Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080240029 | AIRCRAFT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM SELECTIVELY ALLOCATING DATA COMMUNICATIONS CHANNEL CAPACITY AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A communications system for an aircraft carrying personnel having personal electronic devices (PEDs) for wireless data communications outside the aircraft includes a ground-based communications network, and an access point in the aircraft for providing a WLAN for data communications with the PEDs. An air-to-ground transceiver in the aircraft cooperates with the access point for data communications with the ground-based communications network. At least one data traffic controller selectively allocates data communications channel capacity between the PEDs and the ground-based communications network. | 10-02-2008 |
20080240038 | AIRCRAFT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WITH HARD HANDOFF AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A communications system for an aircraft carrying at least some personnel having personal electronic devices (PEDs) for wireless data communications outside the aircraft includes a ground-based communications network comprising spaced apart base stations, and an access point in the aircraft for providing a WLAN for data communications with the PEDs. An air-to-ground transceiver in the aircraft cooperates with the access point for data communications with the ground-based communications network. First and second base stations define respective first and second adjacent coverage areas, and include respective first and second hard handoff controllers. The respective first and second hard handoff controllers implement a hard handoff of a data communications channel with the air-to-ground transceiver as the aircraft moves from the first coverage area to the second adjacent coverage area. | 10-02-2008 |
20080240061 | AIRCRAFT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WITH DATA MEMORY CACHE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A communications system for an aircraft carrying at least some personnel having personal electronic devices (PEDs) for wireless data communications outside the aircraft includes a ground-based communications network, and an access point in the aircraft for providing a wireless local area network (WLAN) for data communications with the PEDs. An air-to-ground transceiver in the aircraft cooperates with the access point for data communications with the ground-based communications network. An aircraft data memory cache is in the aircraft and cooperates with the access point for storing common data accessible by the PEDs during flight of the aircraft. | 10-02-2008 |
20080240062 | AIRCRAFT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WITH NETWORK SELECTION CONTROLLER AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A communications system for an aircraft carrying at least some personnel having personal electronic devices (PEDs) for wireless data communications outside the aircraft includes a ground-based communications network, and a satellite-based communications network. An access point is in the aircraft for providing a WLAN for data communications with the PEDs. An air-to-ground transceiver in the aircraft cooperates with the access point for data communications with the ground-based communications network. A satellite receiver in the aircraft cooperates with the access point for data communications with the satellite-based communications network to the PEDs. At least one network selection controller determines whether to send data communications to the PEDs through the air-to-ground transceiver or the satellite receiver. | 10-02-2008 |
20090096857 | AIRCRAFT IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM HAVING A MULTI-BEAM PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - 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. | 04-16-2009 |
20090100476 | AIRCRAFT IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM HAVING A DUAL-BEAM ANTENNA AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - 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 0satellite antenna to provide a wireless local area network (WLAN) within the aircraft for the Internet data. | 04-16-2009 |
20110219408 | AIRCRAFT IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM WITH ENHANCED PASSENGER CONTROL UNITS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - An aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system includes an entertainment source, passenger seatback displays coupled to the entertainment source, and passenger control units. Each PCU is associated with a respective seatback display and includes a touchpad configured to recognize multiple simultaneous touch points. | 09-08-2011 |
20110219409 | AIRCRAFT IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM WITH ENHANCED SEATBACK TRAY PASSENGER CONTROL UNITS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - An aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system includes an entertainment source, passenger seatback displays coupled to the entertainment source, and passenger control units (PCUs). Each PCU is associated with a respective seatback display. Each PCU includes an underside PCU input device carried by an underside of a seatback tray to be accessible by a user from the underside of the seatback tray when the seatback tray is in a stored position, and a topside PCU input device carried by a topside of the seatback tray to be accessible by the user from a topside of the seatback tray when the seatback tray is in a down position. | 09-08-2011 |
