Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9532082
Timestamp: 2018-03-22 21:23:23
Document Index: 205520352

Matched Legal Cases: ['application No. 61', 'application No. 61', 'Application No. 10806973', 'Application No. 2010800348715', 'Application No. 2010800348715', 'Application No. 2010800348715', 'Application No. 2012', 'Application No. 2012105458']

US9532082B2 - Serial networking fiber-to-the-seat inflight entertainment system - Google Patents
US9532082B2
US9532082B2 US14823845 US201514823845A US9532082B2 US 9532082 B2 US9532082 B2 US 9532082B2 US 14823845 US14823845 US 14823845 US 201514823845 A US201514823845 A US 201514823845A US 9532082 B2 US9532082 B2 US 9532082B2
US14823845
US20160134899A1 (en )
Gregory C. Petrisor
An entertainment system that has improved failure recovery characteristics and reduces the connection components is disclosed. In one aspect, an inflight entertainment system comprises a plurality of physically interconnected head end line replaceable units and a plurality of serially-connected networking line replaceable units physically interconnected in a serial configuration, wherein two of the serially-connected networking line replaceable units at the edge of the serial configuration are physically interconnected with two of the head end line replaceable units, respectively, wherein a loop-free head end data path is maintained between active head end line replaceable units by regulating link participation in the head end data path, and wherein one or more loop-free serially-connected networking data paths are maintained between at least one of the two head end line replaceable units and active serially-connected networking line replaceable units by regulating link participation in the serially-connected networking data paths.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/185,599, entitled “SERIAL NETWORKING FIBER-TO-THE-SEAT INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM,” filed Feb. 20, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,118,547, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/847,924, entitled “SERIAL NETWORKING FIBER-TO-THE-SEAT INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM,” filed Jul. 30, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,659,990, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/273,584, entitled “SERIAL NETWORKING FIBER-TO-THE-SEAT INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM,” filed on Aug. 6, 2009, and U.S. provisional application No. 61/274,726, entitled “SERIAL NETWORKING FIBER-TO-THE-SEAT INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM NETWORK MANAGEMENT,” filed on Aug. 20, 2009, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Inflight entertainment systems have evolved significantly over the last 25 years. Prior to 1978, IFE systems consisted of audio-only systems. In 1978, Bell and Howell (Avicom Division) introduced a group viewing video system based on video cassette tapes. In 1988, Airvision introduced the first in-seat video system allowing passengers to choose between several channels of broadcast video. In 1997, Swissair installed the first interactive video on demand (VOD) system. Currently, several inflight entertainment systems provide VOD with full digital video disc-like controls.
One factor in the commercial viability of an inflight entertainment system is the system's line replaceable units (LRUs). The term “LRU” is a term of art generally describing a complex component (e.g. “black box”) on an airplane that is designed to be replaced quickly on the flight line or airport ramp area. LRU's are beneficial because they are generally self-contained units that can be rapidly swapped-out in the event that maintenance is required thus allowing the airplane to continue to operate with little down time. To be installed on an airplane, an LRU design must first be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration by means defined in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. LRUs of a single hardware design configuration may have different software installed. An inflight entertainment system's installation costs, operating costs, maintenance costs and passenger comfort depend greatly on the size, form factor, number and weight of its LRUs, as well as the number of distinct LRUs deployed in a single aircraft and across an airline's entire fleet of aircraft.
The fiber-to-the-seat (FTTS) system described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0077998, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, and summarized in FIG. 2 has offered a more modular, scalable, extensible, future proofed, wired inflight entertainment system that leverages terrestrial VOD hardware and software advances and is packaged to minimize the number of distinct LRU not only in a single aircraft but across an airline's entire fleet of aircraft (i.e. regional jets to jumbo jets). However, this FTTS system has certain drawbacks. First, each server switch unit (SSU) is a single point of failure for all VDUs and any cabin management terminal (CMT) that connects directly to that SSU. Second, the implementation of a star wired network topology wherein each VDU has a dedicated optical fiber “home run” to a head end SSU adds cost and complexity to the system. For example, over two miles of fiber are required on a typical narrow body aircraft installation and over four miles of fiber are required on a typical wide body aircraft installation. The high cost of aircraft grade fiber and fiber optic connectors, coupled with the cost and complexity of installing these fiber components, make this architecture very expensive to implement.
In one aspect of the invention, such an inflight entertainment system comprises a plurality of head end line replaceable units physically interconnected in a ring configuration and a plurality of serially-connected networking line replaceable units physically interconnected in a serial configuration, wherein two of the serially-connected networking line replaceable units at the edge of the serial configuration are physically interconnected with two of the head end line replaceable units, respectively, wherein a loop-free head end data path is maintained between active head end line replaceable units by regulating link participation in the head end data path, and wherein one or more loop-free serially-connected networking data paths are maintained between at least one of the two head end line replaceable units and active serially-connected networking line replaceable units by regulating link participation in the serially-connected networking data paths.
In some embodiments, the loop-free serially-connected networking data paths are maintained by removing a selected link from a previous serially-connected serially-connected networking data path. In some embodiments, the selected link is selected using hop count information. In some embodiments, the selected link is selected to minimize the maximum number of hops between any of the active serially-connected networking line replaceable units and either of the two head end line replaceable units.
In some embodiments, the plurality of serially-connected networking line replaceable units comprises at least one video display line replaceable unit.
In some embodiments, the plurality of serially-connected networking line replaceable units comprises at least one cabin management terminal line replaceable unit.
In some embodiments, the plurality of head end line replaceable units comprises at least one game server.
In some embodiments, the plurality of head end line replaceable units comprises at least one passenger flight information system server.
In another aspect of the invention, a head end line replaceable unit for an inflight entertainment system comprises a plurality of fiber optic transceivers and a processor communicatively coupled with the transceivers, wherein under control of the processor the head end line replaceable unit transmits a presence message on a link via a first one of the transceivers, receives the presence message on a link via a second one of the transceivers, and in response to receiving the presence message removes one of the links from participation in a loop-free head end data path between a plurality of head end line replaceable units.
In some embodiments, under control of the processor the head end line replaceable unit transmits to a serial networking line replaceable unit via a third one of the transceivers a second presence message having a hop count.
FIG. 1 shows known inflight entertainment systems.
FIG. 3 shows an inflight entertainment system with serially-connected networking line replaceable unit chains and a head end line replaceable unit ring in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 4 shows a head end line replaceable unit for an inflight entertainment system with serial networking line replaceable unit chains and a head end line replaceable unit ring in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.
FIGS. 6A through 6D show serial networking data path maintenance in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.
FIGS. 7A through 7D show head end data path maintenance in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 3 shows an inflight entertainment (IFE) system with serial networking line replaceable unit (SN-LRU) chains 311-313 and a head end line replaceable unit (HE-LRU) ring 310 in some embodiments of the invention. As illustrated, SN-LRU chain 311 and HE-LRU ring 310 are positioned outside of the seats, while SN-LRU chains 312, 313 are positioned at the seats. In these embodiments, multiple HE-LRUs 309 are physically connected by ring via fiber optic links 308. Multiple chains of SN-LRUs 301-305 are physically connected to HE-LRUs 309 at their edges (ends) via links 307, for example fiber optics, such that the two edges of each chain are physically connected to a different one of HE-LRUs 309. Many types of SN-LRUs can be employed, for example serial networking onboard network interface unit 301, serial networking offboard network interface unit 302, serial networking data loader 303, serial networking CMT 304 (generally positioned in the galley), and serial networking VDUs 305.
Each SN-LRU 301-305 discovers through topology messaging the nearest HE-LRU 309. In the illustrated embodiment, starting on one SN-LRU chain 311 edge, unit 301 is connected to one of HE-LRUs 309 via a link 307 in the upstream direction while connecting to unit 302 in the downstream direction via another link 306. Unit 301 receives from the HE-LRU 309 in the upstream direction a presence message including a hop count to the HE-LRU 309, increments the hop count, and passes the updated presence message along in the downstream direction to unit 302. As the presence message progresses in the downstream direction, each successive SN-LRU in the chain (e.g. 302, 303, 304) increments the hop count. Continuing on this chain, unit 302 is connected in the downstream direction to data loader 303 over another link 306. Data loader 303 is connected in the downstream direction to CMT 304 over another link 306. In the final link of this SN-LRU chain 311, CMT 304 at the edge of the chain is connected back to a different one of HE-LRUs 309 over yet another link 307. In the other direction, CMT 304 receives from that HE-LRU 309 a presence message including a hop count, increments the hop count, and passes the updated presence message along in the upstream direction to data loader 303. Each successive SN-LRU in the chain 311 increments the hop count accordingly.
Server functionality (e.g. application server, audio server, video server, game server, file server, passenger information system server) is integrated into HE-LRUs 309 in a modular, scalable, robust fashion that minimizes the impact on the IFE system in the event one or more of HE-LRUs 309 fails. Network management processors within HE-LRUs 309 and SN-LRUs restore network access of live SN-LRUs 301-305 to HE-LRUs 309 under the following scenarios: (a) a connection break along an SN-LRU chain 311-313; (b) failure of an SN-LRU 301-305 in an SN-LRU chain 311-313; (c) failure of an HE-LRU 309 at one end of an SN-LRU chain 311-313. Moreover, network management processors within HE-LRUs 309 restore network access of SN-LRUs 301-305 as described with respect to FIGS. 6A-7D to live HE-LRUs 309 under the following scenarios: (a) a connection break between any two HE-LRUs 309; (b) failure of an HE-LRU 309. While the number of SN-LRUs 301-305 in an SN-LRU chain 311-313 will vary, relatively short SN-LRU chains generally offer a higher level of redundancy and failover bandwidth to SN-LRUs. In some embodiments, error indications are provided, e.g. error codes, to facilitate identification, diagnosis, and/or location of the error. In some embodiments the error indications are transmitted to offboard monitoring and/or maintenance systems.
Processor 407 has N ports reserved for physical connections to SN-LRUs on the edges of chains and K ports reserved for physical connections to other HE-LRUs in a ring. The K ports reserved for HE-LRU ring connections are connected to K HE-LRU port transceivers 408 over internal connections. Port transceivers 408 are in turn connected to a fiber optic panel connector 420 over K internal fiber optic connections. Similarly, the N ports reserved for SN-LRU chain connections are connected to N SN-LRU port transceivers 410 over internal connections. Port transceivers 410 are in turn connected to panel connector 420 over N internal fiber optic connections. In some embodiments, the internal fiber optic connections are simplex by the time they connect to panel connector 420 (e.g. port transceivers 408 and 410 are bidirectional or a coupler is used to convert a unidirectional duplex transceiver output to bidirectional simplex format). Panel connector 420 blind mates with a connector 421 when HE-LRU 400 is installed in a rack at the head end. Connector 421 has K external fiber optic cables reserved for HE-LRU ports that connect to the corresponding HE-LRU internal fiber optic connections when HE-LRU 400 is installed in the rack. Similarly, connector 421 has N external fiber optic cables reserved for the SN-LRU chain ports that connect to the corresponding SN-LRU internal fiber optic connections when HE-LRU 400 is installed in the rack. K and N are each greater than one. Moreover, HE-LRU 400 has T data ports, where K+N is less than or equal to T. Under control of processor 407, HE-LRU 400 provides presence information to any SN-LRU that is connected directly to HE-LRU 400 over one of the N external fiber optic cables reserved for SN-LRU chain ports (i.e. any edge SN-LRU). Under control of processor 407, HE-LRU 400 also provides its own presence information to any HE-LRU that is connected directly to HE-LRU 400 over one of the K external fiber optic cables reserved for HE-LRU ports and relays on its non-ingress port any presence information (that HE-LRU did not originate) received on these ports from neighboring HE-LRUs.
FIG. 5 shows a generic SN-LRU 500 adapted for use in an IFE system with SN-LRU chains and an HE-LRU ring in some embodiments of the invention. In these embodiments, SN-LRU 500 includes an LRU core 501 having hardware and software elements, a first fiber optic transceiver 503, a second fiber optic transceiver 504 and a network management processor 502, which may be a managed switch. Processor 502 is communicatively coupled with first transceiver 503 and second transceiver 504 via internal copper connections. Processor 502 is communicatively coupled with LRU core 501 via an internal connection, such as a copper connection. First transceiver 503 is physically connected via, for example, an external fiber optic link to an upstream HE-LRU or SN-LRU. Second transceiver 504 is similarly physically connected via an external fiber optic link to a downstream HE-LRU or SN-LRU. Processor 502 provides LRU core 501 network access to an upstream HE-LRU through first transceiver 503 or to a downstream HE-LRU through second transceiver 504. The upstream and downstream directions have been arbitrarily assigned to the network path on the left and the right of the LRU respectively.
The structure and function of LRU core 501 varies by SN-LRU type. An LRU core for on board network interface unit 301 enables access to public address audio and data for passenger convenience features such as reading light control, flight attendant call and flight information for applications such as moving maps, etc. An LRU core for off board network interface unit 302 enables communication with terrestrial networks generally through satellite- or ground-based radio frequency networks. This LRU core may enable bidirectional or unidirectional communication depending on implementation. Bidirectional versions enable connectivity with terrestrial networks (broadband connectivity). Unidirectional versions enable access to off aircraft broadcast data sources such as television (broadcast video). An LRU core for data loader 303 enables media content updates (movies, audio, games, Internet web pages, files, etc.), key updates and transaction data transfers. This LRU core enables data transfer using one of the following mechanisms: removable disk or tape inserted into data loader 303, portable disk drive or tape drive carried on board and temporarily connected to the IFE system, wireless LAN, or other wireless link. An LRU core for CMT 304 enables flight attendants to perform system management and administration functions such as: LRU reboot, video channel preview, flight attendant override, attendant call status, reading light status, built in test, interrogation and system test. LRU cores for VDUs 305 each include a physical display device (e.g. flat panel display) that enables a passenger to view video content and navigate an IFE menu. These LRU cores may additionally provide PCU functionality, such as volume control, channel control, lighting control, attendant call button, menu buttons and/or menu selection buttons, via a display device touch screen or mechanically actuated buttons. LRU cores for display interface units (not shown) include a physical interface to an external display device (e.g. flat panel display) that enables a passenger to view video content and navigate an IFE menu. Like the LRU cores for VDUs, these LRU cores may additionally provide PCU functionality, such as volume control, channel control, lighting control, attendant call button, menu buttons and/or menu selection buttons, via a display device touch screen or mechanically actuated buttons.
FIGS. 6A through 6D illustrate serial networking data path maintenance in some embodiments of the invention. FIG. 6A shows physical wiring of an IFE system having a ring of four HE-LRUs and a single chain of four SN-LRUs physically wired to HE-LRU 1 and HE-LRU 2. SN-LRUs keep apprised of the nearest HE-LRU through topology messaging and regulate link participation in serial networking data paths to establish and maintain loop-free data paths that minimize the maximum number of network hops of any SN-LRU to an HE-LRU. FIG. 6B shows the serial networking topology when there are no faults in the chain. The link between SN-LRU 2 and SN-LRU 3 has been removed from the data path, resulting in establishment of two loop-free data paths wherein the maximum number of hops to an HE-LRU is two. FIG. 6C shows the serial networking topology after reconfiguration upon detecting that the link between SN-LRU 1 and SN-LRU 2 has failed. This reconfiguration is made by adding the link between SN-LRU 2 and SN-LRU 3 to the data path to provide all SN-LRUs a least hop data path to an HE-LRU wherein the maximum number of hops to an HE-LRU is three. FIG. 6D shows the serial networking topology after reconfiguration upon detecting that SN-LRU 4 has failed. This reconfiguration is made by adding the link between SN-LRU 2 and SN-LRU 3 to the data path to provide all SN-LRUs that remain active a least hop data path to an HE-LRU wherein the maximum number of hops to an HE-LRU is three. The additions and subtractions of links illustrated in FIGS. 6B through 6D are made under control of the network management processor in SN-LRU 1, SN-LRU 2 and/or SN-LRU 3 using hop count and/or presence information gleaned from topology messaging. For example, each SN-LRU may under control of its network management processor determine whether it is a middle SN-LRU of a chain by comparing the hop counts received on both of its ports. If the hop counts for both ports is the same or differ by only one hop, the SN-LRU self-identifies as a middle LRU; otherwise, the SN-LRU does not self-identify as a middle LRU. If the SN-LRU self-identifies as a middle LRU, the SN-LRU breaks the chain to create a loop-free network topology. If the hop counts for both ports differ by one hop, the SN-LRU under control of its network management processor blocks the port with the higher hop count (i.e. the port that has a longer path to the nearest HE-LRU) and unblocks the other port. If the hop count for both ports is identical, the SN-LRU under control of its network management processor blocks a predetermined one of the ports and unblocks the other port.
FIGS. 7A through 7D illustrate head end data path maintenance in some embodiments of the invention. FIG. 7A shows physical wiring of an IFE system having a ring of four HE-LRUs and a single chain of four SN-LRUs physically wired to HE-LRU 1 and HE-LRU 2. When HE-LRUs detect a closed HE-LRU ring as a result of topology messaging, a designated HE-LRU removes one of its links from the data path to create loop-free data path between HE-LRUs, which link may later be restored to the data path to maintain the data path if an HE-LRU or a link fails. FIG. 7B shows the head end network topology after HE-LRU loop detection. In that topology, the link between HE-LRU 1 and HE-LRU 4 has been removed from the data path to eliminate the loop. FIG. 7C shows the head end network topology after reconfiguration upon detecting that the link between HE-LRU 3 and HE-LRU 4 has failed. This link between HE-LRU 1 and HE-LRU 4 has been restored to the data path to maintain network access to all HE-LRUs. FIG. 7D shows the head end network topology after reconfiguration upon detecting that HE-LRU 2 has failed. This reconfiguration similarly results in restoration of the link between HE-LRU 1 and HE-LRU 4 to the data path to maintain network access to all live HE-LRUs. The additions and subtractions of links illustrated in FIGS. 7B through 7D are made under control of the network management processor in HE-LRU 1, HE-LRU-3, and/or HE-LRU 4 using loop information gleaned from topology messaging. In some embodiments, at least two of the HE-LRUs in an HE-LRU ring are of a single hardware design configuration.
In one embodiment, an important distinguishing feature of the present invention from conventional spanning tree protocols is that in the present invention networks in which the loop-free data path between HE-LRUs passes through an SN-LRU are not formed.
It is to be understood that the word “serial” as used herein describes the way the devices described are networked together and does not refer to the type of communications or way that communications are sent over the network links.
1. An inflight entertainment system comprising:
a first head end line replaceable unit (HE-LRU);
a second HE-LRU;
a third HE-LRU;
the first, second, and third HE-LRUs each comprising:
a first fiber optic transceiver;
a second fiber optic transceiver; and
a processor communicatively coupled with the first and second fiber optic transceivers;
the first, second, and third HE-LRUs configured to communicate via a head-end data-path comprising:
a first link connecting the first fiber optic transceiver of the first HE-LRU with the second fiber optic transceiver of the second LRU;
a second link connecting the second fiber optic transceiver of the first HE-LRU with the first fiber optic transceiver of the third LRU; and
a third link connecting the first fiber optic transceiver of the second HE-LRU with the second fiber optic transceiver of the third LRU;
wherein, in response to determining that the head-end data-path forms a closed system, the first HE-LRU, under control of its processor, deactivates communication via the second link, thereby forming a loop-free head-end data-path; and
wherein, in response to a failure of the first link, the first HE-LRU, under control of its processor, activates communication via the second link, thereby restoring the loop-free head-end data-path.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the third link comprises one or more additional HE-LRUs.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first HE-LRU further comprises a video server configured to store video data and to provide, in response to a request, the video data to one or more serially-connected line replaceable units (SN-LRUs).
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first HE-LRU is directly connected, via a fourth link and without an intervening area distribution box, with a first serially-connected line replaceable unit (SN-LRU).
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first SN-LRU comprises a video display unit positioned at a passenger seat.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the second HE-LRU is directly connected, via a fifth link and without an intervening area distribution box, with a second SN-LRU.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the second SN-LRU comprises a video display unit positioned at another passenger seat.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first and second SN-LRUs are connected via a SN-LRU data path, and wherein the first SN-LRU is configured:
to determine that the SN-LRU data path comprises a closed loop; and
in response, to break the closed loop.
the third HE-LRU is directly connected, via a fourth link and without an intervening area distribution box, with a first serially-connected line replaceable unit (SN-LRU); and
the first HE-LRU is directly connected, via a fifth link and without an intervening area distribution box, with a second SN-LRU.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first SN-LRU comprises a cabin management terminal.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first and second SN-LRUs are connected with a sixth link, the sixth link comprising one or more additional SN-LRUs.
12. An inflight entertainment system comprising:
a first head end line replaceable unit (HE-LRU) comprising:
a processor operatively coupled with the first, second, and third transceivers;
the first transceiver being configured to communicate directly, via a first link and without an intervening area distribution box, with a serially-connected line replaceable unit (SN-LRU);
the second transceiver being configured to communicate with a second HE-LRU via a second link; and
the first HE-LRU configured such that, under control of the processor and in response to a failure of the second link, the first HE-LRU activates a third link that enables the third transceiver to communicate with a third HE-LRU.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein, under control of the processor, in response to a failure of the second HE-LRU, the first HE-LRU activates the third link.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein the first HE-LRU further comprises a video server configured to store video data and to provide, in response to a request, the video data to the SN-LRU.
15. The system of claim 12, wherein the first, second, and third transceivers comprise fiber optic transceivers, and the first, second, and third links comprise fiber optic cables.
16. The system of claim 12, wherein the first HE-LRU is directly connected with the second and third HE-LRUs.
17. The system of claim 12, further comprising the second and third HE-LRUs.
18. The system of claim 12, further comprising the SN-LRU.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the SN-LRU comprises a video display unit positioned at a passenger seat.
20. A method of installing an inflight entertainment system, the method comprising:
obtaining a first head end line replaceable unit (HE-LRU) comprising:
directly connecting, via a first link and without an intervening area distribution box, the first transceiver with a serially-connected line replaceable unit (SN-LRU);
directly connecting, via a second link and without an intervening area distribution box, the second transceiver with a second HE-LRU;
directly connecting, via a third link and without an intervening area distribution box, the third transceiver with a third HE-LRU;
programming the first HE-LRU to determine whether the first, second, and third HE-LRUs are connected in a closed-loop data path and, in response to the closed-loop data path being found, to cease communicating on the third link; and
programming the first HE-LRU such that, in response to a failure of the second link, the first HE-LRU begins communicating on the third link.
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