Channel synchronized audio data compression and decompression for an in-flight entertainment system
First Claim
1. In an aircraft in-flight entertainment system (IFES) having a plurality of available audio signals, an audio distribution system for transmitting and synchronizing a first audio data stream corresponding to said plurality of audio signals to be provided to a plurality of passenger seats in response to a plurality of passenger requests, said audio distribution system comprising:
- an encoder, coupled to a source providing said plurality of audio signals to generate a compressed data pattern and a plurality of synchronization parameters, said plurality of synchronization parameters including synchronization data for a selected channel, said compressed data pattern and said plurality of synchronization parameters forming the first data stream and transmitted over a transmission medium; and
a decoder coupled to said transmission medium for decompressing said compressed data pattern and synchronizing said first audio data stream by said synchronization parameters.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In an In-Flight Entertainment System (IFES), an audio distribution system transmits and synchronizes an audio data stream from multiple audio channels using the Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation (ADPCM) technique for efficient transmission and preventing loss of synchronization. An encoder digitizes the analog audio signals, compresses the digital data, generates the synchronization parameters, including synchronization data for a selected channel, and creates a data frame to be transmitted to a number of decoders. Each decoder detects the synchronization header, extracts the compressed data patterns from the passenger selections, updates the ADPCM synchronization parameters, decompresses the compressed data patterns, and converts the digital audio data to analog audio signals to be delivered to the passenger seats.
41 Citations
22 Claims
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1. In an aircraft in-flight entertainment system (IFES) having a plurality of available audio signals, an audio distribution system for transmitting and synchronizing a first audio data stream corresponding to said plurality of audio signals to be provided to a plurality of passenger seats in response to a plurality of passenger requests, said audio distribution system comprising:
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an encoder, coupled to a source providing said plurality of audio signals to generate a compressed data pattern and a plurality of synchronization parameters, said plurality of synchronization parameters including synchronization data for a selected channel, said compressed data pattern and said plurality of synchronization parameters forming the first data stream and transmitted over a transmission medium; and a decoder coupled to said transmission medium for decompressing said compressed data pattern and synchronizing said first audio data stream by said synchronization parameters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. In an aircraft in-flight entertainment system (IFES) having a plurality of audio signals transmitted in an audio distribution system, a method for transmitting and synchronizing a first audio data stream corresponding to said plurality of available audio signals to a plurality of passenger seats via a plurality of seat control unit (SCU) in response to a plurality of passenger requests, said method comprising the steps of:
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encoding said plurality of audio signals to produce said first audio data stream, said first audio data stream consisting of at least a compressed data pattern and a plurality of synchronization parameters, said plurality of synchronization parameters including synchronization data for a selected channel; transmitting said first audio data stream over a transmission medium; recovering said first audio data stream at an SCU; and decoding said first audio data stream to reproduce said plurality of audio signals by decompressing said compressed data pattern and synchronizing said first audio data stream by said plurality of synchronization parameters. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification