System and method for compartment control

• US 7,937,169 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2006
• Issued: 05/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Ayoub, Phillip J., Lin, Dennis C., Kneller, Heidi J., Lamoree, Bret L., Tylee, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Decady; Albert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Norton; Jennifer L
• Application Number:
  US11/510,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20080071398A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,712 Days
• Field of Search: 244/118.1, 700/17, 700/83
• US Class Current: 700/83
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/003 Stowage devices for passengers' personal luggage

Abstract

A system and method for a computer program product is provided. The computer program product generates a graphical user interface for controlling a compartment. The graphical user interface comprises at least one compartment graphical indicator, and at least one compartment function button. In another embodiment, a method of managing at least one compartment through an interface supported by a controller is provided. The method includes selecting at least one compartment from the interface, and selecting a function for the compartment from the interface.

Claims

1. A method of managing a plurality of stowage

compartments on a mobile platform through an interface supported by a controller, the method comprising:

disposing a plurality of stowage compartments within a passenger cabin area of a body of the mobile platform, each said stowage compartment having a fixed housing and an associated door moveable relative to its respective said housing, the door being moveable pivotally, rotationally between opened and closed positions relative to the housing;

arranging the stowage compartments adjacent to a plurality of seats on the mobile platform, where the seats are arranged in rows, and each said row of seats is associated with at least one of the plurality of stowage compartments;

selecting at least one specific stowage compartment from the interface;

selecting a function for the specific stowage compartment from the interface;

using an electrical sensor in connection with operation of an electrically powered actuator, the electrically powered actuator being operably associated with the specific stowage bin for raising and lowering stowage bin, the electrical sensor generating information that can be used for sensing a weight of articles being housed within the specific stowage compartment, the sensing of the weight being accomplished by sensing a degree of force that is required from the electrically powered actuator, to lift and rotate the door between opened and closed positions;

locating a display of the interface, which is in communication with the controller, remote from the passenger cabin area and from the stowage bins; and

using the display of the interface to display an indication of the weight of the articles being supported by the specific stowage compartment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting a

function for the specific stowage compartment further comprises:

selecting an OPEN button to cause the specific stowage compartment to be moved to an opened position.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting a

function for the specific stowage compartment further comprises:

selecting a CLOSE button to cause the specific stowage compartment to be moved into a closed position.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a real-time position of a door of the specific stowage compartment.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting a first menu tab for displaying a compartment settings screen;

selecting a first sub-menu selector; and

selecting a zone button or a classification button for the specific stowage compartment.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting a second menu tab for displaying a security and protocol screen; and

selecting a security protocol button for restricting access to the interface.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting a third sub-menu tab for displaying a compartment configuration screen menu tab; and

selecting a speed of movement for the specific stowage compartment to perform the selected function.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

selecting a profile sub-menu tab from the configuration screen after the third sub-menu tab has been selected; and

selecting a motion profile associated with movement of a door of the specific stowage compartment between opened and closed positions.