IFE SYSTEM

Abstract

A jack provides inflight entertainment to an electronic device. The jack has a connection point for connection to the electronic device. The jack also has a content store adapted to store content for transmission to the electronic device. In use, the electronic device can access the content from the content store of the jack.

Claims

1. A jack for providing inflight entertainment to an electronic device, the jack comprising: A connection point for connection to the electronic device; and A content store adapted to store content for transmission to the electronic device Wherein in use the electronic device can access the content from the content store of the jack.

2. A jack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connection point is a wired socket.

3. A jack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the content store comprises a webserver and/or is configured for access through a web browser.

4. A jack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the content store is stored on removable or replaceable hardware.

5. A jack as claimed in claim 1 comprising a power supply socket.

6. A jack as claimed in claim 5 wherein the power supply socket is adapted to receive power from a connected device.

7. A jack as claimed in claim 6 wherein the jack requires a power supply to be connected to the power supply socket before activating the content store.

8. A jack as claimed in claim 1 comprising a battery connector.

9. A jack as claimed in claim 8 wherein the battery connector is a slot or jack adapted to support a battery.

10. A jack as claimed in claim 1 wherein the jack comprises a power connection point adapted to connect to an aircraft power source.

11. A jack as claimed in claim 1 comprising an indicator.

12. A jack as claimed in claim 1 comprising communication apparatus adapted to communicate to a server or update apparatus.

13. A jack as claimed in claim 12 wherein the communication apparatus is a wireless communication apparatus.

14. A jack as claimed in claim 12 wherein the communication apparatus is configured to receive a broadcast data signal.

15. A jack as claimed in claim 1 comprising a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to detect a user associated with, or in a location surrounding, the jack.

16. A method of providing IFE content in a passenger vehicle comprising a jacks the method comprising the steps of: Connecting an electronic device to a jack, the jack comprising a connection point and content stored in a content store; and Receiving content from the content store on the electronic device.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16 comprising the step of removing and replacing or updating the content store in the jack.

18. A method as claimed in claim 16 comprising the step of authorising access to the content store.

19. A method as claimed in claim 16 comprising the step of downloading an application to the electronic device.

20. A method as claimed in claim 16 comprising the step of providing a power source to the jack.

Description

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

[0041] A number of embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawings in which:

[0042] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a jack in an embodiment of the described system.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of two jacks connected to an aircraft SEB in an embodiment of the described system.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an aircraft having a plurality of jacks in an embodiment of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Throughout the description like reference numerals will be used to refer to like features in different embodiments.

[0046] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a jack 1 having a front face 2 with a connection means 3 such as sockets, plugs or connection locations. In some embodiments connection means 3 may be a single connection means with multiple functions, or only a single connection means may be accessible. In other embodiments connection means may be made inaccessible, using some sort of blockage or plug. The connection means 3 provides a connection location or point for an associated connector to contact the jack 1. In some embodiments the connection means 3 may be wireless. The connection means could be a USB socket, or other socket means which establishes a physical or non-contact connection between an electronic device and the jack. Preferably the jack is associated with a seat, or passenger location, of a passenger vehicle. The jack 1 may, for instance, be in the armrest of the vehicle. The passenger vehicle is preferably an aircraft, although other mass transport vehicles may also be used.

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a second connection means 4, preferably to allow a power supply to, or from, the jack 4. The connection means 4 may be the same as 3 or may be a different type of connector. The front face 2 may have further connection points or locations to allow different types of connection means. For instance a connection means such as a cartridge slot 5, or other formed cavity may be present to receive, for instance, a battery bank, or content device. The jack 1 may have a flange 11 to allow the jack 1 to be placed in an insert 12. The second connection means 4 may be adapted or configured to connect to a second personal electronic device such as a mobile phone, IPOD or tablet computer. It could also connect to a battery bank so as to supply additional power if a power problem occurs.

[0048] The jack 1 of FIG. 1 has a connectable or embedded content store 6. The content store comprises in-flight entertainment content. The in-flight entertainment is well known to a skilled person and will include audio-visual data, trip information, plane information, movies, music and games. In embodiments the content will include digital rights management (DRM). The DRM may be contained in the content itself, or the content store may apply DRM techniques which transmitting the data. The content store preferably has an update means 7.

