In-transit electronic media with Customized passenger-related content
Exemplary methods, systems and components are implemented on a multipassenger transit vehicle to provide passenger access to a pre-assigned interactive electronic media device associated with a passenger identification (ID) code or associated with an on-board situs location. The electronic media device may include a storage component, and a battery module that can periodically be replaced or recharged. Security techniques may provide protection against unauthorized usage of each electronic media device, and also help prevent unauthorized removal of the electronic media device from its approved location in the transit vehicle. Selective content may be accessible or downloaded via a communication node, wherein such content may include application programs or informational data specifically correlated with a media device location or a designated vehicle passenger. Selective content and/or operation capability for the electronic media device may be varied based on predetermined qualifications or passenger request.
1 . A computerized electronic media system for a multipassenger transport vehicle comprising:
an electronic media device independently powered by its respective battery module and configured for displaying alphanumeric content and/or visual content that is accessible in transit to an approved passenger;
a storage component coupled to the electronic media;
passenger identifier code correlated with individualized characteristics associated with the approved passenger, wherein the passenger identifier code determines a category or type of content or application program or operation functionality that is accessible in transit to the approved passenger; and
a communication node configured to install or update or replace or delete such content or application program or operation functionality that is accessible in transit to the approved passenger.
2 . The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a controller module operatively connected to the electronic media device, wherein the control module is configured to provide a dormant operational mode during a first time period and an active operational mode during a second time period.
3 . The system of claim 2 wherein said controller module is configured to correlate one or more of the following device metrics with the passenger identifier code: available usage time period(s), usage duration, free default content, content cost rate, operation capability expense, device mobility fee.
4 . The system of claim 1 further comprising one or more of the following operation functionality components: removable memory, text messaging, local intercom, Internet link, external phone link, printer, camera, logon protection, security module.
5 . The system of claim 1 further comprising:
the respective battery module which is configured to be rechargeable or replaceable while the electronic media device is in a dormant operational mode.
6 . The system of claim 5 wherein said respective battery module includes:
an individual battery module operatively connected with it respective electronic media device in a manner to supply independent electrical power when the multipassenger transport vehicle is in transit.
7 . The system of claim 1 wherein the aforesaid content or application program or operation functionality is at least partially determined by the passenger identifier code correlated with common characteristics associated with a group of approved passengers in the multipassenger transport vehicle.
8 . The system of claim 1 wherein said passenger identifier code is incorporated on a passenger identity card or a passenger payment card or an encoded device access card.
9 . The system of claim 1 wherein the aforesaid content or application program or operation functionality is at least partially determined by the passenger identifier code associated with one or more designated electronic media devices located on the multipassenger transport vehicle.
10 . The system of claim 1 wherein said passenger identifier code is incorporated as part of a device logon protocol to determine the content or application program or operation functionality accessible in transit to the approved passenger.
11 . The system of claim 1 wherein said passenger identifier code is incorporated on a transport ticket reservation or transport ticket purchase or transport boarding pass.
12 . The system of claim 1 wherein said passenger identifier code includes a specified personal identification number (PIN) associated with a particular approved passenger or group of passengers to determine the content or application program or operation functionality accessible in transit.
13 . The system of claim 1 further comprising:
an interactive display component operatively connected to the storage component and configured to enable access to the aforesaid alphanumeric and/or visual content while the multipassenger transport vehicle is in transit.
14 - 34 . (canceled)
35 . The system claim 1 further comprising:
a backup buffer module configured to include a data retrieval protocol sufficient to transfer appropriate application programs and/or informational data to a different electronic media device via induction or wired link or wireless link, in response to a detected malfunction of the electronic media device.
36 . The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a user interface including one or more of the following type of interaction techniques: touch screen, mouse device, keyboard, scroll control, pointer bar, audio input, voice command, video input, webcam gesture detection, webcam expression recognition.
