Mobile tele-computer network

• US 6,445,777 B1
• Filed: 12/21/1998
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Advanced Media Networks LLC
• Original Assignee: Advanced Media Networks LLC
• Inventors: Clark, Curtis
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoosain, Allan
• Application Number:
  US09/217,682
• Time in Patent Office: 1,352 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.13, 379/88.17, 379/93.09, 379/93.14, 379/100.12, 379/100.15, 379/112.09, 379/142.16, 379/185, 379/224, 379/225, 379/310, 379/101.01, 379/102.01, 379/102.03, 379/142.15, 379/201.01, 379/201.05, 379/265.09, 379/258, 379/268, 379/269, 370/401, 370/465, 370/466, 370/353, 370/316, 455/3.2, 455/9, 455/14, 455/54.1, 455/447, 455/12.1, 455/427, 455/428, 455/456
• US Class Current: 379/88.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/74 for increasing reliability, e.g. using redundant or spare channels or apparatus replacing by standby devices for amplifiers H03F1/52, H03F1/542
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/005 Moving wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A telecomputer network is described. The network comprises a satellite communication system, at least one mobile vehicle, and a wireless local area network (LAN). In one embodiment, the satellite communication system transfers information using ethernet packet switching. In one embodiment, the wireless LAN transfers information using the TCP/IP protocol. The mobile vehicle or portable field unit is configured to transfer information as a single nomadic transmission/reception point between the satellite communication system and the wireless LAN.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a satellite communication subsystem;

a wireless local area network (LAN) that includes at least one computer; and

a mobile unit configured to transfer broadband information as a single nomadic transmission/reception point between the satellite communication subsystem and the wireless LAN using an ethernet packet switching protocol.

2. The system defined claim 1 wherein the broadband information comprises data.

3. The system defined claim 1 wherein the broadband information comprises audio and image data, such that the subsystem, wireless LAN and mobile hub transfer broadband audio and image data.

4. The system defined claim 1 wherein the information is transferred using the TCP/IP protocol.

5. The system defined claim 1 wherein the wireless LAN comprises a plurality of nodes with at least one personal computer at each of the plurality of nodes.

6. The system defined claim 1 wherein the mobile unit comprises an uplink to the satellite communication subsystem.

7. The system defined claim 1 wherein the mobile hub comprises a server to control the relaying of information.

8. The system defined claim 1 wherein the mobile unit comprises a workstation viewing environment.

9. The system defined in claim 1 wherein the mobile unit comprises a vehicle.

10. A system comprising:

a satellite communication subsystem to operate as a secured private intranet to transfer broadband information using a ethernet packet switching protocol;

a wireless local area network (LAN) to transfer information using the ethernet packet protocol, wherein the wireless LAN comprises a plurality of nodes with an individual computer at each of the plurality of nodes; and

a mobile unit to transfer broadband information as a single nomadic transmission/reception point between the satellite communication system and the wireless LAN.

11. The system defined claim 10 wherein the broadband information comprises data.

12. The system defined claim 10 wherein the broadband information comprises audio and image data, such that the subsystem, wireless LAN and mobile hub transform broadband audio and image data.

13. A telecomputer network system comprising:

a satellite communications system;

a wireless local area network (LAN); and

a mobile hub station configured to transfer information as a single nomadic transmission/reception point between the satellite communication system and the wireless LAN, such that information is transferred over the network using ethernet packet switching protocol.

14. The network defined claim 13 wherein the satellite communication system operates as a secured private intranet.

15. The network defined claim 13 wherein the information is transferred using the TCP/IP protocol.

16. The network defined claim 13 wherein the wireless LAN comprises a plurality of nodes with at least one personal computer at each of the plurality of nodes.

17. The network defined claim 13 wherein the satellite communication system comprises a network operations center, a plurality of hubs, wherein each hub comprises a wireless router and a relay station to relay information between hubs.

18. The network defined claim 13 wherein the mobile hub station comprises an uplink to the satellite communication system.

19. The network defined claim 13 wherein the mobile hub station is configured to relay information between the wireless LAN and the satellite communication system, and comprises a server to control the relaying of information.

20. The network defined claim 13 wherein the mobile hub station comprises a workstation viewing environment.

21. The network defined in claim 13 wherein the mobile hub station comprises a vehicle or a portable field unit.

22. A telecomputer network comprising:

a wireless wide area network (WAN) comprising a redundant satellite communication system configured to operate as a intranet;

a wireless local area network (LAN), wherein the wireless LAN comprises a plurality of nodes with an individual personal computer at each of the plurality of nodes; and

a mobile vehicle or portable field unit configured to transfer information as a single nomadic transmission/reception point between the satellite communication system and the wireless LAN, wherein transfers of information over the network using the TCP/IP protocol.

23. The network defined claim 22 wherein the wireless WAN operates as a private intranet.

24. The network defined claim 22 wherein the satellite communication system comprises a plurality of hubs, wherein each hub comprises a wireless router and a satellite transmission/reception system to relay information between hubs.

25. The network defined claim 22 wherein the mobile vehicle comprises an uplink to the satellite communication system.

26. The network defined claim 22 wherein the mobile vehicle is configured to relay information between the wireless LAN and the satellite communication system, and comprises a server to control the relaying of information.

27. The network defined claim 22 wherein the mobile vehicle comprises a workstation viewing environment.

28. A telecomputer network comprising:

a satellite communication system configured to operate as a secured private intranet to transfer information using a ethernet packet switching protocol;

a wireless local area network (LAN) configured to transfer information using the ethernet packet protocol, wherein the wireless LAN comprises a plurality of nodes with an individual personal computer at each of the plurality of nodes; and

a plurality of mobile vehicles, or portable field units wherein each mobile vehicle or portable field unit is configured to transfer information as a single nomadic transmission/reception point between the satellite communication system and the wireless LAN.