Satellite-based cellular messaging system and method of operation thereof
First Claim
1. In a system comprising a plurality of addressable call receivers and at least one satellite having a transmitter for transmitting a plurality of messages to said receivers located in a region, said satellite having a limited resource for supplying power to said transmitter, a method of operating said system comprising the following steps;
- a) dividing said region into a plurality of cells;
b) transmitting a message to a first of said plurality of cells;
c) transmitting a different message to a second of said plurality of cells; and
d) continuing to transmit a different unique message to each of said remaining plurality of cells, in sequence, until each has received a unique message;
wherein said transmitter transmits a plurality of blocks, each block comprising a plurality of groups of information including an acquisition group, said acquisition group comprising a plurality of frames, one for each of said cells in the form of said message.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A satellite-based, world-wide cellular messaging system transmits paging messages to pagers. The messages are transmitted at unique times, on unique frequencies, and into uniquely identified cells according to a plan which is periodically revised and transmitted in advance to the pagers. Battery resources in the satellites and pagers are thereby conserved, and interference between transmissions to adjacent cells is minimized.
72 Citations
26 Claims
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1. In a system comprising a plurality of addressable call receivers and at least one satellite having a transmitter for transmitting a plurality of messages to said receivers located in a region, said satellite having a limited resource for supplying power to said transmitter, a method of operating said system comprising the following steps;
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a) dividing said region into a plurality of cells; b) transmitting a message to a first of said plurality of cells; c) transmitting a different message to a second of said plurality of cells; and d) continuing to transmit a different unique message to each of said remaining plurality of cells, in sequence, until each has received a unique message; wherein said transmitter transmits a plurality of blocks, each block comprising a plurality of groups of information including an acquisition group, said acquisition group comprising a plurality of frames, one for each of said cells in the form of said message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In a system comprising a plurality of addressable call receivers and at least one satellite having a transmitter for transmitting a plurality of messages to said receivers located in a region, said satellite having a limited resource for supplying power to said transmitter, a method of operating said system comprising the following steps:
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(a) dividing said region into a plurality of cells; (b) receiving a request to transmit one of said messages to one of said receivers; (c) identifying a cell into which to transmit said one message for receipt by said one receiver; (d) transmitting information to said plurality of receivers in the form of an acquisition group, said acquisition group comprising information regarding if and the time when a message will be transmitted to each cell; and (e) transmitting, at the time specified in said acquisition group, said one message only to the cell identified in step (c). - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for broadcasting messages to a plurality of addressable call receivers, said receivers being located in a region, and said region being divided into a plurality of cells, said system comprising:
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at least one satellite having a transmitter for transmitting a plurality of messages to said receivers, said satellite having a limited resource for supplying power to said transmitter; means for transmitting a message to a first of said plurality of cells; means for transmitting a different message to a second of said plurality of cells; and means for continuing to transmit a different unique message to each of said remaining plurality of cells, in sequence, until each has received a unique message; wherein said transmitter transmits a plurality of blocks, each block comprising a plurality of groups of information including an acquisition group, said acquisition group comprising a plurality of frames, one for each of said cells in the form of said message. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for broadcasting messages to a plurality of addressable call receivers, said receivers being located in a region, and said region being divided into a plurality of cells, said system comprising:
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at least one satellite having a transmitter for transmitting a plurality of messages to said receivers, said satellite having a limited resource for supplying power to said transmitter; means for receiving a request to transmit one of said messages to one of said receivers; means for identifying a cell into which to transmit said one message for receipt by said one receiver; means for transmitting information to said plurality of receivers in the form of an acquisition group, said acquisition group comprising information regarding if and the time when a message will be transmitted to each cell; and means for transmitting, at the time specified in said acquisition group, said one message only to said identified cell. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification