A method for flight information synchronization using ad hoc networking involves enabling a broadcast of an update to a passenger device from a pilot device, determining an update frequency for the broadcast of the update from one or more network thresholds, and determining to broadcast the update when the broadcast is enabled and one or more broadcast thresholds are satisfied. The method further involves generating the update, which includes an estimated time of arrival (ETA), and broadcasting the update by switching between an infrastructure mode and an ad hoc mode and transmitting the update via the ad hoc mode. The update is received by and displayed on the passenger device.

An apparatus and method for securely holding a Portable Electronic Device (PED). The PED holder is integrated with furniture viewable by a potential user and configured with a support structure couplable to an existing portion of the furniture. The support structure holds a retractable, spring-loaded extension member biased for retraction. Empty, the extension member automatically retracts proximal with the housing of the support structure. Extended, with a PED in place, the retraction bias allows for securely clamping a plurality of sizes of PED.

Embodiments described herein relate to providing path information of a vehicle to vehicle passengers, and the provided path information may be configured according to passenger-related constraints. In one embodiment, a method for providing passenger-oriented path information via an in-flight entertainment system is described. The method includes making a determination that a graphical display of an estimated first path of the commercial passenger vehicle traveling via a route between an origin and a destination intersects a constrained area. The estimated first path is estimated as a straight-line path between consecutive waypoints along the route. The method further includes, based on the determination that the estimated first path intersects the constrained area, determining a second path for display that does not intersect the constrained area. The method further includes causing a display of the second path on an IFE display associated with a passenger.

In-vehicle entertainment (IVE) systems can have a centralized architecture to improve heat dissipation characteristics and weight and/or size of the WE systems. A centralized system for providing in-vehicle entertainment to passengers on a commercial passenger vehicle includes a printed circuit board (PCB) in a housing locatable in a structure in the commercial passenger vehicle and a plurality of display panels and microcontrollers located in a rear portion of the structure. Each microcontroller is communicably connected to one display panel and the PCB. The PCB includes a processor configured to decode audio and/or video content and to operate a plurality of virtual machines that correspond to and perform operations such as playback functionality related to the plurality of display panels.

Methods and systems for a transportation vehicle are provided. One method includes generating a packet by an application executed by a processor of a first seat device of an in-flight entertainment system having a plurality of seat devices on an aircraft; dropping the packet by the seat device when the application is not authorized for Internet communication; dropping the packet by the seat device when the packet is one of a broadcast packet, multicast packet or destined to a second seat device of the in-flight entertainment system; determining that the seat device Internet traffic is below a threshold value; and transmitting the packet to a network device when the application is authorized, and the packet is not a broadcast packet, multicast packet or destined for a second seat device.

An armrest includes an armrest arm having an upper support surface forming a support for the forearm of an occupant of the vehicle seat, and a user interface having at least one display portion of flattened shape, having a front face comprising a screen and a rear face formed by a shell. The user interface is mounted on the armrest arm so as to be movable between a retracted position where the screen is inaccessible and an extended position where the screen is accessible. In the retracted position of the user interface, the shell is integrated with the upper support surface of the armrest arm, and in the extended position of the user interface, the screen is at least partially projecting above the upper support surface of the armrest arm.

A wireless charging device and an aircraft monument including the same. The device or monument includes a support surface having a visual indicator embedded therein configured to be illuminated by an underlying charging assembly to indicate a location on the support surface for wirelessly charging a portable electronic device. The wireless charging assembly further includes an induction coil aligned beneath the visual indicator and a fiber optic panel optically coupled to an electrically-powered light source. In use, visible light emitted by the fiber optic panel is transmitted through the visual indicator to illuminate the visual indicator to indicate to a user the location to place the portable electronic device to be charged.

An aircraft seat assembly for supporting a seat occupant, and a method for fabricating an aircraft seat assembly for supporting a seat occupant are provided. In one non-limiting example, the aircraft seat assembly includes a seat cushion supported by the seat structure. A vibration producing apparatus configured to produce vibrations conducive for inducing drowsiness. The vibration producing apparatus is disposed adjacent to or within the seat structure for transferring the vibrations to the seat occupant.

An approach to facilitating in-vehicle services through attendant devices, user-provided devices, and/or an in-vehicle computer system is provided. In one implementation, one or more communication sessions with the in-vehicle computer system may be facilitated by an attendant device. Passenger information relating to one or more passengers of a vehicle and service information relating to one or more services to be provided to the one or more passengers may be obtained by the attendant device from the in-vehicle computer system via the one or more communication sessions. The passenger information and the service information may be provided by the attendant device. An indication that at least one service is in progress or is complete is received by the attendant device.

A passenger seat voice communication system (100) for a passenger seat of a passenger vehicle includes a first communication device (102A) that supports voice communication. The first communication (102A) device includes a receiver (108) and a video monitor (110). The system includes a second communication device (102B) configured to support voice communication at a second passenger seat. The system also includes a controller (104) that receives from the first communication device (102A) a selection and request to establish voice communication with the second passenger seat, and sends the request to the second communication device (102B). If the request is accepted by the second communication device (102B), the controller (104) establishes voice communication between the first communication device (102A) and the second communication device (102B).