Abstract: Methods and systems for a transportation vehicle are provided. For example, one method includes providing a seat identifier and/or a transportation vehicle identifier in a request to access a webpage via an Internet connection from a seatback device of a transportation vehicle; selecting a server that is not located on the transportation vehicle for providing content to the seatback device; executing a remote browser at the server for retrieving content from the Internet for the seatback device, without having to execute a browser at the seatback device; and rendering content at the seatback device as an image of the content retrieved by the remote browser.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a transportation vehicle are provided. For example, one method includes providing a seat identifier and/or a transportation vehicle identifier in a request to access a webpage via an Internet connection from a seatback device of a transportation vehicle; selecting a server that is not located on the transportation vehicle for providing content to the seatback device; executing a remote browser at the server for retrieving content from the Internet for the seatback device, without having to execute a browser at the seatback device; and rendering content at the seatback device as an image of the content retrieved by the remote browser.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a transportation vehicle are provided. For example, one method includes providing a seat identifier and/or a transportation vehicle identifier in a request to access a webpage via an Internet connection from a seatback device of a transportation vehicle; selecting a server that is not located on the transportation vehicle for providing content to the seatback device; executing a remote browser at the server for retrieving content from the Internet for the seatback device, without having to execute a browser at the seatback device; and rendering content at the seatback device as an image of the content retrieved by the remote browser.

Abstract: An antenna assembly including a support and antenna tiles disposed in the support. The antenna tiles form an external surface corresponding substantially in shape to lateral faces of a frustum. The frustum includes a central axis with the antenna tiles disposed around the central axis of the frustum and sloping away therefrom. Each antenna tile includes opposite ends, with one end narrower than the other end. A planar array of antenna elements is disposed on each antenna tile in which the antenna elements of each array are configured to operate as a phased array. A control system connects to the planar arrays of antenna elements in which the control system is configured to selectively activate and deactivate each of the planar arrays.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system including a server storing media files, and smart monitors. Each smart monitor presents media selections corresponding to the media files and receives an input from passengers for playing a selection. Each smart monitor includes local content storage storing a subset of the media files. A network connects the smart monitors and server. Program logic executed by each smart monitor performs tasks including determining if a media file corresponding to an input is available from a first source, and if available, playing the media file from the first source; if the media file is not available there, determining if the media file required is available from a second source and if available, playing the media file from the second source; and if the media file is not available from the second source, determining if the media file is available from a third source.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system including a server storing media files, and smart monitors. Each smart monitor presents media selections corresponding to the media files and receives an input from passengers for playing a selection. Each smart monitor includes local content storage storing a subset of the media files. A network connects the smart monitors and server. Program logic executed by each smart monitor performs tasks including determining if a media file corresponding to an input is available from a first source, and if available, playing the media file from the first source; if the media file is not available there, determining if the media file required is available from a second source and if available, playing the media file from the second source; and if the media file is not available from the second source, determining if the media file is available from a third source.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system including a server storing media files, and smart monitors. Each smart monitor presents media selections corresponding to the media files and receives an input from passengers for playing a selection. Each smart monitor includes local content storage storing a subset of the media files. A network connects the smart monitors and server. Program logic executed by each smart monitor performs tasks including determining if a media file corresponding to an input is available from a first source, and if available, playing the media file from the first source; if the media file is not available there, determining if the media file required is available from a second source and if available, playing the media file from the second source; and if the media file is not available from the second source, determining if the media file is available from a third source.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a transportation vehicle are provided. For example, one method includes providing a seat identifier and/or a transportation vehicle identifier in a request to access a webpage via an Internet connection from a seatback device of a transportation vehicle; selecting a server that is not located on the transportation vehicle for providing content to the seatback device; executing a remote browser at the server for retrieving content from the Internet for the seatback device, without having to execute a browser at the seatback device; and rendering content at the seatback device as an image of the content retrieved by the remote browser.

Abstract: An antenna assembly including a support and antenna tiles disposed in the support. The antenna tiles form an external surface corresponding substantially in shape to lateral faces of a frustum. The frustum includes a central axis with the antenna tiles disposed around the central axis of the frustum and sloping away therefrom. Each antenna tile includes opposite ends, with one end narrower than the other end. A planar array of antenna elements is disposed on each antenna tile in which the antenna elements of each array are configured to operate as a phased array. A control system connects to the planar arrays of antenna elements in which the control system is configured to selectively activate and deactivate each of the planar arrays.

Abstract: A vehicle entertainment system including a server storing media files, and smart monitors. Each smart monitor presents media selections corresponding to the media files and receives an input from passengers for playing a selection. Each smart monitor includes local content storage storing a subset of the media files. A network connects the smart monitors and server. Program logic executed by each smart monitor performs tasks including determining if a media file corresponding to an input is available from a first source, and if available, playing the media file from the first source; if the media file is not available there, determining if the media file required is available from a second source and if available, playing the media file from the second source; and if the media file is not available from the second source, determining if the media file is available from a third source.

Abstract: A distribution system for vehicle information systems and methods for manufacturing and using same. The distribution system supports high-bandwidth communications among system resources via one or more active routing systems. Comprising a plurality of communication ports coupled via a high-speed switching system, each routing system transparently splits incoming communication signals received via an input communication port. The routing system thereby can provide the incoming communication to a plurality of output communication ports without effecting signal bandwidth. By providing each routing system with a bypass system, the distribution system likewise can bypass one or more of the high-speed switching system in the event of a distribution system failure such that communications among the system resources can be maintained.

Abstract: A distribution system for vehicle information systems and methods for manufacturing and using same. The distribution system enhances the image quality of a conventional video display system via one or more video conversion systems. Each video conversion system receives information content via an incoming communication signal and enhances a video portion of the information content to form an enhanced video signal, which is provided to the video display system. By providing each video conversion system with a bypass system, the distribution system likewise can bypass one or more of the video conversion systems in the event of a distribution system failure such that communications among system resources can be maintained. As a result, passengers traveling aboard the vehicle can view information content with high resolution and high image quality during travel with limited interruption in service and without unwanted travel delays.

Abstract: A vehicle information system for passenger vehicles, such as automobiles and aircraft, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The vehicle information system includes a universal antenna system and a universal receiver system for receiving viewing content provided by diverse content sources during travel, including international travel. The universal antenna and receiver system provide selected viewing content for distribution throughout the vehicle information system and presentation via one or more passenger interfaces. As the vehicle approaches the coverage region of a selected content source, the vehicle information system automatically reconfigures the universal antenna and receiver system to receive viewing content from the content source without requiring manual adjustment to, or replacement of, the universal antenna system and/or the universal receiver system.

Abstract: A portable media device for use in cooperation with passenger entertainment systems installed in vehicles, such as automobiles and aircraft, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The portable media device is configured to communicate with one or more content sources, which provide viewing content and which may be proximate to, and/or remote from, the portable media device. Preferably being configured to wirelessly communicate with the content sources, the portable media device can select content from any available content source and can download and present the selected content in any conventional manner. The selected content can be streamed to the portable media device for contemporaneous presentation and/or stored by the portable media device for viewing at any time, including after disembarking the vehicle once travel is completed. As desired, the portable media device likewise can be configured to transmit appropriate upload content to the content sources.

Abstract: A telecommunications system and method for use on aircraft and other vehicles. One or more token ring local area networks are utilized to provide a telecommunications link between a plurality of telephone units and a telephone data signal router circuit which, in turn, is coupled to a CEPT E1 bus and provides telecommunications data signals over the CEPT E1 bus to a cabin telecommunications unit.