JP5438774B2 - Aircraft passenger seat position control device - Google Patents

Description

[Related applications]
This patent application is a US provisional application filed January 9, 2009, 61 / 143,586 “Touch Screen Control Interface for Passenger Seats”, and a US provisional application filed April 15, 2009, No. 61 / 169,575, “Control Interface Display Method and Calibration Method for Passenger Seats” is claimed. The contents of 61 / 143,586 and 61 / 169,575 are incorporated herein by reference.

  The present invention relates generally to a control interface for adjusting an aircraft passenger seat, and more specifically, a touch screen control interface for adjusting and displaying a seat, and a calibration for calibrating the control interface. It relates to a (calibration) method.

  Passenger seats such as those found on aircraft are typically adjustable between an upright position and a reclining position. Some seats have outwardly extending foot (foot) supports to provide support for the legs and feet. Thus, a typical conventional passenger seat can take many forms depending on the preference of the passenger who wants to sit, read, watch an in-flight movie, or sleep. A typical passenger seat has one or more buttons or switches that allow the passenger to adjust the position of the seat area.

  Conventional thin film switches (also called mechanical hemispherical switches) are frequently used in passenger seats. A typical such switch has an embossed or printed graphic to inform passengers of its function. This type of switch is generally dedicated to a specific function and is required in large numbers in seats that can be used for multiple adjustments. Such dedicated switches cannot be easily reconfigured, and the graphics showing their function cannot be easily changed. Thus, as passenger seats evolve to provide more adjustable parts, and as multimedia entertainment and other amenities (convenient features) are added to the aircraft passenger cabin, traditional dedicated The single function switch becomes increasingly unsatisfactory.

  Accordingly, there is a need for an improved control interface for adjusting passenger seats, an improved control interface for controlling media devices, and an improved control interface that provides flexibility with respect to repurpose. There is a need for an improved interface control for adjusting the passenger seat configuration of an aircraft, a method for displaying the passenger seat configuration is needed, and high convenience for accurate adjustment and display A calibration method is needed.

  These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing an aircraft passenger seat position control device. A seat position control device includes: a plurality of seat actuators operable to adjust a passenger seat to a selected one of a plurality of distinct seat positions; and a plurality of touch responses corresponding to the plurality of distinct seat positions. A touch-sensitive control interface having a portion thereon. The control interface communicates with the plurality of seat actuators and is positioned proximate to the aircraft passenger seat for use by passengers seated on the passenger seat and signals in response to a touch selected position by the passenger. Output to the plurality of seat actuators is thereby configured to adjust the position of the aircraft passenger seat to one selected from the plurality of separate seat positions.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, the control interface includes a display screen that displays a display image selected from the plurality of separate sheet positions.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, each seat actuator of the plurality of seat actuators outputs a position display value corresponding to the position to a control interface corresponding to the position of the passenger seat.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, the control interface calculates the range of the position display value of each actuator, divides the range of the position display value into a plurality of different subranges, and each of the subranges is the separate range. Corresponds to one of the sheet positions.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, when the actuator outputs a position indication value within one sub-range of the plurality of different sub-ranges, the display screen is the plurality of separate sheets corresponding to the sub-range. One of the display images selected from the position is displayed.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, the passenger seat includes a backrest portion, a legrest portion, and an armrest portion, and at least one of the plurality of actuators includes the backrest portion, the legrest portion, and the armrest portion. Adjust the position of each armrest.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, the touch-sensitive control interface further includes a plurality of touch-responsive symbols corresponding to passenger convenience functions.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, the passenger convenience function is selected from the group consisting of media control, temperature control, communication control, or a combination thereof.

  According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, an aircraft passenger seat position control device is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of seat actuators operable to adjust a passenger seat to a suitable seat position, and a touch-sensitive control interface having thereon a plurality of touch reaction units corresponding to portions of the passenger seat, including. The control interface communicates with the plurality of seat actuators and is positioned proximate to the aircraft passenger seat for use by passengers seated on the passenger seat and at a location selected by a passenger touch. In response, a signal is output to the plurality of seat actuators, thereby adjusting the passenger seat position to the preferred seat position.

