A method for self-healing a vehicle on-board network

Abstract

A self-healing network on-board a vehicle is provided, including a plurality of wireless devices that are directly and communicatively interconnected via a communication backbone. One of the devices is collectively determined by the other devices to be a bootstrap device of the network, and as such establishes a wireless link (e.g., the only wireless link) that connects any of the self-healing network devices to other devices / servers on-board the vehicle and outside the network. Passenger consumable content can be communicated between any device of the self-healing network and other on-board external devices via the bootstrap wireless device, its established wireless link, and the communication backbone. Any wireless device of the self-healing network can serve as a hot spare for the bootstrap wireless device, so that the self-healing network can automatically reconfigure to mitigate and recover from failures, e.g., by automatically forming a plurality of mutually exclusive sub-self-healing networks, each with its own collaboratively selected bootstrap wireless device.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 053,374, filed August 2, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to a self-healing network of passenger-facing wireless devices mounted on a vehicle for transmitting content for consumption by passengers on the vehicle. Background Technology

[0004] Content such as digital content that can be accessed by and presented to passengers on the vehicle for their consumption (e.g., during or en route between the origin and destination locations) may include: safety procedures, instructions for use, and other safety information; entertainment products such as movies, television programs, etc.; real-time maps and other information describing the vehicle's progress along its route and / or other information related to the route (e.g., estimated arrival time, arrival gate, baggage carousel, weather, etc.); shopping, retail, and / or other marketing portals / information; and so on. Such content may be delivered to the user interface of onboard passenger-facing electronic devices for their presentation and consumption, some of which may be mounted on the vehicle, for example, in the seatbacks, on the walls or ceiling of the vehicle cabin. Additionally or alternatively, passenger-consumable content may be delivered to the user interface of personal portable electronic devices (“PEDs”) already carried by the user on the vehicle for their presentation and consumption, such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, smart devices, etc. Some passenger-consumable content, such as safety protocols and information, can be broadcast to onboard passenger-facing devices, while other passenger-consumable content can be requested individually by passengers on the respective passenger-facing devices for personal viewing and consumption (e.g., movies, television programs and / or other entertainment, shopping portals, etc.).

[0005] Passenger-consumable content can be obtained via one or more onboard servers through onboard passenger-facing devices, wherein the passenger-facing devices are communicatively connected to the servers via one or more onboard communication networks. The onboard servers can store at least some of the available passenger-consumable content. For example, some passenger-consumable content may be loaded and stored on the onboard servers while the vehicle is parked or otherwise traveling. In some cases, while the vehicle is in transit or otherwise en route, some passenger-consumable content may be loaded and stored on the onboard servers, for example via satellite and / or other types of air-to-ground communication links established between the vehicle and a ground station during transit. In some cases, some passenger-consumable content (e.g., live sports events, news flashes, etc.) may be streamed or otherwise transmitted to the onboard servers, for example via satellite and / or other types of air-to-ground communication links established between the vehicle and a ground station, so as to be delivered in real time to various onboard passenger-facing devices while the vehicle is in transit.

[0006] On a vehicle, one or more servers may deliver consumable content to one or more passenger-facing devices via one or more onboard communication networks (e.g., via streaming, downloading, establishing sessions, and / or using any other suitable communication protocols and / or delivery mechanisms). Mitigating the failures and / or performance degradation of onboard communication networks and / or their nodes that may occur during vehicle transport is not only important for enhancing and maintaining the passenger experience and satisfaction, but also crucial in emergency situations where safety instructions and / or information must be delivered to passengers in a timely and accurate manner.

[0007] Known techniques for mitigating faults and / or performance degradation within airborne communication networks and nodes typically rely on airborne servers, front-end devices, and human users to manage fault mitigation and recovery. For example, U.S. Patent No. 7,028,304 utilizes servers and front-end devices to route content to installed seat equipment, and the system notifies users when a fault occurs by illuminating LEDs, logging the fault, etc. In another example, U.S. Publication No. 20180248831 provides a “seat box” that can switch between installed passenger-facing devices and otherwise manage the use of redundant communication paths, such as when a fault is detected on one of those paths. However, in these architectures, it is impossible to resolve and recover from faults occurring at a single point of failure (e.g., front-end device, seat box, etc.) and / or on all available redundant communication paths without human intervention. Thus, at least some passengers whose devices are affected by such faults may simply be unable to receive important information in a timely manner during their journey. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention is provided to introduce the selected concepts in a simplified form, which will be further described in the detailed embodiments below. The present invention is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0009] An embodiment of a self-healing network is disclosed, which is used to deliver content for passenger consumption via passenger-facing devices onboard a vehicle. The self-healing network may include a plurality of wireless devices mounted onboard on the vehicle and interconnected, for example, via one or more communication backbones or networks. Each of the plurality of wireless devices may be passenger-facing and may include a corresponding user interface, a corresponding processor, a corresponding memory, and corresponding computer-executable instructions stored in the corresponding memory. When executed by the corresponding processor, the computer-executable instructions may cause each wireless device to cooperate with other wireless devices in the self-healing network to determine which particular wireless device among the plurality of wireless devices will act as the pilot wireless device of the self-healing network, for example, through election or other suitable cooperative selection process. When the plurality of wireless devices determine that each wireless device will act as the pilot wireless device of the self-healing network, the computer-executable instructions may cause each wireless device to establish a wireless link via a wireless transceiver included in each wireless device, thereby enabling any of the plurality of wireless devices in the self-healing network to communicate with one or more servers. The one or more servers may be mounted onboard on the vehicle and may store passenger-consumable content thereon. Additionally or alternatively, one or more servers may dynamically receive (and optionally store) passenger-consumable content while the vehicle is in transit, for example via satellite networks and / or other air-to-ground communication networks. Each wireless device, while acting as a guiding wireless device for the self-healing network, may (i) serve as a gateway between multiple wireless devices of the self-healing network and one or more servers, and (ii) transmit at least a portion of the corresponding passenger-consumable content to the corresponding wireless device of the self-healing network via it.

[0010] An embodiment of a method for a self-healing network onboard a vehicle and for delivering content for consumption by passengers onboard the vehicle is disclosed. The first self-healing network may include a specific wireless device and one or more other wireless devices communicatively interconnected. One of the one or more other wireless devices may be a first bootstrap wireless device of the first self-healing network, supporting a first wireless link that communicatively connects the plurality of wireless devices included in the first self-healing network to one or more onboard servers. The method may include detecting that the specific wireless device has or has become disconnected from the first bootstrap wireless device of the first self-healing network. In one embodiment, the specific wireless device may detect that it has become disconnected from the first bootstrap wireless device.

[0011] The method may further include, based on detection, cooperation between a specific wireless device and other wireless devices to form a second self-healing network. Other wireless devices cooperating with the specific wireless device may already be included in the first self-healing network and may also disconnect from the first bootstrap wireless device while maintaining a communication connection with the specific wireless device. Cooperation between the specific wireless device and other wireless devices may include jointly determining that the specific wireless device in the second self-healing network will act as the second bootstrap wireless device of the second self-healing network, and thus establishing a second wireless link to communicatively connect the group of wireless devices forming the second self-healing network to one or more onboard servers. For example, the specific wireless device and other wireless devices may elect or perform some other suitable cooperation selection process to determine which of them will act as the second bootstrap wireless device of the second self-healing network.

[0012] The method may further receive or obtain passenger-consumable content at a specific wireless device, wherein the passenger-consumable content is transmitted from an onboard server to the specific wireless device via a second wireless link and a second guiding wireless device. Additionally, the method may include presenting the received passenger-consumable content at the user interface of the specific wireless device. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 A block diagram of the self-healing network is shown, which is configured to deliver content for consumption by passengers on board a vehicle.

[0014] Figure 2A-2D It shows that it is possible Figure 1 The various faults that occur in the airborne self-healing network and the fault mitigation and recovery techniques used by the nodes of the self-healing network;

[0015] Figure 3 A block diagram of the wireless device is shown, which is configured as... Figure 1The self-healing network nodes are operated; and

[0016] Figure 4 The method described is illustrated for self-repairing of a network used to transmit content for consumption by passengers on board a vehicle. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Although the following text describes specific implementations of many different embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of this specification is defined by the terms of the claims and their equivalents set forth at the end of this patent. The specific implementations are to be interpreted as exemplary only and do not describe every possible embodiment, as it would be impractical to describe every possible embodiment. Many alternative embodiments can be implemented using present technology or technology developed after the date of this patent application, which still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0018] It should also be understood that unless a term is explicitly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term '____' is limited herein to mean…” or a similar sentence, there is no intention to limit the meaning of the term, whether express or implied, beyond its ordinary or common meaning, and this term should not be construed as being limited in the scope of any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). Reference in this patent to any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning is done solely for clarity so as not to confuse the reader, and is not intended to limit this claim term by implication or otherwise to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reference to the word “component” and the function of a description without any structure, it is not intended to interpret the scope of any claim element in accordance with the application of 35 USC § 112 (paragraph 6).

[0019] Exemplary airborne self-healing network

[0020] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating an example self-healing network 100, which is airborne on vehicle 102 and transmits content or information (e.g., digital content or information) for consumption by passengers on board vehicle 102. In one embodiment, the self-healing network 100 may transmit content or information (e.g., in the form of electronic data) presented on multiple wireless devices WD disposed within the cabin of vehicle 102. x，y On one or more corresponding user interfaces, and the self-healing network 100 includes the plurality of wireless devices. That is, as Figure 1 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, multiple wireless devices WD 1，1 -WD 1，nIt is a node of self-healing network 100, in which each wireless device WD 1，1 -WD 1，n It is configured to receive and present corresponding content for passenger consumption on its respective user. For ease of reading, such content, information, or data available for onboard passenger consumption is generally referred to herein as "passenger-consumable content," and at least some of the available passenger-consumable content may be stored (e.g., during transport) on one or more servers 105 mounted on the vehicle 102. Examples of available passenger-consumable content may include, for example, safety information, catering service information, weather information, flight or vehicle route information, movies, television programs, and other types of onboard entertainment, retail, or shopping information, etc. Additionally, although the vehicle 102 is... Figure 1 While shown as an aircraft, this illustration is not limiting. The self-healing network 100 can be implemented in any type of vehicle that transports people, such as airplanes, trucks, cars, buses, trains, ships, barges, subways, other air, water or land vehicles, and vehicles suitable for space travel.

