Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system, such as an aircraft entertainment system, includes a centralized Bluetooth radio manager that is communicatively connected to video display units (VDUs) with Bluetooth radios at passenger seats within a vehicle cabin. The centralized Bluetooth radio manager performs operations to obtain from each VDU among a group of the VDUs, information identifying a detected set of the VDUs having Bluetooth radios transmitting signals that are received by the Bluetooth radio of the VDU. Responsive to the information obtained from the group of the VDUs identifying different numbers of VDUs in their respective detected sets, the operations control at least one of the VDUs in the group to change transmission power of its Bluetooth radio in a direction that decreases difference between the numbers of VDUs in their respective detected sets which are identified in further information subsequently obtained from the group of the VDUs.

Abstract: An LCD display unit of an aircraft inflight entertainment system includes a backlight driver driving light sources of a backlight panel to emit light through a polarizer layer and transistor array layer toward a liquid crystal layer. An LCD controller operates, during an image display mode, to receive data defining an image, and control transistors of the transistor array layer to directionally orient liquid crystals of corresponding pixels of the liquid crystal layer relative to a polarization direction of the polarization layer to define the image. The LCD controller further operates, during a retained pattern erase mode, to control the backlight driver to turn off or dim below a threshold level the backlight panel and to selectively control transistors of the transistor array layer to repetitively cycle orientations of liquid crystals between at least two offset directions to at least partially erase a retained pattern bias among the pixels.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system includes a content server and a peripheral manager. The content server establishes communication connections through at least one communication network with mobile peripherals providing vehicle entertainment services to passengers, and routes entertainment content to the mobile peripherals. The peripheral manager responds to an indication of a loss of an established communication connection with one of mobile peripherals for at least a threshold time and during a vehicle arrival state, which are defined by a loss reporting rule and indicate the one of mobile peripherals is being transported offboard the vehicle, by sending information identifying the one of the mobile peripherals and/or a passenger associated with the one of the mobile peripherals to a crew terminal to notify a crew member and/or adding the information to a report that is communicated to an offboard peripheral manager located remote from the vehicle.

Abstract: A power management system includes power monitor circuits and a power manager circuit. The power monitor circuits each measure actual power supplied to one of the user electronic devices (UEDs). The power manager circuit negotiates with the UEDs agreement for subscription power levels that the UEDs are authorized to be supplied. The power manager circuit allows an oversubscription state by operations agreeing to subscription power levels for the UEDs that when combined exceeds a maximum power supply capability of the power management system. The power manager circuit, for each UED, determines a present actual power usage of the UED based on the measurements, determines a present total actual power usage of the UEDs, and responds to the present total actual power usage exceeding the maximum power supply capability minus a first threshold offset, by renegotiating an agreement with at least one of the UEDs for a lower subscription power level.

Abstract: A first connector, for coupling to a second connector, including a support structure, a set of spring-biased pogo pins arranged in a linear configuration and configured to carry at least one of electrical signals and power, a resilient structure extending across a face of the support structure, and a first pair of magnetic couplers attached to the resilient structure on opposite sides of the set of spring-biased pogo pins is disclosed. The spring- biased pogo pins are each located in a corresponding passage in the support structure. The first pair of magnetic couplers are configured to mate with a corresponding second pair of magnetic couplers of the second connector and compress the resilient structure to bias the set of spring-biased pogo pins against a corresponding set of target contact pads of the second connector.

Abstract: A docking station for storing a handset. A storage tray has a first recessed area for storing the handset and a second recessed area for a passenger to grip a top surface of the stored handset. The docking station includes a second latch extended into the second recessed area to engage an indent in the bottom surface of the handset. The docking station includes a first latch extended into the second recessed area to engage an indent located in the front surface of the handset. Depression of a release actuator retracts the first latch to release the top surface of the handset. The release actuator extends through an opening in the first recessed area, which has a length sufficient to allow a finger to actuate the release actuator and grip the top surface of the remote control handset while the remote control handset is stored in the storage tray.

Abstract: A docking station for storing a handset. A storage tray has a first recessed area for storing the handset and a second recessed area for a passenger to grip a top surface of the stored handset. The docking station includes a second latch extended into the second recessed area to engage an indent in the bottom surface of the handset. The docking station includes a first latch extended into the second recessed area to engage an indent located in the front surface of the handset. Depression of a release actuator retracts the first latch to release the top surface of the handset. The release actuator extends through an opening in the first recessed area, which has a length sufficient to allow a finger to actuate the release actuator and grip the top surface of the remote control handset while the remote control handset is stored in the storage tray.

Abstract: A handset device controls a vehicle entertainment system. The handset device includes an interface configured to communicate control signaling to the entertainment system, user selectable interface elements, light devices arranged to form light zones providing backlighting to corresponding groups of one or more of the user selectable interface elements, and controller circuitry. The controller circuitry is configured to respond to user selections among the user selectable interface elements by triggering corresponding control signaling to be communicated through the interface. The controller circuitry determines a lighting setting to select one of the light zones to activate to backlight the corresponding group of the one or more of the user selectable interface elements, and controls power flow to at least one light device in the selected light zone based on the light setting to backlight the corresponding group of the one or more of the user selectable interface elements.

