Modular entertainment system configured for multiple broadband content delivery incorporating a distributed server

• US 20030093798A1
• Filed: 07/11/2002
• Published: 05/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael Rogerson
• Original Assignee: Michael Rogerson
• Inventors: Rogerson, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/194,429
• Publication Number:
  US 20030093798A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/75
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/28 characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks] wireless communication networks H04W ; arrangements for dividing the transmission path H04W40/00

Abstract

In-flight passenger entertainment system for an aircraft or other vehicle, utilizes a distributed network server architecture to host and support a variety of audio/visual content providing applications. A communications management unit provides connectivity between the distributed network architecture and various satellite, wireless, or ground broadband signal sources. A distributed server architecture implemented in a wireless LAN configuration, allows passengers to access World Wide Web functionality, e-mail functionality as well as multimedia content, broadcast television, cellular telephone communication, and the like. Individual nodes of the distributed network architecture host individual ones of the various communication applications such that a central server and centralized distribution network is no longer necessary.

Claims

1. A multi media communication network for a passenger vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of display devices, each device including at least a control processor, a local memory storage area and a display;

a local area network including a serial wiring harness, the harness interconnecting each of the plurality of display devices; and

wherein each of the plurality of display devices is configured to include a server device portion and a client device portion, each of the plurality of display devices cooperating over the local area network so as to define a distributed server local area network architecture.

2. The multi media communication network according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of display devices defines a network node of the distributed server local area network architecture.

3. The multi media communication network according to claim 2, further comprising:

a plurality of content providing application software routines; and

wherein particular ones of the plurality of content providing application software routines are stored on corresponding particular ones of the plurality of network nodes, such that each network node hosts only a specific sub-set of the plurality of content providing applications.

4. The multi media communication network according to claim 3, wherein the content providing application software routines are selected from the group consisting of internet web site pages, audio-on-demand, video-on-demand, cellular telephony, e-mail, and broadcast television.

5. A modular multi media communication network for a passenger vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of display devices, each display device disposed in a location separate from other ones of the plurality of display devices, each display device including at least a control processor, a local memory storage area and a graphical display screen;

a local area network signal bus interconnecting each of the plurality of display devices; and

a communication management unit, coupled to the network signal bus, the communication management unit further coupled to multiple bidirectional communication interface devices, each communication interface device effecting real-time communication with a different one of a multiplicity of substantially incompatible signal sources.

6. The modular multi media communication network according to claim 5, wherein the multiplicity of substantially incompatible signal source comprises:

a first satellite constellation, providing a first type of content;

a second satellite constellation providing a second type of content; and

a broadband bidirectional VHF communication medium.

7. A modular multi media communication network for a passenger vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of display devices, each display device disposed in a location separate from other ones of the plurality of display devices, each display device including at least a control processor, a local memory storage area and a graphical display screen;

a local area network signal bus interconnecting each of the plurality of display devices;

a communication management unit, coupled to the network signal bus, the communication management unit further coupled to multiple bidirectional communication interface devices, each communication interface device effecting real-time communication with a different one of a multiplicity of substantially incompatible signal sources; and

wherein each of the plurality of display devices is configured to function as a network server, each of the plurality of display devices cooperating over the local area network signal bus so as to define a distributed server local area network architecture.

8. The modular multi media communication network according to claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of display devices defines a network node of the distributed server local area network architecture.

9. The modular multi media communication network according to claim 8, further comprising:

a plurality of content providing application software routines; and

wherein particular ones of the plurality of content providing application software routines are stored on corresponding particular ones of the plurality of network nodes, such that each network node hosts only a specific sub-set of the plurality of content providing applications.