37 . The system of claim 1 further comprising:
an interactive display component that includes one of more of the following types of display techniques: electronic paper, low-power display, no-power image retention, light emitting diode (LED), conditional backlighting, active emission, liquid crystal display, projector.
38 . The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a local communication link between the electronic media device and a network terminal on the multipassenger transport vehicle, for transmitting stored or downloaded or pre-recorded or real-time informational messages pursuant to programmed control or initiated by transport vehicle staff
39 . The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a local communication link to enable bidirectional transmission of messages during an active operational mode with one or more other related electronic media devices correlated with their respective passenger identifier codes.
40 . The system of claim 1 further comprising:
an input device for scanning credit authorization or receiving payment confirmation associated with the approved passenger or approved group of passengers, wherein the payment confirmation enables one or more of the following: activation of the electronic media device, travel reservation, overnight accommodation, in transit food or beverage, optional audio and/or video content.
41 - 52 . (canceled)
53 . The system of claim 1 further comprising:
an adjustable or detachable physical connector between the electronic media device and the multipassenger transport vehicle, wherein the electronic media device is adapted for authorized mobile use by the approved passenger while in transit.
54 . The system of claim 53 further comprising:
a proximity sensor incorporated on the electronic media device and configured to provide a limitation for such authorized mobile use based on an acceptable monitored location of the electronic media device on the multipassenger transport vehicle.
55 . The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a controller module including a security lockout scheme configured to cause the electronic media device to discontinue some or all operational functions based on detection of its unauthorized removal from an acceptable monitored location on the multipassenger transport vehicle.
56 - 64 . (canceled)
65 . A method for providing selective media content in a multipassenger transport vehicle comprising:
displaying alphanumeric content and/or visual content on an interactive electronic media device that is accessible in transit to an approved passenger;
providing a separate storage component respectively coupled to the interactive electronic media device, wherein the separate storage component is configured to maintain selective content including certain application programs and/or informational data that are correlated with a passenger identifier code;
enabling an on-board or off-board communication node to install or update or replace or delete selective content maintained in the separate storage component; and
supplying power to the interactive electronic media device from an independent battery module respectively associated with the interactive electronic media device.
66 - 68 . (canceled)
69 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
recharging or replacing the independent battery module while the interactive electronic media device is in a dormant operational mode and located on-board or off-board the multipassenger transport vehicle.
70 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
installing or updating or replacing or deleting the selective content in the separate storage component during a dormant operational mode of the interactive electronic media device.
71 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
installing or updating or replacing or deleting the selective content in the separate storage component during an active operational mode of the interactive electronic media device.
72 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
determining the selective content at least partially based on individualized characteristics associated with the approved passenger.
73 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
determining the selective content at least partially based on common characteristics associated with a group of approved passengers in the multipassenger transport vehicle.
74 - 77 . (canceled)
78 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
establishing the passenger identifier code that includes a specified personal identification number (PIN) associated with a particular approved passenger or group of passengers to determine the category or type of selective content accessible in transit.
79 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
providing an interactive display component operatively connected to the storage component and configured to enable access to the aforesaid alphanumeric and/or visual content while the multipassenger transport vehicle is in transit.
80 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
transferring from the communication node to the separate storage component certain application programs and/or informational data in response to a request initiated by a user prior to coming aboard the multipassenger transport vehicle.
81 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
transferring from the communication node to the separate storage component certain application programs and/or informational data in response to a request initiated during a dormant operational mode by an on-board passenger via a user interface of the interactive electronic media device.
82 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
transferring from the communication node to the separate storage component certain application programs and/or informational data in response to a request initiated during the active operational mode by an on-board passenger via a user interface of the interactive electronic media device.
83 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
transferring from the communication node to the separate storage component certain application programs and/or informational data in response to confirmation of a cash or credit or debit payment made or authorized by an on-board passenger during a dormant or active operational mode via a user interface of the interactive electronic media device.
84 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
transferring to the separate storage component certain application programs and/or informational data from a wired or wireless communication node located on the multipassenger transport vehicle.
