DISPLAY DEVICE, RADIO FIELD CONTROL SYSTEM, AND RADIO FIELD CONTROL METHOD

A display device, which is placed in an aircraft, which is capable of wirelessly connecting with a remote controller, and which displays information in accordance with an operation of the remote controller performed by a passenger of the aircraft, comprises a wired communication unit, a CPU, and a wireless communication unit. The wired communication unit receives flight information of the aircraft. On the basis of the flight information, the CPU establishes an intensity of a radio field to be outputted by the remote controller in order to connect to the display device. The wireless communication unit transmits radio field intensity information indicating the established intensity of the radio field to the remote controller.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a display device, a radio field control system, and a radio field control method in which a radio field of a remote controller or another wireless terminal of the display device, which provides information to a passenger on an aircraft, a train, a ship, or another moving body, is controlled.

BACKGROUND ART

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2013-128162 discloses a wireless communication device to perform long-range communication and short-range communication with a target device. The wireless communication device assesses whether or not short-range wireless communication with the target device is possible, and reduces radio field intensity of long-range communication upon assessing that short-range communication is possible.

SUMMARY

Wireless communication in an aircraft or another moving body is restricted by various factors. When a remote controller for a passenger to operate a display device is made wireless in an aircraft or another moving body, a radio field outputted by the remote controller is similarly restricted. Therefore, it has been substantially difficult to make the remote controller wireless.

The present disclosure provides a display device, a radio field control system, and a radio field control method that are effective in controlling the setting of a radio field outputted by a remote controller or another wireless terminal to an appropriate state in a moving body.

A display device according to the present disclosure is disposed in a moving body and is capable of wirelessly connecting to a wireless terminal, and the display device is configured to display information in accordance with an operation of the wireless terminal by a passenger of the moving body, wherein the display device comprises a first receiver, a controller, and a transmitter. The first receiver is configured to receive operation information, which is information pertaining to operation of the moving body. The controller is configured to, on a basis of the operation information, establish a setting of a first radio field to be outputted by the wireless terminal in order to connect to the display device. The transmitter is configured to transmit radio field setting information indicating the setting of the first radio field to the wireless terminal.

A radio field control system according to the present disclosure comprises the above display device and the wireless terminal. The wireless terminal is capable of wirelessly connecting to the display device, and the wireless terminal is configured to change the output of the first radio field in accordance with the establishment of the setting of the first radio field made by the controller.

A radio field control method according to the present disclosure is applied to a system comprising a wireless terminal disposed in a moving body and configured to be operated by a passenger of the moving body, and a display device disposed in the moving body and configured to display information in accordance with an operation of the wireless terminal. The radio field control method includes: receiving operation information, which is information pertaining to operation of the moving body; establishing a setting of a first radio field to be outputted by the wireless terminal in order to connect to the display device on a basis of the operation information; and transmitting radio field setting information indicating the setting of the first radio field to the wireless terminal. The radio field control method further includes changing output of the first radio field in accordance with the radio field setting information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, unnecessarily detailed descriptions may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and duplicate descriptions for substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the descriptions below are provided for those skilled in the art to sufficiently understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter set forth in the claims.

Conventionally, passengers in aircraft have wanted to use wireless remote controllers to operate display devices each placed in a seat. However, wireless communication used in aircraft moving across national borders is restricted to the laws and jurisdiction of each country. For example, depending on the laws and jurisdiction of each country and rules of airline companies, it may be necessary to refrain from using wireless signals at times such as takeoff and landing. Furthermore, it is necessary to suppress the burden of maintaining the remote controller including, inter alia, replacing and charging a battery.

The present embodiment describes a display device, a radio field intensity control system, and a radio field intensity control method in which a passenger can use a remote controller wirelessly in a restricted wireless communication environment, and the burden of maintaining the remote controller can be suppressed by suppressing battery consumption.

1-1-1. Configuration of Radio Field Intensity Control System

A radio field intensity control system1according to Embodiment 1 is disposed in an aircraft, which is one example of a moving body, as shown inFIG. 1.

