Abstract: A transmitter modulates a laser beam with data and projects the laser beam. A first and second optical detector indirectly receive a first and second signal (respectively) via light scattered from a first and second segment of the laser beam at a first and second time. The first segment at the first time and the second segment at the second time are modulated with the same data. The receiver phases the first signal and/or the second signal to match their phase and sums the signals. The transmitter and/or the receiver may include a terrain database and/or an order wire for sharing terrain and/or position information. Terrain information and/or position information may be utilized to align the laser beam with the optical detector(s) and/or adjust an aperture of the optical detector(s) to minimize intersymbol interference and maximize communication channel benefits associated with spatial and temporal diversity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for interacting with a communications system. Interaction with the communications system occurs by identifying an access point. An estimate of link-loss from a mobile node to the access point is then determined. Also determined is an allowable power density limit proximate to the access point. A communications signal that is suitable for interacting with the communications system is generated. The level of the communications signal is adjusted according to the estimated link-loss and also according to the allowable power density limit. The level adjusted signal is then directed to the access point.

Abstract: A communications system utilizes a forward error correction (FEC) regulation system in transmitting data to a mobile client. The FEC strength is regulated as a function of a mobile client location and channel statistics for the location. The communications system includes a server for providing the FEC, a channel statistics database for storing channel data for locations of the mobile client, and a map database. The FEC strength is based on mobile client position and channel performance statistics measured by the mobile client over a period of time and sent to the server or optionally on previously collected and stored channel statistics measurements for the mobile client position or predicted position. The collection of channel statistics is made with an automated system to create a channel statistics measurement database. The FEC strength is varied by modifying packet payload redundancy, packet time spreading, interleave characteristics and error coding rates.

Abstract: The present invention is a position-based channel coding system for communications devices. The device may comprise one or more of the following features: (a) a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of receiving positioning data from GPS satellites; (b) a radio frequency (RF) transceiver having at least a first channel and a second channel; (c) a geographical information system (GIS) database of topographical data; (d) a processor capable of optimizing transceiving parameters of the RF transceiver based on the positioning data and topographical data; and (e) a bus linking the GPS receiver, RF transceiver, GIS database, and processor.

Abstract: A public safety communications network uses asymmetric channels for receiving requests for data from a mobile client over a narrowband land mobile radio system (LMRS) channel and delivering wideband data over a digital television (DTV) network channel to a DTV datacast receiver with the mobile client. An emergency operations center connected to the LMRS receives and processes the data requests and forwards the requested data. DTV network stations have a data multiplex insertion system for inserting the requested data into a DTV signal. The DTV network may be a public television network. An addressing system identifies unique mobile client addresses and unique mobile client group addresses and selects a DTV transmitter for delivering response messages in accordance with the addresses. A forward error correction (FEC) regulation system is used in transmitting requested data with FEC strength regulated as a function of historical bit-error-rate or receive power for a geographical location.

Abstract: A method of data compression for compressing a web page with graphics files, text files, JAVA scripts, and HTML files comprises storing the graphics files, the text files, the JAVA scripts, and the HTML files in a temporary directory. The graphics files are sorted into lossless and lossy file groups. The lossy files, the lossless files, the text files, the JAVA scripts, and the HTML files are concatenating and then compressed to yield a compressed web page. The lossy files may be de-featured and transcoded before concatenation. The lossless files may be subsampled or decimated before concatenation to match client display size. Lossy files may be de-featured to match client display size by subsampling and reducing image fidelity. Optimal file concatenation size range is determined to optimally develop compression performance while minimizing latency. The concatenated file size is regulated to the optimal file concatenation size.

Abstract: The present invention is a position-based interleave regulation system for communications devices. The device may comprise one or more of the following features: (a) a global positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of receiving positioning data from GPS satellites; (b) a radio frequency (RF) transceiver having at least a first channel and a second channel; (c) a geographical information system (GIS) database of topographical data; (d) a processor capable of optimizing transceiving parameters of the RF transceiver based on the positioning data and topographical data; and (e) a bus linking the GPS receiver, RF transceiver, GIS database, and processor.

Abstract: A laser communications and position location system has a laser transmitter with a laser array radiating modulated laser beams upward at convergence angles that determine altitude of a free space junction where the beams converge. The free space junction scatters the modulated laser beams and a laser receiver receives the scattered modulated laser beam light and recovers the data. A modulator modulates the laser array with data. The laser transmitter may include a data link to transmit the free space junction position to the laser receiver to aid in finding it. The laser receiver has an optical detector with an adjustable field of view and gain to minimize background light noise and to demodulate the received modulated scattered laser beams. The laser receiver determines a precise location of the laser transmitter upon finding the free space junction.

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.