# US 9,436,568 B2 · Simplified passenger service unit (SPSU) tester

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,436,568 B2
- Document ID: US9436568B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/296,259
- Filed: 2014-06-04
- Published: 2015-12-10
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2014-06-04
- Assignees: The Boeing Company
- Applicants: The Boeing Company
- Inventors: Donald B. Lee; Yakentim M. Ibrahim
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9436568B2

## CPC

- G06F 11/273: Tester hardware, i.e. output processing circuits {(G06F11/263 takes precedence)}
- G01R 31/008: {on air- or spacecraft, railway rolling stock or sea-going vessels}
- G06F 13/385: {for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices}
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12)

## Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus for testing a passenger service unit (PSU) of a cabin of a vehicle are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves installing a test interface panel (TIP) in the cabin of the vehicle such that the TIP is connected to a power source and is able to communicate with the PSU. The method further involves connecting a user interface to the TIP. Also, the method involves sending at least one command, from the user interface, to the PSU via the TIP. Further, the method involves sending, at least one response, from the PSU.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for testing a passenger service unit (PSU) of a cabin of a vehicle, the method comprising:
installing a test interface panel (TIP), which is not part of the PSU, the cabin of the vehicle such that the TIP is connected to a power source and is able to communicate with the PSU;
connecting a user interface to the TIP;
sending at least one command, from the user interface, to the PSU via the TIP; and
sending, at least one response, from the PSU.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is one of an airborne vehicle, a terrestrial vehicle, and a marine vehicle.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the airborne vehicle is one of an aircraft and a spacecraft.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the terrestrial vehicle is one of a bus and a train.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the marine vehicle is one of a boat and a ship.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the PSU controls at least one of at least one reading light, an attendant calling function, ventilation, oxygen, an in-flight entertainment system, notification signage, and internet connectivity.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the TIP is connected to the power source via a power rail in the cabin.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the TIP is able to communicate with the PSU by one of infra-red, radio frequency (RF), and electrical cable.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface is connected to the TIP by one of wire and wirelessly.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface is one of a tablet computer, a laptop computer, and a smart phone.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one command is one of a test command and a configuration command.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the test command is one of a verification command and a troubleshooting command.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one response is at least one of a signal response received by the user interface from the PSU via the TIP and a physical response.

### Claim 14

A system for testing a passenger service unit (PSU) of a cabin of a vehicle, the system comprising:
a test interface panel (TIP), which is not part of the PSU, installed in the cabin of the vehicle such that the TIP is connected to a power source and is able to communicate with the PSU;
a user interface to connect to the TIP and to send at least one command to the PSU via the TIP; and
the PSU to send at least one response.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the TIP is connected to the power source via a power rail in the cabin.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the TIP is able to communicate with the PSU by one of infra-red, radio frequency (RF), and electrical cable.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the user interface is connected to the TIP by one of wire and wirelessly.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the user interface is one of a tablet computer, a laptop computer, and a smart phone.

### Claim 19 (depends on 14)

The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one response is at least one of a signal response received by the user interface from the PSU via the TIP and a physical response.

### Claim 20

An apparatus for testing a passenger service unit (PSU) of a cabin of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
a test interface panel (TIP),
wherein the TIP, which is not part of the PSU, is installed in the cabin of the vehicle such that the TIP is connected to a power source and is able to communicate with the PSU, and
wherein the TIP is to connect to a user interface, to receive at least one command from the user interface, and to send the at least one command to the PSU.