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Aircraft communications system with data memory cache and associated methods

  • US 8,504,019 B2
  • Filed: 03/13/2008
  • Issued: 08/06/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A communications system for an aircraft carrying at least some personnel having personal electronic devices (PEDs) for wireless data communications outside the aircraft, the communications system comprising:

  • a ground-based communications network;

    at least one access point in the aircraft for providing a wireless local area network (WLAN) for data communications with the PEDs;

    an air-to-ground transceiver in the aircraft cooperating with said at least one access point for data communications with said ground-based communications network;

    an aircraft data memory cache in the aircraft and cooperating with said at least one access point for storing common data accessible by the PEDs during flight of the aircraft, with the common data being related to at least one of services and products; and

    a purchase acceptance controller in the aircraft and cooperating with the WLAN to accept a purchase from at least one PED responsive to the common data related to at least one of services and products, with a transaction of the purchase being completed while communicating with the ground-based communications network.

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