[0049] The update means may be a wired or wireless connection, including for instance a removable memory cartridge, USB connected electronic device, other wired connections including Ethernet, Bluetooth, In some embodiments the update means may use the connection means 3, 4 or power means 5, 8. This is likely to occur only when the jack is not providing content to a user. The update means allows the content on the content store 6 to be updated so that, for instance, recent movies can be provided to a user. The content store is preferably stored in a memory. The memory may be Read Only Memory (ROM), or Random Access Memory (RAM) and is preferably an integrated chip, similar to those used on a USB storage drive. The jack preferably further comprises a microprocessor in connection, or connectable with the memory. The microprocessor may run software or include logic to control the jack, or the content supplied to a connected user device.

[0050] The memory may be fixed to the jack or may be supplies on removable media, such as a USB storage device. An advantage of a USB storage device is that updating or replacement can be performed manually. Embodiments may use an external slot similar to the cartridge slot 5. There may be an electronic or mechanical lock to avoid the USB storage from being removed. In an alternative embodiment the USB storage device is supplied to a user outside the passenger vehicle, such as an aircraft, and the user connects the USB storage device to the jack to provide a desired content store. In this way the content store can be stored externally to the aircraft. The USB storage device, or the content store 6, can have DRM so that it is only playable through an aircraft jack. The content store 6, memory, or a part thereof, can be easily removed to allow for rapid memory swap for content update.

[0051] When an electronic device, preferably a personal electronic device is connected to the connection means or connector 3 it is provided access to the content store 6. In some embodiments the content provided by the content store 6 may be protected by a password or other activation means so as to provide improved service to selected users. In a preferred embodiment the content store is a computation means such as a computer or microcontroller. In a particular embodiment the computation means is a single boarded computer (SBC). The SBC computer preferably hosts a webserver. An electronic device is able to access the content through an internet browser, or similar application, on the electronic device. This means that the jack will basically act like a webserver and the user will be able to browser and access the content as if they were looking at a webpage. This embodiment has the benefit of usability since most people are familiar with a web browser and also added security as they will not have direct access to a hard drive. The computation means may also have additional peripherals such as HDMI, USB type-C, or other ways of accessing content.

[0052] In an embodiment of the invention the connection means 3, 4 comprise an emulated port. In a particular embodiment the electronic device may connect to or interface with a USB connection means 3 which emulates an Ethernet port. The computation means can then have an Ethernet adapter to provide a direct connection to the web server network stack on the SBC and the user can use a standard USB port cable to connect to the jack.

[0053] In an embodiment of the invention the content means, or the jack, has a communication means 7 to allow the content store, computation means, or jack to communicate with a further device, such as a server or content updater, or a further jack. In some embodiments the communication means 7 is intermittent, used only to update the content of the content store when required. In this embodiment it may be possible to use the power connections to the jack, or connection means 3, 4, 5, 8 which have a different use in normal use of the jack. For instance the jack 1 may be adapted to update the content storage by a program which connects through the communication means 3, if a particular process is followed. In an alternative embodiment the jack may have a communication device to interface with neighbouring, or closely spatially located jacks. This enables a single jack 1 provide a content store for a plurality of jacks.

[0054] The communication means for this may be low power wireless communication such as low power Wi-Fi or low power Bluetooth. In this embodiment the jack 1 may act as a master for a number of slave jacks which do not have a content store, or have a smaller content store. The master jack 1 may have no socket 3 for an electronic device and simply act as a small server jack. A plurality of jacks 1, 1a may form a local area network using a wireless signal, preferably a short range wireless signal. This allows reduction in the size and power requirements across the plurality of seats associated with the jacks 1, 1a. Embodiments of the system use the communication means to share emergency or high priority signals. For instance transmissions by the aircrew or cockpit staff may be received by the communication means and be directed to the electronic devices. The high priority signals may override the content provided by the content store 6. In some embodiments the communication means is adapted to only receive high priority signals. Preferably the master is connected by wire to the slave jacks so as to reduce the amount of wireless transmission in an airplane.

