A method is performed by a computer system of a content service provider for executing a quality assurance and/or quality control (QA/QC) system module. The method includes performing at least one media verification procedure on media content. The method generates a QA/QC score based on results of the performed at least one media verification procedure. The method determines if the media content satisfies a QA/QC standard based on the QA/QC score.
A connectivity quality-of-experience (QoE) prediction module within a vehicle. The connectivity QoE prediction module includes: at least one network interface configured to communicate through a cabin network; a display device configured to display video to a passenger or crew of the vehicle; a processor; and a memory storing computer readable program code of the connectivity QoE prediction module. The memory stores computer readable program code is executed by the processor to perform operations. Operations include managing data entry and modification in a Historical Connectivity QoE Database. The operations also include to generate prediction of connectivity QoE along a vehicle travel route, and to provide for display the prediction of connectivity QoE to the display device.
A communication connectivity QoE testing device within a vehicle includes a network interface to communicate through a cabin network, a display device to display video to a passenger of the vehicle, a processor, and a memory storing code executed by the processor to perform operations. The operations include to send content requests to and receive content from a content server that is offboard the vehicle using the network interface, the cabin network, and a wireless communication modem communicatively connected to the content server through a ground-based network. The operations generate a QoE metric based on measurements of end-to-end communications of the content requests sent and the content received between the QoE testing device and the content server. The operations send a report based on the QoE metric through the network interface, the cabin network, and the wireless communication modem to a network node of an operations center for analysis.
An in-flight entertainment system includes a centralized Bluetooth radio manager that is communicatively connected to Bluetooth radios located with seat video display units (SVDU) at passenger seats within an aircraft cabin. The centralized Bluetooth radio manager includes a network interface that communicates with the Bluetooth radios through an aircraft cabin network, a processor coupled to the network interface, and a memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions that when executed by the processor causes the processor to perform operations. The operations include to determine a level of radiated power by the Bluetooth radios having active Bluetooth connections with passenger devices. The operations further control at least one group of the Bluetooth radios to prevent establishment of new Bluetooth connections between the group of Bluetooth radios and other passenger devices responsive to the determined level of radiated power satisfying a remedial action rule related to excessive Bluetooth interference.
H04W 4/42 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] for mass transport vehicles, e.g. buses, trains or aircraft
H04W 4/021 - Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
H04W 76/38 - Connection release triggered by timers
5.
CONTROLLING TRANSACTION AUTHORIZATION VIA INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM WHILE AIRCRAFT IS CONNECTED OR DISCONNECTED FROM GROUND-BASED PROCESSING SYSTEM
A payment processing system receives from a user device at least one message including information identifying user profile information to be associated with a prepaid account, funding source identification identifying a financial source to be used for temporarily funding the prepaid account, and a schedule identifying when the prepaid account is to be used to pay for a purchase. The system sends an account key through the network interface, and generates the prepaid account with a logical association to the account key, the user profile information, the funding source identification, and the schedule. The system determines when a funding rule has become satisfied based on at least the schedule, and responds to determining the funding rule has become satisfied by funding the prepaid account from the financial source identified by the funding source identification.
G06Q 20/40 - Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentialsReview and approval of payers, e.g. check of credit lines or negative lists
B64D 11/00 - Passenger or crew accommodationFlight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Digital multimedia services for aircraft management systems, aircraft passenger entertainment and airline operations, namely, providing communications in the nature of voice communication services via the Internet, providing telecommunication connections to email/Internet connections and broadcasting audio and video entertainment programming, providing access to web sites on the internet, providing telecommunications connections to the internet and to databases, providing access to data or documents stored electronically in central files for remote consultation Aircraft passenger entertainment systems, namely, computer hardware and database servers for providing media content, including audio and video entertainment programming; computer software for content delivery. Aircraft management systems namely, computer hardware and database servers for providing in-flight connectivity, flight planning and optimization, flight database services, flight planning, datalink, cabin services, flight following, flight concierge services, as well as on board environmental control system and air management systems Platform as a service [PaaS] featuring software platforms for transmission of images, audio-visual content, video content and messages for aircraft management systems, aircraft passenger entertainment and airline operations. Platform as a service (PAAS) featuring computer software platforms for use in connecting, controlling, monitoring, automating, managing, analyzing, optimizing aviation and transportation operations and facilities. Providing temporary use of on-line non-downloadable operating software for accessing and using a cloud computing network for aircraft management systems, aircraft passenger entertainment and airline operations
7.
Managing inventory of targeted advertisements for in-vehicle entertainment
A system for managing advertisements in an in-flight entertainment (“IFE”) system operating on an airplane can include an inventory processing device and a non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory computer readable medium can be communicatively coupled to the inventory processing device to cause the inventory processing device to perform operations. The operations can include determining an inventory of targeted advertisements for future flights. The operations can further include receiving a request to use a portion of the inventory for advertisements associated with an advertiser. The operations can further include transmitting instructions to an IFE controller on-board the airplane to cause the IFE controller to provide the advertisements during targeted advertisement opportunities during a flight.
A circuit can be configured to operate as a dual-trip point data slicer for serial demodulation. The circuit can include an input port configured to receive an input signal. The circuit can further include a first output port electrically coupled to the input port by a first circuit path. The circuit can further include the first circuit path, which can be configured to provide the input signal from the input port to the first output port. The circuit can further include a second output port electrically coupled to the input port by a second circuit path that is parallel to the first circuit path. The circuit can further include the second circuit path, which can be configured to provide a reference signal to the second output port. The reference signal can be based on a delayed version of the input signal.
An augmented reality (AR) system for an aircraft obtains an aircraft pose, determines a passenger pose relative to a window, and computes a field-of-view of the passenger. Operations select a set of passenger-relevant points of information (POIs) from a database that satisfy a relevance rule to the real-world objects viewable by the passenger through the window. For each of the passenger-relevant POIs in the set, operations determine an AR indicia to be displayed, and an AR indicia pose where the AR indicia is to be rendered on a display device. Operations generate a display command based on the AR indicia and the AR indicia pose for the passenger-relevant POIs in the set. Operations provide the display command to the display device to display renderings of the AR indicias with the AR indicia poses to augment the real-world objects viewed by the passenger through the window.
Some embodiments relate to a first connector, for coupling to a second connector, including a support structure, a set of spring-biased pogo pins arranged in a linear configuration and configured to carry at least one of electrical signals and power, a resilient structure extending across a face of the support structure, and a first pair of magnetic couplers attached to the resilient structure on opposite sides of the set of spring-biased pogo pins. The spring-biased pogo pins are each located in a corresponding passage in the support structure. The first pair of magnetic couplers are configured to mate with a corresponding second pair of magnetic couplers of the second connector and compress the resilient structure to bias the set of spring-biased pogo pins against a corresponding set of target contact pads of the second connector.
H01R 13/62 - Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
H01R 13/24 - Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilientContacts for co-operating by abutting resiliently mounted
H01R 43/20 - Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors for assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve
11.
BATTERY PACK WITH BATTERY CONTAINMENT SYSTEM COOLING GAS EXHAUSTED BY LITHIUM-ION BATTERY DURING THERMAL RUNAWAY CONDITION
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a battery containment assembly for powering an electronic device. The battery containment assembly including at least one lithium-ion battery. The battery containment assembly includes a battery casing enclosing the at least one lithium-ion battery and having a cooling channel extending from a vent of the battery casing to the at least one lithium-ion battery, the cooling channel configured to vent any gas exhausted by the at least one lithium-ion battery to mix with air outside of the battery casing and to lower a temperature of the gas exhausted from the at least one lithium-ion battery during a thermal runaway condition of the at least one lithium-ion battery before the gas exits the vent.
H01M 10/653 - Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells characterised by electrically insulating or thermally conductive materials
H01M 50/358 - External gas exhaust passages located on the battery cover or case
Providing telecommunication connectivity services for transfer of images, messages, audio, visual, audiovisual and multimedia works in the fields of aircraft passenger entertainment and airline operations
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Computer technology support services, namely, help desk services in the field of digital multimedia, communications services, email/internet connections and audio and video entertainment programming, used in aircraft passenger entertainment and airline operations; maintenance of computer software in the field of digital multimedia, communications services, email/internet connections and audio and video entertainment programming, used in aircraft passenger entertainment and airline operations
14.
GROUND-BASED CONTENT CURATION PLATFORM DISTRIBUTING GEOGRAPHICALLY-RELEVANT CONTENT TO AIRCRAFT INFLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS
A ground-based content curation platform identifies geographically-relevant content having metadata indicating a geographic relevance area which satisfies a relevance rule relative to the present location of the aircraft. The platform distributes the geographically-relevant content to an IFE system of the aircraft for local storage and access by passengers, wherein the geographically-relevant content is distributed through the at least one network interface and routed through a satellite radio communication system or a terrestrial radio communications system. The platform repeats the identification of geographically-relevant content and the distribution of the geographically-relevant content to initiate replacement of the geographically-relevant content at the IFE system, based on a threshold change in location of the aircraft.
A ground-based content curation platform identifies geographically-relevant content having metadata indicating a geographic relevance area which satisfies a relevance rule relative to the present location of the aircraft. The platform distributes the geographically-relevant content to an IFE system of the aircraft for local storage and access by passengers, wherein the geographically-relevant content is distributed through the at least one network interface and routed through a satellite radio communication system or a terrestrial radio communications system. The platform repeats the identification of geographically-relevant content and the distribution of the geographically-relevant content to initiate replacement of the geographically-relevant content at the IFE system, based on a threshold change in location of the aircraft.
An aircraft based satellite communication (SATCOM) terminal includes a broadband aperture configured to communicate through non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites for broadband communications, a management aperture configured to receive NGSO satellite management information from a geostationary orbit (GSO) satellite, and at least one processor that performs operations. The operations receive the NGSO satellite management information from the GSO satellite, where the NGSO satellite management information indicates positions and associated time of a set of the NGSO satellites. The operations acquire a second communication link with a second NGSO satellite among the set using the NGSO satellite management information during handoff switching from using a first communication link that was previously acquired with a first NGSO satellite to using the second communication link being acquired with the second NGSO satellite. The operations then perform broadband communications through the broadband aperture and the second communication link with the second NGSO satellite. Related ground-based control centers are disclosed.
An aircraft-based inflight entertainment (IFE) security processing system is configured to receive log event streams from components of an IFE system and/or connected to the IFE system. The IFE security processing system aggregates content of the log event streams based on a level of aggregation set by aggregation commands received from a ground-based cybersecurity operations center to generate an aggregated log file, and communicates the aggregated log file through a satellite communication pathway to the ground-based cybersecurity operations center. Related ground-based cybersecurity operations centers are disclosed. Corresponding operations by cybersecurity operations centers are disclosed.
H04W 4/42 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] for mass transport vehicles, e.g. buses, trains or aircraft
An aircraft-based inflight entertainment (IFE) security processing system is configured to receive log event streams from components of an IFE system and/or connected to the IFE system. The IFE security processing system aggregates content of the log event streams based on a level of aggregation set by aggregation commands received from a ground-based cybersecurity operations center to generate an aggregated log file, and communicates the aggregated log file through a satellite communication pathway to the ground-based cybersecurity operations center. Related ground-based cybersecurity operations centers are disclosed. Corresponding operations by cybersecurity operations centers are disclosed.
An aircraft based satellite communication (SATCOM) terminal includes a broadband aperture configured to communicate through non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites for broadband communications, a management aperture configured to receive NGSO satellite management information from a geostationary orbit (GSO) satellite, and at least one processor that performs operations. The operations receive the NGSO satellite management information from the GSO satellite, where the NGSO satellite management information indicates positions and associated time of a set of the NGSO satellites. The operations acquire a second communication link with a second NGSO satellite among the set using the NGSO satellite management information during handoff switching from using a first communication link that was previously acquired with a first NGSO satellite to using the second communication link being acquired with the second NGSO satellite. The operations then perform broadband communications through the broadband aperture and the second communication link with the second NGSO satellite. Related ground-based control centers are disclosed.
H01Q 3/00 - Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
20.
Dynamic roaming for aircraft data traffic connectivity between communication networks based on performance measurements
A broadband communication system provides broadband communication services onboard an aircraft. The broadband communication system includes a satellite communication transceiver, a direct air-to-ground communication (DA2GC) transceiver, and a controller. The satellite communication transceiver is configured to communicate directly with a target satellite providing a satellite communication data pathway with a satellite ground station connected to ground networks. The DA2GC transceiver is configured to communicate directly with a DA2GC ground station providing an DA2GC data pathway with the ground networks. The controller is configured to control handoff between the satellite communication transceiver and the DA2GC transceiver for data communications between the broadband communications system and the ground networks, based on performance of at least one of the satellite communication data pathway and the DA2GC data pathway.
A broadband communication system provides broadband communication services onboard an aircraft. The broadband communication system includes a satellite communication transceiver, a direct air-to-ground communication (DA2GC) transceiver, and a controller. The satellite communication transceiver is configured to communicate directly with a target satellite providing a satellite communication data pathway with a satellite ground station connected to ground networks. The DA2GC transceiver is configured to communicate directly with a DA2GC ground station providing an DA2GC data pathway with the ground networks. The controller is configured to control handoff between the satellite communication transceiver and the DA2GC transceiver for data communications between the broadband communications system and the ground networks, based on performance of at least one of the satellite communication data pathway and the DA2GC data pathway.
An aircraft based satellite communication (SATCOM) terminal includes a broadband aperture configured to communicate through non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites for broadband communications, a management aperture configured to receive NGSO satellite management information from a geostationary orbit (GSO) satellite, and at least one processor that performs operations. The operations receive the NGSO satellite management information from the GSO satellite, where the NGSO satellite management information indicates positions and associated time of a set of the NGSO satellites. The operations acquire a second communication link with a second NGSO satellite among the set using the NGSO satellite management information during handoff switching from using a first communication link that was previously acquired with a first NGSO satellite to using the second communication link being acquired with the second NGSO satellite. The operations then perform broadband communications through the broadband aperture and the second communication link with the second NGSO satellite. Related ground-based control centers are disclosed.
An aircraft cabin communication system includes a wireless access point (WAP) and a connectivity server. The WAP transmits a beacon indicating Hotspot capability and identifying an open SSID, establishes a connection with a first passenger electronic device (PED) carried onboard an aircraft responsive to communications received from the first PED using the open SSID, and provides a list of mobile network operators (MNOs) to the first PED. The connectivity server receive a request to setup a PDU session through the Internet for the first PED. The request identifies a mobile network operator (MNO) associated with the first PED. The connectivity server initiates authentication using extensible authentication protocol (EAP) communications with the first PED and an authorization, authentication, and accounting AAA server associated with a artner MNO connected with the MNO identified by the first PED.
An aircraft cabin communication system includes a wireless access point (WAP) and a connectivity server. The WAP transmits a beacon indicating Hotspot capability and identifying an open SSID, establishes a connection with a first passenger electronic device (PED) carried onboard an aircraft responsive to communications received from the first PED using the open SSID, and provides a list of mobile network operators (MNOs) to the first PED. The connectivity server receive a request to setup a PDU session through the Internet for the first PED. The request identifies a mobile network operator (MNO) associated with the first PED. The connectivity server initiates authentication using extensible authentication protocol (EAP) communications with the first PED and an authorization, authentication, and accounting (AAA) server associated with a partner MNO connected with the MNO identified by the first PED. Responsive to the AAA server granting access to the first PED, the connectivity server triggers the WAP to redirect communications with the first WAP to a hidden SSID, sets up the PDU session for the first PED using the hidden SSID, and performs network resource usage measurements for traffic in the PDU session for the first PED.
H04W 8/02 - Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
A broadband communication system aboard an aircraft includes a steerable antenna, a modem, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry determines a region on the ground where sidelobes of the radiated signal power pattern are incident. A regulatory power flux density (PFD) envelope is determined. PFD generated by the sidelobes in the region on the ground is estimated based on the ESD pattern of the steerable antenna and the aircraft altitude, attitude, and location. The processing circuitry determines, based on the estimate of the PFD generated by the sidelobes in the region on the ground and based on the regulatory PFD envelope, a target ESD pattern for the steerable antenna. The processing circuitry further controls at least one of: 1) output power of the modem based on the target ESD pattern; and 2) bandwidth of the data traffic output by the modem based on the target ESD pattern.
A pathogen sterilization light assembly for a vehicle cabin is provided herein and may include a plurality of sterilization lights mounted spaced apart along a cabin of the vehicle and configured to emit ultraviolet (UV) light directed toward areas within the cabin to sterilize pathogens.
B60Q 3/68 - Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiorsLighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by optical aspects using ultraviolet light
A61L 2/24 - Apparatus using programmed or automatic operation
H02J 13/00 - Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the networkCircuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
27.
Adaptive power flux density control for aeronautical broadband system reducing interference to terrestrial communication systems
A broadband communication system aboard an aircraft includes a steerable antenna, a modem, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry determines a region on the ground where sidelobes of the radiated signal power pattern are incident. A regulatory power flux density (PFD) envelope is determined. PFD generated by the sidelobes in the region on the ground is estimated based on the ESD pattern of the steerable antenna and the aircraft altitude, attitude, and location. The processing circuitry determines, based on the estimate of the PFD generated by the sidelobes in the region on the ground and based on the regulatory PFD envelope, a target ESD pattern for the steerable antenna. The processing circuitry further controls at least one of: 1) output power of the modem based on the target ESD pattern; and 2) bandwidth of the data traffic output by the modem based on the target ESD pattern.
A communications system supports transactions through seat video display units (SVDUs) and/or passenger electronic devices (PEDs) onboard aircraft. A ground-based server uploads to an aircraft server a set of promotions and associated criteria, where each criteria defines a condition that must be satisfied before transactions can be completed to obtain an associated one of the promotions. The ground-based server receives reports containing promotion usage metrics from the aircraft server, determines whether any of the criteria conditions are satisfied based on the promotion usage metrics, and when one of the criteria conditions associated with a satisfied one of the promotions is determined to be satisfied, sends a notification to the aircraft server that authorizes completion of the transactions for the satisfied one of the promotion. The vehicle server promotes the set of promotions and sends reports containing promotion usage metrics to the ground-based server.
A display apparatus receptacle configured to be mounted to a passenger seat. The display apparatus receptacle includes a pair of main latch assemblies releasably connectable to a striker of a display apparatus. The pair of main latch assemblies include an activation rod having an end with sloped teeth. The pair of main latch assemblies also include a lock rod with an end having sloped teeth and attached to a pair of latch plates. The pair of main latch assemblies also include a pair of lock pawls rotatable by movement of the latch plates. The pair of main latch assemblies also include a lock rod spring having a spiral shape about a rod extending axially through the lock rod to connect to the activation rod, the lock rod spring resiliently urging the sloped teeth of the lock rod to engage the sloped teeth of the activation rod.
Directed virus filtered and/or sterilized airflows are provided to individual passenger seats creating virus filtered/sterilized air regions at passenger seats. The directed filtered/sterilized airflows protect passengers from viruses and other contaminates exhaled by passengers seated in adjacent seats and enable greater recycling of cabin air and associated decreased use of outside air pressurized for cabin use and associated decreased flight fuel consumption. A directed airflow assembly includes a virus filter/sterilization chamber with a virus filter and/or sterilization device configured to receive return cabin air through an input duct, to filter and/or sterilize viruses in the return cabin air, and to provide the virus filtered/sterilized air through an output duct. The air return ducts extend from air return vents in a seat surface of each of a plurality of passenger seats to the chamber. The air supply ducts extend from the chamber to air supply vents directing virus filtered/sterilized air toward the passenger seats.
B64D 11/00 - Passenger or crew accommodationFlight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
A47C 7/74 - Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like for ventilation, heating or cooling
Locally sterilized airflows are provided to individual passenger seats creating sterilized air regions surrounding passengers' heads. The sterilized airflows protect passengers from contaminates exhaled by other passengers and enable greater recycling of cabin air which decreases the rate outside air is pressurized for cabin use and results in decreased fuel consumption during flight. A seat air sterilization assembly includes a sterilization chamber, a fan, and an output air duct. The sterilization chamber comprises a device configured to sterilize air flowing through the sterilization chamber from an input opening to an output opening. The fan forces air into the input opening or pulls air from the output opening. The output air duct is connected between the output opening of the sterilization chamber and a passenger directed nozzle and is configured to direct sterilized air from the sterilization chamber towards a passenger.
A radio resource management system in communication with multiple airport communication systems located at different airports is described. The radio resource management system receives a request to transfer data from an aircraft communication system within an aircraft to an airport communication system of the multiple ground communication systems. The radio resource management system determines an availability of radio resources at each airport communication system of the multiple airport communication systems based on the request. The radio resource management system selects an airport communication system from the multiple airport communication systems to transfer the data based on the determined availability of radio resources at the airport communication system. The radio resource management system reserves an amount of radio resources of the selected airport communication system of the multiple airport communication systems for the aircraft communication system to transfer the data.
H04W 4/42 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] for mass transport vehicles, e.g. buses, trains or aircraft
An object recognition computer for a vehicle includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing program code executable by the at least one processor to perform operations. The operations are configured to receive video streams from a plurality of cameras spaced apart within the vehicle and each having a field-of-view capturing at least one passenger seat. For each of the video streams, the operations retrieve from a data structure information that defines a region within video frames of the video stream where object recognition is to be performed to attempt to identify a defined object associated with the at least one passenger seat. The operations then perform object recognition limited to within the defined region to identify the defined object. Notifications can be selectively generated to passengers and/or crew based on the object recognition.
G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
H04N 21/214 - Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel or hospital
B60W 40/08 - Estimation or calculation of driving parameters for road vehicle drive control systems not related to the control of a particular sub-unit related to drivers or passengers
An object recognition computer for a vehicle includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing program code executable by the at least one processor to perform operations. The operations are configured to receive video streams from a plurality of cameras spaced apart within the vehicle and each having a field-of-view capturing at least one passenger seat. For each of the video streams, the operations retrieve from a data structure information that defines a region within video frames of the video stream where object recognition is to be performed to attempt to identify a defined object associated with the at least one passenger seat. The operations then perform object recognition limited to within the defined region to identify the defined object. Notifications can be selectively generated to passengers and/or crew based on the object recognition.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an antenna system for an airplane. The antenna system including an antenna system enclosure and a desiccant enclosure within the antenna system enclosure and having desiccant material positioned between an outside air pipe and an inside air pipe, the inside air pipe extending from the desiccant enclosure to open to an interior air volume of at least one component of the antenna system within the antenna system enclosure, the outside air pipe extending from the desiccant enclosure to ambient air outside the antenna system enclosure, and the desiccant material is configured to absorb moisture in the ambient air flowing from the outside air pipe to the inside air pipe through the desiccant enclosure while air pressure is being equalized from outside to inside the antenna system enclosure.
