Patent Description:
In commercial aircraft, fixtures that provide passenger privacy, comfort, and entertainment compete for space in the limited dimensions available for such installations, and within the limited weight allowances. Such assemblies must be lightweight, comfortable, and connected with the structures of the aircraft sufficiently to withstand significant physical shock. Due to these and other structural and safety concerns, traditional entertainment and media assemblies tend to be relatively bulky, and often take a "one size fits all" approach, making them inappropriate for some of the various seating configurations into which they are placed. In addition, although the quality of portable display devices continually improves, airlines must also continue to provide access to safety information, flight information, and entertainment options in an environment where connection to ground-based communications is not always possible. Due to these and other structural and safety concerns, improved solutions for passenger media devices are needed. The prior art is illustrated by document <CIT>.

The terms "invention," "the invention," "this invention" and "the present invention" used in this patent are intended to refer to the patent claims below.

The present disclosure addresses configurations in which a cabin seat arrangement can include an array of multiple seats separated or partially enclosed by a series of privacy screens or enclosures. Each enclosure can include a mounted display assembly containing a primary display device for displaying most onboard media such as movies, games, shows, announcements, or the like, and a secondary display for displaying alternative information simultaneously. A variety of configurations of the primary and secondary screens are possible.

In some configurations, the primary and secondary displays can be aligned with each other along the enclosure, and operably connected with a controller or onboard computing device to display different media simultaneously. In some configurations, the secondary display can be offset from, and angled at an oblique angle from the primary display, so that both display devices are preferentially angled toward a user positioned in a seat facing the enclosure to which the display assembly is attached. In some embodiments the secondary display is positioned along an outer or aisle-facing surface of the screen or enclosure at more than a <NUM>-degree angle from the primary display, and used to display information to persons in the aisle such as identifying information about the seat, passenger requests, safety information, or the like. In some configurations, two secondary screens may be used, both facing toward the passenger seat and facing toward the aisle. In some embodiments, the primary and secondary displays can be portions of a continuous or monolithic display device that are configured to receive and display information from two different sources simultaneously.

In some embodiments, the primary display includes a modular assembly of an outer frame, a display device, and an insert providing matching dimensions between the two. The outer frame includes an outer face with a void therethrough and a first set of attachment elements for connecting the outer frame with a passenger-facing internal aircraft structure. The insert is sized to match the boundary of the void through the outer frame and provide an internal void to receive the display device. The display device is connected with the passenger-facing internal aircraft structure when assembled and received within the insert so that the display device, insert, and outer frame align with each other to secure cabling, hide attachment elements, and form a smooth and attractive surface with minimal hard angles that could otherwise impede passenger safety. Modular inserts in a variety of sizes and form factors can be provided to adapt display devices in varying sizes with the modular assembly, enabling standardization of the outer frame and/or secondary displays while simplifying periodic replacement of the display device. In some embodiments, the modular inserts can include features that align or link the insert with the display device, such as a matching bezel or a snap fit connection.

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims.

This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.

The described embodiments of the invention provide extended display assemblies for passenger seats, privacy enclosures and screens. While the extended display assemblies are discussed for use within an aircraft cabin, they are by no means so limited. Rather, embodiments of the extended display assemblies may be used in conjunction with passenger seats for other applications or other seats of any type or otherwise as desired.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, as shown in <FIG>, a passenger seat arrangement <NUM> can include one or multiple seat assemblies <NUM> arrayed in conjunction with and separated from each other by privacy enclosures <NUM>, which can include shells, screens, or a variety of other passenger-facing internal aircraft structures. The seat assemblies <NUM> and privacy enclosures <NUM> are typically connected with the surrounding cabin, or are otherwise fixed to the aircraft structure, but may in some cases be connected with each other. Generally, both the seats <NUM> and enclosures or screens <NUM> are rigidly attached to an aircraft floor separately from each other and each capable of withstanding substantial acceleration, deceleration, and shock. Components mounted to either structure are similarly attached to withstand significant force, so as to withstand impact or turbulence and protect passengers in an impact event.

