Passenger Service Unit Wireless Control via Visible Light
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Passenger service units (PSUs) on aircraft, particularly in twin-aisle aircraft, are often out of reach for seated passengers, especially in center seating areas, and may not be accessible due to their height, making it difficult for passengers to control reading lights and attendant call devices without standing or reaching beyond their arm's length.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses electromagnetic signals, specifically visible light communication (VLC) signals with pulse-width modulation, to allow passengers to control PSUs remotely through personal devices, enabling them to pair with the PSU and control devices like reading lights, airflow, and attendant calls without direct access, using a PSU control application that receives and transmits identification information and control inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the passenger service unit is mounted above the reaching height to ensure proper clearance and safety, then safety and clearance are improved, but accessibility for seated passengers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical interaction system (physical reach to controls) with an electromagnetic field-based wireless control system. Passengers use personal devices to communicate control signals to the PSU via electromagnetic waves, eliminating the need for physical access to the mounted controls while maintaining safety clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication system between the passenger and the PSU. The personal device acts as a mediator that receives control inputs from the passenger and transmits them wirelessly to the PSU, enabling operation without direct physical contact or reach.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the passenger service unit is mounted in the center area to provide uniform service, then service uniformity is improved, but reachability for center-seated passengers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical reach requirement with wireless electromagnetic communication. The PSU maintains its optimal center mounting position for uniform service while passengers in center seats can control devices through wireless signals from their personal devices, eliminating the reachability constraint.
3Ease of operation
If electromagnetic signals are used for wireless control, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the universal personal device (smartphone, tablet) that passengers already possess for the control function. Instead of adding dedicated control hardware to the aircraft, the system uses the passenger's existing multi-functional device, thereby improving ease of operation without significantly increasing perceived complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the passenger's personal device to provide control functionality, making the system self-serve through existing passenger equipment rather than requiring specialized aircraft-integrated controls. This reduces the complexity burden on the aircraft system while maintaining ease of operation.
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
Enables passengers to control PSU devices from their seated position, improving accessibility and convenience by using VLC signals to triangulate the personal device's location and transmit control messages wirelessly, allowing for seamless operation of PSU devices without the need to stand or reach beyond their arm's length.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting, by the passenger service unit, an electromagnetic signal that is receivable by the personal device of the passenger
Implementation Method 2
using pulse-width modulation in the electromagnetic signal to define the identification information of the passenger service unit
Implementation Method 3
transmitting, by the personal device, a message for controlling operation of one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a passenger service unit includes receiving, by a personal device of a passenger, an electromagnetic (EM) signal. The EM signal includes identification information of the passenger service unit. The method also includes transmitting, by the personal device, a message for controlling operation of one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit. The message includes an identification of the one or more selected devices of the passenger service unit and a control input for each of the one or more selected devices.