U.S. patent application number 14/696796 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-13 for inflight entertainment system with selectively preloaded seat end video caches.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lumexis Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Lumexis Corporation. Invention is credited to Douglas Cline, Gregory C. Petrisor.
Application Number | 20150229973 14/696796 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47745647 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150229973 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cline; Douglas ; et
al. |
August 13, 2015 |
Inflight Entertainment System with Selectively Preloaded Seat End
Video Caches
Abstract
An inflight entertainment (IFE) system preloads from head end
equipment onto seat end video caches subsets of prerecorded video
entertainment programs from a library of prerecorded video
entertainment programs stored on the head end equipment. Preloading
is done independent of play requests made by passengers using the
IFE system. The selected subsets are selected using selection
metrics such as program popularity, passenger demographics and/or
passenger preferences. The same or a different subset may be
selected for different passengers. As a result of the selective
preloading of the seat end video caches, if the head end equipment
or the distribution system becomes inoperable during the flight,
the IFE system is able to continue to deliver a limited offering of
popular, demographically indicated and/or passenger preferred video
entertainment from the seat end video caches, without requiring a
large multiplier in storage capacity or loading time.
Inventors: |
Cline; Douglas; (Long Beach,
CA) ; Petrisor; Gregory C.; (Los Angeles,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lumexis Corporation |
Irvine |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Lumexis Corporation
Irvine
CA
|
Family ID: |
47745647 |
Appl. No.: |
14/696796 |
Filed: |
April 27, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13599128 |
Aug 30, 2012 |
9043846 |
|
|
14696796 |
|
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|
61575849 |
Aug 30, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/77 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/25891 20130101;
H04N 21/44209 20130101; H04N 21/4325 20130101; H04N 21/2146
20130101; H04N 21/41422 20130101; H04N 21/6543 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/214 20060101
H04N021/214; H04N 21/6543 20060101 H04N021/6543; H04N 21/432
20060101 H04N021/432; H04N 21/442 20060101 H04N021/442; H04N 21/258
20060101 H04N021/258; H04N 21/414 20060101 H04N021/414 |
Claims
1. An inflight entertainment (IFE) system, comprising: head end
equipment having stored thereon a library of prerecorded video
entertainment programs and one or more selection metrics; and seat
end equipment communicatively coupled with the head end equipment
and having a plurality of video caches and video displays for a
respective plurality of passengers on a flight, wherein the system
is configured to select from the library using the selection
metrics a plurality of subsets of prerecorded video entertainment
programs for the respective passengers and download the selected
subsets to the video caches for the respective passengers, wherein
the seat end equipment is configured to determine availability of
the head end equipment, display on the video displays for the
respective passengers when the head end equipment is available
first video playlists for the respective passengers whose
prerecorded video entertainment offerings include programs beyond
the downloaded subsets for the respective passengers and display on
the video displays for the respective passengers when the head end
equipment is unavailable second video playlists for the respective
passengers whose prerecorded video entertainment offerings are
limited to programs that are within the downloaded subsets for the
respective passengers.
2. The IFE system of claim 1, wherein the seat end equipment is
further configured to receive video play requests from the
respective passengers through input on the seat end equipment,
access requested video entertainment programs from the head end
equipment and play the requested video entertainment programs
accessed from the head end equipment on the video displays for the
respective passengers when the head end equipment is available, and
access requested video entertainment programs from the video caches
for the respective passengers and play the requested video
entertainment programs accessed from the video caches for the
respective passengers on the video displays for the respective
passengers when the head end equipment is unavailable.
3. The IFE system of claim 1, wherein the selection metrics
comprise one or more passenger preference metrics.
4. The IFE system of claim 1, wherein the selection metrics
comprise one or more passenger demographics metrics.
5. The IFE system of claim 1, wherein the selections metrics are
determined using passenger responses to pre-flight survey
questions.
6. The IFE system of claim 1, wherein the selection metrics are
determined using passenger content selections on past flights.
7. The IFE system of claim 1, wherein the head end equipment is
further configured to select the subsets using a program popularity
metric.
8. The IFE system of claim 1, wherein the head end equipment is
further configured to select the subsets using an on-aircraft
program popularity metric.
9. The IFE system of claim 1, wherein the head end equipment is
further configured to select the subsets using an airline-specific
popularity metric.
10. The IFE system of claim 1, wherein the head end equipment is
further configured to select the subsets using a flight
leg-specific popularity metric.
11. The IFE system of claim 1, wherein the selected subsets are
different for different passengers.
12. The IFE system of claim 1, wherein the selected subsets are
identical for all passengers.
13. In an inflight entertainment (IFE) system having head end
equipment communicatively coupled with seat end equipment having a
plurality of seat end video caches and a plurality of seat end
video displays for a respective plurality of passengers on a
flight, a method for preserving system availability, comprising:
providing on the head end equipment a library of prerecorded video
entertainment programs; selecting by the system from the library,
using one or more selection metrics, a plurality of subsets of the
prerecorded video entertainment programs for the respective
passengers; downloading from the head end equipment to the seat end
video caches for the respective passengers the selected subsets;
determining by the seat end equipment availability of the head end
equipment; displaying by the seat end equipment on the seat end
video displays for the respective passengers, when the head end
equipment is available, first video playlists for the respective
passengers whose prerecorded video entertainment offerings include
programs beyond the downloaded subsets for the respective
passengers; and displaying by the seat end equipment on the seat
end video displays for the respective passengers, when the head end
equipment is unavailable, second video playlists for the respective
passengers whose prerecorded video entertainment offerings are
limited to programs that are within the downloaded subsets for the
respective passengers.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: receiving play
requests for video entertainment programs from the respective
passengers through input on the seat end equipment; accessing
requested video entertainment programs from the head end equipment
and playing the requested video entertainment programs accessed
from the head end equipment on the seat end video displays for the
respective passengers when the head end equipment is available; and
accessing requested video entertainment programs from the seat end
video caches for the respective passengers and playing the
requested video entertainment programs accessed from the seat end
video caches for the respective passengers on the seat end video
displays for the respective passengers when the head end equipment
is unavailable.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the selection metrics comprise
one or more passenger preference metrics.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein the selection metrics comprise
one more passenger demographics metrics.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the selection metrics are
determined using passenger responses to pre-flight survey
questions.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the selection metrics are
determined using passenger content selections on past flights.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the selection metrics comprise
one or more program popularity metrics.
20. The method of claim 13, wherein the selection metrics comprise
one or more on-aircraft program popularity metrics.
21. The method of claim 13, wherein the selection metrics comprise
one or more airline-specific popularity metrics.
22. The method of claim 13, wherein the selection metrics comprise
one or more flight leg-specific popularity metrics.
23. The method of claim 13, wherein the selected subsets are
different for different passengers.
24. The method of claim 13, wherein the selected subsets are
identical for all passengers.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. nonprovisional
application Ser. No. 13/599,128 entitled "INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
SYSTEM WITH SELECTIVELY PRELOADED SEAT END VIDEO CACHES," filed on
Aug. 30, 2012, now allowed, which claims the benefit of U.S.
provisional application No. 61/575,849 entitled "INFLIGHT
ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM WITH IN-SEAT CACHED CONTENT," filed on Aug.
30, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Inflight entertainment (IFE) systems have evolved
significantly over the last 25 years. Prior to 1978, IFE systems
consisted of audio-only systems. In 1978, Bell and Howell (Avicom
Division) introduced a group viewing video system based on VHS
tapes. In 1988, Airvision introduced the first in-seat video system
allowing passengers to choose among several channels of broadcast
video. In 1997, Swissair installed the first interactive video on
demand (VOD) system. Currently, many IFE systems provide VOD with
full digital video disc (DVD)-like passenger controls.
[0003] Most IFE systems are head end centric. FIG. 1 illustrates a
legacy head end centric IFE system. The left side of the figure
shows components that are found at the head end of the system. The
right side of the figure shows components that are found at the
passenger seats. The middle section of the figure shows components
that are found between the head end and the seat end. These
intermediate components are area distribution boxes (ADBs) or may
be a combination of ADBs and zone interface units (ZIUs). The main
purpose of the ADBs and ZIUs is to fan-out distribution of IFE
system data from the head end to the seat end. Typically, ADBs
connect to seat electronics boxes (SEBs) within each seat column,
and each SEB is in turn connected to multiple video display units
(VDUs) and passenger control units (PCUs) of a given seat group. An
SEB may also distribute data to an SEB of an adjacent seat group in
the same seat column. Alternatively, an ADB may be directly
connected to VDUs and/or PCUs.