  In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for calibrating an actuator operable to adjust an aircraft passenger seat is provided. The method includes adjusting a passenger seat to a first position, recording an output of a first position indication value by the actuator, adjusting the passenger seat to a second position, and a second by the actuator. Recording the output of the position indication value and calculating a range between the first and second position indication values.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the step of dividing the range into a plurality of sub-ranges, each sub-range corresponding to a separate sheet position of the plurality of sheet positions.

  According to another embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes providing a touch responsive control interface having a plurality of touch responsive portions thereon corresponding to the plurality of separate sheet positions, An actuator is configured to output a signal to the seat actuator in response to a touch selection position, thereby adjusting the position of the aircraft seat to a selected one of the plurality of separate seat positions. ing.

  Objects considered as inventions are best understood with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

1 is a perspective view of a seat control interface according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat control interface of FIG. 1. The side view of the sheet | seat control interface of FIG. The front view of the sheet | seat control interface of FIG. The top view of the sheet | seat control interface of FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the seat control interface of FIG. 1 providing an exemplary display. Schematic of seat control interface and seat in taxi take-off and landing configuration. Schematic of the seat control interface and seat at the bottom 30 degrees of taxi takeoff and landing form. Schematic of seat control interface and seat at 50 degrees below taxi take-off and landing configuration. Schematic of seat control interface and seat in a complete reclining configuration. Schematic of a flowchart showing calibration and operation of the seat control interface. The schematic of the flowchart which shows the calibration and operation | movement of a sheet | seat part.

  The same number shows the same element in several drawings. Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a control interface 100 in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a passenger seat 10 for use in a vehicle such as an aircraft includes a seat frame 12 fixedly mounted on the floor of the vehicle, a seat back (back portion) 14 attached to the frame 12, and A passenger support portion including a seat bottom (seat portion) 16, a pair of armrests 18 and 20 located in the vicinity of the side portion of the seat bottom 16, and a legrest 22 are included. In FIG. 1, the seat 10 is shown in the form of a taxi (ground driving), takeoff and landing (TTL), the seat back 14 is disposed in the most upright position, and the seat bottom 16 is located in the rearmost position with respect to the seat back 14. And the legrest 22 is disposed at the lowest position. When the seat 10 is adjusted to the reclining configuration range, the seat back 14 reclines, the seat bottom 16 moves forward, and the legrest 22 is in a horizontal position to accommodate the reclining passenger's raised legs. Lift up.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the control interface 100 includes a housing 104 for mounting a touch screen on the surface of the in-flight environment, such as the armrest 20 of the passenger seat 10. In at least one embodiment, the side dimensions of the control interface 100 are about 3.75 inches on the short side 103 and about 5.5 inches on the long side 105 (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the housing 104 includes a beveled edge 106 that minimizes impact on clothing and luggage and provides a streamlined appearance. In the illustrated embodiment, the control interface 100 is mounted in a low-profile configuration, for example, the top surface of the control interface 100 is raised less than 3/4 inch from the host surface. Thus, the control interface 100 can be mounted on a host surface where limited space is available or where a sophisticated and non-congested environment is required for passenger comfort. Although one control interface 100 is shown attached to arm 20, multiple interfaces may be attached to one or both arms 18, 20, and other surfaces according to other examples within the scope of the disclosure. Can be attached.

  The control interface 100 in the illustrated embodiment is a touch screen passenger control unit (TSPCU) that allows the passenger to control the motorized adjustment of a particular seat area when adjustment is required. The control interface 100 includes a touch screen 102 that displays images to guide passengers in facilitating selection and adjustment. As shown in FIG. 6, the touch screen 102 represents a display sheet image 200 having components corresponding to physical (real) sheet 10 adjustment sites. The image components corresponding to the adjustable parts of the physical sheet 10 can be displayed in highlights or specific colors to indicate to the user that adjustments are available by using the touch screen 102. .

  Various examples of methods for receiving touch commands from the user and associating these commands with adjustments to the location of the sheet 10 are within the scope of this disclosure. In one example, touching any one part of the sheet image 200 prompts motorized adjustment of the corresponding physical sheet element. Specifically, in this example, touching the legrest image 222 indicates the selection of the physical legrest 22 for adjustment, and correspondingly by sliding the finger along the touch screen 102. The physical legrest 22 is adjusted by motorized movement. The legrest image 222 on the touch screen 102 is updated across the screen to display the physical position of the legrest 22 as adjustments occur. By touching the seat back image 214, the seat bottom image 216, and the headrest image 224, the corresponding physical seat portion can be similarly adjusted. With each adjustment of each part of the physical sheet 10, the sheet image 200 is updated to reflect the current physical sheet form.

  The control interface 100 can be programmed to display an additional control layer when selected by touching or tapping (tapping) a portion of the sheet image 200. In other words, when a part of the sheet image is selected, a dedicated screen for a selectable part that can be enlarged is displayed and an additional adjustment function can be used.

  In another example of a method for receiving touch commands from a user and associating these commands with adjustments to the parts of the sheet 10, the physical sheet parts are moved together in a coordinated adjustment. In this example, the user simply touches the seat back image 214 with the fingertip, and slides the fingertip along the touch screen 102 to a desired position, so that the TTL configuration is changed to the reclining configuration. The overall form can be adjusted. When the physical seat back 14 is adjusted by electric movement to a desired position, the seat bottom 16 and the leg rest 22 are moved in conjunction with the seat back 14. When the finger touches the seat back image 214 and slides to a fully reclined position on the touch screen 102, the seat 10 is adjusted to a fully reclined configuration. That is, the seat back 14 is completely reclined, the seat bottom 15 is moved to its foremost position, and the legrest 22 is completely lifted. As the physical sheet 10 is adjusted, the sheet image 200 is updated to reflect the current physical sheet 10 configuration.

  In yet another example of a method for receiving touch commands from a user and associating these commands with adjustments to a portion of the sheet 10, the control interface 100 provides additional control when touching or tapping a portion of the sheet image 200. Programmed to display layers. When such a part of the sheet image 200 is selected, a dedicated screen or menu relating to the selected part is displayed, and an additional adjustment function can be used. Thus, one of many methods within the scope of the disclosure allows the passenger to adjust the seat 10 to the desired form.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the touch screen 102 displays an image representing a preset button for additional convenience to the user. Touching preset button 226, which is visually represented as an upright sheet, prompts the physical sheet to take the TTL form. The touch of the preset button 228, which is visually represented as a partially reclining seat, encourages the physical seat 10 to take a partially reclining configuration that can be adjusted according to passenger preferences. It is. The use of the preset button 228 gives the passenger the opportunity to preset the specific position of the physical seat area to be reached. The touch of the preset button 229, visually represented as a partially reclining seat, encourages the physical seat 10 to take a partially reclining configuration that can be adjusted according to passenger preferences. It is. The use of the preset button 229 gives the passenger the opportunity to preset the specific position of the physical seat part to be reached. The touch of the preset button 230 prompts the physical sheet to take the most reclined form, such as a flat or bed-like form. As the physical sheet 10 is adjusted, the sheet image 200 is updated to reflect the current physical sheet form.

  In the example of FIG. 6, a massage function is also available for passengers. The touch of the preset button 232 promotes a massage function that moves like a wave, and a bladder (air bag) at the rear of the physical seat expands and contracts to massage the passenger's back. The preset button 234 promotes a vibration massage function. For example, a physical sheet vibrates by rotation of an electric motor coupled to a non-equilibrium weight.

  In accordance with the present invention, the control interface 100 is configured according to a calibration method that displays the passenger seat configuration through the control interface and ensures accurate seat adjustment and seat position display by the control interface. With respect to displaying the passenger seat configuration, the seat image 200 is updated in stages as the physical seat 10 is adjusted. This avoids the need for complex modeling and computing with the control interface 10. For a given adjustable seat area, the entire range of physical movement is divided into a plurality of sub-ranges, and all physical positions within a particular sub-range are visually represented by a single display image.

  In one example, the seat back 14 can be adjusted from 80 degrees above the horizontal position at its TTL position to 0 degrees (horizontal position) at the full reclining position. In this example, the 80 degree movement range of the seat back 14 is divided into four ranges of 20 degrees so that the seat back image 214 appears as one of the four corresponding images when the seat back 14 is adjusted. Updated. When the seat back 14 takes an arbitrary position between 60 degrees and 80 degrees, the seat back image is represented by a TTL position of 80 degrees. When the seat back 14 takes an arbitrary position between 40 degrees and 60 degrees from the horizontal position, the seat back image 214 is represented by reclining about 50 degrees from the horizontal position. Similarly, when the seat back 14 takes an arbitrary position between 20 and 40 degrees from the horizontal position, the seat back image 214 is represented by reclining about 30 degrees from the horizontal position. When the seat back 14 takes an arbitrary position between 0 degrees and 20 degrees from the horizontal position, the seat back image 214 is basically represented as flat. In this example, the movement range of the seat bottom 16 and the leg rest 22 is similarly divided into four sub-ranges, and the corresponding seat bottom image 216 and the leg rest image 222 are one of four positions on the touch screen 102. Each one is represented.