85 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
transferring to the separate storage component certain application programs and/or informational data from a portable communication node located on-board the multipassenger transport vehicle.
86 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
transferring to the separate storage component certain application programs and/or informational data from a wired or wireless communication node located separate and apart from the multipassenger vehicle.
87 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
implementing a selection or modification or cancellation of the passenger identifier code in response to an authorization signal from one of the following types of communication node: on-board, off-board, mobile, fixed location, wired, wireless.
88 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
implementing a selection or modification or cancellation of the content or application program or operation functionality in response to an authorization signal from one of the following types of communication node: on-board, off-board, mobile, fixed location, wired, wireless.
89 - 115 . (canceled)
116 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
selecting and/or monitoring and/or limiting certain content or application program or operation functionality available to the interactive electronic media device associated with another related individual passenger or group of passengers.
117 . The method of claim 65 , wherein said providing a separate storage component includes:
maintaining a record of informational data regarding seat-dependent safety and/or evacuation procedure and/or rest room facility correlated with the passenger identifier code.
118 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
providing a physical connector between the interactive electronic media device and the multipassenger transport vehicle, wherein the physical connector is adapted to keep the interactive electronic media device in close proximity to approved passenger.
119 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
providing an adjustable or detachable physical connector between the interactive electronic media device and the multipassenger transport vehicle, wherein the interactive electronic media device is adapted for authorized separation from the approved passenger.
120 . The method of claim 65 further comprising:
activating a security lockout scheme configured to cause the interactive electronic media device to discontinue some or all operational functions based on detection of its unauthorized removal from an acceptable monitored location on the multipassenger transport vehicle.
121 - 193 . (canceled)
194 . An electronic media device intended for on-board use in a multipassenger transport vehicle comprising:
an interactive display component for making alphanumeric and/or visual content accessible in transit to an approved passenger identified by a passenger identifier code;
a controller module operatively connected with the interactive display component, wherein the controller module is configured to provide a dormant operational mode and an active operational mode;
storage media respectively incorporated with or linked to the electronic media device, and configured to maintain selective content including one or more application programs and/or various informational data in memory during the dormant and active operational modes, wherein the content of the application program and/or the informational data available in each electronic media device is at least partially determined by the passenger identifier code; and
an individual battery module operatively connected to the electronic media device in a manner to supply independent electrical power to the electronic media device when the multipassenger transport vehicle is in transit.
195 . The device of claim 194 further comprising:
a data table indicative of one or more categories or types of content or application program or operation functionality available for correlation with the passenger identifier code.
196 . The device of claim 194 further comprising:
a wired or wireless communication link from the electronic media device to an external communication node for receiving or enabling access to audio and/or video content correlated with the passenger identifier code.
197 . The device of claim 194 further comprising:
a communication interface configured to receive new or updated or replacement content in response to confirmation of a cash or credit or debit payment made or authorized by the approved passenger during the active operational mode via a user interface of the electronic device.
198 . The device of claim 194 further comprising:
a communication interface configured to enable bidirectional transmission of messages during the active operation mode via a local communication link with one or more other related electronic media devices associated with a related individual passenger or group of passengers.
199 . The device of claim 194 further comprising:
a passenger-activated control module for selecting and/or monitoring and/or limiting certain content or program application or operation functionality available to another electronic media device associated with a related individual passenger or group of passengers.
200 - 203 . (canceled)
204 . The device of claim 194 wherein said controller module is configured to correlate one or more of the following device metrics with the passenger identifier code: available usage time period(s), usage duration, free default content, content cost rate, operation capability expense, device mobility fee.
205 . The device of claim 194 further comprising:
an operation functionality component available in each electronic media device based on a correlation with the passenger identifier code.
206 . The device of claim 205 further comprising one or more of the following operation functionality components: removable memory, text messaging, local intercom, Internet link, external phone link, printer, camera, logon protection, security module.
207 - 212 . (canceled)