Satellite Communication Device for Routing Terrestrial Signals Through a Satellite Network

• US 20140071886A1
• Filed: 02/07/2012
• Published: 03/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Globalstar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Globalstar Incorporated
• Inventors: Monte, Paul A., Tanner, Ronnie Daryl, Sutton, Mark Edward, Blanchard, Eric, Bravo, Alfonso, DeBus, Walter
• Application Number:
  US13/983,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20140071886A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/316
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18517 Transmission equipment in earth stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18536 Shadowing compensation therefor, e.g. by using an additional terrestrial relay
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/10 between terminal device and access point, i.e. wireless air interface

Abstract

A interface device and a method of allowing communication is provided to allow a wireless mobile communications device to interface with a satellite communication system. The interface includes a satellite modem (including antenna), a communications link to communicate with the wireless communications device (such as a Wifi link using VoIP) and an applications processor (with associated memory) to handle control and handshaking functions between the communications link and satellite modem and the related interfaced equipment (mobile communications device and satellite system) and to assist and reformat as needed transmission of data between the interfaced equipment.

Claims

1-59. -59. (canceled)

60. An interface device to a mobile communications device to provide satellite communication ability, where the mobile communication device lacks the ability to transmit and receive communications directly to a satellite in a satellite communication network said interface device being distinct from and not physically integrated into a mobile communication device, said interface device comprising a satellite modem, said interface device further having an identifier on a satellite communications network for third parties to direct communications to said interface device through said satellite communications network, an antenna for communication with a satellite on said satellite communications network, a communication link configured to establish communications between said mobile communications device and said interface device, and a processor, where the processor is configured to interface said communication link and said satellite modem to enable two way communications between said mobile communications device and said satellite communications network through said satellite modem and said communications link

61. The interface device according to claim 60 wherein said mobile communications device is a mobile cellular communications device.

62. An interface device according to claim 61 wherein said communications between said mobile cellular device and said interface device comprises wireless non-cellular communications.

63. An interface device according to claims 61 wherein said communications between said mobile device and said interface device comprises wired communications.

64. An interface device according to claim 62 wherein said wireless communication comprises WiFi communications.

65. An interface device according to claim 60 where said mobile communications device comprises cellular phone, a PC, or a tablet.

66. An interface device according to claims 64 wherein said communications link further comprises a WLAN communications link or a personal access network communications link.

67. An interface device according to claim 64 wherein said WiFi communications further comprises VoIP communications.

68. A method to establish satellite communications with a mobile cellular communications device that lacks the ability to transmit and receive communications directly to a satellite in a satellite communications network, comprising the steps of receiving, at an interface device, a first incoming request for communications over a first communications channel, where said interface device lacks cellular communications ability;

said interface device being distinct from and not physically integrated into a mobile cellular communication device, said first communications channel either between the mobile device and the interface device, or directly between a communications satellite and the interface device, said interface device initiating communications to the other of the communications satellite or the mobile cellular device over a second communications channel, and when communications are established over said second communications channel, enabling two way communications through said interface device between said mobile cellular communications device and said communications satellite on said first and second communications channels.

69. A method according to claim 68 wherein said first communications channel is directly between said mobile cellular communication device and said interface device and comprises wireless non-cellular communications.

70. A method according to claim 68 wherein said first communications channel is directly between said interface device and said communications satellite.

71. A method according to claims 68 wherein said communications between said mobile cellular communications device and said interface device comprises wired communications.

72. A method according to claim 69 wherein said wireless communications comprises WiFi communications or VoIP WiFi communications.

73. A method according to claim 68 where said mobile cellular device comprises a cellular phone, a PC or a tablet.

75. The method of any of claims 68 where said interface device receives a second incoming request for communications over a third communications channel, said third communications channel either between a second mobile device and the interface device, or between a communications satellite and the interface device, said interface device initiating communications to the other of the communications satellite or the second mobile cellular device over a fourth communications channel, and when communications are established over said fourth communications channel link, enabling two way communications through said interface device between said second mobile cellular communications device and said satellite through said third and fourth communications channels.

76. The method of claim 68 wherein said first communication channel is between said interface device and said satellite, and said incoming request includes an identifier associated with said mobile cellular enabled communication device.

77. The method of claim 76 wherein said identifier is a cellular phone number or a satellite phone number.

74. A method according to 68 wherein said first communications channel further comprises a WLAN communications channel or a personal access network communications channel.