文档介绍：BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to passenger service systems used in aircraft, and more particularly, to an aircraft audio and video system for use in serving passengers of an aircraft.
Current in-flight aircraft passenger service systems operate such that a passenger presses a service call button at his or her seat to call a flight attendant, and a chime or light is activated in the galley of the aircraft to alert the flight attendant. Typically conventional systems sound a chime in the galley when a passenger requires a service. The flight attendant must then go to the passenger's seat to receive the request from the passenger. The flight attendant then returns to the galley to get the desired item and then delivers it to the passenger to fill the request. Consequently, the flight attendant must make two trips to the passenger's seat fill a request, one to receive the request and the second to fill it.
The assignee of the present invention designs and manufactures aircraft entertainment systems. The inventors have determined that several of the aircraft entertainment systems may be modified to permit munication between a flight attendant and passengers along with providing a video image of the flight attendant to the passengers when placing service requests.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide for an aircraft audio and video system for use in serving passengers of an aircraft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To meet the above and other objectives, the present invention provides for an aircraft audio and video system that allows flight attendants and airline passengers municate to each other over an aircraft telephone system, and allows the passenger to view the flight attendant at the same time by way of a display located at the passenger's seat. The flight attendant receives passenger service requests municates by way of a flight attendant control unit and handset in the service galley. municate by way of p