Secure electronic media for in-transit passenger usage

• US 20130074112A1
• Filed: 09/16/2011
• Published: 03/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Elwha LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Kare, Jordin T., Tuckerman, David B., Weaver, Thomas A., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US13/200,099
• Publication Number:
  US 20130074112A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2146 located in mass transportation means, e.g. aircraft, train or bus flight-deck installations for entertainment or communications B64D11/0015; arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62; moving wireless networks H04W84/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4126 The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones

Abstract

Exemplary methods, systems and components are implemented on a multipassenger transit vehicle to provide passenger access to a pre-assigned interactive electronic media device associated with a passenger identification (ID) code or associated with an on-board situs location. The electronic media device may include a storage component, and a battery module that can periodically be replaced or recharged. Security techniques may provide protection against unauthorized usage of each electronic media device, and also help prevent unauthorized removal of the electronic media device from its approved location in the transit vehicle. Selective content may be accessible or downloaded via a communication node, wherein such content may include application programs or informational data specifically correlated with a media device location or a designated vehicle passenger. Selective content and/or operation capability for the electronic media device may be varied based on predetermined qualifications or passenger request.

Claims

1. A computerized electronic media device for a user in a multipassenger transport vehicle comprising:

an electronic media device situated for individual interactive usage in the multipassenger transport vehicle and configured for displaying alphanumeric content and/or visual content that is accessible to an approved passenger;

a storage component respectively incorporated with or linked to the electronic media device;

a communication interface operatively connected to the storage component and configured to install or update or replace or delete certain application programs and/or informational data received or accessed from an external communication node; and

a security component associated with each electronic media device and configured to provide protection against unauthorized on-board or off-board activity regarding the electronic media device.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said security component includes:

a physical connector between the electronic media and an attachment fixture of the multipassenger transport vehicle, wherein the physical connector is configured to prevent and/or detect removal of the electronic media from a specified on-board site in the multipassenger transport vehicle.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said security component includes:

a proximity sensor incorporated on the electronic media device and configured to provide a limited active operational usage based on an acceptable monitored location of the electronic media device on the multipassenger transport vehicle.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said security component includes:

a security lockout scheme configured to cause the electronic media device to discontinue some or all operational functions based on detection of its unauthorized removal from an acceptable monitored location on the multipassenger transport vehicle.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said security component includes:

an identifier incorporated in the electronic media device to establish a correlation with one or more designated seat locations in the multipassenger transport vehicle.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said security component includes:

an identifier incorporated in the electronic media device to establish a correlation with one or more approved vehicle passengers.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said security component includes:

an identifier incorporated in the electronic media device to establish an ownership right in the electronic media device.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said security component includes:

an article surveillance tag incorporated with the electronic media device for detection or tracking of unauthorized removal from a specified on-board site of the electronic media device via an aisle or doorway or exit passageway of the multipassenger transport vehicle.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said security component includes:

an RFID-type element incorporated with the electronic media device for detection or tracking of a location of the electronic media device relative to a specified on-board site that includes a passenger seat or a group of passenger seats in the multipassenger transport vehicle.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said security component includes:

an RFID-type element incorporated with the electronic media device for detection or tracking of an on-board location of the electronic media device relative to the approved vehicle passenger or an approved group of vehicle passengers.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said security component includes:

an RFID-type element incorporated with the electronic media device for detection or tracking of an on-board location of the electronic media device correlated with a category or type of content available to one or more approved vehicle passengers.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said security component includes:

security means configured to prevent unauthorized usage of the electronic media device or unauthorized access to the storage component while the electronic media device is in a dormant operational mode.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein said security component includes:

security means configured to prevent unauthorized usage of the electronic media device or unauthorized access to the storage component while the electronic media device is in an active operational mode.

14. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

alarm means operably coupled to the security component to provide an output indicating tampering or unauthorized usage of the electronic media device or unauthorized access to the storage component.

15. The device of claim 14 further comprising:

a disable module configured to delete or corrupt or render non-functional certain aspects of the electronic media device and/or storage component, responsive to the alarm output.

16. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

alarm means operably coupled to the security component for sending a real-time transmission to indicate a passenger ID or an on-board site associated with the electronic media device that has been subjected to tampering or unauthorized usage or unauthorized access.

17. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a disable module for deleting or corrupting or rendering non-functional or illegible certain aspects of the aforesaid content displayed on the electronic media device, or aspects of the certain application programs or informational data maintained in the storage compartment, responsive to an event indicating that the electronic media device has been subjected to tampering or unauthorized usage or unauthorized access.

18. The device of claim 1 wherein said storage component includes one or more of the following types:

internal memory, external memory, secondary storage media, removable storage media, distributed storage media.

19. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a backup buffer module configured to maintain a startup protocol sufficient to transfer the certain application programs and/or informational data from the electronic media device and/or its respective storage component to a different electronic media device via induction or wired link or wireless link or removable media drive, responsive to an event indicating a malfunction of the electronic media device.

43. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a GPS security component configured for sending a transmission to indicate a geographic location of the electronic media device based on detection of its unauthorized removal from the multipassenger transport vehicle.

44. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a physical connector between the electronic media device and the multipassenger transport vehicle, wherein the physical connector is adapted to keep the electronic media device in close proximity to an assigned place or space associated with the approved passenger .

45. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

an adjustable or detachable physical connector between the electronic media device and the multipassenger transport vehicle, wherein the electronic media device is adapted for authorized mobile use by the approved passenger while in transit.

46. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a controller module configured to implement a removal or deletion of user-created or passenger-related information from the electronic media device upon arrival of the multipassenger transport vehicle at the individual passenger'"'"'s final destination or upon termination of the individual passenger'"'"'s approved access to the electronic media device.

47. The device of claim 1 further comprising:

a controller module configured to implement modification or cancellation of certain content or application program or operation functionality in response to completion of the approved passenger'"'"'s in transit travel.

20-42. -42. (canceled)

48-49. -49. (canceled)

50. A method for media device management in a multipassenger transport vehicle comprising:

providing an electronic media device situated for individual interactive usage in the multipassenger transport vehicle for displaying alphanumeric content and/or visual content that is accessible in transit to an approved vehicle passenger, wherein the electronic media device includes a communication interface having a wired or wireless link with an external communication node;

operatively connecting the communication interface to a storage component respectively associated with the electronic media device, wherein the communication interface facilitates installation or updating or replacement or deletion of certain application programs and/or informational data received from an external communication node; and

implementing a security scheme to protect against unauthorized on-board or off-board activity regarding the electronic media device.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein said implementing the security scheme includes:

providing a physical connector between the electronic media device and an attachment fixture of the multipassenger transport vehicle, wherein the physical connector helps to prevent and/or detect removal of the electronic media from a specified on-board site in the multipassenger transport vehicle.

52. The method of claim 50 wherein said implementing the security scheme includes:

providing a proximity sensor incorporated on the electronic media device, wherein the proximity sensor helps to control active operational usage based on an acceptable monitored location of the electronic media device on the multipassenger transport vehicle.

53. The method of claim 50 wherein said implementing the security scheme includes:

implementing a security lockout configured to cause the electronic media device to discontinue some or all operational functions based on detection of its unauthorized removal from an acceptable monitored location on the multipassenger transport vehicle.

56. The method of claim 50 wherein said implementing the security scheme includes:

incorporating an identifier in the electronic media device to establish an ownership right in the electronic media device.

57. The method of claim 50 wherein said implementing the security scheme includes:

incorporating an article surveillance tag with the electronic media device for detection or tracking of unauthorized removal from a specified on-board site of the electronic media device via an aisle or doorway or exit passageway of the multipassenger transport vehicle.

63. The method of claim 50 further comprising:

transmitting an alarm output indicating tampering or unauthorized usage of the electronic media device or unauthorized access to the storage component.

64. The method of claim 63 further comprising:

responsive to the alarm output, activating a disable module to delete or corrupt or render non-functional certain aspects of the electronic media device and/or storage component.

65. The method of claim 63 further comprising:

responsive to the alarm output, sending a real-time transmission to indicate a passenger ID or an on-board site associated with the electronic media device that has been subjected to tampering or unauthorized usage or unauthorized access.

66. The method of claim 50 further comprising:

activating a disable module for deleting or corrupting or rendering non-functional or illegible certain aspects of the aforesaid content displayed on the electronic media device, or aspects of the certain or informational data maintained in the storage component, responsive to an event indicating that the electronic media device has been subjected to tampering or unauthorized usage or unauthorized access.

89. The method of claim 50 further comprising:

correlating one or more of the following device metrics with a situs identifier or passenger identifier code;

available usage time period(s), usage duration, free default content, content cost rate, operation capability expense, device mobility fee.

90. The method of claim 50 further comprising:

providing an operation functionality to be available in each electronic media device based on a correlation with a passenger identifier code or a specified on-board site.

91. The method of claim 90 further comprising:

making one or more of the following operation functionality components available based on a correlation with a situs identifier or passenger identifier code;

removable memory, text messaging, local intercom, Internet link, external phone link, printer, camera, logon protection, security module.

92. The method of claim 50 further comprising:

sending a transmission via a GPS security component incorporated with the electronic media device to indicate its geographic location responsive to detection of its unauthorized removal from the multipassenger transport vehicle.

95. The method of claim 50 further comprising:

implementing removal or deletion of user-created or passenger-related information from the electronic media device upon arrival of the multipassenger transport vehicle at the individual passenger'"'"'s final destination or upon termination of the individual passenger'"'"'s approved access to the electronic media device.

96. The method of claim 50 further comprising:

implementing modification or cancellation of certain content or application program or operation functionality in response to completion of the approved passenger'"'"'s in transit travel.

54-55. -55. (canceled)

58-62. -62. (canceled)

67-88. -88. (canceled)

93-94. -94. (canceled)

97-144. -144. (canceled)

145. A computerized electronic media system for a multipassenger transport vehicle comprising:

an electronic media device independently powered by its respective battery module and configured for displaying alphanumeric content and/or visual content that is accessible in transit to an approved passenger;

a storage component coupled to the electronic media and configured to maintain in memory certain application programs and/or informational data;

an external communication node including a controller module adapted to determine various categories or type of content that are transferred to the storage component for access by the approved passenger, wherein such categories or type of content are correlated with a passenger identifier code and/or a situs identifier associated with the electronic media device; and

a security component associated with each electronic media device to provide protection against unauthorized on-board or off-board activity regarding the electronic media device or regarding the storage component.

146. The system of claim 145 further comprising:

a controller configured to implement a selection or monitoring or modification or cancellation of the aforesaid content in response to an authorization signal from one of the following types of external communication node;

on-board, off-board, portable, fixed location, wired, wireless.

147. The system of claim 145 wherein said security component includes:

a security lockout scheme configured to cause the electronic media device to discontinue some or all operational functions based on detection of its unauthorized removal from a specified on-board site.

148. The system of claim 145 further comprising:

a local communication link to enable bidirectional transmission of messages by the approved passenger during an active operation mode with one or more other related electronic media devices correlated with their respective passenger identifier code and/or situs identifier.

149. The system of claim 145 further comprising:

the respective battery module which is configured to be rechargeable or replaceable while the electronic media device is in a dormant operational mode.

150. The system of claim 145 further comprising:

a data table indicative of one or more categories or types of content or program product of operation functionality available for correlation with the passenger identifier code and/or the situs identifier.

151. The system of claim 145 further comprising:

a wired or wireless communication link from the electronic media device to an external communication node for receiving or providing access to audio and/or video content correlated with the passenger identifier code and/or the situs identifier.

152. The system of claim 145 further comprising:

a communication interface configured to receive or provide access to new or updated or replacement content in response to confirmation of a cash or credit or debit payment made or authorized by the approved passenger during an active operational mode via a user interface of the electronic device.

153. The system of claim 145 further comprising:

a passenger-activated control module for selecting and/or monitoring and/or limiting content or program application or operation functionality available to another electronic media device associated with a related individual passenger or group of passengers.

154. The system of claim 145 wherein said security component includes:

a disable module for deleting or corrupting or rendering non-functional or illegible certain aspects of the aforesaid content accessible in an interactive display component, or certain aspects of the application programs or informational data maintained in the storage component, responsive to an event indicating that the electronic media device has been subjected to tampering or unauthorized usage or unauthorized access.

155. The system of claim 145 further comprising:

a controller module is configured to correlate one or more of the following device metrics with the situs identifier or passenger identifier code;

available usage time period(s), usage duration, free default content, content cost rate, operation capability expense, device mobility fee.

156. The system of claim 145 further comprising:

an operation functionality component available in each electronic media device based on a correlation with the passenger identifier code or a specified on-board site.

157. The system of claim 156 further comprising one or more of the following operation functionality components:

removable memory, text messaging, local intercom, Internet link, external phone link, printer, camera, logon protection, security module.

158. The system of claim 145 further comprising:

a GPS security component configured for sending a transmission to indicate a geographic location of the electronic media device based on detection of its unauthorized removal from the multipassenger transport vehicle.

159. The system of claim 145 further comprising:

a physical connector between the electronic media device and the multipassenger transport vehicle, wherein the physical connector is adapted to keep the electronic media device in close proximity to an assigned place or space associated with the approved passenger .

160. The system of claim 145 further comprising:

an adjustable or detachable physical connector between the electronic media device and the multipassenger transport vehicle, wherein the electronic media device is adapted for authorized mobile use by the approved passenger while in transit.

161. The system of claim 145 further comprising:

a controller module configured to implement a removal or deletion of user-created or passenger-related information from the electronic media device upon arrival of the multipassenger transport vehicle at the individual passenger'"'"'s final destination or upon termination of the individual passenger'"'"'s approved access to the electronic media device.

162. The system of claim 145 further comprising:

a controller module configured to implement modification or cancellation of certain content or application program or operation functionality in response to completion of the approved passenger'"'"'s in transit travel.