WO2002018207A1

WO2002018207A1 - Vehicle seat, especially an airline passenger seat

Info

Publication number: WO2002018207A1
Application number: PCT/EP2000/008358
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans-Dieter Abt; Hartmut SCHÜRG; Thomas Ederle; Daniel HAGENMÜLLER
Original assignee: Recaro Aircraft Seating Gmbh & Co.
Priority date: 2000-08-28
Filing date: 2000-08-28
Publication date: 2002-03-07

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat, especially an airline passenger seat, provided with at least one data transmission device (18) and a combined display and control device (22, 22') in addition to a seat unit (10, 10'). The data transmission unit (18) and display and control unit (22,22') can be used to access, interrogate and manipulate multimedia content, especially via the internet. The seat unit (10, 10') can be integrated as a user terminal in various network topologies.

Description

Vehicle seat, in particular passenger seat

The invention relates to a vehicle seat, in particular an air passenger seat, for which at least one data transmission device and a combined display and control device are provided, and a seat unit.

A vehicle seat is known from the prior art from DE 37 19 105 A1, in which a receiving part of an information system which transmits information about the seat wirelessly represents the data transmission device.

A disadvantage of such a vehicle seat is that the data transmission device can only be used to pass on information that is provided by a so-called “in-flight entertainment system” to a user. The static design of this connection of the seat to an information system means that overall, only a very limited selection of information is available, on which the user can also have no influence. The invention is therefore based on the object of enabling a passenger to access and manipulate an almost unlimited range of information at virtually any point in time during his journey in a simple and cost-effective manner by integrating the seat unit into the networks of various service providers to be able to interact with other participants.

A corresponding object of the invention is achieved by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1 in that, with the data transmission device, together with the display and control device, multimedia content, in particular content accessible via the Internet, can be called up and manipulated and the seating unit as a subscriber unit different network topologies can be integrated.

This provides the advantage that the seat unit becomes part of a larger network, in particular the Internet, and that the passenger can access the wealth of information available there, for example in the so-called WWW (World Wide Web), but at the same time it is also made possible for him otherwise to access data specially reserved for him and to process it and to communicate with other network participants in various ways.

In a preferred embodiment it is provided that the seat unit as the subscriber unit can simultaneously be assigned to different computer and / or service networks. This ensures that the passenger not only exchanges data and information via computer networks, but also via the seat unit or telecommunication devices such as telephones, mobile phones, fax machines or the like that can be assigned to him can communicate with his environment and thus make optimal use of the time available to him on a flight.

In a further preferred embodiment, in the case of a network segment to which the seat unit can be assigned, a central computer unit is provided for establishing the connection and exchanging data within the customer's own network or with other network segments. In modern network topologies, so-called servers are usually provided as central computer units today, which relieve other, smaller participants in a network of the tasks of establishing a connection, negotiating protocols and transmission speeds or maintaining central databases, thus enabling optimal use of resources and also increasing security requirements with regard to confidentiality and data protection, for example in the form of a so-called firewall. In the event that the central computer unit belongs to a network provided in an aircraft, it is also responsible for establishing a connection with terrestrial transmitters and receivers using the corresponding radio transmission protocols.

Another preferred embodiment is one in which each seat unit or a plurality of seat units combined to form a row of seats is assigned its own computer unit for data processing tasks. This ensures that, in such arrangements, those tasks that can be clearly assigned to such seating units, such as the processing of the respective video signal or individual tasks in data processing, are distributed decentrally and in turn do not negatively influence the computing power of the central computer unit. In addition, the data exchange between the central computer unit and the computer unit assigned to the respective seat unit is preferably based on network protocols, which takes into account the increasing standardization of the data exchange between computer units and the introduction or programming of additional proprietary hardware and / or software solutions is almost superfluous. Network protocol-based data exchange between the computer units is particularly preferred, while only an exchange of video and control signals takes place between computer units and seat units. As a result, the proportion of computer hardware to be integrated into the seat unit can be limited to a minimum without, if the computing power is appropriately designed, a loss of comfort, for example with regard to the data processing speed, would be associated. In particular, by reducing the number of components in the seating unit to be integrated into the network, advantages can also be achieved in the administration and maintenance expenses to be expected.

To integrate a seat unit into different network topologies, such a seat unit therefore preferably has at least one network interface.

