Wireless data transmission in between seat rows in aircraft

• US 20040077308A1
• Filed: 10/16/2002
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Sanford, William C., Diessner, Daniel J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,103,324 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/3.06
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00151 Permanently mounted seat back monitors
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00155 Individual entertainment or communication system remote controls therefor, located in or connected to seat components, e.g. to seat back or arm rest
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06 Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats crew seat constructions for emergency purposes B64D25/04
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0624 Arrangements of electrical connectors, e.g. for earphone, internet or electric supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/62 for transportation systems, e.g. in vehicles

Abstract

An apparatus for communication with a wireless network is provided. A video display unit is mounted on a seat back. The video display unit includes a processor, a video display electrically coupled to the processor, a component configured for wireless communication with the processor, and a receiver electrically coupled to the processor. A user interface is mounted on an armrest. The user interface includes a user input interface and a transmitter electrically coupled to the user input interface.

Claims

1. An apparatus for communication with a wireless network, the apparatus comprising:

a video display unit mounted on a seat back of a first seat, the video display unit including;

a processor;

a video display electrically coupled to the processor;

a component configured for wireless communication with the processor; and

a receiver electrically coupled to the processor; and

a user interface, mounted on an armrest of a second seat, and in wireless communication with the processor, the user interface including;

a user input interface; and

a transmitter electrically coupled to the user input interface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are configured to receive and to transmit wireless signals respectively.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wireless signals include infrared wireless signals.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wireless signals include optical wireless signals.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wireless signals include radio frequency wireless signals.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the component for wireless communication includes a wireless access point.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the wireless access point complies with a standard promulgated by the IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a keypad.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a graphic user interface.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to receive and transmit wireless signals.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the transmitter is configured to receive and transmit wireless signals.

12. A seating system for communication with a wireless network, the system comprising:

a plurality of first seats, each first seat having a seat back;

a plurality of video display units mounted on the seat backs of the plurality of first seats, each video display unit including;

a video display unit mounted on a seat back of a first seat, the video display unit including;

a processor;

a video display electrically coupled to the processor;

a component configured for wireless communication with the processor; and

a receiver electrically coupled to the processor; and

a plurality of second seats arrayed in a plurality of second rows adjacent to the first rows, each second seat having an armrest comprising;

a plurality of user interfaces, mounted on armrests of the plurality of second seats, each user interface including;

a user input interface; and

a transmitter electrically coupled to the user input interface and configured to communicate with the receiver such that activation of the user interface will transmit a control signal to the processor.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the transmitter and the receiver are configured to receive and to transmit wireless signals respectively.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the wireless signals include infrared wireless signals.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the wireless signals include optical wireless signals.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein wireless signals include radio frequency wireless signals.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the component for wireless communication includes a wireless access point.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the wireless access point is which complies with a standard promulgated by the IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards Committee.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the user interface includes a keypad.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the user interface includes a graphic user interface.

21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the receiver is configured to receive and transmit wireless signals.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the transmitter is configured to receive and transmit wireless signals.

23. A method for displaying information to a passenger in a seat, the method comprising:

activating a user input interface indicative of a passenger preference;

transmitting a signal corresponding to the activating of the user input interface;

receiving the signal at a processor;

requesting information responding to the passenger preference over a wireless network link;

receiving requested information over a wireless network link; and

displaying the requested information on a video display unit affixed to a seat back.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the requested information includes video programming content.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the requested information includes a page of content from an Internet site.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the wireless signal includes an infrared signal.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the wireless signal includes an RF signal.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the wireless signal includes an optical signal.