EP1989698A2

EP1989698A2 - Image viewing system for passengers of an aircraft and aircraft comprising such a system

Info

Publication number: EP1989698A2
Application number: EP07731033A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christophe Cossart
Original assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
Current assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
Priority date: 2006-02-27
Filing date: 2007-02-23
Publication date: 2008-11-12
Also published as: CN101390145A; RU2445716C2; CA2643247A1; WO2007096531A3; US8192034B2; FR2897972A1; RU2008138533A; JP2009528204A; JP5350805B2; CA2643247C; US20090310085A1; FR2897972B1; WO2007096531A2; BRPI0707013A2

Abstract

The invention relates to an image viewing system for aircraft passengers, characterized in that it is embodied in the form of a module (10) which comprises a unit (20) for displaying images originating from at least one image source (12, 14, 16), the display unit being tied to an internal wall of the aircraft, in a position parallel to a floor of the aircraft.

Description

Image display system for passengers of an aircraft and aircraft comprising such a system

The invention relates to an image display system for the passengers of an aircraft.

It is known to use on board aircraft display screens arranged vertically and fixed to the back of the passenger seats, the ceiling of the aisles located between the bays of the seats and the panels that face the central span of seats.

However, it would be useful to have a new visualization system that can be used by several passengers and installed in unobstructed spaces of aircraft, for example in the space of relaxation of an A380 type aircraft.

The present invention relates to an image display system for aircraft passengers, characterized in that it is embodied in the form of a module which comprises an image display unit originating from at least one source of images, the display unit being secured to an inner wall of the aircraft, in a position parallel to a floor of the aircraft.

By thus horizontally arranging the display unit of the module, that is to say, parallel to a cabin floor of the aircraft, it is possible to fix the latter to the floor in an open space, free of any passenger seat . This space forms an area accessible to passengers so that several of them can simultaneously view images.

Note that the display unit may be disposed substantially parallel to the floor, that is to say that the display unit may be strictly parallel or slightly inclined a few degrees from the floor.

The image source, for example video images, is not necessarily integrated into the physical unit that forms the display module and, in this respect, can be deported.

It is thus possible to reduce the size of the system. Moreover, the source can thus be more easily used by other display systems according to the invention or not, or for other purposes.

According to one feature, the display unit has a generally convex shape that is suitable for providing simultaneous viewing to multiple passengers.

When the display system is attached to the floor, this convex shape, for example hemispherical, can restore the impression that the passenger would feel looking at the ocean floor in a glass bottom boat or using a bathyscope.

According to one characteristic, the system comprises:

an image projection unit provided by the image source,

an optical system for adapting to the display unit the images projected on the latter.

These two elements are integrated into the physical unit that forms the display system and the display unit constitutes a projection surface of the images.

More particularly, these elements, as well as the display unit, are arranged close to each other and not deported.

Note that the shorter the distance between the various elements (for example the projection unit and the display unit), the shorter the viewing system is compact and more opportunities for "design" are multiplied.

Thus, one can, for example, reduce the dimensions of the display system which is subject to an inner wall of the aircraft.

It should be noted that the optical system is, for example, an optical correction system which is or is not part of the image projection unit. This optical system, if it is independent, is, for example, a lens.

According to one characteristic, the system comprises passenger interactive elements / visualization system which are related to the display unit.

Thus, the multi-passenger visualization system is interactive unlike conventional collective screens that are arranged vertically, that is to say, perpendicular to the floor of the aircraft and away from the passengers.

Passengers can therefore choose, through information entry means in the system, the information they wish to view and act on the image rendering the selected information (zoom, colors, ...).

According to one characteristic, the display unit integrates a tactile layer and the interactive elements form tactile zones of the layer.

The interactive elements may alternatively or non-alternatively be arranged around the display unit.

This spatial distribution is particularly adapted to the disposition of the passengers gathered around the display unit.

According to one characteristic, the system comprises a data processing unit which is, for example, integrated in the module that forms the display system.

The data processing unit, whether integrated or not in the system, is able to process the images appearing on the display unit, which is particularly useful when the passengers wish to interact with the images viewed, by example by manipulating them (zoom, ...).

The data processing unit and the display unit are for example arranged close to each other so as to reduce the size of the module.

Note that the display system may not include a projection unit and associated optical system and have, instead, a data processing unit of small thickness, thus conferring on the assembly formed by the unit of display and processing unit a small footprint in the manner of a flat and compact laptop.

The display unit is for example an LCD type screen.

In order to adapt to the size of the passengers, a mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the display unit is provided.

More particularly, the display unit is mounted on a support that is adapted to be fixed on an inner wall of the aircraft. The wall may be the floor, the ceiling, or even a vertical wall of the aircraft and, in this case, the support forms a bend so that the display unit remains horizontal.

According to one characteristic, the support is adjustable vertically by means of a vertical adjustment mechanism and, for example, the mechanism is of rotary type.

According to one feature, the support comprises a fixing foot which allows the attachment of the system to an inner wall of the aircraft.

According to one characteristic, the display unit is fixed to the floor.

According to one characteristic, the display module has a height or vertical extension that is less than the height or size of the passengers.

Generally, the height of the module is approximately halfway up an adult passenger, ie around one meter in height.

This height allows adult passengers who are standing to be able to use the visualization module.

Correlatively, the invention also relates to an aircraft comprising an image display system for aircraft passengers such as that briefly described above.

Other characteristics and advantages will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the logical architecture of the display system according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of implantation of the display system according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a first exemplary embodiment of a display system according to the invention;

FIGS. 4a and 4b are schematic views of a second exemplary embodiment of a display system according to the invention, FIG. 4b being a sectional view along the section plane IVb-IVb of FIG. 4a; FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a third exemplary embodiment of a display system according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of the system of FIG. 5.

As represented in FIG. 1, a logical architecture of an image display system according to the invention comprises the physical unit or module 10 constituting the system itself and several possible image sources denoted 12, 14 and 16. .

According to a variant, the image source (s) can be integrated in the system 10.

However, in the embodiment described, the sources are remote.

The size of the system 10 can thus be reduced.

Note that the image data from one or more sources are for example digital but may alternatively be in analog form.

Moreover, the image data are for example video type.

The sources 12, 14, 16 may include video and non-video data and are respectively part of a system referred to as LCS ("Landscape Control System"), of a system denoted IFE (acronym for in English terminology: "In Flight Entertainment"), and a system noted CIDS (acronym meaning in Anglo-Saxon terminology: "Cabin Intercommunication Data System").

The LCS system provides video data from cameras placed under the aircraft or at the upper end of the tail of the aircraft.

The IFE system provides data relating to in-flight entertainment programs (films, reports, games, language learning methods, etc.).

The CIDS system provides flight data (flight path, speed, altitude and other information on the flight). Note that the transmission between the sources 12, 14 and 16 and the system 10 can be performed via a cable or wireless, for example, by a radio link.

As shown in FIG. 1, the IFE system 14 receives, for example, data from the sources 12 (video images) and 16 (information to be used for display, such as information on the flight) and processes them in a data management module 17.

Note that the module 17 also generates data specific to the system 14 which is also a possible source of data (in-flight entertainment data).

This data is also transmitted to the system 10.

The module or physical device 10 constituting the display system integrates a data processing unit 18 which is connected to the system 14 and which is able to communicate with the latter, both in transmission and in reception.

When the data to be displayed is processed, it is transmitted to the system 10.

It will be noted that in certain circumstances the processing unit 18 can itself generate the data to be displayed from the sources 12, 14 and 16 without the intervention of the generation function of the data to display of the management module 17.

Furthermore, in other embodiments not shown, the processing unit 18 can be deported and thus not be part of the physical unit that constitutes the display system 10, which reduces the volume and weight .

The system 10 also includes a display unit 20 which allows the display of video or non-video images having passed through the processing unit 18 or entirely generated by the latter.