[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, a wireless device WD of the self-healing network 100 1，1 The boot wireless device used as the self-healing network 100 is therefore designated by the prefix L1. Boot wireless device L1-WD 1，1 A unique or separate communication connection 108 can be provided between the self-healing network 100 and one or more servers 105. That is, to boot the wireless device L1-WD. 1，1 It can be multiple WDs included in the self-healing network 100 1，1 -WD 1，n The unique node or wireless device in the self-healing network 100 that has a direct communication connection with another device not included in the self-healing network 100, and any wireless device WD that implements the self-healing network 100 via said node or wireless device. 1，1 -WD 1，n Communication connections with one or more servers 105. For example, booting wireless device L1-WD. 1，1A wireless link 108 can be established and supported to a wireless access point AP1 located on vehicle 102, which can then be connected via a wired connection to one or more onboard servers 105, for example, via a wired link or network 110. In an example embodiment, wireless link 108 may be a Wi-Fi or IEEE 802.11ac compliant link, although other suitable wireless technologies may also be suitable and / or used for link 108. In an example embodiment, wired link or network 110 may be Ethernet, although other suitable wired technologies may also be suitable and / or used for link / network 110.

[0022] Within the self-healing network 100, nodes or wireless devices WD 1，1 -WD 1，n They can be directly and communicatively interconnected via one or more communication backbones 112a, 112b. Each backbone 112a, 112b is connected to the guided wireless device L1-WD. 1，1 The wireless links 108 used for communication with one or more servers 105 are different, independent, and distinct, and each backbone 112a, 112b communicates directly only with the wireless devices WD of the self-healing network 100. 1，1 -WD 1，n To interact. That is, only the wireless device WD 1，1 -WD 1，n (Instead of other onboard equipment) are the nodes of the self-healing network 100. In one embodiment, each node or wireless device WD 1，1 -WD 1，n Including the corresponding wired interface, node or wireless device WD 1，1 -WD 1，n Directly and communicatively connected to a communication backbone 112a via the wired interface, Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, this is implemented using wired communication technology. For example, a node or wireless device WD 1，1 -WD 1，n The wired interface and communication backbone 112a can be implemented using Ethernet technology (e.g., via copper or fiber-compatible IEEE 802.3), AC / DC power lines, USB (Universal Serial Bus), and / or any other suitable wired communication technology. In some arrangements, each node or wireless device WD 1，1 -WD 1，n Including the corresponding wireless interface, node or wireless device WD 1，1 -WD 1，n The interface allows for direct and communicative connection to another communication backbone 112b, utilizing wireless communication technology. For example, a node or wireless device WD 1，1 -WD 1，nThe wireless interface and communication backbone 112b can be implemented using Bluetooth, infrared, short-range, or Wi-Fi or 802.11 wireless connections with different channels and / or frequencies than those used for wireless link 108, and / or any other suitable wireless communication technology. If desired, the self-healing network 100 may include multiple wired communication backbones and / or multiple wireless communication backbones 112b. In a preferred embodiment, the self-healing network 100 includes a wired communication backbone 112a and another communication backbone that can be implemented using wired or wireless technologies. Typically, but not necessarily, nodes in the self-healing network 100 designate or use one of the backbones 112a and 112b as the primary communication backbone, while designating or using the other of the backbones 112a and 112b as an auxiliary, backup, or redundant backbone. In one embodiment, the wired communication backbone 112a may be used as the primary communication backbone between nodes of the network 100.

[0023] Exemplary distributed storage and delivery of consumable content for passengers

[0024] At least some of the passenger-consumable content can be received on vehicle 102 and, as indicated by reference numeral 11, on one or more servers 105 onboard vehicle 102. For example, when vehicle 102 is docked or berthed at a port, and / or when vehicle 102 is in transit, passenger-consumable content 115 can be loaded from one or more off-board devices or systems onto one or more servers 105. Passenger-consumable content 115 stored on one or more servers 105 may include content to be broadcast to multiple passenger-facing devices, such as safety information, emergency alarms, etc. Additionally or alternatively, passenger-consumable content 115 stored on one or more servers 105 may include content that passengers can access via wireless devices. 1，1 -WD 1，n A single request for on-demand or other content, such as movies, TV shows, restaurant menus, retail catalogs, and information, etc. In some implementations, at least some of the loaded, server-stored passenger-consumable content 115 can be transmitted, copied, streamed, and / or otherwise transmitted via wireless link 108, guiding wireless device L1-WD. 1，1 And one or more communication backbones 112a, 112b of the self-healing network 100 transmit data to one or more wireless devices WD of the self-healing network 100. 1，1 -WD 1，n For example, when passengers use wireless devices WD 1，1 -WD 1，n During a request, in the booting wireless device L1-WD 1，1When a request is made and / or when passenger-consumable content 115 begins to be transmitted by one or more servers 105.

[0025] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the initially loaded passenger-consumable content 115 may be transferred from one or more servers 105 and / or from other devices outside the vehicle 102 to one or more devices WD. 1，1 -WD 1，n This allows passengers to consume content 115, for example, on one or more servers 105 (as indicated by reference numeral 115) and on one or more wireless devices WD. 1，1 -WD 1，n (As indicated by reference numeral 118 in the accompanying drawings) Distributedly stored on the vehicle 102. For example, a portion of the initially loaded passenger-consumable content 115 to be stored in a distributed manner on the vehicle 102 can be predetermined and / or selected. In this embodiment, the passenger-consumable content 118 stored on the device can be provided by the wireless device WD of the self-healing network 100. 1，1 -WD 1，n Direct access is possible without utilizing an external (i.e., "external" relative to the self-healing network 100) wireless link 108. Other devices onboard the vehicle 102 (e.g., other wireless devices or other computing devices included in the self-healing network) can request access via one or more servers 105 and / or via the bootstrap wireless device L1-WD. 1，1 Access to passenger-consumable content 118 stored in the self-healing network 100. For example, one or more servers 105 and / or bootstrap wireless devices L1-WD. 1，1 It can store which portions of the initially loaded passenger-consumable content 115 have been transmitted and persistently stored at which specific non-server devices and / or specific self-healing networks on the vehicle 102, corresponding mappings or indications. Thus, in this embodiment, one or more servers 105 and / or bootstrap wireless devices L1-WD 1，1 It can be used as a receiving and distribution node for at least a portion of the initially loaded passenger-consumable content 115. Advantageously, this embodiment can reduce the amount of storage used by one or more servers 105, and reduce the amount of storage used by multiple wireless devices WD. 1，1 -WD 1，n The bandwidth of the external wireless link 108 used to obtain content that passengers can consume.

[0026] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the initially loaded passenger-consumable content 115 can be copied from one or more servers 105 (and / or from other devices onboard the vehicle 102) to one or more devices on the self-healing network 100. 1，1 -WD 1，nFor example, multiple copies of the selected passenger-consumable content 118 can be locally stored at multiple locations on the vehicle 102. For instance, the passenger-consumable content 115 initially loaded can be predetermined and / or selected to be copied to one or more devices WD. 1，1 -WD 1，n A portion of the corresponding memory (and / or other onboard devices of vehicle 102). Advantageously, this embodiment provides redundancy for content 118, thereby mitigating the situation where a node becomes unavailable, a communication link becomes unavailable, and / or a specific copy of passenger-consumable content 115, 118 is corrupted. Another advantage of this embodiment is that other devices of the self-healing network 100 can access passenger-consumable content 118 locally, directly and / or more quickly, for example, via one or more communication backbones 112a, 112b. Furthermore, this configuration may be particularly useful for reducing the bandwidth used and / or increasing the capacity of wireless link 108, and may be particularly suitable for content that may be presented on a large number of onboard devices, such as vehicle safety information, in-flight entertainment catalogs, popular movies, etc. In one embodiment, one or more servers 105 and / or bootstrap wireless devices L1-WD 1，1 It can store which portions of the initially loaded passenger-consumable content 115 have been copied and persistently stored on which specific devices of the self-healing network 100 WD 1，1 -WD 1，n For example, so that other devices can request and / or access the mapping or indication of these copies.

[0027] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the initially loaded passenger-consumable content 115 can be transmitted and / or copied to the boot wireless device L1-WD. 1，1 So that local persistent storage can be performed on it (refer to L1-WD) 1，1 (118) For example, from one or more servers 105 and / or from other devices onboard the vehicle 102, transmitted and / or copied via wireless link 108 to the boot wireless device L1-WD 1，1 In this embodiment, the wireless device L1-WD is guided. 1，1 It can serve as a local server for the self-healing network 100, storing at least some of the wireless devices connected to the network 100 via WD. 1，1 -WD 1，n Passenger-consumable content 118 that is directly and locally accessible from one of the communication backbones 112a, 112b of other equipment on board the vehicle 102.

[0028] In some embodiments, at least some passenger-consumable content may be additionally or alternatively loaded onto the vehicle 102 and initially stored locally by 118 on one or more wireless devices WD of the self-healing network 100. 1，1 -WD 1，n The corresponding memory (in contrast to being loaded and initially stored on one or more servers 105 as described above). For example, passenger-consumable content 118 can be loaded into the wireless device WD. 1，1 , ..., WD 1，n On one of the memory, and the device WD 1，1 , ..., WD 1，n It has not yet been installed on vehicle 102. (The equipment WD) 1，1 , ..., WD 1，n When airborne installation is carried out on a vehicle (e.g., during equipment installation), and in airborne wireless equipment WD 1，1 , ..., WD 1，n After establishing corresponding communication connections with one or more communication backbones 112a, 112b, the device WD can be stored in the device. 1，1 , ..., WD 1，n The consumable content 118 for passengers is available to other nodes or devices in the self-healing network 100. For example, the device WD that initially stores the consumable content 118 for passengers locally on the vehicle 102. 1，1 , ..., WD 1，n The stored content 118 (or an indication of its stored content) can be broadcast to one or more other nodes of network 100. Additionally or alternatively, the device WD initially storing passenger-consumable content 118 locally on vehicle 102... 1，1 , ..., WD 1，n At least a portion of its stored content 118 can be provided upon request by another node or device in network 100. Additionally or alternatively, in some cases, the booting wireless device L1-WD of the self-healing network 100... 1，1 It can detect that a new wireless device has joined the network 100 (or in some cases, the previous wireless device is no longer included in the network, and the new wireless device has joined the location of the previous wireless device, such as when a wireless device installed in the seat back is replaced), and guides the wireless device L1-WD. 1，1 You can interact with newly joined wireless devices to obtain any other passenger-consumable content stored on the newly joined wireless device, and / or its instructions.

[0029] In some embodiments, the device WD on which at least some passenger-consumable content 118 is initially stored.1，1 , ..., WD 1，n During initialization, device WD 1，1 , ..., WD 1，n At least some of the initial stored content 118 can be provided to the boot wireless device L1-WD of the self-healing network 100. 1，1 (e.g., via one or more of the communication backbone 112a, 112b) in order to guide the wireless device L1-WD 1，1 Local persistent storage is performed on the memory. This allows other devices in the self-healing network 100 to... 1，2 , ..., WD 1，n The L1-WD wireless device can be used upon passenger request. 1，1 Instructions are given from the boot wireless device L1-WD at the time of or at least some other time. 1，1 Passengers can access their own consumable content 118 without relying on any external links such as wireless link 108 and / or network 110 to the self-healing network 100.

[0030] Similarly, in some embodiments, the wireless device L1-WD is guided. 1，1 It can be distributed (e.g., can be transmitted and / or copied) to one or more wireless devices initially loaded via wireless link 108. 1，1 -WD 1，n Passenger-consumable content 118 stored locally for use on one or more other guided wireless devices (e.g., Figure 1 The L2-WD shown 2，1 and L3-WD 3，5 ) to be localized and persistently stored, for example, so that the content 118 can be locally used by other self-healing networks 122, 123 on the aircraft 102.

[0031] In some embodiments, at least some passenger-consumable content 118 is initially stored on the device WD. 1，1 , ..., WD 1，n During initialization, at least some are initially loaded and stored on the device WD. 1，1 , ..., WD 1，n The content 118 can be provided to one or more servers 105 (e.g., via one or more of the communication backbone 112a, 112b and wireless link 108) for persistent storage at one or more servers 105. That is, initially via wireless device WD 1，1 , ..., WD 1，nOne of the passenger-consumable content 118 (and / or its corresponding instructions) received on vehicle 102 may be forwarded or otherwise provided to one or more vehicle servers 105 so that the passenger-consumable content 118 may be made available to other onboard devices.

[0032] Additional or alternative ground, guide wireless device L1-WD 1，1 It can send to one or more servers 105 and / or to one or more other boot wireless devices L2-WD 2，1 And L3-WD5, provides instructions on passenger-consumable content 118 that has been newly loaded into its network 100, so that one or more servers 105 and / or one or more other boot wireless devices L2-WD 2，1 L3-WD5 can update their corresponding routing records or tables to reflect the presence of passenger-consumable content available and persistently stored in the various devices of the self-healing network 100.

[0033] In some implementations, and as such Figure 1 As shown in the illustrated embodiment, vehicle 102 may include one or more other onboard self-healing networks 122, 123, each having an architecture generally similar to self-healing network 100. Each self-healing network 100, 122, 123 may include a different number of wireless devices or nodes, and one of the wireless devices in each self-healing network 100, 122, 123 may serve as the guiding wireless device for its respective self-healing network 100, 122, 123. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, the self-healing network 122 includes a bootstrap wireless device L2-WD 2，1 Furthermore, the self-healing network 123 includes boot wireless devices L3-WD5. Further, each boot wireless device L1-WD... 1，1 L2-WD 2，1 L3-WD 3，5 The corresponding wireless links 108, 125, 128 can be established and maintained to the respective access points AP1, AP2, ..., APm located within the vehicle 102, thereby acting as a gateway between its self-healing network and other networks and / or devices onboard the vehicle 102. Each access point can serve one or more bootstrap wireless devices L1-WD. 1，1 L2-WD 2，1 and L3-WD 3，5 .

[0034] As previously discussed, portions of passenger-consumable content initially loaded onto vehicle 102 via one or more servers 105 (e.g., content 115) and / or via one or more wireless devices (e.g., content 118) can be transmitted and / or replicated via corresponding wireless links 108, 125, 128 to multiple bootstrap wireless devices L1-WD of multiple self-healing networks 100, 122, 123. 1，1 L2-WD 2，1 L3-WD 3，5 This allows for local persistent storage. Thus, in these embodiments, portions of the initially loaded passenger-consumable content 115, 118 can be distributed and persistently stored onboard the guided wireless device L1-WD of the vehicle 102. 1，1 L2-WD 2，1 L3-WD 3，5 Above. Therefore, in a sense, multiple boot wireless devices L1-WD 1，1 L2-WD 2，1 L3-WD 3，5 (And in some implementations, one or more servers 105) may collectively operate as an onboard distributed server system for passenger-consumable content 115, 118. It should be noted that not all of the guiding wireless devices L1-WD onboard the vehicle 102 are included. 1，1 L2-WD 2，1 L3-WD 3，5 Included in the distributed server system for passenger-consumable content 115, 118. It should also be noted that in some implementations, a specific node of the onboard distributed server system can serve as a source node for a first portion of the passenger-consumable content, can store a copy of the second portion of the passenger-consumable content (but is not a source node), and can request other portions of the passenger-consumable content from the corresponding source node of the requested content.

[0035] Generally, the various portions of the available onboard passenger-consumable content 115, 118 can initially be loaded onto the vehicle at one or more servers 105 and / or via one or more wireless devices included in one or more onboard self-healing networks 100, 122, 123. The initially loaded passenger-consumable content 115, 118 can be distributed and persistently stored on multiple devices onboard the vehicle 102, for example, at one or more servers 105, one or more booting wireless devices L1-WD. 1，1 L2-WD 2，1 L3-WD 3，5And / or at one or more other wireless devices not used as boot wireless devices in various airborne self-healing networks. Mappings, routing records, or other indications of which specific portions of the initially loaded passenger-consumable content 115, 118 are stored at which specific devices can be found on one or more servers 105 and / or multiple boot wireless devices L1-WD. 1，1 L2-WD 2，1 L3-WD 3，5 The content is stored or maintained in a distributed manner so that other devices can access or consume passenger-readable content distributed across various devices onboard the vehicle 102.

[0036] Furthermore, passenger-consumable content 115, 118 (and virtually any other type of communication) can be transmitted between the wireless devices of each self-healing network 100, 122, 123 using any suitable network topology, routing scheme, and / or protocol. Turning to self-healing network 100 as an illustrative example, the wireless devices WD of self-healing network 100 can be transmitted via one or more communication backbones 112a, 112b using any suitable network topology, routing scheme, and / or protocol. 1，1 -WD 1，n Interconnection. For example, the self-healing network 100 can be implemented as a token ring network and therefore can utilize routing schemes and / or protocols suitable for transmitting information between nodes in a token ring. In another example, the self-healing network 100 can be implemented or configured as a mesh network and can utilize routing schemes and / or protocols suitable for transmitting information between nodes in a mesh network. In yet another example, the self-healing network 100 may include a hub (in... Figure 1 (Not shown in the image), Wireless device WD 1，1 -WD 1，n Each wireless device in the network has a direct communication connection to the hub via one or more communication backbones 112a, 112b. In this example, the self-healing network 100 may utilize routing schemes and / or protocols suitable for transmitting information between nodes in a centrally located, radial network. Other network topologies that may be used for the self-healing network 100 may include, for example, peer-to-peer or other non-hierarchical topologies, or hierarchical topologies such as client-server topologies.

[0037] For example, in one embodiment, the wireless device L1-WD is guided. 1，1 It can serve as a local server for a self-healing network 100, while the remaining wireless devices (WD) 1，2 -WD 1，n Can be used as a guide wireless device L1-WD 1，1 The client. In these embodiments, the wireless device L1-WD is guided. 1，1It can retain knowledge of passenger-consumable content or its types that it has already stored and that is stored on various nodes (if any) of its self-healing network 100, as well as information stored on one or more servers 105 and / or other primary boot devices L2-WD. 2，1 And knowledge of the content or type that passengers can consume at L3-WD5. In some implementations, the wireless device L1-WD is guided. 1，1 WD wireless devices that can represent Self-Healing Network 100 1，1 -WD 1，n Obtain any requested passenger-consumable content.

[0038] In some implementations, the wireless device WD 1，1 -WD 1，n Each of these can logically appear as a client device of one or more servers 105 and can communicate with one or more servers 105 using appropriate client / server messaging and / or protocols. In these embodiments, the communication backbone 112a, 112b and / or via wireless link 108 can be transparent to the client-server messaging logic and can therefore be used or regarded as a transport layer.

[0039] In some implementations, each self-healing network 100, 122, 123 may have a logical appearance separate from and different from other self-healing networks 100, 122, 123, and separate from and different from the wireless network that includes wireless links (including wireless links 108, 125, 128) supported by wireless access points AP1 to APm onboard the vehicle 102. In these implementations, each bootstrap wireless device L1-WD 1，1 L2-WD 2，1 L3-WD5 can be used as a gateway between its self-healing networks 100, 122, 123 and the wireless networks supported by wireless access points AP1 to APm. In some implementations, one or more servers 105 and the bootstrap wireless device L1-WD 1，1 L2-WD 2，1 The combination of L3-WD5 can be viewed as its own network, such as a peer-to-peer network, a mesh network, or a client / server network.

[0040] Of course, other network topologies used for each self-healing network 100, 122, 123 and / or for one or more airborne networks may also include one or more servers 105 and one or more boot wireless devices L1-WD. 1，1 L2-WD 2，1L3-WD5 and / or one or more other wireless devices WD, and may be used in conjunction with any or more technologies discussed herein. In some embodiments, different network topologies may be used for each individual self-healing network 100, 122, 123, and / or for including one or more booting wireless devices L1-WD. 1，1 L2-WD 2，1 A higher level network of L3-WD5 and / or one or more servers 105.

[0041] In some embodiments, a publish / subscribe mechanism, method, or protocol can be used to distribute each wireless device WD. 1，1 -WD 1，n With the guidance of wireless device L1-WD 1，1 L2-WD 2，1 Passenger-consumable content (and virtually any other type of communication) is transmitted between L3-WD5 and / or one or more servers 105. Passenger-consumable content 115, 118 can be transmitted via any type of network topology discussed herein (e.g., mesh, client / server, peer-to-peer network, etc.) using publish / subscribe mechanisms, methods, or protocols. For example, each self-healing network 100, 122, 123 (and optionally each includes one or more booting wireless devices L1-WD) 1，1 L2-WD 2，1 Nodes in a higher-level network (L3-WD5 and / or one or more servers 105) can transmit and receive passenger-consumable content by utilizing any publish / subscribe technology described in U.S. Patent No. 9,087,193, entitled “Communication System and Method for Nodes Associated with a Vehicle,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0042] Improvement of guided wireless devices in airborne self-healing networks

[0043] In specific self-healing networks 100, 122, and 123, any wireless device included in a specific self-healing network 100, 122, or 123 can be selected at any time without any manual input or intervention to act as a bootstrap wireless device for network 100, 122, or 123. At the time of selection, again without any manual input or intervention, and virtually without any reconfiguration, the selected wireless device can automatically begin acting as a bootstrap wireless device. That is, any wireless device in self-healing networks 100, 122, and 123 can be a bootstrap wireless device for self-healing networks 100, 122, and 123 or a "hot spare" for a newly formed subnet of network 100, 122, or 123, as described later. Furthermore, the socket self-healing network 100 serves as the network, and for ease of discussion, within self-healing network 100, the set of wireless devices interconnected (e.g., such as...) Figure 1 As shown, the wireless device WD 1，1 -WD 1，n They can cooperate to automatically determine or select which wireless device in the set to act as the bootstrap wireless device for the self-healing network 100. In other words, the set of wireless devices (e.g., wireless devices WD) that are interconnected within the self-healing network 100 can cooperate to automatically determine or select which wireless device in the set to act as the bootstrap wireless device for the self-healing network 100. 1，1 -WD 1，n They can communicate with each other to jointly and cooperatively determine or agree which particular wireless device in the set will be promoted to act as or as the guiding wireless device L1-WD. 1，1 This will establish a wireless link 108 with a suitable access point onboard the vehicle 102, through which data can be transmitted to and from the wireless devices WD on the network 100. 1，1 -WD 1，n For example, a collection or group of wireless devices in a self-healing network 100. 1，1 -WD 1，n The guiding wireless device can be jointly identified as a specific wireless device within the set or group capable of establishing the most robust wireless connection with one of the airborne access points AP1 to APm (e.g., by comparing corresponding signal strength, bit error rate, and / or other metrics of wireless channel quality among devices in the group). Additionally or alternatively, the wireless device WD 1，1 -WD 1，n The group can utilize a boosting protocol (e.g., a protocol similar to that used in HSRP (Hot Standby Router Protocol) or VRRP (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol) for selecting one of a group of routers to act as a gateway or virtual router representing said group) to jointly select the wireless device WD. 1，1 -WD 1，n One of the specific devices in the set is the L1-WD, the pilot wireless device for network 100. 1，1For example, wireless devices WD 1，1 -WD 1，n The ensemble can vote and / or otherwise elect one of the devices in the ensemble / group to act as the lead wireless device L1-WD of network 100. 1，1 Still additionally or alternatively, the wireless device collection WD 1，1 -WD 1，n The leading wireless device in the group can be jointly determined based on a comparison of the spare or available processing power and / or memory of each wireless device. For example, a specific wireless device in the group that is not used by any passenger can be identified by wireless device WD. 1，1 -WD 1，n The group is collectively identified as the guiding wireless device L1-WD for network 100. 1，1 Of course, wireless devices WD 1，1 -WD 1，n Other criteria may be used additionally or alternatively within the set to jointly determine the pilot wireless device L1-WD to be used as network 100. 1，1 Specific wireless devices.

[0044] Various conditions and / or events can trigger wireless devices WD 1，1 -WD 1，n The current guiding wireless device, or a subset thereof, may cooperate to determine or select a new guiding wireless device. For example, the current guiding wireless device may be subject to malfunction or damage conditions (e.g., its transceiver fails), the quality and / or capacity of wireless link 108 may degrade, the access point AP1 to which the self-healing network 100 is communicatively connected may fail, one or more communication backbones 112a, 112b may fail or be otherwise damaged, etc. The occurrence of triggering conditions can be detected by the current guiding wireless device and / or by one or more other wireless devices within network 100. Based on the detection, the detecting wireless device can initiate an election process (or other suitable cooperative selection process) to determine a replacement guiding wireless device.

[0045] Reference Figures 2A to 2D To explain, Figure 2A Depicting Figure 1 The self-healing network 100 includes a boot wireless device L1-WD 1，1 Other wireless devices WD 1，2 -WD 1，n They are interconnected via the main communication backbone 112a and via the auxiliary communication backbone 112b. Guiding wireless device L1-WD 1，1 A wireless link 108 has been established and is supported to wireless access point AP1, wherein wireless link 108 can connect to / from any number of wireless devices WD from other airborne devices and self-healing network 100. 1，1-WD 1，n Data transmission. For example, passenger-consumable data stored on one or more servers 105 can be unicast or multicast to one or more target receiving wireless devices in one or more self-healing networks. For example, at least some data in data 115 stored at server 105 can be transmitted via network 110, access point AP1, wireless link 108, and bootstrap wireless device L1-WD. 1，1 And the backbone network 112a route to the target receiving wireless device WD of the self-healing network 100 1，3 .

[0046] exist Figure 2A In the scenario shown, a fault (represented by X) occurred in the communication backbone 112a, thereby preventing node WD from operating. 1，3 -WD 1，n Using backbone network 112a and guiding wireless equipment L1-WD 1，1 Communication is being conducted. Affected devices: WD 1，3 -WD 1，n and / or guide wireless device L1-WD 1，1 Any one or more of these can detect the presence of a fault. Upon detection of a fault, the affected wireless device WD 1，3 -WD 1，n and guide wireless device L1-WD 1，1 They can communicate with each other using the auxiliary communication backbone 112b.

[0047] Figure 2B It shows Figure 2A The self-healing network 100 experienced failures on both the communication backbone 112a and the communication backbone 112b, thus completely preventing device WD from operating. 1，3 -WD 1，n With the guidance of wireless device L1-WD 1，1 To conduct communication. That is, to guide the wireless device L1-WD. 1，1 With equipment WD 1，3 -WD 1，n There is no feasible communication path between them. Affected devices: WD 1，3 -WD 1，n Any one or more of them can be detected as having or being connected to the boot wireless device L1-WD 1，1 Communication is disconnected, and upon detection, a process or protocol can be initiated to determine which other wireless devices on network 100 maintain communication with the detected device. For example, each detected device can broadcast a "I'm here" message, indicating which node successfully responded. While maintaining communication with each other but connected to the bootstrap wireless device L1-WD... 1，1When a group of wireless devices with disconnected communication is identified, one or more members of the group may initiate an election or other cooperative selection process (e.g., as described above) to determine which device will represent the group as or act as the bootstrap wireless device. For example, devices WD that were previously interconnected in network 100. 1，1 -WD 1，n subset WD 1，3 -WD 1，n The subset WD can be determined 1，3 -WD 1，n Despite the presence of the L1-WD wireless device 1，1 The communication ground is disconnected but remains interconnected, and the device subset WD 1，3 -WD 1，n - Elections or other collaborative processes (e.g., as discussed above) can be initiated to determine or select a subset of WD. 1，3 -WD 1，n Which device in the diagram is used to represent the subset WD? 1，3 -WD 1，n This implements the function of booting wireless devices. Note that it is necessary to determine the subset of devices (WDs) that maintain communication interconnection. 1，3 -WD 1，n The selection process does not need to be executed sequentially. In fact, in some implementations, this applies to a subset of devices (WDs) that maintain communication interconnection. 1，3 -WD 1，n At least some of the certain parts can occur simultaneously.

[0048] exist Figure 2C China and continue Figure 2B Example scenario, a subset of wireless devices WD 1，3 -WD 1，n (For example, in the case of the L1-WD wireless device) 1，1 Devices that maintain communication connectivity even when communication is interrupted (device WD) have been identified. 1，4 WD, a subset of wireless devices 1，3 -WD 1，n The role of the bootstrap wireless device. Therefore, the newly selected bootstrap wireless device L4-WD 1，4 A wireless link can be established with a suitable access point on the vehicle (e.g., AP2, such as...). Figure 2C (As shown). Thus, by self-configuring into two mutually exclusive, feasible self-healing networks, self-healing network 100 has automatically mitigated and recovered from faults in communication backbones 112a and 112b: (i) self-healing network 135, which includes wireless device WD 1，3 -WD 1，n And its wireless devices WD 1，4 Used as or serving as a boot wireless device L4-WD1，4 (ii) Self-healing network 138, which includes the remaining wireless devices of the previous network 100 WD 1，1 -WD 1，2 and retain its wireless devices WD 1，1 As a guide wireless device L1-WD 1，1 ,like Figure 2C As shown, each self-healing network 135, 138 includes a corresponding, mutually exclusive subset of wireless devices that were previously nodes of self-healing network 100, and includes corresponding multiple communication backbones (e.g., for network 138, as indicated by reference numerals 112a-1, 112b-1, and for network 135, as indicated by reference numerals 112a-2, 112b-2). If needed, each sub-self-healing network 135, 138 can be subdivided to mitigate and recover from corresponding failures occurring therein.

[0049] Figure 2D Depicting Figure 1 An embodiment of the self-healing network 100 includes one or more hot-standby wireless devices for active booting wireless devices. Figure 2D In the middle, network 100 includes wireless equipment WD 1，1 -WD 1，n The sets are interconnected via a primary communication backbone 112a and a secondary communication backbone 112b, wherein devices or nodes WD 1，1 -WD 1，n via gateway / boot wireless device L1-WD 1，1 Wireless link 108, access point AP1, and network 110 are communicatively connected to other equipment onboard the vehicle 102. Figure 2D In the example scenario, the wireless device L1-WD is guided. 1，1 Used as the main gateway for Network 100, and wireless devices WD 1，2 The initial hot standby boot wireless device, which is a priori designated as network 100, for example, via wireless device WD 1，1 -WD 1，n This is determined jointly, or through some other designation mechanism. In other words, the wireless device gateway (WD) has been designated. 1，2 During network 100 initialization and / or during active boot wireless device L1-WD 1，1 Any time prior to relinquishing or relieving itself of its role as the boot wireless device for Network 100, it shall become the initial hot standby boot wireless device for Network 100. (Similarly, one or more other wireless devices WD 1，3 -WD 1，n (It may have been pre-designated as an auxiliary, third-class hot standby boot wireless device for Network 100.)

[0050] As in Figure 2D In the example scenario shown, represented by X, access point AP1 fails. Therefore, upon detecting a communication loss in network 100 (e.g., due to the failure of access point AP1), the initial hot standby wireless device WD... 1，2 The system automatically assumes the function of a guiding wireless device for network 100, thereby establishing a wireless link 140 with access point AP2, through which connectivity between network 100 and external devices is maintained. That is, upon detecting that network 100 is connected to the guiding wireless device L1-WD... 1，1 Communication disconnection time with access point AP1, initial hot standby wireless device WD 1，2 Automatically start as a bootstrap wireless device for Network 100 L1-WD 1，2 And wireless devices WD 1，1- It automatically relinquishes its role as the bootstrap wireless device for network 100. This allows access via the gateway / bootstrap wireless device L1-WD. 1，2 The device WD maintains network 100 using wireless link 140, access point AP2, and network 110. 1，1 -WD 1，n Communication with external devices is maintained with minimal data loss even when access point AP1 fails.

[0051] In one embodiment, each wireless device WD 1，1 -WD 1，n It can store indications of the identity of specific wireless devices in network 100, which will be used or are being used as the initial, default, or primary boot wireless device or gateway of network 100, and each wireless device WD 1，1 -WD 1，n It can store indications of one or more wireless devices that are hot-standby for the active boot wireless devices designated as network 100 in network 100. Optionally, each wireless device WD 1，1 -WD 1，n Each device can store its own order or priority, and various hot-standby wireless devices will assume the function of bootstrapping wireless devices according to these orders or priorities. Specifically, in Figure 2D In the example scenario, the wireless device WD 1，1 Instructions for the primary guiding wireless device designated as network 100 and wireless device WD 1，2 Instructions designated as initial hot standby for primary boot wireless devices are stored in each wireless device WD of network 100. 1，1 -WD 1，nThe information is stored, for example, during network initialization and / or when determining the primary and hot standby boot wireless devices. In an example implementation, the indication of the designated primary and hot standby wireless devices stored on each wireless device in network 100 may include the corresponding IP address or other routing address (or indication thereof) of the designated wireless device within network 100. This allows data transmission to / from the self-healing network 100 to be maintained with minimal or no access point interruption in the event of an access point failure.

