EP2901379A1

EP2901379A1 - Communications system and method for an aircraft

Info

Publication number: EP2901379A1
Application number: EP13771105.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrew Muirhead
Original assignee: Lufthansa Technik AG
Current assignee: Lufthansa Technik AG
Priority date: 2012-09-28
Filing date: 2013-09-26
Publication date: 2015-08-05
Also published as: US20150248660A1; WO2014049074A1; DE102012217808A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a communications system (1) and a corresponding communications method for an aircraft (2), the aircraft (2) comprising a central data-processing arrangement (3). The communications system (1) comprises at least one communications terminal (4, 5, 6) which is allocated to a particular seat (7, 8, 9) in the aircraft (2). The communications terminal (4, 5, 6) has a wireless and/or cable-bound data connection to the central data-processing arrangement (3). The communications terminal (4, 5, 6) comprises a communications interface which is arranged to determine and/or exchange payment data from a passenger appliance (13, 19) and/or a passenger transponder element (12). The payment data from the communications terminal (4, 5, 6) can be transmitted to the central data-processing arrangement (3), the central data-processing arrangement (3) being arranged to allocate the payment data to the respective seat (7, 8, 9) and/or to the respective passenger appliance (13, 19) and/or to the respective passenger transponder element (12).

Description

Communication system and method for an aircraft

The invention relates to a communication system for an aircraft, the aircraft having a central data processing device, wherein the communication system comprises at least one communication terminal, which is assigned to a specific seat in the aircraft, wherein the communication terminal a wireless and / or wired data connection to the central Data processing device has. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding communication method.

Passengers on commercial aircraft regularly receive various additional goods and services from the cabin crew of the aircraft during the flight. Such goods may, for example, be small gifts or, according to the flight route, duty-free goods. Services may e.g. special meals or drinks served by the cabin crew.

The corresponding payment processes for the remuneration of the corresponding goods and services may include cash or the usual card payments with debit or credit cards, which are carried out using mobile readers used by the cabin crew to read the card data. The mobile readers typically provide a corresponding printout that contains the necessary payment data and is signed by the passenger. The signatures can be compared by the cabin crew with the signature on the debit or credit card. As an alternative to such payment during the flight, certain service services during the flight can also be booked in advance.

The cash payment is cumbersome due to the large number of possible currencies, cabin crew must continue to provide sufficient change in the various currencies. The card payments by debit or credit card require the staffing of the cabin crew and are inefficient to handle for several smaller payments of a passenger. The payment of services in advance shifts the payment process accordingly, but leads to a lower flexibility, since the wishes of a passenger on a flight can change according to his mood and physical condition, so that short-term desired services and goods can not be charged with this method , Postpaid payment is not always desired by airlines due to their worldwide destinations and the associated low enforceability of payment claims.

If the services concern electronic offers on board the aircraft, the customary payment methods make the assignment of the order and the payment to a specific passenger error-prone, since this must be carried out by the cabin crew. In particular, for the electronic offers on board a more frequent payment, each with smaller amounts uneconomical manageable.

The object of the invention is to simplify payment processes in an aircraft.

The object of the invention is achieved on the basis of the preamble of claim 1 with its characterizing features. It a communication system for an aircraft is proposed, wherein the aircraft has a central data processing device. The communication system includes at least one communication terminal associated with a particular seat in the aircraft, the communication terminal having a wireless and / or wired data connection to the central data processing device. According to the invention, the communication terminal comprises a communication interface, which is set up to collect and / or exchange payment data from a passenger device and / or a passenger transponder element, preferably securely. Furthermore, the payment data can be transmitted from the communication terminal to the central data processing device, wherein the central data processing device is set up to allocate the payment data to the respective seat and / or the respective passenger device and / or the respective passenger transponder element.

A communication terminal associated with a particular seat allows payment by the passenger at his seat without requiring assistance from the cabin crew. This allows many payment transactions, especially with smaller amounts, to be processed during the flight. The payment data can be recorded directly at the seat, which allows a short-term purchase on board the cabin, which can be handled easily. The payment data may be stored on a passenger transponder element, e.g. Bank cards, in particular in the format

ISO / IEC 7810 ID-1, deposited or in an electronic device of the passenger, which he carries on the flight and is set up accordingly. The Beza ldaten can thus be detected in parallel for a plurality of passengers during a flight, wherein the transmission to a central data processing device in the aircraft is advantageous to the payment data for further use of the respective seat, passenger device and / or passenger transponder element and thus to assign to the passenger. This allows the provision of the service or the delivery of the goods at the passenger's seat in a simple manner.

