Distributed media system

Abstract

An in-flight system provides a user with an entertainment environment including movies, music, games, internet, map, etc. The in-flight system provides stored media content on one or more servers located throughout an aircraft cabin and each server is associated with a plurality of seats. In a preferred embodiment, the in-flight system provides for a communication port (e.g., USB or mini-USB connector or micro-USB connector) for connection to personal electronic device providing access to the server containing the stored media, access to an internet connection, and power. In one embodiment, the in-flight system provides for a seat display unit (typically located in the seat back of the next forward seat) and associated media module hardware to process the stored media content and drive the display. In one embodiment, the in-flight system comprises an isolation module or equivalent circuitry or logic that can isolate the media module and/or the personal electronic device from the remainder of the in-flight system, allowing for updates to the in-flight system without recertification from the FAA.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A server, comprising:
 an isolator/driver module, coupled to and in communication with a communications port,   wherein the isolator/driver module is a finite state machine, and   wherein the isolator/driver module electrically isolates the communications port from the server.