Abstract: A method of determining suitable communication paths between a first device and a second device, the first device being connected to a plurality of third devices to which the second device is also connected. The method comprises, at the first device: for each of the third devices, obtaining first information indicating a characteristic of communications between the first device and the second device via the third device, obtaining second information associated with first data to be transmitted from the first device to the second device, and determining, based upon the first and second information, whether any of the third devices should receive the first data for communication of the first data to the second device.

Abstract: A method of providing connectivity to a device having N communication interfaces and M virtual connections, each interface being connectable to a further device. The method comprises determining, for each of the interfaces, a characteristic of the interface. Respective ones of the M virtual connections are associated with respective ones of the N interfaces based upon the determined characteristics.

Abstract: A method of storing data indicating a property of a communications network includes obtaining a data item associated with at least part of a spatial region and having an associated spatial parameter and an associated temporal parameter, the stored data item indicating a property of the communications network. The method also includes receiving second data indicating a property of said communications network at a particular location in said spatial region at a particular time. The method further includes processing said spatial parameter, said temporal parameter, data indicating said particular location and data indicating said particular time and, based upon said processing, generating first and second sub-data items, each of said first and second sub-data items having an associated spatial parameter and an associated temporal parameter, at least one of the first and second sub-data items having a spatial or temporal parameter different from that associated with the stored data item.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method of providing connectivity to a vehicle. The method comprises, at a first device aboard the vehicle, establishing at least one first connection with at least one first network, the at least one first connection allowing communication with a second device remote from the first device, transmitting via the at least one first connection an allocation request to the second device, receiving via the at least one first connection an allocation response from the second device, the allocation response indicating a first authentication device from a plurality of authentication devices remote from the first device, and establishing a second connection with a network and authenticating the first device on the network using the first authentication device.

Abstract: A method provides data communication to a vehicle. The method comprises a first data packet from a device associated with said vehicle at an intermediate device, said first data packet comprising a first identifier identifying said vehicle, modifying said first identifier to identify said intermediate device and forwarding said modified first data packet from said intermediate device to a further device. A communications session between said device associated with said further device is established, and a session identifier is associated with the communications session, and said first data packet comprises said session identifier and said modified data packet comprises said session identifier.

Abstract: A method for providing data to a first device aboard a vehicle, comprising, at a first distribution device: detecting establishment of a data connection with at least one device aboard the vehicle; identifying a first piece of a first data item to be sent to the first device aboard the vehicle, the first data item comprising a plurality of pieces; transmitting the first piece to the first device aboard the vehicle; determining whether transmission of the first piece was successful; and if it is determined that the transmission was successful transmitting to a central device a first indication, the first indication indicating that transmission of the first piece was successful.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method of providing connectivity to a vehicle. The method comprises, at a first device aboard the vehicle, establishing at least one first connection with at least one first network, the at least one first connection allowing communication with a second device remote from the first device, transmitting via the at least one first connection an allocation request to the second device, receiving via the at least one first connection an allocation response from the second device, the allocation response indicating a first authentication device from a plurality of authentication devices remote from the first device, and establishing a second connection with a network and authenticating the first device on the network using the first authentication device.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data from a first device. The method comprises: at the first device, establishing a connection with a first one of a plurality of second devices and establishing a first virtual connection, the first virtual connection being between the first device and a third device through the first one of a plurality of second devices; and receiving details of a second virtual connection, the second virtual connection being between a fourth device and the third device through a second one of the plurality of second devices, the fourth device being connected to the first device. The method further comprises selecting one of said first or second virtual connections for transmission of a data packet to said third device and transmitting data to said third device using said selected connection.

Abstract: A method of providing connectivity to a device having N communication interfaces and M virtual connections, each interface being connectable to a further device. The method comprises determining, for each of the interfaces, a characteristic of the interface. Respective ones of the M virtual connections are associated with respective ones of the N interfaces based upon the determined characteristics.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for determining whether first and second components of a vehicle are physically coupled together, the method comprising: transmitting a first signal from the first component of the vehicle; receiving a second signal from the second component of the vehicle; processing the second signal to determine whether the first and second components of the vehicle are coupled.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for determining whether first and second components of a vehicle are physically coupled together, the method comprising: transmitting a first signal from the first component of the vehicle; receiving a second signal from the second component of the vehicle; processing the second signal to determine whether the first and second components of the vehicle are coupled.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for determining whether first and second components of a vehicle are physically coupled together, the method comprising: transmitting a first signal from the first component of the vehicle; receiving a second signal from the second component of the vehicle; processing the second signal to determine whether the first and second components of the vehicle are coupled.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for determining whether first and second components of a vehicle are physically coupled together, the method comprising: transmitting a first signal from the first component of the vehicle; receiving a second signal from the second component of the vehicle; processing the second signal to determine whether the first and second components of the vehicle are coupled.