Abstract: A system for identifying a wireless security threat on a vehicle. The system includes a broadband controller including a data processor and memory in which the broadband controller provides a network within the vehicle. The system includes a vehicle WAP in communication with the broadband controller in which the WAP broadcasts an SSID for use by a PED to establish a wireless communication link and transmit and receive data wirelessly over the network via the WAP. An SSID scanner periodically scans for SSIDs broadcast in the vehicle in which SSIDs detected during scans are communicated to the broadband controller. For a detected SSID corresponding to the vehicles WAP SSID, logic executed by the data processor compares the BSSID of the vehicle WAP with the BSSID from the detected SSID and if the BSSIDs do not match, the logic identifies a security threat.

Abstract: A system for establishing persistent communications links between a plurality of terminals and a primary server includes one or more message brokers each publishing messages to one or more topics. A plurality of message clients each on a corresponding one of the plurality of terminals are subscribed to selected topics. The message clients are receptive to those messages published by the message brokers to the topics to which the respective one of the message clients is subscribed. A plurality of application clients, each of which are on a corresponding one of the plurality of terminals and linked with the respective one of the message clients thereon, initiate a request to the primary server in response to a published message to at least one of the topics to which the linked message client is subscribed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the health of vehicle passengers using images of the passengers taken by onboard imaging devices (e.g., digital cameras), determining health data (e.g., vital signs) on-board the passenger vehicle using the images, and communicating (in one or more instances) with a remote telemedical monitoring system to determine medical information regarding the passengers and/or enable communication with a medical caregiver for diagnosis and treatment. The system may be especially useful in larger passenger vehicles, such as commercial aircraft, to monitor the health of all or most of the passengers but may also be used in other passenger vehicles including passenger trains, buses, ships, boats and automobiles. In one or more instances, the systems and methods primarily utilize images to determine health data (e.g.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a vehicle entertainment system are provided. One method includes receiving an input for a media file at a smart monitor on an aircraft, the aircraft having a plurality of smart monitors and a plurality of seat boxes communicating via a network that includes a first sub-network to connect a first group of the seat boxes, and a computing device that stores a plurality of media files, and a second sub-network to connect a second group of seat boxes and the computing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a passenger vehicle entertainment system configured to access media data files on a passenger's personal electronic device and play the media data files on a video monitor of the entertainment system installed at a passenger seat. The system includes an onboard display system having a computing device, a wireless communication module and a video monitor. The system has a media player software application executable by the computing device and configured to program the display system to establish a wireless network connection to the personal electronic device using the wireless communication module, access media data files stored on the personal electronic device via the wireless network connection, display the media data files on the video monitor and allow a passenger to browse the media data files and select a media data file to play, and play a selected media data file on the video monitor.

Abstract: Devices and systems for controlling electrostatic discharge on electronic at the interface of mating electrical connectors. An electrostatic discharge (ESD) control device comprises a substrate and at least one connector pin hole. An outer edge of the substrate is also electrically conductive and configured to be electrically connected to a ground. Each the connector pin hole(s) is electrically conductive such that it electrically connects to a respective pin of one of the mating electrical connectors. For each of the connector pin hole(s), an electrically conductive trace is disposed in the substrate. Each of the traces has a pair of opposing sharp points in close proximity to each other and directed at each other. One of the sharp points is electrically connected to the electrically conductive connector pin hole, and the other sharp point is electrically connected to the electrically conductive outer edge of the substrate.

Abstract: An entertainment system for a vehicle for a vehicle accommodating a passenger with a personal electronic device executing a screen sharing application. The system information processing devices, with each information processing device including a data processor, and one or more of the information processing devices including a display monitor. The system includes a WLAN access point configured to establish a wireless data communications link with the personal electronic device. A screen sharing server executed by the data processor of one of the information processing devices is receptive to a display data stream generated on the portable electronic device based upon a redirected display output and transmitted to the screen sharing server over the wireless data communications link. The display data stream is transmitted following pairing of the screen sharing application with the information processing device including a display monitor, and the received display data stream rendered thereon.

