Cabin Object-Tracking Lighting for Localized Service Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cabin attendants face challenges in providing services without disturbing resting passengers due to limited visibility when lights are dimmed or off, and using flashlights restricts their ability to carry other items.
Innovation Solution
An illumination system that tracks objects, such as service carts, within the passenger cabin using a network of fixed and mobile communicators for multilateration, selectively activating light sources to illuminate the object's location while keeping other areas dimmed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If lights within the passenger cabin are turned on or turned up to provide visibility for cabin attendants and passengers receiving service, then visibility is improved, but resting or sleeping passengers are disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system activates only specific light sources in the local area where service is being provided, rather than illuminating the entire cabin. The controller selectively turns on lights near the cart's location while keeping other areas dimmed or off, providing necessary visibility without disturbing resting passengers in other portions of the cabin
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system dynamically adjusts which light sources are active based on the real-time location of the cart. As the cart moves through the cabin, the system continuously updates which lights should be on, transitioning from static cabin-wide lighting to dynamic localized lighting that follows the service activity
2Illumination intensity
If cabin attendants use flashlights or lanterns to see better while lights are turned off or dimmed, then visibility for attendants is improved, but the ability to hold other items with both hands is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination function is separated from the attendant's hands by being integrated into the cart structure. The cart itself becomes the light source carrier, eliminating the need for hand-held照明 devices and freeing the attendant's hands to carry service items
Solution Approach 2:
The cart serves as an intermediary between the illumination system and the attendant. Rather than the attendant directly holding a flashlight, the cart (which the attendant pushes or pulls) carries the light sources, mediating the照明 function while preserving hand freedom
Data Source
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AI summary
In embodiments, an illumination system (200) includes a plurality of light sources (206) and a plurality of fixed communicators (202) disposed within the passenger cabin (100). The plurality of fixed communicators can be configured to send signals to or receive signals from a mobile communicator (204) coupled to or carried by an object (208). The illumination system further includes a controller (300) in communication with the plurality of light sources and the plurality of fixed communicators and/or the mobile communicator. The controller is configured to determine a location of the object within the passenger cabin based on signals communicated between the plurality of fixed communicators and the mobile communicator. The controller is further configured to selectively activate one or more of the light sources based on the determined location of the object to illuminate a portion of the passenger cabin in proximity to the object.