Onboard Server Delta Data Updates for Airplane Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication technologies face limitations in providing continuous and reliable mobile communication services during flights due to lack of coverage, insufficient bandwidth, and legal restrictions, which hinder the ubiquitous usage of mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an onboard server installed in an airplane that communicates with ground-based servers via a wireless interface, enabling data exchange and updates to passenger devices, including delta user data and executable application code, to provide current information and services to passengers during flights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an onboard server communicates with ground-based servers via wireless interface during flights, then information currency and service continuity are improved, but bandwidth consumption increases and connection reliability deteriorates due to limited coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential updates (delta updates) from the complete data set and transmits them during flight. The onboard server receives selective data increments rather than full data transmissions, significantly reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining information currency.
Solution Approach 2:
The onboard server is pre-loaded with complete data sets before flights. During flight, it receives only incremental updates rather than full data transmissions. This preliminary loading eliminates the need for continuous large-bandwidth connections while maintaining up-to-date information.
2Quantity of substance
If data exchange is minimized during flights to conserve bandwidth, then bandwidth efficiency improves, but information currency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential changes (deltas) from complete data sets and transmits these minimal updates during flight. This selective extraction maintains information currency while optimizing bandwidth efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the data transmission parameter from complete data sets to incremental delta updates. This parameter change reduces transmission volume while maintaining information currency, achieving both bandwidth efficiency and data freshness.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If continuous wireless connection is maintained during flights, then service continuity improves, but connection reliability deteriorates due to limited coverage and legal restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic updates rather than continuous connection. The onboard server receives data at specific intervals (periodic delta updates) rather than maintaining constant connectivity, ensuring service continuity while adapting to intermittent connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The onboard server is pre-loaded with complete data sets before flights. This preliminary action ensures service continuity during flight without requiring continuous connection, as the server can operate independently using pre-loaded data.
4Loss of information
If complete data sets are transmitted during flights, then information completeness improves, but bandwidth consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential changes (deltas) from complete data sets and transmits these minimal updates during flight. This selective extraction maintains information completeness while optimizing bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the transmission parameter from complete data sets to incremental delta updates. This parameter transformation reduces transmission volume by orders of magnitude while maintaining information completeness through cumulative updates.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, onboard server installed at an airplane and computer program for data communication being installed in an airplane. The onboard server is coupled via a wireless interface to a ground server. The ground server is located remote from the airplane. The onboard server receives executable application code and user data from the ground server prior to take-off of the airplane. The onboard server stores the user data and executes application code. After take-off and before landing of the airplane, the onboard server receives delta user data from the ground server. The delta user data updates the user data received prior to take-off, thereby forming updated user data. After takeoff and before landing of the airplane, the onboard server transmits at least a portion of the updated user data to at least one seat entertainment terminal mounted within the airplane and/or to at least one personal mobile terminal of a user aboard the airplane for presentation of the transmitted updated user data to the user.