Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a light source, such as an ultraviolet (UV) light source that is configured to emit UVC light, and a reflector system including a base having an internal central crest that is configured to direct emitted light away from the light source.

Abstract: A computing device determines whether or not to authorize a network request. In particular, responsive to the computing device receiving the network request from a mobile device, the computing device controls a plurality of light fixtures to each optically transmit a respective challenge code. The computing device approves or rejects the network request based respectively on whether or not a group of the challenge codes is received from the mobile device, each challenge code in the group being optically receivable at a location authorized for approving the network request.

Abstract: A lighting assembly includes a light source, such as an ultraviolet (UV) light source that is configured to emit UVC light, and a reflector system including a base having an internal central crest that is configured to direct emitted light away from the light source.

Abstract: In an example, a method of operating a UV light source for a vehicle includes measuring an amount of power on a commodity power feeder, determining when the measured amount of power is greater than a threshold amount of power and, responsively, actuating a switch to a first state in which the switch decouples the UV light source from the power on the commodity power feeder. The method also includes determining when the measured amount of power is less than the threshold amount of power and responsively actuating the switch to a second state in which the switch couples the UV light source to the power on the commodity power feeder. The method also includes, while the switch is in the second state, activating the UV light source, using the power from the commodity power feeder, to emit UV light in the vehicle.

Abstract: A media system for a vehicle having a chassis comprises an electroacoustic transducer, integrated into a face panel of a stowage bin inside the vehicle. The stowage bin comprises a mounting structure that is stationary relative to the chassis of the vehicle. An interior of the stowage bin is accessible via the face panel. The face panel is movably coupled to the mounting structure.

Abstract: In an example, a light-control system includes UV light sources for emitting UV light when activated, a power sensor for measuring an amount of power available, and an activation-control system. The activation-control system can: (a) determine a subset of the UV light sources that are ready to be activated, (b) indicate, in a queue, each UV light source of the subset, (c) arrange, in the queue and based on a hierarchy, the subset in a sequence, and (d) activate, in the sequence, each UV light source of the subset by: (i) determining an amount of power required to activate a next UV light source in the sequence, (ii) determining when the amount of power available is equal to or greater than the amount of power required, (iii) responsively activating the next UV light source in the sequence, and (iv) repeating acts (i)-(iii) until all of the subset has been activated.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery comprises a plurality of individual sealed battery cells, and dielectric separators between the battery cells for creating thermal barriers between opposing surfaces of the battery cells. The dielectric separators are made of a fiber composite.

Abstract: A method for providing visual data of a landscape below an aircraft includes capturing visual data of a landscape below an aircraft, using a camera on the aircraft. The visual data is compared to previously captured visual data of the landscape. It is then determined which of the visual data and the previously captured visual data provides a clearer view of the landscape based upon the comparison. The one of the visual data and the previously captured visual data that is determined to provide the clearer view is then displayed to a user.

Abstract: A lighting assembly is configured to selectively emit light at a first frequency and light at a second frequency. The lighting assembly includes a light source that is configured to emit the light at the first frequency over a light emission path, a light converter, and an actuator operatively coupled to the light source or the light converter. The actuator is configured to move the light converter or the light source relative to the other of the light converter or the light source between a first position and a second position. The light converter is within the light emission path in the first position, and outside of the light emission path in the second position. The light converter converts the light at the first frequency to the light at the second frequency in the first position, and wherein the light at the first frequency is emitted from the lighting assembly when the light converter is in the second position.

Abstract: A media system for a vehicle having a chassis comprises an electroacoustic transducer, integrated into a face panel of a stowage bin inside the vehicle. The stowage bin comprises a mounting structure that is stationary relative to the chassis of the vehicle. An interior of the stowage bin is accessible via the face panel. The face panel is movably coupled to the mounting structure.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for displaying the storage status of overhead luggage storage bins in an aircraft. A camera is provided that is mounted with a field of view directed at an inner portion of a group of open bins. The camera is communicatively coupled to a controller and selectively provides images of the inner portion of the bins immediately prior to when the bins are closed to the controller. A projector is also provided for each group of bins. The projector is communicatively coupled to the controller and is mounted such that an image received from the controller is projected onto an outer surface of the closed bins. The controller receives images from each of the cameras and selectively provides such images to the projector associated with each camera so that a storage status display is projected on an outer surface of the bins.

Abstract: A passenger control unit (PCU) network is provided for a passenger aircraft having passenger seats in a plurality of zones, each zone having at least one column of seats, and each column having at least one row of seats. The PCU network includes a direct current (DC) power distribution system, and a plurality of wired PCUs, one PCU associated with each passenger seat and coupled to the DC power distribution system. Each PCU has a processor and system memory and a standard data and power interface, the processor being programmed for differential peer-to-peer communication with adjacently interconnected PCUs throughout the PCU network and with an external system of the aircraft.

Abstract: A media system 100 for vehicle 102 having chassis 104 comprises electroacoustic transducer 114, integrated into face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 inside vehicle 102. Stowage bin 110 comprises mounting structure 112 that is stationary relative to chassis 104 of vehicle 102. Interior 130 of stowage bin 110 is accessible via face panel 108. Face panel 108 is movably coupled to mounting structure 112.

Abstract: A media system 100 for vehicle 102 having chassis 104 comprises electroacoustic transducer 114, integrated into face panel 108 of stowage bin 110 inside vehicle 102. Stowage bin 110 comprises mounting structure 112 that is stationary relative to chassis 104 of vehicle 102. Interior 130 of stowage bin 110 is accessible via face panel 108. Face panel 108 is movably coupled to mounting structure 112.

Abstract: A passenger control unit (PCU) network is provided for a passenger aircraft having passenger seats in a plurality of zones, each zone having at least one column of seats, and each column having at least one row of seats. The PCU network includes a direct current (DC) power distribution system, and a plurality of wired PCUs, one PCU associated with each passenger seat and coupled to the DC power distribution system. Each PCU has a processor and system memory and a standard data and power interface, the processor being programmed for differential peer-to-peer communication with adjacently interconnected PCUs throughout the PCU network and with an external system of the aircraft.

Abstract: An actuator includes a piston and a housing. The piston includes a piston shaft that is configured to reciprocate within the housing. The actuator also includes a conductor coupled to the piston within the housing and configured to electrically couple the piston to the housing as the piston reciprocates within the housing.

Abstract: A method for providing visual data of a landscape below an aircraft includes capturing visual data of a landscape below an aircraft, using a camera on the aircraft. The visual data is compared to previously captured visual data of the landscape. It is then determined which of the visual data and the previously captured visual data provides a clearer view of the landscape based upon the comparison. The one of the visual data and the previously captured visual data that is determined to provide the clearer view is then displayed to a user.

Abstract: An aircraft comprises a rechargeable battery including an array of battery cells, and means for mitigating consequences of failure of the rechargeable battery due to aircraft operating cycles.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a rechargeable battery susceptible to thermal runaway, and a metal enclosure for the battery. The enclosure is configured to mitigate battery failure consequences resulting from thermal runaway.

Abstract: A passenger control unit (PCU) network is provided for a passenger aircraft having passenger seats in a plurality of zones, each zone having at least one column of seats, and each column having at least one row of seats. The PCU network includes a direct current (DC) power distribution system, and a plurality of wired PCUs, one PCU associated with each passenger seat and coupled to the DC power distribution system. Each PCU has a processor and system memory and a standard data and power interface, the processor being programmed for differential peer-to-peer communication with adjacently interconnected PCUs throughout the PCU network and with an external system of the aircraft.