  In calibrating the control interface 100 to accurately regulate the adjustment of the sheet 10 and display the sheet on the touch screen 102, the present invention relates to associating an actuator data report with an image position on the touch screen 102. Provide a method. The physical sheet 10 is adjusted by the force applied by one or more actuators. In one example, all adjustable portions of the seat 10 are interconnects that adjust the seat to a fully reclined position from the TTL position and return to the TTL position when needed under the force of one actuator or motor. It moves according to the connected part. In another example, each adjustable portion of the seat 10 moves under the force of a dedicated actuator. The following description of the calibration method is specifically directed to the latter of the two examples above, but is equally relevant for many types of physical sheets having various numbers of actuators.

  In this example, each adjustable part of the seat 10 moves under the force of a dedicated actuator. In particular, the seat back 14 is adjusted to a fully reclined position from its TTL position by one stroke (process) of extension and retraction by a linear actuator. Adjustment of other parts of the seat, such as legrest 222, is similarly accomplished by other dedicated actuators. These descriptions are specifically directed to calibration of the adjustment of the seat back 14, but of course relate to other parts of the seat and their dedicated actuators.

  A linear actuator that forcibly adjusts the position of the seat back 14 electrically provides a data signal representing the position indication value every 80 to 100 milliseconds (ms). The data signal uniquely conveys a specific position of the linear actuator, thereby conveying a unity number that also represents a specific position of the seat back 14. However, since small variations are expected in all installation operations, differences are likely to occur between the two physical sheets 10 and between the two linear actuators when the control interface 100 is installed. For example, an anonymous number representing the complete stroke range of one linear actuator may have a range of 0-13,000 and an anonymous number of another actuator may have a range of 250-11,000. Thus, the unnamed number conveyed by the data signal of a given linear actuator, with a given calibration going back to the final seat assembly and control interface 100 installation, is difficult to accurately represent the unique physical seat position.

  The control interface 100 is configured to be adaptively calibrated according to at least one embodiment of the invention. The control interface 100 is in electrical communication with a linear actuator that adjusts the position of the seat back 14 and other predetermined linear actuators that adjust other seat positions. The control interface 100 adaptively determines the anonymous upper and lower limits reported by the seatback linear actuator. Whenever the control interface 100 is installed, or whenever a recalibration is performed, the control interface 100 uses the first reported anonymous number as both the lower and upper limits stored in memory or storage. assign.

  And when a user such as a calibration technician or installation technician adjusts the seat back to various positions and the linear actuator reports various anonymous numbers corresponding to the position of the seat, new lower and upper limits are defined. . In this example, the lower anonymous number from the linear actuator corresponds to the reclined position of the seat, and the higher anonymous number corresponds to the more upright position of the seat. Thus, as the seat back decreases toward its reclined position, the actuator gradually reports a lower anonymous number and the stored lower limit gradually decreases. When the seat back 14 reaches the lowest position, the stored lower limit takes the lowest value corresponding to the fully reclined position. Similarly, the stored upper limit value takes the highest value when the seatback 14 reaches its TTL position. Once the lower and upper limits of the control variable are defined to correspond to the fully reclined position and the TTL position of the physical seat back 14, respectively, the control interface 100 is accurate to regulate the adjustment of the seat back 14. Will be calibrated.

  Accurate calibration of the control interface 100 facilitates accurate depiction of the physical sheet 10 with the image sheet 200. For convenient and step-by-step visual (image) depiction, the entire range of physical movement of a given sheet part is divided into a number of sub-ranges, and the lower and upper limit ranges stored by the control interface 100 are Are divided into the same number of subranges. In one example, the linear actuator reports an anonymous number of 100 when the seat back 14 is fully reclined and reports an anonymous number of 12,500 when the seat back 14 reaches its TTL position. The lower limit stored at 100 is defined as 100, the stored upper limit is defined as 12,500, and the range in between is defined as 12,400.

