Apparatus and method for data communications

• US 6,477,152 B1
• Filed: 12/30/1998
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Hiett, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, BRENDA H
• Application Number:
  US09/224,214
• Time in Patent Office: 1,406 Days
• Field of Search: 370/310, 370/316, 370/352, 455/12.1, 455/151.2
• US Class Current: 370/316
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18508 with satellite system used as relay, i.e. aeronautical mobile satellite service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/06 Airborne or Satellite Networks space-based or airborne stations H04B7/185

Abstract

An improved technique for retrieving data information from various data sources provides a less costly, and yet faster and more reliable method for retrieving information while aboard a transportation vehicle, such as, for example, an aircraft. In addition, the data communication system provides a technique and apparatus for accessing and controlling direct broadcasting systems to facilitate the retrieval of desired information on an expedited basis. The data communications system may be carried out in one form by a data communications system having a data source, an information request system coupled to the data source and adapted to request data information from the data source, and a receiver coupled to the data source and adapted to receive the data information requested the information request system.

Claims

1. A data communications system for retrieving data information, said data communications system comprising:

a data source comprising a network system for the storage and delivery of the data information;

an information request system comprising a transmission unit coupled to said data source and adapted to request the data information from said data source wherein said transmission unit comprises a satellite data unit and a radio frequency unit;

a first communication medium configured for transmission of requests for the data information from the information request system to said data source, said first communication medium comprising;

an aeronautical satellite system and a ground station, wherein said aeronautical satellite system is adapted to transmit data information requests from said satellite data unit to said ground station, said ground station being coupled to said network system to facilitate the transferring of said data information requests to said network system; and

a radio ground station adapted to receive information request signals from said radio frequency unit, wherein said radio ground station is adapted to transmit data information requests from said radio frequency unit to said network system;

a second communication medium comprising a direct broadcast satellite adapted to receive data information from said data source and to broadcast said data information to said receiver;

a receiver coupled to said data source by said second communication medium and adapted to receive the. data information requested by said information request system from said data source; and

wherein said information request system is configured to select one of said aeronautical satellite system and said radio ground station from said first communication medium for transmission of data information requests.

2. A data communications system according to claim 1, wherein said network system comprises a direct broadcasting system.

3. A data communications system according to claim 1, wherein said information request system further comprises a wireless LAN unit and said first communication medium further comprises:

a LAN ground station adapted to receive information request signals from said wireless LAN unit, wherein said LAN ground station is adapted to transmit data information requests from said wireless LAN unit to said network system, and said network system is adapted to transfer information requests signals to said data source.

4. A method for providing and controlling data communications from a direct broadcast system to a passenger carrier, said method comprising the steps of:

transmitting data information requests from an information request system to a ground station, said transmitting of data information requests provided through one of satellite transmission signals and radio transmission signals by way of selection between one of a satellite data unit and a radio frequency unit;

transmitting the data information requests from said ground station to said direct broadcast system through a network system;

accessing data information corresponding to the data information request from said direct broadcast system;

transmitting the data information from said direct broadcast system to a direct broadcast satellite; and

broadcasting the data information from said direct broadcast satellite to a receiver provided onboard said passenger carrier.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said step of transmitting data information requests from said information request system to said ground station comprises:

transmitting the data information requests from said satellite data unit to an aeronautical satellite system utilizing said satellite transmission signals; and

transmitting the data information requests from said aeronautical satellite system to said ground station using said satellite transmission signals.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein said step of transmitting data information requests from said information request system to said ground station comprises:

selecting one of a group of transmission mediums comprising an aeronautical satellite system, a radio frequency system, a wireless LAN system and a voice channel system for transmission of the data information requests.

7. A data communications system for a passenger carrier, said system comprising:

a transmission unit comprising a satellite data unit and a radio frequency unit, located on board said passenger carrier and operatively connected to a user interface, said transmission unit being configured to select one of said satellite data unit and said radio frequency unit for transmission of the information request signals, said satellite frequency unit configured for providing satellite transmission signals to an aeronautical satellite system, said aeronautical satellite system being adapted to provide the information request signals to said ground station, and said radio frequency unit for providing radio transmission signals to said ground station, wherein said ground station is adapted to receive the radio transmission signals and transmit said signals to said ground network;

a ground station for receiving information request signals from said transmission unit;

a direct broadcast system for providing data information;

a ground network for linking said ground station and said direct broadcast system to facilitate communications;

a direct broadcast satellite, said direct broadcast satellite adapted to interface and communicate with said direct broadcast system; and

a receiver located onboard said passenger carrier and adapted to receive data signals broadcast from said direct broadcast satellite, said receiver being operatively connected to said user interface to facilitate the transmission of said data information from said direct broadcast system to passengers.

8. A data communications system according to claim 7, wherein said transmission unit further comprises a wireless LAN unit, said transmission unit being configured to select one of said satellite data unit, said radio frequency unit and said wireless LAN unit for transmission of the information request signals.

9. A data communications system according to claim 7, wherein said transmission unit further comprises a high power amplifier, a di-plexor low-noise amplifier, and a phased-array antenna, wherein said amplifiers are configured to facilitate transmission of information request signals from said satellite data unit to said phased-array antenna, and said phased-array antenna being configured to transmit the information request signals to said ground station.

10. A data communications system for retrieving data information, said data communications system comprising:

a data source comprising a network system for the storage and delivery of the data information;

an information request system comprising a transmission unit coupled to said data source and adapted to request the data information from said data source, wherein said transmission unit comprises a satellite data unit, a radio frequency unit, and a wireless LAN unit;

a first communication medium configured for transmission of requests for the data information from the information request system to said data source, said first communication medium comprising;

an aeronautical satellite system and a ground station, wherein said aeronautical satellite system is adapted to transmit data information requests from said satellite data unit to said ground station, said ground station being coupled to said network system to facilitate the transferring of said data information requests to said network system; and

a radio ground station adapted to receive information request signals from said radio frequency unit, wherein said radio ground station is adapted to transmit data information requests from said radio frequency unit to said network system; and

a LAN ground station adapted to receive information request signals from said wireless LAN unit, wherein said LAN ground station is adapted to transmit data information requests from said wireless LAN unit to said network system, and said network system is adapted to transfer information requests signals to said data source;

a second communication medium comprising a direct broadcast satellite adapted to receive data information from said data source and to broadcast said data information to said receiver;

a receiver coupled to said data source by said second communication medium and adapted to receive the data information requested by said information request system from said data source; and

wherein said information request system is configured to select one of said aeronautical satellite system, said radio ground station and said LAN ground station from said first communication medium for transmission of data information requests.

11. A data communications system according to claim 10, wherein said information request system comprises a selection system configured to select one of said aeronautical satellite system, said radio ground station and said LAN ground station from said communication mediums for transmission of data information requests to said data source.

12. A data communications system according to claim 10, wherein said transmission unit further comprises:

a high power amplifier;

a di-plexor low-noise amplifier; and

a phased-array antenna, wherein said high power amplifier and said di-plexor low-noise amplifier are configured to facilitate transmission of requests signals from said satellite data unit to said phased-array antenna, and said phased-array antenna being configured to transmit the request signals to said data source through said first communication medium.