It will be noted that the images transmitted by the source or sources may nevertheless undergo some transformations (post-processing of the type formatting, adaptation to the system 10 ...) from the unit 18 before their display. Thus, any optical and chromatic defects can be corrected before the display of images.

This display unit, which is for example made in the form of a screen, is a display unit accessible simultaneously by several passengers.

The system 10 also comprises an interactive subsystem 22 between the passengers and the display system and which is in connection with the display unit 20.

This interactive multi-passenger subsystem includes interactive elements (control elements) allowing several passengers to exert control over the system via means of entry into the system.

These input means are, for example, passenger interactive elements / display system which will be described later in connection with Figures 3 and 4a, 4b.

These control elements are related to the processing unit 18 in order to intervene on the data display by transmitting commands. Other control elements are for example remotely accessible by the on-board personnel who can transmit commands to the unit 18 to control the display of data.

The interactive subsystem 22 allows passengers and flight attendants to perform several functions on the visualization system according to the invention, namely:

- image manipulation: zoom, rotation, translation, preset mode by default (set of presets such as zoom level, image orientation, ie, the top of the image can be directed to the nose of the image airplane or north or set by the user between 0 ° and 360 ° ...);

- image adjustment: artificial colors, real colors, contrast, brightness, preset mode by default (infrared or digitally processed images to highlight political boundaries, land / sea boundaries, mountainous areas, ...);

image information obtained by computerized processing of images to bring out information comprehensible to a user (geographical, physical, political ...): location of the territory or cities flown at a given moment by the aircraft, wind, altitude, default preset mode;

- types of data to display: data from the LCS system, data from the cockpit (eg information from the cockpit via the CIDS system and inviting passengers to return to their seats), flight data, entertainment programs.

Sensors C can also be part of the display system 10 according to the invention and recover information from the system itself or from its environment.

It can for example be light sensors associated with the display unit, temperature sensors, hygrometry ...

The processing unit 18 communicates with these sensors if they are "intelligent" sensors (equipped with a computing unit) or, otherwise, simply obtain the information they have collected.

From the information retrieved by the sensors, the processing unit 18 generates maintenance information on the constituent elements of the system 10, as well as information on the state of this system and transmits it to the management module 17 of the IFE system. 14.

The latter analyzes the information received and then transmits this information to the CIDS system which can thus exploit them.

It is thus possible to provide for the replacement of a component of the system 10 if the maintenance information indicates that it is at the end of its life (eg lamp).

As shown in FIG. 2, an area of an aircraft such as an A380 commercial aircraft or a private jet (which is owned by companies, governments or individuals) constitutes a common space for relaxation. passengers of the aircraft and allows the installation of the display system according to the invention.

The display system according to the invention is fixed by screwing, welding or any other appropriate means on an inner wall of the aircraft which is, for example, in Figure 2 the floor 24 of this common area. The free space is clear of any passenger seat and is large enough that several passengers can gather around the display system 10 which is, for example, installed substantially in the center of this space.

As shown in Figure 2, the display unit of the display system according to the invention is arranged in a substantially horizontal position which, in this case, is parallel to the floor of the aircraft.

If the display unit were too strongly inclined to the horizontal, it would interfere with the viewing of images on the display unit by passengers standing up and looking down.

The passengers gathered around the display unit can display on the latter display information relating to an external view of the aircraft, for example, a view of the ground overflown by the latter (obtained by cameras placed on the aircraft or by a satellite), geographical information based on a real view and analyzed by the processing unit 18 of FIG. 1 and which are commented in real time on the display from a database of different geographical maps. .

The display system 10 of Figure 2 is illustrated in more detail in longitudinal section in Figure 3 which will now be described.

The display system 10 schematically comprises the display unit 20 mounted on a support 30 and forming therewith the external physical envelope of the display system.

As indicated above, the display unit 20 is substantially parallel to the floor of the aircraft and, in this embodiment, is in the form of a semi-transparent screen 25 of generally convex shape which, in 'species, is hemispherical, thus projecting up images.

The screen has for example a diameter of 800mm.

