Passenger Cabin Gesture Control for Automated Seat and Lighting Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passengers on commercial mobile platforms, such as aircraft, must manually adjust seating, tray tables, and lighting, which can be inconvenient and difficult, especially for those who need assistance.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a camera to recognize passenger activities and a smart control module to automatically adjust seat positions, tray table heights, and lighting based on user profiles and current activities, anticipating passenger needs without manual input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustment mechanisms are provided for seat backs, tray tables, and reading lights, then passengers have control over their environment, but the ease of operation deteriorates for passengers who need assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation through automated gesture recognition. The camera detects passenger gestures and the control module automatically adjusts seat backs, tray tables, and reading lights without requiring manual intervention, making the system serve itself by interpreting passenger intent and executing adjustments autonomously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment systems with an automated control system. Instead of direct mechanical interaction with adjustment mechanisms, the system uses camera-based gesture recognition and electronic control modules to substitute the mechanical operation, eliminating the need for passengers to physically manipulate controls
2Ease of operation
If automated gesture recognition is implemented to improve ease of operation, then the device complexity increases due to additional sensors and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system serves multiple functions: it captures images for gesture recognition, monitors passenger presence, and provides visual data for activity detection. The control module integrates multiple control functions (seat adjustment, tray table control, lighting control) into a single unified system, reducing overall system complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The camera acts as an intermediary between the passenger and the adjustment mechanisms. Instead of direct contact with mechanical controls, the camera captures gesture information that serves as an intermediate signal, which is then processed by the control module to execute the appropriate adjustments, mediating the interaction between passenger intent and system response
Data Source
AI summary
A system for anticipating the needs of at least one passenger onboard a mobile platform (such as a train, marine vessel, aircraft or automobile) is provided. The system includes a passenger seating area for receipt of the passenger. The passenger seating area includes a seat that has a seat back that moves into a reclined position, a tray table that is operable to be positioned to provide a surface for use by the at least one passenger, and a light source disposed for illumination of at least a portion of the passenger seating area. The system includes a camera that acquires an image of the passenger, and a gesture control module that generates activity data that includes at least one activity that the passenger is performing as recognized in the image of the at least one passenger acquired by the camera. The system further includes a smart control module that moves the seat back, positions the tray table, activates or deactivates the light source and performs combinations thereof based on the activity data.