplane
Publication Date: 2013.11.27 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH
  • EP2160327B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2160327B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2160327B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An interactive information system is indicated for an aircraft to provide passengers with information, which access both an onboard data storage device and an off-board data storage device. A computer uses the onboard and off-board data to compute informative data, which are then visualized to the passenger. The passenger can interactively determine the form and type of data generation and preparation at any time.