Abstract: A display retract mechanism for moving a display between a retracted position and a deployed position is disclosed and explained. The display retract mechanism is useful, for example, in mounting a liquid crystal display within the cabin of a passenger vehicle, such as an aircraft or bus. A geared chain drive supplies torque necessary for rotating a pivot shaft on which the display is attached. The display is biased toward a retracted position by a gas spring with a substantially linear force curve between the retracted position and the deployed position. Also disclosed are an infrared sensor for detecting when the display is in the deployed position, a solenoid latch for holding the display in the retracted position, and an electromechanical clutch for maintaining the display in a particular position.

Abstract: An in-flight entertainment system includes several liquid crystal display (LCD) retract units mountable in a passenger service unit of aircraft. Each of the LCD retract units includes an input connector and an output connector arranged such that signals provided to the input connector appear at the output connector. A system control unit (SCU) is also provided. The SCU is configurable to provide video, power and control signals independently to the input connector of each of the LCD retract units and is also configurable to provide video, power and control signals to the input connector of only a first of the LCD retract units. In the second configuration, the input and output connectors of successive LCD retract units are connected in a daisy chain fashion such that the same signals are provided to each of the LCD retract units. In another aspect of the present invention, each of the plurality of LCD retract units includes status communications bus electronics such as RS-485.

Abstract: A vehicle passenger information system, for example an inflight entertainment system, has a combination of improvements for reducing electromagnetic interference ("EMI") and electrostatic discharge ("ESD"). A microprocessor based system controller has a system controller chassis with a first conductive EMI shield layer, a low impedance aircraft chassis ground path directly electrically connected to the shield layer and to controller components. Additionally, a display unit has a chassis with a second conductive EMI shield layer enclosing a plurality of PCBs directly electrically connected to the shield layer. The display unit supports are grounded through a plurality of system connectors penetrating the display chassis and a low impedance display unit ground path directly electrically connects the two shield layers. A method of decreasing the EMI and ESD susceptibility of, and the levels of radiated EMI from, a vehicle entertainment system is also provided.

Abstract: A connector module for terminating a video signal for a monitor in an aircraft entertainment system is disclosed. The module includes a switch having a post that is movable between an extended position for terminating the video signal and a retracted position for enabling transmittance of the video signal through an output connector for the monitor. In addition, the module includes a lever rotatably attached adjacent to the output connector. The lever is rotatable to a terminating position wherein the lever is adjacent to the post to enable positioning of the post in the extended position. Further, upon attachment of the video cable to the output connector, the video cable contacts the lever to cause rotation of the lever against the post to move the post to the retracted position.

Abstract: A building panel has first and second opposed marginal ridges. The first of the marginal ridges is provided with an attachment zone whereby the panel is attachable to a building structure by at least one fastener. The second marginal ridge is of different cross-section but partly complementary to the first marginal ridge and can be laid in overlapping relationship over a first marginal ridge of an identical panel already attached to a building structure. The second marginal ridge then covers and conceals the attachment of the identical panel to the building structure.