Wireless Mobile Control for Aircraft Cabin Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cabin crew members face difficulties in accessing and controlling passenger cabin systems in large aircraft cabins, as the control panels are often located far away and can be obstructed by passengers or objects, making it cumbersome to manage various systems like lighting, climate control, entertainment, and internet connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A wireless interface system that allows mobile devices to communicate with cabin control panels, enabling crew members to control and monitor cabin systems remotely through a user-friendly interface, using wireless data interfaces and an application programming interface (API) to transmit control commands and status updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control panels are placed in fixed locations within the aircraft cabin, then system control functionality is provided, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate when crew members are far from the panel or when panels are obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless communication capability to add a spatial dimension to control panel accessibility. Instead of requiring physical proximity to the fixed control panel, crew members can access and control cabin systems from any location within the aircraft cabin through mobile devices, effectively transforming the control interface from a single fixed point to a distributed multi-point system across three-dimensional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication system as an intermediary between the control panel and crew members. This intermediary consists of a wireless interface connected to the control panel that communicates with mobile devices, allowing control commands and status information to be transmitted wirelessly, thereby eliminating the need for direct physical access to the control panel.
2Productivity
If control panels are positioned centrally or in fixed locations, then system integration is simplified, but operational efficiency deteriorates when crew members must physically access the panel for routine monitoring and control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the control panel system to provide information and accept control commands autonomously through wireless communication with mobile devices. The system serves itself by allowing crew members to monitor and control cabin systems independently without needing to physically visit the control panel, thereby eliminating time loss associated with physical access and improving overall operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle passenger cabin control system that includes a cabin control panel having an interface that is operable to receive control commands. The cabin control panel is operable to control at least one passenger cabin system in response to a received control command. The cabin control system includes a first wireless data interface. The control system also includes a mobile device that includes a display screen, a user interface operable to receive control commands, and a second wireless data interface to send the control commands to the cabin control panel. Control commands received by the user interface of the mobile device are transmitted by the cabin control panel by the second wireless data interface and the first wireless data interface. The cabin control panel is operable to control at least one passenger cabin system in response to a received mobile control command.