Patent ID: 8306528
Filing Date: 2012-11-06
Classification: H04B,H04W

Abstract:
1. A system for providing emergency services communications onboard an aircraft, comprising: an aircraft network, located in said aircraft, for wirelessly exchanging digital communication signals with communication devices of at least one of: the aircraft crew and the occupants of said aircraft; a ground-based Access Network for concurrently exchanging digital communication signals in a bidirectional manner with at least one of: the airline which operates the aircraft, a Public Safety Access Point, and a government agency; air-to-ground network for carrying said communication signals between said aircraft network and said ground-based Access Network to establish communications between said communication devices and at least one of: the airline which operates the aircraft, a Public Safety Access Point, and a government agency; and an emergency services communication system, responsive to origination of an emergency services call comprising the transmission of an Emergency Services access code from said communication device of at least one of the aircraft crew and an occupant of said aircraft, for concurrently interconnecting said communication device of at least one of the aircraft crew and the occupant of said aircraft with at least two of: an aircraft crew member located in said aircraft via said aircraft network, and said Public Safety Access Point, the airline which operates the aircraft, and a government agency via said ground-based Access Network.