A vehicle seat is also preferred in which the seat unit has a computer unit with a screen or a touch-sensitive screen unit for user interaction as a display and control device. In this case, the desired integration into the corresponding network can be realized in a particularly space-saving and user-friendly manner, since a computer unit or a touch-sensitive screen, also known as a touch screen, can be accommodated very well in a vehicle seat and can be brought into the corresponding desired position by the passenger. This can then, with appropriate pointing devices or by touching the screen, cause both data exchange actions, such as data transmission, and can also be guided intuitively to the desired destination of its information exchange with the aid of a menu control.

For the connection of optional control devices, for the individual storage of data as well as for direct access and playback of data content, in particular multimedia content, a vehicle seat with a seat unit is preferred which has at least one further connection device as an interface for connecting control devices and / or recording devices. and reproducing devices and / or storage media and / or devices from the field of consumer electronics. This means that the entire range of multimedia content is available to the passenger for immediate or delayed use.

Finally, a vehicle seat is preferred in which both line-based and line-less networks are provided for data transmission within the network segments and / or networks. This enables networks to be set up which, in addition to conventional wired technology, also use high-bandwidth fiber-optic networks, for example, or where wireless technologies such as infrared or radio transmission are used to save many kilometers of cable. Both network components and peripheral devices with computer units can communicate with each other using different technical solutions. A vehicle seat designed in the manner described above thus becomes a modular component of a network and enables its user to participate in information exchange processes practically worldwide via the network connection. This modularity also enables fast, targeted troubleshooting in the system and finding and eliminating a possible error is considerably accelerated and simplified through the use of standard components.

Also provided in such a passenger seat are personal identification devices which, for example, should make it easier for an airline to respond to the personal preferences of its customers, with the corresponding identification both via a reading process of data stored on a storage medium and, for example, by means of direct identification by a customer Camera device in the form of a so-called web cam can be used, which also serves to support video conferences or for personal viewing of the passenger. Since the relevant data can be called up in a personalized manner by the seat unit, it is possible, for example, to provide their preferred seating position or their favorite drink or literature preferred by the traveler. The related comfort features also include, for example, that the passenger as a business traveler has the possibility at any time to access, edit or edit his own data on a remote computer, e.g. his company server, independently of the operating system and using profiles previously set by him match. The passenger can also be reached in his vehicle seat in many different ways, for example via his own telephone number, e-mail, fax and similar data services. In addition to the control via so-called pointing devices such as a keyboard, a mouse or a so-called joystick, a menu control by means of a touch-sensitive screen is also provided, which can lead the passenger to the desired content. Since this menu control is multilangular and intuitive, it can even be used by children as travelers. Next are peripheral devices for connection to the seat unit, a speaker, also as headphones and a voice input device, a camera, a reader for data cards and a storage medium, in the form of a data storage pen, which can be connected to the seat unit via standardized connections. Alternatively, in addition to the services already mentioned, additional offers such as games, radio, television, video, office applications, literature, in-plane service, conference calls inside and outside the plane can be offered to the passenger via the network, and this list could be extended as desired.

Ultimately, the content offered can also be a so-called virtual marketplace offered by the airline, which considerably simplifies offering and selling goods and billing, for example by credit card, for the airline.

The vehicle seat according to the invention is explained in more detail below by way of example using an embodiment in the drawings. They show the principle and not to scale

1 shows a rear view of seat units arranged in a row of seats with connections and additional devices and functions; 2 and 3 schematically the integration of a vehicle seat according to the FigJ in different topologies of networks based on a function plan.

1 shows vehicle seats with seat units 10, 10 'belonging to a common row of seats. are arranged laterally adjacent to one another along two seat units 10, 10 'which can be assigned to the center arm support. In the area of a seat base 14 serving to fasten the seat units to the cabin floor, a hatched housing 16 indicates a receiving device for a data transmission device 18 in the form of a network card or a telephone connection socket and for receiving computer units 20 which can be assigned to seat units or seat units combined into rows of seats. The arrow 22 extending from the housing 16 indicates a physical network strand 24.

While for the seat unit 10, the display and control device 22 in

In the form of a touch-sensitive screen 24 is provided for a user who has taken a seat in a row of seats arranged behind it, a passenger of the seat unit 10 'also operates the display and control device 22' attached to the seat unit 10 'in the form of a notebook 26, which is then also assigned to the seat unit 10 '

Computing unit 20 takes. The corresponding notebook 26 can be pivoted by the user into a comfortable position by the articulation at a multiple articulation point 28 from an accommodation position in a side arm support 30. The touch-sensitive image Screen 24, a so-called touch screen, allows a user to control various functions by touching corresponding menu items on the screen, without the need for additional pointing devices. An optical recording device 32, for example in the form of a so-called web cam, is additionally provided on both display and control devices 22, 22 'of the seat units 10, 10'.

The center arm support 12 arranged between the adjacent seat units 10, 10 'additionally serves to accommodate connection devices 34 which are arranged in a recess 36 and can be covered by a pivotable flap 38. Such connection devices 34 serve to connect any peripheral devices, which in this case are represented by headphones 42 connected to the connection device 34 by means of a cable 40.

2 and 3, the integration of such seat units 10, 10 'as a subscriber unit in different network topologies is shown schematically. 2 shows the supply of a plurality of display and control devices 22, 22 'belonging to seat units 10, 10' with video and control signals indicated by arrows 44 by means of a computer unit 20 provided with a data transmission device 18 by means of the arrow 46 indicated physical network strand with a computer unit 48, of which several are usually able to connect different areas of a network device 50 with different transmission speeds and / or bandwidths (not shown here). These computer units 48 are then further connected to a central computer unit 52 along the network line, again indicated by an arrow 46. prevented. The latter is able to perform all the tasks of central computer units 52, which are generally referred to as servers, that is to say to respond directly to inquiries with appropriate data retention and also to forward them to another network segment or network 54, in particular the Internet, where the corresponding one Data exchange queries from other central computer units can in turn be answered directly or forwarded to computer units 56. These computer units 56 can in turn be part of networks / network segments, for example the network of the airline, that of the employer, the passenger or a third-party service provider. Furthermore, the central computer unit 52 enables the exchange of relevant information relating to the flight currently taking place, for example by communication with a flight data storage device 58.

In contrast to the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, the installation of a separate computer unit 20 for each seat unit 10, 10 ′ is dispensed with in FIG. 3, so that the computer unit 48 is equipped in such a way that it is able to respond to data exchange requests To answer a large number of subscriber units at the same time, but then only has to exchange the processed video and control signal, indicated by the arrows 44, with the display and control devices 22 assigned to the seat units 10, 10 '. For this purpose, only data transmission devices 18 without their own computer unit 20 are then to be provided on each seat unit as a subscriber unit.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Vehicle seat, in particular passenger seat, for which at least one data transmission device (18) and a combined display and control device (22, 22 ') are provided, and with a seat unit

(10, 10 '), characterized in that, with the data transmission device (18) together with the display and control device (22, 22'), multimedia content, in particular content accessible via the Internet, can be called up and manipulated, and the seat unit (10 , 10 ') can be integrated as a subscriber unit in various network topologies.

2. Vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in that the seat unit (10, 10 ') as the subscriber unit can simultaneously be assigned to different computer and / or teleservice networks.

3. Vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that within a network segment (50) to which the seat unit (10, 10 ') can be assigned, at least one central computer unit (52) for establishing a connection and data exchange within the own or with each other Network segments is provided.

4. Vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each seat unit (10, 10 ') or several seat units (10, 10') combined to form a row of seats can be assigned its own computer unit (20) for data processing tasks ,

5. Vehicle seat according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the data exchange between the central computer unit (52) and the computer unit (20) assigned to the respective seat unit (10, 10 ') are based exclusively on network protocols.

6. Vehicle seat according to claim 3 to 5, characterized in that the data exchange between the central computer unit (52) and other computer units (20, 48) is network protocol-based, while between these computer units and the display and control devices (12) of the seat unit (10 , 10 ') there is an exchange of video and control signals.

7. Vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the seat unit (10,10 ') as a data transmission device (18) has at least one network interface.

8. Vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the seat unit (10, 10 ') for user interaction as a display and control device (22) is a computer unit with a screen, in particular a notebook (26), or a touch-sensitive screen - Unit (24.32) has.

9. Vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the seat unit (10, 10 ') at least one further connection device (34) as an interface for connecting control devices and / or recording and playback devices and / or storage media and / or

Devices from the field of consumer electronics.

10. Vehicle seat according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that for data transmission within the network segments (50) and / or the networks (54) both line-based and additionally or alternatively line-free networks are provided.