Patent Description:
Modern day flights are typically booked to full capacity, which makes overhead storage space a desired but limited commodity. As such, it may be difficult for later-boarding passengers to find sufficient or conveniently located overhead storage space for their carryon luggage. For example, the overhead storage space may be at full capacity before all the carryon luggage has been stowed, which causes frustration for the passengers and delay in the boarding process. In some instances, available overhead space may be located several rows away from a passenger's seat, which may cause delays in embarking and disembarking from the aircraft. Additional delay may also be a result of the time it takes to individually inspect storage bins to identify remaining overhead storage space.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various examples of art that may be related to various examples of the disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various examples of the present disclosure.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states a system and method for monitoring a storage container. Sensors and a control circuit are used to determine the amount of occupied space in the interior of a container or set of containers. Information regarding the occupied space within the container can be presented on a display, which may optionally be local to the container or at a centralized location. The determination may accommodate varying volume of the container depending on whether it is open or closed. Further inputs may adjust for variations in sensor operation depending on environmental factors such as temperature and altitude.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states a method of allocating objects within a plurality of storage bins including monitoring motion within the plurality of storage bins, wherein each storage bin of the plurality of storage bins includes a profile sensor coupled therein, and activating the profile sensor coupled within a first storage bin. The profile sensor activated based on detection of motion within the first storage bin. The method also includes determining, with the profile sensor, an available capacity within the first storage bin, and transmitting an indication of the available capacity within the first storage bin.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states systems and methods are described for managing overhead bin space in an aircraft or other vehicle. An available space or the used space with an overhead bin can be measured using a set of sensors. Using information from the set of sensors, a dongle can determine a shape and volume of the used or unused space within the overhead bin. With this information, the available space can then be reported including the number of roller bags that would fit in the overhead bin or whether there are objects that are not roller bags within the overhead bin.

<CIT>, in accordance with its abstract, states a load weight and balance system has first sensors for providing a first output signal proportional to an available internal volume of an associated passenger luggage storage bin. Second sensors provide a second output signal proportional a weight of any luggage in the associated passenger luggage storage bin. Display devices provide a visual indication whether or not each passenger luggage storage bin is filled to capacity. A main display provides a visual indication of the storage status of all of the passenger luggage storage bins. A processor receives the signals from the first sensors and the second sensors, calculates whether or not each of the passenger luggage storage bins is filled to capacity and whether or not each of the passenger luggage storage bins is within a predetermined weight value, and determines whether or not the weight distribution of the passenger luggage storage bins in the aircraft is balanced.

There is defined a system for use in determining a capacity of a storage bin according to claim <NUM>. The system broadly includes a plurality of sensors positioned within the storage bin. Each sensor is configured to determine a used capacity within a portion of the storage bin, and generate a voltage output based on the determined used capacity, wherein the plurality of sensors is configured to generate an aggregate voltage output based on the voltage output of each sensor. A controller is in communication with the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured to receive the aggregate voltage output from the plurality of sensors, determine a minimum voltage output and a maximum voltage output of the plurality of sensors, and determine a total used capacity of the storage bin as a function of the aggregate voltage output, the minimum voltage output, and the maximum voltage output.

There is also described a vehicle including a passenger cabin, a storage bin, and a plurality of sensors positioned within the storage bin. Each sensor is configured to determine a used capacity within a portion of the storage bin, and generate a voltage output based on the determined used capacity, wherein the plurality of sensors is configured to generate an aggregate voltage output based on the voltage output of each sensor. A controller is in communication with the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured to receive the aggregate voltage output from the plurality of sensors, determine a minimum voltage output and a maximum voltage output of the plurality of sensors, and determine a total used capacity of the storage bin as a function of the aggregate voltage output, the minimum voltage output, and the maximum voltage output.

The vehicle may comprise a plurality of storage bins coupled within the passenger cabin, and a plurality of sensors may be positioned within each storage bin.

Each bin may comprise an interior and an opening that provides access to the interior, wherein the plurality of sensors are arranged to define a two-dimensional sensing grid across the interior of a respective storage bin.

The vehicle may further comprise a display device associated with each storage bin, wherein the display device is configured to display the total used capacity of the associated storage bin.

The controller may be configured to monitor a boarding status of the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to selectively activate at least one of the plurality of sensors or the display device based on the boarding status of the vehicle.

There is also defined a method of determining a capacity of a storage bin according to claim <NUM>. The method includes determining, with one of a plurality of sensors within the storage bin, a used capacity within a portion of the storage bin. Each sensor is configured to generate a voltage output based on the determined used capacity, and the plurality of sensors is configured to generate an aggregate voltage output based on the voltage output of each sensor. The method also includes receiving the aggregate voltage output from the plurality of sensors, determining a minimum voltage output and a maximum voltage output of the plurality of sensors, and determining a total used capacity of the storage bin as a function of the aggregate voltage output, the minimum voltage output, and the maximum voltage output.

Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned examples of the present disclosure. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned examples of the present disclosure as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated examples of the present disclosure may be incorporated into any of the above-described examples of the present disclosure, alone or in any combination.

Examples described below include systems and methods of determining and displaying a used capacity within overhead storage bins. More specifically, the system described herein includes a plurality of sensors within each storage bin for determining a used capacity within each storage bin. The system uses an algorithm that correlates voltage readings received from the sensors into available space. The voltage readings may be aggregated to determine a total used capacity within each storage bin, and an indication of the total used capacity may be provided to either the passengers or flight crew of an aircraft via a display. As such, the passengers or flight crew are able to quickly determine the location of available overhead storage space when boarding the aircraft.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to "example" of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional examples that also incorporate the recited features.

<FIG> is an internal view of an example aircraft <NUM> (i.e., a vehicle). In this and other examples, aircraft <NUM> includes a passenger cabin <NUM> and a plurality of overhead storage bins <NUM> coupled within passenger cabin <NUM>. Passenger cabin <NUM> also includes a seating area <NUM> and an aisle <NUM> extending along passenger cabin <NUM> for providing access to the plurality of overhead storage bins <NUM> and seating area <NUM>. The plurality of overhead storage bins <NUM> are selectively positioned between an open position and a closed position for receiving and stowing one or more objects (e.g., luggage) therein. While described in the context of a passenger aircraft, application of the systems and methods described herein is not limited to passenger aircraft. For example, the systems and methods described herein may be implemented with any cargo-carrying vehicle such as, but not limited to, buses and trains.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a system <NUM> for determining a capacity within storage bins <NUM>. System <NUM> includes a plurality of sensors <NUM> (e.g. <NUM>-<NUM> through <NUM>-<NUM>) positioned within each storage bin <NUM>. Sensors <NUM> may be any device capable of determining a used capacity within at least a portion of storage bin <NUM>. Accordingly, the plurality of sensors <NUM> are arranged to enable a total used capacity of storage bin <NUM> to be determined. In this and other examples, sensors <NUM> are time-of-flight camera sensors configured to emit a light signal, and determine the distance of an obstruction from the respective sensor <NUM> based on a time it takes for a return signal, derived from the emitted light signal, to be received at sensor <NUM>. Alternative sensors <NUM> include, but are not limited to, pressure and/or resistive force sensors.

In operation, sensors <NUM> generate a voltage output based on an analysis of the return signal. As will be explained in more detail below, the voltage output generated by a respective sensor <NUM> is variable based on a distance between the respective sensor <NUM> and the obstruction (e.g., an opposing side wall of storage bin <NUM> or a piece of luggage), and the voltage outputs of the plurality of sensors <NUM> within a respective storage bin <NUM> may be used to determine a total used capacity therein.

System <NUM> further includes a display device <NUM> configured to display the total used capacity, such as to the passengers or flight crew of aircraft <NUM>. In some examples, at least one display device <NUM> is associated with each storage bin <NUM>, and the respective display device <NUM> displays the total used capacity of its associated storage bin <NUM>. In this and other examples, display devices <NUM> are light-emitting diode (LED) indicators including a plurality of LEDs (not shown) that may be selectively activated for displaying one of a plurality of capacity indicators for the associated storage bin <NUM>. For example, the capacity indicators may be defined by different colors that each correspond to a determined capacity level, or defined by a number of LEDs activated based on the determined capacity level.

Alternatively, or in addition to coupling a display device <NUM> to each storage bin <NUM>, a display device <NUM> may be a distinct device that is positioned remotely from the plurality of storage bins <NUM>. More specifically, display device <NUM> may receive and display the total used capacity of each storage bin <NUM> within aircraft <NUM>. For example, display device <NUM> may be at an entryway of passenger cabin <NUM> such that passengers can view potentially available overhead storage space as they are boarding aircraft <NUM>, may be a flight attendant panel, or may be a passenger's mobile device having an application downloaded thereon.

System <NUM> further includes an activation device <NUM> configured to control the operational status of system <NUM> (i.e., sensors <NUM> and display devices <NUM>). Activation device <NUM> enables system <NUM> to be activated only when appropriate, such as during boarding of aircraft <NUM>. Accordingly, in some examples, activation device <NUM> monitors an operational status of one or more components of aircraft <NUM> that may be linked to an appropriate activation time. For example, activation device <NUM> may be a sensor that monitors the opening and closing of a respective storage bin <NUM>, a weight-on-wheels sensor, a sensor that monitors the opening and closing of a cabin door, or may monitor a power generation state of aircraft <NUM> (i.e., system <NUM> activated when ground or APU power is provided). Alternatively, system <NUM> may be activated and deactivated manually. Accordingly, selectively activating system <NUM> facilitates preserving energy.

A controller <NUM> is in communication with sensors <NUM>, display devices <NUM>, and activation device <NUM>. Controller <NUM> includes a memory <NUM> and a processor <NUM>, including hardware and software, coupled to memory <NUM> for executing programmed instructions. Processor <NUM> may include one or more processing units (e.g., in a multi-core configuration) and/or include a cryptographic accelerator (not shown). Controller <NUM> is programmable to perform one or more operations described herein by programming memory <NUM> and/or processor <NUM>. For example, processor <NUM> may be programmed by encoding an operation as executable instructions and providing the executable instructions in memory <NUM>.

Processor <NUM> may include, but is not limited to, a general purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) processor, an open media application platform (OMAP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic circuit (PLC), and/or any other circuit or processor capable of executing the functions described herein. The methods described herein may be encoded as executable instructions embodied in a computer-readable medium including, without limitation, a storage device and/or a memory device. Such instructions, when executed by processor <NUM>, cause processor <NUM> to perform at least a portion of the functions described herein. The above examples are for example purposes only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term processor.

Memory <NUM> is one or more devices that enable information such as executable instructions and/or other data to be stored and retrieved. Memory <NUM> may include one or more computer-readable media, such as, without limitation, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), a solid state disk, and/or a hard disk. Memory <NUM> may be configured to store, without limitation, executable instructions, operating systems, applications, resources, installation scripts and/or any other type of data suitable for use with the methods and systems described herein.

Instructions for operating systems and applications are located in a functional form on non-transitory memory <NUM> for execution by processor <NUM> to perform one or more of the processes described herein. These instructions in the different implementations may be embodied on different physical or tangible computer-readable media, such as memory <NUM> or another memory, such as a computer-readable media (not shown), which may include, without limitation, a flash drive and/or thumb drive. Further, instructions may be located in a functional form on non-transitory computer-readable media, which may include, without limitation, smart-media (SM) memory, compact flash (CF) memory, secure digital (SD) memory, memory stick (MS) memory, multimedia card (MMC) memory, embedded-multimedia card (e-MMC), and micro-drive memory. The computer-readable media may be selectively insertable and/or removable from controller <NUM> to permit access and/or execution by processor <NUM>. In an alternative implementation, the computer-readable media is not removable.

<FIG> illustrate sensors <NUM> positioned within storage bin <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, storage bin <NUM> includes an interior <NUM> and an opening <NUM> that provides access to interior <NUM>. Interior <NUM> is defined by a plurality of side walls <NUM>, and sensors <NUM> are coupled to one or more of side walls <NUM> and arranged in an array across side walls <NUM>. In this and other examples, each sensor <NUM> emits a signal <NUM> therefrom, and receives a return signal <NUM> derived from the bounce back of signal <NUM> from an obstruction such as an opposing side wall <NUM> or luggage <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) positioned within interior <NUM>. Accordingly, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, signals <NUM> from sensors <NUM> define a two-dimensional sensing grid <NUM> across interior <NUM> of storage bin <NUM>. In alternative examples, sensors <NUM> are coupled only to one side wall <NUM>, such as a top side wall <NUM> of storage bin <NUM> to define the two-dimensional sensing grid <NUM> from the vertically-aligned signals <NUM> emitted therefrom.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a first sensor <NUM> of the plurality of sensors <NUM> is provided with ground power <NUM> (e.g., <NUM> VDC), and the plurality of sensors <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM>) are electrically coupled to each other in series. Accordingly, a bias signal may be cascaded across the plurality of sensors <NUM> to enable an aggregate voltage output <NUM> to be generated and output by the array of sensors <NUM>. In some examples, aggregate voltage output <NUM> is a single output signal transmitted in analog from a last sensor <NUM> of those coupled in series in the array. As such, the complexity and computing power required to analyze aggregate voltage output <NUM> is reduced. As used herein, analog refers to a continuous, not discrete, voltage value. In alternative examples, each sensor <NUM> provides its own digital output signal for analysis, such as to an I<NUM>C multiplexer and Arduino board. As used herein, digital refers to a discrete, not continuous, voltage value.

When powered, each sensor <NUM> generates a voltage output that is variable within a range defined by a minimum voltage output and a maximum voltage output. Variation in the voltage output is dependent on the sensed distance between a respective sensor <NUM> and an object. For example, sensors <NUM> may be calibrated to generate the minimum voltage output when storage bin <NUM> is empty and the space within the field of view of each sensor <NUM> is unobstructed (e.g., when the sensed distance is determined to be at a threshold level). Alternatively, the voltage output generated by each sensor <NUM> increases when luggage <NUM>, <NUM> is positioned within storage bin <NUM> to obstruct the field of view of at least one sensor <NUM> (i.e., the voltage output increases up to the maximum voltage output as the sensed distance decreases). For example, the maximum voltage output is generated when luggage <NUM>, <NUM> is sized to reduce the sensed distance to less than a threshold level.

In operation, controller <NUM> receives aggregate voltage output <NUM> from the plurality of sensors <NUM>. Controller <NUM> also determines a total minimum voltage output and a total maximum voltage output of the plurality of sensors <NUM>, and determines a total used capacity of the storage bin as a function of aggregate voltage output <NUM>, the total minimum voltage output, and the total maximum voltage output. The total maximum and minimum voltage outputs are determined as a function of the number of sensors <NUM> within system <NUM>.

In some examples, system <NUM> includes twelve sensors <NUM> each having a minimum voltage output of about <NUM> V (or about <NUM> V) and a maximum voltage output of <NUM> V (or about <NUM> V), such that the total minimum voltage output of the plurality of sensors <NUM> is <NUM> V (or about <NUM> V) and the total maximum voltage output is <NUM> V (or about <NUM> V). Referring to <FIG>, luggage <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned within interior <NUM> of storage bin <NUM>. Luggage <NUM> is sized to obstruct the field of view of some, but not all, of the plurality of sensors <NUM> in the array. Similarly, luggage <NUM> is sized to obstruct the field of view of some, but not all, of the plurality of sensors <NUM> in the array. As illustrated in the example shown in <FIG>, each sensor <NUM> generates its own respective voltage output based on the sensed distance between a respective sensor <NUM> and an object (e.g., side wall <NUM>, or luggage <NUM>, <NUM>), as described above. The fullness or the used capacity of storage bin <NUM> may be determined in accordance with the following equation: <MAT> which enables the used capacity of storage bin <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> to be calculated as follows: <MAT>.

As described above, display devices <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) display one of a plurality of capacity indicators for the associated storage bin <NUM>, wherein the distinct capacity indicators correspond to a determined capacity level within storage bin <NUM>. In this and other examples, a plurality of capacity threshold ranges may be defined by and/or stored within controller <NUM>. In operation, controller <NUM> determines the total used capacity of storage bin <NUM>, compares the determined total used capacity to the capacity threshold ranges, and controls operation of an associated display device <NUM> based on the comparison. An example capacity threshold scheme may include capacity threshold ranges such as a <<NUM>% used capacity range, a <NUM>-<NUM>% used capacity range, and a ><NUM>% used capacity range. A distinct capacity indicator may correspond to each threshold range (e.g., a green indicator light for the <<NUM>% used capacity range, a yellow indicator light for the <NUM>-<NUM>% used capacity range, and a red indicator light for the ><NUM>% used capacity range). Accordingly, displaying the distinct capacity indicator enables passengers and the flight crew to quickly and easily determine the location of available overhead storage space.

<FIG> is a flow diagram illustrating an example method <NUM> of determining a capacity within a storage bin. The method <NUM> includes determining <NUM>, with one of a plurality of sensors within the storage bin, a used capacity within a portion of the storage bin. Each sensor is configured to generate (202A) a voltage output based on the determined used capacity, and the plurality of sensors is configured to generate 202B an aggregate voltage output based on the voltage output of each sensor. The method <NUM> also includes receiving <NUM> the aggregate voltage output from the plurality of sensors, determining <NUM> a minimum voltage output and a maximum voltage output of the plurality of sensors, and determining <NUM> a total used capacity of the storage bin as a function of the aggregate voltage output, the minimum voltage output, and the maximum voltage output. The method <NUM> also includes comparing <NUM> the total used capacity to a plurality of capacity threshold ranges that are each associated with a respective capacity indicator, and displaying <NUM>, based on the comparison, the respective capacity indicator associated with one of the plurality of capacity threshold ranges.

Claim 1:
A system for use in determining a capacity of a storage bin (<NUM>), the system comprising:
a storage bin (<NUM>);
a plurality of sensors (<NUM>) positioned within the storage bin (<NUM>), wherein each sensor (<NUM>) is configured to:
determine (<NUM>) a used capacity within a portion of the storage bin (<NUM>); and
generate (202A) a voltage output based on the determined used capacity, wherein the plurality of sensors (<NUM>) is configured to generate (202B) an aggregate voltage output based on the voltage output of each sensor (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>) in communication with the plurality of sensors (<NUM>), the controller (<NUM>) configured to:
receive (<NUM>) the aggregate voltage output from the plurality of sensors (<NUM>);
determine (<NUM>) a minimum voltage output and a maximum voltage output of the plurality of sensors (<NUM>); and
determine (<NUM>) a total used capacity of the storage bin (<NUM>) as a function of the aggregate voltage output, the minimum voltage output, and the maximum voltage output.