Web based satellite system

• US 20030154310A1
• Filed: 02/13/2003
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Satellite-Smart Solutions Limited
• Original Assignee: Satellite-Smart Solutions Limited
• Inventors: David, Zvi
• Application Number:
  US10/365,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20030154310A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/249
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18595 Arrangements for adapting broadband applications to satellite systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A method and system for supporting communication through a satellite and/or satellite-based network with a remote ground transceiver, through a user interface which is available to the end user through the Internet. The present invention preferably provides such an interface as a Web-based interface, through a Web server. According to a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, communication from the remote ground transceivers may optionally include an alarm message and/or other information about the status of the remote ground transceiver and/or associated ground asset.

Claims

1. A system for enabling communication with a remote ground asset by an end user through a satellite, comprising:

(a) a transceiver at the remote ground asset, wherein said transceiver is capable of communication with the satellite;

(b) a gateway for communicating with said transceiver through the satellite;

(c) a management server for providing at least one Web page for said communication; and

(d) an end user device for displaying said at least one Web page to the end user.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a network, wherein said gateway communicates with said management server through said network.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a Web-based interface.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the Web-based interface facilitates internet access.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein said Internet access supports back office services to a plurality of end users.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the plurality of end users comprises at least one of a call center, a fleet manager, a dealer or an individual user, or a combination thereof.

7. The system of claim 4 in which the Web-based interface is implemented with a Web server.

8. The system of claim 4 wherein the Web based interface is implemented according to a Web server.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the Web server is a node on an Internet-based infrastructure.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the Internet-based infrastructure is the World Wide Web.

11. The system of claim 4 further comprising a back office system.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the back office system comprises a back office server and a back office operator terminal.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the back office operator terminal is connected to the back office server through a network connection.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the back office system supports communication between the satellite and the end user.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the back office system comprises an exchange server.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the back office system comprises an SQL server.

17. The system of claim 14 whereby the back office server supports remote server administration.

18. The system of claim 14 whereby the back office server supports monitoring/troubleshooting.

19. The system of claim 14 whereby the back office server supports diagnostic views and reports.

20. The system of claim 1, further comprising a mail server, wherein said management server communicates with said gateway through said mail server.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the satellite is part of a satellite network.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said satellite network is in a low earth orbit.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein said satellite network is in a geosynchronous earth orbit.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the end user is able to send a command to the remote ground asset.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the remote ground asset further comprises at least one diagnostic component for performing a least on at least one function or component of the remote ground asset.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one Web page displays information to be end user about the remote ground asset.

27. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

(e) a GPS (global position system) device connected to the remote ground asset such that a location of the remote ground asset is provided to said gateway.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote ground asset comprises a stationary object.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote ground asset comprises a vehicle.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the vehicle comprises a boat.

31. The system of claim 29 wherein the vehicle comprises an automotive vehicle.

35. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote ground asset further comprises a power source.

36. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote ground asset further comprises a bus.

37. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote ground asset further comprises an interface connector.

38. Thc system of claim 1, wherein the remote ground asset further comprises a satellite modem.

39. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote ground asset further comprises a Canbus system.

40. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote ground asset further comprises an engine.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the remote ground asset further comprises engine diagnostics.

42. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote ground asset further comprises a plurality of sensors.

43. The system of claim 1 further comprising a chart plotter.

44. The system of claim 1 wherein the management server comprises a communications layer.

45. The system of claim 44 wherein the communications layer comprises a plurality of hardware components.

46. The system of claim 45 wherein the hardware components comprise a modem.

47. The system of claim 45, wherein the communications layer comprises a plurality of software components.

48. The system of claim 1 wherein the management server further comprises a database for storing subscriber information.

49. The system of claim 1 wherein the subscriber information comprises identifying information.

50. The system of claim 49 wherein the identifying information comprises a password.

51. The system of claim 1, wherein said management server further comprises Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software.

52. The system of claim 51 wherein the GIS software generates one or more maps.

32. The system of clam 1, wherein the remote ground asset further comprises a plurality of alarm components.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the remote ground asset further comprises an alarm button.

34. The system of claim 32 wherein the alarm controls axe operatively associated with a mechanism for determining the location or the remote ground asset.

53. A method for enabling communication with a remote ground asset by an end user through a satellite, comprising:

receiving information through the satellite from the remote ground asset;

displaying said information to the end user as a Web-based interface;

receiving at least one command from the end user through said Web-based interface; and

transmitting said at least one command to the remote ground asset through the satellite.