Wireless Device Location Association in In-Flight Entertainment Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fully wireless in-flight entertainment systems, determining the physical location of devices is challenging due to their appearance as peers on the network, making it difficult for accurate system status reporting and targeted service delivery based on aircraft cabin-class or location.
Innovation Solution
A method involving storing electronic representations of potential device locations and manually actuating devices in a predetermined sequence to associate each device with a unique location, using direct or indirect sequencing methods, and optionally polling the wireless network to identify device types and interpret device identifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless devices are used in IFE systems, then device mobility and installation flexibility are improved, but the ability to determine physical device locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing an electronic representation of potential device locations before devices are installed. When devices are manually actuated in sequence, the system automatically associates each device with a unique location based on the actuation order and pre-stored location data, eliminating the need for complex wireless location tracking.
2Measurement precision
If manual sequencing methods are used to associate devices with locations, then location association accuracy is improved, but the time and complexity of the registration process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically associating devices with locations through processor-based automation. When devices are manually actuated in sequence, the processor automatically matches each device to its corresponding location using the electronic representation, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing registration time while maintaining high accuracy.
3Device complexity
If wired installations are used, then device location determination is simplified through network topology analysis, but system adaptability and installation flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical/wired approach with an electronic/software-based solution. Instead of relying on physical network topology to determine device locations, the system uses an electronic representation of potential locations and automatically associates devices with locations through processor-based matching, combining the simplicity of wired systems with the flexibility of wireless installations.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods of determining locations, types, and quantities of devices within a vehicle, in particular for in flight entertainment systems. Methods of the inventive subject matter include general sequencing, indirect sequencing, and direct sequencing. In indirect sequencing, each device connected to the in flight entertainment system's wireless network is actuated in a predetermined sequence such that the in flight entertainment system can record locations of the different devices connected to it and then correlate the device locations to a set of potential device locations. In direct sequencing, information from each device is manually collected in sequence and then correlated to potential device locations.