In-transit electronic media with location-based content

• US 8,776,145 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2011
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Hai V
• Application Number:
  US13/200,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20130074111A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 725 74- 77, 725 81- 82, 725/85
• US Class Current: 725/75
• 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. An electronic media device intended for on-board use in a multipassenger transport vehicle comprising:

an interactive display component located at a specified on-board site accessible to an individual passenger or group of passengers;

a controller module operatively connected with the interactive display component, wherein the controller module is operable to cause the interactive display component to operate according to provide a dormant operational mode during a first time period and to operate according to provide an active operational mode during a second time period based on a schedule;

storage media respectively incorporated with or linked to each electronic media device, and operable to maintain content including one or more application programs and/or various informational data in memory during the dormant and active operational modes, wherein the aforesaid content and/or a functional operation capability available in each electronic media device is at least partially determined by a situs identifier correlated with the specified on-board site;

a communication interface operatively connected to the storage media and operable to enable an on-board or an off-board communication node to periodically receive new or updated or replacement content during the dormant and/or active operational modes, in response to a request initiated by a user prior to coming aboard the multipassenger transport vehicle;

a verification module operable to determine, based on a situs identifier, a proper or an improper matchup of informational content correlated with an assigned passenger place or space in the multipassenger transport vehicle;

a user interface accessible to the individual passenger or group of passengers, wherein the user interface is operable to implement a selection or modification or cancellation of the aforesaid content associated with the situs identifier; and

an individual battery module operatively connected with each electronic media device in a manner to supply independent electrical power to the electronic media device when the multipassenger transport vehicle is in transit.

2. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said controller module is operable to correlate one or more of the following device metrics with a particular specified on-board site:

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

3. The electronic media device of claim 1 further comprising one or more of the following functional operation capability components:

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

4. The electronic media device of claim 1, wherein said individual battery module is operable to be incorporated as an integral part of each electronic media device.

5. The electronic media device of claim 1, wherein said individual battery module is operable to be rechargeable or replaceable while the electronic media device is in dormant operational mode during the first time period.

6. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said storage media includes the aforesaid content which is at least partially determined by the situs identifier correlated with a specified seat or with closely proximate seats in the multipassenger transport vehicle.

7. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said storage media includes the aforesaid content which is at least partially determined by the situs identifier associated with a particular passenger or group of passengers assigned to one or more specified on-board sites in the multipassenger transport vehicle.

8. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said storage media includes the aforesaid content which is at least partially determined by the situs identifier incorporated on a passenger identity card or a passenger payment card or an encoded device access card to establish a detectable correlation with the one or more specified on-board sites.

9. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said storage media includes the aforesaid content which is at least partially determined by the situs identifier associated with or incorporated on one or more designated electronic media devices to establish a detectable correlation with a specified on-board site.

10. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said storage media includes the aforesaid content which is at least partially determined by the situs identifier incorporated as part of a device logon protocol to establish a detectable correlation with the specified on-board site.

11. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said storage media includes the aforesaid content which is at least partially determined by the situs identifier associated with a transport ticket reservation or transport ticket purchase or transport boarding pass to establish a detectable correlation with the specified on-board site.

12. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said situs identifier includes a specified personal identification number (PIN) associated with a particular passenger or group of passengers to establish a detectable correlation with the specified on-board site.

13. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said communication interface is operable to receive such new or updated or replacement content in response to a request initiated during the dormant or active operational mode by an on-board passenger via a user interface of the electronic media device.

14. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said communication interface is operable to receive such new or updated or replacement content in response to confirmation of a cash or credit or debit payment made or authorized by an on-board passenger during the dormant operational mode via a user interface of the electronic media device.

15. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said communication interface is operable to receive such new or updated or replacement content in response to confirmation of a cash or credit or debit payment made or authorized by an on-board passenger during the active operational mode via a user interface of the electronic device.

16. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said communication interface is operable to receive such new or updated or replacement content from a wired or wireless communication node located on the multipassenger transport vehicle.

17. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said communication interface is operable to receive such new or updated or replacement content from a portable communication node located on-board the multipassenger transport vehicle.

18. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said communication interface is operable to receive such new or updated or replacement content from a wired or wireless communication node located separate and apart from the multipassenger vehicle.

19. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said controller module further includes:

a controller operable to implement a selection or modification or cancellation of the situs identifier in response to an authorization signal from one of the following types of communication node;

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

20. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said controller module further includes:

a controller operable to implement a selection or modification or cancellation of the situs identifier in response to an authorized request made by an on-board passenger via a user interface of the electronic media device.

21. The electronic media device of claim 1 wherein said controller module further includes:

a controller operable to implement a removal or deletion of user-created or passenger-related information from the electronic media device in response to an authorized request made by an on-board passenger via a user interface of the electronic media device.

22. The electronic media device of claim 1 further comprising:

a user interface accessible to supervisory staff of the multipassenger transport vehicle, wherein the user interface is operable for implementing a selection or modification or cancellation of the aforesaid content associated with the situs identifier.

23. The electronic media device of claim 1, wherein said verification module is operable to transmit notice of such improper matchup to a network terminal accessible to staff personnel of the multipassenger transport vehicle.

24. The electronic media device of claim 1 further comprising:

a disable module linked with said verification module to be responsive to such improper matchup, wherein the disable module is operable to delete or corrupt or render illegible specified aspects of the application program and/or informational data which are maintained in the storage media or on the interactive display component.

25. The electronic media device of claim 1 further comprising:

verification module operably coupled to each situs identifier to confirm a satisfactory matchup of a category or type of informational content with an assigned passenger place or space in the multipassenger transport vehicle.

26. The electronic media device of claim 25, wherein said verification module is operable to transmit notice of such satisfactory matchup to a network terminal accessible to staff personnel of the multipassenger vehicle.

27. The electronic media device of claim 1 further comprising:

an input device for scanning or receiving an authorization code associated with a satisfactory matchup of the situs identifier with a particular passenger or group of passengers, wherein the authorization code is adapted to activate the electronic media device.

28. A method for selective media content available to on-board passengers in a multipassenger transport vehicle comprising:

displaying selected alphanumeric content and/or visual content in an interactive electronic media device that is accessible based on an assigned place or space occupied by an approved passenger in the multipassenger transport vehicle;

providing a separate storage component respectively coupled to the interactive electronic media device;

control the interactive electronic media device to operate according to a dormant operational mode during a first time period and to operate according to an active operational mode during a second time period based on a schedule;

enabling a communication node to install or update or replace or delete content including certain application programs and/or informational data in the separate storage component during the dormant operational mode or during the active operational mode, in response to a request initiated by a user prior to coming aboard the multipassenger transport vehicle;

establishing a situs identifier for the assigned place or space in the transport vehicle, wherein the situs identifier determines a category or type of the selected content correlated with the interactive electronic media device accessible to the approved passenger;

determining, based on the situs identifier, a proper or an improper matchup of the application programs and/or the informational data with an assigned passenger place or space in the multipassenger transport vehicle;

providing a user interface accessible to the individual passenger or group of passengers, wherein the user interface is operable to implement a selection or modification or cancellation of the aforesaid content associated with the situs identifier; and

operatively connecting an individual battery module with the electronic media device to supply independent electrical power while the multipassenger transport vehicle is in transit.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

providing a functional operation capability to be available in each electronic media device based on a correlation with the situs identifier for the assigned place or space in the transport vehicle.

30. The method of claim 29 further comprising:

making one or more of the following functional operation capabilities available based on a correlation with the situs identifier;

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

31. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

correlating one or more of the following device metrics with a particular specified on-board site;

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

32. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

implementing a data retrieval protocol sufficient to transfer appropriate application programs and/or informational data to a different interactive electronic media device via induction or wired link or wireless link, in response to a detected malfunction of the electronic media device.

33. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

facilitating passenger interaction with the interactive electronic media device via a user interface that includes one or more of the following type of interaction techniques;

touch screen, mouse device, keyboard, scroll control, pointer bar, audio input, voice command, video input, webcam gesture detection, webcam expression recognition.

34. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

providing passenger access to an interactive display component that includes one of more of the following types of display techniques;

electronic paper, low-power display, no-power image retention, light emitting diode (LED), conditional backlighting, active emission, liquid crystal display, projector.

35. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

providing passenger access to a data table indicative of one or more categories or types of content or program applications available for correlation with the situs identifier.

36. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

providing a passenger-activated control module for selecting and/or monitoring and/or limiting content available to the interactive electronic media device associated with the assigned place or space for another related individual passenger or group of passengers.

37. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

providing passenger access to a data table indicative of one or more functional operation capabilities of the interactive electronic media device available for correlation with the situs identifier.

38. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

providing passenger access via the interactive electronic media device to informational data regarding seat-dependent safety and/or evacuation procedures and/or rest room facilities correlated with the situs identifier associated with the assigned place or space in the multipassenger transport vehicle.

39. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable media having encoded instructions for executing the following method for facilitating management and control of selective media content to be available in a multipassenger transport vehicle, wherein the method includes:

providing selected alphanumeric and/or visual content to an interactive display component of an electronic media device that is accessible to an approved in transit passenger located at an assigned place or space;

maintaining such selected content in a separate storage component respectively coupled to the electronic media device;

control the interactive display component to operate according to a dormant operational mode during a first time period and to operate according to an active operational mode during a second time period based on a schedule;

enabling a communication node to install or replace or delete content including certain application programs and/or informational data in the separate storage component during the dormant operational mode or during the active operational mode, in response to a request initiated by a user prior to coming aboard the multipassenger transport vehicle;

confirming a situs identifier for the assigned place or space in the transport vehicle, wherein the situs identifier determines a category or type of the aforesaid content correlated with the electronic media device accessible to the approved passenger;

determining, based on the situs identifier, a proper or an improper matchup of the application programs and/or the informational data with an assigned passenger place or space in the multipassenger transport vehicle;

providing a user interface accessible to the individual passenger or group of passengers, wherein the user interface is operable to implement a selection or modification or cancellation of the aforesaid content associated with the situs identifier; and

drawing energy for the electronic media device from an individual battery module that supplies independent electrical power while the multipassenger transport vehicle is in transit.

40. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein said method further includes:

enabling bidirectional transmission of or exchange of messages during the active operational mode with one or more other related electronic media devices correlated with their respective on-board sites.

41. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein said method further includes:

processing credit authorization or payment confirmation associated with a particular approved passenger or group of passengers, wherein such authorization or confirmation enables one or more of the following;

activation of the electronic media device, travel reservation, overnight accommodation, in transit food or beverage, optional audio and/or video content.

42. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein said method further includes:

enabling access to informational data regarding free or extra cost audio and/or video content available in transit including optional magazine or book or news or entertainment content correlated with the situs identifier, wherein such optional content is made available via the electronic media device to a particular approved passenger or group of passengers associated with an assigned place or space in the multipassenger transport vehicle.

43. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein said method further includes:

enabling access to free or extra cost audio and/or video content regarding an optional domestic or foreign language content choice which is correlated with the situs identifier, wherein such optional content choice is made available in transit to a particular approved passenger or group of passengers associated with an assigned place or space in the multipassenger transport vehicle.

44. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein said method further includes:

enabling access via the electronic media device to free or extra cost audio and/or video content regarding an optional content choice for a game or educational material or an instructional course which is correlated with the situs identifier, wherein such optional content choice is made available in transit to a particular approved passenger or group of passengers associated with the assigned place or space in the multipassenger transport vehicle.

45. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein said method further includes:

enabling passenger access via the electronic media device to passenger related data including one or more of the following type or category;

car rental, hotel rental, arrival instructions, map destination directions, destination weather, baggage status, travel status of related group members, pre-school content, school-age content.

46. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein said method further includes:

enabling passenger access via the electronic media device to informational and/or advertising and/or entertainment content associated with one or more of the following type of demographic characteristics of the individual passenger or group of passengers;

age, gender, ethnicity, religion, culture, nationality.

47. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein said method further includes:

enabling passenger access via the electronic media device to content which is selected in accordance with a regulation or requirement or rule applicable to the geographic travel location of the multipassenger transport vehicle.

48. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein said method further includes:

selecting and/or monitoring and/or limiting content available to the electronic media device associated with an assigned place or space in the multipassenger transport vehicle.

49. The computer program product of claim 48, wherein said method further includes:

selecting and/or monitoring and/or limiting content available to the electronic media device associated with one or more of the following types of assigned place or space in the multipassenger transport vehicle;

seat, room, dining area, lounge, game room, bedroom, library, cafe, bar, aisle, observation deck, theater.

50. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein said method further includes:

enabling passenger access to a data table indicative of one or more categories or types of the aforesaid content and/or a functional operation capability available for correlation with the situs identifier.

51. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein said method further includes:

enabling passenger capability for selecting and/or monitoring and/or limiting content regarding an electronic media device associated with an assigned place or space for another related individual passenger or group of passengers.