Abstract: A vehicle includes an interior cabin, and a stowage bin control system. The stowage bin control system includes a plurality of stowage bin assemblies within the interior cabin. The plurality of stowage bin assemblies are configured to be selectively moved between an open position and a closed position. A master control device is separate and distinct from the plurality of stowage bin assemblies. The master control device is communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of stowage bin assemblies through wireless connections and is configured to operate the at least one of the plurality of stowage bin assemblies.

Abstract: A stowage bin assembly of a vehicle includes one or more interior light-emitting elements that are configured to illuminate a baggage retaining chamber of the stowage bin assembly. The stowage bin assembly is within an interior cabin of the vehicle.

Abstract: A stowage bin control system and method for a vehicle includes at least one stowage bin assembly that are configured to be selectively moved between an open position and a closed position, and a master control device that is separate and distinct from the stowage bin assemblies. The master control device is communicatively coupled to the stowage bin assemblies and is configured to operate the stowage bin assemblies.

Abstract: A stowage bin assembly includes a latch that is configured to selectively lock and unlock the stowage bin assembly, and a sensor in communication with the latch. The sensor is configured to be engaged to lock, unlock, open, and/or close the stowage bin assembly without the latch or the sensor being touched.

Abstract: A water dispensation system includes a water dispenser including a water conduit defining a water channel between a water inlet and a water outlet. A light emitter is coupled to the water conduit proximate to the water outlet. The light emitter is configured to emit sanitizing light into water that passes out of the water outlet.

Abstract: A stowage bin assembly is within an interior cabin of a vehicle. The stowage bin assembly includes a weight sensor that is configured to detect the weight of the stowage bin assembly, and a stowage bin control unit in communication with the weight sensor. The stowage bin control unit is configured to automatically close the stowage bin assembly in response to a weight of the stowage bin assembly being within a predetermined range of a maximum weight threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a passenger requiring assistance during travel, such as an unaccompanied minor, a disabled passenger, or an elderly passenger, on a common carrier. The system includes a machine-readable tag such as a Quick Response code (QR code) or a RFID tag that references passenger information, including itinerary information. A first mobile device of a first agent decodes the QR code to present the unaccompanied minor information. A second mobile device of a second agent decodes the QR code to present the unaccompanied minor information. In one embodiment, the QR code includes a uniform resource locator (URL) for accessing the passenger information and the first and second agents can authorize and accept the transfer of the unaccompanied minor by interfacing with a user interface.

Abstract: Lighting components for illuminating an aisle portion of a cabin floor of an aircraft, and aircraft and passenger seats for an aircraft including the same are disclosed. Said lighting components are configured to illuminate at least a portion of the aisle, between adjacent passenger seats positioned on either side of the aisle. The lighting components are configured to direct light towards the cabin floor using a specially designed housing and reflector surface that are designed to illuminate objects in the aisle, while minimizing light pollution in the cabin and detection by passengers on board the aircraft. Said lighting components are optionally mounted on one or more passenger seats, and/or may be integrally formed with a passenger seat. Lighting components include a curved reflector surface configured to reflect light from a light source positioned within the housing such that it is directed towards the aisle to create the desired illumination.

Abstract: Overhead stowage bins for aircraft comprise a lower panel and one or more rollers. The lower panel is configured to support luggage and has a forward lip region. The one or more rollers are operatively coupled to the lower panel within the forward lip region and are positioned to facilitate insertion of luggage into the overhead stowage bin. Aircraft include a fuselage and a plurality of overhead stowage bins installed within the passenger compartment of the fuselage. Methods of stowing luggage in an overhead stowage bin comprise lifting a carry-on luggage unit, engaging the carry-on luggage unit with one or more rollers positioned at a forward lip region of the overhead stowage bin, and pushing the carry-on luggage unit into an internal volume of the overhead stowage bin.

Abstract: A stowage bin assembly is within an interior cabin of a vehicle. The stowage bin assembly includes a weight sensor that is configured to detect the weight of the stowage bin assembly.

