MULTIPURPOSE INFORMATION TRANSFER MEDIUM EYEPIECE

• US 20090319902A1
• Filed: 06/18/2008
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Sharpe, Buddy L., Schalla, James P., Robb, Calsee Nicole, Kneller, Heidi Joy, Harkness, William Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,936,285 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/733
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/62 for transportation systems, e.g. in vehicles

Abstract

An aircraft communications system is located on an aircraft. The aircraft communications system comprises a set of eyewear units, an aircraft data processing system, and a wireless system. Each eyewear unit has a set of sensors and a display. The set of eyewear units is capable of receiving user input and is capable of presenting information to a set of users of the set of eyewear units. The aircraft data processing system is capable of receiving the user input and sending the information to the set of eyewear units in response to receiving the user input from the set of eyewear units. The wireless system is located proximate to the cabin of the aircraft and is capable of sending the user input from the set of eyewear units to the aircraft data processing system and sending the information to the set of eyewear units.

Claims

1. An aircraft communications system located on an aircraft, the aircraft communications system comprising:

a set of eyewear units in which each eyewear unit has a set of sensors and a display, wherein the set of eyewear units is capable of receiving user input and capable of presenting information to a set of users of the set of eyewear units;

an aircraft data processing system capable of receiving the user input and sending the information to the set of eyewear units in response to receiving the user input from the set of eyewear units; and

a wireless system located in a cabin of the aircraft, wherein the wireless system is capable of sending the user input from the set of eyewear units to the aircraft data processing system and sending the information to the set of eyewear units.

2. The aircraft communications system of claim 1 further comprising:

a set of line replaceable units located on the aircraft, wherein the aircraft data processing system is capable of controlling functions for the set of line replaceable units in response to the user input.

3. The aircraft communications system of claim 2, wherein the set of line replaceable units comprises at least one of an in-flight entertainment system, an aircraft environmental control system.

4. The aircraft communications system of claim 1, wherein an eyewear unit in the set of eyewear units is capable of conveying the information using a virtual reality module.

5. The aircraft communications system of claim 1, wherein the eyewear unit in the set of eyewear units is capable of displaying an avatar to present the information to a passenger using the eyewear unit.

6. The aircraft communications system of claim 5, wherein the avatar is displayed in an augmented reality.

7. The aircraft communications system of claim 1, wherein the set of eyewear units is capable of providing at least one of ticket information, internet access, ordering, language translation, virtual reality, games, music, video, and a virtual flight attendant, entertainment, safety information, crew information, cockpit information, and interior architecture information.

8. The aircraft communications system of claim 1, wherein each of the set of eyewear units executes a set of software modules.

9. The aircraft communications system of claim 1, wherein the set of eyewear units comprises at least one of an augmented realty module, a virtual flight attendant module, a virtual reality module, a language translator module, a user profile module, an entertainment module, a localization module, and an ordering module.

10. The aircraft communications system of claim 8, wherein the aircraft data processing system sends a software module within the set of software modules to the set of eyewear units.

11. An apparatus comprising:

an eyewear unit having a set of sensors, a video display, an audio device, a wireless communications unit, and a processing unit; and

a set of modules executing on the processing unit, wherein the eyewear unit is capable of receiving user input from the set of sensors and capable of presenting information to a user of the eyewear unit using at least one of the video display and the audio device.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:

a wireless system located in an aircraft; and

an aircraft data processing system capable of communicating with the eyewear unit using the wireless system, wherein the aircraft data processing system sends the information to the eyewear unit in response to the user input received from the eyewear unit.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising:

a set of replaceable line units in the aircraft, wherein the aircraft data processing system is capable of controlling functions for the set of line replaceable units in response to the user input.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the set of line replaceable units comprises at least one of an in-flight entertainment system, an aircraft environmental control system.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:

a second wireless system located in an airport; and

a data processing system capable of communicating with the eyewear unit using the set of wireless routers, wherein the data processing system sends the information to the eyewear unit in response to the user input received from the eyewear unit.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the set of modules executed in the processor unit is capable of providing at least one of ticket information, internet access, ordering, language translation, virtual reality, games, music, video, and a virtual flight attendant, entertainment, safety information, crew information, cockpit information, and interior architecture information.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the set of modules comprises at least one of an augmented realty module, a virtual flight attendant module, a virtual reality module, a language translator module, a user profile module, an entertainment module, a localization module, and an ordering module.

18. A computer implemented method for providing information to a user, the computer implemented method comprising:

receiving a request from an eyewear unit comprising a set of sensors, a video display, an audio device, a wireless communications unit, a processing unit, and a set of modules executing on the processing unit, wherein the eyewear unit is capable of receiving user input from the set of sensors and capable of presenting the information to a user of the eyewear unit using at least one of the video display and the audio device;

identifying particular information responsive to the request to form identified information; and

sending the identified information to the eyewear unit.

19. The computer implemented method of claim 18 further comprising;

presenting the identified information on the eyewear unit in response to receiving the identified information at the eyewear unit.

20. The computer implemented method of claim 18, wherein the identified information comprises at least one of directions, a video, music, a game, ticket information, and a new module for execution by the eyewear unit.