Abstract: A rear screen projection system integrated into the passenger cabin of an airplane. The system has a projector that directs a picture into the inner cavity of a housing. Also attached to the housing is a screen that has a first surface that faces the audience and a second opposite surface exposed to the inner cavity of the housing. Located between the projector and the housing is a mirror that reflects the picture from the projector onto the second surface of the screen. The screen is transparent to light so that the audience can view the picture on the first surface of the screen. The mirror is positioned such that the distance between the projector and the top and bottom edges of the screen are essentially equal. The mirror is also positioned such that even with an overhead projector, the incidence of light is normal to the screen and the picture is directed down toward the audience.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a video projection system (18) suitable for mounting in the ceiling of the passenger compartment of an aircraft for displaying video images for passengers embarked on the aircraft. The video projection system includes a video projector (19) positioned to project video images through an opening in the ceiling, a light deflector (21) positioned to deflect the light from the video projector along a different path, and a projection screen (23) positioned to receive and display the deflected video images. Various embodiments are disclosed wherein the light deflector and/or projection screen are mounted for movement from stowed to deployed positions, the deflector and/or projection screen being movable in a controlled manner that does not pose a significant safety hazard.

Abstract: Automatic selection of a directional antenna providing the best television reception is provided for in an antenna control circuit that includes a circuit for automatically sampling the video output for each directional antenna and connecting the directional antenna that produces the strongest video signal to the receiver. The antenna control circuit includes a timer circuit that responds to the horizontal and vertical synchronizing pulses of the receiver to control the duration and timing of the sampling.