It can be a tempered glass or a laminated glass or a plexiglass glass which constitutes the frosted curved surface of projection of the images. It should be noted that the curvature given to the screen gives passengers the impression of looking through the glass bottom of some boats that allow the observation of the seabed.

Furthermore, the substantially horizontal arrangement of the screen of Figure 3 reproduces the natural direction of vision downward.

The spatial arrangement of the screen is defined relative to the spatial orientation of the axis of revolution or symmetry of the surface of the screen for a hemispherical or circular surface or the normal to the surface of the screen for a flat surface.

Thus, a horizontal arrangement of a screen means that the axis of revolution / symmetry or the normal to the surface of the screen is vertical.

In this embodiment, the display system 10 is not adjustable in height and the support 30 is in the form of a fixing leg 30a which is intended for fixing the support, for example, to the floor and which extends upwards in a flared shape 30b joining the horizontal and on which the display unit 20 is supported.

The foot 30a is, for example, attached to the longitudinal and / or transverse longitudinal members constituting the frame of the floor.

The shape conferred on the visualization system is similar to that of a mushroom.

Inside the block or module that constitutes the system 10, there is, in the lower part of the foot, the data processing unit 18, then up, a projection unit 32 of images that are either provided by one of the data sources of FIG. 1, generated by the processing unit 18.

This video projection unit can be, for example, an LCD projector.

It may also be a video projection unit of the DLP type (acronym meaning in English-language terminology "Digital Light Processing ™") marketed, for example, by the company MITSUBISHI which comprises as a light source three LED type diodes, weighs 500g and has the following dimensions: 150 x 100 x 50 mm. The video projection unit may alternatively consist of an LCD matrix, a lamp or a diode matrix

The system 10 also comprises an optical system 34 for adapting to the display unit 20 (screen 25) images that are projected on the latter.

The optical system makes it possible to perform an optical diffusion of these images, thus realizing a geometric adaptation of the images to the curvature of the display unit.

Such an optical diffusion system is for example made of Fresnel lenses or optical lenses of glass or of suitable plastic materials.

The optical beam thus obtained is very schematically illustrated by reference numeral 35 in FIG.

It will be noted that other geometric corrections to improve the quality of the image on the display (for example, correction of optical aberrations) are for example provided by mathematical algorithms implemented by the processing unit 18.

In addition, the display unit 20 incorporates a touch layer 22, for example flexible, which comprises interactive passenger / system elements constituting touch zones of the screen (interactive subsystem 22 of Figure 1).

The touch layer (resistive, capacitive or other technology) transmits the information received to the processing unit 18 by a physical link not shown.

It will be noted that the screen 25 may alternatively be a holographic type screen.

The latter type of screen is constituted by a hologram of the surface of the screen and not a hologram of the image formed, which thus makes it possible to avoid parasitic lights while offering an enlarged color palette.

Such a screen is for example described in WO 03012495. The various interactive elements are for example distributed around the periphery of the screen to facilitate their access to the passengers gathered around the system. The height along which the module 10 extends is less than that of an adult passenger and is for example at mid-man's height (for example between 90 cm and 1 m, or even 1, 20 m). Thus, the passengers have only to lower their eyes to visualize images.

Note that in this exemplary embodiment, the data processing unit 18 and the display unit 20, as well as the projection unit 32 and the optical system 34 are arranged in close proximity to each other. to reduce the volume of the entire viewing system 10.

A second exemplary embodiment of a display system according to the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4a and 4b.

The display system 40 according to the invention is in accordance with the description that has been made of the system 10 of FIG. 1, but has a configuration different from that represented in FIG.

However, the display system 40 may also be installed, like the system 10, in an open area of an aircraft such as that illustrated in FIG.

The module 40 of FIGS. 4a and 4b comprises a display unit 42 arranged against a thin data processing unit 44 or in the vicinity of the latter, so as to confer on the assembly consisting of the two units 42 and 44 a small footprint.

