Aircraft IFE Optical Coupon Redemption via PED Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aircraft in-flight entertainment systems are complex to operate and often fail, making it difficult for passengers to enjoy content, and passengers may miss out on non-commercial promotions due to lost or forgotten coupons.

Innovation Solution

A communications system integrating personal electronic devices (PEDs) with the aircraft IFE system, allowing passengers to display and redeem electronic coupons using optical sensors and wireless transceivers, enabling easy access to entertainment and promotions without physical coupons.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If passengers use physical coupons for promotions, then they can redeem offers, but they may lose or forget the coupons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupon redemption reliabilityVSAvoidcoupon loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts physical coupons into electronic copies stored on passengers' personal electronic devices (PEDs). The optical sensor captures an image of the physical coupon, which is then processed and stored as digital data in the PED's memory, eliminating the risk of physical loss while maintaining redemption capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical coupon system with an electronic/digital system. Instead of handling physical paper coupons that can be lost, the system uses electronic storage and optical recognition technology to manage coupons, substituting mechanical operations with electronic processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If passengers use aircraft IFE systems for entertainment, then they can access content, but the systems are complicated to operate and difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveentertainment accessVSAvoidsystem operation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the personal electronic device (PED) multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a remote control for the IFE system and as a source of viewing content. The PED integrates multiple functions (remote control, video player, display) into a single device, eliminating the need to operate complex aircraft controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows passengers to use their own personal electronic devices independently to control and access entertainment content. The PED autonomously functions as a remote control and content source without requiring complex interaction with the aircraft's IFE system controls, enabling self-service entertainment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the IFE video entertainment source fails, then passengers cannot access aircraft content, but using PEDs as backup requires integration complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveentertainment availabilityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of the IFE system with the passenger's personal electronic device. The PED is integrated with the IFE system through optical sensing and wireless communication, combining the aircraft's entertainment infrastructure with the passenger's personal device to create a unified entertainment solution that works even when the primary IFE system fails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Simplifies the operation of in-flight entertainment and allows passengers to easily redeem coupons, enhancing their entertainment experience and ensuring they can take advantage of promotions without losing physical coupons.

Implementation Method 1

an IFE optical sensor associated with each of the plurality of IFE passenger seat displays for receiving the stored coupon for redemption based upon the IFE optical sensor sensing the displayed coupon token image on the PED display

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical sensing: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9143738B2Aircraft IFE system interfacing with a personal electronic device (PED) for redeeming an in-flight coupon and associated methods

Publication Date: 2015.09.22 LIVETV LLC

AI summary

A communications system for an aircraft includes at least one personal electronic device (PED) carried by an aircraft passenger, and an aircraft IFE system. The PED includes a PED display, a PED memory for storing an in-flight coupon to be redeemed by the passenger while in-flight, and a PED controller for displaying the stored in-flight coupon on the PED display. The in-flight coupon has an in-flight coupon token image associated therewith. The aircraft IFE system includes an IFE video entertainment source, IFE passenger seat displays, a respective IFE optical sensor associated with each IFE passenger seat display, and an IFE controller. The IFE controller selectively displays video from the IFE entertainment source on the IFE passenger seat displays, and receives the stored coupon for redemption based upon a respective IFE optical sensor sensing the displayed in-flight coupon token image associated therewith on the PED display.