Systems and methods for collecting and processing satellite communications network usage information

• US 20070167132A1
• Filed: 01/17/2007
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ovzon Sweden AB
• Original Assignee: OverHorizon Cyprus Plc
• Inventors: Lejnell, Kennet, Wahlberg, Per
• Granted Patent: US 8,078,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/11.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18573 for operations control, administration or maintenance

Abstract

A system and method provide the ability to collect, store and transmit information statements concerning satellite communication system use. The satellite system may collect billing information, such as roaming data, network use in terms of both total time and total bandwidth and functionality utilized on a user by user basis. Further, the satellite system may collect network usage information from the totality of users of a satellite system. The billing information and network usage information may be collected and stored on-board satellite(s) in a network in a data structure including a database. This information may then be collected, organized and transmitted to a variety of users in the earth segment of the system.

Claims

1. A method for billing according to actual use of a satellite communications network, comprising the steps of:

initiating a billing log according to at least one of the group consisting of (i) a duration of the actual use, and (ii) an amount of data throughput transmitted during the actual use;

storing billing information from the billing log in a data structure on-board at least one satellite in the network;

applying a rate of billing to the billing information;

formulating a statement; and

transmitting the statement from the at least one satellite to at least one terrestrial terminal in communication with the satellite communications network via a downlink signal.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of storing the manner of use of the satellite.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the actual use comprises a plurality of different functionalities.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the billing log comprises a record of duration of use of the satellite communications network, mapped according to the different functionalities.

5. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of storing information associated with one or more parameters from the group consisting of (i) bitrate throughput, (ii) roaming duration of an initiating terrestrial terminal, (iii) satellite control, (iv) beam steering, (v) security level, (vi) priority class, (vii) size of an initiating terrestrial terminal, (viii) size of a target terrestrial terminal, (ix) other billing information, (x) a number of users of the satellite communications network, (xi) bandwidths, (xii) services, and (xiii) routing.

6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of storing roaming time.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the billing information is stored in a plurality of satellites;

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the billing information is stored in a terrestrial terminal.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the statement is formulated on-board at least one of the satellites in the satellite communications network.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the statement is formulated on at least one of the terrestrial terminals.

11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the billing information is mapped to at least one user of the satellite communications network.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the statement is automatically transmitted with account information of the at least one user.

13. The method according to claim 1 wherein the statement is formatted by an on-board software engine.

14. The method according to claim 1 wherein the downlink signal is encrypted.

15. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of terminating the billing log after receiving a termination of call signal.

16. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of terminating the billing log after a predetermined condition occurs.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the predetermined condition comprises antenna movement outside a predetermined geographic area.

18. The method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of transmitting the statement to a system administrator.

19. The method according to claim 18 wherein the statement is transmitted to the system administrator periodically.

20. The method according to claim 18 wherein the system administrator requests the statement before the statement is transmitted.