Position location for airborne networks
First Claim
1. A wireless communications system for use with an aircraft, comprising:
- airborne base station equipment mounted on the aircraft, the base station equipment capable of communication with wireless devices used by subscribers on the aircraft and with one or more wireless communications networks;
switching/transaction processing equipment capable of communication with the base station equipment;
aircraft location equipment capable of communication with the base station equipment, wherein the aircraft'"'"'s location is determined; and
a wireless communications enable/disable module that receives the aircraft'"'"'s location and enables and disables wireless communications.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless communications system, and a corresponding method, for use with an aircraft, includes airborne pico cell base stations mounted on the aircraft, the base stations capable of communication with wireless devices used by subscribers on the aircraft via using switching/transaction processing equipment located optionally on the aircraft or in the ground network with one or more ground-based networks. The system includes aircraft location equipment, in communication with the base stations, that determine the aircraft'"'"'s location, including latitude, longitude, altitude, and other relevant data. Finally, the system includes a wireless communications enable/disable module that receives the aircraft'"'"'s location and enables and disables wireless communications through the base stations based on the aircraft'"'"'s location.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A wireless communications system for use with an aircraft, comprising:
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airborne base station equipment mounted on the aircraft, the base station equipment capable of communication with wireless devices used by subscribers on the aircraft and with one or more wireless communications networks;
switching/transaction processing equipment capable of communication with the base station equipment;
aircraft location equipment capable of communication with the base station equipment, wherein the aircraft'"'"'s location is determined; and
a wireless communications enable/disable module that receives the aircraft'"'"'s location and enables and disables wireless communications. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 42)
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26. A position location system for an airborne wireless communications network, comprising:
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means for routing wireless communications between wireless handsets onboard an aircraft and wireless facilities on ground;
means for locating the aircraft; and
means for enabling the wireless communications between the routing means and the handsets. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 44, 45)
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31. A wireless communications method for wireless communications between wireless handsets onboard an aircraft and wireless devices on ground, comprising:
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determining a location of the aircraft;
providing the location to a wireless communications enabling device;
based on the provided location, enabling wireless communications with an airborne base station;
receiving, at the airborne base station, a wireless call-up from a wireless handset onboard the aircraft; and
establishing wireless communications between the handset and a device external to the aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 46)
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39. A method for establishing an aircraft position location for use in an airborne wireless communications network, comprising:
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sending an aircraft location request to an aircraft;
determining a location of the aircraft;
providing the location to a wireless communications enabling device; and
based on the provided location, enabling wireless communications with an airborne base station. - View Dependent Claims (47)
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40. A ground-based network for use with an airborne base station installed onboard an aircraft, the base station configured to receive wireless calls from wireless handsets operated onboard the aircraft, the network, comprising:
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means for determining a position of the aircraft;
means for receiving a wireless call routed through the airborne base station;
means for determining a type of wireless call;
means for enabling and disabling the wireless calls to the airborne base station from the wireless handsets; and
means for coupling the wireless handsets to one or more commercial services and emergency services.
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41. (canceled)
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43. The system of claim wherein the wireless communications enable/disable module enables and disables wireless communications based on the aircraft'"'"'s location.
Specification