Seat, especially an aircraft passenger seat, with a data storage device and associated reading device

• US 20060186714A1
• Filed: 07/23/2004
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Company KG (Martin Putsch,)
• Original Assignee: Recaro Aircraft Seating GmbH & Company KG (Martin Putsch,)
• Inventors: Schrempp, Christoph, Terno, Antje
• Granted Patent: US 7,695,065 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/217.300
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/90 Details or parts not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0211 for record carriers apparatus, e.g. video recorders, tape players or CD players
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0264 for control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0012 Seats or parts thereof
• 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

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat, especially a vehicle seat, preferably an aircraft passenger seat (10, 30), comprising at least one seat component, such as a seat part (20), a backrest (22) or an armrest (26). As delivered, the seat meets predefined approved requirements and is correspondingly certified. The inventive seat is characterised in that a data storage device is fixedly disposed on at least one seat component. Said data storage device is used to store individual data relating to the service life or certification of the respective seat and/or individual seat components. The inventive seat is further characterised in that the data storage device can be electronically read by an external reading device. The invention also relates to an associated reading device.

Claims

1. A seat, especially a vehicle seat, preferably an aircraft passenger seat (10, 30), having at least one seat component such as a seat element (20), a backrest (22), or an arm rest (26), the seat as delivered having complied with specified approval regulations and accordingly having been certified, characterized in that there is mounted on at least one seat component so as to be stationary a data storage device (32) for storage of individual relevant data relating to the service life or certification of the respective seat and/or individual seat components, and in that the data storage device (32) may be read out by an external reading device (50).

2. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data storage device (32) has a read-only memory area (34) in which in the seat as delivered data have been stored at the factory.

3. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data storage device (32) has a random access memory area (36) in which data may be written and from which data may be read out during the service life of the seat.

4. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data are stored permanently in the data storage device (32), in particular are non-erasable and non-rewritable.

5. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data storage device (32) has a unique, unchangeable, and electronically readable identification number.

6. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein data transmission between the data storage device (32) and the reading device (50) is effected by wireless means, in particular wherein data may be read out of the data storage device (32) by wireless means and may be written into the data storage device (32) by wireless means.

7. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein transmission of data between the data storage device (32) and the reading device (50) is effected by use of a plug connection, wirelined or wireless, in particular with a magnetic mounting or clamp mounting.

8. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data storage device (32) operates on the transponder principle and data may be read from the data storage device (32) or data may be written into the data storage device (32) upon appropriate stimulation of the reading device (50).

9. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the energy required for operation of the data storage device (32) may be transmitted from the reading device (50) to the data storage device (32) or to a receiving unit associated with the data storage device (32) and connected to the data storage device (32).

10. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is provided on the seat, in the area of the data storage device (32), a unit (66) for positioning the reading device (50), in particular a stop unit operating in conjunction with associated positioning means (68) on the reading device (50).

11. The seat as claimed in claim 10, wherein the positioning unit (66) or positioning means (68) has a magnet whereby the reading device (50) may be brought into a specifiable position in relation to the data storage device (32).

12. A reading device (50) for data transmission to a data storage device (32) mounted on a seat as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the reading device (50) has data transmission means (62) for reading the individual data relevant to the service life or certification of the respective seat and/or individual seat components, and in that the reading device (50) has storage means for intermediate storage of data read from the data storage device (32) and/or data to be written into the data storage device (32).

13. The reading device (50) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the reading device (50) has a display unit (54) for display of the data read from the data storage device (32) and/or data to be written into the data storage device (32).

14. The reading device (50) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the reading device (50) has positioning means (68) for positioning the reading device (50), in particular a reading head, in relation to the data storage device (32) for purposes of data transmission.

15. The reading device (50) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the intermediately stored data may be transmitted by means of a standardized interface to a computer effecting further processing.