FR3087754A1 - SEAT STATE VIDEO SUPERVISION SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR AN AIRPLANE SEAT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates essentially to an assembly for a cabin, in particular an aircraft cabin (10), characterized in that it comprises: - at least one seat (11), and - a supervision system (19) of a state of the siege (11) comprising a camera (21) and an associated image processing module (22), - said supervision system (19) being able to detect an unauthorized presence of an object on the ground, in particular a piece of luggage (25), located in a passage of the aircraft, and / or a non-compliant positioning of at least a component of the seat (11) relative to a secure reference position of this component when the seat (11) is in a position suitable for a parking, take-off or landing phase of the airplane, and - a seat status communication module (28) (11) capable of transmitting information relating to the unauthorized presence of an object on the ground and / or to improper positioning of at least one component of the seat ( 11) relative to a secure reference position. Louse figure abbreviated: Figure 1

Description

Description Title of the invention: SEAT STATUS VIDEO SUPERVISION SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY AN AIRCRAFT SEAT

The present invention relates to a video monitoring system of the state of a seat, in particular a seat (the aircraft.

The invention is adaptable to all types of seats, in particular the economy, business, and first class seats of an airplane.

[0002] During the parking, take-off and landing phases of the aircraft but also in the event of turbulence and / or an emergency situation, the seat must be in a so-called TTL position (Taxi, Take-off, Landing).

According to this TTL position, the seat components must be in a secure reference position.

In particular, the backrests and the tables of the seats must be respectively in the raised position and in the stored position, and the seat belts must be fastened.

We also check the absence of luggage in the passages to the exits of the aircraft so as not to obstruct the path of passengers in the event of an emergency evacuation.

[0004] These checks are generally carried out visually by the on-board personnel.

However, such visual checks take a long time to perform and may require the intervention of several people.

[0005] In addition, these checks do not make it possible to ensure that a component of the seat will not be moved into a non-compliant position or that a piece of luggage will not hinder passage to an emergency exit just after the check. carried out by the crew.

There are also possibilities of not insignificant errors linked to such visual checks carried out by a human being.

[0006] The invention aims to effectively remedy these drawbacks by providing an assembly for a cabin, in particular an aircraft cabin, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one seat, and - a monitoring system of a state of the seat comprising a camera and an associated image processing module, - said supervision system being able to detect an unauthorized presence of an object on the ground, in particular a piece of luggage, located in a passageway of the airplane, and / or non-compliant positioning of at least one component of the seat in relation to a secure reference position of this component when the seat is in a position suitable for a parking, take-off, or landing phase of the airplane, and a seat status communication module capable of transmitting information relating to the unauthorized presence of an object on the ground and / or to a non-compliant positioning of at least one component of the seat by relative to a secure reference position.

The communication module can transmit this information to a centralized screen in the cabin or to other systems making it possible to warn the crew, such as hostess call lights.

[0007] The invention thus proposes a non-intrusive, ergonomic and autonomous system for supervising the state of the seat.

The invention makes it possible to significantly reduce the duration of the protocol for checking the state of the seat due to the centralization of the visual check by the on-board personnel.

The invention further provides a seat status that the on-board personnel can monitor at any time and in real time via communication to a central monitoring device.

The invention is also easy to integrate, insofar as the installation of the supervision system does not require any intrinsic modifications to the seat.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the supervision system is configured to compare a captured image of the component of the seat with an expected image data base stored in a memory and to deduce, if necessary, a non-compliant positioning of said component to from this comparison of images.

The data base may contain expected images that the system has learned to recognize through the implementation of an algorithm making it possible to identify a precise detail or a set of details of the images: outline, color, geometry.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the supervision system is configured to detect, by a learning process, an unauthorized presence of an object in a passage of the aircraft.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the camera is arranged on one side of a row of seats, so that a field of view of the camera covers several seats in the row of seats.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the camera is arranged above a row of seats, so that a field of view of the camera covers several seats in a row of seats.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the camera is arranged above at least two rows of seats, so that a field of view of the camera covers several seats of the at least two rows of seats.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the camera is arranged forward with respect to at least one row of seats to be supervised.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the camera is placed behind at least one row of seats to be supervised.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the camera is attached to a back of the seat.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the camera is placed under the seat.

