Panasonic Avionics Corporation

Andrew Barnes

David Diaz

Yichao Jiang

Steven Christopher Vazquez

Yoshimi Yamamoto

Rudy Concepcion, Jr

Mark Allen Setele

Sunil Solanki

This patent document describes techniques are related to an apparatus for an electronics box for an in-flight entertainment system. The electronics box comprises: a first module including a first group of electronic components for the in-flight entertainment system and having a housing accommodating a first board on which the first group of electronic components are disposed; and a second module detachably placed over the first module and having a second board on which a second group of electronic components for the in-flight entertainment system are disposed, the second board covered by a frame that forms a sealed enclosure with the housing, and wherein the first group of electronic components and the second group of electronic components are configured to provide power or data to at least one of the in-flight entertainment system that is located in a commercial passenger vehicle.

Electronics box for in-flight entertainment system

A data storage system for providing entertainment content to terminal devices in a passenger vehicle is provided to comprise: a first group of terminal devices configured to operate as storage nodes of a storage cluster configured to provide the entertainment content to media playback devices disposed in the passenger vehicle, the entertainment content including one or more entertainment programs and the storage nodes configured to store blocks of the one or more entertainment programs; a second group of terminal devices configured to operate as monitor nodes in the storage cluster, the monitor nodes configured to monitor status of the storage nodes; and a host in communication with the first group and the second group of the terminal devices via an in-vehicle network and configured to store metadata for the storage cluster and facilitate delivery of the entertainment content from the first group of terminal devices to the media playback devices.

Distributed data storage for in-vehicle entertainment system

Methods and systems are provided for a transportation vehicle. One method includes detecting, by a first system on chip ('SOC') of a seat box on a transportation vehicle that a first seat device is operational and usage of a second SOC of the seat box by a second seat device is below a first threshold level, the first SOC operationally coupled to the second SOC by a peripheral link, the seat box providing a network connection to the first seat device and the second device; allocating resources of the first SOC and the second SOC to the first seat device; and modifying usage of the second SOC by the first seat device, in response to a change in resource usage of the second SOC.

System on chip (SOC) for seat boxes on a transportation vehicle and associated methods thereof

In-vehicle entertainment (IVE) systems can have a centralized architecture to improve heat dissipation characteristics and weight and/or size of the IVE systems. A centralized system for providing in-vehicle entertainment to passengers on a commercial passenger vehicle includes a printed circuit board (PCB) in a housing locatable in a structure in the commercial passenger vehicle and a plurality of display panels and microcontrollers located in a rear portion of the structure. Each microcontroller is communicably connected to one display panel and the PCB. The PCB includes a processor configured to decode audio and/or video content and to operate a plurality of virtual machines that correspond to and perform operations such as playback functionality related to the plurality of display panels.

Centralized architecture for in-vehicle entertainment systems

A docking cradle for a handheld computing device, such as a handheld controller, remote control, tablet computer, smartphone or other electronic device. The docking cradle is configured to be mountable to a horizontal mounting surface (e.g., a table or other horizontal surface), or a vertical mounting surface (e.g., a seatback or wall), while in either mounting orientation, the docking cradle holds the computing device in substantially the same orientation for convenient use and access by a user.

Docking cradle for a handheld computing device having multiple mounting orientations

The present disclosure relates to a docking cradle assembly for holding a computing device as disclosed herein. The docking cradle assembly comprises a cradle housing; a cover including an opening; and a connector assembly supported by the cover and having a connector positioned within the opening, the connector being rotatable between a first position, a second position substantially perpendicular to the first position, and a subset of positions each between the first and second positions and angularly displaced from the first position, wherein the cover is mountable to a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface angularly displaced from the first mounting surface by rotating the connector to a position suitable for the selected mounting surface in which the connector is inaccessible after the cover is mounted.

Docking cradle for a computing device having multiple mounting orientations

A quick release assembly for use in mounting a display system to a fixture. The system includes an attachment assembly on a back side of the display system that receives pins from a mounting bracket into openings of lock modules that include a latch that holds at least one pin in place. The latch is held in the lock position by spring bias. An actuator wire made of a shape memory alloy contracts when an electrical current is applied. The contraction of the wire overcomes the spring bias to move the latch from the lock position to an unlocked position to allow the display system to be removed from the pin.

Systems and methods for providing quick release of video monitors from an assembly

Methods and systems for a transportation vehicle are provided. A seat device of the vehicle includes a processor executing instructions out of a memory and a display device for displaying content of a media file of an entertainment system. The display device includes a first segment to display content of the media file, and a second segment with a capacitive layer. The second layer includes an auxiliary control segment with input icons to control media file presentation without displaying any control icons within the first segment while the content is being played, and/or an auxiliary display segment separate from the first segment to display messages without interrupting media file presentation.

Display device with an auxiliary segment for a seat device of a transportation vehicle and associated methods thereof

A density-optimized short-range wireless communications antenna system has a first radiating element, a second radiating element, and a radio frequency transmitter that generates a radio frequency signal. A power divider has an input port connected to the radio frequency transmitter, a first output port, and a second output port connected to the second radiating element, and a signal power of the radio frequency signal is split between the first output port the second output port. A phase shifter is connected to the first output port of the power divider and to the first radiating element, with a phase of the first split radio frequency signal being shifted by a prescribed degree relative to the second split radio frequency signal.

Density optimized bluetooth antenna

A quick-release mounting apparatus for mounting a panel instrument to a mounting surface or support. The mounting apparatus comprises a frame to be mounted to the mounting support. A slide bar is slidably mounted to the frame and is slidable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The slide bar has a mounting hole configured to receive a mounting pin projecting from the back surface of the panel instrument. The mounting hole locks the mounting pin within the mounting hole in the locked position and allows the mounting pin to be removed from the mounting hole in the unlocked position. A cam is rotatably mounted to the frame and couples the slide bar to an actuator configured to rotate the cam between a locking position and an unlocking position. The actuator has a biasing device which biases the cam toward the locking position.

Growing community of inventors

Mission Viejo, CA, United States of America

Andrew Barnes