Abstract:
A connector module for connecting a portable electronic device to a power source and a network on-board a mobile platform, for example an aircraft. The connector module is adapted to be integrated into an interior compartment of the aircraft, either adjacent to or disposed within a seat of the aircraft. The connector module provides a networking port disposed within a housing that is adapted to couple the portable electronic device to the aircraft network. A power port is also disposed within the housing of the connector module and is adapted to receive either a DC or AC power cable of the portable electronic device for providing power to the portable electronic device. Several embodiments of the connector module provide various configurations for integrating the connector module into the compartment of the aircraft and/or into the seat of the aircraft.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/955,919, filed Sep. 19, 2001. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to interfaces for electronic devices and specifically to an aircraft seat connector interface for portable electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Airline passengers frequently bring on-board an aircraft their portable electronic devices including laptop computers, hand-held computers and cellular telephones or pagers with Internet access capability. These various electronic devices can be used by passengers to perform a wide variety of computing operations including reviewing web pages, gathering information, creating documents and performing other work or leisure related activities. These devices are convenient for use during a commercial air flight where several hours can pass between destinations. Due to the proliferation of electronic devices, systems have developed to integrate their use in areas where they have not been fully utilized, such as on commercial aircraft. 
     For commercial aircraft, greater utilization has developed by first integrating a network in the commercial aircraft to allow for connecting the computerized devices to the network in order to access additional services. An example of an aircraft based network is “Connexion By Boeing SM ”. Connexion By Boeing SM  is a consumer and commercial airline service that offers high-speed data communication services through a space-based network. The system offers air travelers high-speed intranet, email, and Internet services while in-flight. To use these services, a passenger connects their electronic device to a network on the aircraft that in turn places the user&#39;s electronic device in communication, via a space based communication link, with a ground based component of the system. 
     Electronic devices, however, require power for operation and connectivity to a network in order to access additional services or resources such as the Connexion By Boeing SM  system. While many portable electronic devices come with battery power as an optional power source, batteries have a limited charge life span that may be shorter than some commercial flights. 
     Network connectivity also poses problems in how it is implemented. For example, not all network connectivity solutions conform with Federal Aviation Association (FAA) requirements for use on-board a commercial aircraft. Therefore, there is a need for a system which allows passengers and crew members who bring an electronic device on-board commercial aircraft to easily connect their electronic device to a power source and/or to a network located on the aircraft. 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a system for connecting electronic devices to a power source and to a network on an aircraft. It is a further object to provide a system that is convenient and practical for use in an on-board commercial aircraft environment. An additional object is to allow for connectivity of electronic devices with differing power and network connection capability or requirements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, there is provided a connector module in accordance with a preferred embodiment for connecting an electronic device to a power source and a network. The connector module is integrated into an interior compartment of the aircraft and may be adjacent to or disposed within a seat of the aircraft. The connector module comprises a housing with a networking port and a power port disposed within the housing. The networking port is of the type that can connect an electronic device to a network for providing network connectivity of the electronic device. The power port is of the type that will receive a power cable attached to the electronic device for providing power to the electronic device. Several preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed which reflect differing placements and configurations of the connector module. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the housing of the connectivity module is attached to the underside of the seat. The lower half of the connectivity module tilts forward and up to allow for connection with the electronic device. In another preferred embodiment, the connector module is connected to an armrest of the seat. In another preferred embodiment, the connector module is located on the back of the seat in front of the passenger that would use the connector module. In another preferred embodiment, the connector module is disposed on a flexible tube or pipe that can be articulated up from between two seats. In another preferred embodiment, the connector module is attached to a retractable module secured to the back of a seat in front of the passenger that will use the connector module. Alternatively, the connector module is located under the seat span on which the passenger is seated that will use the connector module. In another preferred embodiment, the connector module is located below an armrest and between two adjacent seats. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the connector module is provided in a housing, movably attached preferably to the outboard underside of each seat. The module translates forward from a stowed position on the underside of the seat to a deployed position, the deployed position allowing access for connection with the user&#39;s electronic device. The module is mechanically attached to the under side seat frame preferably using a sliding drawer type mechanism. 
     The sliding drawer mechanism positions the connector module in the deployed, fully extended position with the connectors facing upward and all the connectors visible to a user sitting in the seat. In addition to RJ-45 and USB connectors, an additional version also preferably employs a 110 volt AC power port for power connection to the user&#39;s portable electronic equipment. 
     The connector module provides easy and convenient connectivity for most electronic devices. It accomplishes this by providing connectivity to a network via both an RJ-45 jack and a universal serial bus (USB) port. In addition to the 110 volt AC outlet noted above, the connector module may also offer one or two power connectivity options including a 15 volt DC half inch connector (i.e., a cigarette lighter connector) or an ARINC 628 connector. 
     In operation, a passenger or crew member brings their electronic device, for example, a laptop computer, on-board an aircraft. The laptop computer is connected to the connector module by connecting a cable from a networking port on the laptop computer to either the universal serial bus (USB) or RJ-45 jack of the connector module. The laptop computer may also be connected to the power source by connecting a cable from the laptop computer power port to the power port of the connector module. When connected, the laptop computer has access to the on-board aircraft network and to either a DC or AC power source. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating the connector module of the present invention in communication with an on-board server located on a mobile platform such as an aircraft; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector module of FIG. 1 disposed in the armrests of two exemplary seats of an aircraft; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the connector module of FIG. 1 disposed in the rear underside of one of the seats illustrated in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the aircraft seat of FIG. 2 with a preferred embodiment of the connector module disposed within the armrest of the seats; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the back of one of the seats of FIG. 2 with a preferred embodiment of the connector module connected to the seat back; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the front cushions of the seats in FIG. 2 with a preferred embodiment of the connector module of FIG. 1 disposed between the two seat cushions; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the aft side of the seats of FIG. 2 with a preferred embodiment of the connector module disposed therein; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the seats of FIG. 2 with a preferred embodiment of the connector module between the two seats underneath the middle armrest; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the connector module disposed on the outboard underside of two exemplary seats of an aircraft; 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevation view taken through section I-I of FIG. 9, showing the connector module in both a stowed (phantom) and a fully deployed position; 
     FIG. 11 is a front elevation view looking aft showing the location of the connector module of FIG. 9 between a typical seat leg and stowed life vest pouch; 
     FIGS. 12A and 12B are perspective views of the connector module of FIG. 9 identifying two and three connector versions respectively; 
     FIG. 12C is a side elevation view taken along section II-II of FIG. 12A; 
     FIG. 13 is a plan view of an exemplary aircraft seat showing the connector module positioned relative to the adjacent life vest pouch and front seat tube; and 
     FIG. 14 is a simplified block diagram illustrating another version of the connector module of the present invention in communication with an on-board server located on a mobile platform such as an aircraft. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
     In FIG. 1, a connector module  10  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The connector module  10  comprises a housing  12  and a plurality of network and power connectors. The connector module  10  is illustrated with a 15 volt DC power connector  14 , an RJ-45 network connector  16 , a universal serial bus connector (USB)  18 , and an ARINC 628 power connector  20  disposed within the housing  12 . The 15 volt DC power connector  14  (i.e., a cigarette lighter connector) is a female connector suitable for receiving a male 15 volt DC power connector attached by cabling to an electronic device. The RJ-45 interface  26  is a female receptacle suitable for connecting to a male RJ-45 connector attached by cabling to the electronic device. The USB interface  28  is a female interface suitable for receiving a male USB interface connector attached by cabling to the electronic device. The ARINC 628 power connector  20  is a female connector suitable for receiving a corresponding male ARINC 628 connector attached by cabling to the electronic device. 
     Both the 15 volt DC power connector  14  and the ARINC 628 power connector  20  are connected to a power regulator  22  for providing suitable power to each power connector. The power regulator  22  is connected to a power source  24 . The power source  24  provides power to the 15 volt DC connector  14  and the ARINC 626 power connector  20 , that in turn provide power to the electronic device. 
     The RJ-45 connector  16  is connected to an RJ-45 interface  26 . The RJ-45 interface  26  is connected to an on-board server  30  located on the mobile platform, in this example an aircraft, for providing network connectivity to any electronic device attached to the connector module  10 . Similarly, the USB connector  18  is connected to a USB interface  28 . The USB interface is connected to the server  30 . Thus, the USB connector  18  also provides network connectivity for an electronic device. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the connector module  10  is shown disposed within an aircraft seat assembly  50 . The aircraft seat assembly  50  is illustrated as having a first seat  52  and second seat  54  with a first armrest  56 , a second (middle) armrest  58 , and a third armrest  60 . Separate connector modules  10  are disposed within each of the first armrest  56  and second (middle) armrest  58 . This allows passengers to sit in both the first seat  52  and second seat  54  and connect their electronic devices to their associated connector module  10 . Cabling  62  connects the connector module  10  in the first armrest  56  and the connector module  10  in the second (middle) armrest  58  to the power source  24  and to the server  30 . 
     Now referring to FIG. 3, the first embodiment of the connector module  10  is shown attached to the bottom aft portion of a seat such as the first seat  52 . The connector module  10  and the housing  12  are pivotably attached to a pivot base  80  for allowing the connector module to be rotated forward to aid in connecting the connector module to the electronic device. In the first preferred embodiment, the connector module  10  has the USB connector  18 , the RJ-45 network connector  16 , and the ARINC 628 power connector  20  disposed within the housing  12 . 
     Referring to FIG. 4, the connector module  10  is illustrated attached to an armrest such as the second (middle) armrest  58  of the aircraft seat assembly  50 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the connector module  10  is shown supported on the aft side and middle of the first seat  52  and the second seat  54 . 
     Now referring to FIG. 6, an alternative preferred embodiment  100  of the invention is shown which only includes a housing  102 , RJ-45 connector  104  and a power connector  106 . The connector module  100  is attached to a cable  108  and disposed between the first seat  52  and second seat  54 . With this embodiment, the connector module  100  can advantageously be rotated up from between the first seat  52  and the second seat  54  for connecting to the electronic device before being placed back between the seat cushions while connected. 
     Now referring to FIG. 7, the connector module  10  is shown disposed on the aft side of the second (middle) armrest  58 . In this embodiment, the connector module  10  is connected to a base housing  110  that is connected to the second (middle) armrest  58 . The base housing  110  is connected to the connector module by a connector cable  112 . In a variation on this embodiment, the base housing  110  may contain a retraction mechanism for allowing the connector cable  112  to be retracted into the base housing  110 . 
     Now referring to FIG. 8, another preferred embodiment of the invention illustrates a connector module  200  having a housing  202 , an RJ-45 network connector  204  and a power connector  206 . The connector module  200  is shown disposed between the first seat  52  and second seat  54  connected beneath the second (middle) armrest  58 . 
