Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system distributes an executable program in more than one channel of a modulated RF signal by using a plurality of download lines provided between the system file server and the RF modulator. The multiple download lines permit a passenger seat that missed the time window for downloading an executable program to request and download the executable program even before the first download has completed. The multiple download lines also permit downloads of different executable programs to take place at the same time. The vehicle entertainment system further includes a dedicated download processor and a buffer. The dedicated download processor is provided to reduce the processing load of the file server processor, in particular, to take over the task of generating a continuous stream of data responsive to a download request and supplying them to the RF modulator.

Abstract: A system that provides live television programming to passengers by integrating direct broadcast satellite services into an in-flight aircraft entertainment system. The present invention is a satellite television system that has an antenna disposed on the aircraft that is pointed at a plurality of satellites that are part of a direct broadcast satellite system. The antenna is controlled by an antenna controller and antenna interface unit that send control signals and process status signals to steer the antenna. The antenna is steered to lock it onto RF signals transmitted by the satellites. The antenna interface unit downconverts the received RF signals to provide left hand circularly polarized RF signals and right hand circularly polarized RF signals that contain different sets of television channels. The downconverted RF signals are processed by a receiver/decoder that decodes them to provide video signals corresponding to different television channels.

Abstract: A video monitor or terminal (14,80) is provided in front of each passenger seat in an aircraft or other vehicle. Each terminal (14,80) includes a video display screen (22) which may be mounted in a seatback (16) or bulkhead facing the respective seat, or at the end of a pivotable swing arm (92) extending from the armrest console (84) of the seat. A transparent touch panel (24) overlies the screen (22) and has a plurality of touch sensitive areas for generating discrete electrical selection signals when touched. A computing unit including a text generator (30) displays visual prompts corresponding to passenger-selectable operations on the screen (22) underlying predetermined pressure sensitive areas of the touch panel (24). The operations may include selection of a multiplexed video channel for viewing, control of an individual video tape player (86), ordering of food, drinks and catalog merchandise and placing of telephone calls. A credit card reader (36) may be provided for payment for ordered items.

Abstract: An upright wall mountable or portable computer terminal (10) includes a keyboard (16) which can be moved to a number of locked positions, including stowed (flat) for fingerpoking, extended out in a typing position, lowered, angled and flipped over with the keyboard (16) inside. The keyboard (16) is supported by a mechanism (20) which extends from a frame (22) of the terminal (10) and includes a shaft (40) which rotatably supports an upper edge portion of the keyboard (16). Rack and pinion units (24) rotatably support the ends (40a) of the shaft (40) and enable rotation and up and down movement of the shaft (40) and thereby the keyboard (16) without skewing. A spring loaded latch (70) enables the keyboard (16) to be locked in a desired position with overforce breakaway.

Abstract: The system includes containers for storing articles to be distributed, and a computer-controlled locking system for controlling access to the articles. The initial inventory of articles stored in the container is bar-coded, and the bar code data provide a digital data record of articles stored and locked in the container. A central computing unit (CCU) includes a housing with locked compartments for receiving and storing a plurality of hand-held portable transaction monitoring units (PTMUs) used to record transaction data from the sale of articles in the container. Each PTMU contains a microprocessor and data storage for communicating with the CCU and with memory in the cart. A security door in the CCU is selectively unlocked for obtaining a selected PTMU only in response to a coded ID input identifying the particular user of the PTMU. The PTMU is then mounted on the article container to off-load a digital data record of the inventory of articles stored in the container.

Abstract: A transaction monitoring and security system records data from the sale of articles and provides security for inventor and sales receipts. The system includes container for storing articles to be distributed, and computer-controlled locking system for controlling access to the articles. The initial inventory of articles stored in the container is bar-coded, and the bar code data provide a digital data record of articles stored and locked in the container. A central computing unit (CCU) includes a housing with locked compartments for receiving and storing a plurality of hand-held portable transaction monitoring units (PTMU's) used to record transaction data from the sale of articles in the container. Each PTMU contains a microprocessor and data storage for communicating with the CCU and with memory in the cart. The PTMU off-loads a digital data record of the inventory of articles stored in the container.

Abstract: A configurable carrying bag includes a main panel of flexible material and at least one elongated pocket-forming panel of flexible material, overlying and extending across a portion of the main panel. The pocket-forming panel is permanently affixed to the main panel to form an elongated main pocket extending between the overlying panels and extending across the width of the carrying bag, with an elongated opening to the interior of the main pocket extending laterally across the carrying bag. A row of pin eyes closely spaced apart, are affixed adjacent to and are mutually spaced apart along the opening to the main pocket. A plurality of spring clips are each adapted for releasable attachment to the pin eyes, and each clip is selectably movable from a corresponding pin eye between an in-use position and an unused position.

Abstract: A controlled access storage system provides for selectively permitting custodial access to valuable items that can be stored in a safe within the system. The system provides an item-removal mode of operation during which a record member is used to gain access to stored valuable items and is captured until an ensuing item-replacement mode of operation.