According to one embodiment, at least one optical system comprising a mirror is arranged 3 so as to widen an angle of a field of view of the camera.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the camera is a camera capable of detecting infrared light from additional infrared lighting or a thermal camera.

[0019] According to one embodiment, said assembly further comprises a central control device capable of displaying a state of the seat as a function of the information received from the communication module.

[0020] According to one embodiment, said assembly comprises an alert system capable of generating a light and / or sound signal corresponding to a state of the seat inside the cabin at the level of the seat in question or of a row of seats corresponding.

According to one embodiment, at least one sensor, such as a piezoelectric sensor, in particular of the pressure sheet type, or an inductive sensor, or a capacitive sensor, is arranged on or inside a floor of the aircraft to detect a weight and / or an area occupied by an object on the floor.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the assembly further comprises a sensor chosen from one of the following sensors: an ultrasonic sensor, a volumetric sensor, or an infrared sensor of the time of flight type.

These sensors may be placed at the level of the seat or under the seat to determine in particular the dimensions and / or a volume of the object placed under the seat.

Of course the different characteristics, variants and / or embodiments of the present invention can be associated with each other in various combinations insofar as they are not incompatible or exclusive of each other.

The present invention will be better understood and other characteristics and advantages will become apparent on reading the following detailed description comprising embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the appended figures, presented by way of non-examples. limiting, which may serve to complete the understanding of the present invention and the description of its implementation and, where appropriate, contribute to its definition, on which:

[0025] [Fig.1] is a schematic representation of a video supervision system according to the present invention interacting with a central control device intended for use by on-board personnel;

[0026] [fig.2] to [Fig. 10] are schematic representations of alternative positioning of the camera of the video supervision system according to the present invention.

It should be noted that, in the figures, the structural and / or functional elements common to the different embodiments may have the same references.

Thus, unless otherwise stated, such elements have identical structural, dimensional and material properties.

In the following description, the relative terms of the type "above", "below", "in front", "behind", "on the side", are understood by reference to the common sense that would give them a passenger seated on a seat shown in the figures.

Figure 1 shows an aircraft cabin 10 having rows of seats R1-R4.

A row R1 -R4 comprises several seats 11 side by side in a direction perpendicular to the sheet.

In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, only four rows of seats R1-R4 have been shown.

The number of rows of seats can of course be adapted according to the space available in cabin 10.

A seat 11 has a seat 12 and a backrest 13 tilting back from a raised position.

A structure 14 makes it possible to maintain the seat 11 on the floor of the aircraft.

The seat 11 also comprises a meal shelf 16 movable between a deployed position in which the meal shelf 16 extends in a substantially horizontal plane and a stored position in which the meal shelf 16 is pressed against and held against a rear face of the backrest 13.

A literature pouch 18 is intended to store in particular a safety instruction sheet.

A video supervision system 19 of a state of the seat 11 comprises a camera 21 and an associated image processing module 22.

Camera 21 is advantageously capable of detecting infrared light from additional infrared lighting in order to be able to provide images which can be used day and night.

The additional lighting comprises an infrared diode system allowing objects without lighting to be viewed using the camera detecting infrared light.

As a variant or in addition, the camera is a thermal camera which detects the heat emitted. The thermal camera makes it possible to easily differentiate a part of the passenger's body (legs, feet) from a piece of luggage.

The supervision system 19 is able to detect a non-compliant positioning of at least one component of the seat 11 relative to a secure reference position of this component when the seat 11 is in a position, called TTL (for "Taxi - Take off - Landing" in English), adapted to the phases of parking, takeoff, and landing of the aircraft.

Thus, the supervision system 19 will be able to detect that the backrest 13 is not in the raised position and / or that the meal tablet 16 is not in the stored position.

In order to ensure these detections, the image processing module 22 is configured to compare a captured image of the component of the seat 11 with a database of expected images stored in a memory and to deduce, if necessary, a positioning non-conforming of said component from this comparison of images.