Abstract: An attachment system for use in mounting a monitor to a fixture. The system includes a monitor housing that houses a monitor and a fixture housing that attaches to a fixture, where the monitor housing mounts to a recess within the fixture housing. The fixture housing has a hinged tongue-groove joint that allows the monitor housing to engage and disengage with the hinged joint at an installation angle, but does not allow the monitor housing to disengage from the fixture housing at an installed angle. In the engaged position, the monitor housing can rotate relative to the fixture housing via the hinged tongue-groove joint, and can be locked in position to prevent rotation using a locking mechanism. The hinged tongue-groove joint can be tapered to improve self-alignment during installation, and can be configured to elastically compress in the installed angle to minimize movement when installed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a transportation vehicle are provided. For example, one method includes providing a seat identifier and/or a transportation vehicle identifier in a request to access a webpage via an Internet connection from a seatback device of a transportation vehicle; selecting a server that is not located on the transportation vehicle for providing content to the seatback device; executing a remote browser at the server for retrieving content from the Internet for the seatback device, without having to execute a browser at the seatback device; and rendering content at the seatback device as an image of the content retrieved by the remote browser.

Abstract: Computing technology for a transportation vehicle is provided. For example, the computing technology executes a method for generating an encrypted message by a computing device for a passenger of a transportation vehicle, based on an identifier identifying the transportation vehicle and a passenger seat identifier identifying a passenger seat; providing the encrypted message to a processor executable entertainment system of the transportation vehicle; decrypting the encrypted message and validating the passenger seat identifier based on an authorized login by the passenger to the entertainment system while the passenger is on the transportation vehicle; and after validation, presenting the decrypted message to a device accessible to the passenger.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for communicating an announcement to passengers on a transportation vehicle. For example, one method includes providing an information system on the vehicle having at least one of a wireless access point and a plurality of seat display devices and operating the information system to communicate with the wireless access point or the seat display devices. The method includes playing audio corresponding to the announcement over a public address system of the vehicle, and causing text corresponding to the audio to display on the seat display devices or personal electronic devices in communication with the wireless access point.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a transportation vehicle are provided. One method includes receiving a network packet at a network interface device of an information system of a transportation vehicle; identifying public announcement audio in a payload of the network packet by the network interface device; extracting the public announcement audio from the payload of the network packet by the network interface device; transferring the public announcement audio to an audio system by the network interface device; and playing the public announcement audio by the audio system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a vehicle entertainment system are provided. One method includes generating by a processor, a plurality of media sets for storing a plurality of media files at a transportation vehicle, each of the plurality of media set configured to store a first set of media files playable at the same time by all passengers, a second set of media files playable at the same time by up to X percentage of the passengers and a third set of media files playable at the same time by up to Y percentage of the passengers; distributing by the processor, the plurality of media files for storage across a plurality of smart monitors of the transportation vehicle; monitoring user access of the plurality of media files on the transportation vehicle; and modifying by the processor, an assignment of a media file between the first set, the second set and the third set based on a plurality of factors.

Abstract: A device for inputting data into an information processing apparatus using a communication cable. The device includes a sensing field including signal lines. The sensing field generates one or more signals when an object is proximate thereto. The device further includes at least one processor connected to the signal lines. The processor receives the signals and generates data based on the signals. The device additionally includes a port in communication with the processor for data output. The port is configured to connect to the cable and communicate the data over the cable to the information processing apparatus. The device includes a light source configured to illuminate keyboard symbols corresponding to areas of the sensing field. The device also includes an exterior surface covering the sensing field and obscuring the keyboard symbols from visibility unless the light source is providing illumination.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a transportation vehicle are provided. One method includes initializing a first browser at an electronic device to communicate with a remote virtual loader having access to data for an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system of an aircraft; authenticating the first browser by the remote virtual loader; providing IFE data for the IFE system to the first browser by the remote virtual loader with an instruction to grant access to the IFE data by a second browser of the electronic device, the second browser authenticated by the IFE system to send information to the IFE system; and transferring the IFE data from the electronic device to the IFE system by the second browser that obtains access to the IFE data from the first browser in response to the instruction from the remote virtual loader.

Abstract: An entertainment system for a vehicle accommodating a passenger with a personal electronic device executing a screen sharing application. The entertainment system includes a network onboard the vehicle and information processing devices connected to the network. Each device includes a data processor, and at least one including a display monitor and a screen sharing server executed by the data processor of the device with the screen sharing server being receptive to a display data stream communicated over the network to the screen sharing server by execution of the screen sharing application of the portable electronic device. The display data stream is communicated after pairing of the screen sharing application the device. A media player application executed by the data processor of the device determines if the display data stream is encrypted. If so, the media player application requests a license and after receipt of the license, a decrypted display data stream is rendered the display monitor.

Abstract: 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.