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a jack 1 having a power connection means 8. In embodiments of the invention the power connection means 8 may supply power to jack to allow operation of the content store and/or power to a connected or associated electronic device. The power may be supplied from a battery source, such as that connected by cartridge 5, or from the passenger vehicle or plane directly. In alternative embodiments the jack 1 may not receive power from the plane. Instead the jack 1 may require a battery to be connected in or to a battery connection means 5, or may rely on power from the electronic device connected to the connection means 3, 4. In this embodiment the system may have a separate power supply for the electronic devices. In embodiments where a power supply is required for the jack there may be an indicator, such as a light or sound when the power of the jack has reached a particular threshold. There may be a plurality of thresholds with different indicators depending on the urgency, or other characteristics, of a change in power.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows a schematic of the relationship between two jacks 1 and a seat electronics box (SEB) 9. SEBs are known in the art for supplying power to a plurality of seats, such as a row of seats. In this example the SEB 9 is supplying power to two jacks 1, 1a. Because only power is being supplied the wiring required both to and from the SEB 9 is greatly reduced. The jacks la and 1b may be placed in the arm rest of seats in the aircraft. In a further embodiment a jack may be placed on a shared armrest and comprise a plurality of connection means 3, 3a. As discussed above the jacks 1, 1a have a communication means 7, 7a which may be used to communicate between jacks, or to an external apparatus for updating or adjusting the jacks 1, 1a. The SEB is linked to the power supply for the aircraft as well as a plurality of aircraft seats by wires 10 or other connection means. In an embodiment of the system the power supply can be daisy chained, or connected between jacks to reduce wiring. That is to say the SEB may supply power to a first jack, which is then connected to a second jack which is connected to a third jack and so on. In an embodiment the wiring between the SEB and jack may include variations of the star type and daisy chained connections.

[0057] In an embodiment of the invention the system comprises a method of using the system where a user brings an electronic device, such as a computer, or mobile phone, or tablet, or a device suitable for playing games, audio or visual media on to the aircraft. The electronic device may be a personal electronic device. The user connects the electronic device t the jack 1 by connection means or connector 3, or a similar wireless connection means. This provides access to the content store 6 and the audio-visual data stored on the jack which provides inflight entertainment. In embodiments of the system a power connection from the electronic device provides power to the jack, or alternatively the jack 1, or a further jack, provides power to the electronic device. In this way a user can access the latest audio-visual data from the aircraft without requiring wiring throughout the aircraft.

[0058] The content store 6 can be updated by a user using the communication means 7 which updates each unit, or by a removable content store 6, such as on a storage device which is physically attached or inserted into the jack 1. In a further embodiment updates may be by connection of a update means to the connection means 3, 4 which updates the content store. In a further embodiment the jack may be removable for updating of the content store, or swapping with an updated jack. In some embodiments the user, or vehicle staff, provide an external battery or power bank to supply power to the jack, this may be through power means 4 or connection location 5. The jack may have an indicator, such as an LED light to indicate the status of a jack, such as if it is updating. For instance a light may be added to the jack to always be on but to go off while updating and then go on once updating is finished. The particular switching of the light may be varied.

[0059] The system may have a sensor associated with, or part of, the jack 1 which determines if a user is using, or located near the jack. The sensor may detect an electrical connection with the socket, or movement near the socket. Alternatively the sensor means detects a pressure of or distance to a passenger, possibly through connection to the seat. The sensor may be used to activate features of the jack 1, or to set a low-power mode.

[0060] FIG. 3 shows an implementation of the system on a plane 70 having a plurality of passenger locations or seats 71. Each seat or a group of seats may be associated with a seat electronics box 9 which may be connected to a power source 20 by cabling or wires 21. One or more jacks 1 may be associated with each seat or group of seats. The jacks may be unitary with, or removable from, the seats. In further embodiments the jacks 1 may be attached to a first seat 71 but provide services to a neighbouring seat 71.

[0061] From the foregoing it will be seen that a jack and inflight entertainment system are provided which enables supply of content to users without wiring a full passenger vehicle.

[0062] Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

[0063] Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features. Furthermore, where reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

[0064] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.