The radio field intensity control system1comprises display devices10each disposed in a seat, remote controllers30(one example of wireless terminals) of the display devices10, and a management device50to provide videos, music, and other content to the display devices10, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The management device50is connected to an aircraft management system2. The aircraft management system2is also connected to wireless access points (APs)40disposed in the aircraft. The management device50can acquire information pertaining to the usage status of the wireless access points40from the aircraft management system2. The wireless access points40are access points for WiFi® or another type of wireless communication. The wireless access points40connect smartphones, tablets, or other wireless terminals (not shown) used by the passengers to the Internet. A plurality of wireless access points40are placed according to the size of the aircraft cabin and the number of seats.

The radio field intensity control system1can connect to the aircraft management system2, and acquires flight information (one example of operation information) of the aircraft as shall be described hereinafter. The aircraft management system2acquires, updates, and stores the flight information of the aircraft. The flight information includes, inter alia, position information (latitude, longitude, etc.), altitude information, seat information (seat numbers, etc.), airframe information (model, etc.), and schedule information (flight schedule including scheduled arrival time, departure time, etc., and speed, direction of travelling, etc.) of the aircraft.

The radio field intensity control system1may function as part of an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system.

The configuration of the devices of the radio field intensity control system1shall be described below with reference toFIGS. 3-5.

1-1-2. Configuration of Display Device

A display device10is installed in each seat, and each display device displays content such as videos and music and other information distributed from the management device50. The display device10performs actions such as displaying information and adjusting volume in accordance with operation of the remote controller30by the passenger. The display device10also adjusts a radio field intensity of the remote controller30as shall be described hereinafter.

The display device10is provided with a CPU11for performing functions of the display device10, a storage unit13, a wired communication unit15, a wireless communication unit16, a monitor17, and a camera19, as shown inFIG. 3.

The CPU11(one example of a controller) includes circuitry to execute the functions of the display device10. By executing predetermined programs, the CPU11executes functions of a data acquisition unit111, a radio field intensity establishment unit112, and a radio field intensity information generation unit113.

The data acquisition unit111acquires data for establishing the radio field intensity of the remote controller30. The data pertains to flight information transmitted from the management device50.

The radio field intensity establishment unit112establishes, on the basis of the acquired flight information data, a radio field intensity for the remote controller30to connect to the display device10. Establishing the radio field intensity includes, for example, increasing the intensity of the radio field, reducing the intensity of the radio field, setting radio output to OFF, or changing a radio frequency band.

The radio field intensity information generation unit113generates radio field intensity information including a value of the established radio field intensity or a command to set the radio output to OFF, and transmits the radio field intensity information to the remote controller30via the wireless communication unit16. The radio field intensity information includes the established radio field intensity value, the frequency band, etc.

The storage unit13is, for example, a semiconductor memory. The storage unit13stores data transmitted from the management device50and a program for controlling the display device10.

The wired communication unit15(one example of a first receiver) includes, for example, a connection terminal, and is connected to the management device50via a cable, relay equipment, etc. The wired communication unit15receives flight information from the management device50.

The wireless communication unit16(one example of a transmitter) has an antenna for conducting wireless communication, a wireless circuit, etc., and communicates data to the wireless terminal by wireless communication. The wireless communication unit16includes a Bluetooth® communication unit161. The Bluetooth® communication unit161communicates with the remote controller30, which is paired according to the Bluetooth® standard. Communication with the remote controller30may be performed using another wireless communication standard as long as the standard is suitable for short-range wireless communication.

The monitor17has an LCD, an organic EL display, or another display screen. The monitor17is attached in a back portion of a front seat, or another position that is easily visible when the passenger is seated. The monitor17may be provided with a touch panel.

The camera19(one example of an imaging unit) is disposed so as to have the area forward of the monitor17as an imaging range. The camera19images the passenger sitting in front of the monitor17, and acquires an image of the passenger.

1-1-3. Configuration of Remote Controller

The remote controller30transmits a signal to the display device10and actuates the display device10in accordance with operation by the passenger.

The remote controller30is equipped with a battery39as a power source, as shown inFIG. 4. The battery may be a primary battery or a secondary battery, but when the battery is used in an aircraft, a manganese dry battery may be used in consideration of safety (to avoid the risk of liquid leakage, ignition, etc.) and the burden of maintenance.

The remote controller30is further provided with a CPU31, a storage unit33a Bluetooth® communication unit35, an operation unit37, and a power source unit38.

The CPU31includes circuitry to execute functions of the remote controller30. By executing a predetermined program, the CPU31executes a function of a radio field intensity setting unit311, a wireless ON/OFF switching unit312, or a display device operation command unit313.

The radio field intensity setting unit311sets/changes a radio field intensity of the Bluetooth® communication unit35in accordance with radio field intensity information received from the display device10.

The wireless ON/OFF switching unit312sets the output of the radio field of the Bluetooth® communication unit35to OFF in accordance with the radio field intensity information received from the display device10. Setting the output of the radio field to OFF is, for example, setting the output of the radio field outputted by the remote controller30to 0. Alternatively, the output of the radio field may be set to OFF by setting the power source of the remote controller30to OFF.

The display device operation command unit313generates a command signal to actuate the display device10in accordance with operation of the operation unit37by the passenger, and transmits the command signal via the Bluetooth® communication unit35. The command signal is, for example, a command signal for changing a channel, adjusting volume, switching screens, selecting a menu, etc.

The storage unit33is, for example, a semiconductor memory. The storage unit33stores data and a program for controlling the remote controller30.

The Bluetooth® communication unit35communicates with the display device10, which is paired according to the Bluetooth® standard. Communication with the remote controller30may be performed using another wireless communication standard as long as the standard is suitable for short-range wireless communication.

The operation unit37is, for example, a plurality of buttons arranged on the outer surface of the remote controller30. The buttons include a power button, a channel button, a volume button, a menu selection button, etc. Alternatively, the remote controller30may be provided with a liquid crystal, organic EL, or other type of display screen and a touch panel, and a plurality of buttons for operation may be displayed on the display screen.

The power source unit38controls the supply of power from the battery39to the individual parts of the remote controller30. The power source unit38sets the power source of the remote controller30to ON or OFF.

The remote controller30may be in a configuration enabled for wired use in addition to wireless use. For example, a cradle (not shown) of the remote controller30may be attached to a predetermined position on the seat. The cradle is connected to the corresponding display device10and the management device50by wire. The power source may be set to OFF while the remote controller30is set in the cradle.

1-1-4. Configuration of Management Device

The management device50is connected to a plurality of display devices10via a wired cable or relay equipment. The management device50is, for example, a computer device functioning as a server. The management device50can connect to one or more display devices10, and delivers content to the display devices10for the users sitting in front of the display devices10.

The management device50is provided with a CPU51, a storage unit53, and a communication unit55, as shown inFIG. 5.

The CPU51executes the functions of the management device50by executing predetermined programs. The management device50executes a function of a data information transmission unit511. The data information transmission unit511transmits the aforementioned flight information data to the display device10via the communication unit55.

The storage unit53is, for example, a semiconductor memory or a magnetic memory. The storage unit53stores software and various pieces of data used in the management device50. The storage unit53includes a flight information storage unit531to receive flight information from the aircraft management system2. The flight information is, for example, received and updated at predetermined time intervals.

The communication unit55includes circuitry for communicating with other computer equipment, such as a network card or a network adapter. The communication unit55is connected to the display devices10and the aircraft management system2via cables, etc.

The following is a description, made with reference toFIGS. 6-8, mainly of the actions in radio field intensity control performed by the display device10.

As shown inFIG. 6, when the display device10is connected to the paired remote controller30(Yes in S1), the display device10executes a process of establishing the radio field intensity of the remote controller30(described hereinafter) (S2). Step S2is repeated as long as the connection of the remote controller30is not terminated (S3).

The remote controller30outputs a radio field having a predetermined intensity (e.g., a radio field having a default intensity) in an initial state after the power source is set to ON.

FIG. 7shows one example of the process of establishing the radio field intensity of the remote controller30. First, the data acquisition unit111ofFIG. 3acquires flight information data from the management device50via the Bluetooth® communication unit161(S201). The example described here is a case in which the flight information includes flying states (landing state, takeoff state, stable flying, etc.) and the aircraft is in a state of taking off. The radio field intensity establishment unit112determines the current radio field intensity (S202). When the aircraft is in a state of taking off, the radio field intensity establishment unit112establishes that the radio field intensity will be changed by setting the radio field output to OFF (Yes in S203). The radio field intensity information generation unit113generates radio field intensity information (sets the radio field output to OFF) and transmits this information to the remote controller30via the Bluetooth® communication unit161(S204).

In the remote controller30, the wireless ON/OFF switching unit312sets the radio field output of the Bluetooth® communication unit35to OFF in accordance with the radio field intensity information received from the display device10. Therefore, the remote controller30can automatically set the radio field output to OFF in accordance with a situation in which the aircraft is taking off and the use of the radio field is restricted.

After the radio field output has been set to OFF, the remote controller30may be reset and returned to an initial state (in which a radio field of a predetermined intensity is outputted) in accordance with a predetermined condition. For example, the remote controller30may be returned to the initial state after a predetermined time has elapsed or the remote controller30has been set in the cradle. After the radio field output of the remote controller30has been set to OFF, and the display device10has assessed that the current state allows for radio field output, the display device10may pair with the remote controller30and may once again execute the radio field intensity establishment process of step S2via the connection of step S1inFIG. 6.

FIG. 8shows the details of controlling the radio field intensity of the remote controller30corresponding to the details of the flight information. As shown inFIG. 8, when the flight information indicates a taking off state or a landing state, the radio field output is set to OFF. When the aircraft is taking off or landing, there are cases in which the passenger is unable to use the display device10as well as cases in which wireless communication is restricted on safety or jurisdictional grounds; therefore, the radio field output of the remote controller30is set to OFF.

Furthermore, the radio field output is set to OFF when the position of the aircraft is under the jurisdiction of a specified country from the flight information and the use of a radio field is prohibited (position information A). Alternatively, when the position of the aircraft is under the jurisdiction of a predetermined country from the flight information and the use of a radio field is restricted (position information B), the radio field output is lowered. Alternatively, when the position of the aircraft is under the jurisdiction of a predetermined country from the flight information and the frequency band used by the remote controller30is not permitted (position information C), the frequency band is changed.

In addition, depending on the type of the aircraft, a predetermined wireless technology (e.g., Bluetooth®) may not be useable. In this case (e.g., airframe information A), the radio field output is set to OFF.

In addition, the radio field output may be increased or decreased in accordance with the seat information. For example, if the seat is first class, the distance between the display device10and the passenger is greater, and the radio field output is therefore increased. If the seat is economy class, the distance between the display device10and the passenger is smaller, and the radio field output is therefore reduced.

“Increasing the radio field output” includes outputting a radio field having a higher radio field intensity than the current radio field determined in step S202ofFIG. 7, or increasing the output to a predetermined radio field intensity included in the radio field intensity information. When the current radio field intensity is sufficiently strong, it is determined in step S203ofFIG. 7that the radio field intensity does not need to be changed, and it is acceptable to not change the radio field intensity. Similarly, “reducing the radio field output” includes outputting a radio field having a lower radio field intensity than the current radio field determined in step S202ofFIG. 7, or reducing the output to a predetermined radio field intensity included in the radio field intensity information. When the current radio field intensity is sufficiently weak, it is determined in step S203ofFIG. 7that the radio field intensity does not need to be changed, and it is acceptable to not change the radio field intensity.

Furthermore, when the altitude at which the aircraft flies falls below a predetermined value, the radio field output may be increased. For example, if there is an aircraft at an altitude close to the ground, there could be interference with a radio field from the ground. Therefore, the output of the radio field of the remote controller30may be increased.

In the display device10, the radio field intensity control system1, or the radio field intensity control method according to the Embodiment 1, the display device10receives the flight information of the aircraft, establishes the intensity of the radio field to be outputted by the remote controller30in order to connect with the display device10on the basis of the flight information, and transmits radio field intensity information indicating the intensity of the radio field to the remote controller30. In the remote controller30, the output of the radio field is changed in accordance with the received radio field intensity information.

Therefore, the display device10can perceive the state of the aircraft and the wireless communication environment in real time, and establish and control the optimal radio field intensity of the remote controller30in accordance with this perceived information. Consequently, the passenger can use the remote controller wirelessly even in a restricted wireless communication environment. In addition, by not increasing the radio field intensity of the remote controller30more than necessary, the consumption of the battery of the remote controller30can be suppressed, and the burden of maintaining the remote controller30can therefore be suppressed.

2. Other Embodiments

As above, the above embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, this example is not provided by way of limitation as to the technology in the present disclosure; the technology can be applied to embodiments in which changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc., are made as appropriate. It is also possible to combine the constituent elements described in the above embodiment to form a new embodiment.

(1)FIG. 9shows an example of the process of establishing the radio field intensity of a remote controller30according to another embodiment. The radio field intensity establishment process shown inFIG. 9is similar to that ofFIG. 7and is equivalent to the process of step S2inFIG. 6. The radio field intensity establishment process shown inFIG. 9differs from that of Embodiment 1 in that the radio field intensity is established in accordance not with the flight information but with the number of display devices10connected to the remote controller30.

The management device50acquires information indicating the presence or absence of connections made by display devices10to the remote controller30. The management device50calculates the number of display devices10connected to remote controllers30(hereinafter referred to as the number of connections) and transmits this number as data to the relevant display devices10.

The data acquisition unit111ofFIG. 3acquires data on the number of connections from the management device50(S211). The radio field intensity establishment unit112determines the current radio field intensity (S212). The radio field intensity establishment unit112determines whether or not to change the radio field intensity on the basis of the current radio field intensity (S213). In other words, the radio field intensity establishment unit112establishes whether or not to change (increase or reduce) the radio field output by referring to information indicating a radio field intensity corresponding to the number of connections, which has been determined and stored in advance. The radio field intensity information generation unit113generates radio field intensity information as in Embodiment 1, and transmits this information to the remote controller30via the Bluetooth® communication unit161(S214).

A greater number of connections between display devices10and the remote controllers30correlates with a commensurately higher likelihood that there will be radio field interference with other display devices10. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, when there are a large number of connections with the remote controllers30, radio field interference can be avoided by increasing the radio field output. When there are a small number of connections with the remote controllers30, the battery consumption of the remote controller30can be suppressed by reducing the radio field output.

The radio field intensity may be established or changed in accordance with the number of wireless terminals connected to wireless access points40(e.g., a wireless LAN) that use the same frequency band used for the communication of the remote controller30(e.g., Bluetooth®), either instead of or in addition to the number of display devices10connected to remote controllers30described above.

(2)FIG. 10shows an example of the process of establishing the radio field intensity of a remote controller30according to another embodiment. The radio field intensity establishment process shown inFIG. 10is similar to that ofFIG. 7and is equivalent to the process of step S2inFIG. 6. The radio field intensity establishment process shown inFIG. 10differs from that of Embodiment 1 in that the radio field intensity is established in accordance not with the flight information but with intensity of a radio field (e.g., of WiFi) other than the radio field used by the remote controller30.

The display device10shown inFIG. 3detects the intensity of the radio field (referred to below as a peripheral radio field) received by the antenna of the wireless communication unit16(one example of a second receiver) (S221). The radio field intensity establishment unit112determines the current radio field intensity from the remote controller30(S222). The radio field intensity establishment unit112determines whether or not the radio field intensity needs to be changed on the basis of the current radio field intensity (S223). In other words, the radio field intensity establishment unit112establishes whether to increase or reduce the radio field intensity of the remote controller30in accordance with the intensity of the peripheral radio field. The radio field intensity information generation unit113generates radio field intensity information as in Embodiment 1, and transmits this information to the remote controller30via the Bluetooth® communication unit161(S224).

A stronger peripheral radio field of the display device10correlates with a commensurately higher possibility of interference with the radio field of the remote controller30. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, when the peripheral radio field of the display device10is strong (e.g., when the intensity of the peripheral radio field exceeds a predetermined value), radio field interference can be avoided by increasing the radio field output of the remote controller30. When the peripheral radio field of the display device10is weak (e.g., when the intensity of the peripheral radio field falls below another predetermined value), the battery consumption of the remote controller30can be suppressed by reducing the radio field output of the remote controller30.

(3)FIG. 11shows an example of the process of establishing the radio field intensity of a remote controller30according to another embodiment. The radio field intensity establishment process shown inFIG. 11is similar to that ofFIG. 7and is equivalent to the process of step S2inFIG. 6. The radio field intensity establishment process shown inFIG. 11differs from that of Embodiment 1 in that the radio field intensity is established in accordance not with the flight information but with the distance between the display device10and the passenger.

The display device10shown inFIG. 3uses the camera19to capture an image of the passenger in front of the monitor17, and acquires an image of the passenger (S231). The data acquisition unit111determines the distance between the monitor17and the passenger from this image (S232). The radio field intensity establishment unit112determines the current radio field intensity from the remote controller30(S233). The radio field intensity establishment unit112determines whether or not the radio field intensity needs to be changed on the basis of the current radio field intensity (S234). In other words, the radio field intensity establishment unit112establishes whether to increase or reduce the radio field intensity in accordance with the distance between the monitor17and the passenger. The radio field intensity information generation unit113generates radio field intensity information as in Embodiment 1, and transmits this information to the remote controller30via the Bluetooth® communication unit161(S235).

When the distance between the passenger and the monitor17is great (e.g., when the distance between the passenger and the monitor17exceeds a predetermined value), the radio field output of the remote controller30is increased. It is thereby possible to execute stable wireless communication between the display device10and the remote controller30. When the distance between the passenger and the monitor17is small (e.g., when the distance between the monitor17and the passenger falls below another predetermined value), the radio field output of the remote controller30is reduced. The battery consumption of the remote controller30can thereby be suppressed.

The image for determining the distance between the monitor17and the passenger may be an image captured by another camera installed in the aircraft. In this case, the display device10may acquire the image from the management device50.

(4) The embodiments of (1)-(3) above be carried out individually or in plurality, or any one or all may be carried out in combination with Embodiment 1.

(5) In the above embodiments, the management device50and the display devices10are connected by wires, but may be connected wirelessly.

(6) In the above embodiments, the radio field intensity control system1is provided with a management device50, display devices10, and remote controllers30, but may be provided with the display devices10and remote controllers30alone.

(7) WiFi and Bluetooth® described above are not provided by way of limitation as to the wireless communication protocol. Other wireless communication protocols may be used.

(8) In the above embodiments, a part or all of the processing of each functional block may be performed by a program. A part or all of the processing of each functional block may be executed by a processor in a computer. In addition, the program for performing each process may be stored in a hard disk, or ROM, or another storage device, and read out and executed in ROM or RAM.

(9) In the above embodiments, instead of a CPU or another processor, the system may include a processor configured from a dedicated electronic circuit designed to perform a predetermined function. In addition, the processor may be configured from one or a plurality of processors. In addition, use of the term “device” in the present specification may include cases of a plurality of constituent elements (devices, modules (components), etc.), and it does not matter whether or not all the constituent elements are in the same casing. There are also cases in which a plurality of devices stored in separate casings and connected via a network and one device in which a plurality of modules are stored in one casing may be referred to as a system.

(10) The above-described processes are not provided by way of limitation as to the flowcharts shown inFIGS. 7 and 9-11. The order of each process may be partially interchanged or the steps may be executed in parallel.

(11) In the above embodiments, an example in which the radio field intensity control system1of the present disclosure is installed in an aircraft was described. However, this example is not provided by way of limitation as to the present disclosure. The location where the radio field intensity control system1is installed may be a train, a bus, a ship, or another moving object or vehicle. In this case, radio field intensity control is executed in accordance with the operation information of individual vehicles.

(12) In the above embodiments, a dedicated remote controller of the display device10is not provided by way of limitation as to the remote controller30. The remote controller30may be realized through a smartphone, a tablet PC, a handset, or another computer device referred to as a wireless terminal owned or used by a user.

KEY TO SYMBOLS