It's probably just a "shower thought" they are patenting just in case. Big corps do that a lot, maybe just to keep their lawyers busy. Besides what you mention

It's probably just a "shower thought" they are patenting just in case. Big corps do that a lot, maybe just to keep their lawyers busy. Besides what you mentioned one also needs to factor in how many times small contingencies happen that are resolved in that wasted time, while the passengers are boarding.