Incorporation of connexion connectivity to a preexisting communication infrastructure
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorGuy Lambiaso
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A telephone system apparatus and method adapted for use on an aircraft seatback which provides an electrical connection point (i.e., jack) formed on a housing of the telephone system. The connection point permits coupling of a user's laptop computer to an on-board network, while the housing also provides the electrical connection point for a telephone handset. In one embodiment a pair of additional electrical connection points are provided for allowing more than one individual to couple his/her laptop computer to phone system, and thus gain access to the network. The telephone system eliminates the need to attach independent jacks at various locations on the seats and efficiently uses the housing of the telephone system for this purpose.
Claims20
An integrated telephone system adapted to be housed in a seat of a mobile platform, the system comprising:
- a housing;
- a first terminal supported on said housing, said first terminal providing an electrical connection point for a telephone handset of said system;
- and
- a second terminal supported on said housing at a location readily accessible by a first user, said second terminal providing an electrical connection point for a computing device of said first user.
A seat mounted to a vehicle having an integrated telephone system, comprising:
- a cradle mounted in a recessed portion of the seat;
- a first terminal adapted to be coupled to a communication device, said first terminal located on said cradle;
- and
- a second terminal adapted to be coupled to a computing device of a user, said second terminal located on said cradle.
A method for adapting an existing seat mounted telephone system with an additional terminal comprising the steps of:
- modifying the telephone system to receive a portion of a first additional terminal having an interface;
- affixing said first additional terminal to the telephone system;
- and
- connecting a communications cable to said first additional terminal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.