System and method for providing multi-mode wireless data distribution

• US 9,307,297 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2014
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Richman, Russell Mark, Sinivaara, Hasse
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengesha, Mulugeta
• Application Number:
  US14/185,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20140282747A1
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 725 62- 63, 725 75- 76
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2146 located in mass transportation means, e.g. aircraft, train or bus flight-deck installations for entertainment or communications B64D11/0015; arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62; moving wireless networks H04W84/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6181 involving transmission via a mobile phone network arrangements for providing broadcast or conference services to substation in data switching networks in combination with wireless systems H04L12/189; wireless uplink channel access H04W74/004
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6193 involving transmission via a satellite arrangements for data linking, networking or transporting, or for controlling an end to end session in a satellite broadcast system H04B7/18526
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64738 Monitoring network characteristics, e.g. bandwidth, congestion level data switched network analysis H04L41/14; monitoring functioning in data switched networks H04L43/0817; flow control in packet networks H04L47/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/082 for traffic bypassing of mobility servers, e.g. location registers, home PLMNs or home agents

Abstract

A distribution system for vehicle information systems and methods for manufacturing and using the same. The distribution system supports both Wi-Fi- and cellular-based wireless networks for the distribution of selected content to a plurality of handheld devices disposed throughout a passenger vehicle via a bypass system (e.g., a Local Internet Protocol Access (LIPA) and Selected Internet Protocol Traffic Offload (SIPTO) bypass system). In an alternative embodiment, the distribution system can be configured for distribution of the selected content from a terrestrial content system to a plurality of passenger vehicles via the bypass system. By dynamically balancing network traffic across the multiple wireless networks, the distribution system can alleviate heavy traffic network and bypass a service provider'"'"'s cellular core network to optimize signal bandwidth and network performance. As a result, passengers traveling aboard the vehicle can enjoy high-speed access to content with limited delay and without incurring additional charges.

Claims

1. A system for distributing content among a plurality of handheld devices, comprising:

a first communication connection in communication with a first wireless network for distributing the content;

a second communication connection in communication with a second wireless network that includes an operator core network; and

an IP broadband bypass system being in communication with the first and the second communication connection for simultaneously distributing selected content to the plurality of handheld devices using both of the first and second wireless networks, except if at least one of the first and second wireless network is using at least eight-five percent of its available bandwidth, then;

if the first wireless network is using at least eight-five percent of its available bandwidth, the second wireless network is selected to distribute the selected content, and

if the second wireless network is using at least eight-five percent of its available bandwidth, the first wireless network is selected to distribute the selected content,

wherein said IP broadband bypass system distributes the selected content over the second wireless network without the selected content being routed through the operator core network.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the IP broadband bypass system includes a Local Internet Protocol Access (LIPA) and Selected Internet Protocol Traffic Offload (SIPTO) bypass system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first wireless network is a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, and wherein the second wireless network is a cellular network.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the cellular network is selected from a group consisting of a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, a third-generation (3G) mobile phone network, and a fourth-generation (4G) mobile phone network.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein said second communication connection includes at least one of a PicoCell system and a FemtoCell system.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the selected content is selected from a viewing content group consisting of content associated with in-transit shopping, the Internet, entertainment media, electronic mail, corporate virtual private networks, customer virtual private networks, streamed media, and an Intranet system.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a local content system, wherein the plurality of handheld devices can select and present content available from the local content system.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a remote content system, wherein content available from the remote content system can be distributed throughout the plurality of handheld devices via a satellite communication system.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of handheld devices are configured to receive the content streamed from the remote content system.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first communication connection and the second communication connection are configured for authenticating the plurality of handheld devices.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first communication connection and the second communication connection are configured for authenticating based on Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) methods.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said IP broadband bypass system selects at least one of the first and second wireless network for distributing the selected content to the plurality of handheld devices based on loading factors selected from the group consisting of current loads, projected loads, number of users, media type, type of the handheld devices, display resolutions, supported radio interfaces, available radio channels, streaming rates, size of media files, passenger viewing behavior, and passenger browsing behavior.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured for installation aboard a passenger vehicle.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the passenger vehicle comprises an aircraft.

15. A method for distributing content among a plurality of passenger vehicles, comprising:

establishing a first communication connection with a first wireless network;

establishing a second communication connection with a second wireless network that includes an operator core network;

simultaneously distributing selected content to the plurality of passenger vehicles over both of the first and second wireless networks via an IP bypass system, except if at least one of the first and second wireless network is using at least eight-five percent of its available bandwidth, then;

if the first wireless network is using at least eight-five percent of its available bandwidth, simultaneously distributing the selected content over the second wireless network, and

if the second wireless network is using at least eight-five percent of its available bandwidth, simultaneously distributing the selected content over the first wireless network,

wherein said distribution over the second wireless network bypasses the operator core network.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first wireless network is a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, and wherein the second wireless network is a cellular network.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said simultaneously distributing comprises optimizing a total network bandwidth of both of the first and second wireless networks based on one or more loading factors.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said one or more loading factors is selected from a group consisting of current loads, projected loads, number of users, media type, size of media files, passenger viewing behavior, and passenger browsing behavior.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the selected content is selected from a viewing content group consisting of content associated with media, content, data files, maintenance information, performance information, system usage information, flight planning information, flight operational quality assurance (FOQA), flight data monitoring (FDM) information, calling content, text messaging, electronic mail (e-mail), television programming content, music content, podcast content, photograph album content, audiobook content, movie content, and game content.

20. A system for distributing content among a plurality of passenger vehicles, comprising:

a first communication connection in communication with a first wireless network for distributing the content;

a second communication connection in communication with a second wireless network that includes an operator core network; and

an IP broadband bypass system being in communication with the first and the second communication connection for simultaneously distributing selected content to the plurality of passenger vehicles using both of the first and second wireless networks, except if at least one of the first and second wireless network is using at least eight-five percent of its available bandwidth, then;

if the first wireless network is using at least eight-five percent of its available bandwidth, the second wireless network is selected to distribute the selected content, and

if the second wireless network is using at least eight-five percent of its available bandwidth, the first wireless network is selected to distribute the selected content,

wherein said IP broadband bypass system distributes the selected content over the second wireless network without the selected content being routed through the operator core network.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the first wireless network is a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, and wherein the second wireless network is a cellular network.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein said IP broadband bypass system includes a LIPA and SIPTO bypass system.