Abstract: A communication system is provided for use with a mobile platform. The communication system can be configured to store video data on-board to allow pseudo-live or live broadcasts to be played as the mobile platform traverses a number of broadcasts regions. The mobile platforms can be automobiles, aircraft, boats, ships, trains, or other vehicles. The communication system allows Internet access, movies, and other entertainment and business functions to be performed.

Abstract: A method of delivering programming to passenger seats with a wireless in-flight entertainment system in an aircraft cabin uses a configurable cabin antenna system. Control data and programming is delivered with a head end server and received with one or more access points connected to the head end server. One or more antenna systems, connected to the access points, are disposed at optimum selected locations in the aircraft cabin to provide the programming to the passengers. One or more personal electronic devices (PEDs) located receive the programming from the one or more configurable antennas. Beams of the one or more antenna systems are adjusted to deliver programming to the one or more PEDs at a required bit error rate.

Abstract: A cellular wireless in-flight entertainment (IFE) system is used in an aircraft for delivering programming to passengers. A head end server provides data and programming to cells. Each cell comprises a wireless access point/configurable antenna to receive the data and the programming. The wireless access point/configurable antenna is disposed at an optimum location in a passenger cabin and operates with a predetermined frequency, radiation pattern, and polarization to provide the programming at optimum coverage. Wireless seat displays receive the programming from the wireless access point/configurable antenna and have a seat display antenna with selectable polarization.

Abstract: An airborne cell phone in-flight entertainment (IFE) system uses a cell phone for calls and IFE requests by dialing appropriate numbers. A pico cell receives the calls and the IFE requests. A soft switch switches the calls and IFE requests according to the telephone number. A transceiver receives the calls from the soft switch and sends them to a ground station that directs them to a telephone system. A media server receives IFE requests and provides IFE to the cell phone. A direct broadcast satellite (DBS) receiver on the aircraft receives DBS signals. A transcoder converts the received DBS signals from one compressed video format to another. A broad-to-connection protocol conversion process receives converted format DBS signals and converts them to video content blocks, stores the video content blocks to a continuously updated buffer and presents them to the media server and then to the cell phone.

Abstract: Low-latency satellite Internet service from a commercial off-the-shelf two-way satellite Internet system for aircraft under marginal communications link conditions is provided. One or more identical Internet requests each having a unique ID are sent in rapid succession from the aircraft. The one or more identical Internet requests are received at a satellite and sent to a network operations center (NOC) where they are forwarded over the Internet to an appropriate Web site. Identical Web pages are retrieved for the identical Internet requests by the NOC and transmitted to the satellite and then relayed to the aircraft. The requested Web page data is fused for the requested Web pages into a single Web page response in accordance with the unique IDs in the server for viewing by a client PC with low-latency when a failure in transmitting and receiving identical Internet requests and requested Web pages occurs.

Abstract: A global airborne cell phone system is used for cell phone calls by using a pico cell. A switch connected to the pico cell switches the cell phone call between a first radio that transmits to a first satellite system and a second radio that transmits to a second satellite system. A navigation system provides aircraft position data. A processor switches the call to the first radio and to the second radio according to coverage of the first satellite and the second satellite for a current aircraft position. A cell phone of a second type makes calls to a pico cell of the second type. A second switch connected to the pico cell of the second type switches the cell phone call between the first radio and the second radio according to coverage of the first satellite and the second satellite for the current aircraft position.

Abstract: A system for compressing text using variable length codes includes a memory device and an encoder. The memory device is configured to store a set of variable length codes for a plurality of languages for compression of a text, where the set of variable length codes includes variable code lengths based on language features. The encoder is coupled to the memory device and is configured to receive text in at least one of the plurality of languages, to generate a compressed text by assigning a code to each word in the text based on codes from the set of variable length codes that are associated with the at least one language to the text and to generate at least one header to be inserted in the compressed text. The header includes information regarding the location in the compressed text of a subsequent change in code length.

Abstract: A communication system is provided for use with a mobile platform. The communication system can be configured to store video data on-board to allow pseudo-live or live broadcasts to be played as the mobile platform traverses a number of broadcasts regions. The mobile platforms can be automobiles, aircraft, boats, ships, trains, or other vehicles. The communication system allows Internet access, movies, and other entertainment and business functions to be performed.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus comprising includes multiple white light emitting diodes or other sources of light which generate environmental lighting for a user of the data communication apparatus. The data communication apparatus also includes a data transmitting device positioned adjacent the white light emitting diodes, the data transmitting device configured to wirelessly transmit data signals to electronic devices used by the user. The data communication apparatus can also include a data receiving device for receiving wirelessly transmitted data signals from the electronic devices used by the user. The data communication device can be used, for example, in an aircraft cabin lighting system.

