IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM CONNECTOR

• US 20110003505A1
• Filed: 03/08/2010
• Published: 01/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Amphenol Phitek Limited (Amphenol Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Amphenol Phitek Limited (Amphenol Corporation)
• Inventors: Simmonds, Paul, Greig, Nigel, Moody, Roy, Donaldson, Mark, Clarke, Elaine
• Application Number:
  US12/719,426
• Publication Number:
  US 20110003505A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/540.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0624 Arrangements of electrical connectors, e.g. for earphone, internet or electric supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/714 with contacts abutting directly the printed circuit; Button contacts therefore provided on the printed circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/514 composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/518 for holding or embracing several coupling parts, e.g. frames
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/665 with built-in electronic circuit H01R13/70, H01R13/719 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94

Abstract

An In-flight Entertainment (IFE) system connector assembly has a connector module receiver for provision in a seat. The receiver includes a number of pockets in which connector modules can be docked. Each connector module provides a required connector type for a device to be connected to the IFE. Modules can be replaced if different connector types are required to be supported.

Claims

1. An in-flight entertainment (IFE) system connector comprising:

a connector module receiver having an IFE connector to connect the receiver to an IFE system, and

one or more connector regions, at least one connector region being adapted to receive a removable connector module whereby the connector module provides a required connector type for a device to be connected to the IFE.

2. An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connector module receiver is associated with a recogniser to recognise the connector type of the or each connector module.

3. An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connector module receiver is associated with a processor to process data received from a connector module to provide a required data type to the IFE system to support the connector type.

4. An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the connector regions includes a formation such that the connector module is located in the required position or orientation relative to the connector module receiver.

5. An IFE system connector as claimed in claims 1-4 wherein the connector module receiver includes a lock to secure each connector module to the receiver.

6. An FE system connector comprising:

a connector module for provision in a connector module receiver, the connector module having a component interface to provide a required connector type for connection with a component device, and

a receiver interface for connection with the connector module receiver.

7. An IFE connector as claimed in claim 6 wherein the connector module provides a plurality of component interfaces for transmitting or receiving data to or from component devices used by users of the IFE system.

8. An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 6 wherein the component interface comprises an emitter.

9. An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 6 wherein the component interface comprises a socket or plug.

10. An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 6 wherein the receiver interface includes one or more physical or electrical contacts.

11. An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 6 wherein the receiver interface comprises an electrically detectable property of the or each component module, the detectable property being dependent upon the component interface that the module provides.

12. An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 11 wherein the electrical detectable property comprises a property selected from the group consisting of:

a property detectable from an arrangement of passive components;

a property detectable from an arrangement of active components;

connection with electrical contacts of the receiver interface; and

data comprising an identifier.

13. An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 6 wherein the connector module includes a processor to process data received from a component device to provide a required data type to the IFE system to support the connector type.

14. An IFE system connector assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the connector module includes a formation on an outer surface such that the connector module is located in the required position or orientation relative to the connector module receiver.

15. A method of connecting a component device to an IFE system, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a connector module receiver and one or more connector modules, at least one connector module being selectively removable from the connector module receiver,

docking a connector module in the connector module receiver, and

using the connector module to communicate with the IFE system to thereby connect the component device to the IFE system.