Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus to control muting a video output. A tone detector detects a first tone in a control tone signal generated by a video player during playing a video program from a master medium. The control tone signal is recorded on the master medium. The video player provides a video signal corresponding to the video program. A mute controller mutes a video output representing the video signal when the first tone is detected. The video output is recorded on a duplication medium in a video recorder.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method to update information including code and data in a non-volatile memory reliably and efficiently to avoid loss of information during the loading process and to minimize aircraft service downtime in an In-Flight Entertainment System (IFES). The non-volatile memory is partitioned into two sections: one section contains the currently valid information and the other is available for loading the new information. A section pointer is used to keep track of the currently valid section and to select the loading section. The new information is loaded to the selected loading section. A validation procedure is performed to determine if the loading is successful. When the loading of the new information is successfully completed, the section pointer is updated to point to the newly loaded section.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment control system having back-channel capabilities to provide an interactive feature for capturing, collecting, and storing passenger response data. In one embodiment, the system includes a system control unit for controlling the devices in the system. The system also includes a back-channel server unit that provides the interactive content to the passengers over the system, capturing and collecting passenger response data via the back-channel. The interactive feature includes display units located throughout a cabin of a vehicle for displaying questions, and a control unit at the passengers' seats. The questions displayed on the display units and the passenger response data are synchronized, and the passenger response data is collected by the server unit. The back-channel is a bi-directional bus that allows passengers to provide passenger response data using the control unit. The back-channel also allows passengers to select and control audio channels and adjust the volume.

Abstract: A system for testing a bus is described. The system utilizes a tester which includes decompression circuitry to decompress digitized ADPCM signals transferred over a bus, data in the decompressed ADPCM signal is used to determine whether data losses or transmission errors are occurring on the bus. When such errors occur, the tester transmits a warning signal.

Abstract: A system for assigning unique addresses to a series of electronic units in an in-flight entertainment system. The electronic units are connected via an interconnect bus and a keyline wire. During initialization of the system, each electronic unit is enabled via the keyline. After an electronic unit is enabled, the interconnect bus transfers a unique address to the electronic unit and instructs it to ignore future address write signals. This procedure is repeated for each electronic unit in the series of electronic units. The procedure terminates when the last electronic unit requiring an address has been assigned an address.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing interference on a display screen in an in-flight entertainment system, where the interference results from power conversion by a power regulator that supplies voltage to the display screen, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a clock generator that provides a video clock signal and a regulator clock signal having a frequency that is a multiple of a frequency of the video clock signal. The apparatus also comprises a video processing circuit coupled to the clock generator that provides video data to the display screen at a rate derived from the video clock signal. A regulator circuit that is coupled to the video processing circuit and to the clock generator, supplies voltage to the video processing circuit at a rate based on the regulator clock signal.

Abstract: A computer based test operating system (CBTOS) which reduces the overall software development costs by minimizing the time required to generate computer based test procedures. The CBTOS has various features including a test procedure and a graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI allows non-software developers to create inter-edit test procedures for a variety of units under test (UUTs). Further, the GUI allows the definition of supporting test devices required to test a UUT as well as allowing the definition and protocols for specific UUT communications interfaces. The four main components of the CBTOS are a tolerance manager (TM), a test procedure editor (TPE), a device data manager (DDM) and a instrument interface module (IIM).

Abstract: An automatic configuration system maps a device address of each node coupled to a bus structure to a network protocol address corresponding to the physical location of the node. A configuration database is built which includes the network protocol address of each node and its corresponding device address. A wiring database, including each device position within the network, is maintained within a network server. Preferably, the network is an IEEE 1394 serial bus network. A topology map, including the device addresses of the nodes within the network and their relationship to each other, is generated during a self-ID sequence and is maintained by the network server. This information is then compared to the wiring database by the network server in order to build a restored topology map including the corresponding device address for each device at each position. A DHCP database is then generated which includes each device address and its corresponding network protocol address.

Abstract: A remotely-controlled cable equalization system includes a control unit containing a non-volatile memory, a plurality of remote video display devices, each of which includes an adjustable cable equalization circuit, and an interface for connecting the control unit to each of the plurality of remote video display devices. Each of the plurality of remote video display devices includes a receiver for receiving a 12-bit digital code, from the control unit, through the interface. A 12-bit register is connected to the receiver and a 12-bit digital-to-analog converter is then connected to the 12-bit register, for receiving a 12-bit digital code from the 12-bit register and for converting the digital signal to an analog signal.

