Abstract: A slave Bluetooth device establishes first and second connections with first and second master Bluetooth devices, respectively, that each operate in a master mode. The slave Bluetooth device operates in a slave mode when communicating through any of the first and second connections. The slave Bluetooth device communicates connection parameter update request packets containing timeout values to the first and second master Bluetooth devices. The slave Bluetooth device alternates during non-overlapping time slots between at least: 1) monitoring the first connection for traffic transmitted by the first master Bluetooth device while not monitoring the second connection; and 2) monitoring the second connection for traffic transmitted by the second master Bluetooth device while not monitoring the first connection; and controls a rate at which the alternating is performed based on the first timeout value and the second timeout value.

Abstract: An inflight entertainment system for use in an aircraft displays commands to a passenger to move a passenger electronic device (PED) between locations defined relative a seatback display device and the passenger's seat. The system measures received signal strength indications (RSSIs) from discoverable PEDs over time while the PED is moved between the locations, and selects one of the PEDs that satisfies a defined rule for an amount of change that is observed over time in the measured RSSIs for that PED. The system then establishes a connection through a Bluetooth transceiver with a Bluetooth transceiver of the selected PED.

Abstract: A network analysis terminal is described that operates within a vehicle cabin to generate connectivity metrics. The terminal monitors packets communicated through at least one cabin network between a content server and passenger terminals. The terminal identifies passenger terminal identifiers that are addressed by content of the packets, and identifies names of vehicle passengers associated with the packets using the passenger terminal identifiers as indexes to retrieve the names of vehicle passengers from an information repository that maps names of vehicle passengers to passenger terminal identifiers. The terminal then generates connectivity metrics based on measurements performed on the packets over time and the identified names of the passengers, and controls communications through the at least one cabin network based on the connectivity metrics.

Abstract: A video display unit cassette assembly includes a cassette frame, a display coupled to the cassette frame, one or more electronic components between the cassette frame and the display, and a delethalization cover coupled to the display. The one or more electronic components receive data content from a network and generate video signals provided to the display. The cassette assembly is sized and configured to be releasably mounted in an installed position in a mounting structure defined in a seatback of a vehicle seat.

Abstract: A method by a cabin wireless access point (CWAP) server includes receiving an IP address request message from a CWAP installed in a vehicle cabin. The IP address request message contains data identifying a physical location of the CWAP within the vehicle cabin. The physical location of the CWAP is identified within the vehicle cabin responsive to the data contained in the IP address request message. An IP address is assigned to the CWAP responsive to the physical location of the CWAP identified by the data. An IP address message containing the IP address is communicated to the CWAP. Related methods by CWAPs and corresponding CWAP servers and CWAPs are disclosed.

Abstract: An entertainment system includes a video display unit facing a passenger seat and a track pad assembly integrated with an armrest of the passenger seat. The track pad assembly includes a track pad that is operable to control the video display unit.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system includes a video display unit, a camera, a communication interface, and a processor. The video display unit provides content to a user. The camera outputs a camera signal containing data representing the user's face. The communication interface communicate with a central content usage analysis computer. The processor processes the camera signal to identify facial features, compares the facial features to defined demographics rules, identifies user demographics based on the comparison of the facial features to the defined demographics rules, correlates the user demographics to a timeline of content consumed by the user through the video display unit to generate enhanced content usage metrics, and communicates the enhanced content usage metrics through the communication interface for delivery to the central content usage analysis computer.

Abstract: Entertainment systems are provided including a plurality of spatial sound speakers embedded in a headrest of a passenger seat and associated with a media player of the entertainment system. A spatial sound controller associated with the plurality of spatial sound speakers of the media player is also provided. The spatial sound controller is configured to provide simulated surround sound associated with the media player to a defined target region. The plurality of spatial sound speakers are adjusted to a position of a passenger seated in the passenger seat based on external input associated with the passenger.

Abstract: A fixed content server stores electronic content for delivery to a nomadic server on a vehicle. A schedule for arrival and departure of the vehicle transporting the nomadic server at a destination location is obtained, and a destination content server is identified. An electronic package is generated to contain an identifier for the vehicle and an identifier for the destination content server. Delivery of the electronic package to the destination content server at the destination location is initiated based on the schedule for arrival of the vehicle transporting the nomadic server to the destination location so delivery of the electronic package is initiated while the vehicle is traveling to the destination location. A time is determined to upload the electronic package from the destination content server to the nomadic server of the vehicle. Quality of service that a network uses to deliver the electronic package is provisioned based thereon.

Abstract: A portable entertainment system for a vehicle includes a portable housing, a transceiver, a processor, a memory, and a rechargeable battery. The transceiver communicates through RF signals with Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) operated by vehicle passengers. The rechargeable battery supplies power to the transceiver, the processor, and the memory. The memory is coupled to the processor and includes entertainment content and further includes computer readable program code that causes the processor to communicate a list, of at least some of the entertainment content available in the memory, to the PEDs. A content selection message is received through the transceiver from one of the PEDs that requests communication of a selected one of the entertainment content identified in the list. The selected entertainment content is communicated through the transceiver to the PED. The transceiver, the processor, and the memory are enclosed within the portable housing.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system is disclosed that includes docking cradles that can store handheld controllers, and a management terminal. The management terminal controls an electronically controlled lock apparatus of the cradles to selectively lock the handheld controllers in a stored position within the docking cradles. The management terminal may receive and display the status of which of the docking cradles store a handheld controller, and may display at least one user selectable indicia that is touch selectable by a user to control one or more of the docking cradles to lock and unlock handheld controllers stored therein. Related inductive charging circuits, theft alert circuits, and other components of the vehicle entertainment system are disclosed.

Abstract: Entertainment systems are provided including directional sound speakers embedded in a headrest of a passenger seat, the headrest being associated with a media player of the entertainment system; and a directional sound controller associated with the directional sound speakers of the media player. The directional sound controller is configured to direct a sound beam associated with the media player at a defined target region such that the sound beam is only audible within the defined target region and experiences less than about 20 dB of leakage outside the target region during operation of the media player. In-flight entertainment systems and related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an entertainment system that includes a plurality of wireless access points. Each wireless access point includes a mass memory, at least one radio transceiver, and at least one processor. The at least one radio transceiver is configured to communicate with seat display devices and to communicate with personal electronic devices of users. The processor is configured to receive entertainment content, which includes a plurality of content items, through the at least one radio transceiver, and to store the entertainment content in the mass memory. The processor downloads the entertainment content using a file transfer protocol from the mass memory to the seat display devices through the at least one radio transceiver, and streams the content items of the entertainment content using a streaming protocol from the mass memory to the personal electronic devices of users through the at least one radio transceiver.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing content between fixed and nomadic servers using attributes. Attributes may relate to, inter alia, the type of content, location of a fixed and/or nomadic content server, a vehicle that includes a nomadic server, an ability to use content, a need for content, vehicle owner information, and/or time.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an entertainment system that includes a plurality of wireless access points. Each wireless access point includes a mass memory, at least one radio transceiver, and at least one processor. The at least one radio transceiver is configured to communicate with seat display devices. The at least one processor is configured to receive entertainment content comprising a plurality of content items, and store the entertainment content in the mass memory. The at least one processor selects a subset of content items from among the content items of the entertainment content stored in the mass memory, based on a defined rule, and downloads the subset of content items from the mass memory to a plurality of the seat display devices through the at least one radio transceiver for local storage within mass memory of the seat display devices.