Abstract: An aircraft satellite communications system for distributing Internet service and television programming from direct broadcast satellites to aircraft. The aircraft include a direct broadcast satellite receiver system, an aircraft computer network, and back-channel communications system equipment. The direct broadcast satellites receive uplink direct broadcast satellite television programming and Internet service from a direct broadcast satellite ground station that includes a direct broadcast satellite television program source and an Internet interface. A back-channel communications system provides communications with the aircraft to provide interactive Internet service to the aircraft over the back-channel communications system. A telephone system is connected to a back-channel communications system ground station and to a switch center connected to the telephone system and the Internet.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for processing and encoding audio information. An audio transducer receives audio information, preferably continuously, and converts the audio information into a signal representative of the audio information. A digital processing system receives the signal and electronically processes the audio signal. An optical processing system operatively couples with the digital processing system and performs a signal processing algorithm on the signal whereby the signal is encoded. The encoded signal is optimized for transmission over a very low bandwidth transmission channel. The encoded signal may be received and decoded with a system that may include a second optical processing and/or memory system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing video data images uses optical processing techniques. The method and apparatus perform holographic optical correlation and apply holographic optical correlation in a feedback loop. A codebook of images or primitives for the correlation are stored in a holographic library.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing and processing audio and video images for optimized transmission over a lower bandwidth communications channel are disclosed. A digital processing system receives video and audio signals from a media source such that the video and audio signals are representative of captured images and sounds as a multimedia signal. An optical processing system is coupled to the digital processing system and performs signal processing algorithms on the multimedia signal. A transceiver transmits the multimedia signal over a lower bandwidth communications channel wherein the multimedia signal is optimized for transmission over the lower bandwidth communications channel by the signal processing algorithms performed by the optical processing system.

Abstract: A global positioning system (GPS) and auxiliary receiver receive limited range position signals broadcasted from telemetry transmitters when in an urban canyon environment. The limited range receivers preferably are implemented as part of the lighting infrastructure of the environment. The limited range receivers derive power from light from the lighting infrastructure. The receivers can also include a transmitter for retransmitting the receive position data and an ID code to a central processing center.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the growth of plants, flowering plants, fruits and vegetables produced by such plants through contacting the plants during growth periods with effective amounts of vanadyl compositions. These methods include compositions's application rates, time of application and other plant conditions such as stress, moisture levels and other growth variables in order to achieve enhanced fruit yields.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correlating outputs of a plurality of environmental sensor signals to determine a situation. The method includes the steps of dividing a coherent light beam across a diameter of the light beam into a plurality of information transmission zones and modulating a portion of the light beam within at least some of the information transmission zones with a corresponding number of signals of the plurality of environmental sensor signals. The method further includes the steps of deflecting the modulated light beams of the at least some information transmission zones within a holographic memory to provide at least some correlated outputs among the plurality of environmental sensor signals and determining the situation based upon the at least some correlated outputs of the holographic memory.

Abstract: A global positioning system (GPS) and auxiliary receiver receive limited range position signals broadcasted from telemetry transmitters when in an urban canyon environment. The limited range receivers preferably are implemented as part of the lighting infrastructure of the environment. The limited range receivers derive power from light from the lighting infrastructure. The receivers can also include a transmitter for retransmitting the receive position data and an ID code to a central processing center.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the growth of plants and fruits produced by such plants through contacting the plants during growth periods with effective amounts of vanadyl compositions. These methods include composition's application rates, time of application and other plant conditions such as stress, moisture levels and other growth variables in order to achieve enhanced fruit yields.

Abstract: A component container having a vessel portion and a cap is herein disclosed. A base forms part of the vessel portion. The base is connected to a substantially cylindrical housing. The cylindrical housing has an inside taper, an outside taper and a central axis. A plurality of wedge shaped tines is uniformly distributed around the outside of the cylindrical housing. The tines are aligned substantially parallel to the central axis. The cap is a snap fit cap having a pair of opposed slots and is selectively connectable to the cylindrical housing opposite the base. The snap fit cap has a plurality of spring tabs which extend from the cap into the interior of the cylindrical housing when the cap is fitted to the vessel portion. Either a magnetic reed switch or a bar type magnet may be held within the component container.