Patent Publication Number: US-2019190288-A1

Title: Seat box power management

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a division of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/584,967, filed May 2, 2017 and entitled “SEAT BOX POWER MANAGEMENT,” the disclosure of which is wholly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes. 
    
    
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to power management, and more particularly to power management on vehicles for supplying power for personal electronic devices of passengers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Personal electronic devices (PEDs) carried aboard vehicles by passengers are requesting increasing amounts of power for charging. Increased power requests affect aircraft more because weight is a critical factor on aircraft and supplying greater amounts of power for charging passenger PEDs reduces the fuel an airplane can use for propulsion. In particular, fuel used for increased electric power generation reduces the amount of fuel left for propelling the vehicle to its destination. Demand for increased power for PEDs on long haul flights is typically even more problematic because PED batteries are more likely to deplete before arrival and therefore require charging from vehicle power for continued use of the PED during flight. 
     Conventionally, a fixed amount of power has been reserved for usage among outlets on a vehicle. The drawback with this arrangement is that it frequently does not result in a satisfactory distribution of power among PEDs connecting to the outlets. For example, one PED may draw more power than others, and not leave enough power for PEDs charging from other outlets. Hence, improvements are desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In one aspect, the disclosure describes a seat box for connection to an electrical power supply of a vehicle for making power available through power controlled outlets for a personal electronic device to connect to a power controlled outlet and receive power. The seat box includes a plurality of ports in which each port is configured to connect to a controlled power outlet. The seat box also includes distribution circuitry including an input connectable to the vehicle electrical power system, and an output connected to each of the ports for receiving power from the vehicle electrical power system and distributing power among the ports for supply to a controlled power outlet connected to the port. The seat box additionally includes a processor connected in communication with each port configured to receive and send data to a power controlled outlet connected to the port. 
     The seat box includes a power load manager executed on the processor. The power load manager receives data from each controlled power outlet connected to one of the ports. The data indicates power supplied from the controlled power outlet and requests for power from each controlled power outlet. The power load manager when receiving a request for power from a controlled power outlet for which there is insufficient power available to meet the request, controls the controlled power outlet drawing the most power to reduce power supplied therefrom, and supplies at least some power to the controlled power outlet from which the request for power was received. 
     In a further aspect, if there is more than one controlled power outlet drawing substantially the same amount of power in which the foregoing amount of power is the most amount of power being supplied by any one controlled power outlet, the power load manager determines which controlled power outlet has been supplying the foregoing amount of power longer than any of the other controlled power outlets. The power load manager controls the determined controlled power outlet to reduce power supplied therefrom. 
     In a still further aspect, each controlled power outlet reports to the power load manger, connection of a personal electronic device to the controlled power outlet. The power load manager further tracks the duration of time a personal electronic device has been connected to a controlled power outlet based on when a report was received from the controlled power outlet of connection thereto. Each power controlled outlet also reports disconnection of a personal electronic device to the power load manager. In response to a report of disconnection, the power load manager resets the duration of time for that power controlled outlet. 
     In a different aspect, the disclosure describes a seat box for connection to an electrical power supply of a vehicle for making power available through power controlled outlets for a personal electronic device to connect to a power controlled outlet and receive power. The seat box includes a plurality of ports in which each port is configured to connect to a power controlled outlet. The seat box includes distribution circuitry including an input connectable to the vehicle electrical power system, and an output connected to each of the ports for receiving power from the vehicle electrical power system and distributing power among the ports for supply to a controlled power outlet connected to the port. A processor connected in communication with each port is configured to receive and send data to a power controlled outlet connected to the port. 
     The seat box includes a power load manager executed on the processor. The power load manager receives data from each controlled power outlet indicating power supplied from the controlled power outlet and requests for power from each controlled power outlet. The power load manager when receiving a request for power from a controlled power outlet, controls the power outlet to supply at least a predefined minimum amount of power, and controls the power outlet to not supply an amount of power beyond a predefined maximum. 
