Interchangeable Touchpad Controller Layouts for Aircraft Seat Entertainment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handheld controllers for aircraft inflight entertainment systems lack flexibility in reconfiguring button locations due to fixed relationships between printed buttons and PCBs, leading to costly and time-consuming redesigns and replacements across multiple aircraft seats.

Innovation Solution

A handheld controller with a grid of touch-sensitive elements and interchangeable user input pads that allow for customizable button layouts without replacing the PCB, using an entertainment system controller to map operational functions to touch locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If printed buttons and PCBs are used with fixed layouts, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but adaptability and ease of reconfiguration deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixed button layout precisionVSAvoidbutton location reconfiguration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The handheld controller is divided into separate functional components: a reusable PCB with touch-sensitive elements and interchangeable printed overlays with buttons. This segmentation allows the PCB to maintain fixed precision while the overlays provide adaptable button layouts, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of modifying the original PCB, the patent creates copies in the form of interchangeable printed overlays that replicate the button functions. These overlays can be swapped to change button locations without altering the underlying PCB, enabling adaptability while preserving the original manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If PCBs are replaced to reconfigure button locations, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time and loss of substance increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebutton layout flexibilityVSAvoidtime for redesign and replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the controller into PCB and interchangeable overlays, the patent eliminates the need to replace entire PCBs. Only the lightweight overlay needs to be swapped, dramatically reducing the time and resources required for reconfiguration compared to full PCB replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The printed overlays are designed as inexpensive, easily replaceable components. Rather than investing in costly PCB replacements, the system uses affordable overlays that can be quickly swapped to achieve different button layouts, reducing both time and substance loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If PCBs are replaced to reconfigure button locations, then adaptability is improved, but loss of substance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebutton layout flexibilityVSAvoidmaterial waste from PCB replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The segmentation of the controller into PCB and overlay components ensures that only the overlay is replaced during reconfiguration, not the entire PCB. This reduces material waste by preserving the valuable PCB and its associated electronics, using only minimal materials for the interchangeable overlays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables recovery and reuse of the PCB by separating it from the disposable overlay. The PCB is retained and reused across different configurations, while only the overlay is discarded or replaced, significantly reducing substance loss compared to complete PCB replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 quick and cost-effective customization of passenger interfaces, reducing downtime and waste while providing personalized experiences across different cabin classes and airlines.

Implementation Method 1

an input interface with a grid of touch sensitive elements spaced apart on the input interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTouch sensitivity: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS12468415B1Software definable controllers in vehicle reconfigurable for different seating groups

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 THALES AVIONICS INC

AI summary

A seat entertainment system includes a display unit, a handheld controller, and an entertainment system controller. The handheld controller includes an input interface with a grid of touch sensitive elements spaced apart on the input interface, and an interchangeable user input pad which overlays and covers the grid of touch sensitive elements and has indicia indicating locations of user selectable functions. The entertainment system controller includes a set of operational functions and a mapping of the operations functions to corresponding different user touch locations in the grid of touch sensitive elements. The entertainment system controller is operative to: receive signaling from the handheld controller indicating where a user has touch selected the interchangeable user input pad; identify one of the operational functions corresponding to the user touch location based on the mapping; and perform the operational function to control an operation of the seat entertainment system.