Last year, Airbus <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpdfaiw.uspto.gov%2F.aiw%3Fdocid%3D20140180508%26SectionNum%3D1%26IDKey%3D3BEBCC58961A%26HomeUrl%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fappft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO2%252526Sect2%3DHITOFF%252526u%3D%2525252Fnetahtml%2525252FPTO%2525252Fsearch-adv.html%252526r%3D1%252526p%3D1%252526f%3DG%252526l%3D50%252526d%3DPG01%252526S1%3DZaneboni%252526OS%3DZaneboni%252526RS%3DZaneboni" target="_blank" target="_blank">filed a patent </a>that totally reimagines the concept of the cockpit. For starters, the cockpit would move away from a window. Instead, the patent floats the idea of the cockpit being stored underneath the cabin or at the back of the plane. This would allow the nose of the plane to be longer, pointier, and hence more aerodynamic. Pilots would glimpse the world outside using a digital display.
Windowless cockpits, Airbus —
Last year, Airbus filed a patent that totally reimagines the concept of the cockpit. For starters, the cockpit would move away from a window. Instead, the patent floats the idea of the cockpit being stored underneath the cabin or at the back of the plane. This would allow the nose of the plane to be longer, pointier, and hence more aerodynamic. Pilots would glimpse the world outside using a digital display.
Designed by Jason Kwok
According to<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpdfaiw.uspto.gov%2F.aiw%3Fdocid%3D20150077337%26SectionNum%3D1%26IDKey%3DF6F382025046%26HomeUrl%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fappft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO2%252526Sect2%3DHITOFF%252526p%3D1%252526u%3D%2525252Fnetahtml%2525252FPTO%2525252Fsearch-bool.html%252526r%3D1%252526f%3DG%252526l%3D50%252526co1%3DAND%252526d%3DPG01%252526s1%3D%25252522HERTEL%25252BJOHANNES%25252522%252526OS%3D%25252522HERTEL%25252BJOHANNES%25252522%252526RS%3D%25252522HERTEL%25252BJOHANNES%25252522" target="_blank" target="_blank"> a patent filed in March</a>, passengers may one day be able to use their window as an interactive touchscreen. Theoretically, fliers could pull up information on a major landmark as they pass over it, or maybe even prompt access to a complimentary media library -- fly over the Empire State building while watching "Sleepless in Seattle" perhaps?
Smart windows, Airbus —
According to a patent filed in March, passengers may one day be able to use their window as an interactive touchscreen. Theoretically, fliers could pull up information on a major landmark as they pass over it, or maybe even prompt access to a complimentary media library -- fly over the Empire State building while watching "Sleepless in Seattle" perhaps?
Designed by Jason Kwok
Evoking Candy Land, Airbus <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fworldwide.espacenet.com%2FpublicationDetails%2ForiginalDocument%3FCC%3DUS%26NR%3D2014319274A1%26KC%3DA1%26FT%3DD%26ND%3D3%26date%3D20141030%26DB%3DEPODOC%26locale%3Den_EP" target="_blank" target="_blank">filed a patent last year</a> for this confectionery-shaped aircraft -- complete with a hole in the middle. Though unusual-looking, the ring shape actually makes good sense. According to the patent application, it allows for more passengers than traditional, tube-shaped aircrafts can fit in, and distributes cabin pressure more evenly, ultimately decreasing stress to the structure.
Flying donut, Airbus —
Evoking Candy Land, Airbus filed a patent last year for this confectionery-shaped aircraft -- complete with a hole in the middle. Though unusual-looking, the ring shape actually makes good sense. According to the patent application, it allows for more passengers than traditional, tube-shaped aircrafts can fit in, and distributes cabin pressure more evenly, ultimately decreasing stress to the structure.
Designed by Jason Kwok
In-flight entertainment may soon evolve from glitchy headphones and seatback screens. If <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpdfpiw.uspto.gov%2F.piw%3FPageNum%3D0%26docid%3D08814266%26IDKey%3DBCBE374CDCBD%250D%250A%26HomeUrl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fpatft.uspto.gov%252Fnetacgi%252Fnph-Parser%253FSect1%253DPTO1%252526Sect2%253DHITOFF%252526d%253DPALL%252526p%253D1%252526u%253D%2525252Fnetahtml%2525252FPTO%2525252Fsrchnum.htm%252526r%253D1%252526f%253DG%252526l%253D50%252526s1%253D8814266.PN.%252526OS%253DPN%252F8814266%252526RS%253DPN%252F8814266" target="_blank" target="_blank">a patent Airbus filed last August </a>is anything to go by, we may all find ourselves fully immersed in the movie (or video game, or concert) with the help of virtual reality helmets (that patent even hints there may be an olfactory function). The patent states the helmets would provide "sensorial isolation," thereby reducing stress for nervous flyers.
Virtual reality IFE, Airbus —
In-flight entertainment may soon evolve from glitchy headphones and seatback screens. If a patent Airbus filed last August is anything to go by, we may all find ourselves fully immersed in the movie (or video game, or concert) with the help of virtual reality helmets (that patent even hints there may be an olfactory function). The patent states the helmets would provide "sensorial isolation," thereby reducing stress for nervous flyers.
Designed by Jason Kwok
In 2002, Airbus<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.uk%2Fpatents%2FUS6844817" target="_blank" target="_blank"> filed a patent </a>for a trap door positioned outside of the cockpit. Theoretically, should a terrorist or hijacker try to force their way into the cockpit, a trap door would open and send them into a security cell underneath the cabin floor.
Terrorist trap door, Airbus —
In 2002, Airbus filed a patent for a trap door positioned outside of the cockpit. Theoretically, should a terrorist or hijacker try to force their way into the cockpit, a trap door would open and send them into a security cell underneath the cabin floor.
Designed by Jason Kwok
In 2012, USPTO <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2015%2F03%2F23%2Ftech%2Fboeing-shock-wave-attenuation-patent%2Findex.html">granted Boeing a patent</a> for what is basically a force field (think Star Trek deflector shields). The device, according to the patent, would detect the shockwave from a nearby explosion and create what is essentially a plasma field to protect against the oncoming blast.
Force field, Boeing —
In 2012, USPTO granted Boeing a patent for what is basically a force field (think Star Trek deflector shields). The device, according to the patent, would detect the shockwave from a nearby explosion and create what is essentially a plasma field to protect against the oncoming blast.
Designed by Jason Kwok