Method and apparatus for using satellites for reverse path communication in direct-to-home subscription information systems
First Claim
1. Receiver apparatus for receiving a subscription information service signal at frequencies exceeding 1 Ghz via a first path and transmitting, responsive to a poll, a response signal by a subscriber, at frequencies under 1 Ghz via a second path directly to a low earth orbit satellite, the apparatus comprising:
- a memory for storing data entered by the subscriber, related to the subscription information service acceptance by said subscriber; and
a transmitter responsive to a polling request for transmitting the stored data entered by the subscriber, and subscriber identification data modulated onto a signal at frequencies under 1 Ghz via the second path directly to the low earth orbit satellite.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for using a low earth orbit satellite for reverse path communication in a subscription information service delivery system comprises a receiver adapted to receive a subscription information service signal at frequencies exceeding 1 GHz via a first path. Responsive to a poll, the receiver is adapted to transmit a response signal to the poll at frequencies under 1 GHz via a second path to a low earth orbit satellite. The polling request may be transmitted with the subscription information service signal or through the low earth orbit satellite. Preferably, the polling request is addressed and comprises a response message length field. The response comprises a service provider identifier and a subscriber identifier and further, preferably comprises response data encrypted by a key known to the service provider.
133 Citations
43 Claims
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1. Receiver apparatus for receiving a subscription information service signal at frequencies exceeding 1 Ghz via a first path and transmitting, responsive to a poll, a response signal by a subscriber, at frequencies under 1 Ghz via a second path directly to a low earth orbit satellite, the apparatus comprising:
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a memory for storing data entered by the subscriber, related to the subscription information service acceptance by said subscriber; and a transmitter responsive to a polling request for transmitting the stored data entered by the subscriber, and subscriber identification data modulated onto a signal at frequencies under 1 Ghz via the second path directly to the low earth orbit satellite. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for polling a receiver of a subscription information service signal, the method comprising the steps of:
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polling a receiver of a subscription information service; forwarding a subscription information service signal at frequencies exceeding 1 Ghz via a first path; storing data entered by a subscriber, related to the subscription information service acceptance by said subscriber; and transmitting, responsive to the polling step, the stored data entered by the subscriber and subscriber identification data modulated onto a signal at frequencies under 1 Ghz via a second path directly to a low earth orbit satellite. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. The method of offering information services to a subscriber and delivering or refusing services to the subscriber or to a service pirate of a subscription information service delivery system comprising the steps of:
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offering information services to a subscriber; initiating a poll request signal; generating data related to the information services at a terminal; storing said data at the terminal; directly transmitting to a low earth orbit satellite, a poll response signal at frequencies under 1 Ghz via a first path wherein the poll response signal comprises the stored data and a subscriber identifier; receiving the poll response signal; processing the data at a control center; and delivering services or refusing services over a second path at frequencies exceeding 1 Ghz to the subscriber responsive to the data processing.
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28. A method for receiving and responding to a polling request, wherein said polling request is integrated with a subscription information signal, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a subscription information service signal and a polling request from a geostationary satellite at frequencies exceeding 1 Ghz via a first path; storing data related to the subscription information service acceptance by a subscriber; and transmitting, responsive to the polling request, the stored data and subscriber identification data modulated onto a signal at frequencies under 1 Ghz via a second path to a low earth orbit satellite. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for receiving a polling request and a subscription information signal, and responding to said polling request, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a polling request from a first satellite; receiving a subscription information service signal at frequencies exceeding 1 Ghz via a second satellite; storing data related to the subscription information service acceptance by a subscriber; and transmitting, responsive to the polling request, the stored data and subscriber identification data modulated onto a signal at frequencies under 1 Ghz via first satellite. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification