Generally, the invention relates to passenger compliance
monitoring systems in aircrafts. More specifically, the invention relates to an
Aircraft Passenger Compliance Monitoring System (APCMS) for automating
compliance monitoring for passengers onboard an aircraft.
Background
[002] In current pandemic COVID-19 situation, many airlines have
announced new stringent enforcement of rules that requires passengers
and crew members to wear masks during flights journey and maintain safe
social distance from fellow passengers and/or crew members. While
wearing mask ensures pathogen are not exhaled or inhaled by passengers
or crew members, reasonable social distancing limit large congregations
within confined cabin spaces of an aircraft, during the entire journey. In fact,
the airlines have started banning passengers who refuse to cooperate with
the airlines and don’t follow these rules and policies. As a result, passengers
violating rules and policies created by the airlines to board an aircraft, face
risk of being banned by the airlines for an unspecified period of time.
[003] Currently, onboard crew members of the aircraft are enforcing
these rules and policies through a cumbersome manual process. In addition,
the onboard crew members have to manually record an event of noncompliance (violations) caused by any passenger who has boarded the
aircraft. Moreover, the onboard crew members need to record any noncompliance event via an existing system after every flight leg. This process
of manually monitoring every passenger boarded on the aircraft is tiring and
cumbersome and requires a lot of manual efforts.
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[004] Therefore, there is a need of an efficient and reliable method
and system for automating compliance monitoring for passengers onboard
an aircraft.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[005] In one embodiment, an Aircraft Passenger Compliance
Monitoring System (APCMS) for automating compliance monitoring for
passengers onboard an aircraft is disclosed. The system includes an
onboard server, an onboard network communicatively coupled to the
onboard server, and an aircraft passenger compliance monitoring
application communicatively coupled to the onboard server and the onboard
network. It should be noted that, the onboard network facilitates
communication of the onboard server with a sets of sub-systems associated
to the aircraft. Further, the aircraft passenger compliance monitoring
application is configured to receive passenger information related to each
of a plurality of passengers. It should be noted that, the passenger
information is captured by at least one of the sets of sub-systems. The
aircraft passenger compliance monitoring application is further configured
to perform a set of monitoring processes from a plurality of monitoring
processes on the passenger related information received for each of the
plurality of passengers. The aircraft passenger compliance monitoring
application is further configured to generate a compliance measure in
response to performing the set of monitoring processes.
[006] In another embodiment, a method for automating compliance
monitoring for passengers onboard an aircraft is disclosed. The method may
include receiving passenger information related to each of a plurality of
passengers. It should be noted that, the passenger information is captured
by at least one of a sets of sub-systems. The method may further include
performing a set of monitoring processes from a plurality of monitoring
processes on the passenger related information received for each of the
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plurality of passengers. The method may further include generating a
compliance measure in response to performing the set of monitoring
processes.
[007] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary and
explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[008] The present application can be best understood by reference
to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawing figures, in which like parts may be referred to by like numerals.
[009] FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of an Aircraft
Passenger Compliance Monitoring System (APCMS) for automating
compliance monitoring for passengers onboard an aircraft, in accordance
with an embodiment.
[010] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method for automating
compliance monitoring for passengers onboard an aircraft, in accordance
with an embodiment.
[011] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a method for receiving
passenger information, in accordance with an embodiment.
[012] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method for performing a set
of monitoring process on the passenger related information, in accordance
with an embodiment.
[013] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a method for generating a
compliance measure, in accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[014] The following description is presented to enable a person of
ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the
context of particular applications and their requirements. Various
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modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in
the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other
embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention. Moreover, in the following description, numerous details
are set forth for the purpose of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill
in the art will realize that the invention might be practiced without the use of
these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices
are shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure the description of
the invention with unnecessary detail. Thus, the invention is not intended to
be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest
scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
[015] While the invention is described in terms of particular
examples and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that the invention is not limited to the examples or figures
described. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the operations of the
various embodiments may be implemented using hardware, software,
firmware, or combinations thereof, as appropriate. For example, some
processes can be carried out using processors or other digital circuitry under
the control of software, firmware, or hard-wired logic. (The term “logic”
herein refers to fixed hardware, programmable logic and/or an appropriate
combination thereof, as would be recognized by one skilled in the art to carry
out the recited functions.) Software and firmware can be stored on
computer-readable storage media. Some other processes can be
implemented using analog circuitry, as is well known to one of ordinary skill
in the art. Additionally, memory or other storage, as well as communication
components, may be employed in embodiments of the invention.
[016] An Aircraft Passenger Compliance Monitoring System
(APCMS)100 for automating compliance monitoring for passengers
onboard an aircraft, is illustrated in FIG. 1. In particular, the APCMS 100
may be configured to safely enroll each of a plurality of passengers onboard
the aircraft. Thereafter, the APCMS 100 may perform compliance
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monitoring for each of the plurality of passengers. In order to perform
compliance monitoring, the APCMS 100 may include an aircraft passenger
compliance monitoring application, i.e., an APCM application 102, an
onboard server 128, and an onboard network 130. In an embodiment, the
APCM application 102 may be communicatively coupled to the onboard
server 128 and the onboard network 130. Further, the onboard network 130
may be configured to facilitate communication of the onboard server 128
with a sets of sub-systems 132 associated with the aircraft. The onboard
network 128, for example, may be any wired or wireless communication
network and the examples may include, but may be not limited to, the Wired
Local Area Network (LAN), Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11).
[017] In an embodiment, the sets of sub-systems 132 may include,
but are not limited to at least one of an on-board cabin lighting system, an
entertainment system of the aircraft, a passenger announcement system, a
portable electronic device, a set of Internet Protocol (IP) cameras, or a
network attached storage device. As will be appreciated, for ease of
understanding, the sets of sub-systems 132 as depicted in present FIG. 1,
include IP cameras 134, a Kiosk with cameras 136, and a network attached
storage 138.
[018] In an embodiment, the IP cameras 134 may be configured to
perform real-time streaming of information associated with each of the
plurality of passengers. By way of an example, the real-time streaming of
information may include, but is not limited to real-time sharing of images and
videos captured for each of the plurality of passengers during entire aircraft
journey. In order to perform real-time streaming of information via the
onboard network 130, the IP cameras 134 may utilize Real Time Streaming
Protocol (RSTP).
[019] Further, the Kiosk with cameras 136 may be configured to
capture passenger information related to each of the plurality of passengers
before onboard the aircraft. In an embodiment, the passenger information
may also be referred as passenger enrollment data. The passenger
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information captured by the Kiosk with cameras 136 may be further utilized
by the APCM application 102 to enroll each of the plurality of passengers.
Further, the kiosk with cameras 136 may encrypt the passenger information
captured based on predefined privacy and security policies. As will be
appreciated, the predefined privacy and security policies of the aircraft may
differ according to different airlines.
[020] In addition, the network attached storage 138 may be
configured to store recorded videos (recorded via the kiosk with cameras
136 and/or the IP cameras 134) of each of the plurality of passengers. In
other words, the network attached storage 138 may be configured to store
the passenger information related to each of the plurality of passengers,
captured by each of the remaining sets of sub-systems. The recorded
videos stored in the network attached storage 138 may be utilized by the
APCM application 102 for future reference. In an embodiment, recording of
the videos stored in the network attached storage 138 may be done based
on batch processing.
[021] Further, the APCM application 102 may perform a set of
monitoring processes and generation of a compliance measure via a set of
modules 104 -126. The set of monitoring processes may include at least
one of Passenger Name Record (PNR) scanning, passenger identification,
passenger tracking, passenger enrolment, temperature detection, face
mask detection, intrusion detection, airline guideline compliance, or social
distancing detection. In addition, the compliance measure may include, but
is not limited to a time-series report generated based on time-series data
accumulated over a predefined time period and a live heat-map view of a
cabin area within the aircraft.
[022] The set of modules 104-126 of the APCM application 102 may
correspond to a Passenger Name Record (PNR) scanner module 104, a
person detection module 106, a person tracking module 108, a person
identification module 110, a person enrollment module 112, a temperature
detection module 114, a face mask detection module 116, a social
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distancing detection module 118, a crew notification module 120, a
passenger notification module 122, a compliance matrix generator module
124, and an event storage module 126.
[023] In an embodiment, in order to enroll each of the plurality of
passengers, the APCM application 102 may receive the passenger
information related to each of the plurality of passengers via at least one of
the sets of sub-systems 132. Moreover, the at least one of the sets of subsystems 132, utilized to send the passenger information may correspond to
the Kiosk with cameras 136. It should be noted that, the APCM application
102 may receive the passenger information via the communicatively
coupled onboard network 130. In addition, the APCM application 102 may
run on the communicatively coupled onboard server 128.
[024] Upon receiving the passenger information, the APCM
application 102 may enroll each of the plurality of passengers based on the
passenger related information via the passenger enrollment module 112.
Further, the APCM application 102 may scan PNR of each of the plurality of
passengers via the PNR scanner module 104. The PNR scanner module
104 may further be configured to capture a seat number of each of the
plurality of passengers. In an embodiment, the PNR and seat number of
each of the plurality of passengers may be captured using Red Green Blue
(RGB) cameras.
[025] Once the PNR and seat number of each of the plurality of
passengers is recorded, the person detection module 106 may be
configured to capture face and full-frontal image of each of the plurality of
passengers onboard the aircraft. In an embodiment, the face and full-frontal
image of each of the plurality of passengers may be captured using RGB
cameras (via the IP cameras 134 or the kiosk with camera 136). In addition,
the person detection module 106 may be configured to detect each of the
plurality of passengers based on face and full-frontal image captured during
at least one non-compliance event.
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[026] Further, the person tracking module 108 may be configured to
track each of the plurality of passengers onboard the aircraft during their
entire aircraft journey. The person tracking module 108 may track each of
the plurality of passengers to identify at least one non-compliance event
from a set of non-compliance events. The set of non-compliance events may
include at least one absence of face mask, improper wearing of face mask,
violation of social distancing norms, movement of passengers during flight
take off/landing, movement of passengers during seat belt sign, passenger
intrusion into unauthorized space, or passenger hostile behavior detection.
In an embodiment, the person tracking module 108 may track each of the
plurality of passengers via the IP cameras 134.
[027] Moreover, based on tracking of each of the plurality of
passengers, when at least one non-compliance event is identified, then the
passenger identification module 110 may identify one of the plurality of
passengers responsible for the at least one non-compliance event. Further,
the temperature detection module 114 may be configured to detect
temperature of each of the plurality of passenger while onboard the aircraft.
In addition, the temperate detection module 114 may be configured to
monitor temperature of each of the plurality of passengers during entire
aircraft journey.
[028] The face mask detection module 116 may be configured to
detect face mask coverage of each of the plurality of passengers. By way of
an example, the face mask detection module 116 may detect events like not
wearing or improper wearing of face mask by at least one of the plurality of
passengers. Examples of improper wearing of face mask may include not
covering nose or mouth appropriately. Further, the social distancing
detection module 118 may be configured to monitor distance between two
or more of the plurality of passengers. In addition, the social distancing
detection module 118 may be configured to detect violation of specified
distance, by at least one of the plurality of passengers. As will be
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appreciated, the distance between two of the plurality of passengers may
be specified as per airlines guidelines compliance rules.
[029] Further, the crew notification module 120 may be configured
to notify at least one non-compliance event associated with the at least one
passenger to at least one of the cabin crew. In addition, the crew notification
module 120 may notify the compliance measure generated in response to
detection of the at least one non-compliance event to one of the cabin crew.
In an embodiment, the compliance measure includes the time-series report
generated based on time-series data accumulated over the predefined time
period. Moreover, the time-series report generated may further include
compliance scores across the plurality of zones within the aircraft at
predefined time intervals.
[030] The passenger notification module 122 may be configured to
notify about the at least one non-compliance event to one of the plurality of
passengers responsible for the at least one non-compliance event. By way
of an example, the passenger notification module 122 may notify one of the
plurality of passengers to properly wear face mask or to maintain the
specified distance.
[031] Further, the compliance matrix generator module 124 may be
configured to generate a live heat-map view of the cabin area within the
aircraft. In an embodiment, the live heat-map may correspond to social
distancing compliance metrics. It should be noted that, the heat map may
correspond to two-dimensional representation of data in which values are
represented by colors. Moreover, the live heat-map generated may be
rendered to each of the plurality of passengers, one of the cabin crew, and
each of the sets of airline operation crew via one of the sets of sub-systems
132. In an embodiment, the live-heat map generated may be rendered in
order to promote self-regulation for each of the plurality of passengers, one
of the cabin crew, and each of the sets of airline operation crew.
[032] The event storage module 126 may be configured to store
each of the set of non-compliance events associated with the plurality of
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passengers. Further, the set of non-compliance events stored in the event
storage module 126 may be used by each of the sets of airline operation
crew for future reference. By way of an example, the sets of airline operation
crew may decide whether to ban particular passenger from future boarding
of the aircraft, based on data store in the event storage module 126.