An application power controller controls power supplied from rechargeable battery packs to a set of aircraft in-flight processing systems that are executing applications. Operations access a repository of application information to obtain a list of applications to be executed by the aircraft in-flight processing systems and power consumption information for the applications. Further operations obtain information from the battery monitor indicating health and capacity of the battery packs. The operations initiate an application deactivation action based on determining that the indicated health and/or capacity of the battery packs does not satisfy a battery protection rule defining constraints on battery usage. The operations then select one of the applications from among the list that is to be deactivated responsive to the application deactivation action, and communicate a command to at least one of the in-flight application processing systems to trigger the selected application to cease being executed.
B60R 16/03 - Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided forArrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems
B60R 16/033 - Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided forArrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric for supply of electrical power to vehicle subsystems characterised by the use of electrical cells or batteries
37.
Managing application execution by in-flight processing systems to protect health and capacity of multi-cell battery packs
An application power controller controls power supplied from rechargeable battery packs to a set of aircraft in-flight processing systems that are executing applications. Operations access a repository of application information to obtain a list of applications to be executed by the aircraft in-flight processing systems and power consumption information for the applications. Further operations obtain information from the battery monitor indicating health and capacity of the battery packs. The operations initiate an application deactivation action based on determining that the indicated health and/or capacity of the battery packs does not satisfy a battery protection rule defining constraints on battery usage. The operations then select one of the applications from among the list that is to be deactivated responsive to the application deactivation action, and communicate a command to at least one of the in-flight application processing systems to trigger the selected application to cease being executed.
Courier electronic devices are used to transport seat video display unit (SVDU) operating system (OS) code updates from a content operation center to onboard a vehicle. The OS code used by the SVDUs is updated based on the OS code update to generate an updated OS code, which is used to curate entertainment content files from a mass storage device for selection among by passengers for their consumption through the SVDUs. Entertainment content files may also be selected by the content operation center based on passenger characteristic information and loaded onto the courier electronic devices for transport onboard the vehicle for transfer to the S VDUs to update the entertainment content that is made available for selection by the passengers. The courier electronic devices may be used to facilitate transportation of other information between the SVDUs in the content operation center.
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfacesContent or additional data rendering
H04N 21/433 - Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request or caching operations
H04L 67/1097 - Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS]
H04L 67/60 - Scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests, e.g. requests for application data transmissions using the analysis and optimisation of the required network resources
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
39.
Transferring information between a vehicle based user device and a server to validate user information before granting internet access
An entertainment and connectivity system includes a processor for transferring information between a vehicle based user device and a server to validate a user's government identity before granting the user device access to the internet. The vehicle based server has an internet protocol address and communicates with user devices. The user devices each have an onboard internet protocol address mapped to the internet protocol address of the vehicle based server. A processor associated with the vehicle based server receives requests for internet service originating from the user devices. The requests include travel information or internet subscription plan information for a user of each of the user devices. The vehicle based server, or a ground based server that receives the request, generates an internet connection authorization decision based on validation of the user's government identity or the user's internet subscription plan information. The connection authorization decisions are then used to control whether the internet connections are established to the user devices. If the internet connections are established, internet session information for the user devices, including for each user device the onboard internet protocol address mapped to the internet protocol address of the vehicle based server, is stored in a ground based server and can be retrieved to identify the government identity of a user or a user's internet subscription plan information for each of the user devices.
H04W 4/42 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] for mass transport vehicles, e.g. buses, trains or aircraft
H04W 76/11 - Allocation or use of connection identifiers
H04W 48/18 - Selecting a network or a communication service
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
H04W 4/48 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] for in-vehicle communication
H04W 68/00 - User notification, e.g. alerting or paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
40.
Transferring content between a ground based content server and an aircraft based content server via content fragments distributed across courier electronic devices
A ground based content server transfers content to an aircraft based content server via courier devices that are transported by aircraft passengers. Content files to be delivered to a target aircraft are identified. Courier devices associated with persons scheduled to become passengers on the target aircraft are identified. Each of the content files are divided into content fragments, where the content fragments collectively contain all data necessary for reassembling the content files. The content fragments are distributed from the ground based content server across the courier devices, so that each courier device is distributed one of the content fragments containing data that is at least partially redundant with data contained in one of the content fragments that is distributed to at least one other one of the courier devices and that is not redundant to data contained in other content fragments distributed to still other ones of the courier devices.
An entertainment system includes a memory connected to a processor and storing program code executed by the processor to perform operations to securely pair and communicate with a user device based on multiple security controls. Responsive to a request to pair the user device to a network interface of the entertainment system, an encrypted code is generated. The encrypted code includes network credentials for connecting to the network interface and a time-limited authentication application for connecting to a server. The encrypted code is communicated to the user device to decrypt. The user device is connected through the network interface based on the user device presenting the network credentials from the decrypted code.
An entertainment system to perform operations to securely pair and communicate with a user device based on multiple security controls. The operations include: Responsive to a request to pair the user device to a network interface, generating an encrypted code that includes network credentials for connecting to the network interface and a time-limited authentication credential that is unique to the user device. Responsive to a request to connect to a server of the entertainment system, generating a connection authorization decision for the user device based on two factor authentication validating (i) a second certificate of the user device, and (ii) the time-limited authentication credential that is unique to the user device. The entertainment system connects the user device to the server for secure communications when the connection authorization decision authorizes the connection based on successful two-factor authentication.
H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communicationsNetwork security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
43.
TRANSFERRING INFORMATION BETWEEN A VEHICLE BASED USER DEVICE AND A SERVER TO VALIDATE USER INFORMATION BEFORE GRANTING INTERNET ACCESS
An entertainment and connectivity system includes a processor for transferring information between a vehicle based user device and a server to validate a user's government identity before granting the user device access to the internet. The vehicle based server has an internet protocol address and communicates with user devices. The user devices each have an onboard internet protocol address mapped to the internet protocol address of the vehicle based server. A processor associated with the vehicle based server receives requests for internet service originating from the user devices. The requests include travel information or internet subscription plan information for a user of each of the user devices. The vehicle based server, or a ground based server that receives the request, generates an internet connection authorization decision based on validation of the user's government identity or the user's internet subscription plan information. The connection authorization decisions are then used to control whether the internet connections are established to the user devices. If the internet connections are established, internet session information for the user devices, including for each user device the onboard internet protocol address mapped to the internet protocol address of the vehicle based server, is stored in a ground based server and can be retrieved to identify the government identity of a user or a user's internet subscription plan information for each of the user devices.
G06F 15/16 - Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
An entertainment and connectivity system includes a processor for transferring information between a vehicle based user device and a server to validate a user's government identity before granting the user device access to the internet. The vehicle based server has an internet protocol address and communicates with user devices. The user devices each have an onboard internet protocol address mapped to the internet protocol address of the vehicle based server. A processor associated with the vehicle based server receives requests for internet service originating from the user devices. The requests include travel information or internet subscription plan information for a user of each of the user devices. The vehicle based server, or a ground based server that receives the request, generates an internet connection authorization decision based on validation of the user's government identity or the user's internet subscription plan information. The connection authorization decisions are then used to control whether the internet connections are established to the user devices. If the internet connections are established, internet session information for the user devices, including for each user device the onboard internet protocol address mapped to the internet protocol address of the vehicle based server, is stored in a ground based server and can be retrieved to identify the government identity of a user or a user's internet subscription plan information for each of the user devices.
H04W 4/42 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] for mass transport vehicles, e.g. buses, trains or aircraft
H04W 76/11 - Allocation or use of connection identifiers
H04W 48/18 - Selecting a network or a communication service
H04W 4/48 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] for in-vehicle communication
H04W 68/00 - User notification, e.g. alerting or paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Wearable Head-up displays with an optical head tracker
sensor for sensing motion for use in general aviation
aircraft, namely, transparent electronic displays for
providing aircraft crew members and pilots with navigational
and operational information; Head-up displays with an
optical head tracker sensor for sensing motion for use in
cargo, commercial and business aircraft, namely, head-gear
mounted transparent electronic displays for providing
aircraft pilots and crew members with navigational and
operational information; Heads-up displays (HUDs) in the
nature of transparent electronic displays for use in general
aviation aircraft providing pilots with navigational and
operational information.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
(1) Wearable Head-up displays with an optical head tracker sensor for sensing motion for use in general aviation aircraft, namely, transparent electronic displays for providing aircraft crew members and pilots with navigational and operational information; Head-up displays with an optical head tracker sensor for sensing motion for use in cargo, commercial and business aircraft, namely, head-gear mounted transparent electronic displays for providing aircraft pilots and crew members with navigational and operational information; Heads-up displays (HUDs) in the nature of transparent electronic displays for use in general aviation aircraft providing pilots with navigational and operational information.
47.
In-flight entertainment systems that constrain Bluetooth connection setup through docking stations
An entertainment system includes a docking station having a wired interface, a display unit, and a wireless controller. The display unit includes a video display device and a processor that communicates through a Bluetooth transceiver and the wired interface of the docking station. The wireless controller includes a processor that communicates through a wired interface and a Bluetooth transceiver. The wireless controller is releasably docked in the docking station to communicatively connect the wired interfaces of the wireless controller and the docking station. While docked in the docking station the processors of the wireless controller and the display unit communicate through the wired interfaces of the wireless controller and the docking station to establish a Bluetooth connection between the Bluetooth transceivers of the wireless controller and the display unit. The processor of the wireless controller does not operate to establish the Bluetooth connection using communications through the Bluetooth transceiver.
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
B64D 11/00 - Passenger or crew accommodationFlight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
H04N 21/41 - Structure of clientStructure of client peripherals
G08C 17/02 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
H04N 21/214 - Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel or hospital
48.
Aircraft entertainment systems with chatroom server
A vehicle chatroom server includes at least one network interface configured to communicate with passenger terminals, at least one processor connected to communicate through the at least one network interface, and at least one memory storing code that is executed by the at least one processor to perform operations. The operations include obtaining passenger information and characterizing potential passenger discussion interests based on the passenger information. The operations identify a grouping of passengers who satisfy a common interest rule based on the potential passenger discussion interests. The operations then communicate with passengers in the grouping through a computerized chatbot module providing natural-language text and/or computer synthesized speech that is provided to the passengers in the grouping to invite to a discussion-focused chatroom hosted by the chatroom server. Related methods and computer program products are disclosed.
H04N 21/466 - Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 21/485 - End-user interface for client configuration
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies or resolving scheduling conflicts
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/214 - Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel or hospital
H04H 60/65 - Arrangements for services using the result of monitoring, identification or recognition covered by groups or for using the result on users' side
H04H 60/33 - Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
H04H 20/62 - Arrangements specially adapted for specific applications, e.g. for traffic information or for mobile receivers for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast for transportation systems, e.g. in vehicles
H04H 60/46 - Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for recognising users' preferences
49.
Cooperative realtime management of noise interference in ISM band
An in-flight entertainment system includes a plurality of static transceivers and an ISM band communication interference manager. The static transceivers are configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the ISM band. The static transceivers are further configured to measure signals received within the ISM band from mobile transceivers within the aircraft and to measure signals received from proximately located ones of the static transceivers, and to generate measurement reports containing the measurements and containing identifiers of the proximately located ones of the static transceivers and the mobile transceivers. The ISM band communication interference manager is communicatively connected to the static transceivers, and performs operations that include receiving the measurement reports from the static transceivers, and controlling transmission power levels used by the static transceivers and the mobile transceivers responsive to the content of the measurement reports.
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
H04W 76/15 - Setup of multiple wireless link connections
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
A network analysis terminal is described that operates within a vehicle cabin to generate passenger connectivity experience metrics. The terminal monitors packets communicated through at least one cabin network between a content server and passenger terminals. The terminal receives packets monitored by the network interface and identifies passenger terminal identifiers that are addressed by content of the packets. Names of vehicle passengers associated with the packets are identified using the passenger terminal identifiers as indexes to retrieve the names of vehicle passengers from an information repository that maps names of vehicle passengers to passenger terminal identifiers. Passenger connectivity experience metrics are generated based on measurements performed on the packets over time. The passenger connectivity experience metrics indicate network connectivity performance that is experienced by the identified names of vehicle passengers while operating passenger terminals using the at least one cabin network.
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
H04L 101/622 - Layer-2 addresses, e.g. medium access control [MAC] addresses
H04L 101/69 - Types of network addresses using geographic information, e.g. room number
H04L 61/5014 - Internet protocol [IP] addresses using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
H04L 43/0811 - Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters by checking availability by checking connectivity
H04L 43/0876 - Network utilisation, e.g. volume of load or congestion level
H04L 61/103 - Mapping addresses of different types across network layers, e.g. resolution of network layer into physical layer addresses or address resolution protocol [ARP]
An inflight entertainment system includes video display units that communicate with user terminals through Bluetooth signaling and include a network interface communicating with a content server and a satellite network interface and/or a ground network interface. A time reference message is received which contains a master time reference from the satellite network interface and/or the ground network interface. A local time generator is updated based on the master time reference. Rate request messages are received from the user terminals containing indications of time broadcast rates requested by the user terminals. A scheduled time broadcast rate is determined based on the indications of the time broadcast rates requested by the user terminals. The video display unit transmits, through a Bluetooth transceiver at time instances which are determined based on the scheduled time broadcast rate, broadcast time messages that each contain an indication of a present local time of the video display unit.
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
H04N 21/214 - Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel or hospital
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
B64D 11/00 - Passenger or crew accommodationFlight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
52.
Display screen or portion thereof with graphical user interface
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Wearable Head-up displays with an optical head tracker sensor for sensing motion for use in general aviation aircraft, namely, transparent electronic displays for providing aircraft crew members and pilots with navigational and operational information; Head-up displays with an optical head tracker sensor for sensing motion for use in cargo, commercial and business aircraft, namely, head-gear mounted transparent electronic displays for providing aircraft pilots and crew members with navigational and operational information; Heads-up displays (HUDs) in the nature of transparent electronic displays for use in general aviation aircraft providing pilots with navigational and operational information
56.
Cooperative realtime management of noise interference in ISM band
An in-flight entertainment system includes a plurality of static transceivers and an ISM band communication interference manager. The static transceivers are configured to transmit and receive radio frequency signals in the ISM band. The static transceivers are further configured to measure signals received within the ISM band from mobile transceivers within the aircraft and to measure signals received from proximately located ones of the static transceivers, and to generate measurement reports containing the measurements and containing identifiers of the proximately located ones of the static transceivers and the mobile transceivers. The ISM band communication interference manager is communicatively connected to the static transceivers, and performs operations that include receiving the measurement reports from the static transceivers, and controlling transmission power levels used by the static transceivers and the mobile transceivers responsive to the content of the measurement reports.
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
H04W 76/15 - Setup of multiple wireless link connections
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
57.
Inflight entertainment system that selects among passenger electronic devices for connection based on power measurements
An inflight entertainment system for use in an aircraft displays commands to a passenger to move a passenger electronic device (PED) between locations defined relative a seatback display device and the passenger's seat. The system measures received signal strength indications (RSSIs) from discoverable PEDs over time while the PED is moved between the locations, and selects one of the PEDs that satisfies a defined rule for an amount of change that is observed over time in the measured RSSIs for that PED. The system then establishes a connection through a Bluetooth transceiver with a Bluetooth transceiver of the selected PED.
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
G08B 5/22 - Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmissionVisible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electromagnetic transmission
A slave Bluetooth device establishes first and second connections with first and second master Bluetooth devices, respectively, that each operate in a master mode. The slave Bluetooth device operates in a slave mode when communicating through any of the first and second connections. The slave Bluetooth device communicates connection parameter update request packets containing timeout values to the first and second master Bluetooth devices. The slave Bluetooth device alternates during non-overlapping time slots between at least: 1) monitoring the first connection for traffic transmitted by the first master Bluetooth device while not monitoring the second connection; and 2) monitoring the second connection for traffic transmitted by the second master Bluetooth device while not monitoring the first connection; and controls a rate at which the alternating is performed based on the first timeout value and the second timeout value.
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
B64D 11/00 - Passenger or crew accommodationFlight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
H04W 76/15 - Setup of multiple wireless link connections
H04W 76/25 - Maintenance of established connections
H04W 76/34 - Selective release of ongoing connections
H04W 84/18 - Self-organising networks, e.g. ad hoc networks or sensor networks
G06F 3/0354 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the userAccessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
Courier electronic devices are used to transport seat video display unit (SVDU) operating system (OS) code updates from a content operation center to onboard a vehicle. The OS code used by the SVDUs is updated based on the OS code update to generate an updated OS code, which is used to curate entertainment content files from a mass storage device for selection among by passengers for their consumption through the SVDUs. Entertainment content files may also be selected by the content operation center based on passenger characteristic information and loaded onto the courier electronic devices for transport onboard the vehicle for transfer to the SVDUs to update the entertainment content that is made available for selection by the passengers. The courier electronic devices may be used to facilitate transportation of other information between the SVDUs in the content operation center.
A slave Bluetooth device establishes first and second connections with first and second master Bluetooth devices, respectively, that each operate in a master mode. The slave Bluetooth device operates in a slave mode when communicating through any of the first and second connections. The slave Bluetooth device communicates connection parameter update request packets containing timeout values to the first and second master Bluetooth devices. The slave Bluetooth device alternates during non-overlapping time slots between at least: 1) monitoring the first connection for traffic transmitted by the first master Bluetooth device while not monitoring the second connection; and 2) monitoring the second connection for traffic transmitted by the second master Bluetooth device while not monitoring the first connection; and controls a rate at which the alternating is performed based on the first timeout value and the second timeout value.
G06F 3/0354 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the userAccessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
B64D 11/00 - Passenger or crew accommodationFlight-deck installations not otherwise provided for
H04W 76/34 - Selective release of ongoing connections
H04W 76/25 - Maintenance of established connections
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
61.
Inflight entertainment system that selects among passenger electronic devices for connection based on power measurements
An inflight entertainment system for use in an aircraft displays commands to a passenger to move a passenger electronic device (PED) between locations defined relative a seatback display device and the passenger's seat. The system measures received signal strength indications (RSSIs) from discoverable PEDs over time while the PED is moved between the locations, and selects one of the PEDs that satisfies a defined rule for an amount of change that is observed over time in the measured RSSIs for that PED. The system then establishes a connection through a Bluetooth transceiver with a Bluetooth transceiver of the selected PED.
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
G08B 5/22 - Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmissionVisible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electromagnetic transmission
H04W 76/11 - Allocation or use of connection identifiers
62.
In-flight entertainment systems with a central bluetooth controller controlling bluetooth connections between passenger terminals and video display units
An entertainment system includes video display units that can establish Bluetooth connections with user terminals. A central Bluetooth controller is connected to control establishment of Bluetooth connections between the user terminals and the video display units. The central Bluetooth controller receives connection authorization requests from the video display units, and generates connection authorization decisions based on application of a Bluetooth connection rule to characteristics of the user terminals which are identified from the connection authorization requests. The connection authorization decisions are then used to control whether Bluetooth connections are established between the user terminals and the video display units, and to control what security mode levels are used when establishing and using the Bluetooth connections for signaling therebetween.
H04W 76/18 - Management of setup rejection or failure
H04W 4/80 - Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
H04W 84/18 - Self-organising networks, e.g. ad hoc networks or sensor networks
H04W 4/48 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] for in-vehicle communication
A network analysis terminal is described that operates within a vehicle cabin to generate connectivity metrics. The terminal monitors packets communicated through at least one cabin network between a content server and passenger terminals. The terminal identifies passenger terminal identifiers that are addressed by content of the packets, and identifies names of vehicle passengers associated with the packets using the passenger terminal identifiers as indexes to retrieve the names of vehicle passengers from an information repository that maps names of vehicle passengers to passenger terminal identifiers. The terminal then generates connectivity metrics based on measurements performed on the packets over time and the identified names of the passengers, and controls communications through the at least one cabin network based on the connectivity metrics.
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
H04W 4/04 - in a dedicated environment, e.g. buildings or vehicles
H04W 4/48 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] for in-vehicle communication
H04W 8/18 - Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profilesTransfer of user or subscriber data
64.
Controlling wireless access point handover and/or transmissions mode based on person proximity
An in-flight entertainment system including wireless access points (WAPs) spaced apart within an aircraft and connected to antennas, proximity sensors adjacent to the antennas, and a controller. The controller controls transmissions from WAPs of traffic in communication sessions. The controller performs operations that include receiving a proximity alert signal from a first proximity sensor indicating that a passenger is proximately located to a first antenna used by a first WAP for transmission of a communication session, and identifying a remedial action responsive to evaluating a rule based on the proximity alert signal and characteristics of the communication session. The operations include performing the remedial action as one of: 1) initiating handover of the communication session from the first WAP to a second WAP; and 2) initiating a change in transmission mode that will be used by the first WAP for continued transmission of the communication session.
A controller device in communication with service delivery devices of an aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system receives objective information associated with an aircraft comprising the aircraft IFE system. The controller device also receives subjective passenger information associated with a passenger of the aircraft. A service is determined to deliver to the passenger during a flight on the aircraft based on the received objective and subjective passenger information. A service delivery device is identified among the service delivery devices of the aircraft that is associated with a seat assigned to the passenger or determined to be operated by the passenger. The controller controls delivery of the determined service to the identified service delivery device.
H04N 7/18 - Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/214 - Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel or hospital
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or servicesEnd-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/414 - Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/4415 - Acquiring end-user identification using biometric characteristics of the user, e.g. by voice recognition or fingerprint scanning
H04N 21/466 - Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/4227 - Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
H04N 21/475 - End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. PIN [Personal Identification Number] or preference data
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies or resolving scheduling conflicts
An in-flight entertainment (IFE) system for an aircraft includes a phased array antenna and control circuitry associated therewith to be carried by the aircraft and to generate dual antenna beams for television programming and Internet data from respective spaced apart satellites. A television programming distribution system is to be carried by the aircraft and coupled to the phased array antenna and control circuitry to provide television programming within the aircraft. At least one access point is to be carried by the aircraft and coupled to the phased array antenna and control circuitry to provide a wireless local area network (WLAN) within the aircraft for the Internet data.
H01Q 3/34 - Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elementsArrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the phase by electrical means
H01Q 3/08 - Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system using mechanical movement of antenna or antenna system as a whole for varying two co-ordinates of the orientation
An entertainment system includes a video display unit facing a passenger seat and a track pad assembly integrated with an armrest of the passenger seat. The track pad assembly includes a track pad that is operable to control the video display unit.
A vehicle entertainment system includes a video display unit and a user interface (UI) control processor. The UI control processor is configured to receive passenger attributes sensed from the passenger operating the video display unit, generate a passenger metric that characterizes the passenger based on the attribute, and control a UI of the video display unit based on the passenger metric. The passenger metric may be a passenger demographic metric determined based on facial features of the passenger. The passenger demographic metric may be a passenger emotion metric, a passenger attentiveness metric, a passenger UI operational effectiveness metric, a passenger biometric feature metric, etc.
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfacesContent or additional data rendering
H04N 21/214 - Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel or hospital
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies or resolving scheduling conflicts
H04N 21/485 - End-user interface for client configuration
H04N 7/18 - Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
H04H 20/62 - Arrangements specially adapted for specific applications, e.g. for traffic information or for mobile receivers for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast for transportation systems, e.g. in vehicles
G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 21/466 - Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/414 - Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
H04H 60/33 - Arrangements for monitoring the users' behaviour or opinions
H04H 60/65 - Arrangements for services using the result of monitoring, identification or recognition covered by groups or for using the result on users' side
69.
Systems and methods for registering personal electronic devices (PEDs) with an aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system
Systems and methods are disclosed for registering personal electronic devices (PEDs) with an aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. Some methods include generating a different token image for each IFE passenger seat display, each generated token image comprising unique information for registering the PEDs with the IFE system. Different ones of the generated token images are communicated to different ones of the IFE passenger seat displays for display to passengers. A request comprising a captured image of the generated token image that is displayed on one of the IFE passenger seat displays is received. The at least one PED is registered with the IFE system by associating the unique identification information of the generated token image received in the request from the at least one PED. A communication link is established with the PED using the unique information.
A network analysis terminal is described that operates within a vehicle cabin to generate passenger connectivity experience metrics. The terminal monitors packets communicated through at least one cabin network between a content server and passenger terminals. The terminal receives packets monitored by the network interface and identifies passenger terminal identifiers that are addressed by content of the packets. Names of vehicle passengers associated with the packets are identified using the passenger terminal identifiers as indexes to retrieve the names of vehicle passengers from an information repository that maps names of vehicle passengers to passenger terminal identifiers. Passenger connectivity experience metrics are generated based on measurements performed on the packets over time. The passenger connectivity experience metrics indicate network connectivity performance that is experienced by the identified names of vehicle passengers while operating passenger terminals using the at least one cabin network.
A network analysis terminal is described that operates within a vehicle cabin to generate connectivity metrics. The terminal monitors packets communicated through at least one cabin network between a content server and passenger terminals. The terminal identifies passenger terminal identifiers that are addressed by content of the packets, and identifies names of vehicle passengers associated with the packets using the passenger terminal identifiers as indexes to retrieve the names of vehicle passengers from an information repository that maps names of vehicle passengers to passenger terminal identifiers. The terminal then generates connectivity metrics based on measurements performed on the packets over time and the identified names of the passengers, and controls communications through the at least one cabin network based on the connectivity metrics.
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
72.
Transferring content between a ground based content server and an aircraft based content server via content fragments distributed across courier electronic devices
A ground based content server transfers content to an aircraft based content server via courier devices that are transported by aircraft passengers. Content files to be delivered to a target aircraft are identified. Courier devices associated with persons scheduled to become passengers on the target aircraft are identified. Each of the content files are divided into content fragments, where the content fragments collectively contain all data necessary for reassembling the content files. The content fragments are distributed from the ground based content server across the courier devices, so that each courier device is distributed one of the content fragments containing data that is at least partially redundant with data contained in one of the content fragments that is distributed to at least one other one of the courier devices and that is not redundant to data contained in other content fragments distributed to still other ones of the courier devices.
A method by a cabin wireless access point (CWAP) server includes receiving an IP address request message from a CWAP installed in a vehicle cabin. The IP address request message contains data identifying a physical location of the CWAP within the vehicle cabin. The physical location of the CWAP is identified within the vehicle cabin responsive to the data contained in the IP address request message. An IP address is assigned to the CWAP responsive to the physical location of the CWAP identified by the data. An IP address message containing the IP address is communicated to the CWAP. Related methods by CWAPs and corresponding CWAP servers and CWAPs are disclosed.
A vehicle entertainment system includes a video display unit, a camera, a communication interface, and a processor. The video display unit provides content to a user. The camera outputs a camera signal containing data representing the user's face. The communication interface communicate with a central content usage analysis computer. The processor processes the camera signal to identify facial features, compares the facial features to defined demographics rules, identifies user demographics based on the comparison of the facial features to the defined demographics rules, correlates the user demographics to a timeline of content consumed by the user through the video display unit to generate enhanced content usage metrics, and communicates the enhanced content usage metrics through the communication interface for delivery to the central content usage analysis computer.
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/214 - Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel or hospital
H04N 21/2668 - Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. by inserting targeted commercials into a video stream based on end-user profiles
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
A video display unit cassette assembly includes a cassette frame, a display coupled to the cassette frame, one or more electronic components between the cassette frame and the display, and a delethalization cover coupled to the display. The one or more electronic components receive data content from a network and generate video signals provided to the display. The cassette assembly is sized and configured to be releasably mounted in an installed position in a mounting structure defined in a seatback of a vehicle seat.
An entertainment system includes a video display unit facing a passenger seat and a track pad assembly integrated with an armrest of the passenger seat. The track pad assembly includes a track pad that is operable to control the video display unit.
Entertainment systems are provided including a plurality of spatial sound speakers embedded in a headrest of a passenger seat and associated with a media player of the entertainment system. A spatial sound controller associated with the plurality of spatial sound speakers of the media player is also provided. The spatial sound controller is configured to provide simulated surround sound associated with the media player to a defined target region. The plurality of spatial sound speakers are adjusted to a position of a passenger seated in the passenger seat based on external input associated with the passenger.
A fixed content server stores electronic content for delivery to a nomadic server on a vehicle. A schedule for arrival and departure of the vehicle transporting the nomadic server at a destination location is obtained, and a destination content server is identified. An electronic package is generated to contain an identifier for the vehicle and an identifier for the destination content server. Delivery of the electronic package to the destination content server at the destination location is initiated based on the schedule for arrival of the vehicle transporting the nomadic server to the destination location so delivery of the electronic package is initiated while the vehicle is traveling to the destination location. A time is determined to upload the electronic package from the destination content server to the nomadic server of the vehicle. Quality of service that a network uses to deliver the electronic package is provisioned based thereon.
Methods and apparatus for distributing content between fixed and nomadic servers using attributes. Attributes may relate to, inter alia, the type of content, location of a fixed and/or nomadic content server, a vehicle that includes a nomadic server, an ability to use content, a need for content, vehicle owner information, and/or time.
A portable entertainment system for a vehicle includes a portable housing, a transceiver, a processor, a memory, and a rechargeable battery. The transceiver communicates through RF signals with Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) operated by vehicle passengers. The rechargeable battery supplies power to the transceiver, the processor, and the memory. The memory is coupled to the processor and includes entertainment content and further includes computer readable program code that causes the processor to communicate a list, of at least some of the entertainment content available in the memory, to the PEDs. A content selection message is received through the transceiver from one of the PEDs that requests communication of a selected one of the entertainment content identified in the list. The selected entertainment content is communicated through the transceiver to the PED. The transceiver, the processor, and the memory are enclosed within the portable housing.
