Patents Assigned to Viasat, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20220391533
    Abstract: Embodiments seek to protect privacy of potentially sensitive client resources in web transactions using crowd-disambiguation. Crowd-disambiguation machines can aggregate information about resources from multiple clients as resource fingerprints, and can use the fingerprints to provide crowd-sourced services in a privacy-protected manner. For example, embodiments can communicate a resource fingerprint as a fully ambiguated resource instance (FARI) and a partially disambiguated resource instance (PDRI). When one (or few) clients communicates the resource fingerprint, the identity of the resource remains obfuscated from the crowd-disambiguation machine. As more clients communicate fingerprints for the same resource (e.g., identified by the matching FARIs), respective, differently generated PDRIs of those fingerprints enable the crowd-disambiguation machine to resolve further portions of the resource, ultimately permitting the resource to be revealed and considered non-private (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventors: David F LERNER, Peter J LEPESKA, Douglas C LARRICK, Devin R TOTH
  • Publication number: 20220393334
    Abstract: A removeable satellite antenna pointing tool can include a mounting gear releasably engageable with a pole that supports a satellite antenna. The removeable satellite antenna pointing tool can also include an azimuth gear subsystem housed in a frame and engaged with the mounting gear and a motor that drives the azimuth gear subsystem, wherein actuation of the motor causes the frame to rotate about the pole. The removeable satellite antenna pointing tool can further include a linear drive that controls an elevation of a control shaft engageable with a fixture attached to the satellite antenna. Actuation of the motor can change an azimuth of the satellite antenna and actuation of the linear drive can change an elevation of the satellite antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. McNichols, Andrew Galaud
  • Patent number: 11520645
    Abstract: A system and method of the disclosure relates to structuring at least one resource of an application programming interface (API) for a server. In the method, a plurality of field-level elements may be defined. Each of the plurality of field-level elements may be associated with a respective property. Also, first and second message-level elements may be defined. The first message-level element may be based on a first field-level element of the plurality of field-level elements, and the second message-level element may be based on the first field-level element. The API may be associated with a first resource having properties resolved based on at least the first and second message-level elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventors: Cynthia L Recker, Roger M Prenger
  • Patent number: 11522266
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for antenna positioning with an eccentric tilt pointing mechanism. For example, a system in accordance with the present disclosure may include a base structure and an intermediate structure that is rotatably coupled with the base structure about a first axis (e.g., a tilt axis). The system may also include a positioning system that is coupled with the intermediate structure and configured to orient an antenna boresight about at least two angular degrees of freedom with respect to the intermediate structure (e.g., in an elevation-over-azimuth configuration). The system may also include an actuator between the base structure and the intermediate structure that is configured to set, change, or maintain an angle between the base structure and the intermediate structure, which, in some examples, may include a rotation of an eccentric element based on a predicted path of a target device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt A. Zimmerman, Thaddeus D. Oxford, Scott D. Leach
  • Patent number: 11515933
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for providing end-to-end beamforming. For example, end-to-end beamforming systems include end-to-end relays and ground networks to provide communications to user terminals located in user beam coverage areas. The ground segment can include geographically distributed access nodes and a central processing system. Return uplink signals, transmitted from the user terminals, have multipath induced by a plurality of receive/transmit signal paths in the end to end relay and are relayed to the ground network. The ground network, using beamformers, recovers user data streams transmitted by the user terminals from return downlink signals. The ground network, using beamformers generates forward uplink signals from appropriately weighted combinations of user data streams that, after relay by the end-end-end relay, produce forward downlink signals that combine to form user beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth V. Buer, Mark J. Miller
  • Patent number: 11509070
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a phased array antenna comprises multiple subcircuits in communication with multiple radiating elements. The radio frequency signals are independently adjusted for both polarization control and beam steering. In a receive embodiment, multiple RF signals of various polarizations are received and combined into at least one receive beam output. In a transmit embodiment, at least one transmit beam input is divided and transmitted through multiple radiating elements, with the transmitted beams having various polarizations. In an exemplary embodiment, the phased array antenna provides multi-beam formation over multiple operating frequency bands. The wideband nature of the active components allows for operation over multiple frequency bands simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventors: David W. Corman, Rob Zienkewicz, David R. Saunders
  • Patent number: 11502924