The database may contain expected images that the system has learned to recognize through the implementation of an algorithm making it possible to identify a precise detail or a set of details of the images: outline, color, geometry.

Photosensitive targets may be present on the seat components in order to facilitate position detection.

These targets will be able to implement an infrared reflectography technology based on the use of carbon layers arranged in the paint pigments or in the material.

Depending on the position and orientation of the camera 21, the supervision system 19 can also detect the presence of the passenger 15 on his seat 11 and / or if the mandatory presence of the safety instruction sheet inside of the literature cover 18 is well respected.

The supervision system 19 will also be able to detect the presence of a life jacket 23 in a sealed pouch.

To carry out these detections, the supervision system 19 also performs a comparison of an image captured with one or more reference images stored in a memory.

The supervision system 19 is also able to detect an unauthorized presence of an object on the ground, in particular a piece of luggage 25, located in a passage of the aircraft.

Indeed, it may be authorized to have a piece of luggage 25 of small size under the seat 11, in the space between the floor of the aircraft and the seat 12, but it is forbidden to have a piece of luggage 25 in a passage. extending in particular between a row of seats R 1 -R4 front and a row of seats R1 -R4 rear.

In the access passages to an emergency exit, the supervision system 19 can also detect the unauthorized presence of a piece of luggage 25, including under the seat 11 of the passenger 15, because no piece of luggage is allowed in this zone. evacuation.

The detection of a piece of luggage 25 on the ground is preferably carried out by learning by providing the system with numerous images representing a multitude of cases: luggage 25 of different sizes, with the presence of legs or not, arrangement of luggage 25 located on the ground or on seat 11, etc ...

An algorithm thus constructed by learning is capable of recognizing unexpected images via the association of characteristic details of an object.

The system is then configured so as to define criteria for the presence of a piece of luggage 25 while providing acceptable limits in terms of positioning and volume.

The system then generates a recognition algorithm which is refined in the event of an error by new cases, so as to be able to discriminate the presence of a piece of luggage 25 compared to that of a part of the body of the passenger 15, in particular its presence. legs.

In addition, at least one sensor 27 may be placed on or inside the floor of the aircraft to detect or confirm an unauthorized presence of an object on the ground.

The sensor 27 may take the form of a piezoelectric sensor, in particular of the pressure sheet type, or of an inductive sensor or of a capacitive sensor for detecting a weight and / or a surface occupied by an object on the floor.

As a variant or in addition, a sensor 27 chosen from one of the following sensors could be used: an ultrasonic sensor, a volumetric sensor, or an infrared sensor of the time-of-flight type which measures an outward and return duration of 'an infrared wave to deduce a distance.

These sensors may be placed at the level of the seat or under the seat to determine in particular the dimensions and / or a volume of the object placed under the seat.

A communication module 28 is able to transmit, in particular via a radio or wired link, information relating to the unauthorized presence of an object on the ground and / or to a non-compliant positioning of at least one component of the seat 11 relative to a secure reference position.

The communication module 28 can also transmit information relating to the presence of the passenger 15 and / or the presence and / or the position of a safety instruction sheet inside the literature pocket 18 and / or to the presence of a life jacket 23 in a sealed pouch.

The presence and / or the position of the safety instruction sheet are detected by reading the title "safety card" in English using the camera.

The image processing module 22 and / or the communication module 28 can be integrated into a common server.

As a variant, the image processing module 22 and / or the communication module 28 may be deported relative to the server.

The image processing module 22 and / or the communication module 28 may be integrated into a camera 21.

In particular, the communication module 28 is able to transmit information to a central control device 29 provided with a screen 30.

The central control device 29 is able to display a state of the seats 11 (ready / not ready) according to the information received from the communication module 28 In order to comply with the DO-178 standard, the control screen 30 also displays preferably a possible defect on the seat 11 which would require manual verification by the on-board personnel.

In particular, the fault may be linked to a malfunction of the video supervision system 19.

