A human machine interface (HMI), a method of interacting with an HMI and a corresponding computer program product facilitate user interaction with an HMI. In a method, a face of a person attempting to interact with the HMI is detected and a gesture made by the person relative to the HMI is also detected. The method analyzes information regarding the face of the person that has been detected to determine whether the person is wearing personal protection equipment. In an instance in which the person is determined to not be wearing personal protection equipment, the method suspends a response to the gesture made by the person. However, in an instance in which the person is determined to be wearing personal protection equipment, the method analyzes the gesture made by the person relative to the HMI and converts the gesture to a corresponding command to the system associated with the HMI.

A system enabling hands-free operation of controls for accessing a transportation vehicle is provided. The system comprises code readers associated with respective entry barriers for admitting passengers to a transportation vehicle. The code readers read a machine-readable passenger code generated by a mobile electronic device and actuate mechanisms allowing entry through the barriers responsive confirmation of the code. A signal receiver in communication with a Passenger Service Unit for passenger seat onboard the vehicle receives instructions from the mobile electronic device and instruct the PSU to actuate passenger cabin controls for the passenger seat. An application on the mobile electronic device determines a time-stamped temperature of a passenger and generates the passenger code, which includes passenger identification, authorization to pass through the entry barriers and board the vehicle, and a determination if the temperature of the passenger indicates an acceptable passenger health status.

A vehicle includes an occupant space and seats for occupants. The seats are arranged, viewed in a travel direction of the vehicle, one behind the other in the occupant space. The vehicle also includes an image capturing device configured to capture an image of a respective seat and/or an occupant sitting in the respective seat, and a display device configured to display an image captured by the image capturing device in a region of another seat and/or in a field of view of an occupant sitting in the other seat.

A tactile interface including a touch pad and a support, the touch pad being hingedly attached to the support between the extended active position and a retracted inactive position, in which the pad is folded back towards the support wherein the support constitutes a drawer which is movable in a casing between a pulled-out position in which the interface is in the active position and an inserted position in which the interface is in the retracted position.

A system for communicating between passenger seats and an aircraft galley. The system may include a control unit including a display area for interfacing with a crew member. The system may include a plurality of devices, each positioned at a respective passenger seat. The control unit may be adapted to display on the display area data related to a particular order, including a location of an associated passenger seat. The control unit may be further adapted to transmit to a particular device associated with the order notifications concerning a status of the particular order.

This patent document describes techniques related to antenna system of an in-flight entertainment and communication (IFEC) system provided in a commercial passenger vehicle. The antenna system comprises monitors associated with passenger seats on the commercial passenger vehicle and configured to display entertainment content for passengers, wireless transceivers disposed outside of the monitors and configured to transceive radio signals that have beam patterns defined according to locations of the wireless transceivers relative to passenger seats, and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the wireless transceivers and configured to support the wireless connectivity for the passengers through the wireless transceivers.

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 integrated multifunction dynamic display system and method for an air vehicle that provides an interactive user experience. The system is based around an array of multifunction display nodes that are disposed throughout the air vehicle. The multifunction display nodes are connected through a databus or network such that the display nodes can operate individually or in combination to create a desired interactive experience. The nodes can include interior lighting, exterior lighting, interior displays, exterior displays, and windows. The multifunction dynamic display system can be used to control or otherwise provide interior lighting or displays, loading/unloading instruction, inflight entertainment or information, emergency notification and instruction, augmented reality, external lighting and displays. In addition, the multifunction dynamic display can be configured for each passenger.

A passenger entertainment device operated by a controller associated with a vehicle passenger seat. The passenger seat includes a seat, a backrest and a pocket in a back surface of the backrest facing away from the seat. The entertainment device includes a base, a display attached to a base front surface and a cover pivotably attached to the base pivotable between a first position, in which the cover covers the display, and a second position, in which the cover exposes the display. A first fastener of the entertainment device is configured to interact with a second fastener on the seat to define a fastening system for detachably fastening the cover to the seat backrest when the cover is arranged in its second position and inserted into the seat pocket, while the base is arranged outside of the pocket with the display facing away from the seat backrest.

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).