Pickup and delivery of data files

• US 20040092251A1
• Filed: 10/24/2003
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: PanAmSat Corporation (Reorganized ISA SA)
• Original Assignee: PanAmSat Corporation (Reorganized ISA SA)
• Inventors: Yang, Jie, McClure, John Joseph, Tabor, Walter Randall, Fell, Gail Hegarty, Bullock, David Lynn
• Application Number:
  US10/692,920
• Publication Number:
  US 20040092251A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/412.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/11 wherein the cooperating elements are pseudolites or satellite radio beacon positioning system signal repeaters
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/256 relating to timing, e.g. time of week, code phase, timing offset
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/258 relating to the satellite constellation, e.g. almanac, ephemeris data, lists of satellites in view
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/37 Hardware or software details of the signal processing chain
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/46 the supplementary measurement being of a radio-wave signal type
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/08 Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA hybrid access H04W74/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/06 Airborne or Satellite Networks space-based or airborne stations H04B7/185
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A data file is regarded as a digital package. A convenient interface is provided for scheduling pickup and delivery of the data file via one or more satellite communication links. The data file may represent various types of information, such as text, images, audio or video. A centralized system receives the scheduling order and arranges for the data file to be automatically picked up from one or more locations and delivered to one or more destinations. The delivery service may include buffering the data file for a predetermined time period to comply with the scheduled delivery time. The centralized system provides a scheduling confirmation notice for the scheduled pickup and delivery, and also provides notice that the data file was actually delivered. The centralized system maintains an activity log useful for status inquiry and billing. In short, the centralized system functions as a “dispatcher” for bits, within an infrastructure for receiving, tracking, delivering and billing based on bits.

Claims

1. A method for file transfer, comprising:

transmitting a file using a satellite communications link in accordance with a scheduling order created by a sender using a screen-based interface specifying pickup and delivery instructions for the file.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising confirming that the file has been transmitted to a provider of the file.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting is simultaneously performed to selected destinations that are part of a predefined group excluding some destinations in a geographic area.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the scheduling order from a user, the scheduling order also specifying at least one location and time for retrieval of the file.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising checking facility availability in response to receiving the scheduling order.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a confirmation notice to the user after checking facility availability.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising converting the format of the file.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the file for a predetermined amount of time.

9. A system for file transfer, comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a file using a satellite communications link in accordance with a scheduling order created by a sender using a screen-based interface specifying pickup and delivery instructions for the file.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising means for confirming that the file has been transmitted to a provider of the file.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the transmitting is simultaneously performed to selected destinations that are part of a predefined group excluding some destinations in a geographic area.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising a processor for receiving the scheduling order from a user, the scheduling order also specifying at least one location and time for retrieval of the file.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is also for checking facility availability in response to receiving the scheduling order.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor is also for sending a delivery notice to a destination for the file before transmitting the file.

15. The system of claim 9, further comprising a processor for converting the format of the file.

16. The system of claim 9, further comprising a data storage for storing the file for a predetermined amount of time.

17. A user interface for scheduling a file transfer, via a satellite communications system comprising:

a terminal for displaying a data screen to a sender, the data screen including two or more of the following fields specifying a file location, size, pickup time, payment type, confirmation type and delivery time, and

means for sending information entered through the data screen to a central system.

18. A method for file reception, comprising:

receiving a file that has been transmitted using a satellite communications link in accordance with a scheduling order created by a sender using a screen-based interface specifying pickup and delivery instructions for the file.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising confirming that the file has been received to a provider of the file.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the file has been transmitted by multicasting.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising confirming availability of delivery according to a scheduling order, and wherein the confirming of availability occurs before the receiving of the file.

22. A system for file reception, comprising:

a receiver for receiving a file that has been transmitted using a satellite communications link in accordance with a scheduling order created by a sender using a screen-based interface specifying pickup and delivery time for the file

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising means for confirming that the file has been received to a provider of the file.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the file has been transmitted by multicasting.

25. The system of claim 22, further comprising means for confirming availability for delivery according to the scheduling order.