System and method for providing in-flight communication session

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices are provided for providing an in-flight communication session. In some examples, a communication session delivery system may provide network access services or other types of content once a passenger completes brand interaction. The brand interaction may be any number of options that a brand partner may require for exchanging access to the content. The communication session delivery system may select from a plurality of award offers, and then display the selected offer to the passenger. The selected offers may be selected according to profile information of the passenger and target characteristics of the brand partner. The passenger may then select an offer and perform a desired brand interaction. Once the brand interaction has been verified, the passenger may receive the reward associated with the offer.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] The present invention relates generally to communication session delivery systems, and more specifically, to techniques for providing communication sessions in flight.

[0002] Increasingly, passengers on commercial aircraft or other modes of transportation such as buses, trains, and ships require broadband internet access during their journeys. Furthermore, passenger transport vehicles often include transit information systems to meet passengers' needs for accessing and viewing content (such as entertainment, informational content, or other viewing material) while on the move. Aircraft can receive internet access services via shared communication links, such as satellite communication links. Aircraft may have onboard multi-user access terminals that communicate with ground stations (e.g., via satellite communication systems) and provide internet access connectivity to passengers. For example, users can connect their communication devices (e.g., smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc.) to a wireless local area network (WLAN) provided by the multi-user access terminal, which routes data communications to other networks (e.g., the internet) via a shared communication link.

[0003] As passenger demand for broadband access and content viewing continues to grow, operators of communication session delivery systems have devised various technologies to monetize services in order to provide passengers with a reliable and enjoyable experience. However, different monetization techniques can lead to varying levels of passenger satisfaction. For example, charging passengers individually for accessing a communication session can result in a negative experience, as they may feel as if the transportation operator is charging them for every additional service option during their journey. Given the above, there is a need for improved communication session delivery systems associated with passenger transportation to overcome the shortcomings of conventional communication session delivery systems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The described technology relates to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses for supporting technologies used to deliver in-flight communication sessions. In some examples, once a passenger completes a brand interaction, the communication session delivery system can provide internet access or other types of content. The brand interaction can be any number of options that a brand partner can request in exchange for access to content. The communication session delivery system can select from multiple reward offers and then display the selected offer to the passenger. The selected offer can be chosen based on the passenger's profile information and the brand partner's target characteristics. The passenger can then select the offer and perform the desired brand interaction. Once the brand interaction has been verified, the passenger can receive the reward associated with the offer. Attached Figure Description

[0005] Figure 1An example of a wireless communication system that supports technologies for providing in-flight communication sessions according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0006] Figure 2 An example of a wireless communication system that supports technologies for providing in-flight communication sessions according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0007] Figure 3 An example of a processing flow for providing in-flight communication sessions is shown, supporting various aspects of this disclosure.

[0008] Figure 4 A graphical representation of the incentives and benefits offered under this disclosure is shown.

[0009] Figure 5 An example of a processing flow for providing in-flight communication sessions is shown, supporting various aspects of this disclosure.

[0010] Figure 6 An example of a processing flow for providing in-flight communication sessions is shown, supporting various aspects of this disclosure.

[0011] Figure 7 A graphical representation of a session interface supporting technologies for providing in-flight communication sessions according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown.

[0012] Figure 8 and Figure 9 A block diagram of an apparatus for providing preferential technologies for in-flight communication sessions, according to various aspects of this disclosure, is shown.

[0013] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating a method for supporting technologies for providing in-flight communication sessions is shown, according to various aspects of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0014] Commercial passenger vehicles can support shared communication links for passenger network access services. For example, users can connect their communication devices to a wireless local area network (WLAN), which routes data communications to other networks (e.g., the Internet) via a shared communication link. This shared communication link can be a wireless link (e.g., a cellular link, a satellite communication link, etc.) and can support applications with wider bandwidth, such as web browsing, multimedia streaming, or video communication.

[0015] Providing such network access and content services offers entertainment and comfort to passengers during their travels; however, it increases costs for travel providers. Travel providers can choose from various monetization techniques to offer reliable and satisfying communication sessions to their passengers, including charging separate fees for selected services, inserting advertisements, etc. However, charging separate fees can lead to passenger dissatisfaction, and inserting advertisements has varying degrees of effectiveness in terms of user engagement.

[0016] The described features relate to a communication session delivery system that delivers communication sessions to passengers based on completed brand interactions selected by the passenger. Completing passenger-selected brand interactions improves the experience for both the passenger and the brand partner because the passenger can engage in interactions that interest him or her most, resulting in a higher-value interaction for the brand partner compared to other methods such as non-targeted advertising. Prior to a travel segment, the brand partner or another entity can identify multiple reward offers to be presented to passengers in the travel segment, where reward offers may include communication sessions for passengers to exchange upon completing brand interactions. The communication session delivery system can present various selected reward offers to passengers through user interfaces such as portals, applications, etc. Passengers can access the user interface before and / or during their travel segment and can select offers that interest him or her most. Offers are associated with one or more features of the communication session, which can be provided to the passenger for use of a shared communication link upon completion of an interaction with the offer. The features of the communication session can vary depending on the offer and may differ in different implementations. Characteristics of a communication session may include, for example, the total amount of time allocated to the communication session, the data rate of the communication session, the total amount of data transmitted during the communication session, access to one or more service types (e.g., text, email, streaming, etc.), access to one or more network destinations (e.g., streaming video service providers, etc.), and combinations thereof. The type of interaction to be performed by the passenger may vary depending on the offer and may differ in different implementations. For example, the interaction may be creating a social media post about a specific brand associated with the offer. As another example, this could be completing the viewing of a video associated with the offer. Once the brand interaction has been verified, the communication session delivery system can provide the passenger with the offered network access time to use during the travel segment. The manner in which the communication session is provided to the passenger may vary depending on the implementation. In some examples, the communication session may be attributed to a passenger's user account managed by the communication session delivery system. In this case, the passenger can choose when to use the communication session, such as on the current travel segment and / or on different travel segments (e.g., on the same or different airlines or other transportation providers). In other examples, the communication session may be attributed to the communication device used by the passenger without the passenger creating a user account.

[0017] Once brand interactions have been validated, the communication session delivery system can record successful interactions. Recording multiple successful interactions helps determine which interactions and offers users prefer. This information can be provided to brand partners to inform them of their reward offers, and travel providers can use this information to inform them of reward offers they can present to passengers. Therefore, the experience for both passengers and brand partners can be continuously improved.

[0018] This description provides examples and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of embodiments of the principles described herein. Rather, the following description will provide those skilled in the art with an operational description of embodiments for implementing the principles described herein. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements.

[0019] Therefore, various implementations may appropriately omit, substitute, or add various steps or components. For example, it should be understood that the method may be performed in a different order than that described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Furthermore, aspects and elements described for certain implementations may be combined in various other implementations. It should also be understood that the following systems, methods, devices, and software may be components of a larger system, individually or collectively, in which other steps may take precedence over their application or otherwise modify their application.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram of satellite communication system 100, which illustrates the principles included herein. Satellite communication system 100 can provide network access services to passengers 180 on a mobile vessel 130. It should be noted that while network access services are shown as being provided by a satellite communication system and are used as an example in the following description, other and / or additional types of communication systems (e.g., air-to-ground communication systems, etc.) may be used in other examples. Network access services can be provided to passengers 180 via a multi-user access terminal 170, which passengers 180 can connect their communication devices 175 to via a wired (e.g., Ethernet) or wireless (e.g., WLAN) connection 176. Multi-user access terminal 170 can obtain network access services via user beam 145. It should be noted that while mobile vessel 130 is shown as an aircraft and an aircraft is used as an example in the following description, the reference to an aircraft can also refer to any type of mobile vessel transporting multiple passengers, such as a bus, train, ship, etc.

[0021] Satellite communication system 100 may include any suitable type of satellite system, including geostationary orbit (GEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), or low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems. Although only a single user beam 145 is shown, satellite 105 may be a multi-beam satellite, transmitting multiple (e.g., typically 20-500, etc.) user beams 145, each directed to a different area of ​​the Earth. This allows for coverage of a relatively large geographic area and frequency reuse within the coverage area. Frequency reuse in a multi-beam satellite system allows for increased system capacity for a given system bandwidth. With such a multi-beam satellite, many different signal switching configurations can exist, allowing signals from a single gateway system 115 to be switched between different spot beams. Alternatively, multiple gateways may transmit signals to satellite 105 to generate multiple spot beams. Although shown as including only one satellite 105, satellite communication system 100 may include multiple satellites. Multiple satellites may have service coverage areas that at least partially overlap with each other.