    Abstract: Control circuitry is configured to establish a first connection with one or more onboard passenger service devices using a network interface. The control circuitry is further configured to receive a set of system log data from the one or more onboard passenger service devices via the network interface and store one or more log signatures in non-volatile data storage media. The control circuitry is further configured to detect a first fault related to a first onboard passenger service device of the one or more onboard passenger service devices and store a first set of transmission rule data in the non-volatile data storage media. The control circuitry is further configured to filter the set of system log data, establish a second connection with a remote computing device using the network interface, and transmit a subset of system log data to the remote computing device via the network interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart H. Floyd
  • Patent number: 11502745
    Abstract: Embodiments provide in-flight configuration of satellite pathways to flexibly service terra-link and cross-link traffic in a constellation of non-processed satellites, for example, to facilitate flexible forward-channel and return-channel capacity in a satellite communications system. For example, each satellite in the constellation can include one or more dynamically configurable pathway, and switching and/or beamforming can be used to configure each pathway to be a forward-channel pathway or a return-channel pathway in each of a number of timeslots according to a pathway configuration schedule. At least some of the pathways can be further selectively configured, in each timeslot, to carry “terra-link” traffic to and/or from terrestrial terminals and “cross-link” traffic to and/or from one or more other satellites of the constellation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark D. Dankberg
  • Patent number: 11493587
    Abstract: A system and method of the disclosure relates to satellite tracking. The system may comprise a tracking receiver that includes a first analog-to-digital (A/D) converter coupled between a sum input and a digital signal processor (DSP), a second A/D converter coupled between a difference input and the DSP, and a calibration output coupled to the sum input and coupled to the difference input. The first A/D converter may convert an signal received at the sum input into a sum digital signal, and provide the sum digital signal to the DSP. The second A/D converter may convert an signal received at the difference input into a difference digital signal, and provide the difference digital signal to the DSP. The tracking receiver may generate an calibration signal and provide the calibration signal through the calibration output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Rose, Brian D. Chandler, David E. Sinyard, Charles M. Luke
  • Patent number: 11490305
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for modifying the playback rate of media data in order to improve craft-based media playback system performance during handover events in a communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventor: Brian T. Sleight
  • Patent number: 11482791
    Abstract: A phased array antenna includes an array of antenna element modules. Each of the array of antenna element modules includes a dielectric substrate having a lower surface and a radiating element. Each of the antenna element modules also includes an integrated circuit (IC) chip adhered to the lower surface of the dielectric substrate. The IC chip includes a circuit to adjust a signal communicated with the radiating element. The phased array antenna also includes a multi-layer substrate underlying the array of antenna element modules, the multi-layer substrate including a beam forming network (BFN) circuit formed on a layer of the multi-layer substrate and the BFN circuit is in electrical communication with the IC chip of each of the array of antenna element modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventors: Maria Carolina Vigano, Kenneth V. Buer, Douglas J. Mathews
  • Patent number: 11476573
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an antenna assembly is described. The antenna assembly includes and antenna and an antenna positioner coupled to the antenna. The antenna positioner includes a single drive interface and a plurality of gears. The plurality of gears rotate in a first manner in response to a first drive direction applied through the single drive interface, and rotate in a second manner in response to a second drive applied through the single drive interface. The antenna positioner also includes a threaded rod that moves in a first rod direction and a second rod direction in response to rotation of the plurality of gears in the first manner and the second manner respectively. The antenna positioner also includes a tilt plate contacting the threaded rod. The tilt plate tilts about a pivot line in response to movement of the threaded rod to move a beam of the antenna in a spiral pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Runyon, Edward Mitchell Blalock
  • Patent number: 11469914
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems manage use of shared network resources among subscribers to a data communication service. In some implementations, a first metric is computed representing a subscriber's use of the shared network resources. A second metric may also be computed that represents the amount of network congestion of the shared network resources. Data derived from the first metric and the second metric may then be presented to the subscriber. The data may be transmitted to the subscriber over a network and/or the data may be displayed to the subscriber on an electronic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Dankberg, Jim Esserman, Keven Lippert
  • Patent number: 11469805
    Abstract: One example includes a phased-array antenna system (10). The system includes antenna elements (16) each including an element adjustment circuit (24) and a radiating element (114). A beamforming network (14) receives a carrier signal and generates element carrier signals. A baseband DSP (22) generates a plurality of composite beamforming data signals associated with a respective one of the antenna elements (16) and is generated based on combining individual beamforming data signals. Each of the individual beamforming data signals is associated with a respective beam and is based on combining a data signal associated with the respective beam with an antenna weight associated with the respective beam and the respective one of the antenna elements (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventors: Peter S. Wyckoff, Joseph J. Luna
  • Patent number: 11463160
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for enabling flexible signal pathways within a satellite of a satellite communications system. For example, a pathway selection subsystem in a bent-pipe satellite enables a flexible arrangement of non-processed signal pathways that couple uplink antenna ports with downlink antenna ports via uplink and downlink pathway selectors. The pathway selectors can be dynamically reconfigured (e.g., on orbit), so that the configuration of the pathway selectors at one time can form one set of signal pathways between respective uplink and downlink antenna ports, and the configuration at another time can form a different set of signal pathways between respective uplink and downlink antenna ports. The pathway selection subsystem can have a simulcast mode which, when active, couples each of at least one of the uplink antenna ports with multiple of the user downlink antenna ports to form one or more simulcast signal pathways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Mendelsohn, Donald Becker
  • Patent number: 11463337
    Abstract: Systems and methods for timeline representations of trip phases of a mobile vehicle are described. A method may include receiving operational events associated with a voyage of the mobile vehicle. The operational events may include events such as take-off, landing, door open, door closed, engine started, or other types of operational events. Each operational event may have a corresponding event time at which the event occurred or was detected. The method may include receiving network metric values for network communication metrics associated with a network service on the mobile vehicle. Each network metric value may have a corresponding value time at which the metric was measured or detected. The operational events and network communication metrics may be displayed in a time-aligned manner on a timeline representation over a time range indicated by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard G. Walsh
  • Patent number: 11456802
    Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating the return and forward links of a satellite communication system are provided according to embodiments of the invention. The phase and/or amplitude variations caused by the return and forward links are calculated and/or estimated to aid in beamforming, such as ground-based beamforming. Calibration earth stations, distributed within one or more beam patterns, may be used to transmit calibration codes to the gateway to calibrate the return link. Return links variations may be estimated using a weighted minimum mean square algorithm at the gateway. Forward links may be calibrated with calibration codes transmitted from the gateway through a hybrid matrix to at least one calibration station. Forward calibration links may also calibrate for temperature-dependent signal variations such as diplexer variations at the satellite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventor: Soheil Sayegh
  • Patent number: 11450207
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a network communication system onboard a vehicle comprises a network interface and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to obtain location data indicating geographic locations of a plurality of vehicles within a geographic area, generate a first interface comprising a first portion and a second portion, and generate first graphical interface data within the first portion of the first interface. The first graphical interface data represents a map of the geographic area and a plurality of vehicle icons. Each of the plurality of vehicle icons is selectable via user input and at a position on the map corresponding to a respective geographic location of one of the plurality of vehicles. The control circuitry is further configured to generate second graphical interface data within the second portion of the first interface. The second graphical interface data represents vehicle identifiers for the plurality of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventor: Richard G Walsh
  • Patent number: 11443099
    Abstract: Embodiments seek to improve prefetch hinting using time-dependent, machine-generated hints. Some embodiments operate in context of client machines in communication hinting machines that can develop information about whether and how resources are used in network transactions over time by collecting “resource samples.” Each resource sample can identify rendering status information of a resource at a sample time. The time-based samples can be used to compute time-based probabilities for the resources, indicating, for example, the likelihood of a resource being used to render a web page at some subsequent time. Time-dependent hints can be generated as a function of the time-based probabilities, and the time-dependent hints can be used to improve prefetching by optimizing the hinting information with respect to a particular request time (e.g., the prefetching hints for rendering a web page can be generated in a manner that accounts for when the web page is being rendered).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventors: Peter J Lepeska, Devin R Toth
  • Patent number: 11431708
    Abstract: Methods and systems for improved device authentication and presentation of media content to passengers aboard a transportation apparatus are disclosed. In some aspects, authentication of a device may be simplified based on previous associations made between the device, a user, and travel on a transportation apparatus within a particular time period. In some aspects, passenger selected media content may be prepositioned on stable storage within a transportation apparatus such that the media content may be provided to one or more passengers of the transportation apparatus while the transportation apparatus is in motion, and thus avoid transfer of the media content over an off-board wireless communication link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Viasat, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Demange, Shameem Hashmi