20110313826 | PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE (PED) OPERATING AS A COMMERCE DEVICE ONBOARD AN AIRCRAFT AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A communications system for an aircraft includes an aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system and at least one personal electronic device (PED) carried by an aircraft passenger. The aircraft IFE system includes an IFE advertisement source, IFE passenger seat displays, and an IFE controller. The IFE controller selectively displays advertisements from the IFE advertisement source on the IFE passenger seat displays. Each advertisement being displayed has a respective advertisement token image associated therewith. The PED includes a PED optical sensor for sensing a selected advertisement token image, a PED wireless transceiver, and a PED controller. The PED controller communicates via the PED wireless transceiver to initiate and complete purchase of the advertisement associated with the selected advertisement token image. | 12-22-2011 |
20110314487 | PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE (PED) COOPERATING WITH AN AIRCRAFT IFE SYSTEM FOR REDEEMING AN IN-FLIGHT COUPON AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A communications system for an aircraft includes an aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system and at least one personal electronic device (PED) carried by an aircraft passenger. The aircraft IFE system includes an IFE video entertainment source, IFE passenger seat displays, an IFE wireless transceiver, and an IFE controller. The TEE controller selectively displays video from the IFE entertainment source on the IFE passenger seat displays, and generates a respective registration token image on each IFE passenger seat display. The PED includes a PED optical sensor, a PED memory for storing an in-flight coupon to be redeemed by the passenger while in-flight, a PED wireless transceiver, and a PED controller. The PED controller communicates with the IFE wireless transceiver via the PED wireless transceiver based upon the PED optical sensor sensing the registration token image so that the PED controller is registered with the IFE controller. After registration, the PED controller provides the stored in-flight coupon to the IFE controller for redemption. | 12-22-2011 |
20110314488 | AIRCRAFT IFE SYSTEM INTERFACING WITH A PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE (PED) FOR REDEEMING AN IN-FLIGHT COUPON AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A communications system for an aircraft includes at least one personal electronic device (PED) carried by an aircraft passenger, and an aircraft IFE system. The PED includes a PED display, a PED memory for storing an in-flight coupon to be redeemed by the passenger while in-flight, and a PED controller for displaying the stored in-flight coupon on the PED display. The in-flight coupon has an in-flight coupon token image associated therewith. The aircraft IFE system includes an IFE video entertainment source, IFE passenger seat displays, a respective IFE optical sensor associated with each IFE passenger seat display, and an IFE controller. The IFE controller selectively displays video from the IFE entertainment source on the IFE passenger seat displays, and receives the stored coupon for redemption based upon a respective IFE optical sensor sensing the displayed in-flight coupon token image associated therewith on the PED display. | 12-22-2011 |
20110314489 | AIRCRAFT IFE SYSTEM COOPERATING WITH A PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE (PED) OPERATING AS A COMMERCE DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A communications system for an aircraft includes an aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system and at least one personal electronic device (PED) carried by an aircraft passenger. The aircraft IFE system includes an IFE advertisement source, IFE passenger seat displays, an IFE wireless transceiver, an IFE controller, and a purchase acceptance controller. The PED includes a PED optical sensor, a PED wireless transceiver, and a PED controller for communicating with the IFE wireless transceiver via the PED wireless transceiver based upon the PED optical sensor sensing a selected advertisement token image. The purchase acceptance controller cooperates with the IFE controller to accept purchase of the selected advertisement token image. | 12-22-2011 |
20110314490 | REGISTRATION OF A PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE (PED) WITH AN AIRCRAFT IFE SYSTEM USING PED GENERATED REGISTRATION TOKEN IMAGES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - 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 display, a PED wireless transceiver, and a PED controller for generating a respective registration token image on the PED display. The aircraft IFE system includes an IFE video entertainment source, IFE passenger seat displays, a respective IFE optical sensor 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 for communicating with the PED wireless transceiver via the IFE wireless transceiver based upon a respective IFE optical sensor sensing the registration token image on the PED display. | 12-22-2011 |
20110314507 | REGISTRATION OF A PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE (PED) WITH AN AIRCRAFT IFE SYSTEM USING AIRCRAFT GENERATED REGISTRATION TOKEN IMAGES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A communications system for an aircraft includes an aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, and at least one personal electronic device (PED) carried by an aircraft passenger. The aircraft IFE system includes an IFE video entertainment source, 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 for generating a respective registration token image on each IFE passenger seat display. The PED includes a PED optical sensor, 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 optical sensor sensing the registration token image. | 12-22-2011 |
