Sony Corporation

Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Sony Trans Com Inc.

Other

Sony Electronics Inc

Robert V Troxel

Loi Quang Ninh

Gregory K Henrikson

Steven C Atkins

Jeffrey B Whitney

Marc Booth

Kaz Takata

Bruce M Wakai

Karen Louise Evensen

Toshiharu Fukui

Jay Edward Cardon

Dale L Nicponski

Embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein are directed to systems and methods of providing in-flight entertainment related content. A content server may upload first content to in-seat client terminals for local storage and subsequent playback. The content server may upload second content to overhead client terminals for local storage and subsequent playback. Each client terminal may synchronize to a defined reference point for initiating playback of the first content and of the second content. Each client terminal may operate independently of each other and the content server subsequent to initiation of the playback. Subsequent to the initiation of the playback and in response to a system disruption to the playback at a client terminal, the client terminal may resume the playback of the corresponding content at the client terminal at a point at which the disruption occurred. The resumption may be independent of the playback in other client terminals.

In-flight entertainment systems and methods

An aircraft gateway processing system for wirelessly transferring data between an aircraft and a ground server. The aircraft gateway processing system includes an aircraft gateway processor unit that includes a protocol data processing unit; and, a store and forward unit operably connected to the protocol data processing unit. An auxiliary battery power unit is operably connected to the aircraft gateway processor unit and configured to provide self-powered operation of the aircraft gateway processing system in the event of a loss of aircraft power during communications or initiation of communication when aircraft power is not available. At least one wireless communication interface is operably connected to the aircraft gateway processor unit for connection to the internet and ultimately to a ground server connected to the internet. At least one network data interface is operably connected to the aircraft gateway processor unit and operably connectable to another aircraft unit.

Wireless aircraft gateway with auxiliary battery power

A quad cable includes four conductors arranged as two differential pairs for carrying the differential signals TPA and TPB. Preferably, the quad cable is used to transmit data signals between devices within an IEEE 1394 network. The two differential conductor pairs are included, with filler material, within a braided inner shield. A shield separator is formed outside of the braided inner shield. A braided outer shield is formed outside of the shield separator. The shield separator provides electrical isolation between the inner and outer shields. A cable jacket is formed outside of the braided outer shield to encase the cable. Each end of the cable includes a cable connector having a plurality of pins for coupling to a receiving connector. The four conductors and the inner shield are each coupled to a respective pin within each cable connector. When coupled to a receiving connector, the outer shield is coupled to a housing of the connector. Within unit electronics at the port housing the receiving connector, a capacitor is preferably coupled between the inner shield and the outer shield. Preferably, the quad cable has a length of 4.5 meters and includes 24 gauge wire for the conductors. Longer, alternate embodiments of the cable incorporate heavier gauge wire for the conductors. Preferably, DC power conductors are not included within the quad cable, but are provided within a separate cable or by each active local device. Alternatively, the DC power conductors are included beside the quad cable within an overall cable jacket.

Quad cable construction for IEEE 1394 data transmission

A passenger entertainment system of an aircraft utilized to distribute audio and/or video in a digital format throughout a vehicle. The passenger entertainment system includes an Asynchronous Transfer Mode ('ATM') network interconnected to a high speed, serial distribution network propagating information in a predetermined format. Collectively, these digital networks support the broadcast of audio and/or video in real-time as well as actual 'video on demand' services.

System and method for distributing information throughout an aircraft

An in-flight passenger entertainment system has a first digital network for communication among components of a headend system including a data server, media controller, one or more media servers, system interface unit, system manager unit and attendant control panel. The in-flight entertainment system is coupled to an aircraft's existing systems through the system interface unit and the system manager unit. The components of the headend system are all coupled to a network switch for routing data within the first network. The network switch is also coupled to one or more zone bridge units, each of which is coupled to multiple seat electronics units. The zone bridge units and the seat electronics units together form a second digital network. The first digital network is preferably an ATM network with fibre optic cables used to carry the data. The second digital network is preferably an IEEE 1394 serial bus network. The zone bridge units control all communications between the networks, converting all communications into the format required by the respective network. A first audio path for transmitting audio content from the headend system is routed to predetermined seat entertainment units through the network switch and the zone bridge units. A second audio path for transmitting audio from the system interface unit is routed to the seat entertainment units through the zone bridge units.

Combined digital audio/video on demand and broadcast distribution system

An IEEE 1394 cable includes two individually shielded twisted data pairs of wires, carrying differential signals TPA and TPB, and two power conductors, carrying power signals VP and VG. The two twisted data pairs of wires are each individually shielded by a braided shield. The cable also includes an overall braided shield and a no smoke, no halogen, flame retardant jacket. Preferably, the cable has a length of 4.5 meters and includes 26 gauge wire for the two twisted data pairs. Longer, alternate embodiments of the cable incorporate heavier gauge wire for the two twisted data pairs. Preferably, the gauge wire used for the two power conductors is constant for the different lengths of cable. An active disconnect is used to provide an active repeater between IEEE 1394 cables. The active disconnect provides ports, into which cables are connected, and a physical connection including electronics necessary to form an active node on the IEEE 1394 serial bus. The active disconnect receives signals from one port and resynchronizes, encodes and transmits those signals out of the other ports. The active disconnect draws power from the power conductors of the IEEE 1394 cables which are coupled to it.

Growing community of inventors

Brea, CA, United States of America

Robert V Troxel