Abstract: Entertainment systems are provided including a plurality of spatial sound speakers embedded in a headrest of a passenger seat and associated with a media player of the entertainment system. A spatial sound controller associated with the plurality of spatial sound speakers of the media player is also provided. The spatial sound controller is configured to provide simulated surround sound associated with the media player to a defined target region. The plurality of spatial sound speakers are adjusted to a position of a passenger seated in the passenger seat based on external input associated with the passenger.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system is disclosed that includes docking cradles that can store handheld controllers, and a management terminal. The management terminal controls an electronically controlled lock apparatus of the cradles to selectively lock the handheld controllers in a stored position within the docking cradles. The management terminal may receive and display the status of which of the docking cradles store a handheld controller, and may display at least one user selectable indicia that is touch selectable by a user to control one or more of the docking cradles to lock and unlock handheld controllers stored therein. Related inductive charging circuits, theft alert circuits, and other components of the vehicle entertainment system are disclosed.

Abstract: Entertainment systems are provided including directional sound speakers embedded in a headrest of a passenger seat, the headrest being associated with a media player of the entertainment system; and a directional sound controller associated with the directional sound speakers of the media player. The directional sound controller is configured to direct a sound beam associated with the media player at a defined target region such that the sound beam is only audible within the defined target region and experiences less than about 20 dB of leakage outside the target region during operation of the media player. In-flight entertainment systems and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Entertainment systems are provided including a plurality of spatial sound speakers embedded in a headrest of a passenger seat and associated with a media player of the entertainment system. A spatial sound controller associated with the plurality of spatial sound speakers of the media player is also provided. The spatial sound controller is configured to provide simulated surround sound associated with the media player to a defined target region. The plurality of spatial sound speakers are adjusted to a position of a passenger seated in the passenger seat based on external input associated with the passenger.

Abstract: A controller is disclosed that controls an entertainment system which includes a video display unit that is separate from the controller. The controller includes a network interface, a display device, and a processing device. The network interface communicates with the video display unit via at least one data network. The processing device communicates a first command over the at least one data network to control a display of first content on the video display unit, and controls a display of second content on the display device of the controller. The second content is displayed concurrently with the first content. Related entertainment systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system is controlled responsive to gestures that are formed by a passenger of the vehicle. The vehicle entertainment system includes a display device, at least one gesture control camera, and a processor. The gesture control camera generates a camera signal responsive to light reflected from at least one object within a field of view of the at least one gesture control camera. The processor analyzes the camera signal to identify a gesture made by a passenger moving the at least one object, and controls at least one operation of the vehicle entertainment system responsive to the identified gesture.

Abstract: Entertainment systems are provided including directional sound speakers embedded in a headrest of a passenger seat, the headrest being associated with a media player of the entertainment system; and a directional sound controller associated with the directional sound speakers of the media player. The directional sound controller is configured to direct a sound beam associated with the media player at a defined target region such that the sound beam is only audible within the defined target region and experiences less than about 20 dB of leakage outside the target region during operation of the media player. In-flight entertainment systems and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: An in-flight entertainment system includes a video display unit facing a user seat. The video display unit includes a display surface that displays images to a user who is seated on the user seat. A light emitter illuminates eyes of the user. A camera outputs a video signal containing reflections from the illuminated eyes. A processor processes the video signal to determine a viewing location on the display surface at which the eyes are directed, and controls at least one function for how images are displayed on the display surface responsive to the determined viewing location.

Abstract: A module carrier unit comprises a plurality of passenger interface modules that perform different functions, the functions including at least one of inputting and outputting information, the modules having a common size, shape, and interface; an outer case portion comprising a plurality of receptacles, each having a common size, shape, and interface designed to receive one of the modules, the plurality of receptacles being such that a first module having a first function is operable in a first receptacle, and a second module having a second function is operable in the first receptacle, the modules being removably connected to the receptacles; and a communications interface that performs at least one of transmitting and receiving data to and from a processor located near a seat of a passenger in the vehicle.

Abstract: Entertainment systems are provided including directional sound speakers associated with a media player of the entertainment system; and a directional sound controller associated with the directional sound speakers of the media player. The directional sound controller is configured to direct a sound beam associated with the media player at a defined target region such that the sound beam is only audible within the defined target region and experiences less than about 20 dB of leakage outside the target region during operation of the media player. In-flight entertainment systems and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Entertainment systems are provided including directional sound speakers associated with a media player of the entertainment system; and a directional sound controller associated with the directional sound speakers of the media player. The directional sound controller is configured to direct a sound beam associated with the media player at a defined target region such that the sound beam is only audible within the defined target region and experiences less than about 20 dB of leakage outside the target region during operation of the media player. In-flight entertainment systems and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system is disclosed that includes docking cradles that can store handheld controllers, and a management terminal. The management terminal controls an electronically controlled lock apparatus of the cradles to selectively lock the handheld controllers in a stored position within the docking cradles. The management terminal may receive and display the status of which of the docking cradles store a handheld controller, and may display at least one user selectable indicia that is touch selectable by a user to control one or more of the docking cradles to lock and unlock handheld controllers stored therein. Related inductive charging circuits, theft alert circuits, and other components of the vehicle entertainment system are disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system is controlled responsive to gestures that are formed by a passenger of the vehicle. The vehicle entertainment system includes a display device, at least one gesture control camera, and a processor. The gesture control camera generates a camera signal responsive to light reflected from at least one object within a field of view of the at least one gesture control camera. The processor analyzes the camera signal to identify a gesture made by a passenger moving the at least one object, and controls at least one operation of the vehicle entertainment system responsive to the identified gesture.

Abstract: An in-flight entertainment system includes a video display unit facing a user seat. The video display unit includes a display surface that displays images to a user who is seated on the user seat. A light emitter illuminates eyes of the user. A camera outputs a video signal containing reflections from the illuminated eyes. A processor processes the video signal to determine a viewing location on the display surface at which the eyes are directed, and controls at least one function for how images are displayed on the display surface responsive to the determined viewing location.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and articles of manufacture to provide passenger preference data to in-flight entertainment systems are disclosed. A disclosed example airline passenger seat includes an optical device to optically scan a barcode presented by a passenger associated with the airline passenger seat, the barcode generated by the passenger and including a representation of passenger preference data, a display device to enable the passenger to review the passenger preference data, and a communication module to provide the passenger preference data to an in-flight entertainment system.

Abstract: A controller is disclosed that controls an entertainment system which includes a video display unit that is separate from the controller. The controller includes a network interface, a display device, and a processing device. The network interface communicates with the video display unit via at least one data network. The processing device communicates a first command over the at least one data network to control a display of first content on the video display unit, and controls a display of second content on the display device of the controller. The second content is displayed concurrently with the first content. Related entertainment systems are disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide video display units including at least one video display monitor at least one sheet of polarized material configured to extend on a viewing surface of the at least one video display monitor. The video display unit is adapted for use in an aircraft in-flight entertainment system. Some video display units include a plurality of video display monitors. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A module carrier unit comprises a plurality of passenger interface modules that perform different functions, the functions including at least one of inputting and outputting information, the modules having a common size, shape, and interface; an outer case portion comprising a plurality of receptacles, each having a common size, shape, and interface designed to receive one of the modules, the plurality of receptacles being such that a first module having a first function is operable in a first receptacle, and a second module having a second function is operable in the first receptacle, the modules being removably connected to the receptacles; and a communications interface that performs at least one of transmitting and receiving data to and from a processor located near a seat of a passenger in the vehicle.