Digital camera network for commercial aircraft
First Claim
1. An airplane camera system comprised of:
- a top camera array;
a bottom camera array;
a side camera array;
a computer;
a passenger viewing display; and
a pilot display, said top camera array, said bottom camera array, said side camera array, said passenger viewing display, and said pilot display are connected to said computer, whereby a plurality of images gathered by said top camera array, said bottom camera array, and said side camera array are processed by said computer and at least one of said images is displayed on said passenger viewing display and said pilot display.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An aircraft camera system is described for passenger entertainment and safety that includes several arrays of digital cameras mounted on a passenger aircraft. These arrays of digital cameras, which include a top camera array, a bottom camera array, and two side camera arrays, are connected to and controlled by a central computer system. These arrays of digital cameras are positioned to view the wings, tail section, engines, and flaps on the aircraft as well as views of the horizon and ground. The passengers can access the views gathered by these multiple cameras for entertainment on their personal liquid crystal display screens, mounted in the rear back portion of each passenger seat. The crew can access the views gathered by these multiple cameras to check on the integrity of the aircraft. Also, in an emergency, the flight crew can restrict camera access to the passengers, to prevent panic.
61 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An airplane camera system comprised of:
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a top camera array;
a bottom camera array;
a side camera array;
a computer;
a passenger viewing display; and
a pilot display, said top camera array, said bottom camera array, said side camera array, said passenger viewing display, and said pilot display are connected to said computer, whereby a plurality of images gathered by said top camera array, said bottom camera array, and said side camera array are processed by said computer and at least one of said images is displayed on said passenger viewing display and said pilot display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An airplane camera system comprised of:
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a top camera array mounted to a top surface of an aircraft fuselage, said top camera array is comprised of;
a digital camera; and
an aerodynamic transparent housing, said digital camera is mounted within said aerodynamic transparent housing, said aerodynamic transparent housing is mounted to said aircraft fuselage;
a bottom camera array mounted to a bottom surface of an aircraft fuselage, said bottom camera array is comprised of;
a digital camera; and
an aerodynamic transparent housing, said digital camera is mounted within said aerodynamic transparent housing, said aerodynamic transparent housing is mounted to said aircraft fuselage;
a passenger viewing display;
a pilot display; and
a computer, said digital camera mounted in said top camera array, said digital camera mounted in said bottom camera array, said passenger viewing display, and said pilot display are connected to said computer, whereby images gathered by said digital camera mounted in said top camera array and said digital camera mounted in said bottom camera array are processed by said computer and at least one said image is displayed on said passenger viewing display and said pilot display. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18)
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16. A process for showing images to a pilot and a passenger on an aircraft, comprising the steps of:
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acquiring a series of images with a plurality of digital cameras;
transmitting said series of images to a computer;
processing said series of images for viewing;
selecting a specific digital camera for viewing;
transmitting an image from among said series of images that was acquired from said specific digital camera to a pilot display and a passenger viewing display; and
displaying said image on said pilot display and said passenger display.
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Specification