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 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 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 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 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: 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: An IEEE 1394 serial bus network data capture and analyzer device is coupled within an IEEE 1394 serial bus network for monitoring, capturing and analyzing data communications transmitted over the IEEE 1394 serial bus network. The data capture and analyzer device is preferably implemented within a computer system and includes an IEEE 1394 serial bus network interface card for communicating over the IEEE 1394 serial bus. The data capture and analyzer device also includes a user interface which is displayed on a display device coupled to the computer system. Through the user interface and input devices coupled to the computer system, a user selects a function to be performed by the data capture and analyzer device. Preferably, the functions allow a user, through the data capture and analyzer device, to at least trigger on a specific packet header, field or data pattern, trigger on an error and capture a specific time or cycle event. Captured data is stored within an internal memory of the computer system.

Abstract: A power supply inrush current control circuit includes a current-limiting resistor connected in series with a first relay, a second relay connected in parallel with the current-limiting resistor and first relay, a power factor correction stage connected in series with the parallel combination of first relay and current-limiting resistor, and second relay, a holdup capacitor connected to an output of the power factor correction stage and a DC/DC converter connected to the output of the power factor correction stage. A first timer is connected to the second relay, a second timer is serially connected to the first timer and to the power factor correction stage, and a third timer is serially connected to the second timer and to the DC/DC converter.

Abstract: Audio menuing for the visually impaired, closed captioning for the hearing impaired and graphical tab control user interface for an interactive flight entertainment system (IFES). With the preferred embodiment, passenger control handset (PCH) in Braille is utilized. Given inputs from the passenger through use of the PCH, the keystrokes are transmitted to a seat electronics unit (SEU) as keystroke signals and processed by a device driver. The device driver transmits the keystroke signals to the pre-existing user interface and to the present invention's audio menu module. For the audio menu module, the menu resource database makes available a file of various audio information corresponding to various passenger keystroke inputs. Once the appropriate passenger output information is retrieved from the menu resource database, the information is output to the passenger via a display device and a headset coupled to the SEU.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for controlling power supply to aircraft electronic systems based on ambient environmental conditions. The apparatus comprises a monitor for detecting an environmental condition, a power supply for providing power, a circuit which receives power from the power supply, and a switch coupled to the monitor. Upon detection of the environmental condition, the switch connects the power supply to the circuit, otherwise the switch disconnects the circuit from the power supply.

Abstract: A communication subsystem used in an aircraft entertainment system employs a microcontroller and a dual-ported RAM to relieve burden from the host processor in handling low-level operations in communicating with external devices. The host processor and the microcontroller accesses the dual-ported RAM by testing the semaphore to determine if the DPRAM is available. If available, the processor and/or the microcontroller will read/write the messages from/to the DPRAM as appropriate. The microcontroller controls the communication interface controllers directly and will send messages read from the DPRAM to the CICs or write to the DPRAM messages received from the CICs without host processor's intervention. The microcontroller also performs other low-level operations such as header/trailer processing and error checking/correcting free from the host processor.

Abstract: Implemented on a vehicle, a digital in-transit entertainment system that assists in providing passenger services to a plurality of end nodes of a vehicle. The system includes a multi-drop digital communication bus, preferably configured to support RS-485 standards. A plurality of zone bridge units ("ZBUs") and a system manager unit ("SMU") are coupled to the digital communication bus. At least one ZBU is responsible for signaling headend equipment to perform a requested passenger service. The SMU is also designed to signal another type of equipment if implemented in lieu of the first type. Both the ZBUs as well as the SMU are designed to contain PSS status information for every end node of the vehicle to maintain coherency.

Abstract: A system and method for multiple processors operating independently from one another to share memory as a boot device. The system includes a plurality of computing systems each including a processor and a local memory element. In response to a boot condition for a selected computing system, its processor begins a boot sequence in which it uses operational code contained within a non-volatile memory element that is shared by each of the computing systems. Arbitration for ownership of a memory bus interconnecting the non-volatile memory element to the processors and organization of a direct memory access transfer between the non-volatile memory element and local memory associated with the processor of the selected computing system is controlled by a memory access coordination circuit coupled between the computing systems and the memory bus.

Abstract: A boundary scan analog signal test circuit for boundary scan testing of analog signals. The boundary scan analog signal test circuit provides for known upper and lower bound values at specified times for testing whether sample analog signals are within the specified lower and upper bound values. If the sample analog signals are not between the known upper and lower bound values, the boundary scan analog signal test circuit produces a result flag indicating a "not pass" for the device being tested. If the sample analog signal being tested is found to be within the known upper and lower bound values, then the circuit generates a result flag indicating that the device being tested has passed the test.

Abstract: An integrated electronic system that provides telephone, interactive entertainment and other amenities on a vehicle of transportation. The integrated electronic system includes a passenger control unit coupled through a multiple seat electronic unit via a universal interface. The integrated electronic system further includes a passenger control handset directly coupled to the passenger control unit to provide telephony and display control information to the passenger control unit. The passenger control unit appropriately routes the information to the multiple seat electronics unit through the universal interface.

Abstract: A tape having a first portion (preferably a magnetic tape portion for recording video, audio, or computer data), and a cleaning leader attached to the first portion, and a tape cartridge including such a tape. The leader includes one or more cleaning solvent modules, each of which is preferably a thin pouch containing cleaning solvent designed to rupture when squeezed between rollers of a tape player transport mechanism (or in the tape cartridge). Preferably, several cleaning solvent modules are evenly spaced along the leader, to expose tape player heads to periodic bursts of solvent during cleaning. A leader control mechanism prevents translation of the leader through the player's tape transport mechanism following the first play of the leader therethrough (or the first play therethrough in a particular direction). The leader control mechanism can include a nodule mounted to the leader so that during rewinding of the tape, the nodule will lock into depressions in the reel on which the leader is wound.

Abstract: Digital data is stored in a buffer, and a data buffer CRC word is generated for error detection. Error correction is provided by a set of XPQ circular queues ("XPQs") used to compute an error correction syndrome. As each word is loaded into the data buffer, it is also XORed into each of the XPQs. An XPQ CRC is generated for error detection in the XPQs. The complete data packet may be transmitted or stored for later retrieval. Upon receipt or retrieval, the packet is decoded and checked for errors. The incoming data is read into a second buffer and a new CRC is generated. If the incoming CRC matches the new CRC, no errors exist and no further checking or correction is needed. If the CRCs do not match, the incoming data is used to generate new XPQ' queues and a new XPQ CRC. If the incoming XPQ CRC matches the new XPQ CRC, then the error may be correctable. XPQ imprinter circular queues ("IQ") are formed by XORing each word of the incoming XPQs with the words of the new corresponding XPQs.