IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM CONNECTOR

1 . An in-flight entertainment (IFE) system connector comprising:

a connector module receiver having an IFE connector to connect the receiver to an IFE system, and

one or more connector regions, at least one connector region being adapted to receive a removable connector module whereby the connector module provides a required connector type for a device to be connected to the IFE.

2 . An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connector module receiver is associated with a recogniser to recognise the connector type of the or each connector module.

3 . An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the connector module receiver is associated with a processor to process data received from a connector module to provide a required data type to the IFE system to support the connector type.

4 . An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the connector regions includes a formation such that the connector module is located in the required position or orientation relative to the connector module receiver.

5 . An IFE system connector as claimed in claims 1 - 4 wherein the connector module receiver includes a lock to secure each connector module to the receiver.

6 . An FE system connector comprising:

a connector module for provision in a connector module receiver, the connector module having a component interface to provide a required connector type for connection with a component device, and

a receiver interface for connection with the connector module receiver.

7 . An IFE connector as claimed in claim 6 wherein the connector module provides a plurality of component interfaces for transmitting or receiving data to or from component devices used by users of the IFE system.

8 . An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 6 wherein the component interface comprises an emitter.

9 . An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 6 wherein the component interface comprises a socket or plug.

10 . An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 6 wherein the receiver interface includes one or more physical or electrical contacts.

11 . An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 6 wherein the receiver interface comprises an electrically detectable property of the or each component module, the detectable property being dependent upon the component interface that the module provides.

12 . An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 11 wherein the electrical detectable property comprises a property selected from the group consisting of:

a property detectable from an arrangement of passive components;

a property detectable from an arrangement of active components;

connection with electrical contacts of the receiver interface; and

data comprising an identifier.

13 . An IFE system connector as claimed in claim 6 wherein the connector module includes a processor to process data received from a component device to provide a required data type to the IFE system to support the connector type.

14 . An IFE system connector assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the connector module includes a formation on an outer surface such that the connector module is located in the required position or orientation relative to the connector module receiver.

15 . A method of connecting a component device to an IFE system, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a connector module receiver and one or more connector modules, at least one connector module being selectively removable from the connector module receiver,

docking a connector module in the connector module receiver, and

using the connector module to communicate with the IFE system to thereby connect the component device to the IFE system.