H04N 21/414 - Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/443 - OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
H04N 21/214 - Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel or hospital
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an entertainment system that includes a plurality of wireless access points. Each wireless access point includes a mass memory, at least one radio transceiver, and at least one processor. The at least one radio transceiver is configured to communicate with seat display devices. The at least one processor is configured to receive entertainment content comprising a plurality of content items, and store the entertainment content in the mass memory. The at least one processor selects a subset of content items from among the content items of the entertainment content stored in the mass memory, based on a defined rule, and downloads the subset of content items from the mass memory to a plurality of the seat display devices through the at least one radio transceiver for local storage within mass memory of the seat display devices.
H04N 21/214 - Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel or hospital
H04N 21/232 - Content retrieval operation within server, e.g. reading video streams from disk arrays
H04N 21/274 - Storing end-user specific content or additional data in response to end-user request
H04N 21/414 - Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
H04N 21/63 - Control signaling between client, server and network componentsNetwork processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB'sCommunication protocolsAddressing
H04N 21/647 - Control signaling between network components and server or clientsNetwork processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load or bridging between two different networks, e.g. between IP and wireless
H04N 21/4363 - Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network
H04N 21/231 - Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers or prioritizing data for deletion
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
89.
Distributed seat centric wireless in-flight entertainment system
Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an entertainment system that includes a plurality of wireless access points. Each wireless access point includes a mass memory, at least one radio transceiver, and at least one processor. The at least one radio transceiver is configured to communicate with seat display devices and to communicate with personal electronic devices of users. The processor is configured to receive entertainment content, which includes a plurality of content items, through the at least one radio transceiver, and to store the entertainment content in the mass memory. The processor downloads the entertainment content using a file transfer protocol from the mass memory to the seat display devices through the at least one radio transceiver, and streams the content items of the entertainment content using a streaming protocol from the mass memory to the personal electronic devices of users through the at least one radio transceiver.
H04W 4/00 - Services specially adapted for wireless communication networksFacilities therefor
H04N 21/214 - Specialised server platform, e.g. server located in an airplane, hotel or hospital
H04N 21/4363 - Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network
H04N 21/231 - Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers or prioritizing data for deletion
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
H04N 21/414 - Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
H04N 21/647 - Control signaling between network components and server or clientsNetwork processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load or bridging between two different networks, e.g. between IP and wireless
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
38 - Telecommunications services
Goods & Services
Satellite broadcast and distribution equipment, namely,
antennas, receivers, transmitters, amplifiers, modulators,
demodulators, tuners, cables and CRT or LCD screens;
computer hardware and software for use in receiving and
distributing television, radio, Internet and audio broadcast
signals. Providing satellite telecommunication services to aircraft,
namely, providing transmission of voice, data, graphics,
images, audio, video, Internet service and information via
satellite transmissions; providing telecommunications
connections to the global computer systems network onboard
aircraft.
91.
Portable vehicle entertainment systems with wireless communication of entertainment content
A portable entertainment system for a vehicle includes a portable housing, a transceiver, a processor, a memory, and a rechargeable battery. The transceiver communicates through RF signals with Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) operated by vehicle passengers. The rechargeable battery supplies power to the transceiver, the processor, and the memory. The memory is coupled to the processor and includes entertainment content and further includes computer readable program code that causes the processor to communicate a list, of at least some of the entertainment content available in the memory, to the PEDs. A content selection message is received through the transceiver from one of the PEDs that requests communication of a selected one of the entertainment content identified in the list. The selected entertainment content is communicated through the transceiver to the PED. The transceiver, the processor, and the memory are enclosed within the portable housing.
An in-flight entertainment (IFE) system for an aircraft includes a phased array antenna and control circuitry associated therewith to be carried by the aircraft and to generate dual antenna beams for television programming and Internet data from respective spaced apart satellites. A television programming distribution system is to be carried by the aircraft and coupled to the phased array antenna and control circuitry to provide television programming within the aircraft. At least one access point is to be carried by the aircraft and coupled to the phased array antenna and control circuitry to provide a wireless local area network (WLAN) within the aircraft for the Internet data.
H01Q 3/34 - Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the relative phase or relative amplitude of energisation between two or more active radiating elementsArrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the distribution of energy across a radiating aperture varying the phase by electrical means
H01Q 3/08 - Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system using mechanical movement of antenna or antenna system as a whole for varying two co-ordinates of the orientation
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
38 - Telecommunications services
Goods & Services
Aircraft passenger entertainment systems, namely, computer hardware and servers for providing media content, including audio and video entertainment programming; computer software for content delivery. Digital multimedia services for aircraft passenger entertainment and airline operations, namely, providing communications, email/Internet connections and audio and video entertainment programming.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
38 - Telecommunications services
Goods & Services
Aircraft passenger entertainment systems, namely, computer hardware and servers for providing media content, including audio and video entertainment programming; computer software for content delivery Digital multimedia services for aircraft passenger entertainment and airline operations, namely, providing communications in the nature of voice communication services via the Internet, providing telecommunication connections to email/Internet connections and broadcasting audio and video entertainment programming
96.
Directional sound systems including eye tracking capabilities and related methods
Entertainment systems are provided including directional sound speakers embedded in a headrest of a passenger seat, the headrest being associated with a media player of the entertainment system; and a directional sound controller associated with the directional sound speakers of the media player. The directional sound controller is configured to direct a sound beam associated with the media player at a defined target region such that the sound beam is only audible within the defined target region and experiences less than about 20 dB of leakage outside the target region during operation of the media player. In-flight entertainment systems and related methods are also provided.
An aircraft communications system includes at least one personal electronic device (PED) carried by an aircraft passenger, and an aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. The PED includes a PED near-field communications (NFC) device, a PED wireless transceiver, and a PED controller for transmitting a registration identifier (ID), and communicating via the PED wireless transceiver. The aircraft IFE system includes an IFE video entertainment source, IFE passenger seat displays, a respective IFE NFC device associated with each of the IFE passenger seat displays, an IFE wireless transceiver, and an IFE controller. The IFE controller is for selectively displaying video from the IFE entertainment source on the IFE passenger seat displays, and communicating with the PED wireless transceiver via the IFE wireless transceiver based upon one of the respective IFE NFC devices receiving the registration ID from the PED NFC device when in proximity thereto.
A communications system for an aircraft includes an aircraft IFE system, and at least one personal electronic device (PED) carried by an aircraft passenger. The IFE system includes an IFE video entertainment source, IFE passenger seat displays, a respective IFE NFC device associated with each of the IFE passenger seat displays, an IFE wireless transceiver, and an IFE controller. The IFE controller is for selectively displaying video from the IFE entertainment source on the IFE passenger seat displays, selectively transmitting a respective registration ID from each IFE NFC device, and communicating via the IFE wireless transceiver. The PED includes a PED NFC device, a PED wireless transceiver, and a PED controller. The PED controller is for communicating with the IFE wireless transceiver via the PED wireless transceiver based upon the PED NFC device receiving the registration ID associated with one of the respective IFE NFC devices when in proximity thereto.
An aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system for an aircraft includes a radome to be carried by the aircraft, and a dual-beam satellite antenna and at least one positioner coupled thereto to be carried by the aircraft and protected by the radome. The dual-beam satellite antenna is to generate dual antenna beams for television programming and Internet data from respective spaced apart satellites. The dual-beam satellite antenna includes a first aperture for receiving the television programming, and a second aperture adjacent the first aperture for receiving the Internet data. A television programming distribution system is to be carried by the aircraft and coupled to the dual-beam satellite antenna to provide television programming within the aircraft. At least one access point is to be carried by the aircraft and coupled to the dual-beam satellite antenna to provide a wireless local area network (WLAN) within the aircraft for the Internet data.
