SIMPLIFIED CABIN SERVICES SYSTEM FOR AN AIRCRAFT

• US 20120191297A1
• Filed: 04/02/2012
• Published: 07/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley J. Mitchell, Kevin S. Callahan, Trevor M. Laib, William C. Sanford
• Original Assignee: Bradley J. Mitchell, Kevin S. Callahan, Trevor M. Laib, William C. Sanford
• Inventors: Callahan, Kevin S., Laib, Trevor M., Mitchell, Bradley J., Sanford, William C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,489,276 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• 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: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

A cabin services system for an aircraft is disclosed. The cabin services system comprises at least one wireless network, the at least one wireless network providing at least one cabin service. The cabin services system further includes a cabin attendant panel for communicating with the at least one wireless networks and configured to control the at least one cabin service.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a passenger service unit in an aircraft, the method comprising:

clearing a memory of the passenger service unit of all identifiers, wherein each of the identifiers provides an indication of a function being associated with a passenger control unit; and

sending at least one new identifier to associate the passenger service unit with an appropriate passenger control unit.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one new identifier comprises at least one transmitter identifier.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the clearing and sending steps are performed wirelessly.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the sending step includes storing the at least one new identifier in the memory.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the sending step includes storing the at least one transmitter identifier in the memory.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the at least one transmitter identifier is sent to the passenger service unit based upon a telegram.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one identifier comprises a plurality of identifiers.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein a plurality of telegrams are sent and stored to associate a plurality of passenger control units with the appropriate passenger service unit.

9. A computer readable medium containing program instructions for configuring a passenger service unit in an aircraft;

the program instructions for;

clearing a memory of the passenger service unit of all identifiers, wherein each of the identifiers provides an indication of a function being associated with a passenger control unit; and

sending at least one new identifier to associate the passenger service unit with an appropriate passenger control unit.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein the at least one new identifier comprises at least one transmitter identifier.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein the clearing and sending steps are performed wirelessly.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein the sending step includes storing the at least one new identifier in the memory.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 10 wherein the sending step includes storing the at least one transmitter identifier in the memory.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 10 wherein the at least one transmitter identifier is sent to the passenger service unit based upon a telegram.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein the at least one identifier comprises a plurality of identifiers.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein a plurality of telegrams are sent and stored to associate a plurality of passenger control units with the appropriate passenger service unit.

17. A system for configuring a passenger service unit in an aircraft, the system comprising a processor configured to:

clear a memory of the passenger service unit of all identifiers, wherein each of the identifiers provides an indication of a function being associated with a passenger control unit; and

send at least one new identifier to associate the passenger service unit with an appropriate passenger control unit.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the at least one new identifier comprises at least one transmitter identifier.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein the clearing and sending steps are performed wirelessly.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein the sending step includes storing the at least one new identifier in the memory.