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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring a public announcement message to an onboard public announcement system (OPAS) installed on a vehicle using a personal electronic device. The personal electronic device establishes a wireless network connection to the OPAS to transmit a public announcement message stored on a personal electronic device. The personal electronic device transmits the public announcement message to the OPAS via the wireless network connection. The personal electronic device may download messages from a remote public announcement server for transfer to the OPAS. The personal electronic device may also record messages and control the playback of messages on the OPAS.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a block copolymer comprising a first block derived from a cyclo-alkyl vinyl monomer, a hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer or a hydrogenated vinyl pyridine polymers; and a second block derived from an acrylate monomer. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising reacting a first block derived from a cyclo-alkyl vinyl monomer, a hydrogenated vinyl aromatic polymer or a hydrogenated vinyl pyridine polymers with an initiator to form a macroinitiator; and polymerizing a second block onto the first block to form a block copolymer; where the second block is derived by polymerizing an acrylate monomer; and where the block copolymer has a chi parameter of greater than or equal to about 0.05, when measured at a temperature of 200° C. to 210° C.; where the chi parameter is a measure of interactions between the first block and the second block of the copolymer.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring a public announcement message to an onboard public announcement system (OPAS) installed on a vehicle using a personal electronic device. The personal electronic device establishes a wireless network connection to the OPAS to transmit a public announcement message stored on a personal electronic device. The personal electronic device transmits the public announcement message to the OPAS via the wireless network connection. The personal electronic device may download messages from a remote public announcement server for transfer to the OPAS. The personal electronic device may also record messages and control the playback of messages on the OPAS.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: In the selective wiping of data stored on an aircraft Inflight Entertainment and Communications (IFEC) computer system, a potential attack indicator generated in response to a detection of an attack attempt that is received from a remote manager client computer system. The potential attack indicator includes an attack severity classification, which is correlated to one of a plurality of attack attempt responses. Each of the attack attempt responses correspond to a data sensitivity classification, and each predefined block of data stored on the IFEC computer system is assigned a data sensitivity classification. According to the attack attempt response that was correlated to the received attack severity classification, the predefined blocks of data assigned to the data sensitivity classification corresponding to the attack attempt response are deleted.

Abstract: Block copolymers include a poly ?-methyl-?-valerolactone (PMVL) block. The PMVL blocks can be formed from biosynthesized ?-methyl-?-valerolactone (MVL). The PMVL block may be formed from biosynthesized ?-methyl-?-valerolactone (MVL) with a 14C/12C ratio greater than zero. The block copolymers can include hard blocks. The block copolymers can be thermoplastic elastomers. The block copolymers may include a polylactic acid (PLA) block.