Cockpit and Cabin LiFi Power and Data
AssigneeBell Textron Inc.
InventorsMichael Hull, Glenn Sahagun, Daniel Donley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments are directed to systems and methods for utilizing aircraft cockpit and cabin lighting to provide both power and data transmission to occupants. Data and power may be transmitted on non-visible and/or visible spectrums. The visible light may be used independently for aircraft illumination. Data for the cockpit allows for quick upload and download of flight planning and maintenance data to an electronic flight bag. The electronic flight bag may also be able to receive power from cockpit and cabin lighting during flight.
Claims20
An access point for providing light communication (LC) in an aircraft, comprising:
- an LC transmitter configured to broadcast light within a defined region on or in the aircraft;
- an LC receiver configured to receive light broadcast by a LC device on or in the aircraft;
- and
- an interface to an aircraft network.
A method, comprising:
- identifying a current location of a light communication (LC) device in or near an aircraft based upon communication with an LC access point mounted on the aircraft;
- and
- enabling one or more selected applications on the LC device based upon the current location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.