Patents by Inventor Steven Bates

Steven Bates has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10838681
    Abstract: An entertainment system for a vehicle for a vehicle accommodating a passenger with a personal electronic device executing a screen sharing application. The system information processing devices, with each information processing device including a data processor, and one or more of the information processing devices including a display monitor. The system includes a WLAN access point configured to establish a wireless data communications link with the personal electronic device. A screen sharing server executed by the data processor of one of the information processing devices is receptive to a display data stream generated on the portable electronic device based upon a redirected display output and transmitted to the screen sharing server over the wireless data communications link. The display data stream is transmitted following pairing of the screen sharing application with the information processing device including a display monitor, and the received display data stream rendered thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC AVIONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip Watson, Steven Bates
  • Patent number: 10821872
    Abstract: A portable multiple grill assembly includes a trailer that is towed behind a vehicle. A fire pit is coupled to the trailer for containing an open flame. A plurality of cooking grills is each coupled to the trailer. A table is coupled to and extends outwardly from the plurality of cooking grills. A plurality of chair units is each slidably coupled to the trailer. Each of the chair units is slidable into a deployed position to have a user sit thereon. A venting unit is coupled to the trailer to vent smoke from cooking grills thereby inhibiting the user from being exposed to the smoke. A display is coupled to the trailer and the display is elevated above the fire pit and the cooking grills to be visible to the user when the user is seated on the one of the chair units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Inventors: Steven Bates, Alisa Ware
  • Patent number: 10817675
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for communicating an announcement to passengers on a transportation vehicle. For example, one method includes providing an information system on the vehicle having at least one of a wireless access point and a plurality of seat display devices and operating the information system to communicate with the wireless access point or the seat display devices. The method includes playing audio corresponding to the announcement over a public address system of the vehicle, and causing text corresponding to the audio to display on the seat display devices or personal electronic devices in communication with the wireless access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Watson, Steven Bates
  • Publication number: 20200314457
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a transportation vehicle are provided. One method includes initializing a first browser at an electronic device to communicate with a remote virtual loader having access to data for an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system of an aircraft; authenticating the first browser by the remote virtual loader; providing IFE data for the IFE system to the first browser by the remote virtual loader with an instruction to grant access to the IFE data by a second browser of the electronic device, the second browser authenticated by the IFE system to send information to the IFE system; and transferring the IFE data from the electronic device to the IFE system by the second browser that obtains access to the IFE data from the first browser in response to the instruction from the remote virtual loader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Panasonic Avionics Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Watson, Steven Bates, Dan Van Proyen
  • Publication number: 20200310947
    Abstract: A testing and verification system for an equivalent physical configuration of an in-flight entertainment and communications system with one or more hardware components includes a virtual machine manager. One or more virtual machines each including a hardware abstraction layer is instantiated by the virtual machine manager according to simulated hardware component definitions corresponding to the equivalent physical configuration of the hardware components. The virtual machines are in communication with each other over virtual network connections. A test interface to the one or more virtual machines generate test inputs to target software applications installed on the virtual machines. A display interface is connected to the virtual machines, with results from the execution of the target software applications responsive to the test inputs are output thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Philip Watson, Steven Bates, Shankar Shastry, Samir Lad, Anand Desikan
  • Patent number: 10779051
    Abstract: An entertainment system for a vehicle accommodating a passenger with a personal electronic device executing a screen sharing application. The entertainment system includes a network onboard the vehicle and information processing devices connected to the network. Each device includes a data processor, and at least one including a display monitor and a screen sharing server executed by the data processor of the device with the screen sharing server being receptive to a display data stream communicated over the network to the screen sharing server by execution of the screen sharing application of the portable electronic device. The display data stream is communicated after pairing of the screen sharing application the device. A media player application executed by the data processor of the device determines if the display data stream is encrypted. If so, the media player application requests a license and after receipt of the license, a decrypted display data stream is rendered the display monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC AVIONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tim Yuting Chen, Philip Watson, Steven Bates
  • Patent number: 10742625
    Abstract: A system for delivering to one or more crewmember computing devices a security credential for accessing a management interface of an electronics system of a vehicle has a local security credential generator and a remote security credential relay in communication therewith. One or more security credential destinations are identified from a correlation of a vehicle identifier accompanying the security credential transmitted to the remote security credential relay to one or more crewmember computing devices as defined in a crewmember staffing schedule. The security credential is then passed to the crewmember computing devices. A local login controller grants access to the management interface in response to a validation of the security credential transmitted thereto from the crewmember computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC AVIONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip Watson, Steven Bates
