Satellite-capable mobile terminals

• US 20050153732A1
• Filed: 01/13/2004
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Sullivan, Daniel Paul, Stotelmyer, Scott
• Application Number:
  US10/755,943
• Publication Number:
  US 20050153732A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/552.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A satellite-capable mobile terminal that communicates both with terrestrial networks and a satellite network using an integrated antenna.

Claims

1. A terminal, comprising:

a processor for controlling the terminal'"'"'s operations;

one or more input/output components coupled to the processor for inputting and outputting data as directed by the processor;

a plurality of transmit/receive components coupled to the processor for communicating with a plurality of communications networks as directed by the processor, wherein the transmit/receive components include a terrestrial transceiver for communicating with terrestrial networks and a satellite transceiver for communicating with a satellite network; and

an integrated antenna coupled to the transmit/receive components for communicating with the communications networks.

2. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the transmit/receive components include a satellite radio receiver for receiving satellite radio broadcasts.

3. The terminal of claim 2, wherein an automatic switchover to the satellite radio broadcasts occurs when the terrestrial and satellite transceivers are not in use.

4. The terminal of claim 2, wherein the satellite radio broadcasts are used for “

music-on-hold”

when a caller is placed on hold.

5. The terminal of claim 2, wherein the satellite radio broadcasts provide background audio when speakers of the terminal are not otherwise in use.

6. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the terminal searches for a satellite connection when no terrestrial connection can be found.

7. The terminal of claim 1, wherein handoffs occur between a terrestrial and a satellite network.

8. The terminal of claim 1, wherein handoffs occur between satellite beams in a satellite network.

9. The terminal of claim 1, wherein handoffs occur between satellites in a satellite network.

10. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the transmit/receive components include a wireless local area network (WLAN)/personal area network (PAN) transceiver for communicating with other WLAN/PAN devices.

11. The terminal of claim 10, wherein the mobile terminal functions as a node in an ad hoc network of other wireless terminals allowing communication among the terminals.

12. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises a handheld terminal.

13. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises a vehicular terminal.

14. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises a transportable terminal.

15. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises a fixed terminal.

16. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises a maritime terminal.

17. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises an aeronautical terminal.

18. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises a professional mobile radio terminal.

19. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the processor and transmit/receive components comprise a single standardized satellite-capable mobile chipset.

20. The terminal of claim 1, wherein the terminal provides a capability to manually switch between satellite and terrestrial networks.

21. In a wireless communications system comprising a plurality of communications networks, a method of operating a terminal, comprising:

(a) receiving signals from the communications networks at the terminal, wherein the terminal is comprised of a processor for controlling the terminal'"'"'s operations, one or more input/output components coupled to the processor for inputting and outputting data as directed by the processor, a plurality of transmit/receive components coupled to the processor for communicating with a plurality of communications networks as directed by the processor, wherein the transmit/receive components include a terrestrial transceiver for communicating with a terrestrial network, and a satellite transceiver for communicating with a satellite network, and an integrated antenna coupled to the transmit/receive components for communicating with the communications networks.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the transmit/receive components include a satellite radio receiver for receiving satellite radio broadcasts.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein an automatic switchover to the satellite radio broadcasts occurs when the terrestrial and satellite transceivers are not in use.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the satellite radio broadcasts are used for “

music-on-hold”

when a caller is placed on hold.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the satellite radio broadcasts provide background audio when speakers of the terminal are not otherwise in use.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the terminal searches for a satellite connection when no terrestrial connection can be found.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein handoffs occur between a terrestrial and a satellite network.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein handoffs occur between satellite beams in a satellite network.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein handoffs occur between satellites in a satellite network.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein the transmit/receive components include a wireless local area network (WLAN)/personal area network (PAN) transceiver for communicating with other WLAN/PAN devices.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the mobile terminal functions as a node in an ad hoc network of other wireless terminals allowing communication among the terminals.

32. The method of claim 21, wherein the terminal comprises a handheld terminal.

33. The method of claim 21, wherein the terminal comprises a vehicular terminal.

34. The method of claim 21, wherein the terminal comprises a transportable terminal.

35. The method of claim 21, wherein the terminal comprises a fixed terminal.

36. The method of claim 21, wherein the terminal comprises a maritime terminal.

37. The method of claim 21, wherein the terminal comprises an aeronautical terminal.

38. The method of claim 21, wherein the terminal comprises a professional mobile radio terminal.

39. The method of claim 21, wherein the processor and transmit/receive components comprise a single standardized satellite-capable mobile chipset.

40. The method of claim 21, wherein the terminal provides a capability to manually switch between satellite and terrestrial networks.