Abstract: A handset device controls a vehicle entertainment system. The handset device includes an interface configured to communicate control signaling to the entertainment system, user selectable interface elements, light devices arranged to form light zones providing backlighting to corresponding groups of one or more of the user selectable interface elements, and controller circuitry. The controller circuitry is configured to respond to user selections among the user selectable interface elements by triggering corresponding control signaling to be communicated through the interface. The controller circuitry determines a lighting setting to select one of the light zones to activate to backlight the corresponding group of the one or more of the user selectable interface elements, and controls power flow to at least one light device in the selected light zone based on the light setting to backlight the corresponding group of the one or more of the user selectable interface elements.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a first connector, for coupling to a second connector, including a support structure, a set of spring-biased pogo pins arranged in a linear configuration and configured to carry at least one of electrical signals and power, a resilient structure extending across a face of the support structure, and a first pair of magnetic couplers attached to the resilient structure on opposite sides of the set of spring-biased pogo pins. The spring-biased pogo pins are each located in a corresponding passage in the support structure. The first pair of magnetic couplers are configured to mate with a corresponding second pair of magnetic couplers of the second connector and compress the resilient structure to bias the set of spring-biased pogo pins against a corresponding set of target contact pads of the second connector.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a battery containment assembly for powering an electronic device. The battery containment assembly including at least one lithium-ion battery. The battery containment assembly includes a battery casing enclosing the at least one lithium-ion battery and having a cooling channel extending from a vent of the battery casing to the at least one lithium-ion battery, the cooling channel configured to vent any gas exhausted by the at least one lithium-ion battery to mix with air outside of the battery casing and to lower a temperature of the gas exhausted from the at least one lithium-ion battery during a thermal runaway condition of the at least one lithium-ion battery before the gas exits the vent.

Abstract: An interface for a bulkhead monitor in an in-flight entertainment system, and a method for using the same. More specifically, a one-wire interface use to electrically couple a tapping unit and its associated monitor in an in-flight entertainment system. The wire has a first end for coupling to an input of a comparator in the tapping unit, and a second end for coupling to an input of a comparator in the monitor, to couple the tapping unit to the monitor. The interface further includes a second wire for coupling the wire to a load, such as an indicator which indicates an on or off condition of at least the video monitor. The wire of the interface can also carry a signal indicating a indicating at least one of transmitting state and a receiving state of a microcontroller of the monitor.

Abstract: A mounting device for a line replaceable unit in an aircraft, and a method for using the same. The mounting device provides for easy installation and removal of a line replaceable unit from overhead mounting apparatus or mounting rails in an aircraft, in particular, an Airbus. The mounting device includes a fixing block having a least one opening, and at least one assembly including a shaft portion passing through the opening, a clamping element and a visual position element whose orientation indicates an orientation of the clamping element. The assembly is operable such that the clamping element secures the device to a component of the vehicle when positioned in a first position, and releases the device when positioned in a second position, and the visual position element provides an indication of whether the clamping element is in the first or second position.

Abstract: A low-profile D-subshell connector system is provided with interlocking components that can be used where space limitations are required. The system comprises a connector plug that has a connector; a backshell that houses a portion of the connector and is affixed to the connector; and a latch that is affixed to the connector and backshell. The latch comprises an angled tab that is resiliently pivotally mounted to a front portion of the latch. The tab comprises a wide region, a narrow region, and a release protrusion extending perpendicular from a top surface of the tab. A catch assembly engages the tab of the latch, the catch comprising a front portion having a notch therein. A part of the catch front portion serves to engage the wide region of the tab, thereby forcing the tab to pivot when the connector is partially inserted; and the narrow region of the tab resides in the catch notch when the connector is fully inserted.

Abstract: A mounting device for a line replaceable unit in an aircraft, and a method for using the same. The mounting device provides for easy installation and removal of a line replaceable unit from overhead mounting apparatus or mounting rails in an aircraft, in particular, an Airbus. The mounting device includes a fixing block having a least one opening, and at least one assembly including a shaft portion passing through the opening, a clamping element and a visual position element whose orientation indicates an orientation of the clamping element. The assembly is operable such that the clamping element secures the device to a component of the vehicle when positioned in a first position, and releases the device when positioned in a second position, and the visual position element provides an indication of whether the clamping element is in the first or second position.

Abstract: An interface for a bulkhead monitor in an in-flight entertainment system, and a method for using the same. More specifically, a one-wire interface use to electrically couple a tapping unit and its associated monitor in an in-flight entertainment system. The wire has a first end for coupling to an input of a comparator in the tapping unit, and a second end for coupling to an input of a comparator in the monitor, to couple the tapping unit to the monitor. The interface further includes a second wire for coupling the wire to a load, such as an indicator which indicates an on or off condition of at least the video monitor. The wire of the interface can also carry a signal indicating a indicating at least one of transmitting state and a receiving state of a microcontroller of the monitor.

Abstract: A video display unit includes a housing coupled to a portion of an aircraft cabin, a local area network interface disposed at least partially within the housing, and a video decoder disposed within the housing. The video decoder receives video content via the network interface, and decodes the video content. The video display unit also has a display screen coupled to the housing. The display screen displays the video content, and allows a passenger to interact with the display in response to on-screen instructions, including the use of a magnetic card reader to, for example, purchase an item via credit card.