  In the example where the movement range 80 degrees of the seat back 14 is divided into four ranges and the seat back image 214 is updated as one of the four corresponding images, it continues between the stored lower limit and the stored upper limit. Range 12,400 is divided into four subranges for classifying reports coming from linear actuators. Each subrange in this example has an unnamed width of 3100. When the seat back 14 takes any position between the horizontal position and 20 degrees above the horizontal position, the linear actuator reports an anonymous number between 100 and 3200, and the seat back image 214 is essentially flat. expressed. When the seat back 14 takes a position between 20 and 40 degrees above the horizontal position, the linear actuator reports an anonymous number between 3200 and 6300, and the seat back image 214 is shown to recline at about 30 degrees. The When the seat back 14 takes a position between 40 and 60 degrees above the horizontal position, the linear actuator reports an anonymous number between 6300 and 9400, and the seat back image 214 is shown reclining at about 50 degrees. The When the seat back 14 takes a position between 60 and 80 degrees above the horizontal position, the linear actuator reports an unnamed number between 9400 and 12500, and the seat back image 214 is shown to recline at approximately 80 degrees. The

  With the described adaptive calibration configuration, the control interface 100 acts as a linear replaceable unit and can be replaced with another. The newly installed control interface 100 can be calibrated for use with various actuator types. The control interface 100 can be used with various sheet types. Adaptive calibration configuration can be facilitated by software code used over a wide inventory of seat types and actuator configurations within the seat.

  7 to 10 schematically show this process. As shown in FIG. 7, the sheet 10 is in the TTL position. Actuator 120 is operable to adjust the position of seat back 14. The actuator 120 is shown at the bottom of the seat back 14, but may be located at other suitable locations within the seat 10. The actuator 120 may be a dedicated actuator that only controls the seat back 14. Alternatively, a plurality of parts of the sheet 10 may be controlled. As shown in FIG. 7, the actuator 120 reports an anonymous number 132 corresponding to the TTL form to the control interface 100. A display seat back image 214 is then displayed on the control interface 100 to represent the sheet at the TTL position. As shown in FIG. 8, the seat 10 is represented by reclining 30 degrees from the TTL. Actuator 120 reports an anonymous number 134 corresponding to this position. A display seat back image 214 is displayed on the control interface 100 and represents a seat reclined 30 degrees from the TTL position. As shown in FIG. 9, the seat 10 is represented by reclining 50 degrees from the TTL. The actuator 120 reports an anonymous number 136 corresponding to this position. A display seat back image 214 is displayed on the control interface 100 and represents a seat reclined 50 degrees from the TTL position. As shown in FIG. 10, the sheet 10 is represented in a form that falls flat. Actuator 120 reports an anonymous number 138 corresponding to this position. A display seat back image 214 is displayed on the control interface 100 and represents a seat at a position lying flat. The anonymous numbers 132 and 138 are used to define a range for the above-described convenient stepwise visual (image) depiction. Using the example provided above, the output of the anonymous number 132 in FIG. 7 is included in a fourth subrange (eg, a range ranging from 9400 to 12,500). The output of the unnamed number 134 in FIG. 8 is included in the third subrange (for example, a range ranging from 6300 to 9400). The output of the anonymous number 136 in FIG. 9 is included in the second subrange (for example, a range extending from 3200 to 6300). Finally, the output of the anonymous number 138 in FIG. 10 is included in the first subrange (eg, a range ranging from 100 to 3200).

  The control interface 100 can be used to adjust the passenger seat 10 and control other functions as well. For example, media controls such as headphone volume and content selection, temperature control and air conditioning equipment, and communication to cabin crew and other passengers are all controlled and implemented using the control interface 100. The touch screen 102 displays one or more symbols to guide the passengers during selection. For example, menus and submenus can be displayed. Available to passengers to personally select multiple styles of icon and color combinations. When the text is part of the content displayed on the touch screen 102, multiple languages are available for selection.

