System and Method for Downloading Files

Abstract

A passenger entertainment system for use on aircraft and other types of vehicles and methods for manufacturing and using same. The entertainment system comprises a mobile entertainment apparatus that can communicate with a database system having at least one file library. When communicating with the database system, the entertainment apparatus can select and download one or more files from the file libraries. Once the selected files have been downloaded, the entertainment apparatus can present the files regardless of whether communication with the database system is maintained. If the entertainment apparatus is installed in a vehicle, for example, a passenger in the vehicle can download the files during travel to a portable personal entertainment system, which can retain the files even if disconnected from the entertainment apparatus. The passenger thereby can view the files at any time, including after disembarking the vehicle, by removing the personal entertainment system from the vehicle.

1 . A vehicle information system suitable for installation aboard a passenger vehicle, comprising:
 a headend system for communicating with a local content source for providing a first content library associated with a first passenger seat group within the passenger vehicle and a remote content source including a second content library associated with a second passenger seat group within the passenger vehicle;   a first portable media device associated with the first passenger seat group for presenting a first content catalog of first content files available from the first content library and for receiving a selected first content file from the first content library; and   a second portable media device associated with the second passenger seat group for presenting a second content catalog of second content files available from the second content library, said headend system verifying that a content rating of a selected second content file satisfies a predetermined content standard and enabling said second portable media device to receive the verified second content file from the second content library,   wherein the second content library is different from the first content library and is not available to said first portable media device.