Preferably, the central control screen 30 is also able to display a location corresponding to the seats 11 of the aircraft as a function of the state of the latter during the take-off, landing and parking phases. the plane, as well as in phases of turbulence.

The central control device 29 may take the form of a fixed or mobile device, for example of the tablet 31 or connected watch 32 type, or more generally any portable digital device suitable for the application.

In addition, an alert system 33, which is capable of generating a light and / or sound signal corresponding to the state of the seat 11, may be provided inside the aircraft cabin 10 at the level of the seat 11 considered or of a corresponding row of seats.

7 It will in particular be possible to use the lamps currently used to locate the row of the passenger who called in the on-board personnel.

[0045] According to certain configurations, the communication module 28 can communicate with a multimedia system associated with the seat 11 (or IFE system for "Inflight Entertainment System" in English) to broadcast a message on an entertainment screen aiming to remind that the seat 11 must currently be in the TTL position and / or the baggage 25 must be removed from the access passage.

When the message is displayed, it will be possible to interrupt the current video and / or music broadcasts.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the camera 21 is disposed on one side of a row of seats R1-R4, so that the field of view of the camera 21 covers several seats 11 in a row of seats R1-R4.

It will be recalled that the field of view of the camera 21 corresponds to the total area of the space that the objective of the camera 21 perceives when it fixes a point.

It is thus defined by the proportion between the focal length of the lens and the size of the image sensor of the camera 21.

In all the cases considered, the field of vision of the camera 21 preferably covers several seats 11 of a given row R1-R4, or even several rows in order to limit the number of cameras 21 to be installed in the cabin 10.

As a variant, it would however be possible to envisage a system comprising a camera 21 per seat to be supervised.

According to this positioning of the camera 21, the supervision system 19 will be able to detect the presence of the passenger 15 on his seat 11, the unauthorized presence of a piece of luggage 25 in a passage of the aircraft, and the raised position of the backrest 13 when the seat 11 is in the TTL position.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, the camera 21 is arranged above a row of seats R1-R4 corresponding, so that the field of view of the camera 21 covers several seats 11 of a row of seats R1-R4.

Following this positioning of the camera 21, the supervision system 19 poun-a detect the presence of the passenger 15 on his seat 11, the raised position of the backrest 13, and the stored position of the meal shelf 16.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the camera 21 is arranged above two rows of seats R1-R2, so that the field of view of the camera 21 covers several seats 11 of at least two rows of seats R1-R2.

According to this positioning of the camera 21, the supervision system 19 will be able to detect the presence of the passenger 15 on his seat 11, the raised position of the backrest 13, and the stored position of the meal tablet 16.

Optical systems 34 comprising mirrors are arranged on the backrest 13 of the seat 11 and in the lower part, at the level of the seat 12 of the seat 11.

These optical systems 34 make it possible to widen an angle of the field of view of the camera 21 to detect the presence of the safety instruction leaflet inside the literature pouch 18, as well as the unauthorized presence of. a piece of luggage 25 in a passage of the aircraft, as well as the presence of a life jacket 23 in a sealed pouch.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, the camera 21 is arranged forward with respect to a series of rows of seats R2-R4 to be supervised.

The camera 21 is oriented rearward towards the rows of seats R2-R4.

Depending on this positioning of the camera 21, the supervision system 19 will be able to detect the presence of the passenger 15 on his seat 11, as well as the raised position of the backrest 13.

Figure 5 is a variant of the embodiment of Figure 4 in which optical systems 34 mirror arranged in the upper part of the rows of seats R1-R4 make it possible to detect the stored position of the meal shelf 16, the presence unauthorized baggage 25 in an airplane passage, as well as the presence of the safety instruction sheet inside the literature pouch 18.

In the embodiment of Figure 6, a camera 21 is disposed behind relative to a row of seats R1-R4 corresponding to supervise.

The camera 21 is oriented forwards towards the seats 11 of the row to be supervised.

Depending on this positioning of the camera 21, the supervision system 19 will be able to detect the presence of the passenger 15 on his seat 11, the unauthorized presence of a piece of luggage 25 in a passage of the airplane, the raised position of the backrest 13 when the seat 11 is in the TTL position, as well as the stored position of the meal shelf 16.

