Abstract: An area entertainment system includes an antenna for receiving digital satellite radio signals, and an intermediate frequency (IF) down converter connected to the antenna for down converting the digital satellite radio signals. Electronic boxes are spaced throughout the area, and each electronic box includes at least one IF tuner in communications with the IF down converter.

Abstract: An area entertainment system includes a headend unit, and electronic boxes spaced throughout the area. The headend unit includes a digital satellite radio receiver. A local area network (LAN) connects the digital satellite radio receiver for providing digital satellite radio signals to the electronic boxes. The entertainment system further includes user control units connected to the electronic boxes, with each user control unit permitting user selection of the digital satellite radio signals.

Abstract: An aircraft in-flight entertainment system includes a plurality of seat electronic boxes (SEBs) spaced throughout the aircraft. Each SEB is configurable for passing a registration token along to an adjacent SEB. Cabling connects the SEBs together in a daisy chain configuration. Registration circuitry is connected to the cabling for identifying a location of each SEB based upon passing of the registration token among the plurality of SEBs.

Abstract: An aircraft in-flight entertainment system includes a satellite weather information receiver receiving a weather related programming channel from a satellite, and at least one passenger display connected to the satellite weather information receiver for displaying weather related information corresponding to a selected geographic area. A passenger control unit is associated with each passenger display for selecting the geographic area.

Abstract: An in-flight entertainment (IFE) system for an aircraft includes a phased array antenna and control circuitry associated therewith to be carried by the aircraft and to generate dual antenna beams for television programming and Internet data from respective spaced apart satellites. A television programming distribution system is to be carried by the aircraft and coupled to the phased array antenna and control circuitry to provide television programming within the aircraft. At least one access point is to be carried by the aircraft and coupled to the phased array antenna and control circuitry to provide a wireless local area network (WLAN) within the aircraft for the Internet data.

Abstract: An aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system for an aircraft includes a radome to be carried by the aircraft, and a dual-beam satellite antenna and at least one positioner coupled thereto to be carried by the aircraft and protected by the radome. The dual-beam satellite antenna is to generate dual antenna beams for television programming and Internet data from respective spaced apart satellites. The dual-beam satellite antenna includes a first aperture for receiving the television programming, and a second aperture adjacent the first aperture for receiving the Internet data. A television programming distribution system is to be carried by the aircraft and coupled to the dual-beam satellite antenna to provide television programming within the aircraft. At least one access point is to be carried by the aircraft and coupled to the dual-beam 0satellite antenna to provide a wireless local area network (WLAN) within the aircraft for the Internet data.

Abstract: A communications system for an aircraft carrying personnel having personal electronic devices (PEDs) for wireless data communications outside the aircraft includes a ground-based communications network, and an access point in the aircraft for providing a WLAN for data communications with the PEDs. An air-to-ground transceiver in the aircraft cooperates with the access point for data communications with the ground-based communications network. At least one data traffic controller selectively allocates data communications channel capacity between the PEDs and the ground-based communications network.

Abstract: A communications system for an aircraft carrying at least some personnel having personal electronic devices (PEDs) for wireless data communications outside the aircraft includes a ground-based communications network comprising spaced apart base stations, and an access point in the aircraft for providing a WLAN for data communications with the PEDs. An air-to-ground transceiver in the aircraft cooperates with the access point for data communications with the ground-based communications network. First and second base stations define respective first and second adjacent coverage areas, and include respective first and second hard handoff controllers. The respective first and second hard handoff controllers implement a hard handoff of a data communications channel with the air-to-ground transceiver as the aircraft moves from the first coverage area to the second adjacent coverage area.

Abstract: A communications system for an aircraft carrying at least some personnel having personal electronic devices (PEDs) for wireless data communications outside the aircraft includes a ground-based communications network, and an access point in the aircraft for providing a wireless local area network (WLAN) for data communications with the PEDs. An air-to-ground transceiver in the aircraft cooperates with the access point for data communications with the ground-based communications network. An aircraft data memory cache is in the aircraft and cooperates with the access point for storing common data accessible by the PEDs during flight of the aircraft.

Abstract: A communications system for an aircraft carrying at least some personnel having personal electronic devices (PEDs) for wireless data communications outside the aircraft includes a ground-based communications network, and a satellite-based communications network. An access point is in the aircraft for providing a WLAN for data communications with the PEDs. An air-to-ground transceiver in the aircraft cooperates with the access point for data communications with the ground-based communications network. A satellite receiver in the aircraft cooperates with the access point for data communications with the satellite-based communications network to the PEDs. At least one network selection controller determines whether to send data communications to the PEDs through the air-to-ground transceiver or the satellite receiver.

Abstract: An aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system includes an antenna, an external communications transceiver connected to the antenna for communicating external the aircraft, and a plurality of seat electronic boxes (SEBs) spaced throughout the aircraft for distributing entertainment related data. A distribution network is connected to the SEBs and to the external communications transceiver. An internal communications transceiver is connected to the distribution network for establishing an external communications link with a portable wireless device carried by a passenger internal to the aircraft.

Abstract: An aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system includes a headend unit, and a plurality of seat electronic boxes (SEBs) spaced throughout the aircraft. The headend unit includes a digital satellite radio receiver. A local area network (LAN) connects the digital satellite radio receiver for providing digital satellite radio signals to the SEBs. The IFE system further includes a plurality of passenger control units (PCUs) connected to the plurality of SEBs, with each PCU permitting passenger selection of the digital satellite radio signals.

Abstract: An aircraft in-flight entertainment system includes a satellite weather information receiver receiving a weather related programming channel from a satellite, and at least one passenger display connected to the satellite weather information receiver for displaying weather related information corresponding to a selected geographic area. A passenger control unit is associated with each passenger display for selecting the geographic area.

Abstract: An aircraft in-flight entertainment system includes an entertainment source, and passenger displays connected to the entertainment source. A method for operating the in-flight entertainment system includes collecting information on passengers of the aircraft for generating passenger profiles, and selectively matching passenger advertisements to the passenger profiles. The method further includes monitoring at least one flight parameter of the aircraft. The selectively matched passenger advertisements are displayed based upon the monitored flight parameter.

Abstract: An aircraft system includes an entertainment source, and passenger displays for displaying images from the entertainment source. A signal distribution network connects the entertainment source to the passenger displays. The aircraft system further includes cameras spaced throughout the aircraft for aircraft surveillance, and a pilot display for displaying images from the cameras. The signal distribution network also connects the cameras to the pilot display. The cameras may provide images of internal the aircraft, such as in the cabin area, or external the aircraft. The aircraft system further includes a pilot control unit connected to the pilot display for control thereof.

Abstract: An aircraft in-flight entertainment system includes an adaptive antenna, a terrestrial television (TV) receiver connected to the adaptive antenna for receiving TV programming channels from more than one terrestrial TV transmitter, and at least one display connected to the terrestrial TV receiver. A controller is connected to the adaptive antenna for determining a desired terrestrial TV transmitter, and for directing the adaptive antenna towards the desired terrestrial TV transmitter. If a new desired terrestrial TV transmitter is determined by the controller, then the controller redirects the adaptive antenna towards the new desired terrestrial TV transmitter.

Abstract: An aircraft in-flight entertainment system includes an entertainment source, and passenger displays connected to the entertainment source. A method for operating the in-flight entertainment system includes collecting information on passengers of the aircraft, and using the collected information for determining a respective pricing structure on available features of the in-flight entertainment system for each passenger. The method further includes determining a seating location of each passenger based upon an assigned passenger seating list, and displaying the respective pricing structure on an associated passenger display.