[0022] Each satellite user beam 145 of satellite 105 supports aircraft 130 within its coverage area (e.g., providing uplink and downlink resources). Frequency reuse among satellite user beams 145 can be provided by assigning one or more frequency ranges (which may be referred to as channels) to each satellite user beam 145 and / or by using orthogonal polarization. A particular frequency range and / or polarization may be referred to as a "color," and frequencies may be reused in a tiled-beam satellite system according to color. The coverage areas of different satellite user beams 145 may not overlap or may have different overlap measures. In some examples, the satellite user beams 145 of satellite 105 may be tiled and partially overlapped to provide full or near-full coverage of a relatively large geographic area, where partially overlapping or adjacent beams use different frequency ranges and / or polarizations (e.g., different colors).

[0023] Satellite communication system 100 includes a gateway system 115 and a network 120, which can be connected together via one or more wired or wireless links. Gateway system 115 is configured to communicate with one or more aircraft 130 via satellite 105. Network 120 may include any suitable public or private network and can connect to other communication networks (not shown), such as the Internet, telephone networks (e.g., the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), etc.). Network 120 can connect gateway system 115 to other gateway systems that can also communicate with satellite 105. Alternatively, a separate network link gateway and other nodes may be used to collaboratively serve user services. Gateway system 115 can also be configured (via satellite 105) to receive return link signals from aircraft 130, which are directed to a destination in network 120 or other communication networks.

[0024] Gateway system 115 may be a device or system that provides an interface between network 120 and satellite 105. Gateway system 115 may use antenna 110 to transmit and receive signals from satellite 105 via gateway uplink 135 and gateway downlink 140. Antenna 110 may be bidirectional and is designed to have sufficient transmit power and receive sensitivity to reliably communicate with satellite 105. In some examples, satellite 105 is configured to receive signals from antenna 110 within a specified frequency band and specific polarization.

[0025] In satellite communication system 100, passengers 180-b to 180-n can access services via network using mobile devices 175. By connecting mobile devices 175 (e.g., desktop computers, laptops, set-top boxes, smartphones, tablets, internet-enabled televisions, etc.) (e.g., via wired or wireless connections) to multi-user access terminal 170, services can be provided to each passenger 180-b to 180-n via satellite communication system 100. Figure 1 As shown, mobile devices 175-b to 175-n are connected to the multi-user access terminal 170 via a wired or wireless connection 176 (e.g., Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc.). The multi-user access terminal 170 can receive data from the satellite 105 via the user beam downlink 155 and transmit data to the satellite 105 via the user beam uplink 160. Although the satellite communication system 100 is shown providing mobile network access services to passengers 180 on an aircraft 130, it is understood that the principles described herein for providing network access services to mobile users can be provided using multi-user access terminals located in fixed locations or in various modes of transportation, where multiple mobile users may wish to access the network via the satellite communication system 100 (e.g., trains, ships, buses, etc.).

[0026] Multi-user access terminal 170 can communicate with satellite 105 via user beam downlink 155 and user beam uplink 160 using antenna 165 mounted on aircraft 130. Antenna 165 can be mounted to elevation and azimuth gimbals that point (e.g., actively track) satellite 105. Satellite communication system 100 can operate on International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Ku, K, or Ka bands (e.g., from 17.7 to 21.2 GHz in the downlink portion and from 27.5 to 31 GHz in the uplink portion of the Ka band). Alternatively, satellite communication system 100 can operate in other frequency bands such as C-band, X-band, S-band, L-band, etc.

[0027] Satellite communication system 100 also includes a communication session delivery system 125. Components of the communication session delivery system 125 (e.g., communication session delivery system 125-a) may be connected to gateway 115 and / or network 120 via one or more wired or wireless links. Additionally or alternatively, components of the communication session delivery system 125 (e.g., communication session delivery system 125-b) may be present on aircraft 130. Although shown juxtaposed with multi-user access terminal 170, communication session delivery system 125-b may be a separate component from multi-user access terminal 170. In this case, communication session delivery system 125-b may be connected to multi-user access terminal 170 via one or more wired or wireless links.

[0028] Those skilled in the art will understand that one or more aspects of this disclosure may be implemented in system 100 to additionally or alternatively address other problems besides those described herein. Furthermore, aspects of this disclosure may provide technical improvements to “conventional” systems or methods as described herein. However, the specification and drawings only include exemplary technical improvements resulting from implementing aspects of this disclosure and therefore do not represent all technical improvements provided within the scope of the claims.

[0029] In one example, before and / or during a travel segment, a travel provider (e.g., an airline, cruise line, rail line, bus line) or other entity may provide the communication session delivery system 125 with profile information of one or more passengers 180 for the travel segment. Additionally, the travel segment communication session delivery system 125 may identify multiple reward offers to be presented to the passengers 180 of the travel segment, where reward offers may include communication sessions for exchange by passengers 180 who have completed a brand interaction. Reward offers may be provided to the communication session delivery system 125 by one or more brand partners. A portal (or other type of user interface) managed by (or otherwise communicating with) the communication session delivery system 125 may then present various selected reward offers to the passengers 180. The communication session delivery system 125 may select a subset of one or more reward offers based on, for example, the profile information of one or more passengers 180 and / or target characteristics specified by the brand partners. Passengers 180 may access the user interface before or during the travel segment and may select offers from the subset that interests them most.

[0030] For example, passenger 180-a can access the user interface using mobile device 175-a before a travel segment and connect to network 120 via a ground access point. When one or more subsets of selected offers are presented on the user interface, passenger 180-a can select an offer suitable for a particular communication session by performing a branded interaction with the offer. Once the branded interaction has been verified, the communication session delivery system 125-a enables passenger 180-a to access the communication session while he or she is on aircraft 130. The way the communication session delivery system 125-a enables passengers to access communication sessions can vary depending on the implementation. In some examples, the communication session can be attributed to the passenger's user account managed by the communication session delivery system. In this case, the passenger can choose when to use the communication session, such as on the current travel segment and / or on different travel segments (e.g., on the same or different airlines or other transportation providers). In other examples, the communication session can be attributed to the communication device used by the passenger without the passenger creating a user account. The way the communication session delivery system 125-a enables passengers to use the communication session can vary depending on the implementation. For example, the communication session delivery system 125-a can provide instructions to components of the satellite communication system 100 (e.g., multi-access user terminal 170, satellite 105, gateway 115, etc.) to provide access to network 120, thereby providing a communication session to the communication device associated with the passenger. Passengers 180-b to 180-n on aircraft 130 can access the user interface via multi-access terminal 170 before or during their travel segment. This portal can be managed by the communication session delivery system 125-b on aircraft 130 or by the communication session delivery system 125-a outside aircraft 130. When viewing selected offers, passengers 180-b to 180-n can select offers suitable for a specific communication session by performing a brand interaction. Once the brand interaction has been verified, the communication session delivery system 125 can enable the corresponding passenger 180 to access the communication session during their travel segment. For example, the communication session delivery system 125-b can maintain a list (e.g., a whitelist) of devices that can be allowed to communicate with other devices or networks (e.g., the Internet) connected to network 120, as well as the associated duration of communication sessions. The multi-user access terminal 170 can query the list to filter traffic to or from mobile devices. For example, the multi-user access terminal 170 can maintain a network address translation table and can provide network address translation only to devices on the list to access networks outside of aircraft 130. The communication session delivery system 125-b can indicate to the communication session delivery system 125-b the identifier (e.g., MAC address) of the mobile device 175 that has been granted a communication session.

[0031] Figure 2An example of a system 200 supporting technologies for providing in-flight communication sessions according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. System 200 includes a communication session delivery system 125-c operated by passenger 180-c, a brand partner 205, a network 120-a, and a mobile device 175-c. Brand partner 205 and communication session delivery system 125-c may include or utilize various computing components, such as data servers and / or data storage systems, for facilitating and maintaining communication and supporting offers to promote brand interaction and other services. Brand partner 205 may also represent multiple affiliated or non-affiliated brand partners. Communication session delivery system 125-c may be... Figure 1 An example of a communication session delivery system 125. Mobile device 175-c and passenger 180-c can be respectively... Figure 1 Examples of mobile devices 175 and passengers 180.