[0052] although Figure 2D The example scenario illustrates how a hot standby wireless device in the self-healing network 100 automatically assumes the role of the bootstrap wireless device when access point AP1 fails. However, during other failures or breakdowns, the hot standby can automatically assume the role of the bootstrap wireless device in a similar manner, such as when the active bootstrap wireless device fails, or when the active bootstrap wireless device fails. Furthermore, depending on the nature of its failure, the previously active bootstrap wireless device may be able to maintain its communication connection with the backbone network 112, and therefore may still be able to send and receive passenger-consumable data despite the loss of its wireless connection with the access point.

[0053] Exemplary node of an airborne self-healing network

[0054] Figure 3 It shows that it can be used Figure 1 A block diagram of an example wireless device 200 used in one of the self-healing networks 100, 122, and 123. For example, each wireless device L1-WD 1，1 WD 1，2 -WD 1，n L2-WD 2，1 L3-WD 3，5 It can be a corresponding instance of the example wireless device 200.

[0055] like Figure 3 As shown, wireless device 200 is a passenger-facing device located in the cabin of vehicle 202. For example, computing device 200 may include one or more central processing units (CPUs) or processors 205, and one or more buses or hubs 208 connecting processor 205 to other components of computing device 200, such as volatile memory 210, non-volatile memory 212, one or more user interfaces 215, one or more wireless interfaces 218, and optionally one or more wired interfaces 220. Both volatile memory 210 and non-volatile memory 212 may contain one or more non-transitory tangible computer-readable storage media, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, bio-memory memory, hard disk drive, digital versatile optical disc (DVD) drive, etc.

[0056] In one embodiment, memory 210 and / or memory 212 may store instructions 222 executable by processor 205 of wireless device 200, specifically as nodes of a vehicle-borne self-healing network, such as self-healing networks 100, 122, 123 on vehicle 102. For example, self-healing instructions 222 stored in one or more of memories 212, 215 may, when executed by processor 205, cause wireless device 200 to, for example, request and receive or otherwise obtain passenger-consumable content from other devices, and present the obtained content to passengers using user interface 215; route communication via appropriate interfaces 218, 220 and communication backbones 112a, 112b; detect the occurrence of conditions triggering elections; initiate and / or participate in cooperative elections with other wireless devices; and / or perform any one or more of the other methods, functions, features, or operations described herein. Instructions 222 may be implemented using one or more modules, applications, engines, etc. In fact, each module, application, and engine described herein may correspond to a different set of machine-readable instructions for performing one or more functions described herein. These modules do not need to be implemented as separate software programs, processes, or modules; therefore, various subsets of these modules can be combined or otherwise rearranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, at least one of the memories 210, 212 stores a subset of the modules and data structures identified herein. In other embodiments, at least one of the memories 210, 212 stores additional modules and data structures not described herein.

[0057] In one embodiment, the user interface 215 may communicate with the processor 205 to present information on the user interface 215 of the wireless device 200. In one embodiment, the user interface 215 may transmit information and commands to / from the processor 205 of the wireless device 200. For example, the user interface 215 may receive a passenger request for consumable content for a specific passenger, transmit an indication of the request to the processor 205 via bus 208, which in turn may cause the requested content to be transported from any location where it is stored on the vehicle for presentation at the user interface 215. Typically (but not necessarily), the user interface 215 includes a touchscreen. Additionally or alternatively, the user interface 215 may include a mouse, keyboard or keypad, touchpad, lights, speakers, microphone, etc.

[0058] Data or information that may include passenger-consumable content can be transmitted back and forth between the wireless device 200 and one or more wireless interfaces 218. At least one of the wireless interfaces 218 may be a wireless interface through which a wireless link 225 to an onboard wireless access point 228 (e.g., wireless link 108 to onboard wireless access point AP1 and / or other wireless links from onboard wireless access point AP1 to APm) can be established, for example, when the wireless device 200 is used as a lead wireless device in a self-healing network. In some embodiments, at least one of the wireless interfaces 218 can couple the wireless device 200 to a communication backbone 112a and / or 112b of a self-healing network where the wireless device 200 is a node. Figure 3 (Not shown in the image). In some embodiments, the wireless device 200 may additionally include one or more wired interfaces 220, via which the wireless device 200 is coupled to the communication backbone 112a and / or 112b of the self-healing network.

[0059] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated arrangement, the wireless device 200 is installed at the rear of the passenger seat 230 of the vehicle, so that a passenger sitting in or otherwise positioned behind the seat 230 can be a user of the wireless device 200 (and thus interact with it). However, this is only an example arrangement. Different instances of the wireless device 200, configured to operate as nodes in the onboard self-healing networks 100, 122, 123, can be otherwise arranged within the vehicle 202. For example, instances of the wireless device 200 can be installed within the vehicle's cabin, for example, in or above the walls, cabin, shelves, ceiling, etc. of the vehicle 202. Instances of the wireless device 200 can be installed in the onboard LRU (Line Replaceable Unit) of the vehicle 202. Other embodiments of the onboard wireless device 200 instances of the vehicle 202 can be additionally or alternatively possible.

[0060] For example, an instance of the wireless device 200 may be implemented in a portable electronic device (PED) onboard a vehicle 202 operated by a passenger or crew member. In such an implementation, the vehicle 202 may include a mounting device or port fixedly attached to or a portion thereof, through which a passenger or crew member may mount his or her PED, thereby connecting their PED to the communication backbone 112a, 112b of the self-healing network 100. For example, the mounting device may be located in a seat of the vehicle, in the dashboard, wall, or other component of the vehicle. In these embodiments, the mounting device may provide a wireless interface 218 and a wired interface 220 on behalf of the mounted PED to the communication backbone 112a, 112b of the self-healing network. The PED may be configured with one or more applications (e.g., at least a portion of the self-healing command 122 may be stored on and executed on the PED), enabling the PED to operate at least partially as a self-healing network node when mounted in an onboard mounting port or onboard mounting device. Typically, for security reasons, only a subset of self-healing functions that can be performed by onboard wireless devices (such as device 202 installed on the seat back) or crew-operated PEDs may be granted to passenger-operated PEDs. For example, other devices may be prohibited from accessing passenger-consumable content stored at the PED, while the PED may be allowed to detect faults in the communication backbone 112a112b and notify other nodes in the self-healing network of the detected faults.

[0061] Furthermore, it should be noted that Figure 3 The embodiment of wireless device 200 shown is merely one example of a device suitable for use as a node in self-healing network 100. Other embodiments of wireless device 200 can be used as nodes in self-healing network 100, even if other embodiments have more advanced features than those shown in the original text. Figure 3 The diagram shows more or fewer components, components with one or more combinations, or different configurations or arrangements of components. Furthermore, Figure 3 The various components shown can be implemented using hardware, a processor that executes software instructions, or a combination of hardware and a processor that executes software instructions, including one or more signal processing and / or application-specific integrated circuits.

[0062] Exemplary methods

[0063] Figure 4 Example method 300 is shown, which is used for an onboard network of a self-healing vehicle, and the network is used to transmit content for consumption by passengers on board the vehicle. In one embodiment, method 300 is... Figure 1 One or more wireless devices onboard the vehicle 102 WD 1，1 -WD 1，nExecution. The one or more wireless devices include those with booting wireless device L1-WD. 1，1 In the self-healing network 100. However, method 300 may be additionally or alternatively performed by other devices or nodes of the self-healing network 100 and / or by other devices or nodes of other self-healing networks on a vehicle. For ease of discussion, reference is also made below. Figures 1 to 3 Method 300 is described; however, this description is only one of many embodiments and should therefore be understood as non-limiting.

[0064] At block 302, method 300 may include: detecting at a specific wireless device that has or has disconnected from a pilot wireless device of the initial self-healing network, the specific wireless device and the pilot wireless device being corresponding nodes of the self-healing network. Generally, prior to performing method 300, the initial self-healing network may include the specific wireless device, the pilot wireless device, and zero or more other wireless devices, each being a corresponding node of the initial self-healing network. The nodes of the initial self-healing network may be communicatively connected via one or more communication backbones, which typically, but not necessarily, include a preferred communication backbone (which may be wired or wireless) and optionally one or more auxiliary communication backbones.

[0065] Similarly, while it is common, but not always necessary, the source or cause of a detected disconnection may not lie within the specific wireless device itself, but may be external to the specific wireless device. For example, a fault occurring in the communication link or backbone connecting the specific wireless device to the guiding wireless device, interference levels affecting the connection of the communication link or backbone causing the link / backbone to operate below a quality threshold, a fault occurring on the guiding wireless device, a fault occurring at the access point, etc. As previously discussed, and as generally referred to herein, the “guiding” wireless device of a self-healing network refers to one of the wireless devices or nodes in the self-healing network that establishes and maintains an external wireless link (e.g., “external” relative to the self-healing network) on behalf of the self-healing network to other devices excluded from the self-healing network. Data and / or other communications (including passenger-consumable content) can be sent and received via said external wireless link. In one embodiment, the wireless link established by the guiding wireless device is the only wireless link that communicatively connects any wireless device of the self-healing network to other external devices onboard the vehicle, such as connections to onboard servers and / or other devices excluded from the self-healing network for storing passenger-consumable content thereon. In this way, the bootstrap wireless device can act as a gateway between the wireless devices included in the self-healing network and external devices, ensuring that communication between external devices and any wireless device in the self-healing network is routed via the bootstrap wireless device and the wireless links it establishes. When needed, any wireless device or node in the self-healing network can easily assume the function of the bootstrap wireless device. Therefore, each wireless device or node in the self-healing network can be a hot-swap for the bootstrap wireless device.

[0066] Detecting a communication disconnect between a specific wireless device and a guiding wireless device (box 302) may include detecting or determining a disconnection, interruption, or absence of a communication path between the first and guiding wireless devices. For example, when the initial self-healing network includes multiple communication backbones (e.g., communication backbones 112a, 112b) through which its wireless devices or nodes are interconnected, detecting a communication disconnect between a specific wireless device and a guiding wireless device (box 302) may include detecting that all segments of the communication backbone of the initial self-healing network that connects the specific wireless device and the guiding wireless device are unavailable and / or have a corresponding quality below a quality threshold.