[0004] A more recent head end centric IFE system is shown in FIG.
2. This fiber optic head end centric IFE system leverages
terrestrial VOD hardware and software, is implemented on avionics
ruggedized militarized commercial off-the-shelf hardware and is
packaged to minimize the number of distinct line replaceable units
(LRUs) not only in a single aircraft but across an airline's entire
fleet of aircraft (e.g., regional jets to jumbo jets). Head end
servers and switches are integrated into server-switch units which
are directly coupled over fiber to VDUs at the seat end. Serialized
versions of this IFE system can be deployed to reduce fiber
requirements.
[0005] In head end centric IFE systems of any flavor, the seat end
equipment accesses selected prerecorded video programs (e.g.,
movies, television shows, video games, etc.) from the head end
equipment "on demand" during the flight by sending program requests
that are fulfilled by the head end equipment. In order for these
IFE systems to remain fully operational, the head end equipment,
distribution system and seat end equipment must all remain
operational. Moreover, if the head end equipment or the
distribution system becomes inoperable during the flight, the
entire IFE system goes down. Unfortunately, this is a fairly common
occurrence in many deployed head end centric IFE systems. To
address these problems, seat end centric architectures have been
proposed.
[0006] In proposed seat end centric IFE systems, such as the one
illustrated in FIG. 3, seat end equipment hosts a complete library
of prerecorded video programs, either within SEBs or VDUs. The head
end equipment and the distribution system are used primarily for
preloading the complete video library onto the seat end equipment.
The IFE system remains operational during the flight as long as the
seat end equipment remains powered, eliminating the risk that the
IFE system will become inoperable in flight due to a head end
equipment or distribution system failure. However, seat end centric
IFE systems have the major drawback that the entire video catalog
must be replicated for each seat (typically 200 to 500 seats) or at
least each seat group, whereas in head end centric IFE systems
replication is generally only performed a few times on head end
equipment for the sake of redundancy. Therefore, proposed seat end
centric IFE systems require far more storage capacity and loading
time than head end centric IFE systems.
[0007] What is needed is an IFE system that continues in-flight
operation through head end or distribution system failures, but
without requiring the large multipliers in storage capacity and
loading times of proposed seat centric IFE systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides an IFE system having
selectively preloaded seat end video caches. In the present
invention, an IFE system preloads from head end equipment onto each
of one or more seat end video caches a subset of prerecorded video
entertainment programs from a library of prerecorded video
entertainment programs stored on the head end equipment. Preloading
is done independently of play requests made by passengers using the
IFE system. The selected subset of prerecorded video entertainment
programs is selected for each video cache using selection metrics
such as program popularity, passenger demographics and/or passenger
preferences (e.g., from pre-flight surveys). The same or a
different subset may be selected for different passengers. As a
result of selective preloading of the seat end video caches, if the
head end equipment or the distribution system becomes inoperable
during the flight, the IFE system is able to continue to deliver a
limited offering of popular, demographically indicated and/or
passenger preferred video entertainment from the seat end video
caches. Moreover, sustained operation is achieved without requiring
a large multiplier in storage capacity or loading time.
[0009] In one aspect of the invention, an IFE system comprises head
end equipment having a library of prerecorded video entertainment
programs and a selection metric stored thereon; and seat end
equipment communicatively coupled with the head end equipment and
having a video cache, wherein the head end equipment is configured
to select a subset of the prerecorded video entertainment programs
from the library using the selection metric and download the
selected subset to the video cache independent of any play request
made by a passenger using the IFE system.
[0010] In some embodiments, the seat end equipment is further
configured to display a video playlist including prerecorded video
entertainment programs from the library that are not within the
selected subset when the head end equipment is available, and
display a video playlist excluding prerecorded video entertainment
programs from the library that are not within the selected subset
when the head end equipment is unavailable.
[0011] In some embodiments, the seat end equipment is further
configured to receive requests from a passenger to view prerecorded
video entertainment programs from the library, access from the head
end equipment and play requested video entertainment programs when
the head end equipment is available, and access from the video
cache and play requested video entertainment programs when the head
end equipment is unavailable.
