Abstract: A unibody optical grade plastic monitor for a seatback device for a vehicle entertainment system for a commercial passenger vehicle. The monitor has a light weight layer cross-sectional structure that includes a front optical grade plastic cover and a rear plastic cover, a touch panel, a display panel, and one or more layers of anti-reflection plastic films (e.g., Mosmite(s)) between the touch panel and the display panel.

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: A vehicle entertainment system including a server storing media files, and smart monitors. The system includes a server disposed in the vehicle to store media files; smart monitors disposed in the vehicle to present media selections to passengers corresponding to the media files stored by the server and receive an input from a passenger for playing one of the selections; seat boxes disposed in the vehicle, each seat box including network-attached storage and storing a subset of the media files stored by the server in said network-attached storage. Program logic executed by each smart monitor in which after a smart monitor receives an input from a passenger for one of the selections, performs tasks including: determining if a media file corresponding to the passenger's input is available from a first source, and if available, requesting streaming of the media file from the first source that may be networked attached storage.

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: A vehicle entertainment system including a server storing media files, and smart monitors. The system includes a server disposed in the vehicle to store media files; smart monitors disposed in the vehicle to present media selections to passengers corresponding to the media files stored by the server and receive an input from a passenger for playing one of the selections; seat boxes disposed in the vehicle, each seat box including network-attached storage and storing a subset of the media files stored by the server in said network-attached storage. Program logic executed by each smart monitor in which after a smart monitor receives an input from a passenger for one of the selections, performs tasks including: determining if a media file corresponding to the passenger's input is available from a first source, and if available, requesting streaming of the media file from the first source that may be networked attached storage.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system including a server storing media files, and smart monitors. Each smart monitor presents media selections corresponding to the media files and receives an input from passengers for playing a selection. Each smart monitor includes local content storage storing a subset of the media files. A network connects the smart monitors and server. Program logic executed by each smart monitor performs tasks including determining if a media file corresponding to an input is available from a first source, and if available, playing the media file from the first source; if the media file is not available there, determining if the media file required is available from a second source and if available, playing the media file from the second source; and if the media file is not available from the second source, determining if the media file is available from a third source.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system including a server storing media files, and smart monitors. The system includes a server disposed in the vehicle to store media files; smart monitors disposed in the vehicle to present media selections to passengers corresponding to the media files stored by the server and receive an input from a passenger for playing one of the selections; seat boxes disposed in the vehicle, each seat box including network-attached storage and storing a subset of the media files stored by the server in said network-attached storage. Program logic executed by each smart monitor in which after a smart monitor receives an input from a passenger for one of the selections, performs tasks including: determining if a media file corresponding to the passenger's input is available from a first source, and if available, requesting streaming of the media file from the first source that may be networked attached storage.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system including a server storing media files, and smart monitors. Each smart monitor presents media selections corresponding to the media files and receives an input from passengers for playing a selection. Each smart monitor includes local content storage storing a subset of the media files. A network connects the smart monitors and server. Program logic executed by each smart monitor performs tasks including determining if a media file corresponding to an input is available from a first source, and if available, playing the media file from the first source; if the media file is not available there, determining if the media file required is available from a second source and if available, playing the media file from the second source; and if the media file is not available from the second source, determining if the media file is available from a third source.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system including a server storing media files, and smart monitors. Each smart monitor presents media selections corresponding to the media files and receives an input from passengers for playing a selection. Each smart monitor includes local content storage storing a subset of the media files. A network connects the smart monitors and server. Program logic executed by each smart monitor performs tasks including determining if a media file corresponding to an input is available from a first source, and if available, playing the media file from the first source; if the media file is not available there, determining if the media file required is available from a second source and if available, playing the media file from the second source; and if the media file is not available from the second source, determining if the media file is available from a third source.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system including a server storing media files, and smart monitors. The system includes a server disposed in the vehicle to store media files; smart monitors disposed in the vehicle to present media selections to passengers corresponding to the media files stored by the server and receive an input from a passenger for playing one of the selections; seat boxes disposed in the vehicle, each seat box including network-attached storage and storing a subset of the media files stored by the server in said network-attached storage. Program logic executed by each smart monitor in which after a smart monitor receives an input from a passenger for one of the selections, performs tasks including: determining if a media file corresponding to the passenger's input is available from a first source, and if available, requesting streaming of the media file from the first source that may be networked attached storage.

Abstract: A communication connector system for connecting with a peripheral communication connector having a peripheral housing with at least one of a peripheral contact, a peripheral magnet and a peripheral detent and methods for manufacturing and using same. The communication connector system includes a housing assembly with a mating surface. A system contact is disposed on the mating surface and can cooperate with the peripheral contact; whereas, a system magnet is provided in the housing assembly and can cooperate with the peripheral magnet. A magnetically coupling between the system magnet and the peripheral magnet can retain the housing assembly in connection with the peripheral housing during use. The housing assembly likewise can include a housing assembly detent for cooperating with the peripheral detent. An electrical connection between the communication connector and the peripheral communication connector thereby can advantageously be formed via the system contact or the housing assembly detent.

Abstract: A personal user control device suitable for use in cooperation with information systems, such as vehicle information systems, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The personal user control device provides a user-friendly interface system for interacting with the information system. Unlike conventional control devices, the user interface system includes no dedicated buttons and provides a customizable environment for interacting with the information system. When in communication with the information system, the personal user control device can automatically detect system status information, such as available system functionality, available viewing content, and/or a current system operation mode, of the information system and provides a user interface system that instinctively adapts for use with the information system in light of the detected system status information. The personal user control device thereby provides a versatile and intuitive manner for interacting with the information system.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system including a server storing media files, and smart monitors. Each smart monitor presents media selections corresponding to the media files and receives an input from passengers for playing a selection. Each smart monitor includes local content storage storing a subset of the media files. A network connects the smart monitors and server. Program logic executed by each smart monitor performs tasks including determining if a media file corresponding to an input is available from a first source, and if available, playing the media file from the first source; if the media file is not available there, determining if the media file required is available from a second source and if available, playing the media file from the second source; and if the media file is not available from the second source, determining if the media file is available from a third source.

Abstract: A communication connector system for connecting with a peripheral communication connector having a peripheral housing with at least one of a peripheral contact, a peripheral magnet and a peripheral detent and methods for manufacturing and using same. The communication connector system includes a housing assembly with a mating surface. A system contact is disposed on the mating surface and can cooperate with the peripheral contact; whereas, a system magnet is provided in the housing assembly and can cooperate with the peripheral magnet. A magnetically coupling between the system magnet and the peripheral magnet can retain the housing assembly in connection with the peripheral housing during use. The housing assembly likewise can include a housing assembly detent for cooperating with the peripheral detent. An electrical connection between the communication connector and the peripheral communication connector thereby can advantageously be formed via the system contact or the housing assembly detent.

Abstract: An information system suitable for use in cooperation with portable media devices, such as an Apple iPod® digital electronic media device, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The information system supports a simple manner for seamlessly integrating the personal media device with the information system, immersing a user in a rich and intuitive media environment. When the personal media device and the information system are coupled, viewing content from the personal media device can be integrated “on the fly” into the information system via an interactive user interface system. The personal media device likewise can receive control commands and/or operating power from the information system. Thereby, the user can advantageously enjoy his own personal viewing content from the personal media device via the larger video presentation system and/or the enhanced audio presentation system of the information system, while recharging an internal battery system of the personal media device.

Abstract: A personal user control device suitable for use in cooperation with information systems, such as vehicle information systems, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The personal user control device provides a user-friendly interface system for interacting with the information system. Unlike conventional control devices, the user interface system includes no dedicated buttons and provides a customizable environment for interacting with the information system. When in communication with the information system, the personal user control device can automatically detect system status information, such as available system functionality, available viewing content, and/or a current system operation mode, of the information system and provides a user interface system that instinctively adapts for use with the information system in light of the detected system status information. The personal user control device thereby provides a versatile and intuitive manner for interacting with the information system.

Abstract: A content management system for providing comprehensive content management for one or more vehicle information systems and methods for manufacturing and using same. The content management system includes a content control system for providing content storage and controlling the overall functionality of the content management system. Being configured to communicate with a selected vehicle information system in a wired and/or wireless manner, the content management system can upload content to update the vehicle information system for access during subsequent travel. The content management system likewise can download content, such as performance data compiled during prior travel, from the vehicle information system. The content management system thereby can provide ensured comprehensive content management under the control of the content control system.

Abstract: A personal user control device suitable for use in cooperation with information systems, such as vehicle information systems, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The personal user control device provides a user-friendly interface system for interacting with the information system. Unlike conventional control devices, the user interface system includes no dedicated buttons and provides a customizable environment for interacting with the information system. When in communication with the information system, the personal user control device can automatically detect system status information, such as available system functionality, available viewing content, and/or a current system operation mode, of the information system and provides a user interface system that instinctively adapts for use with the information system in light of the detected system status information. The personal user control device thereby provides a versatile and intuitive manner for interacting with the information system.

Abstract: An information system suitable for use in cooperation with portable media devices, such as an Apple iPhone® digital electronic media device, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The information system includes a wireless access point and supports a simple manner for seamlessly integrating the personal media device with the information system, immersing a user in a rich and intuitive media environment. When disposed within a predetermined range of the wireless access point, the portable media device and the vehicle information system can initiate, and maintain, communications, preferably without requiring authentication of the portable media device. The personal media device thereby can exchange control commands and viewing content with the information system. Thereby, a user can advantageously enjoy selected viewing content provided by the information system via the personal media device.

Abstract: An information system suitable for use in cooperation with portable media devices, such as an Apple iPod® digital electronic media device, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The information system supports a simple manner for seamlessly integrating the personal media device with the information system, immersing a user in a rich and intuitive media environment. When the personal media device and the information system are coupled, viewing content from the personal media device can be integrated “on the fly” into the information system via an interactive user interface system. The personal media device likewise can receive control commands and/or operating power from the information system. Thereby, the user can advantageously enjoy his own personal viewing content from the personal media device via the larger video presentation system and/or the enhanced audio presentation system of the information system, while recharging an internal battery system of the personal media device.