[0032] Entities of system 200 transmit various communication messages to each other, including bidirectional communication 210, bidirectional communication 215, and bidirectional communication 225. For example, bidirectional communication 210 may include brand partner 205 sending one or more rewards to communication session delivery system 125-c for eventual presentation to passenger 180-c. Each reward offer in the reward offer may be linked to one or more target characteristics to which the brand partner wishes to focus its reward offer. For example, if the reward offer is appropriate for a particular gender, the brand partner may indicate whether the target characteristic of the reward offer is male or female. In some examples, communication session delivery system 125-c may retrieve reward offers from data storage device 220 or from network 120-a via bidirectional communication 225. Reward offers may include communication sessions awarded to passengers when they complete a specified brand interaction. A communication session may be access to network services for at least a portion of a travel segment, access to media content items (e.g., visual media, audio media, games, etc.), or a combination thereof. Access to media content items may also be referred to as in-flight entertainment (IFE). IFEs can be hosted on the aircraft and can include content that would otherwise not be available (e.g., pre-released films not yet available for streaming). Brand interactions can be categorized as media projects (e.g., displayed advertisements, promotional videos), social media interactions (e.g., posts mentioning the brand), creation of user accounts, purchase of goods or services, completion of surveys, reservation of goods or services, indication of interest in goods or services (e.g., submitting positive feedback on goods or services, adding goods or services to a virtual shopping cart, etc.), or a combination thereof.

[0033] The communication session delivery system 125-c can receive profile information of one or more passengers and / or travel segments from network 120-a or from data storage device 220 via two-way communication 225. In some examples, the travel provider of the travel segment can periodically or non-periodically update the communication session delivery system 125-c with passenger profile information via two-way communication 225. The profile information may include any information that the travel provider may have about the characteristics of the passenger and the travel segment booked by the passenger. For example, the profile information may include user characteristics such as gender, age, origin / destination location, traveler type (business, leisure, etc.), travel frequency, traveling with family or group, passenger travel category, etc. In another example, the characteristics of the travel segment may include the origin of the travel segment, the destination of the travel segment, the corresponding passenger category, the duration of the travel segment, or the type of vessel for the travel segment.

[0034] The communication session delivery system 125-c can aggregate one or more reward offers from brand partner 205 with other reward offers from other brand partners to obtain a reward offer pool for the travel segment. In some cases, the communication session delivery system 125-c can apply a scarcity factor to the reward offer pool (e.g., the reward offer pool can be determined based on the scarcity factor). The communication session delivery system 125-c can apply the scarcity factor to the reward offer pool to introduce artificial constraints on the reward offer pool. Such artificial constraints on the reward offer pool can be used to induce competition for reward offers, which can lead to an increased urgency for passengers 180 to request reward offers. The scarcity factor may involve limiting the supply of reward offers (e.g., ensuring that not all passengers can obtain reward offers or have enough reward offers to obtain a communication session for the duration of the flight), limiting the amount of time reward offers are available, or similar techniques used to introduce urgency.

[0035] In some cases, when selecting a reward pool, the communication session delivery system 125-c may determine a scarcity factor based on one or more known or expected characteristics of the travel segment (e.g., number of passengers, duration of the travel segment, total access minutes, etc.). For example, a scarcity factor may be selected such that the number of reward offers in the pool is proportional to the total number of passengers on the travel segment (e.g., if the travel segment is expected to have one hundred passengers, the communication session delivery system 125-c may only provide a number of communication sessions equal to half (or some other multiple) of the number of passengers). In another example, the communication session delivery system 125-c may only provide a predetermined amount of time corresponding to the reward pool. In some examples, the communication session delivery system 125-c may also determine the scarcity factor by factoring the total duration of the travel segment and / or the number of passengers on the travel segment. For example, the communication session delivery system 125-c may only provide 1000 minutes of total network access time to all passengers on the travel segment, where the aircraft may have 100 passengers on the travel segment and the travel segment may be one hour long. In other words, the communication session delivery system 125-c can determine the total number of minutes for each passenger based on the number of passengers (e.g., the aircraft's passenger capacity or the number of booked passengers) and the duration of the travel segment (e.g., gate-to-gate duration, flight duration, or communication duration taking into account device limitations during flight). The communication session delivery system 125-c can then determine the total number of minutes of network access to be offered based on the total number of minutes for each passenger and a scarcity factor. The value of the scarcity factor applied to the reward offer can be presented to the passenger along with the associated reward offer. The application of the scarcity factor can better incentivize passengers in the travel segment to participate in the reward offer compared to offering reward offers without restrictions. For example, passengers can be encouraged to participate in the reward offer earlier than other passengers can access it.

[0036] Using profile information, the communication session delivery system 125-c can select a subset of a reward offer pool, which may be one or more reward offers from the pool. The communication session delivery system 125-c can select the subset of reward offers suitable for a specific passenger or passenger group on a travel segment (e.g., passenger 180-c). The communication session delivery system 125-c can select the subset of reward offers based on profile information of a specific passenger or passenger group and / or characteristics of a specific travel segment. In some cases, the communication session delivery system 125-c can determine the number of reward offers to be selected and presented to passenger 180-c based on a predetermined quantity, the number of passengers on the travel segment, the duration of the travel segment, or the maximum number of reward offers for passengers on the travel segment.

[0037] One or more reward offers from brand partner 205 may each include a bid associated with a communication session. The bid may indicate a reward offer arrangement describing the value (e.g., monetary value) that brand partner 205 can provide when its respective reward offer is selected and completed by a passenger. In some cases, communication session delivery system 125-c may select a pool of reward offers based on bids. For example, communication session delivery system 125-c may select those rewards with the highest bids, or select the rewards with the highest bids within a category of reward offers (e.g., associated with different types of brand interactions). In some examples, communication session delivery system 125-c may select a certain number of reward offers available for each type of brand interaction across multiple types of brand interactions, and then select the reward with the highest bid for each type.

[0038] When selecting a subset of reward offers, the communication session delivery system 125-c can transmit the subset of reward offers to a device belonging to passenger 180-c (e.g., mobile device 175-c) via bidirectional communication 215. The subset of reward offers can be presented to passenger 180c via a portal 235 hosted by an application 230 on the communication session delivery system 125-c or mobile device 175-c. Passenger 180-c can view the selected reward offers before or during the travel segment via portal 235 or application 230 on mobile device 175-c. Although not shown, mobile device 175-c may be a seat-mounted video system on an aircraft. Passenger 180-c can select one or more reward offers from the subset and then proceed to complete brand interactions associated with the selected reward offers. In some examples, passenger 180-c can request to change or otherwise modify the presented subset of reward offers. The benefit of allowing passenger 180-c to request a change to a subset of the presented reward offers is that the initially presented subset of reward offers may not be satisfactory to passenger 180-c. Allowing modification of the initially presented subset of reward offers allows passenger 180-c to discover reward offers from subsequent subsets that might appeal to passenger 180-c (wherein the subsequent subset of reward offers has at least one modified presented reward offer from the initially presented subset of reward offers). Upon receiving a request, the communication session delivery system 125-c can provide passenger 180-c with the modified subset of reward offers, which differs from the previous subset of reward offers.

[0039] When passenger 180-c selects a reward offer, mobile device 175-c can transmit an indication of the selected reward offer to communication session delivery system 125-c via two-way communication 215. Brand interactions can then be performed via communication session delivery system 125-c, via the corresponding brand partner 205, or via a third entity (e.g., a media server). For example, communication session delivery system 125-c can forward session information associated with the passenger's selected reward offer to the corresponding brand partner 205 via two-way communication 210. Brand partner 205 can monitor various brand interactions and then verify when the brand interaction associated with the session information has occurred or completed. After verification, brand partner 205 can indicate to communication session delivery system 125-c via two-way communication 210 that the brand interaction associated with the session information has occurred. In another example, although not shown, passenger 180-c with mobile device 175-c can interact directly with brand partner 205 or with a third entity hosting brand interactions with brand partner 205. Passenger 180-c can complete brand interactions by communicating directly with brand partner 205 or a third entity, and upon completion of the brand interaction, brand partner 205 can instruct communication session delivery system 125-c to provide communication session access to passenger 180-c. In some examples, communication session delivery system 125-c can provide brand partner 205 or other external parties with a unique identifier associated with passenger 180-c or mobile device 175-c, enabling brand partner 205 or external parties to authorize and link rewards to passenger 180-c and / or mobile device 175-c. For example, a unique identifier can be generated based on an identifier associated with passenger 180-c or mobile device 175-c, but brand partner 205 or other entities cannot trace that identifier back to passenger 180-c or mobile device 175-c. In one example, the unique identifier is based on (e.g., a hashed or encrypted) the media access control (MAC) address of mobile device 175-c. Upon receiving confirmation that the brand interaction has been completed, the communication session delivery system 125-c can associate the mobile device 175-c with a reward associated with the reward offer. For example, the communication session delivery system 125-c can associate the MAC address of the mobile device 175-c with access to a session for a duration associated with the reward. In other examples, the communication session delivery system 125-c can present a redemption code to passenger 180-c upon completion of the brand interaction, which passenger 180-c can redeem at a later time (e.g., via the same or a different device) to access the communication session.