  • Patent number: 10708327
    Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system including a server storing media files, and smart monitors. The system includes a server disposed in the vehicle to store media files; smart monitors disposed in the vehicle to present media selections to passengers corresponding to the media files stored by the server and receive an input from a passenger for playing one of the selections; seat boxes disposed in the vehicle, each seat box including network-attached storage and storing a subset of the media files stored by the server in said network-attached storage. Program logic executed by each smart monitor in which after a smart monitor receives an input from a passenger for one of the selections, performs tasks including: determining if a media file corresponding to the passenger's input is available from a first source, and if available, requesting streaming of the media file from the first source that may be networked attached storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Watson, Cedric Rhoads, Nigel Blackwell, Steven Bates
  • Publication number: 20200204464
    Abstract: An in-flight entertainment and communications (IFEC) system configured to stream vehicle operational parameters from avionics systems connected thereto. An avionics interface defines a node of an avionics bus, and the avionics systems are connectible to the avionics interface over the avionics bus to transmit aircraft operational parameters thereto as a raw stream of chronologically sequenced data elements. A data processor is connected to the avionics interface and a network interface, and is receptive to the aircraft operational parameters from the avionics interface. The data processor applies a variable filter that selectively passes a filtered data stream of aircraft operational parameters derived from the raw stream to a data storage device. The variable filter is defined by one or more filter parameters dynamically adjustable in response to changing conditions derived from the aircraft operational parameters. The filtered data stream is transmitted to the remote monitoring station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Philip Watson, Steven Bates, Samuel Jester, Grant Edward Burrows
  • Publication number: 20200195700
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a vehicle entertainment system are provided. One method includes receiving an input for a media file at a smart monitor on an aircraft, the aircraft having a plurality of smart monitors and a plurality of seat boxes communicating via a network that includes a first sub-network to connect a first group of the seat boxes, and a computing device that stores a plurality of media files, and a second sub-network to connect a second group of seat boxes and the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: Panasonic Avionics Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Watson, Cedric Rhoads, Nigel Blackwell, Steven Bates
  • Publication number: 20200139872
    Abstract: A portable multiple grill assembly includes a trailer that is towed behind a vehicle. A fire pit is coupled to the trailer for containing an open flame. A plurality of cooking grills is each coupled to the trailer. A table is coupled to and extends outwardly from the plurality of cooking grills. A plurality of chair units is each slidably coupled to the trailer. Each of the chair units is slidable into a deployed position to have a user sit thereon. A venting unit is coupled to the trailer to vent smoke from cooking grills thereby inhibiting the user from being exposed to the smoke. A display is coupled to the trailer and the display is elevated above the fire pit and the cooking grills to be visible to the user when the user is seated on the one of the chair units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Steven Bates, Alisa Ware
  • Patent number: 10597158
    Abstract: A device for use in a vehicle having an entertainment system. The device includes an information processing system including a data processor and memory in communication with one another, with the data processor executing a control system. The device includes an electronic paper display connected in communication to the control system and displaying information in accordance with commands received from the control system. The device includes a communication module connected in communication with the information processing system, with the communication module being connectable to the vehicle entertainment system. The communication module is configured to receive information from the vehicle entertainment system according to at least one communication protocol and communicate the information to the control system, in which the control system generates commands for the electronic paper display in accordance with information received from the vehicle entertainment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation
    Inventors: Shrenik Shah, Feng Jiang, Steven Bates
  • Publication number: 20200076849
    Abstract: A network security attack misdirection line-replaceable unit for installation on an aircraft and connected to an onboard data network include a local network interface to the onboard data network. A local simulation server accepts incoming access requests accompanied by an access credential from an attacker client device, and is responsive thereto with either a simulated access denial response or a simulated access grant response. Delays between receipt of the access request and to the access denial response is progressively increased with each presentation of the access credential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Philip Watson, Steven Bates
  • Publication number: 20190356741
    Abstract: Systems and methods for pairing a personal electronic device of a passenger with a passenger seat in a vehicle using a PWM light identification, and for allowing the personal electronic device to control passenger in-seat functions and features. The system comprises an on-board video system having an in-seat display system for installation in a vehicle. The on-board video system is configured to communication a PWM light identification from a monitor of the in-seat display system which is captured by an imaging device of the personal electronic device. The on-board video system receives pairing information from the personal electronic device corresponding to the captured light identification via a wireless communication link. The on-board video system then validates the pairing information and pairs the personal electronic device to the passenger seat and authorizes the personal electronic device to control passenger seat functions associated with the passenger seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: PANASONIC AVIONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip Watson, Steven Bates, Sanjiv Sitaram Pimple