A seat-facing portion <NUM> of each enclosure <NUM> includes an extended display assembly <NUM> attached thereto, and additional structures or cabin elements may be attached to an outer, aisle-facing wrapping portion <NUM> of the enclosure, or to an inner, passenger-facing portion <NUM> of the enclosure. In some cases, portions of the display assembly <NUM> may also be connected with the aisle-facing or inner portions <NUM>, <NUM> of the enclosure. The extended display assembly <NUM> includes a main display <NUM> and a secondary display <NUM>, the main and secondary displays cumulatively having an angular size <NUM> of at least <NUM> to <NUM> (about <NUM>" to <NUM>"), preferably at least <NUM> (<NUM>"), preferably at least <NUM> (<NUM>"), and more preferably at least <NUM> (<NUM>"). In some embodiments, the main display <NUM> alone may have an angular screen size of at least <NUM> (<NUM>"), preferably at least <NUM> (<NUM>"), more preferably at least <NUM> (<NUM>"). Any suitable display aspect ratio can be used, including common <NUM>:<NUM> aspect ratios, widescreen <NUM>:<NUM> or <NUM>:<NUM> aspect ratios, ultra wide <NUM>:<NUM> aspect ratios, or other ratios.

The secondary display <NUM> is attached with the display assembly <NUM> offset laterally from and optionally directly adjacent to the main display <NUM>, but may be separated from the main display, and may additionally have a different orientation with respect to the main display, or a different distance from the passenger seat assembly <NUM>. According to some embodiments, both the main display <NUM> and secondary display <NUM> are connected with an outer frame <NUM> of the display assembly <NUM>, so that both displays are positioned in a direct line of sight of a passenger when the facing passenger seat <NUM> is in use. The aisle-facing portion <NUM> of the enclosure <NUM> includes an alternate secondary display <NUM>, or in some cases a third display, that displays information toward an aisle adjacent the enclosure. Detailed descriptions of the above elements are described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a modular extended display assembly <NUM> for a privacy enclosure <NUM>. The extended display assembly <NUM> includes an outer frame <NUM> that is securely connected with the privacy enclosure <NUM>, on a passenger-facing surface <NUM> thereof. The display assembly <NUM> includes a main display <NUM> and a secondary display <NUM> offset laterally from the main display. According to some configurations, the main display <NUM> is positioned centrally with respect to the facing surface <NUM> of the privacy enclosure <NUM> so that, when an associated passenger seat is in use, the main display falls within the preferred, central viewing angle from the passenger seat. The secondary display <NUM> is positioned within view, offset from the central viewing angle, so that the secondary display <NUM> can be used to display essential information or announcements without interrupting content on the main display <NUM>.

The modular extended display assembly <NUM> includes an open frame <NUM> in which the main display <NUM> and secondary display <NUM> are attached. The main display <NUM> can be connected within the open frame <NUM> by way of a main support bracket <NUM> or other suitable attachment element. In some embodiments, bracket <NUM> is directly attached to the privacy enclosure <NUM> to impart stability and a rigid connection to the main display <NUM>. The display bracket <NUM> may also be attached with the enclosure <NUM> by way of an intervening structure of the frame <NUM>. The open frame <NUM> can be sized to receive the main display <NUM> directly without leaving any intervening peripheral space between the main display and open frame; but preferably, the open frame <NUM> is sized to accommodate a variety of main display sizes and aspect ratios therein that can be matched to the open frame by matching insert <NUM>.

The matching insert <NUM> has an outer periphery sized to match the open frame <NUM> and an inner void sized to match the main display <NUM>. In this way, a variety of main display aspect ratios, screen sizes, and particular models of main display can be accommodated by one or several common sizes of the open frame <NUM>. For example, particular dimensions of the open frame <NUM> can be assembled with the privacy enclosures for specific airplane cabin layouts, depending on the available space, and then matched with combinations of main displays <NUM> and matching inserts <NUM> depending on the dimensions of the selected open frame <NUM> and the dimensions of the selected main display <NUM>, based on aspect ratio, screen size, and peripheral space around the screen. The matching insert <NUM> can be connected with the enclosure <NUM> by way of, e.g., a set of secondary support brackets or spacers <NUM> positioned within the open frame <NUM>, and connected either directly to the enclosure <NUM> or indirectly by way of the frame <NUM>.

Removable power and/or display connectors <NUM> can be routed through the open frame <NUM> for connecting the main display <NUM> with a central computing system or display controller. Alternatively, the displays can include wireless communication devices for receiving information without wired connections. This modular approach provides a safe, cost-effective, and upgradable system for integrating display devices in the passenger compartment. Modular display assemblies including the matching insert <NUM> can be applied to match a main display with the display assembly <NUM>, but optionally to connect a secondary display (e.g. secondary display <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>), or to connect one or more displays to various alternative configurations of an extended display assembly, as described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing an alternative configuration of the extended display assembly <NUM> for privacy enclosure <NUM>, the alternative configuration having a depth and angle offset between the displays, according to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure. The extended display assembly <NUM> includes an outer frame <NUM> that is securely connected with the privacy enclosure <NUM> along the passenger-facing surface <NUM> of the enclosure. The main display <NUM> is inserted in the outer frame <NUM> to provide a preferred viewing angle (e.g., perpendicular) to a facing passenger seat when the enclosure <NUM> is assembled in a passenger cabin (<FIG>). Providing this angle may require that the outer frame <NUM> extend by a nonzero depth <NUM> either into the body of the enclosure <NUM>, outward from the enclosure, or both. The angle of the main screen may be about <NUM> to <NUM> degrees with respect to the passenger-facing portion <NUM> of the enclosure. The angle of the main display <NUM> may be adjusted based on the orientation of the passenger-facing portion <NUM> of the enclosure so that the main display <NUM> is oriented toward a passenger seat to minimize glare and viewing angle. This angle may be <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, or in some cases up to <NUM> degrees or exceeding <NUM> degrees. A secondary display <NUM> can be provided at a lateral offset from the main display <NUM>, and may additionally be angled with respect to the main display by a nonzero angle <NUM>, such that the main display and secondary display are both passenger-facing when installed in a passenger cabin. The angle of the secondary display <NUM> may also be adjusted based on the orientation of the passenger-facing portion <NUM> of the enclosure, and also depending on an offset between the secondary display <NUM> and the main display <NUM>, so that the secondary display is oriented toward a passenger seat to minimize glare and viewing angle. This angle may be <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, <NUM> to <NUM> degrees, up to <NUM> degrees, or exceeding <NUM> degrees.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing another example configuration of the extended display assembly <NUM> for a privacy enclosure <NUM> having an aisle-facing secondary display <NUM>, according to at least some embodiments. The extended display assembly <NUM> includes an outer frame <NUM> that is securely connected with the privacy enclosure <NUM> along at least a passenger-facing surface <NUM> of the privacy enclosure <NUM>, and preferably extending along an aisle-facing portion <NUM> of the privacy enclosure <NUM>. In some configurations, a separated portion of the display assembly <NUM> may be positioned on the aisle-facing portion <NUM> of the enclosure <NUM> and separate from the outer frame <NUM> surrounding the main display <NUM>.

The main display <NUM> with or without a secondary display <NUM> can be assembled with the outer frame <NUM> according to any suitable configuration as discussed herein, and an alternate second display <NUM> can be attached with the aisle-facing portion <NUM> of the enclosure <NUM>, and positioned such that informational indicia <NUM> displayed by the aisle-facing alternate second display <NUM> can be viewed by staff or passengers from outside the privacy enclosure <NUM>. Suitable informational indicia <NUM> can include, e.g., seat numbering, service requests or "do not disturb" indicators, information for passenger assistance, or the like.

Configurations described above focus primarily on systems employing multiple monitors, which provide several advantages. However, some aspects of the disclosure can be implemented in systems employing singular or monolithic displays that can be subdivided in software. For example, <FIG> is a perspective view showing an alternatively configuration of the extended display assembly <NUM> for a privacy enclosure <NUM> where the main and secondary displays <NUM>, <NUM> are elements of a singular display device separated at a display boundary <NUM>. As shown, an outer frame <NUM> is connected with a passenger-facing surface <NUM> of the privacy enclosure <NUM>, and includes a main display <NUM> and contiguous secondary display <NUM> installed therein.

The combination main and secondary displays <NUM>, <NUM> can have any suitable dimension or aspect ratio as described above with respect to embodiments that include physically separated main and secondary displays. As described in detail with reference to <FIG>, the displays <NUM>, <NUM> can be matched with the outer frame <NUM> either directly, or by way of a matching insert <NUM>. The combined displays <NUM>, <NUM> can be connected with the enclosure <NUM> or the outer frame <NUM> by way of a primary support bracket <NUM>, and the matching insert <NUM> can be connected with the enclosure or outer frame by way of a second support bracket <NUM>. In some alternative configurations, the matching insert <NUM> may instead attach with the displays <NUM>, <NUM> or with the outer frame <NUM> by way of a snap fit or similar connection. The displays <NUM>, <NUM> can be connected with a central computing device or controller by way of, e.g., a power or display connector <NUM>, may connect wirelessly, or may include onboard processing and memory capable of controlling the displays.

Advantageously, providing main and secondary displays <NUM>, <NUM> with a software-supplied display boundary <NUM> can enable the system to perform several additional functions. For example, in some operating modes, an associated controller may allow one of the displays to assume control of a greater portion and potentially all of the supplied visual space, e.g. the main display <NUM> may commandeer some portion or all of the space from the secondary display <NUM> during a movie, or the secondary display <NUM> may expand prior to takeoff or landing in order to relay crew instructions. Singular, extended displays may also be used in conjunction with alternate second displays, e.g. aisle-facing alternate secondary display <NUM> (<FIG>).

<FIG> is a side section view illustrating the assembly of a first example of a modular extended display assembly <NUM> for a privacy enclosure <NUM>, and may be applied to any of the example configurations described herein. As discussed above, an outer frame <NUM> is installed in or attached to the privacy enclosure <NUM>. As shown, the outer frame <NUM> extends into the privacy enclosure <NUM> and provides a contiguous surface for attaching additional elements. According to various alternative configurations, the outer frame can be a hollow frame allowing direct attachment of elements through the outer frame to the privacy enclosure <NUM>.

The display <NUM> can attach with or through a back portion <NUM> of the outer frame <NUM> to a display attachment bracket <NUM> according to a variety of suitable attachment means. For example, the display <NUM> can be attached by snap-fit or sliding connectors, by bolts or screws, or other suitable attachment means. The display <NUM> can be attached without being fixed to the enclosure <NUM>, and can be secured by the attachment of the matching insert <NUM>. The matching insert <NUM> can be assembled with the outer frame <NUM> and display <NUM> by way of matching insert attachment elements <NUM> into the outer frame <NUM>, either to or through the back portion <NUM> thereof. The display attachment bracket <NUM> and insert attachment elements <NUM> are preferentially sized based on the depth of the display <NUM> and the matching insert <NUM> so that the visible surfaces of the display and insert are approximately coplanar with each other, and in some cases, also coplanar with at least part of the outer frame <NUM>. The matching insert body <NUM>, which surrounds a matching insert void <NUM> that aligns with the display <NUM>, can further include a shaped or beveled inner edge <NUM> that aligns with, matches, and/or secures the display by interfacing with a matching display device edge <NUM>. In some cases, the matching insert <NUM> can be secured to the outer frame <NUM> by way of one or more structural connectors <NUM>, e.g. bolts, screws, or the like.

<FIG> is a side section view illustrating the assembly a second example of a modular extended display assembly <NUM> for a privacy enclosure <NUM>. As discussed above, an outer frame <NUM> is installed in or attached to the privacy enclosure <NUM>. Also, as shown, the outer frame <NUM> can extends into the privacy enclosure <NUM> and provides a contiguous surface for attaching additional elements, and may include a back portion <NUM> to which structural elements can be attached. The display <NUM> can attach with or through a back portion <NUM> of the outer frame <NUM> to a display attachment bracket <NUM> according to a variety of suitable attachment means. For example, the display <NUM> can be fixed with respect to the enclosure <NUM> by snap-fit or sliding connectors, by bolts or screws, by magnetic connectors or contact adhesives, or other suitable attachment means. The matching insert <NUM> can then be attached with the assembly <NUM> by securing the matching insert to the display <NUM>, to the frame <NUM>, or also to the enclosure <NUM>. In some configurations, the display <NUM> can be attached without being fixed to the enclosure <NUM>, and can be secured by the attachment of the matching insert <NUM>.

The matching insert <NUM> can be assembled with the outer frame <NUM> and display <NUM> by way of matching insert attachment elements <NUM> into the outer frame <NUM>, either to or through the back portion <NUM> thereof. The matching insert body <NUM>, which surrounds a matching insert void <NUM> that aligns with the display <NUM>, can include a shaped conduit or snap-fit edge <NUM> that removably secures the matching insert to the display by interfacing with a mating, snap fit display device edge <NUM>. In some cases, the matching insert <NUM> can be secured to the outer frame <NUM> by way of one or more structural connectors <NUM>, e.g. bolts, screws, magnets, pressure adhesives, or the like.

Structural components described here such as, but not limited to, the enclosure <NUM> and portions of the display assembly <NUM> may be formed of materials including but not limited to aluminum, stainless steel, aramid fibers, polycarbonate, polypropylene, other metallic materials, composite materials, or other similar materials. Any or all of the primary and secondary display devices disclosed herein may take the form of monitors configured to receive digital display signals from a centralized computing system, may include additional processors and memory therein for processing and displaying content, or may be self-contained computing devices that can autonomously provide content to users, and may be controlled by a centralized system (e.g. by way of wired or wireless connections) to provide specific information to passengers such as informational videos or announcements, or that may interface with a database containing media thereon for distributing to passengers, such as movies, music, travel information, and the like.

Claim 1:
Passenger seat arrangement (<NUM>) comprising:
- an aisle,
- a passenger seat (<NUM>),
- a passenger-facing internal aircraft structure (<NUM>), and
- a display assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a display device (<NUM>),
an outer frame (<NUM>) comprising an outer face and a first set of attachment elements for connecting the outer frame (<NUM>) with the passenger-facing internal aircraft structure (<NUM>), the outer frame (<NUM>) comprising a first void therethrough having a first boundary;
an insert (<NUM>) having an exterior dimension sized to match the first boundary of the first void through the outer frame (<NUM>) and a second void through the insert (<NUM>), the second void having an internal boundary shaped to receive the display device (<NUM>);
an inner frame (<NUM>) comprising a second set of attachment elements for connecting the display device (<NUM>) with the passenger-facing internal aircraft structure (<NUM>), when the display device (<NUM>) is received within the insert (<NUM>); wherein
the display device (<NUM>) is a first display device and the outer face of the outer frame (<NUM>) comprises a second display device (<NUM>); and
the first display device (<NUM>) is positioned on the outer frame (<NUM>) so that, when the outer frame (<NUM>) is connected with the passenger-facing internal aircraft structure (<NUM>), the first display device (<NUM>) directly faces the passenger seat (<NUM>); and
the second display device (<NUM>) is positioned on a side surface of the outer frame (<NUM>) so that, when the outer frame (<NUM>) is connected with the passenger-facing internal aircraft structure (<NUM>), the second display device (<NUM>) faces the aisle adjacent the passenger seat (<NUM>).