[0040] Upon receiving an instruction, redemption code, or other access instruction, the communication session delivery system 125-c can activate passenger 180-c's access to an associated reward (e.g., a communication session or media experience) linked to a reward offer selected by the passenger. For example, the communication session delivery system 125-c can establish a communication session for mobile device 175-c via a wireless communication link through a network access device (e.g., a multi-user access terminal 170) for the duration of the session associated with the reward offer. In some examples, the communication session delivery system 125-c can determine the identifier (e.g., a MAC address) of the device linked to the completed brand interaction and establish a communication session based on that device identifier. In some cases, the communication session delivery system 125-c can determine the duration of the reward and then present a comparison of that duration to the length of the travel segment to mobile device 175-c, where this comparison can be continuously updated and presented. For example, if the reward is one hour of internet access time and the remaining duration of the travel segment is two hours, then mobile device 175-c can continuously provide comparisons to passenger 180-c as passenger 180-c views application 230 or portal 235.

[0041] In some examples, the communication session delivery system 125-c can receive a unique identifier linked to passenger 180-c. For example, passenger 180-c may have already registered a login profile with portal 235 of the communication session delivery system 125-c. In some cases, passenger 180-c may complete multiple brand interactions associated with multiple reward offers, and the communication session delivery system 125-c can link multiple reward offers to passenger 180-c's unique identifier. For example, if passenger 180-c has logged in and completed five brand interactions, each requiring 10 minutes of network access time, the communication session delivery system 125-c can link 50 minutes of network access time to passenger 180-c's user account. In other examples, the communication session delivery system 125-c can identify one or more past brand interactions that passenger 180-c has performed under its unique identifier. Based on these past completed brand interactions, the communication session delivery system 125-c can select reward offers from a pool of reward offers for a given travel segment to present to passenger 180-c based on passenger 180-c's brand interaction history.

[0042] The communication session delivery system 125-c may also include a data storage device 220. In some examples, the data storage device 220 may receive and store the completion of verification for brand interactions in a specific travel segment. In subsequent travel segments, the communication session delivery system 125-c may receive reward offers from brand partner 205 or from other brand partners for subsequent travel segments in a similar manner as described above. In some examples, the communication session delivery system 125-c may select a pool of reward offers for subsequent travel segments based on the completion of stored verification from brand interactions in previous travel segments. The communication session delivery system 125-c may also select a corresponding subset of the reward offer pool for subsequent travel segments based on passenger profile information for subsequent travel segments. The profile information may be similar to the profile information described above. The completion of verification from brand interactions in previous travel segments can better inform the communication session delivery system 125-c about which reward offers have been successful in the past.

[0043] In some examples, the communication session delivery system 125-c may store the completion of brand interaction credentials for a specific passenger (e.g., passenger 180-c) in data storage device 220. This data may be linked to passenger 180-c's user account or a unique identifier (e.g., MAC address) associated with passenger 180-c's device. In some cases, the communication session delivery system 125-c may use the completion of passenger 180-c's brand interaction credentials to inform the selection of a subset of reward offers to be presented to passenger 180-c. In other examples, the communication session delivery system 125-c may use the completion of passenger 180-c's brand interaction credentials to exclude reward offers from the subset of reward offers to be presented to passenger 180-c. For example, the excluded reward offer may be a type of brand interaction that passenger 180-c has already completed or a type of media experience that passenger 180-c has already consumed (e.g., certain brand content that has been watched). Additionally, the communication session delivery system 125-c can utilize the stored completions of verified brand interactions to determine trends in similar travel segments and use these determinations to select future reward offers for passengers on similar travel segments in the future. For example, travel segments with similar characteristics (such as time of day, origin, destination, etc.) can inform the communication session delivery system 125-c about the selection of future reward offers presented on similar travel segments.

[0044] In another example, the communication session delivery system 125-c can determine the category of each reward offer it receives. The communication session delivery system 125-c can also determine the categories of reward offers that passenger 180-c has previously selected, and then select a subset of reward offers to present to passenger 180-c based on the categories of reward offers previously selected by passenger 180-c. For example, if passenger 180-c has already selected a previous reward offer related to completing a social media post, the communication session delivery system 125-c can present passenger 180-c with more reward offers related to completing a social media post. In some cases, the communication session delivery system 125-c can exclude the presentation of reward offers in certain categories that passenger 180-c has shown no interest in. For example, if passenger 180-c has never selected a previous reward offer related to purchasing goods or services, the communication session delivery system 125-c can exclude the presentation of reward offers related to purchasing goods or services.

[0045] In some cases, the communication session delivery system 125-c can identify from data storage device 220 how a particular type of passenger interacted with a reward offer. For example, interaction history data can indicate whether a passenger viewed the offer and did not accept it, whether a passenger viewed the offer and did accept it, whether a viewer viewed the offer and made a failed brand interaction, whether a viewer viewed the offer and made a successful brand interaction, and so on. The communication session delivery system 125-c can use the interaction history data and associated passenger profile information to inform passengers which reward offers from brand partner 205 are selected and presented. In another example, the communication session delivery system 125-c can determine metrics based on passenger 180-c's previous interactions with reward offers. These metrics may be the completion rate of one or more reward offers among multiple reward offers (e.g., the rate at which a passenger completes a brand interaction once they select it), the number of times one or more reward offers are displayed, the number of times passengers select one or more reward offers, the number of times media events associated with one or more reward offers are initiated (e.g., the number of times media events associated with reward offers have started), the number of times media events associated with one or more reward offers are completed (e.g., the number of times media events associated with reward offers have been completed), or a combination of these metrics. The communication session delivery system 125-c can deliver one or more of these metrics to the brand partner 205 via bidirectional communication 210.

[0046] The communication session delivery system 125-c may also have additional features. For example, rewards can be split and aggregated across multiple devices (e.g., user accounts can be accessed from multiple devices). Some entertainment features can be specifically tailored for children. Reward offers may include IFEs (e.g., content such as visual media, audio media, games), and passenger 180-c can consume this content on his or her personal device during the travel segment. Reward offers may also provide access to a mobile map that shows the vessel's geographical location within the travel segment. Reward offers can also be presented as gifts to acquaintances of passenger 180-c. Additionally, passenger 180-c can refer acquaintances and earn reward time for network access or access to media content (e.g., IFEs).

[0047] Figure 3 An example of a processing flow 300 supporting technologies for providing in-flight communication sessions according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. This processing flow may include a communication session delivery system 125-d, a brand partner 305, and a mobile device 175-d operated by a passenger 180-d. The communication session delivery system 125-d may be... Figure 1 Communication session delivery system 125 or Figure 2 An example of a communication session delivery system 125-c. Brand partner 305 can be... Figure 2 Example of brand partner 205. Mobile device 175-d and passenger 180-d can be respectively Figure 1 Mobile devices 175 and passengers 180 and Figure 2 Examples of mobile devices 175-c and passengers 180-c.

[0048] At 310, the communication session delivery system 125-d can receive reward offers from brand partner 305 for final presentation to passenger 180-d, for example, on mobile device 175-d. Each reward offer in the reward offer can be linked to one or more target features to which brand partner 305 may wish to centralize its reward offers. For example, a graphical representation 400 illustrating reward offers according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. Figure 4Reward offers 405 from brand partners 305-a and 305-b are depicted. Reward offers 405 may include individual reward offers 410. Each reward offer 410 may include a brand interaction 430 and a reward 435. When a reward is received from brand partner 305, the reward may be represented in currency (e.g., USD), and the communication session delivery system 125-d may convert the reward into a communication experience (e.g., minutes for a communication session, media experience) to present to passenger 180. In this example, reward offers 410-a, 410-b, and 410-c may be from or sponsored by brand partner 305-a, while reward offers 410-d, 410-e, 410-f, and 410-g may be from or sponsored by brand partner 305-b. In some examples, the communication session delivery system 125-d may retrieve reward offers from data storage device 220-a or from another external entity (not shown). Rewards 405 can represent the total number of rewards offered by brand partners 305.

