VIDEO DISPLAY UNIT DOCKING ASSEMBLY FOR FIBER-TO-THE-SCREEN INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

• US 20110065303A1
• Filed: 08/13/2010
• Published: 03/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anuvu IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Lumexis Corporation
• Inventors: Petrisor, Gregory C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,424,045 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/297
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0012 Seats or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0061 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00151 Permanently mounted seat back monitors

Abstract

A Video Display Unit (VDU) docking system for a dedicated fiber optic in-flight-entertainment (IFE) system allows VDUs to be quickly replaced by personnel who do not need specialized training in fiber coupling without risk of damage to fiber optic components of the dedicated fiber optic IFE system. In some embodiments, a VDU docking station is configured to receive a VDU such that when a VDU is inserted therein, the VDU becomes automatically communicatively coupled with a fiber optic distribution network of the IFE system via a blind mate connection. In some arrangements, a blank LRU having no operative user interface elements but sufficient functionality to maintain communicative coupling is mounted in the VDU docking station in lieu of a VDU. In some configurations, the VDU docking station includes an embedded switch for maintaining communicative coupling across the VDU docking station in the absence of a VDU.

Claims

1. A video display unit (VDU) docking assembly for an inflight entertainment (IFE) system, comprising:

a VDU docking station having a dock, a first electrical connector and a converter communicatively coupled with the first electrical connector; and

a VDU having a second electrical connector, wherein the first electrical connector is adapted to blind mate with the second electrical connector upon slidably mounting the VDU to the dock.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the converter comprises a media converter.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the converter comprises a fiber optic transceiver.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the converter comprises a fiber optic transceiver and switch.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the converter is adapted to perform optical-to-electronic conversions on optical signals inbound to the VDU and electronic-to-optical conversions on electronic signals outbound from the VDU.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the converter is adapted to perform physical layer to media access layer and media access layer to physical layer conversions.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the converter receives inline power from the VDU.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the VDU receives inline power through the first electrical connector.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is communicatively coupled with a head end server.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is serially communicatively coupled between a head end server and a second VDU docking assembly.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is serially communicatively coupled between a second VDU docking assembly and a third VDU docking assembly.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the VDU docking station comprises a nonvolatile memory element communicatively coupled with the first electrical connector and having seat identification information stored thereon.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the dock is sized to snugly receive the VDU.

14. A VDU docking assembly for an IFE system, comprising:

a VDU docking station having a dock and a first optical connector; and

a VDU having a second optical connector, wherein the first optical connector is adapted to blind mate with the second optical connector upon slidably mounting the VDU to the dock.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the assembly is communicatively coupled with a head end server.

16. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the assembly is serially communicatively coupled between a head end server and a second VDU docking assembly.

17. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the assembly is serially communicatively coupled between a second VDU docking assembly and a third VDU docking assembly.

18. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the dock is sized to snugly receive the VDU.

19. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the first and second optical connectors each further comprise electrical connective elements adapted to transmit electrical power and electronic signals.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the VDU receives inline power through an electrical connective element of the first optical connector.

21. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the VDU docking station comprises a nonvolatile memory element communicatively coupled with the first optical connector and having seat identification information stored thereon.

22. A VDU docking assembly for an IFE system, comprising:

a VDU docking station having a dock, a first electrical connector and a converter communicatively coupled with the first electrical connector; and

a blank line replaceable unit (LRU) having a second electrical connector, wherein the first electrical connector is adapted to blind mate with the second electrical connector upon slidably mounting the blank LRU to the dock whereby communicative coupling is maintained across the VDU docking station.

23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the blank LRU comprises a switch adapted to maintain the communicative coupling.

24. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the dock is adapted to snugly receive the blank LRU.

25. A VDU docking assembly for an IFE system, comprising:

a VDU docking station having a dock and a first optical connector; and

a blank LRU having a second optical connector, wherein the first optical connector is adapted to blind mate with the second optical connector upon slidably mounting the blank LRU to the dock whereby communicative coupling is maintained across the VDU docking station.

26. The assembly of claim 25, wherein the blank LRU comprises a fiber optic jumper adapted to maintain the communicative coupling.

27. The assembly of claim 26, wherein the dock is adapted to snugly receive the blank LRU.

28. An IFE system, comprising:

a first VDU docking station having a VDU slidably mounted therein;

a second VDU docking station having a VDU slidably mounted therein; and

a third VDU docking station having no VDU slidably mounted therein operatively coupled between the first VDU docking station and the second VDU docking station, wherein communicative coupling between the first VDU docking station and the second VDU docking station is maintained across the third VDU docking station.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the communicative coupling is maintained via a switch embedded in the third VDU docking station.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the communicative coupling is maintained via a blank LRU slidably mounted in the third VDU docking station.