Abstract: Techniques for providing hybrid communications to devices on vehicles include using a forward link to deliver data, that is intended to be received by an on-board device, onto a vehicle, and using a reverse link in a different frequency band to send reverse data from the vehicle. A subsequent forward link is selected, based on the reverse data, from a plurality of forward links, each of which is supported by a different frequency band. Forward data may be multiplexed and/or multicast, and in some cases, multiple forward links may be used for distributed forward data delivery. These techniques allow for efficient data delivery to the vehicle, and in particular while the vehicle is in transit and link conditions are dynamic.

Abstract: A method for maintaining the integrity of data stored on a storage device being transported by a vehicle comprises detecting a discrepancy between data stored on the storage device and a content inventory, and, upon detecting the discrepancy, analyzing the data stored on the storage device to identify specific portions of the plurality of content that are missing from the data stored on the storage device. The method further includes updating the content inventory to indicate that the specific portions of the plurality of content are missing from the data stored on the storage device, and restoring the identified specific portions of the plurality of content.

Abstract: Techniques for providing hybrid communications to devices on vehicles include using a selected modulation scheme on a forward link to deliver data (that is intended to be received by an on-board device) onto a vehicle, and using a reverse link in a different frequency band to send reverse data from the vehicle. Based on the reverse data, a subsequent pre-defined modulation scheme for a subsequent forward transmission is selected from a plurality of modulation schemes corresponding to a plurality of performance levels of data delivery. The selections may be based on a current geo-spatial location of the vehicle, a type of data, and/or on one or more other dynamic conditions. The forward data may be multiplexed and/or multicast. Thus, adaptive modulation is achieved in a hybrid communications system in which the forward link and the reverse link to the vehicle are supported by different wireless communication bands.

Abstract: Multimedia content may be delivered to content consumer devices via a content-delivery network. Encrypted content and cryptography keys for decrypting the content may be distributed from a data center to various nodes of the content-delivery network, each node acting as a semi-independent content-delivery system. Each content-delivery system is capable of delivering received content to end-users and implementing a key-management scheme to facilitate secure content-delivery and usage tracking, even when the content-delivery system is disconnected from the data center. Further, each content-delivery system may generate an authorization-token that can be transmitted to other systems in the content-delivery network, enabling the other systems to quickly determine that a request to resume a previous content-delivery session has already been authorized.

Abstract: Multimedia content may be delivered to content consumer devices via a content-delivery network. Encrypted content and cryptography keys for decrypting the content may be distributed from a data center to various nodes of the content-delivery network, each node acting as a semi-independent content-delivery system. Each content-delivery system is capable of delivering received content to end-users and implementing a key-management scheme to facilitate secure content-delivery and usage tracking, even when the content-delivery system is disconnected from the data center. In other words, the disclosed systems and methods facilitate the operation of nodes which may operate in “autonomous mode” when disconnected from a larger content-delivery network, thus maintaining content-delivery capabilities despite having little if any connectivity to external networks.

Abstract: A radome having localized areas of reduced radio signal attenuation includes a body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is mechanically stronger than the second portion and the second portion has a reduced radio signal attenuation property compared to the first portion.

Abstract: A method and system facilitate communication between a constellation of satellites and a mobile platform-mounted mobile communicator. The method and system may include the use of a first antenna suited for operation using a first frequency band in a first geographic region and a second antenna suited for operation using either the first or a second frequency band in a second geographic region. The method and system may use a controller to determine which antenna to activate based on one or more of a geographic indicator or a signal indicator. The system used by the method to facilitate the communication may have one or more enclosures over the antennas and controller for mounting to a mobile platform.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for facilitating text- and voice-based communications that originate from an electronic device connected to a non-terrestrial network. According to certain aspects, the electronic device can be previously registered with a data center and can have an active service or product with the data center. The electronic device initiates a communication request that is intended for a destination device. The data center examines the communication request to identify the electronic device, and modifies the communication request to indicate a subscription associated with the electronic device. The data center transmits the modified communication request to a service provider network for delivery to the destination device.

Abstract: A sentry engine determines, based on current conditions and a set of rules, whether or not to allow a feature, that is provided in a terrestrial environment to the wireless device, to be provided to the wireless device on-board a vehicle in a non-terrestrial environment. The sentry engine may be disposed in the wireless device, in an on-board data delivery device fixedly connected to the vehicle, and/or at a ground network in communication with the on-board data delivery device and the home network of the wireless device. The on-board data delivery device may communicate with the wireless device via an on-board local network, and may communicate with the ground network using a satellite network and/or an air-to-ground network. Allowance conditions may include operational and/or connectional states of devices and/or networks, a vehicle state, a roaming or authorization state of the wireless device, or a state of the feature.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for registering an electronic device of a subscriber for cellular-based communications. According to certain aspects, the cellular-based communications may be facilitated by a data center while the electronic device is not easily within range of a cellular network, such as when the electronic device is traveling on an aircraft. The registration includes associating a subscription identification of a cellular services plan with an identification of the electronic device, from which a registration server may create an account associated with the cellular-based communications. Further, the registration server may generate a digital certificate using the electronic device identification and issue the digital certificate to the electronic device.

Abstract: Multimedia content may be delivered to content consumer devices via a content-delivery network. Encrypted content and cryptography keys for decrypting the content may be distributed from a data center to various nodes of the content-delivery network, each node acting as a semi-independent content-delivery system. Each content-delivery system is capable of delivering received content to end-users and implementing a key-management scheme to facilitate secure content-delivery and usage tracking, even when the content-delivery system is disconnected from the data center. In other words, the disclosed systems and methods facilitate the operation of nodes which may operate in “autonomous mode” when disconnected from a larger content-delivery network, thus maintaining content-delivery capabilities despite having little if any connectivity to external networks.

Abstract: A system, method, and device to enable communication between a first and second satellite station and a controller of a mobile platform. The controller includes a processor, a first modem facilitating communication with the first satellite station via a first frequency over a first communication link, and a map of the one or more networks of satellite stations including the second satellite station. The controller utilizes the map of the one or more networks of satellite stations to determine the second satellite station for communicating with the controller. A second modem is coupled to the controller and facilitates communication with the second satellite station via a second frequency over a second communication link, wherein the controller is configured to calculate a time to handoff communication with the mobile communicator from the first communication link to the second communication link.

Abstract: A method of recovering content stored on a computer readable medium transported by a vehicle comprises identifying, by one or more computer processors, an error on the computer readable medium, storing, by the one or more computer processors, an indication of the error, and detecting, by the one or more computer processors, an interval of travel of the vehicle during which the computer readable medium has access to stable power. The method further includes, during the detected interval of travel, initiating, by the one or more computer processors, a recovery of the computer readable medium based on the indication of the error.

Abstract: Techniques for providing hybrid communications to devices on vehicles include using a forward link to deliver data, that is intended to be received by an on-board device, onto a vehicle, and using a reverse link in a different frequency band to send reverse data from the vehicle. A subsequent forward link is selected, based on the reverse data, from a plurality of forward links, each of which is supported by a different frequency band. Forward data may be multiplexed and/or multicast, and in some cases, multiple forward links may be used for distributed forward data delivery. These techniques allow for efficient data delivery to the vehicle, and in particular while the vehicle is in transit and link conditions are dynamic.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing modem use for data delivery to vehicles that are near to or parked at ports include using a high-capacity forward communications link, in a first frequency band, to support a logical forward link of a data tunnel via which data is delivered between a data provider and the vehicle. Instead of using the reverse communications link of the first frequency band, though, a reverse communications link in a different frequency band is used to support the reverse logical link of the data tunnel, as reverse data typically requires less bandwidth. Thus, the forward communications link is used in a high-throughput, unidirectional manner. Forward data may be multiplexed and/or multicast, and in some cases, multiple forward communications links may be used in parallel to support the logical forward link of the data tunnel.

Abstract: The Automated Content Upload System networks a plurality of aircraft together when they are parked at the gates of an airport. Communications among the aircraft are guided by a Content Manager, resident at or near the airport, which maintains data representative of InFlight Entertainment Content presently stored on each aircraft and the list of scheduled InFlight Entertainment Content available on each aircraft. The Content Manager guides the exchange of InFlight Entertainment Content among the aircraft, as well as from the Content Manager to the aircraft, to automatically distribute InFlight Entertainment Content to the aircraft efficiently and timely. This process includes the ability to multicast data from the Content Manager to multiple aircraft in a single transmission, obtaining content delivery efficiency, populating multiple aircraft via a single transmission from the Content Manager.

Abstract: The system and method alters the data delivery service plan of a subscriber in response to a network degradation event that negatively affects the subscriber's plan during transportation (e.g. in flight). In response to the subscriber's request, the system and method grants the subscriber access to the in-flight network and/or data during the flight. Additionally, the system and method monitors and detects network degradation events during the flight. If an event occurs that negatively affects the subscribers plan during the flight, the system and method determines a time extension for the subscriber to access the network and/or data based on the duration of the network degradation event. The system and method also modifies the subscriber's plan based on the determined time extension and notifies the subscriber about the network degradation event and plan modification. The plan modification may credit the subscriber additional time, data, and/or services.

Abstract: A method of recovering content stored on a computer readable medium transported by a vehicle comprises identifying, by one or more computer processors, an error on the computer readable medium, storing, by the one or more computer processors, an indication of the error, and detecting, by the one or more computer processors, an interval of travel of the vehicle during which the computer readable medium has access to stable power. The method further includes, during the detected interval of travel, initiating, by the one or more computer processors, a recovery of the computer readable medium based on the indication of the error.

Abstract: A method for maintaining the integrity of data stored on a storage device being transported by a vehicle comprises detecting a discrepancy between data stored on the storage device and a content inventory, and, upon detecting the discrepancy, analyzing the data stored on the storage device to identify specific portions of the plurality of content that are missing from the data stored on the storage device. The method further includes updating the content inventory to indicate that the specific portions of the plurality of content are missing from the data stored on the storage device, and restoring the identified specific portions of the plurality of content.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for registering an electronic device of a subscriber for cellular-based communications. According to certain aspects, the cellular-based communications may be facilitated by a data center while the electronic device is not easily within range of a cellular network, such as when the electronic device is traveling on an aircraft. A first, ground-based part of the registration includes creating an account for the electronic device that indicates an identification of the electronic device retrieved from a home network of the subscriber. A second, air-based part of the registration includes connecting to the electronic device via an on-board communications system and communicating with the home network to indicate that the location of the electronic device is known.