[0049] At point 315, the communication session delivery system 125-d can evaluate the profile information of the travel segment and select a reward pool for that travel segment. For example, the communication session delivery system 125-d can evaluate the passenger's profile information and the characteristics of the travel segment to select a subset of reward offers 405, thereby generating a reward pool 415 for the travel segment, such as... Figure 4 As shown above, the reward pool 415 can have a scarcity factor relative to the number of passengers (e.g., capacity or booked passengers) and the duration of the travel segment. Figure 4 In the example shown, reward pool 415 includes reward offers 410-a, 410-b, 410-d, 410-f, and 410-g, but reward offers 410-c and 410-e are not yet included in reward pool 415. Communication session delivery system 125-d can receive profile information of one or more passengers and / or travel segments from data storage device 220-a or from a travel provider (not shown).

[0050] At 320, the communication session delivery system 125-d can select a subset of the reward offer pool, where the subset can be one or more reward offers from the reward offer pool. The communication session delivery system 125-d can select a subset of reward offers suitable for a passenger (e.g., passenger 180-d) or a group of passengers for an upcoming travel segment. The communication session delivery system 125-d can select the subset of reward offers based on passenger 180-d's profile information and / or the characteristics of the upcoming travel segment. For example, refer to... Figure 4The communication session delivery system 125-d can select a subset 420-d of reward offers for passenger 180-d, which includes reward offers 410-a, 410-b, and 410-d from reward offer pool 415. In some examples, the communication session delivery system 125-d can select a subset of reward offers for a group of passengers on a travel segment. For example, a subset 420-a of reward offers can also be selected for another passenger traveling on the same travel segment that passenger 180-d is traveling on. The communication session delivery system 125-d can select additional subsets of reward offers for other passengers or groups of passengers. For example, a subset 420-b including reward offers 410-b, 410-f, and 410-g can be selected for different passengers. Figure 4 As shown, some subsets of reward offers 420 for different passengers or passenger groups may include some of the same reward offers 410 (e.g., they may be partially overlapping subsets). If a passenger selects a reward offer, it can be removed from other subsets 420 of the reward offers in which it appears.

[0051] In addition to being presented along with a subset 420-a of reward offers, passengers 180-d can be notified that only a number of communication sessions corresponding to the number of reward offers in reward offer pool 415 are available for redemption into flight segments. If passengers 180-d do not wish to select the reward offers presented to them, they can be presented with the option to update the subset 420-a of reward offers. Upon requesting an update to the subset 420-a of reward offers, the communication session delivery system 125-d can select a new subset 420 of reward offers from reward offer pool 415.

[0052] The communication session delivery system 125-d can exclude reward offers for a passenger from the subset 420 of reward offers based on the brand interactions the passenger has completed. For example, passenger 180-d may have performed a brand interaction associated with reward offer 410-f, so reward offer 410-f can be excluded from the subset 420-a of reward offers. Additionally or alternatively, the communication session delivery system 125-d can categorize brand interactions for reward offer 410 and can select a subset of reward offers based on passenger 180-d's previous interactions. For example, if the passenger has already selected reward offers 410 from certain categories (e.g., media projects, social media interactions, user account creation, purchase of goods or services, completion of surveys, booking of goods or services, indication of interest in goods or services) for a previous travel segment, the subset 420-a of reward offers can include offers from those categories and exclude other categories that the passenger did not select or that are different from the categories they selected. For example, if a passenger has selected a reward offer that involves brand interactions related to consumer media content such as advertising, but has not selected a brand interaction related to purchasing goods and services, a subset 420-a of reward offers can exclude brand interactions related to purchasing goods and services, even if the number of reward offers presented in that category is greater than a threshold.

[0053] At 325, the communication session delivery system 125-d can transmit a subset of reward offers to the device 175-d belonging to passenger 180-d. Passenger 180-d can view the selected subset of reward offers before or during the travel segment via portal 235-a hosted by the communication session delivery system 125-d or via an application (not shown) on the mobile device 175-d.

[0054] At 330-a, passenger 180-d can select one or more reward offers from a subset 420-a of reward offers, and can then proceed to complete the brand interaction associated with the selected reward offer. For example, see reference Figure 4Passenger 180-d can select reward offers 425-a, which include reward offers from a subset of reward offers 420-a. The selection of reward offers 425-a can include, for example, reward offers 410-a and 410-d. Passenger 180-d can continue to complete brand interactions associated with the selected reward offers. Passenger 180-d can complete multiple brand interactions and aggregate rewards associated with multiple brand interactions. Passenger 180-d can create a user account using the communication session delivery system 125-d and can store and / or visualize completed brand interactions and rewards associated with the user account in an online portal. Aggregated rewards can be redeemed across multiple travel segments. The user application can indicate to passenger 180-d when rewards can be redeemed. In some examples, passenger 180-d can purchase additional rewards. In other examples, passenger 180-d can transfer or gift one or more aggregated rewards to another passenger. In some cases, Passenger 180-d can persuade another passenger to complete one or more brand interactions, and Passenger 180-d can receive additional rewards based on referrals.

[0055] At 330-b, the communication session delivery system 125-d can receive indications of completion of one or more brand interactions associated with a selected reward offer. For example, passenger 180-d can complete a brand interaction in direct communication with brand partner 305, and upon completion of the brand interaction, brand partner 305 can instruct the communication session delivery system 125-d to provide communication session access to passenger 180-d. In another example, at 330-b, when passenger 180-d selects a reward offer, mobile device 175-d can transmit an indication of the selected reward offer to the communication session delivery system 125-d. The communication session delivery system 125-d can then forward the session information associated with the reward offer selected by the passenger to brand partner 305. Brand partner 305 can monitor various brand interactions and then verify when the brand interaction associated with the session information has occurred. Upon verification, brand partner 305 can indicate to the communication session delivery system 125-d that the brand interaction associated with the session information has occurred.

[0056] At point 335, the communication session delivery system 125-d can activate passenger 180-d's access to a reward (e.g., a communication session or media experience) linked to a reward offer selected by the passenger. For example, the communication session delivery system 125-d can establish a communication session between mobile device 175-d and other networks via a wireless communication link through a network access device (e.g., multi-user access terminal 170), sustaining the session duration associated with the reward offer. The characteristics of the communication session can be based on the reward associated with the offer selected by the passenger. In some examples, the characteristics of the communication session can be the total time allocated to the communication session, the data rate of the communication session, the total amount of data transmitted for the communication session, access to one or more service types (text, email, streaming), access to one or more network destinations (e.g., Netflix, Amazon), or a combination thereof.

[0057] At 340, the communication session delivery system 125-d can store passenger interaction history data and completed brand interactions in data storage device 220-a. In one example, the communication session delivery system 125-d can choose to present certain reward offers for subsequent travel segments notified by the completion of stored evidence of brand interactions from previous travel segments. This data can be linked to the user account of passenger 180-d. In some cases, the communication session delivery system 125-d can identify from data storage device 220-a how a particular type of passenger interacted with a specific reward offer. The communication session delivery system 125-d can use interaction history data and associated passenger profile information to inform passengers which reward offers from brand partner 305 to select and present.

[0058] Figure 5 An example of a processing flow 500 supporting technologies for providing in-flight communication sessions according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. The processing flow may include a communication session delivery system 125-e, a brand partner 505, and a mobile device 175-e operated by a passenger 180-e. The communication session delivery system 125-e may be... Figure 1 Communication session delivery system 125 or Figure 2 An example of a communication session delivery system 125-c. Brand partner 505 can be... Figure 2 Brand partners 205 or Figure 3 Example of brand partner 305. Mobile device 175-e and passenger 180-e can be respectively Figure 1 Mobile devices 175 and passengers 180 and Figure 2 Examples of mobile devices 175-c and passengers 180-c.

