Features Innovations New Technologies
‘Smart’ I-Shades just got smarter

Oct. 20, 2009, Orlando, FL – Today at the NBAA Annual Meeting and
Convention, InspecTech Aero Service, Inc. unveiled the Smart Cabin
Automated Dimming System (SCADS) for its I-Shades – the world’s most
advanced light-control window shading system for aircraft and
helicopters. Now, in addition to the exclusive light, heat and glare
control I-Shades bring to cabin windows, the product has evolved into
an intelligent enabling technology capable of integrating into airframe
systems – providing unprecedented smart automation of cabin light
management.

The SCADS network architecture has also been designed for
interconnectivity, and can interface with other cabin systems such as
In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) and Cabin Management Systems (CMS). This
integration results in a more complete solution to the challenges of
on-board work and leisure activities.

With the simple push of a button, I-Shades offer the ability to
instantly regulate light, glare and heat entering the cabin – from
fully clear to completely private, and to any level of view-preserving
tint in between. I-Shades improve passenger comfort, lower cabin noise
levels and reduce maintenance costs since there are no moving parts.
Over 99.9% of harmful UV radiation is blocked whether in the fully
clear or private state, and cabin heat build-up is minimized when on
the ground as I-Shades automatically switch to their maximally
energy-efficient, heat-blocking dark state when the aircraft is
unpowered.

These “smart windows” are the first – and only – electrically dimmable
window shades currently flying. They are in use today on commercial,
corporate, and military aircraft, and on helicopters. They are the
industry’s only dynamic switchable window shades that are now available
for any aircraft or helicopter as an aftermarket install at service
centers worldwide, or for production aircraft.

The patent pending, groundbreaking Smart Cabin Automated Dimming System
delivers a new level of never-before-possible benefits to the industry.
The evolutionary design exploits the unique performance characteristics
of I-Shades and its cabin-wide electrical interface system. The
proprietary SCADS architecture is a multi-master system with line
topology and real-time data communication. The system continuously
monitors environmental sensors and airframe systems, which then
regulates the amount of light entering the cabin automatically.

SCADS proprietary software programs can now be executed autonomously or
on-demand for comfort, safety, energy-savings and much more. Here are
some examples of features unveiled by InspecTech:

Automated and continuous window dimming system: This
program maintains a specified ideal, fixed level of light entering the
cabin at any given altitude or attitude. Passengers will never suffer
from glaring sun entering from the opposing side of the cabin, as each
I-Shade continuously and automatically adjusts to the amount of light
striking it. All of this is done continuously and smoothly in
real-time, and passengers do not notice the changes because as the
I-Shades lighten and darken, the same amount of light is always allowed
through each and every window.

Master control overrides: Flight Attendants and Pilots are
provided control of all I-shades cabin-wide from all dark, all clear,
or full passenger control.

Cabin temperature control system: This program continuously
monitors cabin temperature and executes a control feature when
necessary. For example, if the aircraft is on the ramp and a specified
high temperature is reached, all I-Shades automatically go fully dark,
thus maximizing heat rejection and cooling the cabin. Once the
temperature stabilizes, the I-Shades return to their most recent light
transmission state.

Automated adjustment for customer requirements: For window
shade positions during take-off and landing, a logic circuit is
incorporated into the flap system. With this feature, all I-Shades
automatically switch to the fully clear state in response to the
positioning of the flaps. Also, should a power loss ever occur, all
emergency exit I-Shades instantly default to a clear state for maximum
light transmittance for 45 minutes. 

Flight attendant systems: New features are offered for flight
attendants. For example, during the pre-flight safety presentation, the
Flight Attendant Brief button can be pressed, and all I-Shades
instantly go fully dark except the emergency exit window shades, which
remain fully clear. This enables exits to be easily identified by
passengers.

In-flight movie feature: This automated feature dims all of
the I-Shades to a 15% light transmission level with a single button
press by the crew, perfect for viewing movies.  

Innovative features for operators, carriers and their passengers:
There are several programs embedded in SCADS which get passengers’
attention and add a “wow factor.” For example, selecting “The Wave”
program results in all I-Shades doing the wave: starting with the front
row, each row of I-Shades instantly switch fully dark, in sequence, at
half-second increments going down the aircraft, and then waving forward
turning fully clear.

SCADS architecture also offers new opportunities to be used with other
aircraft cabin systems. For example, lighting systems, including “mood
lighting” equipment and programs, can now interface with I-Shades to
include and control the use of natural daylighting in the system.
I-Shades are the only shading system available that can regulate both
direct and diffused lighting, and by interfacing with SCADS, any type
of mood lighting management system is dramatically enhanced. The result
is the I-Shade Smart Window System and SCADS – now viewed as an
enabling technology by lighting suppliers, shade suppliers,
entertainment system suppliers, and many others.

I-Shades can be viewed at Booth #3706 at the NBAA.
For further information about the SCADS product contact:
David Taylor 
888-570-1727 or 954-359-6766
Info@AircraftShades.com
www.AircraftShades.com