[0067] In any case, at block 305, the method may include: cooperating among a subset of multiple wireless devices that form an initial self-healing network to form a second self-healing network. The subset of multiple wireless devices forming the second self-healing network may include, for example, a specific wireless device and those wireless devices that maintain a communicative connection with that specific wireless device, and these wireless devices, together with the specific wireless device, are communicatively disconnected from the first booting wireless device. Cooperating to form the second self-healing network (block 305) may include: jointly determining, by the subset of multiple wireless devices, which wireless device in the subset will be used as or act as the booting wireless device of the second self-healing network (block 308). This joint determination 308 may be performed by election or other suitable cooperative selection process among the subset of multiple wireless devices forming the second self-healing network. In one embodiment, the subset of multiple wireless devices may jointly utilize a voting or promotion protocol or algorithm, such as a protocol or algorithm similar to HSRP or VRRP, to jointly determine which wireless device will be used as or act as the booting wireless device of the second self-healing network. In an example scenario, based on joint determination or election, the wireless device that detected a communication disconnection within the initial self-healing network (e.g., in...) Figure 4 In method 300, a specific wireless device is selected and promoted to a bootstrap wireless device in the second self-healing network. In another example scenario, based on common determination or election, another wireless device, besides the one that detected the communication loss within the initial self-healing network, can be identified among the wireless devices forming the second self-healing network and promoted to a bootstrap wireless device.

[0068] When determining which specific wireless device in the subset will act as or be used as the bootstrap wireless device for the second self-healing network (block 308), the specific wireless device can assume the role of bootstrap wireless device, for example, without any reconfiguration, restart, restart, reinitialization, and / or manual intervention. In one embodiment, the specific wireless device can simply execute computer-executable instructions 222 stored in its memory to make the specific wireless device act as the bootstrap wireless device. For example, the specific wireless device acting as the bootstrap wireless device can establish a wireless link on behalf of the second self-healing network to communicatively connect the wireless devices included in the second self-healing network to other external devices, such as an onboard server and / or other devices that are not nodes of the second self-healing network. In an example implementation, the specific wireless device can establish a wireless link to a wireless access point that is onboard on the vehicle and communicatively connected to an onboard server. In some arrangements, the wireless link established by the bootstrap wireless device of the second self-healing network is the only wireless link that communicatively connects any wireless device of the second self-healing network to other external devices onboard on the vehicle, for example, to other devices onboard on the vehicle but outside the second self-healing network that store passenger-consumable content. Therefore, the bootstrap wireless device of the second self-healing network can be used as a gateway between the wireless devices forming the second self-healing network and external devices, so that communication between external devices and any wireless device of the second self-healing network is routed via the newly identified bootstrap wireless device and its newly established wireless link.

[0069] In practice, in response to a detected disconnection (box 302), the initial self-healing network automatically self-heals itself by dividing into multiple mutually exclusive sub-self-healing networks. Each sub-self-healing network includes a corresponding subset of the initial plurality of radio devices that formed the initial self-healing network (box 305), and each self-healing network elects or promotes one of its respective radio devices to act as its bootstrap radio device (box 308), thereby establishing a corresponding radio link that communicatively connects the self-healing network with external (relative to the sub-self-healing network) devices onboard the vehicle. Advantageously, self-healing or self-reorganization can occur without (e.g., excluding) any user input, instructions, or reconfiguration, and / or without any restart, reinitialization, or restart of any node. Note that the subnet can self-heal in a similar manner upon detection of further faults or disconnections within the subnet.

[0070] At block 310, method 300 may include receiving passenger-consumable content from an onboard server (and / or from any other device storing passenger-consumable content) via a pilot wireless device of the second self-healing network and its established wireless link at any wireless device in the second self-healing network. At block 312, method 300 may include presenting the received passenger-consumable content on a user interface of the wireless device that received the passenger-consumable content.

[0071] In some cases, a wireless device that has been disconnected from the initial self-healing network is detected (e.g., in...). Figure 4 In method 300, a specific wireless device is determined by a subset of multiple wireless devices forming a second self-healing network as the specific wireless device to be promoted to act as or used as a pilot wireless device in the second self-healing network. In these cases, method 300 may include receiving, from one or more onboard servers at the specific wireless device acting as the pilot wireless device in the second self-healing network, specific passenger-consumable content to be transmitted to one or more wireless devices included in the second self-healing network. For example, after being promoted to a pilot wireless device in the second self-healing network, specific passenger-consumable content may be received at the specific wireless device via a wireless link established between the specific wireless device and a wireless access point.

[0072] A specific wireless device acting as a pilot wireless device in a second self-healing network may route or otherwise make specific passenger-consumable content locally available to one or more receiving wireless devices included in the second self-healing network, which in some cases may include themselves. For example, the received specific passenger-consumable content may be stored at the specific wireless device acting as a pilot wireless device in the second self-healing network, thereby providing local access to the stored specific passenger-consumable content. Upon request by a receiving wireless device, the specific passenger-consumable content stored on the pilot wireless device may be routed or otherwise transmitted from the specific wireless device to one or more receiving wireless devices via one or more communication backbones interconnecting the wireless devices of the second self-healing network. In another example, the received passenger-consumable content may be streamed from the specific wireless device acting as a pilot wireless device in the second self-healing network to one or more receiving devices in real time, for example, when a data stream is received at the specific wireless device via a wireless link, and / or retrieved from the memory of the specific wireless device upon request by a receiving wireless device included in the second self-healing network.

[0073] In one embodiment, a specific wireless device acting as a guide wireless device in the second self-healing network can route specific passenger-consumable content received via a wireless link to one or more specific receiving wireless devices in the second self-healing network for local persistent storage. This enables distributed storage of passenger-consumable content within the wireless devices of the second self-healing network, thereby providing local access to the locally stored passenger-consumable content for the wireless devices of the second self-healing network. For example, other wireless devices within the second self-healing network can request and receive passenger-consumable content locally stored on other devices within the second self-healing network.

[0074] Generally, within a second self-healing network, wireless devices within the network can utilize one of multiple communication backbones as the primary transmission mechanism for data communication between them, while another backbone can serve as a secondary, backup, or redundant transmission mechanism. For example, wireless devices in the second self-healing network can utilize a wired communication backbone as the preferred backbone and another backbone (which can be wired or wireless) as a secondary backbone. If the second self-healing network does include a wireless communication backbone, it is typically implemented using one or more wireless links different from those established by the leading wireless device in the second self-healing network—for example, different frequencies, different wireless communication protocols, different channels, etc. Generally, the primary or preferred backbone has higher reliability and / or availability than the secondary backbone.

[0075] Additional considerations

[0076] Novel airborne self-healing networks and their associated methods, components and / or technologies for delivering consumable content for vehicle passengers offer numerous advantages over existing systems and technologies, and solve problems introduced or inherent to existing systems / technologies.

[0077] For example, in the event of a failure within an onboard self-healing network, the network can automatically and without any human intervention self-heal or otherwise repair itself, thereby maintaining the ability to deliver available, passenger-consumable content with minimal disruption, even in the event of failure of front-end equipment (such as a bootstrap wireless device) and / or multiple failures on multiple redundant communication paths. For example, any wireless device included in the self-healing network can automatically assume the role of bootstrap wireless device for a subnet of the initial self-healing network, for example, without human intervention, reconfiguration, restart, and / or reinitialization.

[0078] Furthermore, passenger-consumable content can be distributed among one or more servers, one or more guiding radio devices in one or more airborne self-healing networks, and / or one or more non-guiding radio devices included in one or more self-healing networks, thereby providing convenience, speed, and redundancy for accessing passenger-consumable content, for example, in the event of failure of any node and / or link. Utilizing distributed storage, the routing of requests for specific passenger-consumable content can be managed by one or more servers and / or one or more guiding radio devices. That is, one or more servers and / or one or more guiding radio devices can maintain or store indications of which specific passenger-consumable content can be obtained from one or more servers, one or more guiding radio devices, and / or one or more self-healing networks. Thus, when another device requests specific passenger-consumable content, one or more servers and / or one or more guiding radio devices can indicate to the requesting device which servers, devices, and / or self-healing networks the requested content can be obtained via, and / or one or more servers and / or one or more guiding radio devices can obtain or access the requested content on behalf of the requesting device and transmit the obtained content to the requesting device. In this way, the allocation and management of the content available for consumption by passengers can also be assigned, thereby reducing the processing load on one or more onboard servers.

[0079] Furthermore, when passenger-consumable content (or copies thereof) is stored in a self-healing network, devices in the self-healing network no longer need to utilize external links (e.g., wireless links supported by bootstrap wireless devices for communication with other devices not in the self-healing network) to access the passenger-consumable content, thus freeing up bandwidth on the external links for other devices and applications to use for other purposes. This advantage is particularly useful in vehicles that utilize wireless links for air-to-ground communication with onboard passenger PEDs, such as in-flight connectivity services, where passenger PEDs communicate with offboard computing devices during transport (e.g., via wireless links within the vehicle cabin and air-to-ground communication links between the vehicle and fixed ground or base stations) for onboard email, text messaging, telephone calls, offboard website server access, offboard VPN or other network access, and other such applications. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, the wireless access point AP1 supports both wireless link 108 (via which wireless devices WD transmit onboard passenger-consumable content to the self-healing network 100) and wireless link 108. 1，1 , ..., WD 1，n(or transmitted from them), and also supports corresponding radio links 140 and 142 to PED1 and PED2 (via which air-to-ground connection application data is transmitted to or from PED1 and PED2). Radio access point AP2 supports radio link 125 to self-healing network 122, radio link 128 to self-healing network 123, and radio link 145 to PED3. Radio access point APm supports, for example, data to PED1 and PED2 for air-to-ground connection applications. p-2 PED p-1 The corresponding wireless links 148 and 150. In these embodiments, in which multiple airborne wireless links are used for various types of applications, the routing of at least a portion of passenger-consumable content stored on the vehicle is offloaded from the wireless link transmission, thereby freeing up bandwidth on the in-cabin wireless links to support air-to-ground communication and / or other types of communication.

[0080] Furthermore, the configuration size of the self-healing network can be adjusted as needed to manage onboard radio link or network usage. For example, an onboard self-healing network can be configured to include a larger number of radio devices within each network, thereby minimizing, or at least reducing, the total number of radio links and / or bandwidth serving the onboard self-healing network devices compared to, for example, an onboard self-healing network including a smaller number of radio devices in each network. This allows for at least partial release of onboard radio link usage (e.g., in some cases, dynamically managed when a vehicle is in transit) to meet the needs of the radio links and the usage requirements of devices and applications, rather than the need to provide onboard passenger-consumable content. In practice, with copies of all available passenger-consumable content stored separately in the configuration within each onboard self-healing network, external radio link usage due to passenger-consumable content requests from self-healing network devices may be small, or even zero.

