Abstract: An aircraft is provided that includes a passenger service unit for a passenger seated in a seat in its cabin. The aircraft includes a camera configured to acquire an image of the passenger, and a control module configured to at least receive the image of the passenger. The control module is configured to receive non-tactile gesture preference data and dominant hand data, and access a non-tactile gesture data store that includes a plurality of images of non-tactile hand signals or non-tactile hand gestures. Based on the foregoing, the control module is configured to generate non-tactile gesture data in accordance with and indicative of a non-tactile hand signal or a non-tactile gesture made by the passenger. And the control module is configured to control one or more cabin systems including in at least one instance the passenger service unit based on the non-tactile gesture data.

Abstract: An aircraft is provided that includes a passenger service unit for a passenger seated in a seat in its cabin. The aircraft includes a camera configured to acquire an image of the passenger, and a control module configured to at least receive the image of the passenger. The control module is configured to receive non-tactile gesture preference data and dominant hand data, and access a non-tactile gesture data store that includes a plurality of images of non-tactile hand signals or non-tactile hand gestures. Based on the foregoing, the control module is configured to generate non-tactile gesture data in accordance with and indicative of a non-tactile hand signal or a non-tactile gesture made by the passenger. And the control module is configured to control one or more cabin systems including in at least one instance the passenger service unit based on the non-tactile gesture data.

Abstract: An aircraft is provided that includes a passenger service unit for a passenger seated in a seat in its cabin. The aircraft includes a camera configured to acquire an image of the passenger, and a control module configured to at least receive the image of the passenger. The control module is configured to receive non-tactile gesture preference data and dominant hand data, and access a non-tactile gesture data store that includes a plurality of images of non-tactile hand signals or non-tactile hand gestures. Based on the foregoing, the control module is configured to generate non-tactile gesture data in accordance with and indicative of a non-tactile hand signal or a non-tactile gesture made by the passenger. And the control module is configured to control one or more cabin systems including in at least one instance the passenger service unit based on the non-tactile gesture data.

Abstract: An aircraft is provided that includes a passenger service unit for a passenger seated in a seat in its cabin. The aircraft includes a camera configured to acquire an image of the passenger, and a control module configured to at least receive the image of the passenger. The control module is configured to receive non-tactile gesture preference data and dominant hand data, and access a non-tactile gesture data store that includes a plurality of images of non-tactile hand signals or non-tactile hand gestures. Based on the foregoing, the control module is configured to generate non-tactile gesture data in accordance with and indicative of a non-tactile hand signal or a non-tactile gesture made by the passenger. And the control module is configured to control one or more cabin systems including in at least one instance the passenger service unit based on the non-tactile gesture data.

Abstract: A system for anticipating the needs of at least one passenger onboard a mobile platform is provided. A passenger seating area for receipt of the passenger includes a seat that has a seat back that moves into a reclined position, a tray table that is operable to be positioned to provide a surface for use by the at least one passenger, and a light source disposed for illumination of at least a portion of the passenger seating area. A camera acquires an image of the passenger, and a gesture control module generates activity data that includes at least one activity that the passenger is performing as recognized in the image of the at least one passenger acquired by the camera. A smart control module moves the seat back, positions the tray table, activates or deactivates the light source and performs combinations thereof based on the activity data.

Abstract: A system for providing information to at least one passenger onboard a mobile platform (such as a train, marine vessel, aircraft or automobile) is provided. The system includes a display device that displays the information. The system also includes a source of user input coupled to the display device that enables the at least one passenger to request the information. The information includes at least galley information. The system further includes a galley control module that generates galley data that includes at least one food service item available onboard the mobile platform, and a graphical user interface module that displays the at least one food service item available onboard the mobile platform to enable the at least one passenger to select at least one of the at least one food service item.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an image of terrain obtained from a position above the terrain. An image of an object is detected in the image of the terrain for an object that is positioned between the terrain and the position above the terrain. The detected image of the object is replaced in the image of the terrain with replacement image data. For example, the replacement image data may be image data for the terrain below the object. The image of the terrain with the replacement image data may be displayed. The method and apparatus may be used to replace images of clouds in images of the surface of the earth below an aircraft with image data for the surface of the earth below the clouds.

Abstract: A system for anticipating the needs of at least one passenger onboard a mobile platform is provided. A passenger seating area for receipt of the passenger includes a seat that has a seat back that moves into a reclined position, a tray table that is operable to be positioned to provide a surface for use by the at least one passenger, and a light source disposed for illumination of at least a portion of the passenger seating area. A camera acquires an image of the passenger, and a gesture control module generates activity data that includes at least one activity that the passenger is performing as recognized in the image of the at least one passenger acquired by the camera. A smart control module moves the seat back, positions the tray table, activates or deactivates the light source and performs combinations thereof based on the activity data.

Abstract: A system for anticipating the needs of at least one passenger onboard a mobile platform (such as a train, marine vessel, aircraft or automobile) is provided. The system includes a passenger seating area for receipt of the passenger. The passenger seating area includes a seat that has a seat back that moves into a reclined position, a tray table that is operable to be positioned to provide a surface for use by the at least one passenger, and a light source disposed for illumination of at least a portion of the passenger seating area. The system includes a camera that acquires an image of the passenger, and a gesture control module that generates activity data that includes at least one activity that the passenger is performing as recognized in the image of the at least one passenger acquired by the camera. The system further includes a smart control module that moves the seat back, positions the tray table, activates or deactivates the light source and performs combinations thereof based on the activity data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an image of terrain obtained from a position above the terrain. An image of an object is detected in the image of the terrain for an object that is positioned between the terrain and the position above the terrain. The detected image of the object is replaced in the image of the terrain with replacement image data. For example, the replacement image data may be image data for the terrain below the object. The image of the terrain with the replacement image data may be displayed. The method and apparatus may be used to replace images of clouds in images of the surface of the earth below an aircraft with image data for the surface of the earth below the clouds.

