Personal electronic device (PED) cooperating with an aircraft IFE system for redeeming an in-flight coupon and associated methods
US8806521B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 22, 2010 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 1, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N21/4784
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A communications system for an aircraft includes an aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system and at least one personal electronic device (PED) carried by an aircraft passenger. The aircraft IFE system includes an IFE video entertainment source, IFE passenger seat displays, an IFE wireless transceiver, and an IFE controller. The TEE controller selectively displays video from the IFE entertainment source on the IFE passenger seat displays, and generates a respective registration token image on each IFE passenger seat display. The PED includes a PED optical sensor, a PED memory for storing an in-flight coupon to be redeemed by the passenger while in-flight, a PED wireless transceiver, and a PED controller. The PED controller communicates with the IFE wireless transceiver via the PED wireless transceiver based upon the PED optical sensor sensing the registration token image so that the PED controller is registered with the IFE controller. After registration, the PED controller provides the stored in-flight coupon to the IFE controller for redemption.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.