[0081] Furthermore, passenger-consumable content can be initially loaded onto the vehicle via one or more wireless devices (which are nodes in the onboard self-healing network), and then automatically detected and distributed so that the newly loaded passenger-consumable content is available to most or all passenger-facing devices on the vehicle. This significantly reduces the time and bandwidth required to load passenger-consumable content onto the vehicle (which in turn can greatly reduce boarding time required to prepare the vehicle for subsequent journeys). For example, instead of downloading or otherwise transmitting large amounts of data files to the onboard server 105 at the gate, which could consume bandwidth on the gate's wireless link, some of the passenger-consumable content can be distributed and stored on multiple wireless networks before being installed on the vehicle. Multiple wireless devices can be installed or swapped to their respective locations, such as on the seat backs or other mounting locations on the vehicle. In this way, the wireless bandwidth at the gate is freed up for other purposes, and redundancy of the initially loaded data can be provided among the multiple wireless devices.

[0082] Furthermore, the novel systems, methods, components, and techniques disclosed herein allow for faster and lower-cost vehicle manufacturing and installation because self-healing networks can be assembled and installed on an assembly line during the vehicle's manufacturing phase (compared to retrofitting and / or configuring after the manufactured vehicle is delivered to its operating company). For example, airplanes, trains, and subway vehicles are typically manufactured with rows of seats, which are then installed as individual blocks of multiple seats. Utilizing the novel techniques disclosed herein, each block of multiple seats can be manufactured as a self-healing network comprising itself, including necessary passenger-facing wireless devices, a communication backbone, and wireless interfaces. After installation and initialization within the vehicle, the wireless devices can automatically self-configure to interconnect communicatively to form an active self-healing network and, when needed, determine and guide the wireless devices to establish wireless links on behalf of the network to other onboard networks and devices, for example, via onboard wireless access points. In this way, multiple self-healing networks can be initialized on the vehicle at least partially in parallel rather than sequentially, as required by known prior art which requires server coordination for onboard initialization. Therefore, the initialization speed across self-healing network devices can be improved, which can lead to less downtime and faster vehicle uptime. Similar benefits can be provided when maintenance and / or repairs are required, as multiple seat blocks or individual wireless devices within the self-healing network can be replaced, minimizing downtime and impact on other passenger-facing wireless devices.

[0083] Of course, the novel systems, methods, and techniques described herein related to airborne self-healing networks for delivering consumable content for vehicle passengers are not limited to the examples above, nor are their beneficial effects and advantages limited to those examples. Many other applications and beneficial effects are also possible by using the systems, methods, and techniques described herein.

[0084] Furthermore, in practice, any of the methods and techniques described herein, or any part thereof, can be performed by executing software stored in one or more non-transitory, tangible computer-readable storage media or memories (such as disks, laser disks, optical disks, semiconductor memories, biological memories, other memory devices or other storage media) stored in RAM or ROM of a computer or processor.

[0085] Furthermore, although the foregoing text describes many different embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the scope of this patent is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description should be interpreted as exemplary only, and does not describe every possible embodiment, as it would be impractical to describe every possible embodiment if it were not impossible. Many alternative embodiments are implemented using current technology or technology developed after the date of this patent application, and these embodiments will still fall within the scope of the claims. As an example and not a limitation, the disclosure herein is intended to consider at least the following aspects:

[0086] 1. A self-healing network for transmitting content for consumption by passengers on a vehicle may include a plurality of wireless devices, the plurality of wireless devices being airborne on the vehicle and communicatively interconnected. Each of the plurality of wireless devices may include a corresponding processor, a corresponding memory, and corresponding computer-executable instructions stored in the corresponding memory, which, when executed by the corresponding processor, cause each wireless device to cooperate with other wireless devices included among the plurality of wireless devices to determine a specific wireless device among the plurality of wireless devices that will act as a pilot wireless device for the self-healing network. When each wireless device is determined by the plurality of wireless devices to act as a pilot wireless device for the self-healing network, the computer-executable instructions can be executed to establish a wireless link communicatively connecting any of the plurality of wireless devices of the self-healing network to one or more servers via a wireless transceiver included in each wireless device. One or more servers may be mounted on the vehicle and may store at least some of the available onboard passenger-consumable content, such that each wireless device, while acting as a guiding wireless device for the self-healing network, serves as (i) a gateway between the multiple wireless devices of the self-healing network and one or more servers, and (ii) transmits at least a corresponding portion of the passenger-consumable content to the corresponding wireless device of the self-healing network, for example, for display or presentation on the corresponding user interface of the corresponding wireless device.

[0087] 2. The self-healing network according to the foregoing aspect, wherein at least some of the multiple wireless devices are installed in the cabin of the vehicle.

[0088] 3. The self-healing network according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein each of at least one of the plurality of wireless devices is installed in a corresponding seat disposed in the cabin of a vehicle.

[0089] 4. The self-healing network according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein each wireless device further includes a wired interface, and the plurality of wireless devices are communicatively interconnected to a wired communication backbone of the self-healing network via respective wired interfaces.

[0090] 5. The self-healing network according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein: each wireless device includes at least one wireless transceiver; and a plurality of wireless devices are communicatively interconnected to a wireless communication backbone of the self-healing network via respective at least one wireless transceiver, the wireless communication backbone including one or more wireless links different from the wireless links that communicatively connect the self-healing network to one or more servers.

[0091] 6. The self-healing network according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein one or more wireless links communicatively interconnecting multiple wireless devices and the wireless links communicatively connecting the self-healing network to one or more servers utilize different channels.

[0092] 7. The self-healing network according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein one or more wireless links communicatively interconnecting multiple wireless devices and the wireless links communicatively connecting the self-healing network to one or more servers utilize different frequency bands.

[0093] 8. The self-healing network according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the wired communication backbone is the preferred communication backbone of the self-healing network, and the wireless communication backbone is the auxiliary communication backbone of the self-healing network.

[0094] 9. A self-healing network according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the self-healing network is an initial self-healing network, and the plurality of wireless devices are an initial set of wireless devices; and wherein corresponding computer-executable instructions stored in the corresponding memory of each wireless device are further executable by a corresponding processor to, when each wireless device does not act as a bootstrap wireless device of the initial self-healing network: detect that the quality of the communication connection between each wireless device of the initial self-healing network and the bootstrap wireless device is less than a threshold; based on the detection, determine that the quality of the corresponding communication connection between each wireless device and each wireless device included in a subset of the initial set of wireless devices is equal to or greater than the threshold; based on the determination The subsequent self-healing network is formed from a subset of the initial set of wireless devices, the subsequent self-healing network excluding the pilot wireless device of the initial self-healing network and including each wireless device and a subset of the initial set of wireless devices; and cooperates with other wireless devices included in the subsequent self-healing network to facilitate one of the other wireless devices included in the subsequent self-healing network to act as the pilot wireless device of the subsequent self-healing network, such that the pilot wireless device in the subsequent self-healing network serves as (i) a gateway between the wireless devices of the subsequent self-healing network and one or more servers, and (ii) via which at least a portion of the corresponding consumable content for passengers is transmitted to the corresponding wireless device of the subsequent self-healing network.

[0095] 10. The self-healing network according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein each wireless device is communicatively connected to an initial boot wireless device of the initial self-healing network via more than one communication backbone, and wherein detecting that the quality of the communication connection between each wireless device and the initial boot wireless device of the initial self-healing network is less than a threshold includes correspondingly detecting that the quality of the corresponding communication connection between each wireless device and the initial boot wireless device of the initial self-healing network via each of the more than one communication backbone is less than the corresponding threshold.

[0096] 11. The self-healing network according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein: a wireless link is established between a guiding wireless device and a wireless access point; and the wireless access point is airborne on a vehicle and communicatively connected to one or more servers via one or more wired links.

[0097] 12. The self-healing network according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein the wireless access point further supports one or more additional wireless links to one or more personal electronic devices (PEDs) operated by one or more passengers on board a vehicle, the one or more additional wireless links supporting data communication between the one or more PEDs and one or more computing devices not on board a vehicle.

[0098] 13. The self-healing network according to any one of the foregoing aspects, wherein a plurality of wireless devices cooperate by election to determine a specific wireless device to be promoted to act as a bootstrap wireless device in the self-healing network.

[0099] 14. The self-healing network according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein a plurality of wireless seat back devices are interconnected via token ring communication.

[0100] 15. The self-healing network according to any one of aspects 1 to 13, wherein a plurality of wireless seat back devices are communicatively interconnected via a hub.

[0101] 16. The self-healing network according to any one of aspects 1 to 13, wherein the self-healing network is a mesh network.

[0102] 17. The self-healing network according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the available passenger-consumable content stored on one or more servers is a first portion of the available passenger-consumable content, and wherein a second portion of the available passenger-consumable content is stored on one or more wireless devices included in the self-healing network.

[0103] 18. The self-healing network according to any one of the preceding aspects, wherein the wireless link between any wireless device communicatively connecting the self-healing network and one or more servers is the only wireless link between any wireless device communicatively connecting the self-healing network and one or more servers.

[0104] 19. A method for a self-healing network onboard a vehicle and for transmitting content for consumption by passengers on the vehicle, the method comprising:

[0105] A specific wireless device among a plurality of wireless devices is detected to be communicatively disconnected from a first boot wireless device of a first self-healing network. The plurality of wireless devices are communicatively interconnected to form a first self-healing network. The first boot wireless device of the first self-healing network supports a first wireless link, which communicatively connects the plurality of wireless devices of the first self-healing network to an onboard server.

[0106] Based on the detection, a specific wireless device cooperates with other wireless devices to form a second self-healing network. The other wireless devices maintain a communicative connection with the specific wireless device and are communicatively disconnected from the first guiding wireless device together with the specific wireless device. This includes jointly determining that the specific wireless device of the second self-healing network will act as the second guiding wireless device of the second self-healing network, thereby establishing a second wireless link that communicatively connects the set of wireless devices to form a second self-healing network to the airborne server.

[0107] At the specific wireless device, passenger-consumable content is received from an onboard server via a second wireless link and a second guiding wireless device; and the received passenger-consumable content is presented on the user interface of the specific wireless device.

[0108] 20. The method according to aspect 19, wherein the second wireless link is the only wireless link that communicatively connects any wireless device included in the second self-healing network to the onboard server.

[0109] 21. The method according to any one of aspects 19 to 20, wherein the first self-healing network comprises a plurality of communication backbones, and wherein detecting a communication disconnection between the specific wireless device and a first boot wireless device of the first self-healing network via the specific wireless device comprises: detecting via the specific wireless device that there is no communication path between the specific wireless device and the first boot wireless device of the first self-healing network via the plurality of communication backbones.

[0110] 22. The method according to any one of aspects 19 to 21, wherein detecting by a specific wireless device that there is no communication path between the specific wireless device and a first boot wireless device of a first self-healing network comprises: receiving from another wireless device included in a second self-healing network an indication that there is no communication path between the specific wireless device and the first boot wireless device.

