Pickup and delivery of data files

• US 6,674,994 B1
• Filed: 12/01/1999
• Issued: 01/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intelsat Corporation (Reorganized ISA SA)
• Original Assignee: PanAmSat Corporation (Reorganized ISA SA)
• Inventors: Yang, Jie, Bullock, David Lynn, McClure, John Joseph, Tabor, Walter Randall, Fell, Gail Hegarty
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): EWART, JAMES D
• Application Number:
  US09/452,500
• Time in Patent Office: 1,497 Days
• Field of Search: 725/63, 725/67, 725/68, 725/91, 725/93, 725/100, 725/114, 725/134, 155/427, 155/3.06, 155/12.1, 370/318, 370/322
• US Class Current: 455/3.06
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18584 Arrangements for data networking, i.e. for data packet routing, for congestion control data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A data file is regarded as a digital package. A conventional interface is provided for scheduling pickup and delivery of the data file via one or more satellite communications links. The data file may represent various types of information, such as text, images, audio or video. A centralized system receives the scheduling order and arranges for the data file to be automatically picked up from one or more locations and delivered to one or more destinations. The delivery service may include buffering the data file for a predetermined time period to comply with the scheduled delivery time. The centralized system provides a scheduling confirmation notice for the scheduled pickup and delivery, and also provides notice that the data file was actually delivered. The centralized system maintains an activity log useful for status inquiry and billing. In short, the centralized system functions as a “dispatcher” for bits, within an infrastructure for receiving, tracking, delivery and billing based on bits.

Claims

1. A method for file transfer, comprising:

transmitting a file using a satellite communications link in accordance with a scheduling order created by a sender specifying pickup and delivery instructions for the file and further comprising sending a delivery notice to a destination for the file before transmitting the file.

2. A system for file transfer, comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a file using a satellite communications link in accordance with a scheduling order created by a sender specifying pickup and delivery instructions for the file and further comprising means for sending a delivery notice to a destination for the file before transmitting the file.

3. A method for file transfer, comprising:

transmitting a file using a satellite communications link in accordance with a scheduling order created by a sender using a screen-based interface specifying pickup and delivery instructions for the file and further comprising sending a delivery notice to a destination for the file before transmitting the file.

4. A system for file transfer, comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a file using a satellite communications link in accordance with a scheduling order created by a sender using a screen-based interface specifying pickup and delivery instructions for the file and further comprising means for sending a delivery notice to a destination for the file before transmitting the file.

5. A method for file transfer, comprising:

transmitting a file using a satellite communications link in accordance with a scheduling order created by a sender using specifying pickup and delivery instructions for the file and where a delivery notice is sent to a destination for the file at approximately the time that the scheduling order is received.

6. A system for file transfer, comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a file using a satellite communications link in accordance with a scheduling order created by a sender specifying pickup and delivery instructions for the file where a delivery notice is sent to a destination for the file at approximately the time that the scheduling order is received.

7. A method for file transfer, comprising:

transmitting a file using a satellite communications link in accordance with a scheduling order created by a sender using a screen-based interface specifying pickup and delivery instructions for the file and where a delivery notice is sent to a destination for the file at approximately the time that the scheduling order is received.

8. A system for file transfer, comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a file using a satellite communications link in accordance with a scheduling order created by a sender using a screen-based interface specifying pickup and delivery instructions for the file where a delivery notice is sent to a destination for the file at approximately the time that the scheduling order is received.