This assembly is mounted on a support 46 (FIG. 4b) attached to an internal wall of the aircraft which is, for example, a cabin floor thereof, such as the floor 24 of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 4b, the display unit 42 is arranged horizontally, that is to say in a position parallel to the floor of the aircraft, and the vertical position, or height, of this display unit is vertically adjustable.

This setting is made possible because of the low weight of the display system. Indeed, in this embodiment the system does not include frosted glass, optical matching system and projection unit. More particularly, the support 46 comprises a rotary type fixing foot 48 which makes it possible to adjust the vertical position of the display unit 42 and therefore of the display system 40.

The foot 48 is rotatably mounted in a cylindrical base 49 of the support which is fixed to the floor and cooperates with the inner surface of the latter by means of complementary threads in the manner of a screw-nut type mounting.

It is thus possible, by simple rotation of the assembly consisting of the display unit and the data processing unit, to raise or lower the display system 40 in order to adjust it to the desired height for the passengers. wanting to use it.

However, it should be noted that, in its maximum extension position, the vertical dimension of the module is always much lower than that of an adult passenger (eg 1.75m) because beyond a certain height, passengers standing do not have enough recoil height to view images.

It will be noted that the foot 48, in addition to its mechanical function, also transmits electrical signals to the data processing unit 44 and the display unit 42, as well as from the unit. 44 to the outside of the system.

For example, it is possible to transmit only the electrical energy required by the system to the system and wirelessly transmit the data between the system and the external sources of FIG.

In this regard, the electrical connector used for electrical transmission between two parts mounted rotatable relative to each other and which is for example described in document FR 2 690 285, can be used in the support 46 of FIG. 4b.

It should be noted that the display system according to the invention can be adjusted in its vertical position by other mechanisms than the rotary system shown in Figure 4b and, for example, by a hydraulic system implementing a jack. As shown in FIG. 4b, the display unit 42 comprises a circular screen 50, for example of the LCD or OLED type (acronym meaning in Anglo-Saxon terminology "Organic Light Emitting Diode"), which is mounted on a circular frame 52 larger diameter than that of the screen 50.

An annular space 54 is arranged between the outer peripheral edge of the frame 52 and the outer peripheral edge of the screen 50 and several 55 passenger interactive elements / display system are arranged in this space (Figure 4a).

These interactive elements arranged around the screen 50 are directly accessible to passengers disposed around the display system 40 and are, for example, evenly distributed over four angular sectors of the frame.

Note that these interactive elements are, for example, buttons forming part of the input means 22 of the interactive subsystem of Figure 1.

These buttons are, for example, each dedicated to a single function to facilitate the understanding and use of the system by passengers.

For example, there is a button to activate the "zoom +" function and another button to activate the "zoom-" function.

Thus, the buttons are in two positions, one to activate the function and the other to deactivate it.

Moreover, the display unit 42 also comprises a touch-sensitive layer 56 comprising tactile zones which constitute in themselves another part of the input means 22.

This layer 56 (capacitive, resistive or other technology) is connected, not shown, by physical connections to the processing unit 44.

It will be noted that the multi-passenger visualization systems of FIGS. 3, 4a and 4b, by allowing access to several passengers simultaneously and by offering them possibilities of interaction with the system, are particularly user-friendly. In addition, the fact that these visualization systems are arranged on one of the cabin floor of the aircraft allows passengers to view images while standing, which is particularly useful on long haul flights where, for for physiological reasons, passengers are advised not to sit for the duration of the flight.

They can while standing, also enjoy viewing systems that are however different from those normally reserved for seated passengers.

The display system according to the invention may also comprise, in a variant not shown in the figures, a display unit arranged substantially horizontally and fixed to the ceiling so as to allow a passenger installed in his reclining chair to view video images (entertainment programs ...) in an almost elongated position.

Furthermore, the display system according to the invention can also be fixed to a vertical inner wall of the aircraft (not shown) and, in this case, the display unit is fixed on this wall via a lateral bent support which ensures the transmission of electrical energy and data.

Furthermore, the display system shown in the various figures has a limited weight, which makes it particularly useful in aircraft.

Note that it is possible to increase the resolution of a display system according to the invention by multiplying the projection units or screens.

