Energy-harvesting-based control and communication for a cabin services system
First Claim
1. A passenger control unit comprising:
- a push-button for control of a passenger service unit onboard a passenger vehicle, the push-button being configured to generate mechanical energy when pushed;
a power assembly coupled to the push-button, and configured to convert the mechanical energy to electrical energy, and store the electrical energy; and
control and communication circuitry coupled to the power assembly and powered solely from the electrical energy stored thereby, the control and communication circuitry including;
a microprocessor coupled to the push-button, and configured to receive an indication when the push-button is pushed, and generate an instruction to control the passenger service unit in response thereto, including the microprocessor being configured to generate a keyed-hash message authentication code (HMAC), and include the HMAC in the instruction; and
a communications interface coupled to the microprocessor and configured to wirelessly transmit the instruction to a control unit configured to effect control of the passenger service unit based thereon.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A passenger control unit is provided that may include a push-button, power assembly, and control and communication circuitry. The push-button may be for control of a passenger service unit (PSU) onboard a passenger vehicle, and may also generate mechanical energy when pushed. The power assembly may convert the mechanical energy to electrical energy, and store the electrical energy, solely from which the control and communication circuitry may be powered. The control and communication circuitry may include a microprocessor and a communications interface. The microprocessor may receive an indication when the push-button is pushed, and generate an instruction to control the PSU in response thereto. And the communications interface wirelessly transmit the instruction to a control unit configured to effect control of the PSU based thereon.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A passenger control unit comprising:
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a push-button for control of a passenger service unit onboard a passenger vehicle, the push-button being configured to generate mechanical energy when pushed; a power assembly coupled to the push-button, and configured to convert the mechanical energy to electrical energy, and store the electrical energy; and control and communication circuitry coupled to the power assembly and powered solely from the electrical energy stored thereby, the control and communication circuitry including; a microprocessor coupled to the push-button, and configured to receive an indication when the push-button is pushed, and generate an instruction to control the passenger service unit in response thereto, including the microprocessor being configured to generate a keyed-hash message authentication code (HMAC), and include the HMAC in the instruction; and a communications interface coupled to the microprocessor and configured to wirelessly transmit the instruction to a control unit configured to effect control of the passenger service unit based thereon. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of controlling a passenger service unit onboard a passenger vehicle from a passenger control unit including a push-button switch, and control and communication circuitry, the method comprising:
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generating mechanical energy when the push-button is pushed; converting the mechanical energy to electrical energy, and storing the electrical energy, the control and communication circuitry being powered solely from the stored electrical energy; and
by the control and communication circuitry,receiving an indication when the push-button is pushed, and generating an instruction to control the passenger service unit in response thereto, including generating a keyed-hash message authentication code (HMAC), and including the HMAC in the instruction; and wirelessly transmitting the instruction to a control unit configured to effect control of the passenger service unit based thereon. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A passenger vehicle comprising:
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a main body defining a cabin through which a plurality of passenger seats are situated; a plurality of passenger service units associated with the respective plurality of passenger seats; a plurality of passenger control units each of which includes a push-button for control of a respective passenger service unit of the plurality of passenger service units, each passenger control unit being configured to at least; harvest and store electrical energy solely from which the passenger control unit is powered; and receive an indication when the push-button is pushed, and generate and wirelessly transmit an instruction to control the respective passenger service unit in response thereto, including generation of a keyed-hash message authentication code (HMAC), and inclusion of the HMAC in the instruction; and at least one control unit coupled to the plurality of passenger service units, a control unit of the at least one control unit being configured to receive the instruction from the passenger control unit and effect control of the respective passenger service unit based thereon.
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Specification