Passenger seat pairing systems and methods

A system for pairing a personal electronic device (PED) of a passenger with a seat in a vehicle and controlling a seat function for the seat, the system comprising:

• an on-board video system configured to be installed in a vehicle, the on-board video system comprising an on-board management system and an in-seat display system in network communication with the on-board management system;
• the on-board management system having a server and a vehicle wireless communication module configured to establish a wireless communication link with the PED;
• the in-seat display system having a video monitor installed at the seat in the vehicle;
• wherein the on-board video system is configured to (a) communicate a light identification associated with the seat via a pulse width modulation communication produced by modulating a backlight of the monitor, (b) receive, via the wireless communication link, pairing information from the PED including (1) a light identification code generated by the PED based on the light identification as received by an imaging device of the PED, the light identification code corresponding to the light identification, and (2) a PED identifier identifying the PED, (c) determine whether the light identification code received from the PED is valid, and (d) pair the PED to the seat and authorize the PED to control at least one passenger seat function associated with the seat when the light identification code received from the PED is determined to be valid.

A method for pairing a personal electronic device (PED) of a passenger with a seat in a vehicle and controlling a seat function for the seat, the system comprising:

• communicating from a monitor installed at the seat of the passenger a light identification associated with the seat via a pulse width modulation communication produced by modulating a backlight of the monitor;
• receiving, via a wireless communication link, pairing information from the PED including a light identification code corresponding to the light identification received by the PED and a PED identifier identifying the PED;
• determining whether the light identification code received from the PED is valid;
• and
• pairing the PED to the seat and authorizing the PED to control at least one passenger seat function associated with the seat when the light identification code received from the PED is determined to be valid.