Removable Storage for In-Flight Entertainment via Fiber Optic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current in-flight entertainment systems face challenges with laborious and costly content updates, requiring portable media loaders that need to be physically attached and detached, limiting the frequency and efficiency of multimedia content updates for passengers.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of removable direct attached storage devices that connect directly to the in-flight entertainment system's network controller via fiber optic transmission, allowing for high-speed connectivity and incremental updates through USB 3.1 ports or memory card modules, reducing the need for physical attachment and enabling more frequent content updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If portable media loaders are used for content updates, then content can be transferred to the entertainment system, but the process becomes laborious and costly requiring physical attachment and detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent update efficiencyVSAvoidphysical attachment and detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (physical attachment of portable media loaders) with an optical communication system (fiber optic cables). The media loader connects to the network controller via fiber optic transmission, eliminating the need for frequent physical attachment and detachment while maintaining high-speed data transfer capabilities. This substitution resolves the contradiction by improving ease of operation while preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If portable media loaders are physically attached for content transfer, then data can be transferred, but technician presence on the aircraft is required increasing labor costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent update speedVSAvoidlabor cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service content updates by allowing the media loader to remain connected to the network controller via fiber optic cable. The entertainment system can autonomously transfer content without requiring technician presence on the aircraft. The technician only needs to perform the initial connection, after which the system updates content automatically, significantly reducing labor costs while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If portable media loaders are used, then content updates can be performed, but turnaround time between flights is extended due to frequent attachment and detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent update frequencyVSAvoidturnaround time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber optic connection enables continuous content transfer operations without interruption. The media loader remains connected to the network controller throughout the content update process, allowing data transfer to proceed continuously without the stops and starts associated with physical attachment and detachment. This continuity reduces turnaround time while enabling frequent content updates, resolving the time-loss contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Speed

If fiber optic transmission is used for direct attachment, then high-speed connectivity is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer speedVSAvoidfiber optic connection system

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network controller is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a content management system and as a direct interface for fiber optic connections. By integrating the fiber optic receiver and content management capabilities into a single device, the system achieves high-speed data transfer without proportionally increasing overall device complexity. The universal design allows the same controller to handle both traditional and high-speed content transfer operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution reduces labor costs, minimizes wait times for data transfers, and allows for more flexible installation, enabling faster turnaround times between flights by allowing the storage device to remain connected during flights and reducing the technician's presence on the aircraft.

Implementation Method 1

connects thereto over a fiber optic link

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical transmission: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentUS11409649B2Removable direct attached storage for vehicle entertainment systems

Publication Date: 2022.08.09 PANASONIC AVIONICS CORP

AI summary

A data storage interconnect system has a network controller with a first expansion bus switch connected to a central processor over an expansion bus interface thereof, and a first transceiver connected to the first expansion bus switch. A directly attachable storage host with a second transceiver is communicatively linked to the first transceiver of the network controller. A second expansion bus switch is connected to the second transceiver, and is connectable to a removable storage device over an expansion bus interface. The removable storage device communicates with the second expansion bus switch over an expansion bus protocol. A data transmission link interconnects the first transceiver and the second transceiver, with expansion bus protocol data traffic between the first expansion bus switch and the second expansion bus switch being carried thereon.