  • Patent number: 10467980
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for providing and supporting the operation of augmented reality applications on a transport vehicle, such as an airplane, train, bus, automobile, etc. The system includes an onboard management system which is configured to be installed on the vehicle. The onboard management system comprises a computer system having a processor memory, a storage device and management software. The management software includes an application programming interface (API) configured to interface with an augmented reality application on a computer system configured to execute the augmented reality application and display an augmented reality experience. The onboard management system is configured to obtain vehicle data and provide one or more of vehicle location, orientation, altitude, and environmental data to the computer system via the API in response to a call from the augmented reality application. The computer system may then utilize the data in the operation of the augmented reality application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC AVIONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philip Watson, Steven Bates
  • Publication number: 20190327307
    Abstract: An in-flight entertainment and communications (IFEC) system is configured to interconnect an avionics data bus to a local area network. An avionics interface is connectable to the avionics data bus, and receptive to avionics data transmitted on the avionics data bus by one or more avionics nodes over a predetermined protocol. A local network interface establishes the local area network, and portable electronic devices may be connectable to the local network interface over the local area network to establish a data communications link thereon. A data processor is connected to the avionics interface and the local network interface, and relays the avionics data from the avionics interface to the local network interface for transmission to the one or more portable electronics devices. This transmission is according to the predetermined protocol over the data communications link established on the local area network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Philip Watson, Steven Bates
  • Patent number: 10412173
    Abstract: Systems and methods for pairing a personal electronic device of a passenger with a passenger seat in a vehicle using a PWM light identification, and for allowing the personal electronic device to control passenger in-seat functions and features. The system comprises an on-board video system having an in-seat display system for installation in a vehicle. The on-board video system is configured to communication a PWM light identification from a monitor of the in-seat display system which is captured by an imaging device of the personal electronic device. The on-board video system receives pairing information from the personal electronic device corresponding to the captured light identification via a wireless communication link. The on-board video system then validates the pairing information and pairs the personal electronic device to the passenger seat and authorizes the personal electronic device to control passenger seat functions associated with the passenger seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Watson, Steven Bates, Sanjiv Sitaram Pimple
  • Patent number: 10399677
    Abstract: A cart including a housing and a first foot and a second foot mounted to the housing bottom. Each foot is moveable back and forth from a direction away from one end of the cart towards the other end, and each foot including a recess opening downwardly away from the housing bottom. The cart includes a low pressure source in fluid communication pathway extending from each recess to the low pressure source. Each fluid communication pathway includes a valve operable for opening and closing the fluid communication pathway between the recess and the low pressure source. The cart includes a first motor connected to one foot and another motor connected to the other foot, with each motor operable for moving its respective foot back and forth. The cart includes a control system connected in communication with each motor and each valve, with the control system controlling each motor to move its respective foot back and forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Bates, Shrenik Shah, Feng Jiang, Philip Watson
  • Patent number: 10387097
    Abstract: A cart for providing service to passengers in a vehicle. The cart includes a housing having a storage volume with one or more openings to the storage volume, opposite housing sidewalls, and wheels connected to the bottom of the housing. The cart also includes a wireless communication module supported by the housing, with the wireless communication module configured to establish a data communications link in accordance with at least one wireless communication protocol. A data processor is supported by the housing and connected in communication with the wireless communication module with the data processor executing a control system, and the control system receiving information via the data communications link. Sidewalls of the housing support an electronic display connected in communication to the control system and displaying information in accordance with commands received from the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation
    Inventors: Shrenik Shah, Steven Bates, Feng Jiang
  • Patent number: 10382557
    Abstract: An in-flight entertainment and communications (IFEC) system is configured to interconnect an avionics data bus to a local area network. An avionics interface is connectable to the avionics data bus, and receptive to avionics data transmitted on the avionics data bus by one or more avionics nodes over a predetermined protocol. A local network interface establishes the local area network, and portable electronic devices may be connectable to the local network interface over the local area network to establish a data communications link thereon. A data processor is connected to the avionics interface and the local network interface, and relays the avionics data from the avionics interface to the local network interface for transmission to the one or more portable electronics devices. This transmission is according to the predetermined protocol over the data communications link established on the local area network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation
    Inventors: Philip Watson, Steven Bates