Passenger devices may be mobile phones or portable computers, as well as any hybrid of these two types of devices, such as smart phones or tablet PCs. The passenger equipment is brought by the passengers of a flight in the plane and can be used there by the passengers. The passenger equipment can be used by the passengers during the flight for entertainment or work.

The communication interface preferably comprises a near field communication (NFC) interface, for example according to the standard ISO / IEC 13157 or a comparable standard. A near field communication interface allows contactless and secure transmission of payment data from a passenger device and / or a passenger transponder element to the communication interface. The communication interface can be easily integrated into the backrest of a front seat due to the contactless and limited to a few centimeters transmission. Furthermore, the contactless transmission allows a closed surface, which in contrast to a conventional card reader protected against mechanical manipulation or damage, for example, of children, during the flight. The central data processing device preferably has a connection to an in-flight entertainment system, wherein media offers, data transfer contingents, wireless network accesses and / or telephone connections of the in-flight entertainment system for at least one seat in the aircraft can be activated by the acquired and / or exchanged payment data. In this way, the electronic offers on board the aircraft can be unlocked easily and directly after a successful payment for the corresponding passenger in his seat, without the need for manual intervention of the cabin crew. The passenger can thus, for example, directly consume media contents of an in-flight entertainment system, such as films, music and / or games, after payment to the communication terminal at his seat.

Furthermore, the data processing device allows the passenger access to a data network of the aircraft via the communication terminal at its seat and / or via its passenger device.

The data network of the aircraft may be, for example, a wireless network. The data network of the aircraft may be connected to an external communication device, wherein the external communication device of the aircraft can go beyond the capabilities of the usual passenger devices in particular with respect to the range, so that a continuous access to the Internet during the flight is possible. The transmitted amount of data can be monitored in this case so that only the respectively paid data transfer quantities or quotas are made possible for the respective passenger. The telephone connections, in particular with passenger devices, can in the same way as the data transfer amount by an allocation of the payment process to a passenger device, which is identified by the telephone number, for example.

In a preferred embodiment, the central data processing device can switch on or off at least one power supply connection for a passenger device. Power connections onboard for passenger use may be present at the seat so that the passenger can operate various electronic devices on board during the flight or during his or her stay on board. This can also be e.g. charging the mobile passenger device. Such a power access can be made available individually as a service by the communication system for a passenger at his seat, so that only passengers who also want to use such a power supply connection, pay for one. The data processing device can therefore switch on or off based on the payment data a corresponding power supply connection. The data processing device therefore preferably has a corresponding control connection to the power supply device of the car. If necessary, the control of the power supply connection can also take place via a corresponding control unit.

Advantageously, the amount of electrical energy received via the power supply connection can be detected by the central data processing device. This allows the billing of the use of the power supply connection in the aircraft depending on the actual power consumption. Furthermore, small quantities of electricity can be made available to the passenger, for example for charging a mobile telephone, free of charge, and payment can only be made when a certain current is exceeded. amount, eg for the permanent operation of a laptop.

In an advantageous embodiment, the data connection between the communication terminal and the central data processing device can be produced via an electrical supply line of the aircraft. This makes it possible to avoid an additional data line, wherein the transmission of the payment data from the communication terminal to the data processing device is protected by the wired transmission against abusive wiretaps by other passenger devices in the cabin. In parallel with the data connection via the supply line, the communication terminal may, for example, have a radio-bound data connection via a wireless network, in particular WLA, to the data processing device.

Preferably, the payment data can be transmitted via an external data connection to a ground station. As a result, the billing of the payment transactions using the payment data can still be done during the flight. Furthermore, the data can be verified in this way during the flight, so that abuses can be prevented. Alternatively or additionally, the transmission of the payment data via the external data connection, for example via a mobile network, take place when the aircraft has landed.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved starting from the preamble of claim 8 with its characterizing features. To solve a communication method for an aircraft is proposed, according to the invention of at least one communication terminal with a communication interface in the aircraft, which is assigned to a specific seat, payment data from a passenger device and / or a Passenger transponder element detected and / or exchanged. The payment data is transmitted from the communication terminal to a central data processing device of the aircraft, and the central data processing device assigns the payment data to the respective seat and / or the passenger device and / or the respective passenger transponder element.

The communication method enables a simple payment process, in particular for services that are made available to the passenger via an electronic system in the aircraft. Preferably, in the communication method, the detection and / or the exchange of payment data with the communication terminal and the passenger device and / or the passenger transponder element takes place by means of near-field communication.

Preferably, a verification of the payment data is carried out in a ground station. The verification of the payment data is advantageous for a simple, secure and fraud-free payment process, since the payment data determined in the aircraft are present in and / or by means of a ground station of the airline and / or a financial institution.

The result of the verification is preferably transmitted to the aircraft via the external data connection. In this way, with the communication method a simple and verified payment process can be performed during a flight. In case of insufficient verification, the services on board the aircraft can be omitted for the passenger with a poor verification, so that financial damage can be avoided. The invention will be explained below with reference to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. Showing:

1 shows a communication system for an aircraft;

FIG. 2 shows a communication system with a ground station; FIG. and

Fig. 3 shows a communication system with power supply connections to the seats.

In Fig. 1, an advantageous embodiment of a communication system 1 for an aircraft 2 is shown. The communication system 1 has a data processing device 3 in the aircraft 2, wherein three communication terminals 4, 5, 6 are connected to the seats 7, 8, 9 on the data processing device 3 in this exemplary embodiment. The communication terminals 4, 5, 6 are each assigned to specific seats 7, 8, 9, wherein in this exemplary embodiment the assignment of the communication terminals 4, 5 to the respective seats 8, 9 arranged behind them is present, even though the communication terminals 4, 5 at the backrest of a other seat 7,8 are installed.

The passengers 10, 11 sit on the seats 8, 9 and transmit their payment data for the purchase of a service on board via the communication terminals 4, 5 to the data processing device 3.

In an advantageous exemplary embodiment, the transmission takes place wirelessly by means of a near field communication (NFC) with a limited range, preferably <10 cm, for example according to the standard ISO / IEC 13157 or a comparable range. standard. For this purpose, the communication terminal has a corresponding near-field communication interface. In an advantageous embodiment, this Nahfeldkommunikationsschnittstelle meets the usual standards for the transmission of payment data by means of NFC.

In this exemplary embodiment, the passenger 10 uses a passenger transponder element 12, which may be, for example, a bank card with near field communication functionality, also called NFC. By means of near-field communication, the payment data stored on the passenger transponder element 12 are transmitted to the communication terminal 4.

The passenger 11 behind it uses a passenger device 13 to transmit its payment data by means of near-field communication to the communication terminal 5, the passenger device 13 in this exemplary embodiment being a smartphone with integrated near-field communication interface.

In alternative embodiments, the payment data may be transmitted from the passenger device 13 to the communication terminal 5 via a cable connection.

The payment data are assigned in the data processing device 3 to the respective seat 8, 9, on which the paying passenger 10, 11 is seated. Furthermore, for the passenger 11, the payment is assigned to his passenger device 13.

For example, in this embodiment, the passenger 10 has selected a movie on a screen of the on-board entertainment system 14 at his seat. The film costs a certain amount, the passenger 10 on his screen, which also, as the communication terminal 4, on the back of the seat 7 is arranged is displayed. In possible exemplary embodiments, the communication terminal 4, 5, 6 and the part of the in-flight entertainment system 14 positioned at the seat are integrated in a common housing. The passenger 10 agrees to the payment and leads his bank card, in this case a passenger transponder element 12 with near-field communication, in particular an NFC-capable payment card, to the near-field communication interface of the communication terminal 4. The corresponding payment data is exchanged between the communication terminal 4 and the passenger transponder element 12. The exchange of the data to the data processing device 3 of the aircraft 2 can take place in parallel or subsequently. It is also possible that the data exchange between the data processing device 3 and the passenger transponder element 12 takes place and the communication terminal 4 serves as an exchange. The exchange of data between the communication terminal 4,5,6 and the data processing device 3 can be done via a wired data cable. Furthermore, a wired data transmission can take place via an electrical supply line with carrier frequency systems. Alternatively or additionally, a radio-bound transmission of the data between the communication terminals 4, 5, 6 and the data processing device 3 can take place. For this purpose, the aircraft 2 has a wireless network access point 16, which is connected to the central data processing device 3. With the wireless network access point 16, the communication terminals 4, 5, 6 and / or the passenger devices 13, 19 can establish a wireless data connection.