[0059] Processing flow 500 may include Figure 3 The features following processing flow 300, however, processing flow 500 can be applied to subsequent travel segments other than those in processing flow 300. For example, at 505, communication session delivery system 125-e can obtain an indication of a completed brand interaction. The indication of a completed brand interaction may have occurred on one or more previous travel segments prior to 505. Communication session delivery system 125-e can obtain the indication of a completed brand interaction directly from one or more brand partners 505, one or more passengers 180, or from a stored list of completed brand interactions from data storage device 220-b.

[0060] At 510, the communication session delivery system 125-e can receive reward offers from brand partner 505 for final presentation to passenger 180-e, for example, on mobile device 175-e. Each reward offer can be linked to one or more target features to which brand partner 505 may wish to aggregate its reward offers.

[0061] At 515, the communication session delivery system 125-e can evaluate the profile information of a travel segment and select a reward pool for that travel segment. For example, the communication session delivery system 125-e can evaluate passenger profile information and characteristics of the travel segment to select a subset of reward offers received from brand partners, including brand partner 505, to generate a reward pool for the travel segment. The communication session delivery system 125-e can receive profile information of one or more passengers and / or travel segments from data storage device 220-b or from a travel provider (not shown).

[0062] At point 520, the communication session delivery system 125-e can select a subset of the reward offer pool, where the subset can be one or more reward offers from the pool. Here, the communication session delivery system 125-e can select a subset of reward offers suitable for passenger 180-e for the travel segment associated with processing flow 500. The communication session delivery system 125-e can select the subset of reward offers based on passenger 180-e's profile information and / or characteristics of the upcoming travel segment. Additionally, the communication session delivery system 125-e can select the subset of reward offers based on indications of completed brand interactions obtained at point 505. In other words, the communication session delivery system 125-e can utilize indications of completed brand interactions to determine which reward offers have been successful in the past and, at point 520, notify of the selection of a subset of reward offers, as well as all future selections of reward offers.

[0063] At point 525, the communication session delivery system 125-e can transmit a subset of reward offers to device 175-e belonging to passenger 180-e. The passenger can then select a reward offer, complete the brand interaction, and redeem the reward for the selected reward offer as described above.

[0064] Figure 6 An example of a processing flow 600 supporting technologies for providing in-flight communication sessions according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. The processing flow may include a communication session delivery system 125-f, a brand partner 605, and a mobile device 175-f operated by a passenger 180-f. The communication session delivery system 125-f may be… Figure 1 Communication session delivery system 125 or Figure 2 An example of a communication session delivery system 125-c. Brand partner 605 can be... Figure 2 Example of brand partner 205. Mobile device 175-f and passenger 180-f can be respectively Figure 1 Mobile devices 175 and passengers 180 and Figure 2 Examples of mobile devices 175-c and passengers 180-c.

[0065] At 610, the communication session delivery system 125-f can receive reward offers from brand partner 605 for final presentation to passenger 180-f, for example, on mobile device 175-f. Each reward offer may be linked to one or more target features to which brand partner 605 may wish to centralize its reward offers. Each reward offer may include a reward corresponding to a media content item (e.g., IFE) that passengers can consume on the travel segment. For example, a reward offer may be a specific amount of time spent watching a media content item or playing a game, or it may be access to a specific media content item (e.g., a specific game or content item). The media content item may be hosted on the communication session delivery system 125-f on the aircraft or other transport vessel.

[0066] At 615, the communication session delivery system 125-f can evaluate the profile information of a travel segment and select a reward pool for that travel segment. For example, the communication session delivery system 125-f can evaluate passenger profile information and characteristics of the travel segment to select a subset of reward offers received from brand partners, including brand partner 605, to generate a reward pool for the travel segment. The communication session delivery system 125-f can receive profile information of one or more passengers and / or travel segments from data storage device 220-c or from a travel provider (not shown).

[0067] At 620, the communication session delivery system 125-f can select a subset of the reward offer pool, wherein the subset can be one or more reward offers from the reward offer pool. The communication session delivery system 125-f can select a subset of reward offers suitable for a passenger (e.g., passenger 180-f) or a group of passengers for an upcoming travel segment. The communication session delivery system 125-f can select the subset of reward offers based on passenger 180-f's profile information and / or the characteristics of the upcoming travel segment.

[0068] At point 625, the communication session delivery system 125-f can transmit a subset of reward offers to device 175-f belonging to passenger 180-f. Passenger 180-f can view the selected subset of reward offers before or during the travel segment via portal 235-c hosted by communication session delivery system 125-f or via an application (not shown) on mobile device 175-f. Passenger 180-f can select one or more reward offers from the reward offer selection and can then proceed to complete the brand interaction associated with the selected reward offer.

[0069] At point 630-a, passenger 180-f can select one or more reward offers from a subset of reward offers and then proceed with the brand interaction associated with the selected reward offer. For example, passenger 180-f can select reward offers that include rewards from a subset of reward offers. Passenger 180-f can then proceed with the brand interaction associated with the selected reward offer.

[0070] At 630-b, the communication session delivery system 125-f can receive indications of completion of one or more brand interactions associated with a selected reward offer. For example, passenger 180-f can complete a brand interaction directly with brand partner 605, and upon completion of the brand interaction, brand partner 605 can instruct the communication session delivery system 125-f to provide passenger 180-f with the corresponding media content item. In another example, at 330-b, when passenger 180-f selects a reward offer, mobile device 175-f can transmit an indication of the selected reward offer to the communication session delivery system 125-f. The communication session delivery system 125-f can then forward the session information associated with the passenger's selected reward offer to brand partner 605. Brand partner 605 can monitor various brand interactions and then verify when the brand interaction associated with the session information occurred. Upon verification, brand partner 605 can indicate to the communication session delivery system 125-f that the brand interaction associated with the session information has occurred.

[0071] At point 635, the communication session delivery system 125-f can establish access for passenger 180-f to associated rewards linked to reward offers selected by the passenger. For example, the communication session delivery system 125-f can establish access to media content items that can be streamed from a network access device (e.g., multi-user access terminal 170) to mobile device 175-f via a wireless communication link. Passenger 180-f can access the media content items at any time during the travel segment. Media content items may include visual media (e.g., movies, television programs, etc.), audio media (e.g., music, podcasts, etc.), games, etc.

[0072] At 640, the communication session delivery system 125-f can store passenger interaction history data and completed brand interactions in data storage device 220-c. In one example, the communication session delivery system 125-f can select to present certain reward offers from multiple reward offers for subsequent travel segments based on stored verified completion notifications from previous travel segments. This data can be linked to the user account of passenger 180-f. In some cases, the communication session delivery system 125-f can identify from data storage device 220-c how a particular type of passenger interacted with a specific reward offer. The communication session delivery system 125-f can use interaction history data and associated passenger profile information to inform passengers which reward offers from brand partner 605 are selected and presented.

[0073] It should be understood that combinations are possible. Figures 3 to 6 The various steps and communications. For example, a reward pool 415 or a subset 420 of reward offers may include two reward offers associated with access to a communication session or media content item.

[0074] Figure 7 A graphical representation of a session interface 700 supporting technologies for providing in-flight communication sessions according to various aspects of this disclosure is shown. In some examples, the mobile device 700 may be... Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 Example of mobile device 175.

[0075] The session interface 700 may display a portal (e.g., the portal may be part of an application on a mobile device, or a portal hosted on a different device), which can then interact with the communication session delivery system 125. Passenger 180 may create a user account accessible to the communication session delivery system 125. In some examples, passenger 180 may use the user account to track one or more rewards earned by completing relevant brand interactions, purchases, referrals, etc. In some cases, the communication session delivery system 125 may aggregate one or more rewards associated with passenger 180's user account and determine passenger 180's aggregated rewards. In some examples, aggregated rewards may include unused and / or unredeemed rewards by passenger 180. In other examples, the communication session delivery system 125 may track portions of rewards that passenger 180 has already used and / or redeemed. In some examples, the user account may be used to apply rewards across travel segments or across different airlines or other transportation providers. Therefore, rewards can be earned and applied to the user account, and the communication session delivery system 125 can access the rewards to redeem them on any travel segment in which passenger 180 is located. For example, various aspects of the onboard communication session delivery system 125 can access user accounts and redeem rewards for onboard communication sessions, track the portion used on the flight segments, and leave any unused portions for future flight segments.