[0012] In some embodiments, the selection metric is a program
popularity metric.
[0013] In some embodiments, the selection metric is an off-aircraft
program popularity metric.
[0014] In some embodiments, the selection metrics is an on-aircraft
program popularity metric.
[0015] In some embodiments, the selection metrics is an
airline-specific popularity metric.
[0016] In some embodiments, the selection metric is a flight
leg-specific popularity metric.
[0017] In some embodiments, the selection metric is a passenger
demographics metric.
[0018] In some embodiments, the selection metric is a passenger
demographics metric specific to an airline.
[0019] In some embodiments, the selection metric is a passenger
demographics metric specific to a flight leg.
[0020] In some embodiments, the selection metric is a passenger
demographics metric specific to a passenger assigned to a seat
associated with the video cache.
[0021] In some embodiments, the selection metric is a passenger
preference metric.
[0022] In some embodiments, the selection metric is a passenger
preference metric specific to an airline.
[0023] In some embodiments, the selection metric is a passenger
preference metric specific to a flight leg.
[0024] In some embodiments, the selection metric is a passenger
preference metric specific to a passenger assigned to a seat
associated with the video cache.
[0025] In another aspect of the invention, a method for selectively
preloading a seat end video cache in an IFE system comprises the
steps of selecting, by head end equipment, using a selection metric
stored on the head end equipment, a subset of prerecorded video
entertainment programs from a library of prerecorded video
entertainment programs stored on the head end equipment; and
downloading, from the head end equipment to a video cache of seat
end equipment, independent of any play request made by a passenger
using the IFE system, the selected subset.
[0026] These and other aspects will be better understood by
reference to the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the drawings that are briefly described below. Of
course, the invention is defined by the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a known head end centric IFE system.
[0028] FIG. 2 shows a known fiber optic head end centric IFE
system.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows a known seat end centric IFE system.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows an IFE system in some embodiments of the
invention.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a fiber optic IFE system in some embodiments of
the invention.
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a method for preloading seat end video caches
with a subset of prerecorded video entertainment programs from a
video library stored on head end equipment in some embodiments of
the invention.
[0033] FIG. 7 shows a method for accessing a prerecorded video
entertainment program on seat end equipment in some embodiments of
the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0034] FIG. 4 shows an IFE system in some embodiments of the
invention. The IFE system is deployed on an aircraft, such as a
regional jet or jumbo jet. Elements of the IFE system are
summarized below and may be implemented in software under
microprocessor control, custom circuitry, or a combination
thereof.
[0035] The IFE system includes the following head end equipment:
Offboard network 402, onboard network 404, data loader 406,
applications server 410, video server 412, audio server 414, game
server 416, file server 418 and head end switch 420.
[0036] Offboard network 402 communicates with a terrestrial network
over a satellite-based or ground-based wireless link. Off board
network 402 is connected to a head end switch 420 via a network
cable. In some embodiments, offboard network 402 is a bidirectional
network that provides the IFE system with terrestrial network
access (broadband connectivity). In some embodiments, offboard
network 402 is a unidirectional network that provides the IFE
system with access to off-aircraft broadcast data sources such as
satellite television (broadcast video).
[0037] Onboard network 404 provides the IFE system with access to
content and data other than prerecorded video entertainment
programs, such as reading light control, flight attendant call and
flight information for applications such as moving maps. Onboard
network 404 is connected to head end switch 420 via a network
cable.
[0038] Data loader 406 facilitates selection and download of
prerecorded video entertainment programs to seat end video caches,
facilitates key updates and facilitates transaction data transfers.
Data loader 406 acquires a library of prerecorded video
entertainment programs through a removable disk or tape inserted
into data loader 406, a portable disk drive or tape drive
temporarily connected to a video server 412, upload via offboard
network 402, upload via a wireless local area network (LAN) or
upload via another wireless link. The prerecorded video
entertainment programs in the video library include, for example,
movies, TV shows and video games. The video library is stored on
head end equipment, such as one or more of data loader 406 and
servers 410, 412, 414, 416, 418. Data loader 406 is connected to
head end switch 420 via a network cable.
[0039] Data loader 406 includes a program preloader 407.
Independent of any play request made a passenger using the IFE
system, program preloader 407 selects for download to video caches
428, 442, 446, 452, 456 on SEBs 426, 450, 454 and VDUs 440, 448
subsets of prerecorded video entertainment programs from the video
library at the head end. The subsets may be updated for each
flight, generally before allowing passengers on the flight to
access to the IFE system. The same subset or different subsets may
be selected for different ones of video caches 428, 442, 446, 452,
456 based on selection metrics stored in a selection data store
408. Accordingly, the subset may be personalized for each
passenger, if desired. The selection metrics may include, for
example, program popularity, passenger demographics and/or
passenger preferences that may be received from various sources and
applied to determine which prerecorded video entertainment programs
are selected and downloaded to a given one of video caches 428,
442, 446, 452, 456. Program preloader 407 may receive updates to
selection metrics periodically or continually from offboard network
402, onboard network 404, a removable disk or tape inserted into
data loader 406, administrative input, VDUs 430, 436, 440, 446,
458, 462 and/or PCUs 434, 438, 444, 460, 464. In addition,
selection metrics may be commingled with the prerecorded video
entertainment programs on the removable/portable storage media
through which data loader 406 acquires programs.
[0040] Program popularity selection metrics stored in selection
data store 408 may reflect off-aircraft popularity of prerecorded
video entertainment programs, on-aircraft popularity of prerecorded
video entertainment programs, popularity of prerecorded video
entertainment programs on a specific airline and/or popularity of
prerecorded video entertainment programs on a specific flight leg
(e.g., between Los Angeles and San Francisco).
[0041] Passenger demographic and passenger preference selection
metrics may reflect demographics and preferences specific to an
airline, a flight leg and/or a passenger assigned to a seat
associated with one of video caches 428, 442, 446, 452, 456.
Passenger preference selection metrics may include, by way of
example, language and subject matter preferences gleaned from a
passenger's responses to pre-flight survey questions and/or content
selection on past flights.
[0042] Once a subset of prerecorded video entertainment programs
from the video library has been selected for one or more of video
caches 428, 442, 446, 452, 456, the selected subset is downloaded
via head end switch 420 to the one or more of video caches 428,
442, 446, 452, 456 whereon the prerecorded video entertainment
programs are stored. In some embodiments, all of video caches 428,
442, 446, 452, 456 receive and store the same prerecorded video
entertainment programs. In other embodiments, video caches 428,
442, 446, 452, 456 receive and store different prerecorded video
entertainment programs. Moreover, in some embodiments, the selected
prerecorded video entertainment programs are downloaded directly
from data loader 406, whereas in other embodiments, data loader 406
may instruct one or more of servers 410, 412, 414, 416, 418 to
download the selected prerecorded video entertainment programs.
[0043] Moreover, in some embodiments, data loader 406 keeps a log
of which prerecorded video entertainment programs are stored on
which video caches 428, 442, 446, 452, 456. When one of video
caches 428, 442, 446, 452, 456 is updated, data loader 406 causes
to be downloaded to the one of video caches 428, 442, 446, 452, 456
a "delta package" that includes only selected video entertainment
programs that are not already stored in the video cache.
[0044] Application server 410 is a system controller that provides
content management, channel packaging, transaction processing,
billing system integration, services management, provisioning
integration, system administration and management, encryption
management (e.g., key servers, authentication, etc.), software
client management and server integration for audio, video, gaming
and file servers. Application server 410 is connected to head end
switch 420 via a network cable.
[0045] Video server 412 provides VOD, near-VOD, pay-per-view,
network personal video recorder and broadcast video services. In
some embodiments, video server 412 and audio server 414 are
integrated into a single audio/video on demand server. Video server
412 is connected to head end switch 420 via a network cable.
[0046] Audio server 414 provides audio on demand and broadcast
audio services. Audio server 414 is connected to head end switch
420 via a network cable.
[0047] Game server 416 provides logic, programming and dynamically
delivered web pages for browser-based games. Game server 416 is
connected to head end switch 420 via a network cable.
[0048] File server 418 provides caching of Internet content and
user data and maintaining user profile data. File server 418 is
connected to head end switch 420 via a network cable.
