Method and apparatus for automatic collection and loading of configuration data into equipment by installers using wireless technology
First Claim
1. A method of bringing a satellite terminal into service, comprising the steps of:
- downloading installation information from a network service provider providing data relating to the service to a portable processing device;
automatically receiving identification codes for an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of said satellite terminal via said portable processing device;
obtaining location information relating to said satellite terminal;
programming said indoor unit with said location information and said installation information;
uploading configuration data from said indoor unit into said portable processing device; and
pointing a dish on said outdoor unit to a satellite providing said service while viewing pointing information using said portable processing device, said pointing information being provided to said portable processing device by said outdoor unit.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus allowing an installer to configure and commission a large number of satellite terminals in the field without requiring the installer to either handle papers or to manually enter alphanumeric data into a computer, thus reducing the chances of human error. The installer uses a portable processing device capable of wireless communication to download work orders from a network service provider, obtain identification codes from satellite terminal components, obtain geographic location (e.g., via GPS), load work order and location to satellite terminal, upload configuration data from the satellite terminal, point a dish to optimally receive signals while viewing pointing information generated by the portable processing device, commission the satellite terminal within the satellite communication network, and upload completed work orders and commissioning data from the satellite terminal to the network service provider.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method of bringing a satellite terminal into service, comprising the steps of:
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downloading installation information from a network service provider providing data relating to the service to a portable processing device;
automatically receiving identification codes for an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of said satellite terminal via said portable processing device;
obtaining location information relating to said satellite terminal;
programming said indoor unit with said location information and said installation information;
uploading configuration data from said indoor unit into said portable processing device; and
pointing a dish on said outdoor unit to a satellite providing said service while viewing pointing information using said portable processing device, said pointing information being provided to said portable processing device by said outdoor unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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15. A method of bringing a satellite terminal into service, comprising the steps of:
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downloading commissioning information from a network service provider to portable processing device;
automatically receiving identification codes for an indoor unit and an outdoor unit of said satellite terminal via said portable processing device;
obtaining commissioning data by said portable processing device from said indoor unit; and
uploading said commissioning data from said portable processing device into said network service provider.
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27. An apparatus for bringing into service a satellite terminal, comprising:
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a processing device configured for sending and receiving information to and from electronic equipment;
a location information device configured to determine the approximate position of said processing device; and
a wireless communication interface for communicating with a remote network service provider, said network service provider being operable to provide installation information to said processing device for bringing said satellite terminal into service, wherein said satellite terminal comprises an indoor unit and an outdoor unit, said indoor unit and said outdoor unit comprising at least one type of information code selected from the group consisting of optically coded identification tags, and radio frequency identification tags, wherein said processing device is configured for wireless communication, said processing device being capable of obtaining said information codes from said indoor unit and said outdoor unit via said wireless communication.
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Specification