Method for controlling an in-flight entertainment system
US7114171B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 14, 2002 |
| Grant date | Sep 26, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 14, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L69/329
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for controlling an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system using network protocols, such as TCP/IP, HTTP, or FTP. Control of a plurality of functions, including in-seat and broadcast audio and video, overhead reading light control, and flight attendant call, are implemented using a network client, a network server, and a network server program, each communicating with network protocols. The network client may be visible or invisible to a user of the in-flight entertainment system, depending on whether a web browser or a virtual web browser is used as a network client. The software for each line replaceable unit (LRU) may be designed, redesigned, or tested independently from other components within the IFE system. Particular functions of the IFE system can be made available only to particular parts of the IFE system, allowing different levels of access to the IFE system for different passenger classes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.