FR2574370A2 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PERFORMING, ON BOARD AN AIRPLANE, FUNCTIONS CONCERNING PASSENGERS AND ACCOMPANYING STAFF - Google Patents

Abstract

METHOD AND DEVICE ACCORDING TO MAIN PATENT N8511099, FOR EXECUTING, ON BOARD AN AIRPLANE, MANAGEMENT, INTERCOMMUNICATION, DISTRACTION, MONITORING, DISTRIBUTION AND INFORMATION FUNCTIONS, RELATING TO PASSENGERS AND OR ACCOMPANYING PERSONNEL , THE SIGNALS NECESSARY FOR THE EXECUTION OF THESE FUNCTIONS ARE DIGITALIZED AND TRANSMITTED VIA A DATA BUS SYSTEM. DATA TERMINALS 14A ARE ARRANGED ON THE PASSENGER SEATS AND EXCHANGE DIGITAL SIGNALS WITH A CENTRAL COMPUTER 15 THROUGH THE BUS SYSTEM, SO THAT THE OPERATIONS REQUIRED FROM EACH TERMINAL 14A ARE EXECUTED BY THE COMPUTER 15 AND RESULTS SO ON A DISPLAY FIELD 21 ASSOCIATED WITH TERMINAL 14A.

Description

PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR EXECUTION ON BOARD A

  AIRCRAFT, FUNCTIONS CONCERNING PASSENGERS AND

ACCOMPANYING STAFF

  The present invention relates to a method and a device, according to the main French patent No. 8511099, for performing, on board an aircraft, management, intercom, entertainment, monitoring, distribution, information, concerning passengers and / or accompanying personnel, the signals necessary for the performance of these functions being digitized in a manner known per se and transmitted via a data traffic bus system. In the device for implementing the above method, a data bus system is used to transmit the signals concerned in digital form by means of at least one central unit and a plurality of locally distributed decoding / coding units, each of these forming the interface going to the organs initiating or executing the functions relating to passengers or accompanying personnel. In this way, advantageously, there is practically no need for installation and wiring work when conversions of aircraft thus equipped, so that the costs of a conversion of cabin are significantly reduced. The simplicity of the programming used, allows the aircraft operator to modify

  the arrangement according to his needs.

  The digital signals are supplied to the decoding / coding units arranged in the vicinity of the passenger seats, so that, for example, indicator symbols, call facilities related to escorts, or passenger distraction facilities , can be controlled or operated via the data bus. In addition, claim 4 of the main patent application provides for individual passenger systems, such as - passenger terminal facilities, - passenger telephone facilities, which are made with selective access from each seat, but the means by which functions

  concerned would be executed are not indicated.

  The object of the invention is to indicate devices related to passenger seats, so that the possibilities of digital data processing and transmission can be used by a passenger, who may in particular have, during the theft, the following possibilities: - request specific information, - carry out work with the support of a computer, or

  - engage in a fun activity.

  According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method of the kind mentioned at the beginning, in which data terminals, arranged on the passenger seats, and a central computer exchange, by the data bus system, digital signals of in such a way that calculation operations requested from terminals are executed by the calculator and the results thereof are displayed on the

display field.

  In the device according to the invention, the decoding / coding units are in active connection with data terminals arranged on passenger seats. Among the various possible embodiments, the invention provides in particular that - the data terminals are arranged on the rear sides of the passenger seat backrests; - the control unit is connected to at least one keyboard for data input and output; - the central unit is connected to at least one diskette station for expressing data; - the control unit is connected to at least one

  printer to edit data.

  The advantages achieved with the invention reside first of all in the fact that each passenger can take advantage of the flight time to - obtain certain information, this possibly being related to his journey; - perform certain work; or

- having fun.

  The characteristics or advantages of the invention

  will appear more fully in the description

  presented below by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the figures of which represent: - Figure 1, an arrangement for implementing functions relating to passengers and / or to personnel support (on-board service); FIG. 2, a circuit of a computing installation; - Figure 3, a view showing mounted data terminals; and FIG. 4, a view of mounted data terminals,

  with a typewriter type keyboard.

  FIG. 1 represents a device for performing functions relating to passengers and / or accompanying personnel. This device comprises a central unit 1 connected to bidirectional data loops 2, 3 and 4 and to decoding / coding units (briefly called DEU in the following) which can be addressed freely. In addition, it has interfaces going to cockpit systems (5), cockpit side indications / commands and system components 7

distraction.

  DEU decoding / coding units, 8a to 8n, of passenger-related systems are connected to the

  central.1 through the data loop 2. Systems in -

  with the support staff are in communication with the central 1 by the loop of

  data 3 with decoding / coding units 9a to 9n.

