Optimizing usage of modems for data delivery to devices on vehicles

• US 9,900,823 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2016
• Issued: 02/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gogo Business Aviation LLC (GOGO Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gogo LLC (GOGO Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lauer, Bryan Adrian, Loganathan, Rukmani, Sasi, Sajit, Walsh, Pat, Chari, Anand
• Primary Examiner(s): LO, DIANE LEE
• Application Number:
  US15/075,032
• Publication Number:
  US 20160205610A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18508 with satellite system used as relay, i.e. aeronautical mobile satellite service
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 Moving wireless networks

Abstract

A method of for optimizing modem usage on a vehicle. The method includes determining that the vehicle is in one of a plurality of port states, where each of the plurality of port states being indicative of the vehicle being located proximate to a vehicle port. The method includes, based on the determination that the vehicle is in the one of the plurality of port states, causing a modem that is (i) operating in a bi-directional mode, and (ii) fixedly connected to the vehicle to be in a receive-only state. The method includes causing an establishment of a wireless communication link at the modem in the receive-only state. Further, the method includes using the wireless communication link as a forward link over which data is able to be received onto the vehicle while the vehicle is in the one of the plurality of port states.

Claims

1. A method for optimizing modem usage on a vehicle, comprising:

determining, at a processor that is fixedly connected to the vehicle, that the vehicle is in one of a plurality of port states, each of the plurality of port states being indicative of the vehicle being located proximate to a vehicle port;

based on the determination that the vehicle is in the one of the plurality of port states, causing, by the processor, a modem that is (i) operating in a bi-directional mode, and (ii) fixedly connected to the vehicle to be in a receive-only state;

causing an establishment of a wireless communication link at the modem in the receive-only state; and

using the wireless communication link as a forward link over which data is able to be received onto the vehicle while the vehicle is in the one of the plurality of port states.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the modem to be in the receive-only state comprises tuning the modem to a frequency band.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein tuning the modem to the frequency band comprises tuning the modem to at least one of:

an L frequency band, a K_a frequency band, a K_u frequency band, another frequency band allocated for satellite communications, or a frequency band allocated for broadband communications.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein using the wireless communication link as the forward link comprises selecting the forward link from one or more forward links.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein selecting the forward link from the one or more forward links comprises selecting the forward link based on a type of content delivered to one or more devices on-board the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein selecting the forward link from the one or more forward links comprises selecting the forward link based on feedback data or information received from the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein using the wireless communication link as a forward link over which the data is able to be received onto the vehicle comprises delivering the data to one or more on-board recipient devices that are in communicative connection with a communication network contained within the vehicle.

8. A hybrid communications system on a vehicle for optimizing modem usage on the vehicle, the hybrid communications system comprising:

one or more processors; and

one or more non-transitory, tangible computer-readable storage media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the hybrid communications system to;

determine that the vehicle is in one of a plurality of port states indicative of the vehicle being proximally located to a vehicle port;

based on the determination that the vehicle is in the one of the plurality of port states, cause a modem that is fixedly connected to the vehicle to change from operating in a bi-directional mode to operating in a receive-only mode; and

receive data onto the vehicle via a forward link while the vehicle is in the one of the plurality of port states.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the modem to operate in the receive-only mode further cause the hybrid communications system to tune the modem to a frequency band.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the hybrid communications system to tune the modem to the frequency band cause the hybrid communications system to tune the modem to at least one of:

an L frequency band, a K_a frequency band, a K_u frequency band, another frequency band allocated for satellite communications, or a frequency band allocated for broadband communications.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the hybrid communications system to receive the data onto the vehicle via the forward link further cause the hybrid communications system to select the forward link from one or more forward links.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the hybrid communications system to select the forward link cause the hybrid communications system to select the forward link based on a type of content to be delivered to one or more devices on-board the vehicle.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the hybrid communications system to select the forward link cause the hybrid communications system to select the forward link based on feedback data or information received from the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the hybrid communications sytem to receive the data onto the vehicle via the forward link further cause the hybrid communications system to deliver the data to one or more on-board recipient devices that are in communicative connection with a communication network contained within the vehicle.

15. A computer readable medium including non-transitory computer readable instructions stored thereon for optimizing modem usage on a vehicle, the instructions comprising:

determining, at a processor that is fixedly connected to the vehicle, that the vehicle is in one of a plurality of port states, each of the plurality of port states being indicative of the vehicle being located proximate to a vehicle port;

based on the determination that the vehicle is in the one of the plurality of port states, causing, by the processor, a modem that is (i) operating in a bi-directional mode, and (ii) fixedly connected to the vehicle to be in a receive-only state;

causing an establishment of a wireless communication link at the modem in the receive-only state; and

using the wireless communication link as a forward link over which data is able to be received onto the vehicle while the vehicle is in the one of the plurality of port states.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein causing the modem to be in the receive-only state comprises tuning the modem to a frequency band.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein tuning the modem to the frequency band comprises tuning the modem to at least one of:

an L frequency band, a K_a frequency band, a K_u frequency band, another frequency band allocated for satellite communications, or a frequency band allocated for broadband communications.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein using the wireless communication link as the forward link comprises selecting the forward link from one or more forward links.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein selecting the forward link from the one or more forward links comprises selecting the forward link based on a type of content delivered to one or more devices on-board the vehicle.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein selecting the forward link from the one or more forward links comprises selecting the forward link based on feedback data or information received from the vehicle.