Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining data for Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) events caused by interfering signals, such as radar signals, in mobile WiFi wireless communication networks on airplanes. The systems and methods utilize wireless access points (WAPs) on in-flight entertainment systems on airplanes to detect DFS events, and obtain DFS event data. The DFS event data is transmitted to a ground system which is configured to utilize the DFS event data to generate DFS messages which allow a WAP on another airplane to avoid the interfering signals that caused the DFS event. The ground system transmits the DFS messages to other airplanes which use the information in the DFS message to configure a WAP to avoid DFS events. The ground system may also be configured to analyze and generate a 3D DFS map which can be used to generate radio channel plans to avoid DFS events.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to antenna assemblies and systems and methods for steering an antenna to one or more satellites. An embodiment herein provides for an assembly comprising a rotatable plate rotatable about a first axis to steer the antenna in azimuth; a first panel affixed to the rotatable plate and comprising a first plurality of phased array antenna elements to steer a first beam of radio waves in elevation; and a second panel comprising a second plurality of phased array antenna elements configured to steer a second beam of radio waves in azimuth, wherein rotation of the distal end about the second axis steers the second beam of radio waves in elevation.

Abstract: This patent document describes techniques are related to providing an entertainment to passengers on a commercial passenger vehicle. In one aspect, a method for providing an entertainment to passengers on a commercial passenger vehicle comprises: receiving a request, from a first passenger on the commercial passenger vehicle, to allow the first passenger to provide a live video, the live video obtained by capturing, in real time, an activity associated with the first passenger on the commercial passenger vehicle; receiving one or more requests, from one or more additional passengers on the commercial passenger vehicle, to view the live video; receiving the live video from the first passenger; and distributing the live video to the additional passengers.

Abstract: A system for offline transaction processing has a payment terminal capturing payment credentials and a payment amount as a transaction data set. A first blockchain server has a first copy of a transaction ledger to which the transaction data set is committed as a ledger entry in response to a validation against one or more rules stored in an offline database. A second blockchain server has a second copy of the transaction ledger, and is in sporadic communication with the first blockchain server over a temporary data transfer link. The transaction data set previously committed to the first copy of the transaction ledger is propagated to the second copy of the transaction ledger over the temporary data transfer link. A payment gateway retrieves the transaction data set in the second copy of the transaction ledger and translates the same to a settlement request transmitted to the remote payment processor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to strain relief devices for communication connectors. The strain relief devices are configured to couple to the communication connectors via existing fastener components (e.g., screw receivers), and support optic fiber and/or other cables that extend from the communication connectors at a desired position. The strain relief devices prevent the cables from being damaged by a lack of sufficient support during installation, removal, use, repair, and/or transport.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an electronic device. One method includes storing a data structure at a memory device by a processor, where the data structure is configured to store a plurality of parameters used for determining a discharge ratio of a first battery pack and a second battery pack of a charging system of a device, the discharge ratio indicating a relative rate of discharge of the first battery pack and the second battery pack; detecting by the processor, a discharge condition associated with at least one of the first battery pack and the second battery pack; utilizing by the processor, the data structure for determining the discharge ratio; and controlling by the processor, based on the determined discharge ratio, a discharge rate of the first battery pack using a first voltage controller and a discharge rate of the second battery pack using a second voltage controller.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for communicating an announcement to passengers on a transportation vehicle. One method includes receiving by a first device, an input from a passenger of a transportation vehicle, the input reporting a problem at the transportation vehicle; transmitting the input by the first device to a second device; evaluating by the second device whether the problem identified by the input is to be resolved at the transportation vehicle; generating a response by the second device to address the problem, when the evaluation indicates that the problem can be resolved at the transportation vehicle; and updating a data structure by the second device for addressing the problem after the transportation vehicle has reached a destination, when the evaluation indicates that the problem cannot be resolved at the transportation vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a vehicle entertainment system are provided. One method includes generating by a processor, a plurality of media sets for storing a plurality of media files at a transportation vehicle, each of the plurality of media set configured to store a first set of media files playable at the same time by all passengers, a second set of media files playable at the same time by up to X percentage of the passengers and a third set of media files playable at the same time by up to Y percentage of the passengers; distributing by the processor, the plurality of media files for storage across a plurality of smart monitors of the transportation vehicle; monitoring user access of the plurality of media files on the transportation vehicle; and modifying by the processor, an assignment of a media file between the first set, the second set and the third set based on a plurality of factors.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a transportation vehicle. One method includes determining current available bandwidth rate based on network traffic generated by a plurality of devices and a plurality of traffic types on a transportation vehicle; utilizing a hierarchical tree structure to modify quality of service (QoS) that is indicated by a specific bandwidth rate associated with different priority levels, where each priority level is associated with one of the plurality of devices and the plurality of traffic types; and storing the modified QoS for the different priority levels at the hierarchical tree structure for a next update of the QoS when the current available bandwidth rate changes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a transportation vehicle. One method includes determining current available bandwidth rate based on network traffic generated by a plurality of devices and a plurality of traffic types on a transportation vehicle; utilizing a hierarchical tree structure to modify quality of service (QoS) that is indicated by a specific bandwidth rate associated with different priority levels, where each priority level is associated with one of the plurality of devices and the plurality of traffic types; and storing the modified QoS for the different priority levels at the hierarchical tree structure for a next update of the QoS when the current available bandwidth rate changes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing preview samples of media content, such as early window movies, which is secure against unauthorized copying of the media content. The system includes a media receiving server configured to receive secure media content, such as early window movies, from a movie provider. The media receiving server generates a preview sample including a video sample including a series of still digital images from the video file, each separated by a time interval in the video file from the other still digital images in the series of still digital images; and an audio sample including a series of audio clips from the video file, each separated by a time interval in the video file from the other audio clips in the series of audio clips. A customer of the media content can review the sample preview on a customer portal, but cannot access the original media content.

Abstract: A content distribution apparatus onboard a vehicle periodically travelling within direct communicative range of other content distribution apparatuses onboard respective other vehicles has a storage interface to a local content data repository, and a mesh network interface establishing mesh network data communications links with the content distribution apparatuses. A comparator is in communication with the local content data repository over the storage interface, and a missing content segments list is generated by the comparator based upon an evaluation of a master content list against a local inventory of the segments of content data. The missing content data is retrieved from one or more upstream source content distribution apparatuses over a first mesh network data communications link. The content data in the local inventory is also transmitted to a downstream requestor content distribution apparatus over a second mesh network data communications link.

Abstract: A system for providing entertainments to passengers on a commercial passenger vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a computer storage medium configured to store personal information and travel information of passengers and a server in communication with the computer storage medium and located in the commercial passenger vehicle. The server is configured to receive, from a media playback device associated with a passenger, a request on an entertainment option; obtain, based on the request, contents corresponding to the entertainment option and related to the personal information or the travel information of the passengers; obtain map data that visualizes the contents on areas on a map based on location information associated with the contents; and send, to the media playback device, the contents to be displayed on the media playback device using the map data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless unlocking of lock systems on enclosures within a vehicle are provided. A lock system may be unlocked via a digital key communicated to the lock system via any suitable communication protocol, for example, a short range communication protocol. The digital key can be embedded or otherwise stored and accessed in an application accessible via a user interface device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pairing a personal electronic device of a passenger with a passenger seat in a vehicle using a PWM light identification, and for allowing the personal electronic device to control passenger in-seat functions and features. The system comprises an on-board video system having an in-seat display system for installation in a vehicle. The on-board video system is configured to communication a PWM light identification from a monitor of the in-seat display system which is captured by an imaging device of the personal electronic device. The on-board video system receives pairing information from the personal electronic device corresponding to the captured light identification via a wireless communication link. The on-board video system then validates the pairing information and pairs the personal electronic device to the passenger seat and authorizes the personal electronic device to control passenger seat functions associated with the passenger seat.

Abstract: A system for providing entertainment on a vehicle for passengers is described. The system includes (a) a server storing media files and corresponding media keys and (b) monitors storing subsets of the media files and the corresponding media keys. The system includes a server disposed on the vehicle to store the media files and the media keys for the vehicle; monitors disposed on the vehicle to present media selections to passengers corresponding to the media files stored by the server, locally, or on other monitors disposed on the vehicle, and receive an input from a passenger for playing one of the selections. The system also includes selectively revoking the media keys on the server or the monitors. Program logic executed by the server and the monitors implements secure, digital rights management processes as they pertain to the media files presented on the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for satellite payloads are provided. A first system is based on using a focal plane array tiles with a reflector. A second system uses active lens tiles, focal plane array tiles and the reflector. A third system includes active reflector tiles, focal plane array tiles and the reflector. Yet another system enables beam power sharing by selectively providing power to solid state power amplifiers used in satellite payloads. Another system uses multiple micro-satellites for providing satellite coverage for an area.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a hand tracking device. The hand tracking device includes a first infrared camera for capturing a plurality of images of a user hand indicating a first gesture for requesting a first action associated with operating a display device. The hand tracking device utilizes the plurality of images to generate a three-dimensional image of the user hand; and detects the first gesture from the three-dimensional image using a trained model that stores a plurality of input gestures corresponding to three-dimensional images of user hands. A first operation is executed in response to the detected first gesture. The hand tracking device continuously monitors the user hand to detect a second gesture from the trained model for executing a second operation.

Abstract: Networking methods and systems are provided for a transportation vehicle with seat devices. One method includes detecting operational software installation for a first seat device to access an entertainment system with media files of a virtual local storage (VLS) media set distributed across storage of a portion of the seat devices; identifying a second seat device configured to store the operational software in a downloadable configuration; providing the operational software in the downloadable configuration to the first seat device; installing the operational software at the first seat device; determining that the first seat device is a member of the VLS media set, based on a location of the first seat; transmitting a portion of the VLS media set from one or more seat devices to the first seat device; and persistently storing the portion of the VLS media set at persistent storage of the first seat device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a transportation vehicle are provided. One method includes generating a packet by an application executed by a processor of a first seat device of an in-flight entertainment system having a plurality of seat devices on an aircraft; dropping the packet by the seat device when the application is not authorized for Internet communication; dropping the packet by the seat device when the packet is one of a broadcast packet, multicast packet or destined to a second seat device of the in-flight entertainment system; determining that the seat device Internet traffic is below a threshold value; and transmitting the packet to a network device when the application is authorized, and the packet is not a broadcast packet, multicast packet or destined for a second seat device.