Abstract: Systems and methods are described for managing wireless access points in a multi-band wireless network. The systems and methods can involve one or more wireless distribution units that are each associated with a set of wireless access points and a data collector that collects information about an environment where that wireless distribution unit is located. Based on the information collected, a control unit that is communicatively coupled with the one or more wireless distribution units can utilize a central cognitive engine to balance a load across the one or more wireless distribution units.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for transferring content to and from an aircraft. Content can be divided into one or more subsets that each contains some or all of the content. Each of the subsets can be transferred to one or more mobile computing devices via a wireless network, and then transferred from the mobile computing device one onboard or departed from the aircraft. In this manner, content can be updated more regularly and at a lesser expense than traditional avenues for updating content. Rewards can be used to incentivize participants to accept the temporary storage of a subset of the content on their mobile computing device.

Abstract: An entertainment display system for use within vehicles such as aircraft or buses. Systems of the inventive subject matter include a base component forming a basin with a fixed angle frame coupled with the basin. The system can then be installed into the bottom surface of an overhead storage compartment or the like. Methods of the inventive subject matter include steps required to install the system into a vehicle.

Abstract: Display systems for a vehicle are contemplated that comprise a seat display unit coupled with a display screen, where the display screen is affixed to a seat back and the seat display unit is disposed within the seat back. The display screen is fixed to the seat back such that its relative position with the seat back remains constant when the seat back is reclined. The seat display unit is coupled to the seat back, such that the seat display unit automatically tilts or pivots when the seat back is reclined, and while the display screen does not move relative to the seat back.

Abstract: System and methods are described for automatic pairing a plurality of devices within a vehicle. Based on a seat mapping stored within a server, a seat display unit and its allocated peripherals can be paired in sequence, one-by-one. Thus, a first seat display unit and its allocated peripherals can be powered on. Then, the peripherals can be paired with the first seat display unit, and the first seat display unit and the allocated peripherals can be powered down. Once this is complete, the next seat display unit and its allocated peripherals can be powered on, paired, and then powered down before continuing in sequence until all peripherals are paired with their allocated seat display units.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless detection of a status of component within a vehicle are described that utilize a single connection or single point of connection to access the status of each component. A plurality of modules each having a wireless radio and two discrete electrical inputs can be provided, with each of the modules monitoring at least one component. Each module can be configured to switch a configuration of its wireless radio from a client to a wireless access point. A radio of one of the module can be dynamically configured to be the wireless access point, with the remaining ones of the modules being configured to connect to the wireless access point.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for outputting audio information via both wired and wireless outputs from a in-flight or in-vehicle entertainment system. An audio output device can include a wireless transmitter and an audio output port. A transmission power of the wireless transmitter can be controlled via a processor based on a measured received signal strength indicator (RSSI) level of a connected slave device and a transmission power of the connected slave device.

Abstract: A telecommunications antenna system for use with an aircraft is described that includes an aperture that is mounted at an angle relative to the horizon plane that does not change during system operation. Additional angle of elevation for adjustment of azimuth is provided by electronic means, such as a Rotman lens, while rotation within the horizon plane is provided by a rotating mechanism. Also disclosed is a radome for use with such an antenna system, which is provided dimensioned to accommodate the at a large value of the mounting angle and which can be trimmed to accommodate the system at smaller values of the mounting angle in order to minimize the impact on aircraft aerodynamics.

Abstract: A system for managing the wireless transmission of data using a configured or fixed frequency, such as the 60 GHz spectrum, within a client-dense environment such as an aircraft. The system includes access points (“ZAPs”) that control a plurality of antennas according to a time-slotted broadcast schedule such that the transmissions from the antennas do not interfere with each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for distribution of content within a vehicle. A server having a first set of content stored within a memory can be communicatively coupled with one or more clients such as using a plurality of wireless access points. Each of the clients can have a processor, memory, and transceiver, such that it can communicate with the server and potentially its neighbors. Groups of the clients can be communicatively coupled, such as via a wired or wireless network, which permits the clients to communicate with one another to retrieve content, for example, rather than burden the server or the wireless access points.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for monitoring an on-board cellular network infrastructure. In one aspect, a controller and one or more noise generation units can be used to inhibit passenger devices from connecting to ground-based cellular stations while on-board. The noise generation unit can be configured to generate a noise signal. If a loss of power to an on-board cell station is identified, the noise generation can generate a different noise signal in response.

Abstract: Enhanced short circuit damage protection by using circuit card and electronic assembly features to steer liquids, including water, onto detector arrays. In a typical implementation, a circuit card has detection elements in one or more places implemented as artwork on an outer circuit layer. The finished circuit card assembly is conformal coated with masked areas over detection artwork. When the masking is removed, channels are left behind for liquids to flow toward and pool over detection artwork. In other implementations through shaping, additive or subtractive manufacturing processes, cavities are left behind for liquids to collect over detection artwork.

Abstract: Entertainment systems for aircraft and other vehicles are described having a plurality of media players. The media players collectively store a full content set, with each media player storing only a fraction of the full content set. Each of the media players can be configured to index the full content set, such that media players can obtain missing content.

Abstract: Entertainment systems for aircraft and other vehicles are described having a plurality of media players. The media players collectively store a full content set, with each media player storing only a fraction of the full content set. Each of the media players can be configured to index the full content set, such that media players can obtain missing content from other media players.

Abstract: Vehicular entertainment systems where devices in the systems can each utilize a common type of storage units are presented. A vehicular entertainment system can include a media server head unit in communication over a network with a plurality of media players that are installed about the cabin of a vehicle. Media content can be stored on a plurality of field replaceable storage units where each of the storage units can be installed in any one of the players or the server. Each of the storage units can store a substantially identical content set including passenger content, player content, server content, crew content, or other types of content. The server or players can be restricted from accessing content to which they lack rights, possibly based on a location identifier that indicates roles or responsibilities of the players at their installed location.

Abstract: An entertainment system comprising a media server networked with a plurality of docking stations is presented. The media server and docking stations can be networked together into a looped daisy-chained network to provide for content distribution to docked media players. The looped daisy-chained network retains connectivity or continuity when media players are undocked or when a connection is broken. In preferred embodiments, the entertainment system can be deployed within an aircraft as an in-flight entertainment system.

Abstract: A terminal data loading device on a mobile platform includes a media unit for receiving a transportable media element containing media data and outputting a media signal to a control processor unit. The control processor unit outputs an information signal to a wireline communication unit. The wireline communication unit outputs a wireline signal to a network on the mobile platform.

Abstract: Vehicular entertainment systems where devices in the systems can each utilize a common type of storage units are presented. A vehicular entertainment system can include a media server head unit in communication over a network with a plurality of media players that are installed about the cabin of a vehicle. Media content can be stored on a plurality of field replaceable storage units where each of the storage units can be installed in any one of the players or the server. Each of the storage units can store a substantially identical content set including passenger content, player content, server content, crew content, or other types of content. The server or players can be restricted from accessing content to which they lack rights, possibly based on a location identifier that indicates roles or responsibilities of the players at their installed location.