Communication system and method for a mobile platform

• US 8,176,520 B1
• Filed: 01/28/2000
• Issued: 05/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc. (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Mitchell, James P.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHANG, ANNAN Q
• Application Number:
  US09/493,472
• Time in Patent Office: 4,484 Days
• Field of Search: 725 74- 77, 455/552.1, 455/556.1, 455/3.02, 455/3.04, 709/248
• US Class Current: 725/76
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18508 with satellite system used as relay, i.e. aeronautical mobile satellite service
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41422 located in transportation means, e.g. personal vehicle arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 involving transmission via a satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite

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 mobile platform being stationary at a docking area, the communication system comprising:

a server located in the docking area and comprising a wireless docking area transceiver, a first satellite receiver, and a first storage unit, the server being configured to store order wire data received by the first satellite receiver, and to store video data received by the first satellite receiver in the storage unit in response to the order wire data;

a second satellite receiver located on the mobile platform;

a wireless platform transceiver on the mobile platform receiving the order wire data and the video data from the wireless docking area transceiver while the mobile platform is at the docking area; and

a second storage unit, the second storage unit being located on the mobile platform, wherein the second storage unit stores the video data for playback in the mobile platform and the second storage unit storing the order wire data, the order wire data controls a source of video for playback of a program being either video data in the second storage unit or the second satellite receiver, or both the second storage unit and the second satellite receiver.

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 wireless docking transceiver is a short range transceiver.

5. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the wireless platform transceiver is a radio frequency short range transceiver.

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

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

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

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

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

11. The communication system of claim 1, wherein the video data includes entertainment data and advertisement data.

12. A video system for a mobile platform, the mobile platform capable of traveling to a docking area, the docking area having a first transceiver for providing data representative of video, the video system comprising:

a wireless transceiver configured to receive the data representative of video and order data from the first transceiver;

a first storage unit coupled to the wireless transceiver, the first storage unit storing the data representative of video and the order data;

a first satellite receiver configured to receive video data from a satellite; and

a processor coupled to the first storage unit and the first satellite receiver, the processor determining whether to use the data representative of video from the first storage unit or the video data from the first satellite receiver in response to the order data, the processor generating a program in response to the data representative of video stored in the first storage unit or the video data received by the first satellite receiver;

wherein the first transceiver is included as part of a server located in the docking area, the server comprising the first transceiver, a second satellite receiver, and a second storage unit, the server being configured to store the order data, wherein the order data is received by the second satellite receiver, and to store the data representative of video, wherein the data representative of video is received by the second satellite receiver and stored in the second storage unit in response to the order data.

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

a server located in the docking area and comprising a first satellite receiver, and a first storage unit, the server being configured to store order wire data received from the first satellite receiver, and to store video data received from the first satellite receiver in the storage unit in response to the order wire data, the server further comprising a first means for transmitting first data, at least a portion of the first data including the video data and the order wire data;

second means for receiving the first data from the wireless docking area transceiver, the second means being located at the mobile platform;

third means for receiving satellite video data from a satellite, the third means being located at the mobile platform;

fourth means for storing the first data received by the second means, the fourth means being located in the mobile platform; and

fifth means for controlling video data for a program from either of the fourth means or the third means to be displayed on board the mobile platform in response to the order wire data.

14. The communication system of claim 13, wherein the mobile platform is an aircraft.

15. The communication system of claim 13, wherein the mobile platform video data is safety information.

16. The communication system of claim 13, wherein the second means transmits mobile platform operational data to the first means.

17. A method of showing video images related to the video data on a mobile platform, the mobile platform capable of traveling to a location, the location having a server comprising a transmitter, a satellite receiver, and a storage unit, the method comprising:

storing order wire data in the storage unit, wherein the order wire data is received by the satellite receiver;

storing video data in the storage unit, wherein the video data is received by the satellite receiver and stored in the storage unit in response to the order wire data;

electronically receiving the video data and the order wire data from the transmitter with a receiver while the mobile platform is proximate the location;

storing the video data and the order wire data on-board the mobile platform;

receiving video signals from a satellite transmitter by a mobile platform satellite receiver; and

displaying the video images on-board the mobile platform in accordance with the video data stored on-board the mobile platform or with the video signals being received by the mobile platform satellite receiver in response to the order wire data for a program.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the video data includes Internet data, safety message data, advertising data, or entertainment data.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the mobile platform is a bus, truck, boat, ship, airplane, helicopter, car, train, gondola, van or monorail vehicle.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the electronically receiving step utilizes a short range wireless receiver.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising transmitting control information to the transmitter.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the control information includes identity information.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the control information includes destination information.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the control information includes operational status information.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the mobile platform is an airplane.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the mobile platform is a boat, ship or train.

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

28. The method of claim 17, wherein the video data includes Internet data.

29. The method of claim 17, wherein the video data includes safety message data.

30. The method of claim 17, wherein the video data includes advertisement data.