INTERIOR SPACE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR AN AIRCRAFT, AIRCRAFT HAVING SAID INTERIOR SPACE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAID INTERIOR SPACE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

In passenger aeroplanes, baggage compartments for holding passengers' baggage are usually arranged above the rows of seats. The present invention proposes an interior space management system which is characterized by improved management of the aeroplane interior. For this purpose, an interior space management system (1) for an aircraft (2) is proposed, the aircraft (2) having a stowage compartment arrangement (6), the stowage compartment arrangement (6) having a plurality of stowage compartment sections (7), each for holding one or more baggage items (8), and having a control unit (16), the control unit (16) being designed to control and/or manage a distribution of interior regions of an interior space (3) of the aircraft (2), and the control unit (16) being designed to control and/or manage an occupancy of the stowage compartment sections (7) on the basis of historical data of the aircraft (2) and/or on the basis of baggage data of the baggage items (8).

Claims

1. An interior space management system for an aircraft, wherein the aircraft has a stowage compartment arrangement, wherein the stowage compartment arrangement has a plurality of stowage compartment sections, each holding one or more baggage items, having a control unit, wherein the control unit is designed to control and/or manage a distribution of interior regions of an interior space of the aircraft, wherein the control unit is designed to control and/or manage an occupancy of the stowage compartment sections as interior regions on the basis of historical data of the aircraft and/or on the basis of baggage data of the baggage items.

2. The interior space management system according to claim 1, wherein the historical data comprise information on the occupancy of the individual stowage compartment sections and/or flight information of the aircraft.

3. The interior space management system according to claim 2, comprising an acquisition unit, wherein the acquisition unit is designed to capture occupancy information from at least one of the stowage compartment sections, wherein in order to transmit the occupancy information the acquisition unit is directly or indirectly connected to the control unit for signal communication.

4. The interior space management system according to claim 1, further comprising a memory unit, wherein for each flight the associated historical data is stored and/or can be stored in the memory unit, wherein in order to transmit the historical data the memory unit is directly or indirectly connected to the control unit for signal communication.

5. The interior space management system according to claim 1, further comprising a data processing unit, wherein the data processing unit is designed to capture baggage item information of the baggage item to be stowed and to provide the baggage item information as the baggage data, wherein in order to transmit the baggage data the data processing unit is or can be directly or indirectly connected to the control unit.

6. The interior space management system according to claim 5, wherein the data processing unit has a camera, wherein the camera is designed to record an image file of the baggage item as baggage item information.

7. The interior space management system according to claim 6, wherein the data processing unit or the memory unit has a software module, wherein the software module is designed to determine a dimension of the baggage item as baggage item information by means of an evaluation of the image file.

8. The interior space management system according to claim 5, wherein the data processing unit is designed as a portable data processing unit.

9. The interior space management system according to claim 8, wherein said portable data processing unit is a smartphone or tablet.

10. The interior space management system according to claim 1, further comprising an analysis module, wherein the analysis module is designed to determine a utilization of the aircraft on the basis of the historical data and/or the baggage data.

11. The interior space management system according to claim 10, wherein the analysis module is designed as an Al module, wherein the Al module is designed to predict a future utilization of the aircraft on the basis of the historical data and/or the baggage data.

12. The interior space management system according to claim 1, wherein the aircraft has a seating arrangement, wherein the seating arrangement has a plurality of seats as interior regions, wherein the control unit is designed to control and/or manage an allocation of the seats on the basis of the historical data and/or on the basis of the baggage data.

13. An aircraft comprising the interior space management system according to claim 1.

14. A method for controlling the interior space management system according to claim 1, in which a distribution of the interior space regions of the interior space of the aircraft is controlled and/or managed by means of the control unit, wherein on the basis of the historical data of the aircraft and/or on the basis of the baggage data of the baggage items, an occupancy of the stowage compartment sections of the stowage compartment arrangement is controlled and/or managed by the control unit.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein current baggage information of a baggage item is captured by means of the data processing unit and that current occupancy information of the stowage compartment sections is captured by means of the acquisition unit, wherein on the basis of the current baggage information and/or the current occupancy information, an optimal baggage item distribution and/or optimal boarding time and/or an optimal seat distribution is determined by the analysis module and controlled by the control unit.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein on the basis of the historical data, a prediction of a future utilization of the aircraft is calculated by the Al module, wherein on the basis of the prediction an optimal baggage item distribution and/or an optimal boarding time and/or an optimal seat distribution is/are determined by the Al module and controlled by the control unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Other features, effects and advantages of the invention are derived from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention and from the accompanying figures. In the drawings:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a highly schematized representation of a load distribution system for an aircraft as an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a method for optimized seat allocation for the load distribution system as a further exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

[0041] FIG. 3 shows a further flowchart of a further method for optimizing baggage compartment costs for the load distribution system as a further exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a highly schematized view of an interior space distribution system 1 for an aircraft 2 as an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a detail of an interior space 3 of the aircraft 2 is shown in a highly simplified representation. For example, the aircraft 2 is designed as a passenger aeroplane, with the interior space 3 being formed as a passenger cabin. The function of the interior space distribution system 1 is to manage and control interior regions of the interior space 3.

[0043] A seating arrangement 4 is arranged in the interior space 3. The seating arrangement 4 has a plurality of seats 5 as interior regions, which are arranged one behind another in the longitudinal direction of the aeroplane to form a row of seats in each case. Together, the rows of seats in turn form a group of seat rows, wherein for reasons of clarity the illustrated seating arrangement 4 in the exemplary embodiment shown has only one group of seat rows. However, it is preferred that the seating arrangement 4 can be arranged in any configuration and has at least two groups of seat rows, each having at least one row of seats.

[0044] In addition, a stowage compartment arrangement 6 is arranged in the passenger cabin 3, comprising a plurality of stowage compartment sections 7, in particular arranged one behind another in the direction of flight, as further interior regions. The stowage compartment sections 7 are used to hold one or more baggage items 8, e.g. carry-on suitcases. The stowage compartment sections 7 can be defined by individual stowage compartments, also known as bins, arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the aeroplane. It may be provided that each stowage compartment has one, or alternatively a plurality of, stowage compartment sections 7. For example, each group of seat rows is assigned a separate stowage compartment arrangement 6. For example, each seat 5 may have exactly one stowage compartment section 7 assigned to it.

[0045] The interior space distribution system 1 has an acquisition unit 9 which is used to capture the occupancy information of the stowage compartment arrangement 6, in particular the stowage compartment sections 7. The acquisition unit 9 has a plurality of optical sensors 10, wherein, for example, one optical sensor 10 is assigned to one stowage compartment section 7, or at least one stowage compartment. For example, the optical sensor 10 is designed as a camera, in particular as a 3D camera, and is used to monitor a degree of occupancy of the individual stowage compartment sections 7 in an acquisition region E. The optical sensor 10 can be positioned either inside or outside the stowage compartment arrangement 6. Alternatively or as an additional option, the acquisition unit 9 comprises a plurality of weight sensors 11, wherein, for example, one weight sensor 11 is assigned to one stowage compartment section 7, or at least one stowage compartment. For example, the weight sensor 11 is designed as a load cell and is used to detect the weight of the baggage item 8 arranged in the stowage compartment section 7.

[0046] The interior space distribution system 1 also has a data processing unit 12, which is used to capture current baggage item information for the baggage item 8. The data processing unit 12 is equipped with a camera for this purpose, in order to record an image file of the baggage item 8 as baggage item information. For example, the baggage item information captured by the camera is used to determine the baggage item size of the baggage item 8. For example, the data processing unit 12 can be designed as a smartphone or tablet, wherein the baggage item 8 can be scanned by the passenger before boarding and can be supplemented, for example, with additional pieces of baggage item information, such as the type of baggage, passenger status, number of baggage items. The data processing unit 12 then provides the baggage item information as baggage data.

[0047] The interior space management system 1 has a memory unit 14, which is designed to store and provide historical data and the baggage data. The historical data can include flight information such as flight distance, date, time of day, number of passengers, status of passengers, etc., as well as the corresponding occupancy information captured by the acquisition unit 9. For this purpose, the acquisition unit 9 and the data processing unit 12 are connected to the memory unit 14 for signal communication. For example, the memory unit 14 is designed as an online-based memory, e.g. a cloud, with the acquisition unit 9 and the data processing unit 12 being connected to the memory unit 13 via the internet. For the evaluation of the image file, the memory unit 13, or alternatively the data processing unit 12, can comprise a software module 13, which is designed as an application software program, for example. The software module 13 can also provide a corresponding user interface for the data processing unit 12, via which the different pieces of baggage item information can be entered.

[0048] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the memory unit 13 also comprises an analysis module 15, wherein the analysis module 15 is designed to determine both a current and a future utilization of the aircraft 2 on the basis of the historical data and/or the baggage data. The analysis module 15 is preferably designed as an Al module, wherein the Al module calculates a prediction for a future occupancy of the interior regions, in particular of the stowage compartment sections 7 and the seats 5, based on the historical data. For example, the analysis module 15 determines the prediction in relation to the current flight distance and/or the flight duration. In addition, the analysis module 15 can determine an optimal distribution of the baggage items 8 in the stowage compartment arrangement 6 on the basis of the prediction. Alternatively or as an additional option, the analysis module 15 can determine an optimal distribution of the seats 5 on the basis of the prediction.

