US4647980A — Aircraft passenger television system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 109 words

An aircraft passenger television system for use in combination with an aircraft having a pluarlity of passenger seats, comprising: a plurality of television modules each having a viewing screen; means for mounting said plurality of television modules each upon a respective one of said seats with said viewing screen visible from behind said seat; and means on the aircraft for coupling a plurality of television signals corresponding with a respective plurality of differnet video programs on respective different channels to each of said television modules; each of said television modules including channel selection means for permitting individual passenger selection and viewing of one of said plurality of video programs.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 109 words

An aircraft passenger television system for use in combination with an aircraft having a pluarlity of passenger seats, comprising: a plurality of television modules each having a viewing screen; means for mounting said plurality of television modules each upon a respective one of said seats with said viewing screen visible from behind said seat; and means on the aircraft for coupling a plurality of television signals corresponding with a respective plurality of differnet video programs on respective different channels to each of said television modules; each of said television modules including channel selection means for permitting individual passenger selection and viewing of one of said plurality of video programs.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 31 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 1 wherein each of said television modules further includes audio means comprising an audio headset with at least one earphone and a volume control.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 27 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 2 wherein each of said television modules includes an audio jack, said headset being releasably connectable to said audio jack.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 52 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 1 wherein each of said television modules includes a control panel accessible from behind said respective seat, said viewing screen and said control panel being recessed from a rear plane of said respective seat, and cushioned means on said seat generally surrounding said control panel.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 29 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 1 wherein each of said television modules is mounted within the upper rear side of a headrest portion of said respective seat.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 43 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 5 wherein each of said television modules is removably mounted with said respective seat, said coupling means and said television module including mating fittings for releasable interconnection prior to mounting of said module with said seat.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 48 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 1 wherein at least some of said seats are adapted for adjustment between generally upright and reclined positions, said viewing screen of each said television modules being set at a tilt angle generally for complementing said adjustment of said respective seat.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 32 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 7 wherein said viewing screen is set to tilt upwardly and forwardly from its lower margin when said respective seat is in the upright position.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 33 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 8 wherein said viewing screen is set to tilt upwardly and rearwardly from its lower margin when said respective seat is in a fully reclined position.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 16 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 7 wherein said tilt angle is about 15 degrees.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 17 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 1 wherein said viewing screen is a liquid crystal display.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 69 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 1 wherein each of said passenger seats has a rearwardly open chamber formed in a headrest portion thereof, said mounting means comprising a rearwardly open mounting bracket secured to said seat within said chamber, each of said television modules including a chassis sized and shaped to fit into said mounting bracket, and means for releasably locking said module within said mounting bracket.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 69 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 12 further including a resilient pad overlying said module and having a central opening therein for rearwardly exposing said viewing screen and a module control panel, seat fabric draped over said pad and said module and having an opening therein generally aligned with said pad central opening, and a bezel secured to said module and lining said seat fabric and pad openings.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 135 words

An aircraft passenger television system for use in combination with an aircraft having a plurality of passenger seats, comprising: a plurality of television modules each having a relatively small viewing screen, and a control panel including an audio output jack, a volume control, and means for selecting one of a plurality of video programs received by the television module on a plurality of different channels; a headset for plug-in connection to said audio output jack and including at least one earphone; means for mounting said plurality of television modules each upon a respective one of said seats with said viewing screen visible and said control panel accessible from behind said respective seat; and means on the aircraft for coupling a plurality of television program signals on respective different channels to each of said television modules.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 135 words

An aircraft passenger television system for use in combination with an aircraft having a plurality of passenger seats, comprising: a plurality of television modules each having a relatively small viewing screen, and a control panel including an audio output jack, a volume control, and means for selecting one of a plurality of video programs received by the television module on a plurality of different channels; a headset for plug-in connection to said audio output jack and including at least one earphone; means for mounting said plurality of television modules each upon a respective one of said seats with said viewing screen visible and said control panel accessible from behind said respective seat; and means on the aircraft for coupling a plurality of television program signals on respective different channels to each of said television modules.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 29 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 14 wherein each of said television modules is mounted within the upper rear side of a headrest portion of said respective seat.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 48 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 14 wherein at least some of said seats are adapted for adjustment between generally upright and reclined positions, and viewing screen of each said television modules being set at a tilt angle generally for complementing said adjustment of said respective seat.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 96 words

An aircraft passenger television system for use in combination with an aircraft having a plurality of passenger seats, comprising: a plurality of television modules each having a relatively small viewing screen; means for mounting each of said television modules in respective positions for individualized passenger viewing while seated in their respective passenger seats; and a broadcast station on the aircraft for coupling a plurality of television program signals on respective different channels to each of said television modules; each of said modules including channel selection means accessible to and operable by the passenger viewing said module.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 96 words