Abstract: A stowage bin assembly of a vehicle includes one or more interior light-emitting elements that are configured to illuminate a baggage retaining chamber of the stowage bin assembly. The stowage bin assembly is within an interior cabin of the vehicle.

Abstract: A stowage bin assembly includes a latch that is configured to selectively lock and unlock the stowage bin assembly, and a sensor in communication with the latch. The sensor is configured to be engaged to lock, unlock, open, and/or close the stowage bin assembly without the latch or the sensor being touched.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an interior cabin, and a stowage bin control system. The stowage bin control system includes a plurality of stowage bin assemblies within the interior cabin. The plurality of stowage bin assemblies are configured to be selectively moved between an open position and a closed position. A master control device is separate and distinct from the plurality of stowage bin assemblies. The master control device is communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of stowage bin assemblies through wireless connections and is configured to operate the at least one of the plurality of stowage bin assemblies.

Abstract: A stowage bin control system and method for a vehicle includes at least one stowage bin assembly that are configured to be selectively moved between an open position and a closed position, and a master control device that is separate and distinct from the stowage bin assemblies. The master control device is communicatively coupled to the stowage bin assemblies and is configured to operate the stowage bin assemblies.

Abstract: An overhead bin comprises a substantially rigid first shelf, bin sides, a substantially rigid second shelf above the first shelf, and a number of doors. The bin sides are connected to and extending upward from sides of the first shelf. The bin sides are connected to and extending upward from sides of the second shelf. The number of doors is configured to provide access to the first shelf and the second shelf from a first direction.

Abstract: A method for providing visual data of a landscape below an aircraft includes capturing visual data of a landscape below an aircraft, using a camera on the aircraft. The visual data is compared to previously captured visual data of the landscape. It is then determined which of the visual data and the previously captured visual data provides a clearer view of the landscape based upon the comparison. The one of the visual data and the previously captured visual data that is determined to provide the clearer view is then displayed to a user.

Abstract: Lighting components for illuminating an aisle portion of a cabin floor of an aircraft, and aircraft and passenger seats for an aircraft including the same are disclosed. Said lighting components are configured to illuminate at least a portion of the aisle, between adjacent passenger seats positioned on either side of the aisle. The lighting components are configured to direct light towards the cabin floor using a specially designed housing and reflector surface that are designed to illuminate objects in the aisle, while minimizing light pollution in the cabin and detection by passengers on board the aircraft. Said lighting components are optionally mounted on one or more passenger seats, and/or may be integrally formed with a passenger seat. Lighting components include a curved reflector surface configured to reflect light from a light source positioned within the housing such that it is directed towards the aisle to create the desired illumination.

Abstract: A water dispensation system includes a water dispenser including a water conduit defining a water channel between a water inlet and a water outlet. A light emitter is coupled to the water conduit proximate to the water outlet. The light emitter is configured to emit sanitizing light into water that passes out of the water outlet.

Abstract: Overhead stowage bins for aircraft comprise a lower panel and one or more rollers. The lower panel is configured to support luggage and has a forward lip region. The one or more rollers are operatively coupled to the lower panel within the forward lip region and are positioned to facilitate insertion of luggage into the overhead stowage bin. Aircraft include a fuselage and a plurality of overhead stowage bins installed within the passenger compartment of the fuselage. Methods of stowing luggage in an overhead stowage bin comprise lifting a carry-on luggage unit, engaging the carry-on luggage unit with one or more rollers positioned at a forward lip region of the overhead stowage bin, and pushing the carry-on luggage unit into an internal volume of the overhead stowage bin.

Abstract: A method for providing visual data of a landscape below an aircraft includes capturing visual data of a landscape below an aircraft, using a camera on the aircraft. The visual data is compared to previously captured visual data of the landscape. It is then determined which of the visual data and the previously captured visual data provides a clearer view of the landscape based upon the comparison. The one of the visual data and the previously captured visual data that is determined to provide the clearer view is then displayed to a user.