In-flight e-mail system
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorsStephen E. Mead, David C. Hosford
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for sending and receiving e-mail from a terminal on a vehicle are provided. According to one embodiment, a passenger in a vehicle, such as an airplane, has access to a terminal and can send and receive e-mail messages between the terminal and a first server located on the vehicle. The first server wirelessly communicates e-mail messages with a second server external to the vehicle. The second server is configured to send and receive e-mail messages between the second server and a data network.
Claims66
An e-mail system for use by a passenger in a vehicle, said passenger having access to a terminal, the e-mail system comprising:
- a first server located on said vehicle, wherein said first server is configured to transport e-mail between said first server and said terminal;
- a second server external to said vehicle, wherein said second server is configured to transport e-mail between said second server and a data network;
- and
- a communications system configured to wirelessly transfer e-mail between said first server and said second server.
A method of transporting e-mail messages between a data network and a terminal on a vehicle, the method comprising, the steps of:
- transporting a message between a terminal on said vehicle and a first server on said vehicle;
- establishing a data connection between said first server and a second server, wherein said second server is located external to said vehicle;
- transporting e-mail between said first server and said second server via a wireless connection;
- transporting e-mail between said second server and a data network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.