  The data loop 4 is connected to decoding / coding units 1Oa to 1On which go to systems related to the seats. In addition, a control and indication apparatus 11 as well as a signaling apparatus

  programming and test 12 are connected to the central unit.

  In addition, a data input / output 13 has been provided. The following installations: a installation of loudspeakers, b installation of passenger calls, c warning signals, cabin lighting, e installation of sending oxygen to passengers, f installation of reading lamps, belong to the systems concerning passengers, in communication with central 1 through the

DEU 8a to 8n.

  The following installations: g service intercom, h call installation for support staff, i evacuation display, j installation for display and announcement in the cabin, k cabin management installation, belong to the systems relating to the personnel of and are in active communication with the

central 1 by DEU 9a to 9n.

  The passenger systems, attached to the seats, 1 installation for entertaining passengers, m installation of passenger terminals, n installation of passenger telephone, o passenger monitoring installation, are connected to the central unit 1 via the DEU 1Oa and 1On. If there must be, for example, an announcement by loudspeakers, made to all passengers, from the cockpit, this announcement is then made by the interface 6, to the control unit 1 which converts the signal from appropriately and transmits it, in digital form, to data loop 2, so that the loudspeakers receive their signal at low frequency after decoding thereof in the DEUs 8a to 8n then adaptation and amplification according to the location of installation. If it is a question of addressing only a certain group of passengers (for example class 1), only the DEUs concerned, relating to the aforementioned class are

  activated by free addressing.

  An essential advantage of this arrangement resides in the fact that in the event of a modification of the cabin sharing, the corresponding functions of the systems can be adapted, by program priming, to the new data, without making any modification to the wiring or addition of components. (amplifiers, for example), unlike what would otherwise be necessary, for example to go from a layout to

  single class divided into two classes.

  In the other systems, whether related to the seats, the accompanying staff or the passengers according to the definitions given, the process, with adaptation to the function, is analogous and the same advantages are obtained as regards relates to programmable system changes. These modifications can just as easily be carried out by

  the aircraft manufacturer as per the user.

  Instead of the arrangement shown by way of example, it is also possible to provide several exchanges. Likewise, instead of the three bidirectional data loops, other alternating arrangements with bidirectional or unidirectional data bus could be envisaged, satisfying, as a whole and by their scheduling, the transmission requirements of the systems mentioned. For the transmission of signals, symmetrical or asymmetrical electrical conductors can be used,

  just as well as light guides.

  FIG. 2 shows, by way of example, an individual data terminal 14a. A plurality, 14a to 14n, of these terminals is arranged on the passenger seats and is in communication with a central computer 15. The computer 15 in principle has a central unit 16, an input / output unit 17, a memory program 18 and a working memory 19. The data terminal 14a essentially consists of an input keyboard 20, a display field 21 and an input / output unit 22, and, due to one per seat, each such terminal is connected by a line 23 to a decoding / coding unit (DEU), 10a to 1On according to FIG. 1. At the input / output unit 22 is also connected a stage audio 24 connected to a headset or to a loudspeaker 25. The input and output 13 according to FIG. 1 is directly connected to the central unit 1 or computer 15 and can be constituted, on the input side, by a keyboard 13a and / or by a floppy station 13b and, on the output side, by a printer 13c, the floppy station can also serve as an output from years. Each of the terminals 14a to 14n is arranged on a passenger seat so as to

  be able to be easily controlled by a passenger.

  The digital signals relating to this terminal are exchanged by the data loop 4 which is part of the data bus system described at the start. There is thus thus a kind of computing installation constituted, essentially, by a central computer and by several input / output terminals which are connected to it. Based on usual technical considerations and using standardized systems and known circuits, those skilled in the art can carry out such an installation by considering the functions to be obtained and the indications given in the

present description.

  The calculation installation described in the foregoing makes it possible in particular to perform the following functions: - digital resolution of problems specific to the passenger; - display of foreign language terms, to improve understanding of foreign language readings; - display of data related * to the flight,

for example

- flight NO,

- journey from ... to ... via ....

  - momentary altitude of the airplane; - broadcasting, via headphones, of memorized explanations (which can be called by keyboard) concerning remarkable features observable during the flight; - display of data concerning the trip, for example

example

  - place of departure, - place of arrival, - distance, - duration of the flight, - distance remaining to be traveled, - flight time remaining to elapse, - meteorology of the place of arrival ...; - display of data relating to the aircraft; - offer of game programs such as video games, hopscotch, checkers, chess; - offering of musical entertainment, with the possibility of choosing (by keyboard) various music channels of various musical categories, the broadcasting taking place by headphones; - display of special information concerning - flight schedules of the company, with connections, - means of transport to the place of arrival, - information, stock market prices, - selected BTX functions, - events or festivals in the locality of arrival , religious services, - fairs, exhibitions,

- car rental companies.