Abstract: A flight portal apparatus for displaying a virtual view of a surface of the earth below an aircraft. The apparatus comprises a data processing system and a display device, connected to the data processing system, wherein the display device is positioned to generate a display that is substantially horizontal relative to a floor of an aircraft in a manner that simulates a portal in the aircraft. A camera system is connected to the data processing system, wherein the camera system generates video data of the surface of the earth below the aircraft. A user input system is connected to the data processing system.

Abstract: A system for an interior annunciator onboard a mobile platform (such as a train, marine vessel, aircraft or automobile) is provided. The system includes at least one speaker onboard the mobile platform. The system also includes a flight management control module that generates flight management data that indicates at least one status of an operation of the mobile platform. The system further includes an auditory control module that generates nonverbal auditory data based on the at least one status of the operation of the mobile platform. The nonverbal auditory data is broadcast by the at least one speaker to communicate the at least one status of the operation of the mobile platform to at least one passenger onboard the mobile platform.

Abstract: A system for communicating with passengers onboard a mobile platform (such as a train, marine vessel, aircraft or automobile) using at least one structure onboard the mobile platform is provided. The system includes at least one seat for receipt of the at least one passenger. The seat includes a seatbelt that is operable to be fastened to retain the at least one passenger in the seat. The system also includes at least one source of data regarding a status of the mobile platform, and a structure control module that generates communication data for at least the seatbelt based on the status of the mobile platform. The communication data may be operable to communicate to the at least one passenger by the seatbelt that the seatbelt is to be fastened.

Abstract: A system for virtually queuing at least one passenger onboard a mobile platform is provided. The system includes a source of user input that enables the at least one passenger to request to be placed in a virtual line. The system also includes a queuing control module that generates queue data that includes at least one next passenger in the virtual line from a list of the at least one passenger requested to be placed in the virtual line. The system further includes a notification control module that notifies the at least one next passenger that the at least one passenger is next in the virtual line based on an operating condition associated with the mobile platform.

Abstract: A system for alternative communication between at least one passenger onboard a mobile platform (such as a train, marine vessel, aircraft or automobile) and at least one system onboard the mobile platform is provided. The system includes a camera that acquires an image of the at least one passenger, and a camera control module that generates gesture data that includes at least one gesture recognized in the acquired image of the at least one passenger. The system also includes an activation control module that determines a function for the at least one system onboard the mobile platform to perform based on the gesture data. The function is selected from the group comprising: activation of a light, notification of a crew member of the mobile platform, activation of a ventilation fan, activation of a window shade, activation of an entertainment system and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system for displaying at least one virtual future journey to at least one passenger onboard a mobile platform (such as a train, marine vessel, aircraft or automobile) is provided. The system includes a display device that displays the virtual future journey. The system further includes a journey futuring control module that generates the journey data that includes at least one future journey for the passenger. The future journey is selected from the group that includes a journey from the mobile platform to a baggage claim, a journey from the baggage claim to a transportation means, a journey via the transportation means to a destination, and combinations thereof. The system further includes a graphical user interface control module that displays the future journey for the passenger on the display device to enable the passenger to virtually view the future journey.

Abstract: A system for anticipating the needs of at least one passenger onboard a mobile platform (such as a train, marine vessel, aircraft or automobile) is provided. The system includes a passenger seating area for receipt of the passenger. The passenger seating area includes a seat that has a seat back that moves into a reclined position, a tray table that is operable to be positioned to provide a surface for use by the at least one passenger, and a light source disposed for illumination of at least a portion of the passenger seating area. The system includes a camera that acquires an image of the passenger, and a gesture control module that generates activity data that includes at least one activity that the passenger is performing as recognized in the image of the at least one passenger acquired by the camera. The system further includes a smart control module that moves the seat back, positions the tray table, activates or deactivates the light source and performs combinations thereof based on the activity data.

Abstract: A system for an interior annunciator onboard a mobile platform (such as a train, marine vessel, aircraft or automobile) is provided. The system includes at least one speaker onboard the mobile platform. The system also includes a flight management control module that generates flight management data that indicates at least one status of an operation of the mobile platform. The system further includes an auditory control module that generates nonverbal auditory data based on the at least one status of the operation of the mobile platform. The nonverbal auditory data is broadcast by the at least one speaker to communicate the at least one status of the operation of the mobile platform to at least one passenger onboard the mobile platform.

Abstract: A system for providing information to at least one passenger onboard a mobile platform (such as a train, marine vessel, aircraft or automobile) is provided. The system includes a display device that displays the information. The system also includes a source of user input coupled to the display device that enables the at least one passenger to request the information. The information includes at least galley information. The system further includes a galley control module that generates galley data that includes at least one food service item available onboard the mobile platform, and a graphical user interface module that displays the at least one food service item available onboard the mobile platform to enable the at least one passenger to select at least one of the at least one food service item.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for improved schedule keeping for travelers.