Abstract: An optical isolator system comprises an electrical-to-optical converter apparatus for receiving an input electrical signal from a system of an aircraft and converting the input electrical signal into an optical signal which is representative of the input electrical signal. The optical isolator system further comprises an optical-to-electrical converter apparatus for receiving the optical signal from the electrical-to-optical converter apparatus, for converting the received optical signal into an output electrical signal which is representative of the received optical signal, and for transmitting the output electrical signal to a portable server for the wireless distribution of content such as visual content, web content, video content, audio content, games, services, information and/or advertising content to clients in the aircraft. Associated methods are also described.

Abstract: An optical isolator system comprises an electrical-to-optical converter apparatus for receiving an input electrical signal from a system of an aircraft and converting the input electrical signal into an optical signal which is representative of the input electrical signal. The optical isolator system further comprises an optical-to-electrical converter apparatus for receiving the optical signal from the electrical-to-optical converter apparatus, for converting the received optical signal into an output electrical signal which is representative of the received optical signal, and for transmitting the output electrical signal to a portable server for the wireless distribution of content such as visual content, web content, video content, audio content, games, services, information and/or advertising content to clients in the aircraft. Associated methods are also described.

Abstract: A portable server is configured for storing content and for wireless communication with one or more clients for the wireless distribution of at least some of the stored content to one or more of the clients. The portable server is configured for wireless communication with at least one other portable server for use in providing a system for wirelessly distributing content to a plurality of clients in a local area such as a building or a vehicle and, in particular though not exclusively, an aircraft.

Abstract: A portable server is configured for storing content and for wireless communication with one or more clients for the wireless distribution of at least some of the stored content to one or more of the clients. The portable server is configured for wireless communication with at least one other portable server for use in providing a system for wirelessly distributing content to a plurality of clients in a local area such as a building or a vehicle and, in particular though not exclusively, an aircraft.

Abstract: An aircraft interface apparatus for providing communication between an aircraft system and a device for use on an aircraft comprises a first communication means for providing communication with the aircraft system, and a second communication means for providing communication with the device, wherein the aircraft system uses a first data format and the device uses a second data format, and the apparatus further comprises: an interface processing resource that is configured to receive data in a first format from the device and, in response, to output data in the second format to the aircraft system and/or to receive data in the second format from the device and, in response, to output data in the first format to the aircraft system.

Abstract: A content distribution system comprises a server, a plurality of clients and means for distributing a plurality of items of content to the plurality of clients, wherein each client is configured to transmit at least one message to the server representative of portions of the items of content that are present or not present at that client, and the distribution means is configured to determine from the messages portions of the items of content that are missing from at least one client, and to distribute the missing portions of content to the clients according to a multicast protocol.

Abstract: An aircraft interface apparatus for providing communication between an aircraft system and a device for use on an aircraft comprises a first communication means for providing communication with the aircraft system, and a second communication means for providing communication with the device, wherein the aircraft system uses a first data format and the device uses a second data format, and the apparatus further comprises: an interface processing resource that is configured to receive data in a first format from the device and, in response, to output data in the second format to the aircraft system and/or to receive data in the second format from the device and, in response, to output data in the first format to the aircraft system.

Abstract: An aircraft interface apparatus for providing communication between an aircraft system and a device for use on an aircraft comprises a first communication means for providing communication with the aircraft system, and a second communication means for providing communication with the device, wherein the aircraft system uses a first data format and the device uses a second data format, and the apparatus further comprises: —an interface processing resource that is configured to receive data in a first format from the device and, in response, to output data in the second format to the aircraft system and/or to receive data in the second format from the device and, in response, to output data in the first format to the aircraft system.

Abstract: An aircraft interface apparatus for providing communication between an aircraft system and a device for use on an aircraft comprises a first communication means for providing communication with the aircraft system, and a second communication means for providing communication with the device, wherein the aircraft system uses a first data format and the device uses a second data format, and the apparatus further comprises: an interface processing resource that is configured to receive data in a first format from the device and, in response, to output data in the second format to the aircraft system and/or to receive data in the second format from the device and, in response, to output data in the first format to the aircraft system.

Abstract: A content distribution system comprises a server, a plurality of clients and means for distributing a plurality of items of content to the plurality of clients, wherein each client is configured to transmit at least one message to the server representative of portions of the items of content that are present or not present at that client, and the distribution means is configured to determine from the messages portions of the items of content that are missing from at least one client, and to distribute the missing portions of content to the clients according to a multicast protocol.