Wireless Seatback Screen Location Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for associating in-flight entertainment units with specific seats on aircraft are inefficient and prone to human error, requiring manual programming and reconfiguration each time a unit is replaced or moved, which is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a passenger unit with a connector, display, memory, and controller that automatically obtains a seat location code from a mounting unit and transmits it to a server, allowing for accurate and efficient mapping of the unit to its associated seat, using methods such as RFID, NFC, or visual scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual programming is used to associate seatback devices with seat locations, then the system can identify seat associations, but the process is time-consuming and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The seatback device automatically obtains its seat location code through wireless communication with the mounting unit, eliminating the need for manual programming. The device self-configures by receiving the seat location code from the mounting unit's memory, thereby serving itself rather than requiring human intervention for association.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical programming process with an automated wireless communication system. Instead of manually entering seat location codes, the system uses wireless interfaces (such as RFID, NFC, or other wireless protocols) to automatically transfer the seat location code from the mounting unit to the seatback device.
2Reliability
If manual programming is used to reconfigure seatback devices when replaced or moved, then seat associations can be maintained, but the process is inefficient and costly
Solution Approach 1:
When a seatback device is replaced or moved to a different seat, it automatically reconfigures itself by wirelessly obtaining the new seat location code from the mounting unit at the new location. This self-reconfiguration capability eliminates the need for manual reprogramming, thereby maintaining reliability while significantly improving replacement efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic reconfiguration of seatback devices without manual intervention. The device can adapt to new locations automatically by wirelessly communicating with the mounting unit's memory to obtain updated seat location codes, making the system flexible and responsive to changes in device placement.
3Ease of operation
If seatback devices are manually programmed with seat location codes, then associations can be established, but human error increases and costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The seatback device automatically obtains its seat location code through wireless communication with the mounting unit, eliminating human intervention entirely from the programming process. This removes the possibility of human error in manual data entry while maintaining operational simplicity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system acts as an intermediary between the mounting unit's memory and the seatback device. Instead of human operators manually transferring data, the wireless interface automatically mediates the information exchange, ensuring accurate and error-free transmission of seat location codes.
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger unit for use on-board a passenger vehicle (e.g., an in-flight entertainment device) includes a display, a memory storing a passenger unit identifier, a network interface, and a connector configured to physically couple to a connector on a mounting unit, where the mounting unit is installed on, or proximate to, a particular seat of a plurality of seats on-board the passenger vehicle. The passenger unit also includes a controller configured to obtain a seat location code of the particular seat from the mounting unit, and to cause the seat location code and the passenger unit identifier to be transmitted, via the network interface, to a server on-board the passenger vehicle. The server is configured to map the passenger unit to the particular seat using the seat location code and the passenger unit identifier.