PASSENGER CATERING SYSTEM FOR A PASSENGER TRANSPORT VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a passenger catering system by using a server, the server comprising a processor and a memory unit, wherein the processor is connected to the memory unit and wherein the processor is configured to execute the following steps: receiving first input data from a passenger interface device; comparing the first input data with stock data in a database stored in the memory unit; and transmitting first output data to a crew interface device;
wherein the first output data comprise data on available stock coinciding with the received first input data.

The invention also relates to a passenger catering system for a passenger transport vehicle operated via the server.

Claims

1. Method for operating a passenger catering system by using a server, the server comprising a processor and a memory unit, wherein the processor is connected to the memory unit and wherein the processor is configured to execute the following steps: receiving first input data from a passenger interface device; comparing the first input data with stock data in a database stored in the memory unit; and transmitting first output data to a crew interface device; wherein the first output data comprise data on available stock coinciding with the received first input data.

2. (canceled)

3. Method according to claim 1, comprising receiving the stock data from a remote transmitting device and storing the stock data in the database.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the first input data comprise an order of a product from the stock and the method comprises, after receiving the first input data, making a reservation in the stock data for the product, and updating the database accordingly.

5. Method according to claim 4, comprising: receiving second input data from the passenger interface device for cancelling the order of the product; cancelling the reservation of the product after receipt of the second input data; and updating the database accordingly.

6. Method according to claim 1, comprising transmitting second output data to the passenger interface device, wherein the second output data comprise the stock data on available stock.

7. Method according to claim 1, comprising receiving third input data from a galley containing the stock, wherein the third input data comprises data on the stock, the method further comprising updating the stock data in the database to the stock in the galley, and transmitting the second output data to the passenger interface device after receiving the third input data from the galley, wherein the second output data comprises data on the stock in the galley.

8. (canceled)

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein the first input data comprise metadata on a matching passenger seat, wherein the metadata are composed by the passenger interface device, and the method further comprising indicating a location of a passenger seat matching the metadata of the first input data from the passenger interface device.

10. (canceled)

11. Method according to claim 1, comprising switching the crew interface device from a galley mode when the crew interface device is located at a galley of a passenger transport vehicle to a cabin mode when the crew interface device is located at a passenger cabin of the passenger transport vehicle.

12. Method according to claim 11, wherein switching the crew interface device from the galley mode to the cabin mode and vice versa is performed after receiving a localization signal from an indoor positioning system (IPS) for localizing the crew interface device.

13. Method according to claim 11, comprising transmitting the first output data when the crew interface device is in the galley mode and/or transmitting the third input data when the crew interface device is in the cabin mode.

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. Non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer executable instructions that, when loaded onto a memory unit of a server, allow a processor of the server to execute the method according to claim 1.

17. Passenger catering system for a passenger transport vehicle, the system comprising: a passenger interface device; a server comprising a processor and a memory unit, wherein the processor is connected to the memory unit and wherein a computer program according to claim 16 is loaded onto the memory unit, wherein the server is arranged to receive first input data from the passenger interface device; a portable crew interface device used by a crew member to read out first output data; wherein the server compares the first input data with stock data in a database stored in the memory unit and the server transmits the first output data to the crew interface device, which first output data comprise data on available stock coinciding with the received input data.

18. Passenger catering system according to claim 17, comprising a galley container comprising the stock, wherein the stock data comprise data on the stock in the galley container and wherein the first output data comprise data on available stock in the galley container coinciding with the received input data.

19. (canceled)

20. Passenger catering system according to claim 17, wherein the first input data comprises a product order from the stock in the galley container and a reservation of the product is made in the database after receipt of the first input data.

21. Passenger catering system according to claim 17, comprising a moveable galley container containing products ordered according to the first input data, wherein the moveable galley container is used to serve the ordered products to a passenger matching the first input data.

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. Passenger catering system according to claim 17, wherein the crew interface device is switchable from a galley mode when in the galley of a passenger transport vehicle, to a cabin mode when in a passenger cabin of the passenger transport vehicle.

25. Passenger catering system according to claim 17, wherein the galley comprises a first docking station for stationing the crew interface device, wherein when stationing the crew interface device in the first docking station the crew interface is in a galley mode and a second docking station for stationing the crew interface device, wherein when stationing the crew interface device in the second docking station the crew interface is in a cabin mode.