[033] In addition, the APCM application 102 may contain
intelligence for suppressing false positive alerts. The false positive alerts
may correspond to notifications generated in response to detection of the at
least one non-compliance event that may not be accurate. By way of an
example, the APCM application 102 may suppress alerts generated for the
at least one non-compliance event associated with kids below 2 years,
infants, and/or specific passengers with pre-approved medical exceptions.
By way of another example, the APCM application 102 may suppress alerts
generated for the at least one non-compliance event associated with each
of the plurality of passengers during intake of food or drinks. In addition, the
APCM application 102 may allow dynamic adjustment for Artificial
Intelligence (AI) model sensitivity. In other words, the APCM application 102
may support field calibration to dynamically adjust AI model when any issue
is encountered. Further, the APCM application 102 may provide field of view
adjustments in order to restrict detection of the set of non-compliance events
in certain area of image captured.
[034] In particular, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in
the art, various modules 104-126 of the APCM application 102 used for
performing the techniques and steps described herein may be implemented
in the APCMS 100, either by hardware, software, or combinations of
hardware and software. For example, suitable code may be accessed and
executed by the one or more processors on the APCMS 1020to perform
some or all of the techniques described herein. Similarly, application specific
integrated circuits (ASICs) configured to perform some, or all of the
processes described herein may be included in the one or more processors
on the host computing system. As will be appreciated, the APCM application
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102 disclosed in the present FIG. 1, may be implemented in any computing
devices.
[035] Moreover, the APCMS 100 disclosed in present FIG. 1 may
provide an end-to-end automated solution to avoid manual tasks of
monitoring and recording of at least one non-compliance associated with
one or more of the plurality passengers. In addition, the APCMS 100 may
automatically capture and record any onboard violation, i.e., the at least one
non-compliance event, with requirement of very minimal inputs from one of
cabin crew. Further, the APCMS 100 disclosed may autonomously process
the passenger information captured via the sets of sub-systems 132. By way
of an example, in order to autonomously process the passenger information
received in form of videos, the APCMS 100 may add markers for each of
the set of non-compliance event in videos for easy identification and
recording of one or more of the set of non-compliance events. Moreover,
the APCMS 100 may provide an intelligent fault suppression logic in order
to prevents false alerts of one of the set of non-compliance events
associated with at least one of the plurality of passengers.
[036] Referring now to FIG. 2 a flowchart of a method for automating
compliance monitoring for passengers onboard an aircraft is illustrated, in
accordance with an embodiment. At step 202, passenger information may
be received. The passenger information received may be related to each of
a plurality of passengers onboard the aircraft. In reference to FIG. 1, the
passenger information may be captured by at least one of the sets of subsystems 132. In an embodiment, the passenger information may include a
sets of passenger parameters associated with each of the plurality of
passengers. In addition, the sets of passenger parameters may include, but
is not limited to, body temperature, face and full-frontal image, PNR, seat
number, and heart rate. In an embodiment, each of the sets of passenger
parameters received may be utilized to enroll each of the plurality of
passengers boarding the aircraft. A method of receiving the passenger
related information is explained in greater detail in conjunction with FIG. 3.
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[037] Once each of the plurality of passengers are enrolled based
on the passenger related information received, at step 204, a set of
monitoring processes from a plurality of monitoring processes may be
performed. The set of monitoring processes may be performed on the
passenger related information received for each of the plurality of
passengers. In an embodiment, the plurality of monitoring processes
comprises at least one of PNR scanning, passenger identification,
passenger tracking, passenger enrolment, temperature detection, face
mask detection, intrusion detection, airline guideline compliance, or social
distancing detection. Examples of airline guidelines compliance monitoring
process may include monitoring of passenger movement during seat belt
sign, monitoring of secured areas in cabins of the aircraft, and monitoring of
minor passengers.
[038] By way of an example, movement of each of the plurality of
passengers may be monitored when the seat belt sign is on. In other words,
a check may be performed to identify whether each of the plurality of
passengers have put-in their seat belts during take-off and landing of the
aircraft, or when it is instructed to do so. A method of performing the set of
monitoring processes has been explained in greater detail in conjunction
with FIG.4. In an embodiment, the set of monitoring processes may be
performed in order to identify at least one non-compliance event from a set
of non-compliance events. The at least one non-compliance event identified
may be associated with one of the plurality of passengers.
[039] Further, based on the set of monitoring processes performed,
at step 206, a compliance measure may be generated. In an embodiment,
the compliance measure may include the at least one non-compliance
event. The set of non-compliance event may include at least one absence
of face mask, improper wearing of face mask, violation of social distancing
norms, movement of passengers during flight take off/landing, or movement
of passengers during seat belt sign, passenger intrusion into unauthorized
space, or passenger hostile behavior detection. A method of generating the
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compliance measure is explained in greater detail in conjunction with FIG.
5.
[040] Moreover, the compliance measure may include a time-series
report generated based on time-series data accumulated over a predefined
time period. The time-series report may further include compliance scores
accumulated across a plurality of zones within the aircraft at predefined time
intervals. In an embodiment, the time-series report generated may allow
airlines (to which the aircraft belongs) to take informed decision for making
operational changes. The operational changes may be associated with
onboarding, seating, and de-boarding procedures of the aircraft.
[041] In addition, the compliance measure may include a live heatmap view of a cabin area within the aircraft. The live heat-map may
correspond to social distancing compliance metrics. Further, the live heatmap view generated may be rendered to at least one of cabin crew, at least
one of the plurality of passengers, or each of the sets of airline operation
crew. In an embodiment, the live heat-map view generated may promote
self-regulation for each of the plurality of passengers and each of the cabin
crew. Once the compliance measure is generated, at step 208, the
compliance measure generated may be notified to at least one of cabin
crew, at least one of the plurality of passengers, or each of the sets of airline
operation crew. In an embodiment, the compliance measure may be notified
to at least one of cabin crew, at least one of the plurality of passengers, or
each of the sets of airline operation crew via at least one of the sets of subsystems. The sets of sub-systems may include at least one of an on-board
cabin lighting system, an entertainment system of the aircraft, a passenger
announcement system, a portable electronic device, a set of IP cameras, or
a network attached storage device. In reference to FIG. 1, the sets of subsystems may correspond to the sets of sub-systems 132.
[042] By way of an example, the at least one non-compliance event
may be notified via the on-board cabin lighting system by activating
overhead call-light of one of the plurality of passengers. The one of the
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plurality of passengers may correspond to a passenger responsible for
causing the at least one non-compliance event. Consider a scenario,
suppose a passenger from the plurality of passengers has not been wearing
his mask from past 15 minutes. Then, based on the set of monitoring
processes performed, a deviation may be monitored in one or more of the
sets of passenger parameters associated with the passenger. The deviation
may be identified based on the associated predefined deviation threshold.
Based on the deviation monitored, at least one non-compliance event may
be identified. In current scenario, the at least one non-compliance event may
correspond to not wearing of face mask.
[043] Upon identifying the at least one non-compliance event, a
compliance measure may be generated. The compliance measure may
correspond to activation of the overhead call-light of that passenger. The
overhead call-light may be activated in order to notify at least one of cabin
crew, at least one of the plurality of passengers, or each of the sets of airline
operation crew about the at least one non-compliance event. Based on the
notification, the at least one of cabin crew, at least one of the plurality of
passengers, or each of the sets of airline operation crew may take a suitable
precautionary measure.
[044] By way of another example, the at least one non-compliance
event may be notified as aural or textual notification to at least one of cabin
crew, at least one of the plurality of passengers, or each of the sets of airline
operation crew. In order to notify the at least one non-compliance event in
aural or textual notification, the entertainment system of the aircraft, or
passenger announcement system may be utilized. In an embodiment, the
entertainment system of the aircraft may also be referred as In-Flight
Entertainment System (FES). In addition, event alerts for the at least one
non-compliance event may be provided to at least one of cabin crew, at
least one of the plurality of passengers, or each of the sets of airline
operation crew via the portable electronic device.
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[045] Referring now to FIG. 3, a flowchart of a method for receiving
passenger information is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment. In
reference to FIG. 2, in order to receive the passenger information as
mentioned in step 202, at step 302, initially, the passenger information may
be captured. The passenger information captured may be related to each of
the plurality of passengers. In an embodiment, the passenger information
may include a sets of passenger parameters associated with each of the
plurality of passengers. Further, the sets of passenger parameters may
include, but is not limited to, body temperature, face and full-frontal image,
PNR, seat number, and heart rate.
[046] Once the passenger information corresponding to each of the
plurality of passengers is captured, at step 304, the captured passenger
information may be encrypted. In an embodiment, the passenger
information may be encrypted with predefined privacy and security policies.
As will be appreciated, the passenger information associated with each of
the plurality of passengers may be encrypted to maintain privacy of each of
the plurality of passengers. In other words, the passenger information
associated with each of the plurality of passengers may be encrypted to
avoid its misuse.
[047] By way of an example, real-time information (e.g., images and
videos) captured for each of the plurality of passengers may be encrypted.
In addition, the real-time information captured may be made accessible to
only authorized crew members of the aircraft. The authorized crew members
may correspond to one or more of the cabin crews and one or more of the
sets of airline operation crew. Further, the passenger information may be
encrypted in order to avoid misuse of any private passenger information. In
reference to FIG. 1, the passenger information may be captured via at least
one of the sets of sub-systems 132. In particular, the passenger information
associated with each of the plurality of passengers may be captured and
encrypted via the Kiosk with cameras 136.
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[048] Referring to FIG. 4, a flowchart of a method for performing a
set of monitoring process on the passenger related information is illustrated,
in accordance with an embodiment. In reference to FIG. 2, in order to
perform the set of monitoring processes as mentioned in step 204, at step
402, deviation in one or more of the sets of passenger parameters may be
monitored. The sets of passenger parameters may be associated with at
least one of the plurality of passengers. In an embodiment, the sets of
passenger parameters may include, but is not limited to, body temperature,
face and full-frontal image, PNR, seat number, and heart rate. Further, the
deviation in one or more of the sets of passenger parameters may be
monitored based on an associated predefined deviation threshold. As
should be noted that, the predefined deviation threshold may vary for
different airlines based on airlines guidelines compliance of different
airlines.
[049] By way of an example, suppose the associated predefined
deviation threshold for first passenger parameter, i.e., body temperature,
from the sets of passenger parameter may be defined to be 98 degree
Celsius. Then, based on the associated predefined deviation threshold
defined for the first passenger parameter, each of the plurality of passengers
may be monitored corresponding to the first passenger parameter. Further,
in response to monitoring of each of the plurality of passengers
corresponding to the first passenger parameter, any deviation in first
passenger parameter associated with one of the plurality of passengers may
be identified. Upon identifying the deviation associated with one of the
plurality of passengers, the compliance measure may be generated. A
process of generating a compliance measure has been explained in greater
detail in conjunction with FIG. 5.
[050] Referring now to FIG. 5, a flowchart of a method for generating
a compliance measure is illustrated, in accordance with an embodiment. In
reference to FIG. 2, in order to generate the compliance measure as
mentioned in step 206, at step 502, at least one non-compliance event from
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the set of non-compliance events may be identified. In reference to FIG. 4,
the at least one non-compliance event may be identified based on the set
of monitoring processes performed. The at least one non-compliance event
identified may be associated with one of the plurality of passengers. In an
embodiment, the set of non-compliance event may include at least one
absence of face mask, improper wearing of face mask, violation of social
distancing norms, movement of passengers during flight take off/landing, or
movement of passengers during seat belt sign, passenger intrusion into
unauthorized space, or passenger hostile behavior detection.
[051] By way of an example, based on the set of monitoring
processes performed any deviation in one or more of the sets of passenger
parameters may be monitored. Upon detecting deviation in one of the sets
of passenger parameters, the at least one non-compliance event may be
encountered. Further, based on the at least one non-compliance event
encountered, the compliance measure may be generated. Once the
compliance measure is generated, the generated compliance measure may
be notified to at least one of cabin crew, at least one of the plurality of
passengers, or each of the sets of airline operation crew. Further, upon
receiving the notification of compliance measure, the at least one of the
cabin crew may take appropriate actions. For example, upon identifying
deviation in body temperature of one of the plurality of passengers while
boarding the aircraft, the compliance measure may be generated. Further,
the generated compliance measure may be notified to one of the cabin crew.
Upon receiving the notification of the compliance measure, the one of the
cabin crew may not allow that passenger to board the aircraft.
[052] Various embodiments provide method and system for
automating compliance monitoring for passengers onboard an aircraft. The
disclosed method and system may receive passenger information related to
each of a plurality of passengers. The passenger information may be
captured by at least one of a sets of sub-systems. Further, the disclosed
method and system may perform a set of monitoring processes from a
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plurality of monitoring processes on the passenger related information
received for each of the plurality of passengers. Thereafter, the disclosed
method and system may generate a compliance measure in response to
performing the set of monitoring processes.
[053] The system and method provide some advantages like, the
system and the method may enable airlines to roll-out a self-contained,
autonomous passenger compliance monitoring solution for variety of noncompliance event like, elevated temperature, face mask, social distancing,
etc., without any due dependence on underlying airport infrastructure.