The camera 21 can be installed in a wall of the cabin.

As a variant, as shown in FIG. 7, the camera 21 is fixed on a backrest 13 of the seat 11.

In the embodiment of Figure 8, the camera 21 is arranged under a seat 11.

The camera 21 could for example be placed under a front seat 11 and oriented towards a rear seat, in low angle.

According to this positioning of the camera 21, the supervision system 19 will be able to detect the presence of the passenger 15 on his seat 11, the unauthorized presence of a piece of luggage 25 in a passage of the aircraft, and the presence of a life jacket 23 in a sealed pouch.

As shown in Figure 9, an additional camera 21 may be arranged in the upper part to allow detection of the stored position of the meal tablet 16, as well as the presence of the safety instruction sheet at the inside of literature pocket 18.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the orientation of the additional camera 21 has been modified so as to be substantially vertical.

Obviously, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example.

It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants which a person skilled in the art may envisage in the context of the present invention and in particular any combination of the 9 different operating modes described above, which can be taken separately or in combination. 10

Claims (1)

Claims [Claim 1] Assembly for a cabin, in particular an airplane cabin (10), characterized in that it comprises: - at least one seat (11), and a supervision system (19) of a state of the seat (11) comprising a camera (21) and an associated image processing module (22), - Said supervision system (19) being capable of detecting an unauthorized presence of an object on the ground, in particular luggage (25), located in a passage of the plane, and / or a non-conforming positioning of at least a component of the seat (11) relative to a secure reference position of this component when the seat (11) is in a position suitable for a phase of parking, taking off, or landing of the aircraft, and a seat state communication module (28) capable of transmitting information relating to the unauthorized presence of an object on the ground and / or to a non-conforming positioning of at least one component of the seat ( 11) relative to a secure reference position. [Claim 2] Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the supervision system (19) is configured to compare a captured image of the seat component (11) with a database of expected images stored in a memory and to deduce, if necessary if necessary, a non-conforming positioning of said component from this comparison of images. [Claim 3] Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supervision system (19) is configured to detect, by a learning process, an unauthorized presence of an object in an aircraft passage. [Claim 4] Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the camera (21) is arranged on one side of a row of seats (R1-R4), so that a field of vision of the camera ( 21) covers several seats (11) of the row of seats (R1-R4). [Claim 5] Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the camera (21) is arranged above a row of seats (R1-R4), so that a field of vision of the camera ( 21) covers several seats (11) of a row of seats (R1-R4). [Claim 6] Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the camera (21) is arranged above at least two rows of seats (R1-R4), so that a field of vision of the camera (21) covers several seats (11) from at least two rows of seats (R1-R4). [Claim 7] Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the camera (21) is arranged in front with respect to at least one row of seats (R1-R4) to be supervised. [Claim 8] An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the camera (21) is arranged behind with respect to at least one row of seats (R1-R4) to be supervised. [Claim 9] Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the camera (21) is fixed to a backrest (13) of the seat (11). [Claim 10] Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the camera (21) is arranged under the seat (11). [Claim 11] Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least one optical system (34) comprising a mirror is arranged so as to widen an angle of a field of vision of the camera (21). [Claim 12] Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the camera (21) is a camera capable of detecting infrared light from additional infrared lighting or a thermal camera. [Claim 13] Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it further comprises a central control device (29) capable of displaying a state of the seat (11) according to the information received from the communication module (28 ). [Claim 14] Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises an alert system (33) capable of generating a light and / or sound signal corresponding to a state of the seat (11) inside from the cabin to the seat (11) in question. [Claim 15] Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that at least one sensor (27), such as a piezoelectric sensor, in particular of the pressure sheet type, or an inductive sensor, or a capacitive sensor, is arranged on or inside an aircraft floor to detect a weight and / or a surface occupied by an object on the floor. [Claim 16] Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it comprises a sensor (27) chosen from one of the following sensors: an ultrasonic sensor, a volumetric sensor, or a sensor time-of-flight infrared.