[0049] The interior space management system 1 has a control unit 16 which is used to control and/or distribute the interior regions, in particular the stowage compartment sections 7 and/or seats 5, in the interior space 3 of the aircraft 2 on the basis of historical data and/or the baggage data. The control unit 14 can form an integral part of an on-board electronics of the aircraft 2 or be connected to it via the internet. In particular, the analysis module 15 is designed to activate the control unit 16 in order, for example, to control and/or manage the allocation of seats 5 in relation to the baggage item 8, the availability of the stowage compartment sections 7 and/or an optimal load distribution in the interior space 3.

[0050] For this purpose, the control unit 16 can control, for example, a display device, e.g. a display in the interior space 3 of the aeroplane 2, in order to indicate to the passengers or the crew where free interior regions are still available. Alternatively or as an additional option, however, the control unit 16 can also control the passenger's data processing unit 12 to indicate to the passenger his/her associated stowage compartment section 7 and/or his/her corresponding seat 5. Thus, an intelligent stowage compartment management is proposed, which optimizes the boarding process and at the same time a utilization of the stowage compartment sections 7.

[0051] FIG. 2 shows a schematic flowchart of a method for optimized allocation of seats for the interior space management system 1, as described in FIG. 1.

[0052] In a first step S1, before the boarding process the baggage item information is captured by the customer/passenger using the data processing unit 12. In order to determine the current size of the baggage item, an image file is recorded as baggage item information of the baggage item 8 and, together with the additional pieces of baggage item information, is transferred to the memory unit 14 as the baggage data. The current baggage item size is determined by the software module 13 by evaluating the image file by means of the software module 13.

[0053] In a second step S2, before and during the boarding process, the degree of occupancy of the stowage compartment sections 7 is captured and the free stowage compartment sections 7 are determined. For this purpose, for example, the current occupancy information captured by the acquisition unit 9 and/or previous occupancy information of the stowage compartment sections 7 stored in the memory unit 14 can be evaluated by the analysis module 15.

[0054] In a third step S3, before and during the boarding process the analysis module 15 determines an optimal distribution of the baggage items 8 in the stowage compartment arrangement 6 as a function of the free stowage compartment sections 7, based on the baggage data and the historical data.

[0055] In a fourth step S4, before and during the boarding process the analysis module 15 calculates an optimal boarding time as a function of the free stowage compartment sections 7, based on the baggage data and the historical data.

[0056] In a fifth step S5, before and during the boarding process the analysis module 15 calculates an optimal distribution of the seats 5 as a function of the free stowage compartment sections 7, based on the baggage data and the historical data.

[0057] The control unit 16 is then activated by the analysis module 15 in order to control the passengers and/or the baggage items 8 as a function of the optimal baggage distribution, the optimal boarding time and the optimal seat distribution. For this purpose, the control unit 16 can control the display device or the data acquisition unit 12.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a further schematic flowchart of a method for optimizing baggage compartment costs using the interior space management system 1, as described in FIG. 1.

[0059] In a first step S1, before the boarding process the analysis module 15 determines an expected utilization of the stowage compartment sections 7 as a function of the flight distance and/or the flight duration on the basis of the baggage data and the historical data.

[0060] In a second step S2, the control unit 16 and/or the data processing unit 12 is/are activated by the analysis module 15 to issue a message, e.g. “Check-in notice” to the customer/passenger, wherein the message includes information regarding a possible number of baggage items 8. Optionally, the message can also comprise information regarding the current and/or expected utilization of the interior space 3, in particular the stowage compartment arrangement 6.

[0061] In a third step S3, the current carry-on baggage costs per person are determined depending on the baggage data and/or the historical data, and in a fourth step S4 the analysis module 15 calculates a price offer for the customer/passenger based on the carry-on baggage costs.

[0062] In a fifth step S5, the customer/passenger is queried as to whether they accept the price offered. If the price offer is accepted, the customer/passenger will be assigned a seat 5 and associated stowage compartment section 7. If the price offer is rejected, the customer/passenger will be assigned a seat 5 without a stowage compartment section 7.

[0063] Thus, a reliable occupancy of the stowage compartment sections 7 can be determined and offered as a new service for the operation of the aircraft 2. In addition, it is possible for the airline to offer this improved service for a fee in order to optimize the commercial situation in this regard.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0064] 1 interior space management system [0065] 2 aircraft [0066] 3 interior space [0067] 4 seating arrangement [0068] 5 seats [0069] 6 stowage compartment arrangement [0070] 7 stowage compartment section [0071] 8 baggage item [0072] 9 acquisition unit [0073] 10 optical sensor [0074] 11 weight sensor [0075] 12 data processing unit [0076] 13 software module [0077] 14 memory unit [0078] 15 analysis module [0079] 16 control unit [0080] E acquisition region [0081] S1-S5 method steps