US 5,311,302 A · Entertainment and data management system for passenger vehicle including individual seat interactive video terminals

Abstract

A video monitor or terminal (14,80) is provided in front of each passenger seat in an aircraft or other vehicle. Each terminal (14,80) includes a video display screen (22) which may be mounted in a seatback (16) or bulkhead facing the respective seat, or at the end of a pivotable swing arm (92) extending from the armrest console (84) of the seat. A transparent touch panel (24) overlies the screen (22) and has a plurality of touch sensitive areas for generating discrete electrical selection signals when touched. A computing unit including a text generator (30) displays visual prompts corresponding to passenger-selectable operations on the screen (22) underlying predetermined pressure sensitive areas of the touch panel (24). The operations may include selection of a multiplexed video channel for viewing, control of an individual video tape player (86), ordering of food, drinks and catalog merchandise and placing of telephone calls. A credit card reader (36) may be provided for payment for ordered items. An electronic control unit (28,94) is responsive to the selection signals from the panel (22), and controls the video terminal (14,80) to perform the operations corresponding thereto.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An interactive video terminal, comprising:

a video display screen;
a transparent touch panel overlying the screen and having a plurality of pressure sensitive areas for generating discrete electrical selection signals respectively when touched;
computing mean for generating visual prompts corresponding to predetermined selectable operations of the terminal for display on the screen underlying predetermined pressure sensitive areas of the panel respectively;
and
a movable housing for retaining the screen and panel;
a fixed housing;
a pivotable swing arm extending from the fixed housing for supporting the movable housing;
and
control means responsive to said selection signals from the panel for controlling the terminal to perform said operations corresponding thereto respectively, said control means comprising:
first processor means disposed in the movable housing for sensing said selection signals generated by the panel;
second processor means disposed in the fixed housing for controlling the terminal to perform said operations in response to said selection signals sensed by the first processor means;
and
electrical connector means extending through the swing arm and interconnecting the first and second processor means.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Entertainment and data management system for passenger vehicle including individual seat interactive video terminals

Life of this patent

Entertainment and data management system for passenger vehicle including individual seat interactive video terminals

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17