20120236784 | AIRCRAFT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WITH NETWORK SELECTION CONTROLLER AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - A communications system for an aircraft carrying at least some personnel having personal electronic devices (PEDs) for wireless data communications outside the aircraft includes a ground-based communications network, and a satellite-based communications network. An access point is in the aircraft for providing a WLAN for data communications with the PEDs. An air-to-ground transceiver in the aircraft cooperates with the access point for data communications with the ground-based communications network. A satellite receiver in the aircraft cooperates with the access point for data communications with the satellite-based communications network to the PEDs. At least one network selection controller determines whether to send data communications to the PEDs through the air-to-ground transceiver or the satellite receiver based on a communications link metric. | 09-20-2012 |
20120236785 | AIRCRAFT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WITH SATELLITE SELECTION CONTROLLER AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - A communications system for an aircraft carrying at least some personnel having personal electronic devices (PEDs) for wireless data communications outside the aircraft includes a satellite-based communications network that includes a plurality of satellites, at least one access point in the aircraft for providing a wireless local area network (WLAN) for data communications with the PEDs, a plurality of satellite antennas in the aircraft, and a satellite transceiver. The satellite transceiver is coupled to the satellite antennas, and cooperates with the at least one access point for data communications with the satellite-based communications network to the PEDs. At least one selection controller is for selecting a satellite among the plurality of satellites, and for selecting a satellite antenna among the plurality of satellite antennas for the selected satellite. | 09-20-2012 |
20120238204 | AIRCRAFT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WITH SATELLITE NETWORK SELECTION CONTROLLER AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - A communications system for an aircraft carrying at least some personnel having personal electronic devices (PEDs) for wireless data communications outside the aircraft includes a satellite-based communications network that includes a plurality of satellites, at least one access point in the aircraft for providing a wireless local area network (WLAN) for data communications with the PEDs, and a satellite transceiver in the aircraft cooperating with the at least one access point for data communications with the satellite-based communications network to the PEDs. At least one network selection controller is for selecting a satellite among the plurality of satellites so that data communications is sent to the PEDs through the satellite transceiver based on a needed channel capacity of the data communications to be sent. | 09-20-2012 |
20120240170 | AIRCRAFT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM PROVIDING PEDS WITH SATELLITE TV PROGRAMMING CHANNELS AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - A communications system for an aircraft includes an aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system that includes an antenna, a satellite television (TV) receiver connected to the antenna for receiving satellite TV programming channels from at least one satellite TV transponder, and at least one access point in the aircraft configured as a wireless local area network (WLAN) for providing the satellite TV programming channels. At least one personal electronic device (PED) is for receiving the satellite TV programming channels. | 09-20-2012 |
20130281106 | AIRCRAFT COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM SELECTIVELY ALLOCATING DATA COMMUNICATIONS CHANNEL CAPACITY AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A communications system for an aircraft carrying at least one person having a personal electronic device (PED) for wireless data communications outside the aircraft includes a communications network, at least one access point in the aircraft for providing a wireless local area network (WLAN) for data communications with the PEDs, and a transceiver in the aircraft cooperating with the at least one access point for data communications with the communications network. A data traffic controller is for selectively allocating data communications channel capacity between the PEDs and the communications network based on a data communications channel capacity usage of the PEDs. The data communications channel capacity usage corresponds to bandwidth of the data communications with the PEDs, and when the bandwidth of the data communications for a given PED exceeds a predetermined portion of the data communications channel capacity, then appropriate action is taken. | 10-24-2013 |
20140150034 | AIRCRAFT IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM HAVING A DUAL-BEAM ANTENNA AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - 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. | 05-29-2014 |
20140282684 | REGISTRATION OF A PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICE (PED) WITH AN AIRCRAFT IFE SYSTEM USING A PED GENERATED REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - 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. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282727 | REGISTRATION OF A PED WITH AN AIRCRAFT IFE SYSTEM USING AN AIRCRAFT GENERATED REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - 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. | 09-18-2014 |