Stowage bin assemblies having electronic front panels

1 . A stowage bin assembly, comprising:

a front panel configured to be selectively switched between a transparent mode and an opaque mode, wherein the front panel comprises an electronic layer, wherein the electronic layer is configured to electronically display electronic information on the front panel, and wherein the electronic information comprises one or more of text, graphics, or video; and

a baggage retaining chamber,

wherein the front panel is moveable between an open position and a closed position.

2 . The stowage bin assembly of claim 1 , wherein the front panel is further configured to be selectively switched to a translucent mode.

3 . The stowage bin assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a bucket that includes the front panel.

4 . The stowage bin assembly of claim 1 , wherein the front panel is moveably coupled to a bucket.

5 . The stowage bin assembly of claim 1 , wherein the front panel comprises a transparent layer, and wherein the transparent layer is selectively dimmable between the transparent mode and the opaque mode.

6 . The stowage bin assembly of claim 5 , wherein the transparent layer is adjustably dimmable at various levels between, but not including, the transparent mode and the opaque mode.

7 . The stowage bin assembly of claim 1 , wherein the front panel comprises a protective layer.

8 . The stowage bin assembly of claim 1 , wherein during one or more phases of flight, the electronic layer is configured to electronically display various electronic information on the front panel that includes food and beverage items, safety information, and one or more flight parameters, and wherein the front panel further comprises:

a transparent layer, wherein the transparent layer is configured to selectively dim the front panel between the transparent mode and the opaque mode; and

a protective layer disposed in front of or behind the electronic layer and the transparent layer.

9 . The stowage bin assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a motion sensor that is configured to detect a predetermined gesture that allows the stowage bin assembly to be one or more of locked, unlocked, opened, or closed in a touchless manner.

10 . The stowage bin assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a bin control unit that is configured to control the front panel.

11 . The stowage bin assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an actuation sub-system operatively coupled to the front panel, and wherein the actuation sub-system is configured to automatically move the front panel between an open position and a closed position.

12 . The stowage bin assembly of claim 11 , wherein the actuation sub-system comprises:

a spring configured to exert a spring force into the front panel; and

a motor operatively coupled to a spring.

13 . The stowage bin assembly of claim 12 , wherein the actuation sub-system further comprises one or more dampening arms that control motion between the closed position and the open position.

14 . The stowage bin assembly of claim 1 , wherein the electronic information comprises the text, the graphics, and the video.

15 . A method of operating a stowage bin assembly, the method comprising:

selectively switching a front panel between a transparent mode and an opaque mode; and

electronically displaying, by an electronic layer, electronic information on the front panel, wherein the electronic information comprises one or more of text, graphics, or video.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein said selectively switching further comprises selectively switching the front panel to a translucent mode.

17 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

electronically displaying, by an electronic layer, various electronic information on the front panel during one or more phases of flight, that includes available food and beverage items, safety information, and one or more flight parameters;

selectively dimming, by a transparent layer, the front panel; and

disposing a protective layer in front of or behind the electronic layer and the transparent layer.

18 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising detecting, by a motion sensor, a predetermined gesture that allows the stowage bin assembly to be one or more of locked, unlocked, opened, or closed in a touchless manner.

19 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising automatically moving, by an actuation sub-system operatively coupled to the front panel, the front panel between an open position and a closed position.

20 . A vehicle comprising:

an internal cabin; and

a stowage bin assembly within the internal cabin, wherein the stowage bin assembly comprises:

a front panel configured to be selectively switched between a transparent mode, a translucent mode, and an opaque mode, wherein the front panel is moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the front panel comprises an electronic layer, wherein the electronic layer is configured to electronically display electronic information on the front panel, and wherein the electronic information comprises one or more of text, graphics, or video;

a baggage retaining chamber defined, at least in part, by the front panel;

a motion sensor that is configured to detect a predetermined gesture that allows the stowage bin assembly to be one or more of locked, unlocked, opened, or closed in a touchless manner; and

an actuation sub-system operatively coupled to the front panel, wherein the actuation sub-system is configured to automatically move the front panel between an open position and a closed position.

21 . The vehicle of claim 20 , wherein the front panel further comprises:

a transparent layer, wherein the transparent layer is selectively dimmable between the transparent mode and the opaque mode; and

a protective layer disposed in front of or behind the electronic layer and the transparent layer.