Aircraft Seat Armrest Trackpad for In-Flight Entertainment Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In-flight entertainment systems face challenges with touch-screen interfaces being too far away, difficult to reach, and causing user discomfort, especially in coach class seating, where passengers must repeatedly look down and up, leading to frustration and neck strain, and passenger controller units add weight, power consumption, and complexity.

Innovation Solution

Integrating a pointing device, such as a track pad or track ball, into the armrest of an aircraft seat to provide intuitive control over the in-flight entertainment system, allowing passengers to control video display units without reaching, thus reducing strain and simplifying operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If touch-screen interface is placed in seatback, then IFE system control is integrated, but interface becomes difficult to reach and causes neck strain

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIFE system control accessibilityVSAvoidneck strain and user discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control interface is extracted from the seatback location and repositioned to the armrest area, allowing users to control the IFE system without reaching forward or straining their necks. The pointing device is integrated into the armrest structure, separating the control function from its traditional location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A pointing device (trackpad or trackball) serves as an intermediary between the user and the IFE system, enabling indirect control through intuitive pointing gestures rather than direct touch-screen interaction. This mediator allows users to control the display without physically reaching the screen.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If passenger controller unit is provided, then IFE system control is enabled, but weight and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIFE system control capabilityVSAvoidpassenger controller unit weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The control functionality is merged with the existing armrest structure rather than being provided as a separate passenger controller unit. The pointing device integrates control capabilities directly into the seat furniture, eliminating the need for additional handheld controllers and reducing overall system weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The armrest structure is given multiple functions: it serves as both structural support furniture and as a control interface platform. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated controller units, reducing weight and simplifying the system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If touch-screen interface is placed in seatback, then IFE system control is integrated, but operation becomes complex and frustrating

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIFE system control integrationVSAvoidcontrol operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex touch-screen interface requiring precise finger movements and visual coordination is replaced with a pointing device that uses more intuitive pointing gestures. The trackpad or trackball provides simpler mechanical interaction patterns that users can operate without repeatedly looking down, reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10464676B2Controlling in flight entertainment system using pointing device integrated into seat

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 THALES AVIONICS INC

AI summary

An entertainment system includes a video display unit facing a passenger seat and a track pad assembly integrated with an armrest of the passenger seat. The track pad assembly includes a track pad that is operable to control the video display unit.