Passenger communication system

1. A communication system for a vehicle seat, the communication system comprising:

a visual indicator comprising a lighting mechanism configured to display a plurality of colors;

a display screen;

a control portion electrically connected to the visual indicator and comprising a master switch for opening a sub-menu on the display screen; and

a plurality of modes, wherein:

each mode is associated with one of the plurality of colors; and

selection of one of the plurality of modes causes the control portion to signal the lighting mechanism to display the color associated with the selected mode; and

wherein the master switch is an icon on the display screen and the sub-menu illustrates at least two of the plurality of modes on the display screen;

wherein the sub-menu includes icons for a plurality of modes of the visual indicator; and

wherein the sub-menu is controllable via a touchscreen interface.

2. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the visual indicator displays a distinct visual indicia for each mode and the visual indicator comprises an LED light.

3. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of modes comprises a Do Not Disturb mode wherein the visual indicator illuminates as a solid red light.

4. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of modes comprises a Wake Me for Meals/Beverage mode wherein the visual indicator illuminates as a solid blue light.

5. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of modes comprises at least three of a Do Not Disturb mode, a Wake Me for Meals/Beverage mode, a Need Assistance mode, a Wake Me for Duty-Free mode, a Medical Emergency mode, and a Vacant Seat mode.

6. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the visual indicator is disposed on an upper surface of a seatback.

7. The communication system of claim 6 , wherein the visual indicator further comprises an auxiliary light disposed in a gap in the seatback.

8. A passenger seat for an aircraft comprising:

a communication system comprising a visual indicator, a display screen, a control portion electrically connected to the visual indicator, and a plurality of modes such that the visual indicator displays a distinct visual indicia for each mode, wherein:

the visual indicator comprises at least one of a light and a display screen; and the visual indicator is disposed on a seatback located in front of a seated position for interfacing with the control portion;

the control portion further comprises a master switch for opening a sub-menu on the display screen, wherein the master switch is an icon on the display screen and the sub-menu illustrates at least two of the plurality of modes on the display screen; and

the sub-menu includes icons for a plurality of anodes of the visual indicator; and the sub-menu is controllable via a touchscreen interface.

9. The passenger seat of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of modes comprises at least a Do Not Disturb mode, a Wake Me for Meals/Beverage mode, and a Need Assistance mode.

10. The passenger seat of claim 9 , wherein, for the Do Not Disturb mode, the visual indicator illuminates as a solid red light.

11. The passenger seat of claim 9 , wherein, for the Wake Me for Meals/Beverage mode, the visual indicator illuminates as a solid blue light.

12. The passenger seat of claim 9 , wherein, for the Need Assistance mode, the visual indicator illuminates as a solid purple light.

13. The passenger seat of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of modes further comprises at least one of a Wake Me for Duty-Free mode, a Medical Emergency mode, and a Vacant Seat mode.

14. The passenger seat of claim 8 , wherein the visual indicator further comprises an auxiliary light disposed in a gap in the seatback.