Dual receiver for a on-board entertainment system

• US 6,741,841 B1
• Filed: 01/28/2000
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Mitchell, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Corsaro, Nick
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRINH, TAN H
• Application Number:
  US09/493,771
• Time in Patent Office: 1,579 Days
• Field of Search: 455/12.1, 455/431, 455/427, 455/428, 455/13.3, 455/13.2, 455/430, 455/188.1, 455/266, 370/321, 370/316, 370/511, 380/13, 380/212
• US Class Current: 455/188.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18508 with satellite system used as relay, i.e. aeronautical mobile satellite service
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/62 for transportation systems, e.g. in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/42 for mass transport vehicles, e.g. buses, trains or aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 for in-vehicle communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A communication system is provided for use with a mobile platform. The communication system can be configured to store video data on-board to allow pseudo-live or live broadcasts to be played as the mobile platform traverses a number of broadcasts regions. The mobile platforms can be automobiles, aircraft, boats, ships, trains, or other vehicles. The communication system allows Internet access, movies, and other entertainment and business functions to be performed.

Claims

1. A communication system for a mobile platform, the communication system comprising:

a first receiver circuit disposed on the platform and being a C-band receiver;

a second receiver circuit disposed on the platform and being a Ku-band receiver;

a control circuit coupled to the first receiver circuit and the second receiver circuit, wherein both receiver circuits receive video data, and wherein the control circuit selects the video data from the first receiver circuit and the second receiver circuit to continuously receive the video data as the mobile platform moves from a first zone to a second zone; and

a video display circuit, in communication with the first receiver circuit and the second receiver circuit and receiving the video data, the video display circuit displaying images derived from the video data on-board the mobile platform.

2. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the video data includes Internet data, safety message data, advertisement data, or entertainment data.

3. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the mobile platform is a bus, truck, boat, ship, airplane, helicopter, car, train, gondola, van, or monorail vehicle.

4. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the mobile platform is an airplane.

5. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the mobile platform is a boat, ship or train.

6. The communication system claim 1, wherein the mobile platform is a road traveling vehicle.

7. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the video data includes Internet data.

8. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the video data includes safety message data.

9. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the video data includes entertainment data.

10. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the first zone is over an ocean and the second zone is over land.

11. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the control utilizes geographic position data to select the C-band receiver circuit and the Ku-band receiver circuit.

12. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit utilizes reception quality data to select the C-band receiver circuit and the Ku-band receiver circuit.

13. A communication system for a mobile platform, the communication system comprising:

a first receiver circuit disposed on the platform and being a C-band receiver;

a second receiver circuit disposed on the platform and being a Ku-band receiver;

a control circuit coupled to the first receiver circuit and the second receiver circuit, wherein both receiver circuits receive video data, and wherein the control circuit selects the video data from the first receiver circuit and the second receiver circuit to continuously receive the video data as the mobile platform moves from a first zone to a second zone; and

a short range transceiver for receiving the video data when the mobile unit is docked.

14. The communication system of claim 13, wherein the short range transceiver communicates via an optical data link.

15. A method of receiving video data on a mobile platform, the method comprising:

selecting by a control circuit, first video data received by a C-band receiver, the first video data being transmitted from a C-band-type satellite when the mobile platform is in a first zone for playback on the mobile platform; and

selecting by the control circuit, second video data received by a Ku-band receiver, the second video data being transmitted from a Ku-band-type satellite receiver circuit when the mobile platform is in a second zone for playback on the mobile platform, wherein the first zone is an area where the second video data can be effectively received from the Ku-band-type satellite, wherein the control circuit selects the video data from the C-band receiver and the Ku-band receiver to continuously receive the video data as the mobile platform moves from the first zone to second zone.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the mobile platform is an airplane.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the mobile platform is a road traveling vehicle.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the first zone is over an ocean and the second zone is over land.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the mobile platform is a ship.

20. A communication system for a mobile platform, the communication system comprising:

a short range receiver disposed on the platform;

a first receiver circuit disposed on the platform;

a second receiver circuit disposed on the platform; and

a control circuit coupled to the first receiver circuit and the second receiver circuit, wherein both receiver circuits receive video data, and wherein the control circuit selects the video data from the first receiver circuit and the second receiver circuit to continuously receive the video data as the mobile platform moves from a first zone to a second zone, wherein the control circuit selects the video data from the short range receiver when the mobile platform is docked.