[0049] Head end switch 420 interconnects head end equipment with
ADBs 422, 424 over network cables. In some embodiments, there is
more than one head end switch.
[0050] Between the head end equipment and seat end equipment is a
distribution system including ADBs 422, 424. ADBs 422, 424
interconnect head end switch 420 and seat end equipment over
network cables. ADBs 422, 424 provide signal regeneration and
distribution of data.
[0051] Seat end equipment includes seat end LRUs, including SEBs
426, 450, 454, VDUs 430, 436, 440, 448, 458, 462 and PCUs 434, 444,
460, 464, in various arrangements.
[0052] Callout boxes A through D in FIG. 4 show different seat end
equipment arrangements. A given IFE system deployment on an
aircraft may use one or more of the illustrated arrangements.
[0053] In the arrangement shown in Callout Box A, ADB 422 is
connected between head end switch 420 and SEB 426 over a network
cable. ADB 422 distributes data to SEB 426 which generates raw
pixel data that is fed to VDUs 430, 436 over network cables. SEBs
426 also generates raw audio and relays control data to PCUs 434,
438 over network cables.
[0054] In the arrangement shown in Callout Box B, ADB 422 is
connected directly to VDUs 440 and PCU 444 over network cables. In
this arrangement, the data processing performed by SEB 426 is
integrated into VDU 440 and PCU 444.
[0055] In the arrangement shown in Callout Box C, ADB 422 is
connected directly to VDU 448 over a network cable. In this
arrangement, data processing performed by SEB 426 is integrated
into VDU 448. Moreover, user interface features provided by PCU 444
are integrated into VDU 448. For example, VDU 448 provides a touch
screen for receiving passenger input and an audio jack for
transmitting audio output.
[0056] In the arrangement shown in Callout Box D, ADB 424 is
connected to SEB 450 over a network cable. ADB 424 distributes data
to SEB 450 which generates raw pixel data that is fed to VDU 458
over a network cable. SEB 450 also generates raw audio and relays
control data to PCU 460 over a network cable. Moreover, SEB 450
distribute data to SEB 454 in an adjacent seat group in the same
seat column over an additional network cable. A seat group
typically includes three seats mounted to the same structure. SEB
454 generates raw pixel data and raw audio that is fed to VDU 462
and PCU 464 over network cables.
[0057] SEBs 426, 450, 454 are seat end LRUs that are generally
mounted under passenger seats. SEBs 426, 450, 454 have network
interfaces and processing units for seat groups. Each SEB typically
supports three seats corresponding to a three-seat seat group. In
some embodiments, seat end video caches that store prerecorded
video programs reside within SEBs. For example, SEBs 426, 450 and
454 house seat end video caches 428, 452 and 456, respectively.
[0058] VDUs 430, 436, 440, 446, 458, 462 are seat end LRUs that are
generally mounted to the back of passenger seats. VDUs 430, 436,
440, 446, 458, 462 have a physical display (e.g., flat panel
display) for displaying video content and IFE system menus.
Moreover, some IFE system have recently begun migrating electronics
that were previously located in SEBs to VDUs to reduce the size of
SEBs. For example, Callout Box B shows an arrangement where the SEB
has been eliminated and VDU 440 is connected directly to ADB 422
over a network cable. VDU 440 provides SEB-type processing in this
arrangement. Moreover, Callout Box C shows an arrangement where
both the SEB and PCU have been eliminated and VDU 446 is connected
directly to ADB 422 over a network cable. VDU 448 provides SEB-type
processing in this arrangement and also provides user interface
features conventionally performed by a PCU. For example, VDU 448
provides a touch panel for receiving user input and an audio jack
for transmitting audio output. Seat end video caches may reside
within VDUs. For example, VDUs 440, 448 house seat end video caches
442 and 448, respectively.
[0059] PCUs 434, 438, 444, 460, 464 are seat end LRUs that are
generally fixed-mounted or tether-mounted to passenger armrests and
provide user interface features for interacting with the IFE
system. These features generally include volume control, channel
control, reading light control, flight attendant call button
control, VDU menu control and VDU menu selection.
