In-Flight Entertainment Seat Control via Flight Phase Notification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current seat actuation systems in aircraft face complexity with increasing numbers of controls and subsystems, and there is a need for a dynamic, centralized control method that integrates with in-flight entertainment systems while addressing safety hazards such as entrapment, erroneous control of multiple seats, and incorrect seat positioning during take-off and landing phases.
Innovation Solution
The use of an in-flight entertainment system with a graphical user interface to control seat actuation, incorporating obstacle detection systems and flight phase notification to prevent hazards, with a peripheral controller managing seat control units and ensuring safe operation by ignoring commands during take-off and landing phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical buttons are used for seat control, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases as more subsystems are added
Solution Approach 1:
The IFE system is designed to perform multiple functions beyond entertainment, including seat control, lighting control, and other passenger comfort functions. By making the IFE system universal and multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate physical control units while managing increasing subsystem complexity through a single integrated interface.
2Device complexity
If IFE system is used for seat control, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability may worsen due to potential software failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements beforehand cushioning by providing alternative control methods and safety mechanisms. If the IFE system fails, the system can revert to traditional PCU controls or other backup methods, ensuring that seat control reliability is maintained even when the primary IFE-based control system encounters software failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control layer that mediates between the IFE system and the seat actuation system. This intermediary layer can interpret IFE commands, validate them for safety, and execute appropriate actions, thereby reducing the direct impact of IFE software failures on seat control reliability while maintaining the simplified interface benefit.
3Ease of operation
If seat control is enabled during all flight phases, then ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase due to entrapment risks during take-off and landing
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by proactively preventing seat control operations during critical flight phases (take-off and landing). The control system automatically detects the flight phase and blocks seat actuation commands during these periods, thereby eliminating entrapment risks before they can occur while maintaining full control availability during safe flight phases.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for controlling seat actuation and other controls using an in-flight entertainment system of an aircraft or other vehicle. The system can include an electronic control unit configured to send commands to actuate a passenger seat based on input received via a passenger controlled device. The electronic control unit or a related peripheral component is configured to receive a flight phase notification. If the flight phase notification indicates a taxi, take-off or landing phase, the electronic control unit sends a command to disable actuation of the passenger seat. Such command could also be sent if the flight phase notification is not received for a predefined time period.