An aircraft passenger television system for use in combination with an aircraft having a plurality of passenger seats, comprising: a plurality of television modules each having a relatively small viewing screen; means for mounting each of said television modules in respective positions for individualized passenger viewing while seated in their respective passenger seats; and a broadcast station on the aircraft for coupling a plurality of television program signals on respective different channels to each of said television modules; each of said modules including channel selection means accessible to and operable by the passenger viewing said module.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 31 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 17 wherein each of said television modules further includes audio means comprising an audio headset with at least one earphone and a volume control.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 26 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 17 wherein said broadcast station includes means for playback on different channels of a plurality of prerecorded video programs.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 43 words

The aircraft passenger television system of claim 19 wherein said broadcast station further includes means for receiving television signals braodcast in the geographical vicinity of the aircraft and coupling at least one of said received signals on a selected channel to said modules.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 57 words

An aircraft passenger seat and television module combination, comprising: a seat having a generally upright seatback with a rearwardly open chamber formed therein; a rearwardly open mounting bracket secured to said seat within said chamber; and a television module removably receivable into said mounting bracket and having a relatively small viewing screen visible from behind said seat.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 57 words

An aircraft passenger seat and television module combination, comprising: a seat having a generally upright seatback with a rearwardly open chamber formed therein; a rearwardly open mounting bracket secured to said seat within said chamber; and a television module removably receivable into said mounting bracket and having a relatively small viewing screen visible from behind said seat.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 21 words

The combination of claim 21 further including at least one quick release fastener for removably locking said module within said bracket.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 14 words

The combination of claim 21 wherein said viewing screen is a liquid crystal display.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 26 words

The combination of claim 21 wherein said module includes a multiple channel tuner, and a control panel including channel section means accessible from behind said seat.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 34 words

The combination of claim 24 wherein said control panel includes an audio output jack and volume control, and further including an audio headset for plug-in connection to said jack and at least one earphone.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 14 words

The combination of claim 24 wherein said control panel further includes a brightness control.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 14 words

The combination of claim 24 wherein aid control panel further includes an on-off switch.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 64 words

The combination of claim 21 wherein said seatback is adjustable between a generally upright and a reclined position, said viewing screen being set at a tilt angle relative to said seatback whereby said screen is tilted upwardly and forwardly from said lower margin when said seatback is in said upright position, said tilt angle diminishing upon movement of said seatback toward said reclined position.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 66 words

The combination of claim 21 further including a resilient pad overlying said module and having a central opening therein for rearwardly exposing said viewing screen and a module control panel, seat fabric draped over said pad and said module and having an opening therein generally aligned with said pad central opening, and a bezel secured to said module and lining said seat fabric and pad openings.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 57 words

A vehicle passenger seat and television module combination, comprising: a seat having a generally upright seatback with a rearwardly open chamber formed therein; a rearwardly open mounting bracket secured to said seat within said chamber; and a television module removably receivable into said mounting bracket and having a relatively small viewing screen visible from behind said seat.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 57 words

A vehicle passenger seat and television module combination, comprising: a seat having a generally upright seatback with a rearwardly open chamber formed therein; a rearwardly open mounting bracket secured to said seat within said chamber; and a television module removably receivable into said mounting bracket and having a relatively small viewing screen visible from behind said seat.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 137 words

A passenger television system for use in combination with a passenger vehicle having a pluraltiy of rows of passenger seats, comprising: a plurality of television modules each having a relatively small viewing screen, and a control panel including an audio output jack, a volume control, and means for selecting one of a plurality of video programs received by the television module on a plurality of different channels; a headset for plug-in connection to said audio output jack and including at least one earphone; means for mounting said plurality of television modules each upon a respective one of said seats with said viewing screen visible and said control panel accessible from behind said respective seat; and means on the vehicle for coupling a plurality of television program signals on respective different channels to each of said television modules.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 137 words

A passenger television system for use in combination with a passenger vehicle having a pluraltiy of rows of passenger seats, comprising: a plurality of television modules each having a relatively small viewing screen, and a control panel including an audio output jack, a volume control, and means for selecting one of a plurality of video programs received by the television module on a plurality of different channels; a headset for plug-in connection to said audio output jack and including at least one earphone; means for mounting said plurality of television modules each upon a respective one of said seats with said viewing screen visible and said control panel accessible from behind said respective seat; and means on the vehicle for coupling a plurality of television program signals on respective different channels to each of said television modules.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1990-03-02	1990-09-01	1991-03-03	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1994-03-02	1994-09-01	1995-03-03	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1998-03-02	1998-09-01	1999-03-03	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Aircraft passenger television system

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