Smart system seat controller
A master controller and various nodes capable of performing disparate functions are configured to cause devices to manipulate an aircraft seat. The nodes operate independently and without interference of the master controller. The master controller provides programs to the nodes. A node initiates a program when commanded to do so by the master controller resulting in a device manipulating an aircraft seat or otherwise operating in conjunction with the aircraft seat. The node also monitors and provides various real time information and performs calibration, power management, diagnostic and other similar types of operations.
1 . An aircraft seat control system comprising:
master controller; and
at least one node coupled to the master controller, the at least one node including a program;
wherein the program is initiated to manipulate an aircraft seat device when a command is received from the master controller.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the master controller provides the program to the at least one node.
3 . The system of claim 1 wherein the master controller detects when a node is removed from the system.
4 . The system of claim 1 wherein the master controller detects when a node is added to the system.
5 . The system of claim 1 wherein the master controller manages power consumed by the at least one node.
6 . The system of claim 5 wherein the master controller records the power consumed and disables the at least one node when a specific power threshold is exceeded.
7 . The system of claim 5 wherein the master controller records the power consumed and commands the at least one node to reduce speed of an actuator when a specific power threshold is exceeded.
8 . The system of claim 7 wherein the master controller records the power consumed and commands the at least one node to reduce power consumption when a specific power threshold is exceeded.
9 . The system of claim 1 wherein the master controller periodically tests the at least one node.
10 . The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one node performs predetermined tests and transmits test results to the master controller.
11 . The system of claim 1 wherein the master controller controls the at least one node to manipulate the aircraft seat devices within predetermined safety zones.
12 . The system of claim 11 wherein the safety zones are determined by using a mathematical algorithm and based on positional information.
13 . The system of claim 12 wherein the safety zones are determined by using fuzzy logic and based on positional information.
14 . The system of claim 11 wherein the master controller commands at least one node based on data from the at least one node.
15 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a node acting as a power supply.
16 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a master power supply supplying power to the at least one node, the master controller and other in-seat devices.
17 . The system of claim 16 further comprising a junction box configured to receive power and to supply the received power to the master power supply.
18 . The system of claim 16 wherein the junction box further comprises a power isolation switch configured to prevent the supply of the received power to the master power supply.
19 . The system of claim 16 wherein the junction box further comprises a resettable fuse configured to prevent the supply of the received power to the node acting as a power supply when the received power exceeds a predetermined limit.
20 . The system of claim 1 wherein the master controller comprises various programs for various aircraft seat devices, such that when a node is coupled to the master controller, the master controller recognizes an aircraft seat device coupled to the node.
21 . The system of claim 20 wherein the master controller supplies programs and drivers for the recognized aircraft seat device.
22 . The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one node comprises various drivers for various aircraft seat devices.
23 . The system of claim 22 wherein the at least one node supplies drivers for an aircraft seat device, when a node is coupled to the master controller.
24 . The system of claim 23 wherein the at least one node is configured to self calibrate the aircraft seat device without external equipment.
25 . The system of claim 23 wherein the at least one node is configured to determine limits of the aircraft seat device by independently manipulating the aircraft seat device.
26 . The system of claim 23 wherein the at least one node is configured to self calibrate the aircraft seat device.
27 . The system of claim 23 wherein the master controller is configured to calibrate the aircraft seat device.
28 . The system of claim 22 further comprising a passenger control unit that facilitates calibration of the aircraft seat device.
29 . The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one node operates independently from the master controller.
30 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a user interface and wherein the master controller transmits commands to the at least one node based on input from the user interface.
31 . The system of claim 30 wherein the master controller executes a program based on input from the user interface.
32 . The system of claim 30 wherein the user interface is an in-flight entertainment unit.
33 . The system of claim 1 wherein the master controller commands a node based on data from the at least one node.
34 . The system of claim 1 wherein the master controller and the at least one node is coupled to each other via serial communication network.
35 . The system of claim 34 wherein the communication network comprises a t-tap connection.
36 . The system of claim 34 wherein the communication network comprises pass through connections.
37 . The system of claim 34 wherein the master controller and the node communicate using a common communication protocol.
38 . The system of claim 34 wherein the master controller controls the communication network.
39 . A node of an aircraft seat control system, the node comprising:
a memory storing a program;
a microcontrol unit configured to retrieve the program and manipulate an aircraft seat device based on the execution of the program and upon receipt of a command to execute the program.
40 . The node of claim 39 wherein the aircraft seat device comprises an actuator and drive electronics driving the actuator, the drive electronics being proximate to the actuator.
41 . The node of claim 39 wherein the microcontrol unit is further configured to independently test the node.
42 . The node of claim 39 wherein the microcontrol unit is further configured to independently calibrate the node.
43 . The node of claim 39 wherein the microcontrol unit is further configured to self calibrate the node without using external equipment.
44 . The node of claim 39 wherein the memory stores programs and drivers for various aircraft seat devices.
45 . An aircraft seat control system comprising:
master controller,
at least one node coupled to the master controller; and
a junction box coupled to the master controller and configured to receive power and distribute the received power to one of the master controller and the at least one node.
46 . The system of claim 45 wherein the junction box further comprises at least one power isolation switch configured to prevent the distribution of the received power to the one of the master controller and the at least one node.
47 . The system of claim 45 wherein the junction box further comprises at least one power isolation switch configured to electrically isolate one of the master controller and the at least one node.
48 . The system of claim 45 wherein the junction box further comprises at least one resettable fuse configured to prevent the distribution of the received power to the one of the master controller and the at least one node when the received power exceeds a predetermined limit.
49 . The system of claim 45 wherein the junction box is smaller and lighter than the mater controller.
50 . The system of claim 45 wherein the junction box facilitates programming access to the master controller.
51 . The system of claim 45 further comprising at least one aircraft seat and wherein the junction box is positioned near the at least one aircraft seat to provide access to the master controller.
52 . The system of claim 45 further comprising at least one aircraft seat and wherein the junction box is positioned near power wiring supplied to the at least one aircraft seat to provide access to the master controller.
53 . The system of claim 45 further comprising a plurality of other junction boxes daisy chained together and one of the plurality of other junction boxes coupled to the junction box.
54 . The system of claim 53 wherein the received power is supplied from the junction box to the plurality of other junction boxes.
55 . The system of claim 53 further comprising a master controller coupled to each of the plurality of junction boxes and wherein each of the plurality of junction boxes are configured to distribute power to a corresponding master controller coupled to the each of the plurality of junction boxes.
56 . The system of claim 45 wherein the junction boxes further comprises a programming interface configured to receive one of a computing device and a test equipment to cause the at least one node to perform predetermined tests.
57 . The system of claim 45 wherein the at least one node transmits test results to the master controller and the junction box receives the test results from the master controller and transmits the test results from the junction box through the programming interface.
58 . The system of claim 45 wherein the junction box further comprises a programming interface and the junction box receives errors and test data from the master controller and transmits the errors and test data from the junction box through the programming interface.
59 . The system of claim 45 wherein the junction box further comprises at least one status indicator configured to indicate non-receipt of power to one of the master controller and the at least one node.
60 . The system of claim 45 wherein the junction box further comprises at least one status indicator configured to individually indicate an error condition with the master controller, the at least one node and an aircraft seat device.
61 . The system of claim 45 wherein the junction box further comprises at least one calibration button configured to cause the master controller to calibrate an aircraft seat device.