  A flow chart representing the steps for calibrating and determining separate sheet positions is shown in FIG. The actuator 120 outputs a position display value 130. As described above, 138 is a value related to the TTL position, and 132 is a value related to the fully reclined position. These values 132, 138 are then reported to the control interface 100. Control interface 100 then calculates a range between values 132 and 138. This range is divided into an appropriate number of subranges, represented as four subranges in FIG. 11 and shown as 131, 133, 135, 137. The range 131 includes TTL positions represented as preset buttons 226 on the control interface 100. The range 133 includes a position that is reclined 30 degrees represented as a preset button 228 of the control interface 100. The range 135 includes a position that is reclined by 50 degrees represented as a preset button 229 of the control interface 100. The range 137 includes a flat lying position represented as a preset button 230 on the control interface 100. When the passenger taps one of the preset buttons 226, 228, 229, 230, the control interface 100 outputs a signal to the actuator 120 to move the passenger seat 10 to the selected separate seat position.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the individual position adjustment process of the sheet 10. As shown in FIG. 12, the touch (contact) reaction part of the passenger seat 10 is represented as the seat back 214, the seat bottom 216, the leg rest 222, and the headrest 224 described above. Each touch reaction unit can be adjusted to adjust the corresponding physical sheet site. In this manner, the control interface 100 is in communication with each touch reaction unit 214, 216, 222, and 224. Each touch reaction unit 214, 216, 222, and 224 is in communication with the actuator 120 independently, or they all share one actuator 120. The actuator 120 outputs a signal to the control interface sheet image 200 that is updated to reflect the physical position of the physical sheet portion 14, 16, 22 or 24.

  The symbols and functions available through the control interface 100 can be reassigned through device reprogramming. Reprogramming is performed over the air or wired in an environment where there are multiple passenger seats, or on a per seat basis.

  While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for carrying out the invention is provided for purposes of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims (8)

(A) a plurality of seat actuators operable to adjust the passenger seat to one selected from a plurality of distinct seat positions;
(B) a touch-sensitive control interface having a plurality of touch reaction units corresponding to the plurality of separate sheet positions thereon,
(C) the control interface is in communication with the plurality of seat actuators and is positioned in proximity to the aircraft passenger seat for use by a passenger seated on the passenger seat, at a touch selected position by the passenger; In response, a signal is output to the plurality of seat actuators, thereby configured to adjust the position of the aircraft passenger seat to a selected one of the plurality of separate seat positions ;
Each seat actuator of the plurality of seat actuators outputs a position display value to a control interface corresponding to the position of the passenger seat, and the control interface calculates a range of the position display value of each actuator. The aircraft passenger seat position control device , wherein the position display value range is divided into a plurality of different sub-ranges, each sub-range corresponding to one of the separate seat positions .   The aircraft passenger seat position control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control interface includes a display screen that displays a display image selected from the plurality of separate seat positions. When the actuator outputs a position display value within a sub-range of the plurality of different sub-ranges, the display screen displays one of the display images selected from the plurality of separate sheet positions corresponding to the sub-range. The aircraft passenger seat position control device according to claim 2 , wherein: The passenger seat includes a backrest portion, a legrest portion, and an armrest portion, and at least one of the plurality of actuators adjusts the positions of the backrest portion, the legrest portion, and the armrest portion. The aircraft passenger seat position control device according to claim 3 .   The aircraft passenger seat position control device according to claim 1, wherein the touch-sensitive control interface further includes a plurality of touch-responsive symbols corresponding to passenger convenience functions. 6. The aircraft passenger seat position control device according to claim 5 , wherein the passenger convenience function is selected from the group consisting of media control, temperature control, communication control, or a combination thereof. A method for calibrating an aircraft passenger seat position control device according to claim 1 , comprising:
(A) adjusting the passenger seat to the first position;
(B) recording the output of the first position display value by the actuator;
(C) adjusting the passenger seat to a second position;
(D) recording the output of the second position display value by the actuator;
(E) calculating a range between the first and second position indication values;
(F) dividing the range into a plurality of subranges, each of the subranges corresponding to a separate sheet position of the plurality of sheet positions;
A method comprising the steps of: Providing a touch-responsive control interface having a plurality of touch responsive portions corresponding to the plurality of distinct sheet positions thereon, the sheet actuator responsive to a touch selection position. The method of claim 7 , wherein the method is configured to adjust the position of the aircraft seat to a selected one of the plurality of distinct seat positions. .

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