Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed of a service cart for an aircraft or other vehicle, which includes a thermoelectric device capable of generating a current as a result of a temperature differential between a cold compartment of the cart and an ambient environment. The current can be either stored in a battery or other storage device, and used to power one or more electronic components associated with the cart.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for automatically monitoring a status or position of a vehicle component. Both powered and non-powered (or passive) systems are contemplated. The systems and methods utilize a sensor that signals when a vehicle component, such as an arm rest, a tray table, a seat back, or a window shade is in a predetermined position. The signal can be received by a processor and transmitted to a central server that can provide a report of the status of the various vehicle components to an attendant or crew member to quickly apprise them of the status of the various components without requiring manually checking each component.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for automatically monitoring a status or position of a vehicle component. Both powered and non-powered (or passive) systems are contemplated. The systems and methods utilize a sensor that signals when a vehicle component, such as an arm rest, a tray table, a seat back, or a window shade is in a predetermined position. The signal can be received by a processor and transmitted to a central server that can provide a report of the status of the various vehicle components to an attendant or crew member to quickly apprise them of the status of the various components without requiring manually checking each component.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed of a service cart for an aircraft or other vehicle, which includes a thermoelectric device capable of generating a current as a result of a temperature differential between a cold compartment of the cart and an ambient environment. The current can be either stored in a battery or other storage device, and used to power one or more electronic components associated with the cart.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering synchronized content to in-flight entertainments systems are provided. A content source having a processor, memory, and wireless communication interface can be programmed to transmit a common clock reference to a plurality of line replaceable in-flight entertainment units (LRUs). The content source can receive a command and generate a command message that includes a content identifier associated with the digital content item, a playback state of the digital content item and a presentation start time of the digital content item. The command message is transmitted to the LRUs so the LRUs each retrieves all or a part of the digital content item associated with the content identifier, and initiates playback of the retrieved digital content item at the presentation start time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering synchronized content to in-flight entertainments systems are provided. A content source can transmit a common clock reference to a personal entertainment device (PED) and to a display unit (DU), which indicates a current time of a master clock. A command can be received to initiate playback of a digital content item, and a command message generated that includes a content identifier associated with the digital content item, a playback state of the digital content item and a presentation start time of the digital content item. The command message is transmitted to the PED to initiate playback of a buffered portion of the audio component at the presentation start time, and to the DU to initiate playback of locally stored video content.