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: 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: Embodiments are provided for facilitating text- and voice-based communications that are destined for 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. A data center receives a communication request that is intended for the electronic device. The data center examines the communication request to identify the electronic device, and modifies the communication request to indicate an identification of the electronic device. The data center transmits the modified communication request to an on-board communications network system for delivery to the destination device.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for communicating with electronic devices traveling on an aircraft. According to certain aspects, a data center can examine registration data to identify a set of electronic devices that are traveling on a particular flight, and can retrieve relevant travel information associated with the set of electronic devices. In particular, the travel information may be general to the flight or may be related to a specific itinerary for one of the passengers. The data center may generate one or more text messages that are intended for one of more of the set of electronic devices. The data center may also transmit the text message(s) to an on-board network for delivery to the electronic device(s).

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: Data content that is to be utilized, as a whole, at a target device on-board a vehicle is apportioned for delivery onto the vehicle via multiple forward links, each of which is included in a different frequency band and/or used a different protocol. A mapping or selection of a specific portion of the data content for a specific forward link may based on a data content type of the specific portion, as well as on other dynamic or static criteria. The target device may operate on the subsets of the data content as it receives each subset. Thus, time critical/foundational portions of the data content may be delivered using a faster forward link, larger elements of the data content may be delivered using a higher-bandwidth forward link, and/or portions of the data content requiring a higher degree of accuracy may be delivered using a more robust forward link, for example.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for processing a voice-based communication request intended for a destination electronic device that is connected to an on-board communications network. According to certain aspects, a data center can receive the voice-based communication request that is initiated by an originating device. The data center can determine that the destination electronic device is registered with the on-board communications network and generate an audio unavailable message that indicates the unavailability of the destination electronic device. Using a communication channel that is established with the originating electronic device, the data center transmits the audio unavailable message to the originating electronic device to inform its user that the voice call cannot be connected.

Abstract: Data content that is to be utilized, as a whole, at a target device on-board a vehicle is apportioned for delivery onto the vehicle via multiple forward links, each of which is included in a different frequency band and/or used a different protocol. A mapping or selection of a specific portion of the data content for a specific forward link may based on a data content type of the specific portion, as well as on other dynamic or static criteria. The target device may operate on the subsets of the data content as it receives each subset. Thus, time critical/foundational portions of the data content may be delivered using a faster forward link, larger elements of the data content may be delivered using a higher-bandwidth forward link, and/or portions of the data content requiring a higher degree of accuracy may be delivered using a more robust forward link, for example.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for notifying an electronic device connected to a non-terrestrial communication network of a voice-based communication request that is intended for the electronic device. According to certain aspects, a data center can receive the voice-based communication request that is initiated by an originating device. The data center can generate a text message that indicates the voice-based communication request and transmit the text message to the non-terrestrial communications network for delivery to the destination electronic device. The text message can identify the originating electronic device and enable the user of the destination electronic device to send an additional text message to the originating electronic device.

Abstract: Techniques for granting access to an application or service based on a detected human stimulus at a computing device include detecting a stimulus that is generated by an external entity and independent of a CAPTCHA or CAPTCHA-like challenge. If the stimulus is included in a set of human stimuli, access to the application or service may be granted. Otherwise, access may be denied. The detected stimulus may be ad-hoc, or may be a response to an explicit challenge other than a CAPTCHA or CAPTCHA-like challenge. A background application may continuously test over time for ad-hoc stimuli that are consistent with a human presence, and may maintain or deny access accordingly. The detected stimulus may include changes in states of components of the computing device that are related to spatial orientation and/or location. Access to the application or service may be granted/denied based on the detected stimulus and an additional criteria.

Abstract: Devices and nodes associated with a vehicle may communicate using a higher-level, common messaging protocol over an ad-hoc network to publish and subscribe to services, even though different nodes may utilize different types of links and channels. The network includes a rules node that is fixedly connected to the vehicle and that stores a set of rules. Given a possible publisher, subscriber, and/or a service, a node action is allowed or denied based on the set of rules. The rules may be generated or updated based on priorities, security levels, and/or characteristics of publishers, subscribers, their respective users, and/or services; a current dynamic condition; and/or user input. The rules node and at least one other node may be transported by the vehicle, and both transported nodes and nodes external to the vehicle may use the common messaging protocol to join the ad-hoc network, discover other nodes, authenticate, and publish/consume services.

Abstract: Techniques for delivering data or information to a vehicle include a ground based data distribution system that has a ground based determination engine and port networks, and is communicatively connected to access networks. The ground based determination engine determines a content of the data to be delivered to the vehicle, and/or determines one or more predicted locations of the vehicle. The ground based system causes the data to be delivered to the one or more predicted locations, and, at a particular predicted location, the delivered data is transferred to the vehicle, such as by using an information distribution device that is on-board the vehicle. Determination of the data content and of the one or more predicted locations may be performed while the vehicle is en route or is at a port. Data delivery may occur while the vehicle is en route or is at a port.

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: 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 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: 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.

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: Techniques for facilitating data communications among electronic devices via various communication networks are provided. A first electronic device may be connected to a terrestrial network and a second electronic device may be connected to an on-board communications network of a vehicle. A first voice- or message-based content may be received from the first electronic device, for delivery to the second electronic device. A data center may transmit a corresponding forward communication to the second electronic device via a satellite communication link. The data center may also receive a return communication from the second electronic device via either the satellite communication link or a terrestrial communication link, and transmit corresponding content to the first electronic device.

Abstract: A method of caching communications for devices being transported by vehicles includes receiving, at a vehicle via a forward link, a message directed to the vehicle and a plurality of other vehicles. The message includes: (i) content to be delivered to a requesting mobile computing device being transported by the vehicle or one of the plurality of other vehicles, and (ii) an indication of at least some of the content to be cached in one or more computer readable storage media disposed on the vehicle. The method further includes determining if the requesting mobile computing device is being transported by the vehicle, and, if the requesting mobile computing device is being transported by the vehicle, forwarding at least some of the content to the requesting mobile computing device. At least some of the content is then stored on the one or more computer readable storage media disposed in the vehicle based on the indication of the least some of the content to be cached.

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.