26. (canceled)

27. Passenger catering system according to claim 17, comprising an indoor positioning system for localizing the crew interface device and/or a moveable galley container in a passenger transport vehicle, wherein the crew interface device switches to the galley mode upon detection of having a location within the galley by the indoor positioning system and wherein the crew interface device switches to the cabin mode upon detection of having a location within the passenger cabin.

28. (canceled)

29. Passenger catering system according to claim 27, comprising a tray comprising a first transceiver that is activated upon receiving the first input data from the server and is used for transmitting and receiving location data of the tray determined by the indoor positioning system.

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. Passenger catering system according to claim 27, wherein the moveable galley container comprises a second transceiver for transmitting and receiving location data of the moveable galley container determined by the indoor positioning system, wherein the location data are compared to the first input data to localize a passenger seat associated with the metadata from the passenger interface device matching the first input data and wherein the second transceiver emits a signal when the location of the passenger seat is reached.

33.-37. (canceled)

38. Passenger catering system according to claim 17, wherein the passenger interface device is located at a central travel hub.

39. (canceled)

40. Passenger catering system according to claim 19, wherein the passenger interface device is an integral part of an onboard entertainment system.

41. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] The features and advantages of the invention will be further appreciated upon reference to the drawing of an embodiment of the passenger system.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0072] The FIGURE shows a schematic drawing of an example of the passenger catering system 1 according to the invention. The passenger catering system 1 is used on a passenger transport vehicle (not shown), such as an aircraft. The passenger catering system 1 comprises a server 2 comprising a processor 13 and a memory unit 14 that are connected to each other. The server 2 is arranged to receive input data 4, 8, 8′ and transmit output data 6, 7. The passenger catering system 1 furthermore comprises a crew interface device 5, such as a tablet. A galley container 10 is stored in a galley 9, which galley container 10 comprises stock for catering passengers on board of the aircraft. A moveable galley container or trolley 10 is used to for serving in a passenger cabin (not shown).

[0073] First input data 4 are received by the processor 13 after transmittal from a passenger interface device 3. The processor 13 compares the first input data 4 with stock data (not shown) in a database stored in the memory unit 14. First output data 6 are then transmitted to the crew interface device 5, where a crew member can see the first output data 6 on a display of the device.

[0074] The first input data 4 comprises data on an ordered product and the time when the product to be served, but also metadata on the flight plan, the passenger seat, flight number, etc. The first input data 4 generate a reservation of the related product in the database of the server, such that no further first input data 4 can be linked to the product. The database is updated accordingly. This update triggers the transmission of second output data 7 to the passenger interface device 3.

[0075] To cancel the reservation, the passenger interface 3 transmits second input data 11 to the server 2. Upon receipt of the second input data 11, the server 13 cancels the reservation of the product and updates the database accordingly. After every update of the database, second output data 7 are transmitted to the passenger interface device 3.

[0076] To confirm the reservation, the passenger interface 3 transmits fourth input data 12 to the server 2. Upon receipt of the fourth input data 12, the server confirms the reservation of the product, as if the product was already removed from the stock in the galley container 10 or galley 9. The database is updated accordingly.

[0077] After confirmation of the reservation by means of the transmittal of the fourth input data 12 and the receipt thereof of the server 2, the first output data 6 are transmitted to the crew interface device 5 and visualized through a display. A crew member can then assemble the order according to the visualized first output data 6 and serve the order to the passenger seat matching the metadata and on the moment of choice according to the first input data 4. Upon assembly of the order, the galley 9 or galley container 10, depending on the location of assembly, transmits second input data 8, 8′ to the server to confirm removal of the product and/or the assembly of the order.

[0078] While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

LIST OF PARTS

[0079] 1. Passenger catering system [0080] 2. Server [0081] 3. Passenger interface device [0082] 4. First input data [0083] 5. Crew interface device [0084] 6. First output data [0085] 7. Second output data [0086] 8+8′. Second input data [0087] 9. Galley [0088] 10. Galley container [0089] 11. Third input data [0090] 12. Fourth input data [0091] 13. Processor [0092] 14. Memory unit