Patent ID: 8605917
Filing Date: 2013-12-10
Classification: B64D,G08C,H04L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A hand-held passenger control unit adapted for use by a passenger on an aircraft, the control unit comprising: a controller; a memory; a display panel; and a port for receiving a portable external memory containing audio content, wherein the control unit has a normal mode of operation including at least a first and second normal mode of operation; wherein the first normal mode of operation the control unit controls the display panel disposed on the control unit to navigate through a menu displayed on the display panel on the control unit, wherein the display panel has a diagonal dimension of at least about 2.0 inches; wherein the second normal mode of operation, the control unit controls a video display unit that is separate from the control unit and disposed proximate to the passenger; wherein the control unit is configured to have four modes, the normal operation mode entered after receiving a status indicator for passenger operations; a maintenance mode entered after receiving a status indicator for entering maintenance mode; a decompression mode entered after a decompression state is detected; and a degraded functionality mode entered after not receiving a status indicator within a predetermined amount of time.