[0111] 23. The method according to any one of aspects 19 to 22, wherein jointly determining the specific wireless device that will act as the second bootstrap wireless device in the second self-healing network comprises: electing the specific wireless device that will act as the second bootstrap wireless device in the set of wireless devices forming the second self-healing network by using a voting protocol.

[0112] 24. The method according to any one of aspects 19 to 23, wherein a specific wireless device is jointly identified as a second bootstrap wireless device acting as a second self-healing network, and the method further comprises: establishing a second wireless link between the specific wireless device acting as the second bootstrap wireless device and a wireless access point communicatively connected to an onboard server via the specific wireless device acting as the second bootstrap wireless device; receiving specific passenger-consumable content from an onboard server at the specific wireless device acting as the second bootstrap wireless device via the wireless access point and the second wireless link; and routing the specific passenger-consumable content to receiving wireless devices included in the second self-healing network via the specific wireless device acting as the second bootstrap wireless device and via the communication backbone of the second self-healing network.

[0113] 25. The method according to any one of aspects 19 to 24, wherein routing specific passenger-consumable content to a receiving wireless device via a specific wireless device acting as a second boot wireless device comprises: storing the specific passenger-consumable content on a specific wireless device acting as a second boot wireless device of a second self-healing network, thereby providing local access to passenger-consumable content within the second self-healing network to wireless devices of the second self-healing network; and routing the stored passenger-consumable content to the receiving wireless device upon request.

[0114] 26. The method according to any one of aspects 19 to 25, wherein routing specific passenger-consumable content to a receiving wireless device includes streaming the specific passenger-consumable content to the receiving wireless device.

[0115] 27. The method according to any one of aspects 19 to 26, wherein routing specific passenger-consumable content to a receiving wireless device via a specific wireless device acting as a second guiding wireless device comprises: routing specific passenger-consumable content for storage on the receiving wireless device via the specific wireless device, thereby providing local access to the specific passenger-consumable content within the second self-healing network to a wireless device of the second self-healing network via the receiving wireless device.

[0116] 28. The method according to any one of aspects 19 to 27, wherein: the communication backbone of the second self-healing network is included in a plurality of communication backbones of the second self-healing network; and

[0117] The routing of specific passenger-consumable content to a receiving wireless device via a communication backbone of a second self-healing network through a specific wireless device includes: when a preferred communication backbone is available, routing the specific passenger-consumable content from the specific wireless device to the receiving wireless device via a preferred communication backbone included in a plurality of communication backbones of the second self-healing network; and when the preferred communication backbone is unavailable, routing the specific passenger-consumable content from the specific wireless device to the receiving wireless device via an auxiliary communication backbone among a plurality of communication backbones of the second self-healing network.

[0118] 29. The method according to any one of aspects 19 to 28, further comprising: detecting, by a specific wireless device acting as a second guiding wireless device, that an additional wireless device has joined a second self-healing network, wherein the additional wireless device stores content consumable by the additional passenger; and by the specific wireless device acting as the second guiding wireless device and via a second wireless link, sending an indication of the additional passenger-consumable content to an onboard server, thereby providing access to the additional passenger-consumable content to other devices onboard the vehicle and excluded from the second self-healing network.

[0119] 30. The method according to any one of aspects 19 to 29, further comprising: obtaining additional passenger-consumable content from an additional wireless device at a specific wireless device acting as a second guiding wireless device and via a communications backbone of a second self-healing network.

[0120] 31. The method according to any one of aspects 19 to 30, wherein sending an instruction for additional passenger-consumable content to an onboard server comprises: sending the additional passenger-consumable content to be stored at the onboard server, and wherein other devices onboard the vehicle and excluded from the second self-healing network obtain the additional passenger-consumable content from the onboard server.

[0121] 32. The method according to any one of aspects 19 to 31, further comprising: storing additional passenger-consumable content on a specific wireless device acting as a second boot wireless device, wherein other devices, excluding the second self-healing network, obtain the additional passenger-consumable content from the specific wireless device acting as the second boot wireless device.

[0122] 33. The method according to any one of aspects 19 to 32, wherein jointly determining the designated wireless device that will act as the second boot wireless device in the second self-healing network comprises: storing an indication of the designated wireless device that will act as the second boot wireless device at each wireless device in the self-healing network and before detecting that a particular wireless device has communicatively disconnected from the first boot wireless device of the first self-healing network.

[0123] 34. The method according to any one of aspects 19 to 33 is performed by a self-healing network according to any one of aspects 1 to 18.

[0124] 3. Any one of the foregoing aspects combined with any other one of the foregoing aspects.

[0125] Therefore, many modifications and variations can be made to the techniques, methods, and structures described and illustrated herein without departing from the spirit and scope of these claims. It should be understood that the methods and apparatus described herein are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for self-healing networks, the method comprising: A pilot wireless device among a plurality of wireless devices interconnected to form an onboard self-healing network for a vehicle provides a single wireless link that communicatively connects any wireless device in the self-healing network to an onboard server storing passenger-consumable content. A second wireless device has been detected to have joined the self-healing network, and the second wireless device stores additional passenger-consumable content thereon. and The guiding wireless device of the self-healing network sends an instruction to the onboard server via the unique wireless link regarding the additional passenger-consumable content, wherein the instruction provides access to the additional passenger-consumable content to other devices onboard the vehicle and excluded from the self-healing network.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The additional passenger-consumable content is obtained by the guiding wireless device from the second wireless device via the self-healing network; and At least one of the following: providing the acquired additional passenger-consumable content to the onboard server for storage via the unique wireless link, or storing the acquired additional passenger-consumable content at the guiding wireless device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein obtaining the additional passenger-consumable content from the second wireless device via the self-healing network includes obtaining the additional passenger-consumable content from the second wireless device via the wired communication backbone of the self-healing network.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the method includes providing additional passenger-consumable content obtained by the guiding wireless device via the unique wireless link to the onboard server for storage, and wherein other devices onboard the vehicle and excluded from the self-healing network access the additional passenger-consumable content from the onboard server.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the method includes storing the additional passenger-consumable content at the guiding wireless device, and wherein other devices onboard the vehicle and excluded from the self-healing network access the additional passenger-consumable content from the guiding wireless device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The system receives a request for additional passenger-consumable content from another device onboard the vehicle and excluded from the self-healing network at the guiding wireless device. and In response to the received request, The additional passenger-consumable content accessed by the guiding wireless device from the second wireless device or from the memory of the guiding wireless device, and The guiding wireless device provides accessed additional passenger-consumable content to another device.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising an indication of corresponding content stored at each wireless device of the self-healing network at the guiding wireless device, and wherein access to the additional passenger-consumable content is based on storing the indication.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: When the guiding wireless device detects that the second wireless device has joined the self-healing network, it obtains from the second wireless device an identifier of the additional passenger-consumable content stored at the second wireless device.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein obtaining the identifier of the additional passenger-consumable content comprises: Receive a broadcast transmission from the second wireless device, the broadcast transmission including the identifier of the additional passenger-consumable content; or In response to a request for a corresponding identifier of any passenger-consumable content stored at the second wireless device, the identifier of the additional passenger-consumable content is received from the second wireless device, the request being sent from the guiding wireless device to the second wireless device.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The system receives a request for specific passenger-consumable content from a first wireless device included in the self-healing network at the guiding wireless device. and In response to the received request: The specific passenger-consumable content is obtained by the guiding wireless device from its memory, from a third wireless device included in the self-healing network, from another self-healing network onboard the vehicle, or from the onboard server. The guiding wireless device provides the first wireless device with the specific passenger-consumable content obtained.

11. The method according to claim 10, This further includes storing at least one of the following corresponding instructions at the guiding wireless device: corresponding content stored at each wireless device included in the self-healing network, corresponding content stored at the other self-healing network, or corresponding content stored at the onboard server; and The content that a passenger can consume upon request is based on the corresponding stored instructions.

12. A system for a self-healing network, the system comprising: A guiding wireless device is included among a plurality of wireless devices onboard a vehicle, the plurality of wireless devices being communicatively interconnected to form an onboard self-healing network, the guiding wireless device being communicatively connected to a single wireless link, the single wireless link connecting any wireless device in the self-healing network to an onboard server storing passenger-consumable content, the guiding wireless device including a processor, a memory, and computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, the computer-executable instructions causing the guiding wireless device, when executed by the processor, to: The system detects that the second wireless device has joined the self-healing network, and the second wireless device stores additional passenger-consumable content thereon. and The instruction for the additional passenger-consumable content is sent to the onboard server via the unique wireless link, wherein the instruction provides access to the additional passenger-consumable content to other devices onboard the vehicle and excluded from the self-healing network.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the self-healing network comprises a wired communication backbone, and at least some of the plurality of wireless devices of the self-healing network are communicatively interconnected via the wired communication backbone.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the self-healing network comprises a wireless communication backbone, and at least some of the plurality of wireless devices of the self-healing network are communicatively interconnected via the wireless communication backbone.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the guiding wireless device to further transmit the additional passenger-consumable content via the unique wireless link for storage at the onboard server, and wherein other devices onboard the vehicle and excluded from the self-healing network access the additional passenger-consumable content from the onboard server.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the guiding wireless device to further store the additional passenger-consumable content in the memory of the guiding wireless device, and wherein other devices onboard the vehicle and excluded from the self-healing network obtain the additional passenger-consumable content from the guiding wireless device.

17. The system according to claim 12, wherein: The memory of the guiding wireless device stores corresponding instructions for at least one of the following: corresponding content stored at each wireless device included in the self-healing network, corresponding content stored at another network on the vehicle, or corresponding content stored at the onboard server; and The corresponding instances of the additional passenger-consumable content are stored in the second wireless device, and optionally in one or more locations in the guiding wireless device or the onboard server.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the boot wireless device to further: Receive a request for the additional passenger-consumable content from another device onboard the vehicle and excluded from the self-healing network; and In response to the received request, Based on the corresponding stored instructions, the additional passenger-consumable content is obtained, and The additional consumable content obtained by passengers is provided to the other device.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the boot wireless device to further: Receive a request from a specific wireless device among the plurality of wireless devices included in the self-healing network for content consumable by a specific passenger; and In response to the received request, Based on the stored instructions, the specific passenger-consumable content is obtained from the memory of the guiding wireless device, from another wireless device included in the self-healing network, from another network onboard the vehicle, or from the onboard server. Provide the specific passenger-consumable content to the other wireless device.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the guiding wireless device receives from the second wireless device via the self-healing network: Broadcast transmission, the broadcast transmission including an identifier of the additional passenger-consumable content; or A response to a request for passenger-consumable content sent from the guiding wireless device to the second wireless device, the response including the identifier of the additional passenger-consumable content.

Images