Patent ID: 7519014
Filing Date: 2009-04-14
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A method for handling aircraft communications, comprising: providing a plurality of broadcast networks configured to send and receive data according to a plurality of protocols; providing a ground-based computer configured to communicate over the plurality of broadcast networks; providing at least one onboard transmission device configured to communicate over the plurality of broadcast networks and an onboard computer hosting a plurality of applications and a communications module in data communication with the plurality of applications; generating a message by an application; transferring the message to the communications module; evaluating a preference to determine a preferred network of the plurality of transmission networks; storing the message in one of a plurality of queues each corresponding to one of the broadcast networks; monitoring the availability of the broadcast networks; re-evaluating the preferences of the message according to changes in availability of the broadcast networks to determine a current preferred network corresponding to a highest in preference of the plurality of broadcast networks in the preference lists corresponding to the message; and moving the message to the queue of the plurality of queues corresponding to the current preferred network of the message; preparing the message for transmittal according to the protocol of the preferred network; and transmitting the message over the preferred network.