Dynamic seat labeling and passenger identification system

Abstract

A placard for displaying a customer specific message includes a receiver, a capacitor, and an electronic updateable static display. The receiver has a memory storing an identification code and an antenna for receiving a signal. The capacitor is coupled to the receiver and capable of being charged by the signal. The electronic updateable static display is coupled to the receiver, is powered by the capacitor and is capable of displaying customer specific messages when a portion of the signal matches the identification code of the placard. A method of using the placard for displaying a customer specific message is also provided.

1 . A placard comprising: 
 a receiver having a memory storing an identification code and an antenna for receiving a signal;    a capacitor coupled to the receiver; and    an electronic updateable static display coupled to the receiver and powered by the capacitor for displaying a customer specific message when a portion of the signal matches the identification code of the placard, whereby the capacitor is capable of being charged by the signal.    
   
   
       2 . The placard according to  claim 1 , wherein the identification code of the device is a device descriptive identity.  
   
   
       3 . The placard according to  claim 1 , wherein the identification code of the device is a user selectable identity.  
   
   
       4 . The placard according to  claim 1 , wherein the identification code of the device is a unique identity.  
   
   
       5 . The placard according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiver comprises an RF receiver.  
   
   
       6 . The placard according to  claim 4 , wherein the RF receiver is an active RF receiver.  
   
   
       7 . The placard according to  claim 4 , wherein the RF receiver comprises a passive RF receiver.  
   
   
       8 . The placard according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic updateable static display comprises an electronic paper display.  
   
   
       9 . The placard according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic updateable static display comprises a photonic ink display.  
   
   
       10 . The placard according to  claim 1 , further comprising a message memory coupled to the receiver for storing one or more messages for displaying upon the electronic updateable static display.  
   
   
       11 . The placard according to  claim 10 , further comprising a power source for powering the message memory.  
   
   
       12 . The placard according to  claim 11 , wherein the power source comprises a solar cell or a battery.  
   
   
       13 . The placard according to  claim 10 , further comprising a timer coupled to the message memory for initiating the one or more messages upon the electronic updateable static display.  
   
   
       14 . The placard according to  claim 10 , wherein the power source supplements the capacitor for changing, clearing or resetting the display.  
   
   
       15 . The placard according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiver comprises a transponder.  
   
   
       16 . The placard according to  claim 15 , wherein the signal is acknowledged by the transponder after the electronic updateable static display has displayed the customer specific message.  
   
   
       17 . A system comprising: 
 one or more antennas;    a transmitter for transmitting a signal; and    a plurality of placards, wherein each placard comprises a receiver having a memory storing an identification code and an antenna for receiving the signal; a capacitor coupled to the receiver; and an electronic updateable static display coupled to the receiver and powered by the capacitor for displaying a customer specific message when a portion of the signal matches the identification code of the placard, whereby the capacitor is capable of being charged by the signal.    
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 17 , further comprising a controller coupled to the transmitter for generating the signal, wherein the signal comprises one or more identification codes, each identification code being associated with one of the plurality of placards, each identification code having associated with it a customer specific message.  
   
   
       19 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein the customer specific message displayed on the electronic updateable static display comprises a seat identification and a user selected name.  
   
   
       20 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of placards are visibly locatable and associable with a plurality of seating positions.  
   
   
       21 . The system according to  claim 20 , wherein each placard is coupled to a seat.  
   
   
       22 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of placards are visibly locatable and associable with a seating position.  
   
   
       23 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein each placard is coupled to a seat.  
   
   
       24 . A system comprising: 
 one or more antennas;    a transceiver coupled to the one or more antennas for transmitting a signal and for receiving a return signal; and    a plurality of placard, wherein each placard comprises a transponder having a memory storing an identification code and an antenna for receiving and acknowledging a signal; a capacitor coupled to the transponder; and an electronic updateable static display coupled to the transponder and powered by the capacitor for displaying a customer specific message when a portion of the signal matches the identification code of the device, whereby the capacitor is capable of being charged by the signal.    
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the signal is acknowledged after the electronic updateable static display has displayed the customer specific message.  
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25 , further comprising a controller coupled to the transmitter for generating the signal, wherein the signal comprises one or more identification codes, each identification code being associated with one of the plurality of placards, each identification code having associated with it a customer specific message.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the customer specific message displayed on the electronic updateable static display comprises a seat identification and a user selected name.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein each of the plurality of placards are visibly locatable and associable with a plurality of seating positions.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein each placard is coupled to a seat.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein each of the plurality of placards are visibly locatable and associable with a seating position.  
   
   
       31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein each placard is coupled to a seat.  
   
   
       32 . A method of using the system comprising: 
 generating a signal having one or more placard identification codes and an customer specific message associated with each of the placard identifications from a database;    transmitting the signal using a transmitter and one or more antennas;    receiving the signal on an antenna coupled to a receiver;    charging a capacitor coupled to the receiver on each of the one or more placards using the energy received from the signal; and    displaying the customer specific message on an electronic updateable static display, which is coupled to the capacitor and the receiver, by using the energy from the capacitor when a portion of the one or more placard identifications is the placard receiving the signal.    
   
   
       33 . The method of using the system according to  claim 32 , further comprising transmitting a return signal indicative of the electronic updateable static display having been set with the transmitted message.  
   
   
       34 . The method of using the system according to  claim 32 , further comprising waiting for a specified period by using a timer coupled to a memory that is started upon the action of displaying the customer specific message on the electronic updateable static display, and displaying an updated message stored in the message memory when the time elapses by using energy from the capacitor or from a backup power source.  
   
   
       35 . The method of using the system according to  claim 34 , wherein the backup power source is a battery or a solar cell coupled to the display.  
   
   
       36 . The method of using the system according to  claim 32 , wherein the signal having a customer specific message is associated with a reserved seat for a specified customer.  
   
   
       37 . The method of using the system according to  claim 32 , further comprising retrieving the customer specific message from an airline reservation or boarding system.  
   
   
       38 . The method of using the system according to  claim 34 , further comprising storing the messages retrieved from an In-Flight Entertainment, airline reservation or boarding system in the message memory.  
   
   
       39 . The placard according to  claim 1 , further comprising a function for commanding the electronic updateable static display to be set with a void, clear, opaque or dark screen.