Operator device for a passenger seat

• US 20040129543A1
• Filed: 02/12/2004
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Swiss International Air Lines Limited Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Swiss International Air Lines Limited Incorporated
• Inventors: Voight, Joachim, Voltz, Steffen
• Granted Patent: US 7,501,597 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/200
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 31/008 Use of remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0228 Hand-activated mechanical switches B60N2/0229 takes precedence
• 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 11/064 Adjustable inclination or position of seats
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0641 Seats convertible into beds
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0643 Adjustable foot or leg rests

Abstract

The invention relates to an operator device for a passenger seat of a means of transport, in particular an aircraft, comprising at least two functional ranges, one of which covers a seat adjuster. The invention allows the operation of the functions to be simplified by combining operator units for the two or more functional ranges, in particular for the seat adjustment and audio or video functions, in one common housing.

Claims

1. Control device for a passenger seat in a means of transport, particularly an aircraft, having at least two ranges of functions, one of which includes seat adjustment, characterized in that control units for the at least two ranges of functions, and in particular for the seat adjustment and audio/video functions, are combined in one common housing.

2. Control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two control units are situated in one housing of a hard-wired or wireless remote control for the seat.

3. Control device according to claim 2, characterized in that the housing of the wireless remote control is connected to the seat, in such a way that it cannot be lost, via a fastening means which performs purely mechanical functions.

4. Control device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the control device may also be provided with an identifying device which is suitable for identifying the passenger, directly or indirectly, and, if required, for calling up and accepting stored values for at least one preferred seat setting or for preferred infotainment settings.

5. Control device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the identifying unit is a card reader, for chip or magnetic cards for example.

6. Control device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that data for the preferred settings may then be stored on the card and, on a different journey, may be called up again by a seat which operates in the same way on a different means of transport.

7. Control device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the identifying unit may be fitted out as a credit-card reader or a reader of cards held by members of frequent flyer programs.

8. Control device according to claim 8, characterized in that chargeable services such as pay-TV, the internet or telephone may be charged for via these cards.