System and method utilizing Internet Protocol (IP) sequencing to identify components of a passenger flight information system (PFIS)
First Claim
1. A passenger flight information system, comprising:
- head-end equipment;
at least one area distribution box having a plurality of switch ports; and
a plurality of seat electronics boxes, arranged in groups such that each of a plurality of said groups is coupled to a respective switch port of a respective area distribution box and serviced by that respective area distribution box;
the head-end equipment, area distribution box and seat electronics boxes being adapted to operate to perform an addressing process to assign respective Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to respective components associated with the head-end equipment, area distribution box and seat electronics boxes by which the respective components are identified in the passenger flight information system, at least one of the components associated with a seat electronics box being a smart video display unit that includes a processor which enables the smart video display unit to perform its own tasks and decision making; and
during the addressing process, the area distribution box disconnects all of its said switch ports to isolate itself, and then sequentially opens one of said switch ports at a time to send sequencing start messages to the group of seat electronics boxes coupled to the switch port that is opened.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method utilizing Internet Protocol (IP) sequencing to identify components of a passenger flight information system (PFIS). More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method which assigns an IP address to each line replaceable unit (LRU), such as a seat electronics box (SEB) or other seat components of a PFIS, so that the components can be readily identified by the PFIS when communication is to occur between the components and, for example, a head end unit of the PFIS. Once the IP sequencing process has been performed, the PFIS can be used to provide services to the passengers, such as audio and video entertainment. Such entertainment can be set in accordance with an auto-scripting process in which the flight crew can select the theme for the flight.
44 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A passenger flight information system, comprising:
-
head-end equipment; at least one area distribution box having a plurality of switch ports; and a plurality of seat electronics boxes, arranged in groups such that each of a plurality of said groups is coupled to a respective switch port of a respective area distribution box and serviced by that respective area distribution box; the head-end equipment, area distribution box and seat electronics boxes being adapted to operate to perform an addressing process to assign respective Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to respective components associated with the head-end equipment, area distribution box and seat electronics boxes by which the respective components are identified in the passenger flight information system, at least one of the components associated with a seat electronics box being a smart video display unit that includes a processor which enables the smart video display unit to perform its own tasks and decision making; and during the addressing process, the area distribution box disconnects all of its said switch ports to isolate itself, and then sequentially opens one of said switch ports at a time to send sequencing start messages to the group of seat electronics boxes coupled to the switch port that is opened. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of establishing a passenger flight information system, the method comprising:
-
providing head-end equipment, at least one area distribution box having a plurality of switch ports, and a plurality of seat electronics boxes, arranged in groups such that each of a plurality of said groups is coupled to a respective switch port of a respective area distribution box and serviced by that respective area distribution box; operating the head-end equipment, area distribution box and seat electronics boxes to perform an addressing process to assign respective Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to respective components associated with the head-end equipment, area distribution box and seat electronics boxes by which the respective components are identified in the passenger flight information system, at least one of the components associated with a seat electronics box being a smart video display unit that includes a processor which enables the smart video display unit to perform its own tasks and decision making; and during the addressing process, operating the area distribution box to disconnect all of its said switch ports to isolate itself, and then sequentially open one of said switch ports at a time to send sequencing start messages to the group of seat electronics boxes coupled to the switch port that is opened. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification