Seat configuration verification system and method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11195034-B2
Application number	US-201916529946-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 2, 2019
Priority date	Mar 29, 2019
Publication date	Dec 7, 2021
Grant date	Dec 7, 2021

Abstract

A seat configuration verification system and method for an internal cabin of a vehicle include a verification control unit that receives position data regarding positions of seat assemblies within the internal cabin. The verification control unit compares the position data with seat configuration data representative of the seat configuration to determine if the positions of the seat assemblies within the internal cabin conform to the seat configuration.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a vehicle including an internal cabin and seat assemblies within the internal cabin, wherein the seat assemblies comprise position sensors including radio frequency identification (RFID) tags; and
a seat configuration verification system comprising:
one or more monitoring devices configured to allow selection among a plurality of seat configurations;
a position monitor that detects the positions of the RFID tags of the seat assemblies, wherein the position monitor outputs first position data regarding the positions of the seat assemblies within the internal cabin, wherein the first position data is based on the locations of the RFID tags as detected by the position monitor; and
a verification control unit including one or more processors that receives the first position data from the position monitor, wherein the verification control unit compares the first position data with seat configuration data representative of a selected one of the plurality of seat configurations selected through use of the one or more monitoring devices to determine if the positions of the seat assemblies within the internal cabin conform to the selected one of the seat configurations.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more monitoring devices are further configured to acquire second position data, wherein the verification control unit receives the second position data from the one or more monitoring devices, and wherein the verification control unit compares the second position data with the seat configuration data representative of the seat configuration to determine if the positions of the seat assemblies within the internal cabin conform to the selected one of the seat configurations.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the one or more monitoring devices comprises a camera, wherein the camera acquires images of the seat assemblies, and wherein the second position data includes the images of the seat assemblies.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a seat configuration database that stores the seat configuration data, wherein the verification control unit retrieves the seat configuration data from the seat configuration database.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the verification control unit is remotely located from the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the verification control unit is onboard the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 3 , wherein the verification control unit compares the second position data with the seat configuration data through image analysis.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the verification control unit sends a verification signal indicative of a proper seat configuration within the internal cabin in response to the first position data conforming to the seat configuration data.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the verification control unit sends a discrepancy signal indicative of at least one discrepancy with respect to the positions of the seat assemblies within the internal cabin in relation to the selected one of the seat configurations in response to the first position data not conforming to the seat configuration data.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the verification control unit transmits position correction data including one or more tasks to fix the at least one discrepancy.

11. The system of claim 2 , wherein the second position data is transmitted to the verification control unit from one or more cameras within the internal cabin.

12. A seat configuration verification method for an internal cabin of a vehicle, the seat configuration verification method comprising:
selecting, via one or more monitoring devices, a selected seat configuration among a plurality of seat configurations;
detecting, by a position monitor, positions of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags of position sensors of seat assemblies within the internal cabin of the vehicle;
outputting, by the position monitor, first position data regarding the positions of the seat assemblies within the internal cabin, wherein the first position data is based on the locations of the RFID tags as detected by the position monitor;
receiving, by a verification control unit including one more processors, the first position data from the position monitor;
comparing, by the verification control unit, the first position data with seat configuration data representative of the selected seat configuration; and
determining, by the comparing, if the positions of the seat assemblies within the internal cabin conform to the selected seat configuration.

13. The seat configuration verification method of claim 12 , further comprising receiving, by the verification control unit, second position data regarding the positions of the seat assemblies from one or more monitoring devices within the internal cabin.

14. The seat configuration verification method of claim 13 , further comprising capturing images of the seat assemblies with a camera of the one or more monitoring devices, and wherein the second position data includes the images of the seat assemblies.

15. The seat configuration verification method of claim 12 , further comprising retrieving, by the verification control unit, the seat configuration data from a seat configuration database.

16. The seat configuration method of claim 13 , wherein the comparing comprises comparing the second position data with the seat configuration data through image analysis.

17. The seat configuration method of claim 12 , further comprising sending, by the verification control unit, a verification signal indicative of a proper seat configuration within the internal cabin in response to the first position data conforming to the seat configuration data.

18. The seat configuration method of claim 12 , further comprising sending, by the verification control unit, a discrepancy signal indicative of at least one discrepancy with respect to the positions of the seat assemblies within the internal cabin in relation to the selected seat configuration in response to the first position data not conforming to the seat configuration data.

19. The seat configuration method of claim 18 , further comprising transmitting, by the verification control unit, position correction data including one or more tasks to fix the at least one discrepancy.

20. The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle further comprises monuments within the internal cabin, wherein the monuments also comprise the position sensors including the RFID tags, and wherein the selected one of the seat configurations also includes the monuments.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Wisch Amy L

Classifications

• B64D47/08

  Arrangements of cameras · CPC title

• G06V20/59 Primary

  inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions · CPC title

• G06Q50/14

  Travel agencies · CPC title

• G06Q10/06312

  Adjustment or analysis of established resource schedule, e.g. resource or task levelling, or dynamic rescheduling · CPC title

• B64D11/06 Primary

  Arrangements of seats, or adaptations or details specially adapted for aircraft seats (crew seat constructions for emergency purposes B64D25/04) · CPC title