  If the aircraft is equipped with an air / ground telephone installation, not described here, the terminal 14 can then be designed so that the passenger can, from his seat, using the keyboard, request a telephone call and receive a signal appropriate when communication is established. The telephone conversation is then advantageously

  held from a telephone booth.

  The data planned to respond to a general request are introduced at the start of the flight, for example by loading appropriate floppy disks into the memories concerned. Music and news programs are available, for example, in the form of compact cassettes. In a possible installation for music, certain titles taken from an exposed list can be called by keyboard. For this, multiple cassette mechanisms are used in which the magnetic tapes present, for example, in addition to the tracks for sound, a digital address track. By means of the digital signals recorded thereon, the beginnings of desired titles can be found exactly, in fast motion. Thanks to DEU 10a to 1On, each seat already has its own address, so there is no need to make provisions to prevent unauthorized interference in the programs of other seats. Thanks to the addressing provided in the system, it is also ensured that a program called from a seat will never be provided except at this one. It also prevents a passenger from being able to call the contents introduced into memory by another passenger using the computer. As this content entered in memory is automatically erased after the end of each flight, it is therefore also impossible that another occupant of the seat concerned can call them during

of the next flight.

  It is conceivable that the computing capacity offered by the terminals 14a to 14n corresponds roughly to that of a personal computer and that the results of the data output module 13 can be presented in the form of a printed document or a recorded floppy disk. The floppies concerned can be edited according to the most current standards, as regards their dimensions and their formatting. It is also conceivable that the

  computer 15 is integrated into control unit 1.

  Figure 3 shows two passenger seats, with backrests 26 on the rear side of each of which 1 0 is arranged a data terminal 14a, 14b. You can see the keyboards 20 and the display fields 21, as well

than a headphone jack 27.

  For the display field 21, practically all of the known display devices in computing are possible, although only space-saving solutions, with flat modules, such as liquid crystal screens, light emitting diodes, or

  gas discharge are interesting.

  FIG. 4 shows two other seats with backrests 28, the data terminals 14a, 14b being arranged on the rear sides of the seats, so as to be hidden by the shelves 29 when the latter are raised. To use the terminal 14, the tablet is put in the working position shown on the right part of the figure, which makes the display field 21 visible and allows the input unit 30 to be removed from a non-mounting shown here. The input unit 30 has a keyboard 31 similar to that of a typewriter and allows the execution of inputs

  usual alphanumeric computing.

Claims (6)

  1. Method according to any one of   claims 1 to 4 of the main French patent nO   8511099, for the execution, on board an aircraft, of management, intercom, entertainment, surveillance, distribution, information functions, concerning passengers and / or accompanying personnel, signals necessary for the performance of these functions being digitized in a manner known per se and transmitted via a data circulation bus system and serving to control or perform the functions of installations related to the cabin, such installation of loudspeakers, installation of passenger calls, indicator signals, cabin lighting, installation of sending oxygen to passengers, installation of reading lamps, service intercom, installation of call for accompanying staff , evacuation display, installation for displaying and announcing in the cabin, installation for entertaining passengers, characterized in that data terminals (14a to 14n) arranged on the passenger seats, and a central computer l (1.15) exchange, by the data flow bus system, digital signals so that calculation operations requested from the terminals (14a to 14n) are executed by the computer (1.15) and that the related results are displayed at by means of a display field (21).   2. Device for carrying out, on board an aircraft, management, intercommunication, entertainment, surveillance, distribution and information functions, concerning passengers and / or accompanying personnel, in which a data bus system is used to transmit the signals concerned in digital form by means of at least one central unit (1) and a plurality of locally distributed decoding / coding units (8a to 8n, 9a to 9n, 1Oa to 1on), each of these forming the interface going to the organs engaging or executing the functions relating to the passengers or the accompanying staff, characterized in that decoding / coding units (10a to 10On) are in active connection with data terminals (14a to 14n) arranged on passenger seats.   3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the data terminals (14a to 14n) are arranged on the rear sides of the files (26, 29) passenger seats.   4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the central unit (1) is connected to at least one keyboard (13a) for the input and the output of data. 5. Device according to any one of   claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the central   (1) is connected to at least one floppy station (13b) to express data.   6. Device according to any one of   claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the central   (1) is connected to at least one printer (13c) for edit data.