[0076] The interactive interface 700 can display visualizations that passenger 180 can interact with to access various communication sessions and media experiences. For example, indicator 705 can display the time already traveled during travel segment 710, the remaining time 715 of established communication sessions (e.g., the remaining time of rewards earned through selected reward offers), and the remaining time of travel segment 720. In some examples, the remaining time of established communication session 715 can be an unused portion of aggregate rewards associated with passenger 180's user account. Indicator 718 can also display the remaining time of established communication sessions (e.g., an unused portion of aggregate rewards associated with passenger 180's user account) in text. Indicator 705 can be easily conveyed to passenger 180 if their communication session will end before the end of the travel segment.

[0077] Indicator 722 can display a metric related to a scarcity factor. For example, indicator 722 can display the number of reward offers in the reward offer pool for a travel segment. The number of reward offers may have an applied scarcity factor. In this example, the communication session delivery system 125 has determined that only 20 reward offers remain for all passengers on the moving vessel for the travel segment. Indicators 725-a, 725-b, and 725-c can display a variety of reward offers that passenger 180 can choose from. The reward offers displayed in indicator 725 may have been selected from the reward offer pool by the communication session delivery system 125 based on the passenger's profile information. Passenger 180 can select one of the indicators 725 and perform a brand interaction associated with the displayed reward offer to accumulate additional rewards over the duration of the travel segment. The session interface 700 may also include an update reward control 730, which allows passenger 180 to exchange or update the displayed offers. Selecting the update reward control 730 can replace the reward offers displayed in indicator 725 with a new subset of the reward offer pool for the travel segment.

[0078] Figure 8 A block diagram 800 shows an apparatus 805 supporting technologies for providing in-flight communication sessions according to various aspects of this disclosure. In some examples, apparatus 805 may be... Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 An example of a communication session delivery system 125. Device 805 may include an input module 810, a communication interface 815, a brand interaction controller 820, an information controller 825, a reward / offer evaluator 830, and an output module 835. Device 805 may also include a processor. Components may communicate via one or more buses.

[0079] At least some of the sub-components of device 805 and / or its various sub-components may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functionality of at least some of the sub-components of device 805 and / or its various sub-components may be provided by a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in this disclosure. At least some of the sub-components of device 805 and / or its various sub-components may be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that some functions are implemented by one or more physical devices in different physical locations. In some examples, according to various aspects of this disclosure, at least some of the sub-components of device 805 and / or its various sub-components may be separate and distinct components. In other examples, at least some of the sub-components of device 805 and / or its various sub-components may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including but not limited to I / O components, transceivers, network servers, another computing device, one or more other components described in this disclosure, or combinations thereof according to various aspects of this disclosure.

[0080] Input module 810 can manage input signals for device 805. For example, input module 810 can identify input signals associated with user input or processing at other components or devices. In some cases, input module 810 can utilize technologies such as iOS. ® ANDROID ® MS-DOS ® MS-WINDOWS ® OS / 2 ® UNIX ® LINUX ® The input module 810 can process the input signals using its own operating system or another known operating system. The input module 810 can send various aspects of these input signals to other components of the device 805 for processing. In some cases, the input module 810 may be as described in the reference... Figure 9 The component of the described input / output (I / O) controller 915.

[0081] Communication interface 815 can serve as an interface between various modules of device 805 (e.g., brand interaction controller 820, information controller 825, and reward offer evaluator 830) and input module 810 and output module 835. Communication interface 815 can offer passengers a subset of multiple reward offers and establish a communication session for communication devices via a wireless communication link, at least in part based on the completion of the corresponding brand interaction for the selected reward offer. In some examples, communication interface 815 can present a metric associated with a scarcity factor along with the subset of multiple reward offers to the passenger. This metric could be the number of reward offers or the total number of minutes available for a travel segment, generated by a scarcity factor applied to the reward offer pool for that travel segment. In some cases, communication interface 815 can receive a unique identifier associated with the passenger. In another example, communication interface 815 can present the passenger with a redemption code associated with access to a communication session, at least in part based on receiving an instruction to complete the corresponding brand interaction, and receive the redemption code at the network access unit.

[0082] Communication interface 815 can present passengers with a comparison of the unused portion of the trip duration with the length of the travel segment. In some examples, communication interface 815 can present one or more metrics to the corresponding brand partners associated with one or more reward offers among multiple reward offers. In other examples, communication interface 815 can receive requests from passengers to modify a subset of multiple reward offers. Additionally, communication interface 815 can receive selections of reward offers from a subset provided by the passenger.

[0083] The brand interaction controller 820 can receive instructions from passengers to complete a corresponding brand interaction for a selected reward offer within a subset of multiple reward offers. In some examples, the brand interaction controller 820 can determine that a passenger has completed a corresponding brand interaction for a previously selected reward offer. In some cases, the brand interaction controller 820 can identify one or more past brand interactions associated with a unique identifier. In another example, the communication interface 815 can identify one or more verified brand interactions associated with a unique identifier, and aggregate the corresponding reward value for each of the verified brand interactions associated with the unique identifier. Verified brand interactions can be brand interactions performed by passengers in a travel segment confirmed by the brand interaction controller 820. In some cases, the brand interaction controller 820 can receive a second instruction for a reward associated with the selected reward offer.

[0084] Information controller 825 can identify profile information for multiple passengers scheduled for a travel segment of a transport vessel. In some examples, information controller 825 can identify one or more metrics associated with previous interactions with one or more reward offers among multiple reward offers. In some cases, information controller 825 can identify the identifier of the communication device associated with the verification completion of an interaction with a corresponding brand. In another example, information controller 825 can determine the interaction history data associated with multiple received reward offers. Additionally, the information controller can provide a unique identifier associated with each passenger.

[0085] The rewards offer evaluator 830 can receive multiple rewards offers and select a subset of multiple rewards offers for passengers from multiple passengers. In some examples, the rewards offer evaluator 830 can determine the number of reward offer groups based at least in part on a predetermined quantity. In some cases, the rewards offer evaluator 830 can exclude rewards offers from multiple rewards offers associated with completed corresponding brand interactions of previously selected rewards offers. In other examples, the rewards offer evaluator 830 can determine the corresponding category of the previously selected rewards offer. Additionally, the rewards offer evaluator 830 can determine the corresponding category of the previously selected rewards offer. In some examples, the rewards offer evaluator 830 can determine an aggregated reward that includes one or more rewards associated with a passenger's user account. In other examples, the rewards offer evaluator 830 can determine the unused portion of the determined aggregated reward.

[0086] The incentive offer evaluator 830 can receive one or more corresponding bids associated with multiple incentive offers. In some examples, the incentive offer evaluator 830 can offer passengers a modified subset of multiple incentive offers.

[0087] Output module 835 can manage output signals for device 805. For example, output module 835 can receive signals from other components of device 805 and can transmit these signals to other components or devices. In some specific examples, output module 835 can transmit output signals for display in a user interface, for storage in a database or data repository, for further processing at a server or server cluster, or for any other processing at any number of devices or systems. In some cases, output module 835 may be as described in the reference... Figure 9 The components of the described I / O controller 915.

[0088] Figure 9A diagram is shown of a system 900 including a device 905 supporting technology for providing in-flight communication sessions according to various aspects of this disclosure. Device 905 may be an example of a communication session delivery system or apparatus 805 as described herein, or may include components thereof. Device 905 may include components for bidirectional data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a communication session delivery system 910, an I / O controller 915, a database controller 920, a memory 925, a processor 930, and a database 935. These components may communicate electronically via one or more buses (e.g., bus 940).

[0089] The communication session delivery system 910 may be an example of the communication session delivery system 125 as described herein. In some cases, the communication session delivery system 910 may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof.

[0090] I / O controller 915 can manage the input signals 945 and output signals 950 of device 905. I / O controller 915 can also manage peripheral devices not integrated into device 905. In some cases, I / O controller 915 can represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, I / O controller 915 can utilize operating systems such as iOS. ® ANDROID ® MS-DOS ® MS-WINDOWS ® OS / 2 ® UNIX ® LINUX ® Or other known operating systems. In other cases, the I / O controller 915 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, or similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 915 may be implemented as part of a processor. In some cases, a user may interact with the device 905 via the I / O controller 915 or via hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 915.

[0091] Database controller 920 manages data storage and processing within database 935. In some cases, users can interact with database controller 920. In other cases, database controller 920 can operate automatically without user interaction. Database 935 can be an example of a single database, a distributed database, multiple distributed databases, a data repository, a data lake, or an emergency backup database.