Abstract: A seat electronics unit ("SEU") designed for quick and easy replacement. The SEU includes a line-replaceable SEU providing control over telephony and in-flight entertainment associated with a group of passenger seats, and a receiver adapted to receive the line-replaceable SEU. The receiver is attached to one of the group of passenger seats and operates as an interface between the line-replaceable SEU and a plurality of communication cables propagating the telephony and in-flight entertainment. The receiver is configured to allow the line-replaceable seat electronics unit to be removed without removal of the communication cables.

Abstract: A user-interface system adapted to navigate through a plurality of menus is disclosed. The system comprises a display system comprising a display having a category area on a first portion of the display, the category area displaying a plurality of categories, including a currently displayed category. Each of the plurality of categories has a plurality of items. The display also has a marquee area on a second portion of the display, which displays items of the currently displayed category. The system further comprises a scrolling mechanism for scrolling through items of each category of the plurality of categories. The marquee area is updated by the scrolling mechanism to display the corresponding items in each category. The scrolling mechanism also indicates a position of a currently displayed item of a currently displayed category by updating the category area. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus of providing EMI filtering through the implementation of a voltage sense circuit that is used in conjunction with a power correction circuit in an electromagnetic (EMI) filter system. The apparatus comprises a filter that receives an alternating current signal, where the filter has an input terminal and an output terminal. The apparatus also comprises a power correction circuit having a voltage reference input terminal and an output terminal. A voltage sense circuit having an input terminal is coupled to the input terminal of the filter. The voltage sense circuit has an output terminal that is coupled to the voltage input terminal.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing power control in an in-flight entertainment system is disclosed. The power control circuit comprises a first power supply that supplies a first voltage and a second power supply that supplies a second voltage. The circuit further comprises a detector circuit having an input terminal is coupled to the first power supply, and an output terminal that is coupled to the second power supply. The detector circuit generates a first signal upon detection of a valid first voltage level. A control circuit is coupled to the first power supply and the output terminal of the detector circuit. The control circuit is enabled upon receipt of the first signal.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Implemented on a vehicle, a communication system used to notify a passenger of an incoming telephone call. The communication system includes a telephony system assigned to one or more passenger(s) of the vehicle. The telephony system includes a passenger control unit ("PCU") and a passenger control handset ("PCH") coupled to the PCH, both having processing capability. Either of these units may process telephone information transferred to the telephony system, and in response of detecting a telephone call command, perform a call notification scheme to indicate to the passenger(s) that an incoming telephone call has arrived.

Abstract: A communication interface circuit in an aircraft entertainment system uses a single Universal Asynchronous Receiver and Transmitter (UART) for sending and receiving data to and from a number of devices. The UART is coupled to a number of transceivers each having a transmitter buffer and a receiver buffer. A circuit is used to enable and disable the receiver buffers. A masking element is coupled between the receiver buffers and the UART to mask off the data from the disabled receiver buffers allow only the data from the enabled receiver buffer to go to the UART. With this communication interface circuit, the amount of hardware is significantly reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extending the supply of reserved power during an interruption to power supplied by a primary power supply in an in-flight entertainment system is disclosed. The apparatus has a power supply that provides a first supply voltage and a capacitor coupled to the power supply that stores a second supply voltage. The apparatus further has a detector circuit that generates a first signal upon detection of an interruption in the first supply voltage. A control circuit coupled to the detector circuit, the capacitor and the power supply, generates a second signal in response to the first signal. A processing circuit coupled to the power supply, the capacitor and the control circuit, disables its operation in response to the second signal. The capacitor provides the second supply voltage to the control circuit in response to the interruption.

Abstract: A system for detecting whether a bus used to connect units in an in-flight entertainment system is properly terminated. A detection circuit generates a bus termination signal when a terminating cap properly terminates the bus. Prior to installation of the terminating cap, a bus coupling contact of the detection circuit is maintained in a logic high or asserted state. A detection loop in the terminating cap grounds or deasserts the bus coupling contact when the terminating cap is properly installed. A microcontroller determines whether the bus coupling contact is grounded and signals a managing unit of the condition. The managing unit may display an appropriate error message to notify service personnel of the improper termination.