In an assembly (2) for an airplane (4) with a line (12) and switching elements (14a,b) to connect the line (12) in a first operating mode (B1) to digital transceivers (16a,b) and in a second operating mode (B2) to an analog signal source/sink (18a,b) for the audio signal (A), the line (12) is operated in the first operating mode (B1) as a digital data bus for data (D) and in the second operating mode (B2) as an analog signal line for transmitting an analog audio signal (A) from the signal source (18a) to the signal sink (18b). In a corresponding method, the line (12) is operated in a first operating mode (B1) as a digital data bus for transmitting data (D) and the line (12) is switched to the second operating mode (B2) for transmitting the audio signal (A), and the audio signal (A) is transmitted from the signal source (18a) via the line (12) to the signal sink (18b).

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 communication system includes a first terminal and a second terminal including an stow part for stowing the first terminal. The first terminal includes a first light emitter that emits infrared light, a first light receiver that receives infrared light, and a first controller. The first controller causes the first light emitter to emit light based on first specifying information upon receiving a pairing request signal via the first light receiver. The second terminal includes a second stow sensor that detects stow of the first terminal, a second light emitter that emits infrared light, a second light receiver that receives infrared light, and a second controller. The second controller causes the second light emitter to emit light based on a pairing request signal in accordance with detection of stow of the first terminal by the second stow sensor and performs control corresponding to the information including the first specifying information.

Disclosed embodiments are directed at devices, methods, and systems for association of reader devices to IFE monitors in a commercial passenger vehicle. An example method includes determining at a client computing system included in an IFE monitor that at least one reader device is remotely located from the client computing system; using a wired Ethernet connection to a server, the client computing system requesting the server to discover an electronic tag information; and upon the client computing system receiving the electronic tag information from the server over the wired Ethernet connection, the client computing system processing the electronic tag information, wherein another IFE monitor supplies electrical power to the at least one reader device, wherein the client computing system is unaware of a physical location of the at least one reader device, and wherein the server is included in the another IFE monitor.

In-vehicle entertainment (IVE) systems can have a centralized architecture to improve heat dissipation characteristics and weight and/or size of the IVE 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 aircraft passenger entertainment device for an aircraft passenger seat is disclosed having a cover member attached to the seat so as to serve as a functional accessory for providing additional functions other than a seating function to the seat; a display screen movably attached to at least one surface of the cover member; and a controller embedded on a surface or inside of the cover member and in communication with the display screen. The cover member is attachable and detachable to a rear facing surface of a backrest of the seat above a passenger knee level.

A seat unibeam may include a defined cavity, a hole in an end of the seat unibeam, and an exterior surface. The defined cavity may be dimensioned to receive an electronics package inserted within the seat unibeam. The electronics package may include a plurality of electronics package sections. The hole may lead to the defined cavity. Each of the plurality of electronics package sections may be inserted into the cavity defined in the seat unibeam via the hole in the end of the seat unibeam. The exterior surface may be dimensioned to pass through at least one hole in a plurality of seat legs. The exterior surface may be dimensioned to pass through at least one hole in a plurality of spreaders including adjacent spreaders configured to support one or more components of an aircraft seat of the set of aircraft seats.

Systems and methods for modifying control over a device in a vehicle are provided. The modification may comprise disabling an ability of a passenger to control the device via one or more passenger interface systems, limiting controls available to the passenger via the one or more passenger interface systems, transferring the ability to control the device to another user using a different user interface system, and/or transferring the ability to control certain functionalities of the device to another user using the different user interface system.

Introduced here are technologies for examining an image of an airline passenger, while the passenger is onboard. The image may be examined for abnormalities, the passenger's mood, and/or the passenger's expression. The image analysis may be supplemented by data from a suite of sensors such as heart rate monitors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and the like. The image and the sensor data are then analyzed to detect abnormalities, identify related recommendations, and suggest products and services offered onboard or at the destination that are related to the abnormalities and recommendations. The general purpose is to improve an airline passenger's travel experience while on board the flight.