Abstract:
A personal control unit (PCU) for a transportation-based entertainment system comprises a number of buttons. Illumination is provided for the buttons by illuminating a border region that is rounded containing some of the keys, and is provided for some of the buttons themselves. A light diffusion mechanism is provided between the illumination source and the illuminated regions related to the keys so that the illumination appears even across the entire PCU. A controller may adjust the illumination level and color of the illumination source. A system may be provided for matching at least one of color and brightness of the PCU lighting with cabin lighting.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed to a personal control unit (PCU) for a vehicle entertainment and communication system. The control unit is provided to each passenger in a vehicle and is used to operate various aspects of the vehicle&#39;s entertainment and passenger communication system. 
         [0002]    Historically, various types of control units have been used to interact with a vehicle&#39;s entertainment and communication system, but these systems have generally been relatively large, difficult to operate and see, not well illuminated, and have not been visually integrated well into other aspects of the vehicle interior. 
         [0003]    Although control units have been developed that comprise various lighting techniques, prior art units have not provided illumination of the units that is aesthetically pleasing or can easily be integrated with other aspects, particularly lighting aspects, of the vehicle interior. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    According to various embodiments of the present invention, a personal control unit is provided for interfacing with a vehicle&#39;s entertainment and communication system that comprises aspects that visually integrate into the vehicle interior and is easy to operate and see by the user. In particular various embodiments of the invention successfully address the ability to provide a smooth and coherent lighting effect that helps to avoid hot spots by successfully diffusing and segregating illumination in the very confined space of a practical PCU. This is achieve through various combinations of illumination source placement relative to the observable portions of the PCU and the use of various material layering, thickness, composition, and texturing. 
         [0005]    Specifically, a personal control apparatus is provided for controlling an entertainment or communications system in a vehicle, comprising: a case; a top surface comprising a rounded and elongated region comprising: a plurality of user control elements; and one or more illumination regions; the apparatus further comprising: an illumination source located within the case, wherein illumination from the illumination source is transmitted through the one or more illumination regions to a user of the apparatus; and an illumination diffuser located between the illumination source and the illumination regions of the top surface. 
         [0006]    A system is also provided for controlling an illuminated appearance of a user interface device for an entertainment or communications system in a vehicle, comprising: a personal control apparatus for controlling an entertainment or communications system in a vehicle, comprising: a case; an illumination source or sources located within the case, wherein illumination from the illumination source is transmitted through one or more illumination regions to a user of the apparatus; an input via which information related to at least one of color and brightness is provided; and an apparatus controller that adjusts at least one of the color and brightness of the illumination source based on the input information. The system further comprises a system controller comprising: an input connected to an other system that generates information related to at least one of light color and brightness information of cabin lighting, or a processor that generates information related to at least one of light color and brightness information of cabin lighting; a processor that provides or converts the cabin lighting information into personal control apparatus lighting information so that the personal control apparatus illumination source can mimic the cabin lighting information; and an output connected to the input of the personal control apparatus to communicate the lighting information to the personal control apparatus. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is an isometric pictorial view of an embodiment of the PCU according to a tethered design; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the PCU according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view along line  3 - 3  shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view along line  4 - 4  shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3C  is a bottom view of a regional area of one end of the PCU; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A  is a top view of the PCU showing the placement of two different types of LEDs; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4B  is a bottom view of the PCU showing the placement of LEDs; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4C  is an exploded perspective assembly view of a bottom portion of the PCU; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4D  is an exploded perspective assembly view of the middle and top portions of the PCU; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4E  is an exploded perspective assembly view of the final assembly part of the PCU; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4F  is a section view illustrating the layers associated with the LEDs; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5A  is an isometric view of another embodiment of the PCU, with the keyboard layer removed and showing the top key support layer; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5B  is an isometric view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A  with the key support layer removed and showing the placement of the different types of LEDs; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5C  is an isometric view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5B  with further structure removed and showing the placement of the different types of LEDs; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6A  is an isometric view corresponding most closely to  FIG. 5B  showing the relevant features; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 6B  is an exploded assembly view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the PCU is utilized by a passenger on an airplane to access an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system that may also employ communications components. Although two embodiments of the invention are illustrated below, inventive aspects from any embodiment can be applied to any other embodiment, and the invention is not limited to any specific embodiment described below. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0025]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a PCU  10 . The PCU  10  in  FIG. 1  illustrates a communication cable  12  that can connect to some portion of a passenger seat. In an embodiment of the invention, this cable  12  may be connected to a biased take-up spool with a catch so that the cable  12  can be neatly taken up when the PCU  10  is stored. Such storage can be in a storage recess in an arm or other area of the passenger seat. 
         [0026]    Although a cable  12  is illustrated, which may be used for communications and the power supply, the invention does not require a cable. Communications could be implemented wirelessly using any well-known wireless communications protocol (e.g., BlueTooth®, etc.), although restrictions on radio-frequency communications may be limited in certain contexts or portions of a flight. In such a system, the PCU  10  would contain a power storage unit (batteries, capacitors, etc.), and may comprise a mechanism to permit recharging, such as outside connectors, when docked. 
         [0027]    The PCU  10  may comprise a case  20  having various cutouts for buttons and other controls. These controls can be located on the top, side, bottom, or ends of the PCU  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the top region is divided into two primary regions: an end region, and a racetrack region  40 , with each potentially comprising user controls. User controls can comprise any form of user input and output mechanisms, including, but not limited to, pushbuttons, joysticks, keyboards, touch-sensitive pads, light-emitting diodes, liquid crystal displays, etc. 
         [0028]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the end region on the top of the PCU comprises three round push buttons PB 1-3  that are linearly arranged across the width of the PCU  10 . The racetrack region  40  may be arranged in the form of a traditional racetrack, i.e., an elongated region having two semi-circular shapes bounding each end that are joined in a middle portion with linear parallel edges, although any form of rectangle, rounded corner rectangle, ellipse, or other elongated or regular shape may be used as well. 
         [0029]    The racetrack region  40 , in the embodiment shown, comprises a number of user controls. At a first end of the racetrack  40 , a rocker button in the form of a directional movement disk  30  is provided. This disk  30  may be used, e.g., for navigating in two dimensions on a video display unit by the user, and a quadrature division can permit up, down, left, and right motion. An entry button PB 4  may be provided at the center region of the disk  30 . 
         [0030]    Other buttons PB 5-8  may be used to provide functions such as power to the PCU  10 , calling or cancelling a call for assistance, operating a reading lamp, etc. Also, a display window  44  may be used to provide basic information, such as an audio or video channel and whether or not the PCU is in an audio mode or a video mode. 
         [0031]    Another group of buttons RTB 1-6  may be provided that conform to the racetrack shape. These buttons can control media operation (pause, play, fast-forward, rewind, stop) and functions such as volume control and channel selection. These buttons can possibly be rocker buttons as well. For example, RTB 1  could be implemented so that pushing on one end of the button increases the volume, whereas pushing on the other end of the button decreases the volume. 
         [0032]    The overall design of the racetrack region  40  may be further supported by imitation buttons  46  that do not perform any function, but rather are present in order to support the overall design of the racetrack region. Of course, these imitation buttons  46  could be replaced by functioning buttons as well. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are respectively horizontal and vertical cross-sectional views of the PCU  10 . A keyboard  62 , such as a qwerty keyboard, may be provided on the bottom side that can be used to enter data by the user. A joystick control  60  may be provided for, e.g., cursor movement or for gaming operations. Finally, additional pushbuttons PB 9-14  (see also  FIG. 3C ) may be provided on a bottom side of the PCU  10 . 
         [0034]    The following table provides exemplary uses for the buttons identified above, although it is to be understood that any relevant functions can be assigned to any of the particular buttons. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 PB 1   
                 brightness 
               
               
                   
                 PB 2   
                 map - sends user to the moving map display 
               
               
                   
                 PB 3   
                 home button - returns the user to the home 
               
               
                   
                   
                 page which is displayed on the seat 
               
               
                   
                   
                 video display unit (SVDU) 
               
               
                   
                 PB 4   
                 enter/accept/OK 
               
               
                   
                 PB 5   
                 cancel call attendant 
               
               
                   
                 PB 6   
                 call attendant 
               
               
                   
                 PB 7   
                 power 
               
               
                   
                 PB 8   
                 seat light 
               
               
                   
                 RTB 1   
                 volume control 
               
               
                   
                 RTB 2   
                 channel control 
               
               
                   
                 RTB 3   
                 fast forward 
               
               
                   
                 RTB 4   
                 pause/play toggle 
               
               
                   
                 RTB 5   
                 stop 
               
               
                   
                 RTB 6   
                 rewind 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Exemplary Button Functions 
       [0035]    Another feature of the racetrack region  40  is the racetrack window  42 , which is a clear or translucent region that borders the racetrack region  40 . In a preferred embodiment, this racetrack window  42  is formed around an outer edge of the racetrack buttons RTB 1-6  although such a window  42  could alternately or additionally be provided around an inner edge of the racetrack buttons RTB 1-6  as well. The racetrack window  42  could further be provided around the other buttons of the racetrack region  40  as well. 
         [0036]    The primary purpose of the racetrack window  42  is to provide lighting effects to the PCU  10 , however, it is desirable to not have alternating regions of lightness and darkness along this window  42 , but rather to have light emanating through the racetrack window  42  be very diffuse and form a generally uniform level of illumination over its entire area. 
         [0037]    Thus, the racetrack window  42  is constructed of a transparent or a translucent material. This could be any form of glass, plastic, rubber, etc., although in a preferred embodiment, it is some form of polycarbonate. The structure of the window  42  and surrounding structure are described in more detail below. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A , B, in a preferred embodiment, the illumination for the racetrack window  42  is provided by a first illumination source  70 , and illumination for illumination rings  43  of the buttons is provided by a second illumination source  72 , both located within the body of the PCU  10 . 
         [0039]    Ideally, the illumination sources  70 ,  72  are one or more LEDs, which are low-power and cool-operating devices, although any known form of illumination, such as incandescent sources, fluorescent sources, etc. may be utilized. 
         [0040]    When LEDs are used as the illumination source  70 ,  72 , it is possible to incorporate LEDs of a particular color, or, preferably, to include RGB LEDs whose colors can be mixed to provide for a huge array of colors, including white. 
         [0041]    Accordingly, the PCU  10  may incorporate control electronics for controlling the brightness level, or, when RGB LEDs are used, the color of the LEDs collectively, in groups, or individually. Alternately, the control electronics can be located externally to the PCU  10 , with control signals being communicated via the communications cable  12  or wirelessly. Color settings for RGB LEDs can be maintained via tables in which brightness values for each of the RGB components is provided to establish a particular color. 
         [0042]    Regardless of where the LED control electronics are located, the actual control of the illumination sources  70 , 72  can be done by the passenger via the PCU  10  itself, or, alternately, can be done by an overall lighting control system of the aircraft in order to mimic the mood lighting color of the cabin. For example, a controller could be provided that inputs or generates information related to light color and intensity information of cabin lighting, and provides information to the PCU  10  that would permit the PCU  10  to mimic the cabin lighting color. 
         [0043]    In a preferred embodiment, the Type 1 LEDs  70  are used to illuminate the racetrack window  42  and these are comprised of RGB LEDs and are located in a pattern that generally matches the oval shape of the racetrack. Although any known RGB LED can be utilized, observing the following guidelines will help ensure consistency of color and brightness. 
         [0044]    As can be seen in  FIG. 4A , there are fourteen generally equally spaced Type 1 LEDs  70  so as to provide the desired illumination effect, which has proven adequate, when combined with the translucent support layer  52  and the racetrack window  42  to provide a generally even illumination of the window  42 . The fourteen Type 1 LEDs represent a preferred embodiment that achieves the desired lighting effect while at the same time does not draw an excessive amount of power. 
         [0045]    In a preferred embodiment, some level of shielding is provided between the Type 1  70  and Type 2  72  LEDs so that the lighting effects can be controlled independent of one another. 
         [0046]    All of the LEDs  70  should be of the same type and purchased from the same vendor. This helps to ensure consistency. Ideally, all of the Type 1 LEDs  70  on a given PCU  10  would be purchased from the same lot to avoid any variation in LED characteristics due to variations in the LED manufacturing process. 
         [0047]    The spacing of the racetrack LEDs  70  should be approximately 0.5″ to 0.75″ apart, and ideally these are not placed directly under the racetrack window  42  in order to help diffuse the light from these LEDs  70  and avoid hot-spotting. To achieve this, a spacing of approximately 0.125″ between the LEDs  70  and the bottom surface of the racetrack window  42  can be used. Furthermore, in order to maximize color consistency, the orientation of the RGB LEDs  70  should be maintained so that the same color on the LED chip faces the racetrack window  42 . 
         [0048]    In addition to the Type 1 LEDs  70 , Type 2 LEDs  72  may be provided as well. These are preferably white LEDs and serve the purpose of providing illumination around the borders of some or all of the keys. A small gap is provided around various keys that creates an illumination ring  43 . Although preferably no separate layer is provided, a small gap between the key and the housing is sufficient to allow illumination from the Type 2 LEDs  72  to surround the key. The translucent support layer  52  helps to diffuse the light from the Type 2 LEDs  72  so as to provide even illumination around the keys. As can be seen in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4A , ten Type 2 LEDs  72  are provided for the top surface, and twelve Type 2 LEDs  72  are provided for the bottom surface. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 4F , in a preferred embodiment, a PCB  54  comprising the illumination sources (e.g., LED  70 ,  72 ), is covered with a key support layer  52  that also serves as a light diffuser. Preferably, this is made of a silicon membrane that has 0.03-0.05% white pigment added to it. With this construction, the thin region of the key support layer and diffuser  52  over the illumination source  70 ,  72  can be made approximately 0.03-0.04″ thick and this can serve to adequately help diffuse the light from the LED  72 . Other regions of the support layer can be thicker, e.g., up to 0.1″ and have structural features that provide integrity and support to this layer  52 . 
         [0050]    Above this is a racetrack window  42 . The window  42  can be made of clear acrylic (PMMA) or any material with similar properties and may be formed by an injection molding process. It is designed to have a bottom surface inside of the case  20  and a top surface on the outside of the case. In order to aid in the diffusion, the window  42  may be textured on a top side, a bottom side, or both sides in order to provide a further diffusing aspect to the light. When the translucent support layer  52  is used in combination with the racetrack window  42 , a maximum diffusing effect is achieved that nearly eliminates variation in the illumination level at various portions along the racetrack window. The structural support for the respective keys and supporting circuitry is provided by the top printed circuit board (PCB)  54  and the bottom PCB  66 . 
         [0051]    It is desirable to remove the LEDs  70 ,  72  from the racetrack windows as far as the other elements of the PCU  10  will permit. In this way, the diffusing nature of the racetrack window  42  can implement as uniform of a lighting as is possible. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 4C-4E  are exploded perspective assembly views that illustrate how the main portions of PCU are assembled. Referring to  FIG. 4C , the case bottom section  21  is provided with the joystick control housing  61  that protrudes through a hole in the bottom section  21 . On top of the bottom section  21 , the bottom keyboard support  22  is provided, which preferably is made of the same material that the key support layer  52  is so that it can perform a similar diffusing function with regard to the keyboard on the bottom. As noted above, preferably the white Type 2 LEDs  72  are the ones that provide the lighting to the bottom keyboard and the colored Type 1 LEDs  70  are shielded so that their light does not combine with the Type 2 LEDs  72 . A PCT support element  65  is provided in order to support the top PCB  54  that contains circuitry associated with the PCU. 
         [0053]      FIG. 4D  shows the next stage of assembly in which the button assembly  67  comprising the diffuser  52  is placed on the top PCB  54 , and is subsequently covered with the case top section  23 .  FIG. 4E  illustrates the final assembly step of adding the case front top section  24 . 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0054]      FIGS. 5A-C  are isometric views of a second embodiment of the invention having a deeper body and omitting the bottom keyboard layer. The top portions are generally the same as the first embodiment discussed and illustrated above.  FIG. 5A  shows the PCU with the layer comprising the keys removed to expose the top key support layer  52 . In a preferred embodiment, this support layer  52  is provided as a single-piece unit that covers the entire racetrack area. 
         [0055]      FIG. 5B  illustrates the portion of the PCU underlying the top key support layer  52 . In this illustration, the positioning of the Type 1 and Type 2 LEDs  70 ,  72  can be clearly seen.  FIG. 5C  shows the PCU with most of the supporting button structure removed. 
         [0056]      FIG. 6A  is an isometric view that clearly shows the positional relationship between the buttons (or rather the underlying button support structure) and the LEDs  70 ,  72 . With the spacing illustrated in  FIG. 6 , a very even illumination effect can be provided. 
         [0057]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective assembly diagram for the second embodiment that illustrates the case bottom section  21  having a bottom PCB  54 ′ affixed to it. Additional support members  55  are provided and are used to support the top PCB  54  and structure above that. The button assembly  67  is similar to that of the first embodiment, and also comprises a support layer and diffuser  52  that works in a similar manner. A case top section  23  is provided, and does not require an additional piece as illustrated in the first embodiment. A communications cable  12  may be used to communicate with this device, although any form of wireless connection can also be utilized. 
         [0058]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by this specific language, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0059]    The present invention may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware and/or software components configured to perform the specified functions. For example, the present invention may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, where the elements of the present invention are implemented using software programming or software elements the invention may be implemented with any programming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java, assembler, or the like, with the various algorithms being implemented with any combination of data structures, objects, processes, routines or other programming elements. Furthermore, the present invention could employ any number of conventional techniques for electronics configuration, signal processing and/or control, data processing and the like. The word mechanism is used broadly and is not limited to mechanical or physical embodiments, but can include software routines in conjunction with processors, etc. 
         [0060]    The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional electronics, control systems, software development and other functional aspects of the systems (and components of the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections may be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 TABLE OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 tethered personal control unit 
               
               
                 12 
                 communication cable 
               
               
                 20 
                 case 
               
               
                 21 
                 case bottom section 
               
               
                 22 
                 bottom keyboard support 
               
               
                 23 
                 case top section 
               
               
                 24 
                 case front top section 
               
               
                 30 
                 directional movement disk 
               
               
                 40 
                 racetrack 
               
               
                 42 
                 racetrack window 
               
               
                 43 
                 button illumination ring 
               
               
                 44 
                 window 
               
               
                 46 
                 imitation button 
               
               
                 52 
                 top keyboard support layer &amp; diffuser 
               
               
                 54 
                 top PCB 
               
               
                     54′ 
                 bottom PCB 
               
               
                 55 
                 support members 
               
               
                 60 
                 joystick control 
               
               
                 61 
                 joystick control housing 
               
               
                 62 
                 keyboard 
               
               
                 64 
                 bottom keyboard support layer 
               
               
                 65 
                 PCB support 
               
               
                 66 
                 bottom PCB 
               
               
                 67 
                 button assembly 
               
               
                 70 
                 type 1 LED 
               
               
                 72 
                 type 2 LED 
               
               
                 PB 1-13   
                 push buttons 
               
               
                 RTB 1-5   
                 racetrack buttons