     Referring to FIG. 9, seat assembly  350  is shown, similar to seat assembly  50  of FIG.  2 . Seat assembly  350  comprises first seat  352  and second seat  354 , wherein first seat  352  is the outboard seat. First armrest  356 , second armrest  358 , and third armrest  360  are also shown. A first seat leg  362  supporting the outboard side of first seat  352  is provided. Second (middle) seat leg  364  supports both first seat  352  and second seat  354 , and third (inboard) seat leg  366  supports the inboard side of second seat  354 . First seat  352  has a first seat bottom cushion  372  and a first seat front beam  374 . Second seat  354  has a second seat bottom cushion  376  with its corresponding second seat front beam  378 . A first connector module  368  is shown on the outboard section of first seat  352 , under first seat front beam  374  and immediately adjacent to first seat leg  362 . A corresponding second connector module  370  is similarly shown at the outboard portion of second seat  354 , under second seat front beam  378  and immediately adjacent second (middle) seat leg  364 . The first connector module  368  is shown in its stowed position and the second connector module  370  is shown in its deployed position. A two connector module is shown in both positions of FIG.  9 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 10, an elevation view of first seat  352  taken through section I—I of FIG. 9 is shown. First seat bottom cushion  372  and first seat front beam  374  are shown supported by forward seat tube  380  and aft seat tube  382 , respectively. A connector module body  300 , comprising first connector module  368  and its associated mounting mechanism (not shown), is shown in both its stowed position and its deployed position. In the deployed position of first connector module  368 , connector module top face  388  becomes accessible. Connector module top face  388  has the system connectors disposed thereon. As shown in FIG. 10, when a connector module body  300  is in its deployed position, visual access to the connectors on the connector module top face is provided to a user of the seat. 
     FIG. 10 also shows that in the stowed position (phantom view), first connector module  368  is positioned completely under first seat front beam  374 . The stowed position is within a “footprint” of the seat. The footprint comprises the area under the seat, bounded on the seat forward face A such that a phantom line B drawn vertically downward from the forward faces of both first seat bottom cushion  372  and first seat front beam  374  forms the footprint forward edge C. In the stowed position, a connector module body  300  is completely positioned aft of footprint forward edge C. In the deployed position, at least the connector module top face  388  is fully extended forward of footprint forward edge C (forward of phantom line B). In this position, a user will have visible (i.e., line-of-sight) and physical access to the connectors mounted on connector module top face  388 . FIG. 10 is exemplary, as a connector module body  300  mounted to a different seat, ie. second seat  354 , will provide the same mounting characteristics, in both deployed and stowed positions. 
     The stowed position of connector module body  300  provides clearance for ingress and egress for passenger (or any person) access to a seat and prevents damage to the connector module body  300 . Also, in the stowed position of connector module body  300 , a passenger has uninterrupted leg space forward of footprint forward edge C. As evident, the size of a connector module body  300 , even in the deployed position, has minimal impact on a seat occupant&#39;s leg space. 
     Referring to FIG. 11, portions of first seat  352  are shown, including first seat bottom cushion  372 , first seat front beam  374 , and first seat leg  362 . FIG. 11 depicts a seat orientation viewed from the forward facing side of the seat looking aft. In FIG. 11, life vest pouch  384  and life vest strap  386  are shown. The life vest and life vest strap are included in aircraft providing extended flight services. First connector module  368  is shown in its position adjacent to both first seat leg  362  and life vest pouch  384 . As evident in FIG. 11, the connector module(s) must be positioned to fit within existing constraints of the aircraft seats. Space envelope D represents the width available between a seat leg and the life vest pouch, within which the connector module (including necessary mounting mechanism envelope) must fit. 
     Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, two versions of a connector module body  300  are shown. FIG. 12A provides two system connectors, RJ-45 connector  390 , and USB connector  392 , both mounted on connector module top face  388 . In another version of the invention, FIG. 12B shows a third connector, 110-volt AC or 15-volt DC power connector  394 , provided together with RJ-45 connector  390  and USB connector  392 , on expanded connector module top face  396 . Due to the width restraint D, shown in FIG. 11, imposed between the seat leg and life vest pouch, expanded connector module top face  396  provides additional space for 110-volt AC power connector  394  by also increasing a fore-aft depth E of the top face surface. 
     FIG. 12C is an elevation view of an exemplary connector module. FIG. 12C shows a partial view taken along Section II—II, FIG. 12A, of a manual pull feature  398 , which in this version comprises an indentation within connector module forward face  399  of connector module body  300 . Manual pull feature  398  may also comprise an extension (not shown) of connector module forward face  399 . 
     The mechanism for mounting a connector module body  300  (not shown) preferably comprises a sliding drawer type frame, wherein a first end of the frame would be connected to seat structure, such as first seat front beam  374  or forward seat tube  380 . A second end of the frame would allow the connector module body  300  to be movably connected such that connector module body  300  can be translated between the stowed position and the deployed position. The type of mechanism used is required to fit, together with connector module body  300 , within the space envelope identified in FIG.  13 . 
     Referring to FIG. 13, a plan view is provided of an exemplary aircraft seat showing the stowed location of life vest pouch  384 , the forward seat tube  380 , the aft seat tube  382 , and the first seat leg  362 . First connector module  368  is shown in this view in a stowed position. FIG. 13 also shows that a portion of first connector module  368  may extend beyond a portion of forward seat tube  380 . 
     Referring to FIG. 14, and similar to the connections of FIG. 1, a connector module body  300  in accordance with another version of the present invention is shown. The connector module body  300  comprises a housing  370  ( 368  is similar providing only 2 connectors) and a plurality of network and power connectors. The connector module body  300  is illustrated with a 110 volt AC power connector  394 , an RJ-45 network connector  390 , and a universal serial bus connector (USB)  392 . RJ-45 connector  390  is connected to RJ-45 interface  26 . The RJ-45 interface  26  is connected to on-board server  30  located on the mobile platform, in this example an aircraft, for providing network connectivity to any electronic device attached to first connector module  370 . Similarly, USB connector  392  is connected to USB interface  28 . The USB interface is connected to the server  30 . Thus, the USB connector  392  also provides network connectivity for an electronic device. The 110 volt AC power connector  394  is a female connector suitable for receiving a male 110 volt AC power connector attached by cabling to an electronic device. 
     Data connector modules mounted in a movable module assembly of the present invention require hardware and fasteners (not shown). Material for the drawer, the mounting hardware, and the fasteners may be selected from commonly available materials, such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and others. Wiring to the connector module body is provided by existing coiled cabling provided to the underside of seats in current configurations. Flexible wiring connections, such as wiring loops, are provided to the connector module to allow for connector module motion from its stowed to its extended position. Other methods of providing flexibility for wiring and/or cabling connections to the connector modules may be provided. The advantages of a connector module, translatable between a stowed and a deployed position by employing a sliding drawer or similar type mechanism are as follows: 1) the connector module is located in a low position attached directly to the seat and deployed such that the user can visually identify the desired connector type prior to making the connection; 2) for aircraft application, the connector modules are located within existing restraints of the seat design including life vest pouches and existing seat legs; 3) wiring connections for the connector modules are provided from existing seat wiring extended to the connector module area; and 4) in a stowed position, the connector modules are out of the way of a passenger entering or leaving the seating area or a passenger who is not using a module. 
     It should be appreciated that while the several preferred embodiments are illustrated with various combinations of power connectors such as the 15 volt DC power connector  15 , 110 volt AC power connector  394 , or the ARINC 628 power connector  20 , and a network connector such as the RJ-45 network connector  16 , the RJ-45 network connector  390 , or the universal serial bus connector  18  or the universal serial bus connector  392 , there can be several different combinations of these connectors disposed within the connector module of the present invention. The various preferred embodiments of the connector module of the present invention, and the ability to easily adapt the connector module for mounting adjacent various areas of a seat of mobile platform, thus allows users to easily connect their personal computing device to a control network on the mobile platform. The connector module of the present invention is unobtrusive and yet easily accessible by users, and does not require significant modifications to existing seat assemblies in mobile platforms such as aircraft. 
     The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     It is anticipated that a connector module employing a movable mechanism such as a sliding drawer design is employed using either a self retracting feature or a manually retracting feature such that if the self retracting feature is employed, upon completion of use, the drawer slides back into its stowed position automatically. A variety of alternate mechanisms to provide either the manual or the self retracting feature may be employed, including a hinged design, a pin and clevis design or reduced friction material pads within a channel, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Movable connector modules such as shown in FIG. 9 are preferably attached to outboard portions of each respective seat. Alternately, the connector modules may be positioned on the inboard positions of preselected seats.