The data processing device 3 has a connection to an in-flight entertainment system 14, which displays the corresponding film on the screen of the passenger 10. The passenger 11 wants to use Internet access during the flight with his passenger device 13. The aircraft 2 has a wireless network in this embodiment

(WLAN), in which the passenger device 13 can log in. The aircraft 2 can also establish a connection to the Internet during flight even at high altitudes or in remote areas by means of an external data connection 15. The external data connection 15 may, for example, be a satellite connection, which is associated with corresponding costs for the use. In this exemplary embodiment, the passenger 11 confirms the corresponding usage fee for the external data connection 15 and holds his passenger device 13 at the communication terminal 5 assigned to his seat 9, where an exchange of payment data takes place between the passenger device 13 and the communication interface 5. Alternatively, an exchange of payment data between a passenger transponder element 12, e.g. an NFC-enabled payment card, the passenger 11 and the communication interface 5 done. The payment data is transmitted to the data processing device 3, after which the passenger device 13 of the passenger 11 in the wireless network of the aircraft 2 is unlocked for the use of the external data link 15, so that the passenger 11 during flight e.g. can check his emails. The identification of the passenger device 13 may be provided, for example, with a unique hardware identifier, e.g. the MAC address.

FIG. 2 shows an aircraft 2 with the communication system 1, wherein the data processing device 3 transfers the payment data from the payment processes of the passengers 10, 11 to a ground station 20 with the aid of the external data connection 15. The ground station 20 may, for example, be operated by the airline. The payment data are used in the ground station 20 in order to match the corresponding funds. transfer the sales of goods and services on board to the airline or the payee. The payment data is verified with the corresponding financial institutions, with the result of the verification in an advantageous embodiment being able to be transmitted to the data processing device 3 of the aircraft 2, so that, for example, the payment data can still be verified in the data processing device 3 during the flight.

3 shows a communication system 1 with power supply connections 17, 18 at the seats for the passengers 10, 11. The passenger 10 buys in this embodiment by means of his passenger transponder element 12 and the communication system 1, a certain amount of electricity, which he would like to remove during the flight in the aircraft 2 with a device. After the transfer of the payment data to the data processing device 3, the latter controls a power supply device 21 accordingly, so that the power supply connection 17 can be used.

The passenger 11 executes such a use; in this exemplary embodiment, he loads his passenger device 19, a laptop, at the power supply connection 18. The power supply connection 18 may, for example, have a supply voltage of 115 V and / or 230 V alternating voltage. In addition, the supply voltage to the power supply terminals 17,18 have an electrical voltage of 5 V or 12 V DC.

In an advantageous embodiment, the emitted amount of electricity is detected by the central data processing device 3, so that the costs for the actually used Amount of electricity can also be assigned to the corresponding passenger 11.

Claims

Claims :

A communication system (1) for an aircraft (2), wherein the aircraft (2) comprises a central data processing device (3), wherein

- The communication system (1) comprises at least one communication terminal (4,5,6), which is associated with a particular seat (7,8,9) in the aircraft (2), wherein

- The communication terminal (4,5,6) a wireless

and / or wired data connection to the central data processing device (3), characterized in that

the communication terminal (4, 5, 6) comprises a communication interface which is set up to acquire and / or exchange payment data from a passenger device (13, 19) and / or a passenger transponder element (12), and

- The payment data from the communication terminal (4,5,6) to the central data processing device (3) can be transmitted, wherein

- The central data processing device (3) is arranged to assign the payment data to the respective seat (7,8,9) and / or the respective passenger device (13,19) and / or the respective passenger transponder element (12).

2. Communication system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication interface comprises a near field communication (NFC) interface.

3. Communication system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the central data processing device (3) has a connection to an in-flight entertainment system (14), wherein by the detected and / or Switched payment data media offers, data transfer contingents, wireless network accesses and / or telephone connections of the in-flight entertainment system (14) for at least one seat (7,8,9) in the aircraft (2) are unlockable.

Communication system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the central data processing device (3) can switch on or off at least one power supply connection (17, 18) for a passenger device (13, 19).

Communication system (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that via the power supply terminal

(17,18) related amount of electrical energy from the central data processing device (3) can be detected.

Communication system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data connection between the communication terminal (4,5,6) and the central data processing device (3) via an electrical supply line of the aircraft (2) can be produced.

Communication system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the payment data can be transmitted via an external data connection (15) to a ground station (20).

Communication method for an aircraft (2), characterized in that at least one communication terminal (4, 5, 6) is connected to a communication interface in the aircraft (2), which is assigned to a specific seat (7, 8, 9), Payment data are collected and / or exchanged by a passenger device (13, 19) and / or a passenger transponder element (12),

- The payment data from the communication terminal (4,5,6) are transmitted to a central data processing device (3) of the aircraft (2), and

- The central data processing device (3) assigns the payment data to the respective seat (7,8,9) and / or the passenger device (13,19) and / or the respective passenger transponder element (12).

9. Communication method according to claim 8, characterized in that a verification of the payment data in a ground station (20) is performed.

10. Communication method according to claim 9, characterized in that the result of the verification via the external data connection (15) to the aircraft (2) is transmitted.