     In an additional aspect, the seat box includes storage media in communication with the power load manager in which the power load manager establishes the predefined minimum amount of power and predefined maximum amount of power based on values in a configuration file on the storage media. If the power load manager cannot establish a predefined minimum amount of power, the power load manager uses a default value for the minimum amount of power to supply. 
     In yet a further aspect, the configuration file includes an identification of each type of controlled power outlet, and each controlled power outlet communicates its type to the power load manager. If the identification on the configuration file for a controlled power outlet does not match the identification communicated by that controlled power outlet to the power load manager, the power load manager disables power from the controlled power outlet for which there is not a match. 
     In still another aspect, the disclosure describes a seat box for connection to an electrical power supply of a vehicle for making power available through power controlled outlets for a personal electronic device to connect to a power controlled outlet and receive power. The seat box includes a plurality of ports in which each port is configured to connect to a controlled power outlet. The seat box additionally includes distribution circuitry including an input connectable to the vehicle electrical power system, and an output connected to each of the ports for receiving power from the vehicle electrical power system and distributing power among the ports for supply to a controlled power outlet connected to the port. The seat box includes a processor connected in communication with each port configured to receive and send data to a power controlled outlet connected to the port. 
     A power load manager executes on the processor and receives data from each controlled power outlet indicating power supplied from the controlled power outlet and requests for power from each controlled power outlet. The seat box includes storage media in communication with the power load manager in which the power load manager controls distribution of power among the controlled power outlets according to information in a configuration file on the storage media. The distribution is at least one of distributing power to a power controlled outlet first requesting the power with a predefined minimum amount of power supplied in response to another power controlled outlet requesting power later; and redistributing some power from one outlet to another in response to a later request for power. 
     In an additional aspect, distributing power to a power controlled outlet first requesting the power with a predefined minimum amount of power supplied in response to another power controlled outlet requesting power later, includes controlling the controlled power outlet first requesting power, to not supply an amount of power beyond a predefined maximum. In a further aspect, the power load manager establishes the predefined minimum amount of power and the predefined maximum amount of power based on values in the configuration file. 
     In a different aspect, redistributing some power from one outlet to another in response to a later request for power is performed when there is insufficient power to meet the later request. In this aspect, the power load manager controls the power outlet drawing the most power to reduce power supplied therefrom, and supplies at least some power to the controlled power outlet from which the later request for power was received. In a further aspect, if there is more than one controlled power outlet drawing substantially the same amount of power in which this amount of power is the most amount of power being supplied by any one controlled power outlet, the power load manager determines which controlled power outlet has been supplying the foregoing amount of power longer than any of the other controlled power outlets, and controls the determined controlled power outlet to reduce power supplied therefrom 
     Other aspects and advantages will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The various features of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings of the various aspects disclosed herein. In the drawings, the same components may have the same reference numerals. Note that the drawings are not intended to be to scale or show actual quantities of components or relative sizes. The illustrated aspects are intended to illustrate, but not to limit the present disclosure. The drawings include the following figures: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a seat box on a vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a process for distributing power; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of an example power distribution from a seat box. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As a preliminary note, the terms “component”, “module”, “system,” and the like as used herein are intended to refer to a computer-related and/or information processing entity, either software-executing general or special purpose processor, hardware, firmware and/or a combination thereof. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a hardware processor, a hardware processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. For example, a controller or control system may be implemented in software, hardware, and/or a combination thereof, and may include a group of two or more control systems working cooperatively. 
     By way of illustration, both an application running on a server and the server can be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution, and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. Also, these components can execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systems via the signal). 
     Computer executable components can be stored, for example, at non-transitory, computer readable media including, but not limited to, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), CD (compact disc), DVD (digital video disk), ROM (read only memory), floppy disk, hard disk, EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory), solid state memory device or any other storage device, in accordance with the claimed subject matter. 
     In one aspect, the following disclosure describes a seat box  10  as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1  for use on a vehicle  11 , such as an airplane, ship, train, ferry, bus, or other type of vehicle. While the seat box  10  is not of any particular type, it is contemplated that the seat box  10  will provide greater advantages on vehicles where weight is of more importance, such as on busses and trains, and more particularly on aircraft. On an aircraft, the seat box  10  is preferably a line replaceable unit (LRU) that may be replaced with another seat box  10  in the event of a malfunction, defect, or damager thereto. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the seat box  10  receives power from a source  12  in the vehicle  11 , such as an outlet connected to the electrical system of the vehicle. The seat box  10  may be of any kind, such as a high power supply (HPS) type, direct current seat electric box (DC-SEB) type, high definition or 4K premium seat electric box (HD-PSEB or 4K-PSEB) types, or other types. The seat box  10  receives the power from the vehicle  11  at an input  28  and distributes the power among passenger seats on the vehicle, typically a group or row of seats, to power items at each seat, for example, a reading light, flight attendant call light, monitor, or other items. 
     On an aircraft, generally the vehicle  11  generates AC power at around 115 VAC, and converts the power to 28 VDC for distribution to the vehicle electrical system and items connecting thereto. The seat box  10  receives the vehicle power at an input  28  and provides it to distribution circuitry  26  for distributing the power through an output  30  to ports  18  and  40  of the seat box  10 . The distribution circuitry may also convert the power to a lower voltage, usually from 5 VDC to 3.3 VDC. However, preferably the conversion is performed by the outlets  38 . That is, electrical power received from the vehicle power source  12  is provided at the same voltage as received at input  28  to each port  18  and to outlets  38  and  68  connected thereto, and converted by each outlet to an inclusive range between 5 VDC to 3.3 VDC. Power conversion outside of the seat box  10  by the outlets  38  and  68  advantageously reduces heat in the seat box, which may be in area where heat dissipation is difficult such as under a seat or other confined space such as a compartment overhead or in the floor. In alternative configurations, the seat box  10  may receive AC power from the vehicle power source  12 , and converts the received power to DC within the seat box  10  via the distribution circuitry. 
     The seat box  10  includes output ports  18  and  40  connected to the distribution circuitry  26 , in which the ports  18  and  40  may be of different types. The first type of port  18  is configured for connection to a power outlet  38 , preferably a controlled power outlet  38 , but which could also include a static power outlet  68 . Examples of power controlled outlets  38  are types of outlets capable of communicating negotiated power usage and implement USB Power Delivery 3.0 protocol or later. Generally these outlets (also known as jacks) have flexibility for a broad range of operability and pass at least current power usage data and power requests from a personal electronic device (PED)  14  or  16  back to the seat box  10 . The PEDs  14  or  16  described herein refer generally to electronics devices that use a USB protocol for charging. The USB protocol for charging include at least USB 2.0/BC1.2, and a protocol or protocols based on USB power delivery. 
     The controlled power outlets  38  draw power from a source, if permitted to by command/control from the seat box  10 . The controlled power outlets  38  include USB Type C outlets or jacks. The first type of ports  18  of the seat box  10  may also connect to non-controlled power outlets. Non-controlled power outlets include Type A USB outlets/jacks operating in High Power mode or USB Type C outlets/jacks implemented without a data line (or a disabled data line). The USB outlet/jacks are for charging a PED  14  or  16 , which may be a mobile phone, tablet computer, phablet (larger sized mobile phone nearing tablet-size), laptop computer, or other kind of PED connectable to a USB outlet for charging therefrom. 
     Another kind of port  40  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  and is optional. The foregoing ports  40  are for vehicles providing monitors  42  at passenger seats. For instance, the vehicle  11  may include an entertainment system  36  (called an inflight entertainment system or IFE system on aircraft), including monitors  42  mounted at seatbacks, bulkheads, or armrests of seats, for use by passengers. For vehicles  11  having monitors  42  for passenger use, these ports  40  supply the monitors with power. Vehicles used over shorter distances, such as aircraft for short haul flights, may not have monitors  42 , in which case the ports  40  are not necessary and may be removed to reduce cost and weight of the seat box  10 . If ports  40  are included, the ports preferably report power supplied therefrom to the power load manager  34 . 
     Each seat box  10  includes a data processor  32  and memory  20  connected to the processor. The memory may be SDRAM, NVRAM, a combination thereof, or other type. The seat box  10  also includes storage media  22  connected to the processor for non-volatile storage of data when the vehicle is powered down or power is otherwise not available from the vehicle power source  12 . The storage media  22  may be flash memory, an SSD, hard disk drive, or other type of media for non-volatile storage of data. A ROM or EEPROM may be included for non-volatile data storage as well, either alone or in combination with other non-volatile storage media. The processor  32  is connected in communication with each port  18  and  40  of the seat box  10 . The processor  32  executes program logic, including a software application referred to hereafter as a power load manager  34 . The processor  32  is preferably a low power type, such as an ARM processor, but may be other types as well, such as an Intel or AMD type processor, preferably a type intended for low power or mobile use. 
     When the power load manager  34  is executed by the processor  32 , the power load manager receives data from each controlled power outlet  38  connected to a port  18 . The data received from each controlled power outlet  38  indicates the power supplied from the controlled power outlet and requests for power from the controlled power outlet. For example, a PED  14  may connect to the third controlled power outlet  38  in  FIG. 1  (counting from right to left) and request power. The controlled power outlet  38  communicates data corresponding to the request, which is communicated to the port  18  and to the power load manager  34 . Existing power usage is also communicated. For example, if there was no PED previously connected to the controlled power outlet  38 , data indicating zero supply of power would be communicated to the power load manager  34 . However, even when an outlet  38  is not supplying any power to a PED, some minimal amount of power is provided to the outlet  38  for operation of a microcontroller within the outlet and other electronics/circuitry for sending and receiving communications by the outlet. 
     The power load manger  34  after receiving a request for power from a controlled power outlet  38  for which there is insufficient power available to meet the request, responds by commanding or controlling the controlled power outlet drawing the most power to reduce power supplied therefrom, and commanding/controlling supply of at least some power to the controlled power outlet  38  from which the request was received. For example, there may be another PED  16  previously connected to a controlled power outlet  38  drawing power. If this controlled power outlet  38  is drawing the most power based on the data received from the controlled power outlets, the power load manager  34  will communicate data to that controlled power outlet  38  to reduce the amount of power supplied therefrom. The power load manager  34  thereafter communicates data to the other controlled power  38  to supply at least some power, which is supplied to the requesting PED  14 . 
     The controlled power outlet  38  from which the request originated, may not have been supplying power, i.e., drawing power from the seat box  10 . However, each controlled power outlet  38  reports or communicates data to the power load manager  34  upon connection of a PED  14  or  16 . Thus, the power load manager  34  is able to provide at least some power for a later requesting PED  14 . 
     If there is more than one controlled power outlet  38  drawing substantially the same amount of power in which the foregoing amount power is the most amount of power being supplied by any one controlled power outlet, the power load manager  34  determines which controlled power outlet has been supplying the foregoing amount of power longer than any of the other controlled power outlets. The power load manager  34  thereafter commands/controls the controlled power outlet  38  that has been supplying power for the longest duration to reduce power supplied therefrom. The power load manger  34  thereafter communicates to the other controlled power outlet  38  to supply at least some power to the requesting PED  14  or  16 . In this regard, the power load manager  34  tracks the duration of time a PED  14  or  16  has been connected to a controlled power outlet  38  based on when a report or communication was received from a controlled power outlet of a connection thereto. Similarly, the power load manager  34  tracks disconnection of a PED  14  or  16 . In response to a report or communication of disconnection, the power load manager resets the duration of time for the power controlled outlet  38  from which the report or communication was received. 
     In the event, two or more outlets  38  have been connected for equal amounts of time and each outlet is supplying an equal amount of power, in which the foregoing amount of power is the greatest amount being supplied compared to the remaining outlets, the power load manger  34  randomly selects one of the two or more outlets, i.e., outlets that have been connected for the same duration, supplying the same amount of power, in which the amount of power is greater than the power amount supplied by any of the remaining outlets. Thereafter, the power load manger  34  controls the selected outlet  38  to reduce the power supplied therefrom as described above. 
     The power load manager  34  communicates a power data object to a PED  14  or  16  connected to a power controlled outlet  38  indicating a power limit for that power controlled outlet. The power data object is part of the data communicated between the PED  14  or  16  and a controlled power outlet  38 , initiated upon connection of a PED to a controlled power outlet. The data includes a power data object communicated from the load power manager  34  to the PED  14  or  16  via a port  18  and outlet  38 , indicating the maximum amount of power that may be drawn from the outlet. The PED  14  or  16  communication likewise includes a power data object, indicating the power requirements for the PED. The load power manager  34  communicates another power data object to a power controlled outlet  38  for which power supplied therefrom is to be reduced, indicating the new power limit. 
     As will be appreciated, the seat box  10  implements a more balanced power distribution. The seat box  10  is advantageously able to redistribute power already being supplied to a PED  14  or  16 , to a later requesting PED. Redistribution is performed when there is insufficient power to meet the amount requested by the later requesting PED. The total power available from a seat box  10  must be reduced for the power allocated to IFE equipment, e.g., monitors  42 , reading light, or other equipment, and base power for each controlled power outlet  38 . Some power may further be reserved as a minimum available for each power outlet  38  connect to a port  18 . The load power manager  34  can flexibly distribute the remaining power based on request and usage as described above. 
     The amount of power reduction for an outlet  38  is preferably at least 5 W, and more preferably a minimum amount consistent with most power rule increments provided in the USB power delivery standard. For this reason, the minimum preferred is more preferably 15 W plus an amount to compensate for losses due to inefficiency of the outlet  38 . The power load manager  34  communicates the power reduction to each affected outlet  38  via a newly communicated power data object. 
     A non-limiting illustrative example follows. Assume PEDs  14  and  18  are both connected to the seat box  10  through respective power controlled outlets  38  in which each outlet has an efficiency of 90%. Moreover, the seat box  10  has available power totaling 133.2 W. Moreover, assume each PED  14  and  16  requests 60 W. As each outlet  38  has an efficiency of 90%, the seat box  10  must supply 66.6 W to each outlet  38  to meet a request for supplying 60 W to each PED (90% of 66.67 W is approximately 60 W). The seat box  10  is able to fulfill the request as 66.67 W supplied to via outlets  38  to each PED  14  and  16  is a total of approximately 133.2 W (two times 66.67 W). 
     If a PED  44  (shown in dotted line) connects to another outlet  38  and requests power, there is insufficient power to meet the request as all of the power has been allocated to fulfill the requested power for the two PEDs  14  and  16  that connected earlier. In response, the power load manager  34  follows the process described previously. Specifically, the power load manager  34  determines which controlled power outlet  38  is drawing the most power. In this example, there is more than one controlled power outlet  38  drawing substantially the same amount of power in which the amount of power is the most amount of power being supplied by any of the remaining controlled power outlets. 
     The power load manager  34  therefore further determines which controlled power outlet has been supplying this amount of power longer than any of the other controlled power outlets. Assume one of the PEDs  14  or  16 , has been connected for sixty minutes and drawing power from its respective outlet  38 , while the other PED has been connected for only thirty minutes and drawing power from its outlet. The power load manager  34  in response to this determination will control the outlet  38  for the PED  14  or  16  that has been connected the longest to reduce the power supplied from the outlet. As described above, the amount of power reduction for the outlet  38  is preferably at least 5 W, and more preferably 15 W plus an amount to compensate for loss due to inefficiency of the outlet. Since the outlet  38  has an efficiency of 90% in this example, the amount of power reduction is (15 W)/0.90, or approximately 16.67 W. 
     The power load manager  34  thereafter controls the outlet  38  to reduce power supplied therefrom from 66.6 W minus 16.67 W, i.e., a reduction to approximately 50 W. Further, the outlet  38  from which the request was received from PED  44 , is allocated the amount of the reduction, i.e., 16.67 W. This may continue in an iterative process if PED  44  requests additional power, or another PED connects to another outlet  38 . The power load manager  34  controls the power supply through the ports  18  and outlets  38  by communicating data including modified power data objects. 
     The power load manager  34  may be configured to distribute power according to an alternative method or process. The process is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 2  and uses the same components as previously described. The process begins after a start block  50  in which the power load manger  34  has commenced execution by processor  32 . In particular, after startup in block  50 , the power load manager  34  monitors for a new power request in block  52 . In response to a request, the power load manager  34  determines whether there is sufficient power to meet the request in decision block  54 . If the power load manager  34  determines there is sufficient power available to meet the request, the process proceeds to decision block  56  and determines whether the request exceeds a predefined maximum amount of power. For example, a PED  14  or  16  may request 70 W. However, a predefined maximum may be enforced by the power load manager  34  to restrict each outlet  38  to supplying no more than a predefined maximum of 45 W. In this example, the request exceeds the foregoing exemplary predefined maximum of 45 W, and therefore the process proceeds to block  58 , in which the power load manager  34  controls the outlet  38  to supply the predefined maximum. Thereafter, the process returns to block  52  and monitors for another power request. If the determination in decision block  56  is that the request does not exceed the predefined maximum, the process proceeds to block  60  controlling the outlet  38  to meet the request. Thereafter the process returns to block  52  and monitors for another request. 
     Returning to decision block  54 , if the determination is that there is not sufficient power for the request, the process proceeds to block  62  and controls the outlet  38  to supply at least a predefined minimum amount of power. The predefined minimum amount of power is preferably a minimum amount consistent with most power rule increments provided in the USB power delivery standard. For this reason, the predefined minimum amount is preferably at least 15 W plus an amount to compensate for losses to inefficiency of the outlet  38 . The power load manager  34  controls the outlet  38  to supply the predefined minimum amount by communicating the power to be supplied by the outlet  38  via a power data object. If there is power available greater than the predefined minimum amount, but less than the requested amount, the power load manager  34  may be configured to control the outlet  38  to supply an amount of power great than the predefined minimum, but less than the requested amount. Thereafter the process returns to block  52  and monitors for another power request. 
     The advantage of the process illustrated by  FIG. 2  is that it provides power on a first-come, first-served basis, with upper and lower bounds. There is a predefined maximum to prevent any one outlet  38  from using all of the power, with a predefined minimum provided for outlets  38  to which a PED  14  or  16  is connected to later. Hence, it provides for a fairer distribution of power over a mere first come, first served basis. 
     As described previously in connection with  FIG. 1 , seat box  10  includes storage media  22 . The power load manger establishes the predefined minimum amount of power and predefined maximum amount of power based on values in a configuration file  23  on the media  22 . If the power load manager  34  cannot establish a predefined minimum amount of power, for example, the configuration file  23  is missing or cannot be read, the power load manager uses a default value. The default value is preferably at least 5 W, and more preferably at least 15 W for reasons previously described, plus an amount to account for inefficiency of the controlled power outlet  38 . 
     The configuration file  23  further includes an identification of each type of controlled power outlet  38 . Each controlled power outlet  38  communicates its type to the power load manager  34 . If the identification on the configuration file  23  for a controlled power outlet  38  does not match the identification communicated by that controlled power outlet to the power load manager, the power load manager power  34  disables power from the power controlled outlet for which there is not a match. The power may be disabled by the power load manager  34  communicating a power data object to the controlled power outlet to not supply power. Alternatively, the power load manager may be configured to control the distribution circuitry  26  to disable power to the controlled power outlet  38 , both by communicating a power data object and communicating with the distribution circuitry  26  to disable power, for example, by activation of a switch to cut power in the distribution circuitry. 
     The seat box  10  is typically installed in a vehicle  11  and connected in communication with the vehicle entertainment system  36 . In an aircraft, the entertainment system  36  is frequently referred to as an IFE (inflight entertainment) system or an IFEC (inflight entertainment and communication) system. Communication between the seat box  10  and the entertainment system  36  is preferably via Ethernet, but may be in accordance with other protocols. In addition, the seat boxes  10  may be connected in communication with one another either directly or indirectly via Ethernet. 
     The power load manager  34  of the seat box  10  is further configured to receive a communication from the entertainment system  36  for a priority request for power for one of the controlled power outlets  38 . If the power load manager  34  receives a priority request for a controlled power outlet  38  from the entertainment system  36 , the power load manager controls the foregoing power outlet  38  to provide a fixed power amount output for a predefined duration, and decreases the power available for the remaining power controlled outlets to accommodate the priority request. The priority request may be due to a PED  16  communicating a request  66  to the entertainment system  36 . Entertainment systems  36  frequently include wireless access points (WAPs), for receiving communications from PEDs  14  or  16 . The vehicle operator or carrier may have made available a downloadable software application for a PED  14  or  16 , which after installation thereof, the software application may be used to submit a request for priority power to the entertainment system  36  in return for a fee or use of loyalty rewards, e.g., frequent flying miles, points, or other promotion. If the monitors  42  are included, the request may be submitted via the monitor at a seat. 
     In another aspect, the seat box  10  may include a static outlet  68  or several static outlets  68 . Static outlets  68  may be provided in combination via a multiport outlet, which provide both a static outlet  68  and a controlled power outlet  38 . If the seat box  10  includes a static outlet  68 , the load power manager  34  allocates a fixed amount of power for the static power outlet. However, the load power manager  34 , continues to command or control the amount of power supplied by controlled power outlets  38  and reduce or increase power thereto as more or less power becomes available due to requests for power or disconnection of PEDs  14  or  16 . 
     Since the seat box  10  includes media  22  from which a configuration file  23  is read, operation of the power load manager  34  may be reconfigured or modified by changing or replacing the configuration file on the media. As described earlier, the seat box  10  is connectable in communication with the entertainment system  36 . If it is desired to change the configuration of the power load manager  34 , this can be performed by communicating a configuration file  23  from the entertainment  36  to each seat box  10 . Configuration files  23  may be stored by the entertainment system  36  and provided for selection by vehicle crew members from a crew management interface (CMI) as typically provided on entertainment systems  36 . Typically, the CMI is provided as a monitor mounted for crew use and/or as a web-accessible interface via an application installed on PED&#39;s used by crew. Alternatively, configuration files  23  may be stored in the media  22  of each seat box  10 , with a selection being made via the CMI of the entertainment system  36  of which configuration file the load power manager  34  thereof should use. Selection could be provided via class of service, i.e., premium or economy, or other factors, such as premium economy seating. 
     For example, the CMI may provide a selection for very important persons (VIPs), critical use, or for high ranking passengers in an operator&#39;s or carrier&#39;s loyalty program, such as a “gold” or “platinum” member passenger of a frequent flyer program. In this example, a vehicle crew member could select VIP or critical use for a seat and the port  18  of a seat box  10  corresponding to the selected seat. In response to the selection, the load power manager  34  commands or controls the outlet  38  connected to that port  18  to provide the maximum amount of power supported by the outlet, and correspondingly reduces the power to other outlets of that seat box  10 . A critical use might be a passenger transporting a mobile refrigerator containing medical materials that must remain chilled, or a laptop or communication equipment that must remain on. 
     In a further example, the vehicle carrier or operator may select certain seat or seats for constant or static critical use, such as for a refrigerator, laptop, communication equipment or other item connected to the outlet  38  of a seat. In this further example, the seat box  10  corresponding to each selected seat is provided with a configuration file causing the power load manger  34  to control the outlet  38  of the selected seat to provide the maximum amount of power supported by the outlet, and reduce power by a corresponding amount for the other outlets of the seat box  10 . If a seat is later deselected for constant/static critical use, the configuration file  23  may be changed by communication with the IFE system  36 , to provide a different configuration file  23  in which there are no outlets  38  having priority over others. 
     As described previously, the storage media  22  is in communication with the power load manager  34  in which the power load manger controls distribution of power amount controlled power outlets according to information in a configuration file  23  on the storage media. The distribution is at least one of (i) distributing power to a power controlled outlet  38  first requesting the power with a predefined minimum amount of power supplied in response to another power controlled outlet requesting power later; and (ii) redistributing some power from one outlet to another in response to a later request for power. The distribution could include other alternatives, such as static or first come, first served instead of the previously described distributions, or providing priority for an outlet  38 , also as previously described. 
       FIG. 3  schematically shows an illustrative example of a static power distribution for a seat box  10  including ports  18   a  through  18   d  in which controlled power outlets  70   a  through  70   d  have been respectively connected (alphabetic identifiers have been included for convenience of explanation). The storage media  22  has stored on it a configuration file  23  for a static power distribution according to which the power load manager controls distribution of the power to each of the ports  18   a  through  18   d . As show in  FIG. 3 , each outlet  70   a  through  70   d  includes both a USB Type A and Type C jacks for respectively connecting a PED  72  and  74 . In particular, a PED  72  has been connected to a USB Type C jack on each of outlets  70   b  and  70   d . A PED  74  has been connected to a USB Type A jack on each of outlets  70   c  and  70   d . The power load manager  34  is connected in communication with each outlet  70   a  through  70   b  and the distribution circuitry provides power to each outlet from output  30  (for convenient explanation, the vehicle power source is not shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
     For the example, assume that the seat box  10  has 120 W available for distribution to the ports  18   a  through  18   d . Since this is a static distribution and there are four ports  18   a  through  18   d , each port is allocated 30 W, i.e., one-fourth of the total 120 W available from the seat box  10 . For the example, assume that each Type A jack provides up to 10.5 W in use and that each outlet  70   a  through  70   d  has an efficiency of 90%. As there is a single PED  72  connected to the USB Type C port of outlet  70   b , and nothing connected to the USB Type A port, the power load manager  34  controls the outlet  70   b  to communicate to the PED a power data object indicating a power limit of 27 W, i.e., ninety percent of 30 W, or a limit of 27 W. 
     At outlet  70   c , there is a single PED  74  connected to the USB Type A jack of the outlet, and nothing connected to the USB Type C port. However, the USB Type A port is a non-controlled power outlet. Therefore, it provides a static amount of power limited to 10.5 W if a PED or other device is connected thereto. 
     Moving to outlet  70   d , there is a PED  72  connected to the USB Type C jack, and a PED  74  connected to the USB Type A jack. The total allocation of 30 W for the outlet  70   d  is therefore shared between the USB Type A and Type C jack. Since the USB Type A port is a non-controlled with respect to the power that it supplies, the power load manager  34  allocates a static amount of 10.5 W to the USB Type A jack, and controls the outlet  70   d  to reduce the total amount of power available for the USB Type C jack by the same amount. Therefore, the allocation for the USB Type C jack is limited to 30 W less 10.5 W, or 19.5 W. However, the outlet  70   d  is only 90% efficient, hence the amount available to the PED  72  is 90% of 19.5 W, or about 17.6 W at most. Notwithstanding, the power load manager controls the outlet  70   d  to communicate a power data object indicating a limit of 15 W for consistency with most power rule increments provided in the USB power delivery standard. 
     Various changes and modifications can be made as will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, while the seat box  10  includes media  22  storing a configuration file  23 , the data on the configuration file could be stored within the power load manager  34  in a database. Alternatively, a configuration file could be stored on the entertainment system  26  and communicated to the power load manager  34  of each seat box  10  on power-up. In entertainment systems  36  including monitors  42 , the distribution could take into account whether a monitor  42  is being used as well as an outlet  38  in controlling the supply of power from the outlet. As changes can be made as described, the present examples and described configurations are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalence of the appended claims.