Further, the system and the method disclosed may add less than 3lbs
weight to aircrafts in order to accommodate a kiosk for elevated temperature
detection and passenger enrollment. Moreover, the disclosed system and
the method may use fine-tuned video processing pipeline. The fine-tune
video processing pipeline may allow videos to run on a constrained onboard
server, via an integrated Graphical Processing Unit (iGPU) processor.
Examples of some similar techniques that may easily run on the constrained
onboard server includes batch normalization of stacked frames received
from multiple IP cameras, hardware assisted frame encoding and decoding,
light-weight machine learning models, and graceful handling of obfuscation
and occlusion scenarios. Further, the disclosed system and the method may
significantly reduce workload of cabin crew by autonomously verifying
airline guideline compliance and in return generating timely alerts for early
intervention. In addition, the disclosed system may be developed as Plugand-Play architecture in order to allow easy integration with other aircraft
cabin systems. The Plug-and-Play architecture utilized may provide a
seamless interface to delivery visual, aural, and textual notifications. This in
turn may bring increased situational awareness to both passengers and
cabin crew of the aircraft.
[054] It will be appreciated that, for clarity purposes, the above
description has described embodiments of the invention with reference to
different functional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that
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any suitable distribution of functionality between different functional units,
processors or domains may be used without detracting from the invention.
For example, functionality illustrated to be performed by separate
processors or controllers may be performed by the same processor or
controller. Hence, references to specific functional units are only to be seen
as references to suitable means for providing the described functionality,
rather than indicative of a strict logical or physical structure or organization.
[055] Although the present invention has been described in
connection with some embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the
specific form set forth herein. Rather, the scope of the present invention is
limited only by the claims. Additionally, although a feature may appear to be
described in connection with particular embodiments, one skilled in the art
would recognize that various features of the described embodiments may
be combined in accordance with the invention.
[056] Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means,
elements or process steps may be implemented by, for example, a single
unit or processor. Additionally, although individual features may be included
in different claims, these may possibly be advantageously combined, and
the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features
is not feasible and/or advantageous. Also, the inclusion of a feature in one
category of claims does not imply a limitation to this category, but rather the
feature may be equally applicable to other claim categories, as appropriate.

CLAIMS
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. An Aircraft Passenger Compliance Monitoring System (APCMS) (100) for
automating compliance monitoring for passengers onboard an aircraft, the
APCMS (100) comprising:
an onboard server (128);
an onboard network (130) communicatively coupled to the onboard
server (128), wherein the onboard network (130) facilitates communication
of the onboard server (128) with a sets of sub-systems (132) associated to
the aircraft; and
an aircraft passenger compliance monitoring application (102)
communicatively coupled to the onboard server (128) and the onboard
network (130), wherein the aircraft passenger compliance monitoring
application (102) is configured to:
receive (202) passenger information related to each of a
plurality of passengers, wherein the passenger information is
captured by at least one of the sets of sub-systems (132);
perform (204) a set of monitoring processes from a plurality of
monitoring processes on the passenger related information received
for each of the plurality of passengers; and
generate (206) a compliance measure in response to
performing the set of monitoring processes.
2. The APCMS (100) of claim 1, wherein:
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the passenger information comprises a sets of passenger
parameters associated with each of the plurality of passengers, wherein the
sets of passenger parameters comprises body temperature, face and fullfrontal image, PNR, seat number, and heart rate;
the plurality of monitoring processes comprises at least one of
Passenger Name Record (PNR) scanning, passenger identification,
passenger tracking, passenger enrolment, temperature detection, face
mask detection, intrusion detection, airline guideline compliance, or social
distancing detection; and
the sets of sub-systems (132) comprises at least one of an on-board
cabin lighting system, an entertainment system of the aircraft, a passenger
announcement system, a portable electronic device, a set of Internet
Protocol (IP) cameras, or a network attached storage device, and wherein
the network attached storage device is configured to store the passenger
information related to each of the plurality of passengers’ information,
captured by each of the remaining sets of sub-systems (132).
3. The APCMS (100) of claim 1, wherein the sets of sub-systems (132) is
configured to:
capture (302) the passenger information related to each of the
plurality of passengers; and
encrypt (304) the passenger information with predefined privacy and
security policies.
