Abstract: A method and a distributed architecture for controlling functions of an aircraft comprising: a controller, an Input/Output (IO) node and a processor configured to display a graphical user interface component representing at least a portion of an aircraft cabin divided into at least two sections on the IO node and receive, by the IO node, a first and a second input from a user for selecting one of the at least two sections and selecting a preset of at least one controllable parameter respectively. Upon determining that the user requests a modification of the selected preset for the selected section, a preset setting menu including the at least one controllable parameter associated with the selected preset is displayed; a third input from the user for modifying the at least one controllable parameter is received and a modified preset based on the modified at least one controllable parameter is generated.

Abstract: A method of operation for a system incorporating a graphical user interface embedded in a knob disposed on a side ledge within a cabin of an aircraft includes displaying a menu for at least one controllable parameter, receiving a selection of the controllable parameter, displaying at least one control for the selected controllable parameter, receiving a control input for the selected controllable parameter, and adjusting the selected controllable parameter consistent with the control input. The controllable parameter comprises a plurality of controllable parameters selected from a group comprising light intensity, light color, temperature, media type, media content, media volume, and the degree of openness of at least one window shade. A knob and an executable computer program product also are provided.

Abstract: A method of operation for a system incorporating a graphical user interface in a mobile computing device for a crew member within a cabin of an aircraft. The method includes displaying a menu for at least one controllable parameter, receiving a selection of the controllable parameter, displaying at least one control for the selected controllable parameter, receiving a control input for the selected controllable parameter, and adjusting the selected controllable parameter consistent with the control input. The controllable parameter include a plurality of controllable parameters selected from a group encompassing light intensity, light color, temperature, and the degree of openness of at least one window shade. A system and executable computer program product also are provided.

Abstract: A method and a distributed architecture for representing a location of a fault in an aircraft cabin, comprising: a controller operatively connected to a processor; a crew IO node operatively connected to the controller; the processor being configured to perform: detecting, by the controller, that an event of a system of the aircraft cabin corresponding to a fault has occurred; determining, by the processor, which aircraft cabin section amongst a plurality of aircraft cabin sections is associated with the system for which the event corresponding to the fault has occurred; and displaying, on the crew IO node, (i) a graphical user interface (GUI) component representing at least a portion of the aircraft cabin comprising at least some of the plurality of aircraft cabin sections and (ii) a visual indication identifying the aircraft cabin section associated with the system for which the event corresponding to the fault has occurred.

Abstract: An exemplary aspect comprises an air conditioning apparatus comprising: (a) a controller comprising a microprocessor; (b) a wireless transceiver in communication with the microprocessor and operable to communicate over a wireless network with an application on a mobile device; (c) a compressor controlled by the controller; (d) a fan controlled by the controller; and (e) a front panel that allows a user to interface with the controller. Another exemplary aspect comprises a mobile device comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing an application that enables a user of the mobile device to adjust settings for an air conditioning apparatus operable to communicate via a wireless network with the mobile device.

Abstract: A method of operation for a system incorporating a graphical user interface disposed in a bulkhead within a cabin of an aircraft. The method includes displaying a menu for at least one controllable parameter, receiving a selection of the controllable parameter, displaying at least one control for the selected controllable parameter, receiving a control input for the selected controllable parameter, and adjusting the selected controllable parameter consistent with the control input. The controllable parameter may be one from a plurality of controllable parameters selected from a group that includes cabin light intensity, cabin light color, temperature, and the degree of openness of at least one window shade. A system and an executable computer program product also are provided.

Abstract: A method of operation for a system incorporating a graphical user interface in a mobile computing device for a crew member within a cabin of an aircraft. The method includes displaying a menu for at least one controllable parameter, receiving a selection of the controllable parameter, displaying at least one control for the selected controllable parameter, receiving a control input for the selected controllable parameter, and adjusting the selected controllable parameter consistent with the control input. The controllable parameter include a plurality of controllable parameters selected from a group encompassing light intensity, light color, temperature, and the degree of openness of at least one window shade. A system and executable computer program product also are provided.

Abstract: A method of operation for a system incorporating a graphical user interface in a mobile computing device for a passenger within a cabin of an aircraft. The method includes displaying a menu for at least one controllable parameter, receiving a selection of the controllable parameter, displaying at least one control for the selected controllable parameter, receiving a control input for the selected controllable parameter, and adjusting the selected controllable parameter consistent with the control input. The controllable parameter include a plurality of controllable parameters selected from a group encompassing light intensity, light color, temperature, and the degree of openness of at least one window shade. A system and executable computer program product also are provided.

Abstract: A method of operation for a system incorporating a graphical user interface embedded in a knob disposed on a side ledge within a cabin of an aircraft includes displaying a menu for at least one controllable parameter, receiving a selection of the controllable parameter, displaying at least one control for the selected controllable parameter, receiving a control input for the selected controllable parameter, and adjusting the selected controllable parameter consistent with the control input. The controllable parameter comprises a plurality of controllable parameters selected from a group comprising light intensity, light color, temperature, media type, media content, media volume, and the degree of openness of at least one window shade. A knob and an executable computer program product also are provided.

Abstract: A method of operation for a system incorporating a graphical user interface disposed in a bulkhead within a cabin of an aircraft. The method includes displaying a menu for at least one controllable parameter, receiving a selection of the controllable parameter, displaying at least one control for the selected controllable parameter, receiving a control input for the selected controllable parameter, and adjusting the selected controllable parameter consistent with the control input. The controllable parameter may be one from a plurality of controllable parameters selected from a group that includes cabin light intensity, cabin light color, temperature, and the degree of openness of at least one window shade. A system and an executable computer program product also are provided.

Abstract: A distributed architecture for multi-nodal control of functions in an aircraft cabin. The distributed architecture includes a processor, a controller operatively connected to the processor, a passenger IO node operatively connected to the controller, and a crew IO node operatively connected to the controller. The passenger IO node and the crew IO node are capable of controlling at least one of light intensity in the aircraft cabin, color of light in the aircraft cabin, temperature in the vehicle cabin, and a degree of openness of one or more window shades in the aircraft cabin. A method and an executable computer program product also are provided.

Abstract: An exemplary aspect comprises an air conditioning apparatus comprising: (a) a controller comprising a microprocessor; (b) a wireless transceiver in communication with the microprocessor and operable to communicate over a wireless network with an application on a mobile device; (c) a compressor controlled by the controller; (d) a fan controlled by the controller; and (e) a front panel that allows a user to interface with the controller. Another exemplary aspect comprises a mobile device comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing an application that enables a user of the mobile device to adjust settings for an air conditioning apparatus operable to communicate via a wireless network with the mobile device.