Gate-based optical data transmission
A system and method for updating and maintaining an onboard entertainment server on an aircraft includes a gate LiFi access point positioned in a gate area of an airport, the gate LiFi access point having a removable server. An aircraft LiFi receiver is positioned in the aircraft, the aircraft LiFi receiver and the removable server capable of line-of-sight transmission of updated data and a content loader receives the updated data in the onboard entertainment server.
1. A system for updating and maintaining an onboard entertainment server on an aircraft, the system comprising:
a gate LiFi access point positioned in a gate area of an airport, the gate LiFi access point having a removable server, wherein the gate LiFi access point is integrated with a ticket reader configured to scan and confirm passengers at a terminal gate;
an aircraft LiFi receiver positioned in the aircraft, the aircraft LiFi receiver and the removable server capable of line-of-sight transmission of updated data when the removable server is removed from the gate LiFi access point; and
a content loader to receive the updated data in the onboard entertainment server.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the gate LiFi access point includes an optical transmitter comprising one or more light emitting diodes.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the updated data includes data selected by a passenger on the aircraft.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the data is selected by the passenger within an airline application.
5. A method for updating and maintaining an onboard entertainment server on an aircraft, the method comprising:
positioning a gate LiFi access point in a gate area of an airport, the gate LiFi access point having a removable server;
scanning a passenger ticket using the gate LiFi access point;
updating data in the removable server;
removing the removable server from the gate LiFi access point;
positioning the removable server within a line-of-sight of an aircraft LiFi receiver positioned in the aircraft to transmit updated data; and
updating the onboard entertainment server of the aircraft with the updated data.
6. The method of claim 5 further comprising permitting a passenger to select at least a portion of the updated data.
7. The method of claim 5 further comprising positioning a content loader between the aircraft LiFi receiver and the onboard entertainment server.
8. The method of claim 5 further comprising:
sending the updated data directly to a seat of the passenger that input at least the portion of the updated data.