4. The APCMS (100) of claim 1, wherein the aircraft passenger compliance
monitoring application (102) is further configured to:
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perform the set of monitoring processes by monitoring deviation
(402) in one or more of the sets of passenger parameters associated with
at least one of the plurality of passengers with respect to an associated
predefined deviation threshold; and
generate the compliance measure in response to performing the set
of monitoring processes by identifying (502) at least one non-compliance
event from a set of non-compliance events associated with one of the
plurality of passengers, wherein the compliance measure comprises the at
least one non-compliance event, and wherein the set of non-compliance
events comprises at least one absence of face mask, improper wearing of
face mask, violation of social distancing norms, movement of passengers
during flight take off/landing, movement of passengers during seat belt sign,
passenger intrusion into unauthorized space, or passenger hostile behavior
detection.
5. The APCMS (100) of claim 1, wherein the aircraft passenger compliance
monitoring application (102) is configured to notify (208), via at least one of
the sets of sub-systems (132), the compliance measure to at least one of
cabin crew, at least one of the plurality of passengers, or each of the sets
of airline operation crew, and wherein the compliance measure comprises:
a time-series report generated based on time-series data
accumulated over a predefined time period, and wherein the time-series
report further comprises compliance scores across a plurality of zones
within the aircraft at predefined time intervals; and
a live heat-map view of a cabin area within the aircraft, wherein the
live heat-map corresponds to social distancing compliance metrics, and
wherein the aircraft passenger compliance monitoring application is
configured to render the live heat-map via one of the sets of sub-systems
(132).

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6. A method (200) for automating compliance monitoring for passengers
onboard an aircraft, the method comprising:
receiving (202), by an Aircraft Passenger Compliance Monitoring
System (APCMS) (100), passenger information related to each of a plurality
of passengers, wherein the passenger information is captured by at least
one of a sets of sub-systems (132);
performing (204), by the APCMS (100), a set of monitoring processes
from a plurality of monitoring processes on the passenger related
information received for each of the plurality of passengers; and
generating (206), by the APCMS (100), a compliance measure in
response to performing the set of monitoring processes.
7. The method (200) of claim 6, wherein:
the passenger information comprises a sets of passenger
parameters associated with each of the plurality of passengers, wherein the
sets of passenger parameters comprises body temperature, face and fullfrontal image, PNR, seat number, and heart rate;
the plurality of monitoring processes comprises at least one of
Passenger Name Record (PNR) scanning, passenger identification,
passenger tracking, passenger enrolment, temperature detection, face
mask detection, intrusion detection, airline guideline compliance, or social
distancing detection; and
the sets of sub-systems (132) comprises at least one of an on-board
cabin lighting system, an entertainment system of the aircraft, a passenger
announcement system, a portable electronic device, a set of Internet
Protocol (IP) cameras, or a network attached storage device, and wherein
the network attached storage device is configured to store the passenger
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information related to each of the plurality of passenger’s information,
captured by each of the remaining sets of sub-systems (132).
8. The method (200) of claim 6, wherein receiving the passenger information
related to each of the plurality of passengers comprises:
capturing (302), by at least one of the sets of sub-systems (132), the
passenger information related to each of the plurality of passengers; and
encrypting (304), by at least one of the sets of sub-systems (132),
the passenger information with predefined privacy and security policies.
9. The method (200) of claim 6, wherein:
performing the set of monitoring processes comprises monitoring
deviation (402) in one or more of the sets of passenger parameters
associated with at least one of the plurality of passengers with respect to an
associated predefined deviation threshold; and
generating the compliance measure in response to performing the
set of monitoring processes comprises identifying (502) at least one noncompliance event from a set of non-compliance events associated with one
of the plurality of passengers, wherein the compliance measure comprises
the at least one non-compliance event, and wherein the set of noncompliance events comprises at least one absence of face mask, improper
wearing of face mask, violation of social distancing norms, movement of
passengers during flight take off/landing, movement of passengers during
seat belt sign, passenger intrusion into unauthorized space, or passenger
hostile behavior detection.
10. The method (200) of claim 6, further comprises:
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notifying (208), via at least one of the sets of sub-systems (132), the
compliance measure to at least one of cabin crew, at least one of the
plurality of passengers, or each of the sets of airline operation crew, wherein
the compliance measure comprises:
a time-series report generated based on time-series data
accumulated over a predefined time period, and wherein the timeseries report further comprises compliance scores across a plurality
of zones within the aircraft at predefined time intervals; and
a live heat-map view of a cabin area within the aircraft,
wherein the live heat-map corresponds to social distancing
compliance metrics, and wherein the aircraft passenger compliance
monitoring application is configured to render the live heat-map via
one of the sets of sub-systems (132).