[0092] Memory 925 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). Memory 925 may store computer-readable, computer-executable software, including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform the various functions described herein. In some cases, memory 925 may in particular include a basic input / output system (BIOS) that controls basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0093] Processor 930 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors, DSPs, central processing units (CPUs), microcontrollers, ASICs, FPGAs, programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic units, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 930 may be configured to use a memory controller to operate a memory array. In other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into processor 930. Processor 930 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory 925 to perform various functions.

[0094] Figure 10 A flowchart is shown of a method 1000 for providing in-flight communication sessions, supporting various aspects of this disclosure. Operation of method 1000 can be implemented by the communication session delivery system or components thereof described herein. For example, operation of method 1000 can be achieved by referring to... Figures 1 to 9 The described communication session delivery system is used to perform these functions. In some examples, the communication session delivery system may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the communication session delivery system to perform the functions described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the communication session delivery system may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the functions described herein.

[0095] At point 1005, the communication session delivery system can receive multiple reward offers for eventual presentation to one or more passengers in a travel segment. Each of the multiple reward offers can be linked to one or more target features to which a brand partner may wish to aggregate its reward offers. The communication session delivery system can receive reward offers from a brand partner or from another entity. The operation of point 1005 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1005 can be derived from references... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The described reward and incentive evaluator is used to perform this.

[0096] At 1010, the communication session delivery system can identify profile information for one or more passengers and / or travel segments. The travel provider can provide the profile information to the communication session delivery system, or the communication session delivery system can retrieve the information from a data storage device. The profile information may include any information that the travel provider may have regarding the characteristics of passengers and the travel segments booked by passengers. The operation of 1010 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1010 may be provided by reference to [reference needed]. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The described information controller is used to execute this.

[0097] At point 1015, the communication session delivery system can select a subset of multiple reward offers to present to passengers in the travel segment. The communication session delivery system can select a subset of reward offers suitable for passengers in the travel segment. The communication session delivery system can select the subset of reward offers based on specific passenger profile information and / or characteristics of a specific travel segment. The operation of point 1015 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1015 can be derived from references... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The described reward and incentive evaluator is used to perform this.

[0098] At point 1020, the communication session delivery system can offer passengers a selected subset of multiple reward offers. Passengers can view the selected reward offers via a portal on their mobile devices before or during their trip. Passengers can select one or more reward offers from the selection and then proceed to complete the brand interaction associated with the selected reward offer. The operation of point 1020 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1020 can be derived from references... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The described communication interface is used for execution.

[0099] At point 1025, the communication session delivery system can determine that a passenger has completed a brand interaction associated with a reward offer. The passenger can complete a brand interaction that involves direct communication with a brand partner, and upon completion of the brand interaction, the brand partner can instruct the communication session delivery system to provide the passenger with access to a communication session. In another example, when a passenger selects a reward offer, the passenger's mobile device can transmit an indication of the selected reward offer to the communication session delivery system. The communication session delivery system can then forward the session information associated with the passenger's selected reward offer to the brand partner. The brand partner can monitor various brand interactions and then verify when the brand interaction associated with the session information has occurred. Upon verification, the brand partner can instruct the communication session delivery system that the brand interaction associated with the session information has occurred. The operation of point 1025 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1025 can be referenced from... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The described brand interaction controller is used to execute this.

[0100] At point 1030, upon verification of a passenger's completion of a brand interaction, the communication session delivery system can establish a communication session between the passenger on the moving vessel and the network access unit during the passenger's travel segment. The communication session will have a session type and last for a specified duration as described in the selected reward offer. In some examples, the passenger may have an account to which several completed brand interactions can be linked, and the communication session delivery system can aggregate the corresponding reward value for each verified brand interaction available to the passenger during the travel segment. The operation of point 1030 can be performed according to the methods described herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of point 1030 can be referenced... Figure 8 and Figure 9 The described communication interface is used for execution.

[0101] It should be noted that the methods described herein are possible implementations, and the operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified, and other implementations are possible. Furthermore, aspects of two or more methods may be combined.

[0102] The information and signals described herein can be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and skills. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout this specification can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, light fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0103] The various exemplary blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein can be implemented or performed by a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a combination of multiple microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors coupled with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0104] The functions described herein can be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, these functions can be stored on or transmitted via a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions can also be physically located in various locations, including distributed implementations, such that functional parts are implemented at different physical locations.

[0105] As used herein, including in the claims, the word "or" used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefixed with phrases such as "at least one of..." or "one or more of...") indicates an inclusive list, such that a list like "at least one of A, B, or C" means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Furthermore, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "at least partially based on". Additionally, as used herein, including in the claims, "subset" refers to one or more items in a set of items. For example, a subset may be an item in a set up to and including every item in the set.

[0106] In the accompanying drawings, similar parts or features may have the same reference labels. Furthermore, various parts of the same type can be distinguished by adding a ligature and a second label after the reference label, which distinguishes similar parts. If only the first reference label is used in this specification, this description applies to any of the similar parts having the same first reference label, regardless of the second reference label or other subsequent reference labels.

[0107] This specification, illustrated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, describes exemplary configurations and does not represent all achievable examples or all examples within the scope of the claims. The term "exemplary" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration," and not "preferred" or "superior to other examples." Detailed descriptions include specific details to provide an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0108] The description herein is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make or use this disclosure. Various modifications to this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for providing a communication session within a transport vessel (130) served via wireless communication links (155, 160), the method comprising: Receive multiple reward offers (405), the multiple reward offers (405) including corresponding brand interactions (430) and corresponding rewards (435) related to the communication session, the multiple reward offers (405) being associated with target features; Profile information of multiple passengers (180) identified as being arranged for a travel segment of the transport vessel (130), the profile information including one or more corresponding user characteristics of the multiple passengers (180); A subset (420) of the plurality of reward offers is selected for each passenger (180) from the plurality of passengers (180), the selection being based at least in part on the passenger's (180) identified profile information and the target features associated with the plurality of reward offers (405); Provide the passenger (180) with the subset (420) of the plurality of reward offers; Receive instructions from the passenger (180) to complete the selected reward offer (425) from the subset (420) of the plurality of reward offers; and Based at least in part on the completion of the corresponding brand interaction (430) of the selected reward offer (425), a communication session is established via the wireless communication link (155, 160) through the multi-user access terminal (170) on the transport vessel (130) for the communication device associated with the passenger (180), wherein the characteristics of the communication session are based at least in part on the corresponding reward (435) of the selected reward offer (425).

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Select one set of reward offers (415) from the plurality of reward offers (405) to present to the plurality of passengers (180), wherein the corresponding reward (435) associated with the set of reward offers (415) includes a scarcity factor.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the scarcity factor includes a predetermined number of rewards (435) on the travel segment, a predetermined amount of time corresponding to the corresponding reward (435), or a combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the predetermined number of rewards (435) on the travel segment is relative to the number of the plurality of passengers (180).

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the predetermined amount of time corresponding to the corresponding reward (435) is relative to the duration of the travel segment and the number of the plurality of passengers (180).

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising: The metric (722) associated with the scarcity factor is presented to the passenger (180) along with the subset (420) of the plurality of reward offers.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising: The number of the set of reward offers (415) is determined at least in part based on a predetermined number, the number of the plurality of passengers (180), the duration of the travel segment, or the maximum number of the plurality of passengers (180) in the travel segment.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: Receive an instruction from one or more of the plurality of passengers (180) of the travel segment to complete a corresponding brand interaction (430) associated with one or more of the plurality of reward offers (405); Receive a second plurality of reward offers, the second plurality of reward offers including corresponding brand interactions and corresponding rewards related to the communication session, the second plurality of reward offers being associated with the target feature; The second profile information of the second plurality of passengers (180) arranged for the second travel segment of the second transport vessel (130), the second profile information including one or more corresponding second user characteristics of the second plurality of passengers (180); and Based at least in part on the received indication of completion of the brand interaction associated with one or more of the plurality of reward offers (405), a second subset of the plurality of reward offers is selected for a second passenger (180) from the second plurality of passengers (180).

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: Determine the corresponding brand interaction completed by the passenger (180) for the previously selected reward offer (425). The subset (420) of the plurality of reward offers selected for the passenger (180) is at least in part based on the corresponding brand interaction completed for the previously selected reward offer (425).

10. The method of claim 9, wherein selecting the subset (420) of the plurality of reward offers for the passenger (180) comprises: Exclude reward offers (410) from among the plurality of reward offers (405) associated with the corresponding brand interaction (430) completed with the previously selected reward offer (425).

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