Thus, from four 800x600 unit resolution projection units, it is possible to obtain for the system a final resolution of 1600x1200.

Such a technology already exists to obtain an increased resolution on the walls of screens equipping the control rooms.

In addition, the display system according to the invention may also comprise a display unit which is attached to the floor of the aircraft and Figures 5 and 6 illustrate two possible variants of such an embodiment.

All that has been discussed above for the system of Figures 3, 4a and 4b remains valid here, except however the attachment of the system to the wall.

In Figure 5, a display system 60 according to the invention is attached to the floor 62 which is supported by longitudinal rails or longitudinal rails 64a-e and intersecting, a single transverse beam 66 being shown in this figure.

The system 60 comprises several display units, for example four (only two display units 68 and 70 are shown), each arranged between two longitudinal longitudinal members and between two transverse longitudinal members.

A translucent protective slab 72 covers the display units.

Furthermore, a rim or peripheral frame 74, convex outer surface is attached to the floor 62 and surrounds the display units and the protective slab 72 to ensure a smooth transition between the floor level and that of the slab.

As shown, this rim forms an inclined slope for non-abruptly connecting the two surfaces.

It should be noted that the various elements 68, 70, 72 and 74 have been voluntarily represented in a non-contiguous manner with respect to each other to facilitate their identification.

Furthermore, the assembly consisting of display units, the slab and the flange is, for example, a single block which is fixed to the floor or the beams that support it by conventional means commonly used in aeronautics.

It should be noted that the display units are in communication (via a VGA web or cable) with a data processing unit (not shown) which can be placed under the floor near the display or remote units. A control bracket 76 also attached to the floor and connected to the data processing unit carries the passenger interactive elements / display system and places them at a height accessible to passengers (interactive terminal).

According to a variant not shown, a touch screen is arranged on the protection slab 72 and has tactile areas accessible to the feet of passengers.

The display system 80 of FIG. 6 comprises the same elements as the system 60 of FIG. 5, namely four display units and a translucent protective slab.

However, unlike the system 60, the display units 68 and 70 are each integrated in a recess of the floor 82 between two longitudinal beams. The protective slab is, in turn, subdivided into four slabs (only two slabs 84 and 86 are shown) each covering a display unit and each integrated in the same recess as the latter.

Thus, the assembly consisting of display units and protective slabs no longer protrudes from the floor 82 and is directly integrated in the latter.

Claims

An image display system for aircraft passengers, characterized in that it is embodied in the form of a module (10) which comprises a display unit (20) of images from at least an image source (12, 14, 16), the display unit being secured to an inner wall of the aircraft, in a position parallel to a floor of the aircraft.

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the display unit (20) has a generally convex shape.

3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the display unit (20) has a generally hemispherical shape.

4. System according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises:

a projection unit (32) of images provided by the data source,

- an optical adaptation system (34) to the display unit images projected on the latter.

5. System according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises interactive elements (22) passengers / viewing system which are related to the display unit.

6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that the display unit incorporates a touch layer (22) and the interactive elements form tactile areas of the layer.

7. System according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of interactive elements arranged around the display unit.

8. System according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a data processing unit (18).

9. System according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of the display unit.

10. System according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the display unit (20) is mounted on a support (30) which is adapted to be fixed on an inner wall of the aircraft.

11. System according to claim 10, characterized in that the support comprises a fixing foot (30a).

12. System according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a vertical adjustment mechanism of the support.

13. System according to claim 12, characterized in that the adjustment mechanism is of the rotary type.

14. System according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the module (10) has a height which is less than the height of the passengers.

15. Aircraft, characterized in that it comprises an image display system (10) for aircraft passengers according to one of claims 1 to 14.

16. Aircraft according to claim 15, characterized in that the module (10) is installed in an open area of the aircraft accessible to several passengers.

17. Aircraft according to one of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that the inner wall is the floor (24).

Aircraft according to claim 17, characterized in that the display unit is fixed to the floor.

19. Aircraft according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the inner wall is the ceiling.