[0060] FIG. 5 shows a fiber optic IFE system in some embodiments of
the invention. In this IFE system, integrated server-switch units
(SSUs) 510, 512, 514 are interconnected with one another via fiber
optic network cables to form an aggregate head end server-switch
system. An offboard network 502 and an onboard network 504 at the
head end are connected directly to one or more of SSUs 510, 512,
514 via network cables. In addition, a data loader 506 at the head
end is connected directly to one or more of SSUs 510, 512, 514 via
a network cable. VDUs 516, 520, 524, 528, 532, 536, 540, 544, 548
have respective seat end video caches 518, 522, 526, 530, 534, 538,
542, 546, 550 and are connected directly to ones of SSU 510, 512,
514 via fiber optic cables. In this instance, server functionality
(e.g., application server, audio server, video server, game server,
file server, etc.) is integrated into SSUs 510, 512, 514 and seat
end equipment consists in only VDUs 516, 520, 524, 528, 532, 536,
540, 544, 548.
[0061] Data loader 506 includes a program pre-loader 507.
Independent of any play request by a passenger using the IFE
system, program preloader 507 selects for download to video caches
518, 522, 526, 530, 534, 538, 542, 546, 550 on VDUs 516, 520, 524,
528, 532, 536, 540, 544, 548 subsets of prerecorded video
entertainment programs from a video library at the head end. The
subsets may be updated for each flight, generally before allowing
passengers on the flight to access to the IFE system. The same
subset or different subsets may be selected for different ones of
video caches 518, 522, 526, 530, 534, 538, 542, 546, 550 based on
selection metrics stored in a selection data store 508. The
selection metrics may include, for example, program popularity,
passenger demographics and/or passenger preferences that may be
received from various sources and applied to determine which
prerecorded video entertainment programs are selected and
downloaded to a given one of video caches 518, 522, 526, 530, 534,
538, 542, 546, 550. Program preloader 507 may receive selection
metrics from offboard network 502, onboard network 504 and/or VDUs
516, 520, 524, 528, 532, 536, 540, 544, 548. In addition, selection
metrics may be commingled with the prerecorded video entertainment
programs on removable/portable storage media through which data
loader 506 acquires programs.
[0062] FIG. 6 shows a method for preloading seat end video caches
in some embodiments of the invention. This method is performed by
head end equipment (e.g., data loader). The method starts at Step
600 and an initial passenger seat is selected (610). A subset of
prerecorded video entertainment programs in a video library stored
on head end equipment is selected for download to a video cache
associated with the initial passenger seat (e.g., based on
popularity, passenger demographics and/or passenger preferences)
(620). A delta package is then created including programs within
the selected subset that are not already stored in the video cache
(630) and the delta package is downloaded to the video cache
whereon the subset of prerecorded video entertainment programs is
stored (640). The selection/download process is repeated for the
other passenger seats until entertainment content for all passenger
seats has been preloaded, at which point the flow terminates (650).
In some embodiments, this method is performed once for each flight,
generally prior to allowing passengers access to the IFE system. In
other embodiments, this method is performed continuously or
periodically.
[0063] FIG. 7 shows a method for accessing a prerecorded video
entertainment program on seat end equipment (e.g., VDUs) in some
embodiments of the invention. This method is performed using seat
end equipment (e.g., SEBs, VDUs). The method starts at Step 700 and
a determination is made whether the head end system is presently
available (710). If the head end system is available, a playlist
that lists the complete video library stored at the head end is
displayed on the seat end equipment (720). A video entertainment
program is selected by a passenger from the playlist and a play
request is sent to the head end, whereupon the selected video
entertainment program is accessed from the head end and played on
the seat end equipment (730). On the other hand, if the head end
system is not available (e.g., inoperative or oversubscribed), a
playlist that lists only the subset of prerecorded entertainment
programs stored on the video cache associated with the seat end
equipment is displayed on the seat end equipment (740). A video
entertainment program selected by the passenger from the playlist
is accessed locally from the video cache and played on the seat end
equipment (750).
[0064] It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art
that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential character hereof. For
example, in some embodiments, program preloaders may reside at the
seat end. In these embodiments, each seat or seat group has an
instance of the program preloader that continuously or periodically
selects and causes prerecorded video entertainment programs to be
downloaded to the video cache associated with the seat or seat
group. The present description is therefore considered in all
respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the
invention is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that
come with in the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are
intended to be embraced therein.
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