TCP/IP protocol network with satellite nodes

• US 9,094,384 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2002
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AI-CORE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Reference Limited Limited Liability Company (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Hickman, Paul L.
• Primary Examiner(s): STRANGE, AARON N
• Application Number:
  US10/193,738
• Publication Number:
  US 20030037134A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,766 Days
• Field of Search: 455/12.1, 455 131- 3, 709/203
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/1851 Systems using a satellite or space-based relay H04B7/18508, H04B7/18521 take precedence; providing specific services H04B7/18523 - H04B7/18576
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/08 specially adapted for terminal emulation, e.g. Telnet
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

A cluster computer system including multiple network accessible computers that are each coupled to a network. The network accessible computers implement host computer programs which permits the network accessible computers to operate as host computers for client computers also connected to the network, such that input devices of the client computers can be used to generate inputs to the host computers, and such that image information generated by the host computers can be viewed by the client computers. The system also includes a cluster administration computer coupled to the multiple network accessible computers to monitor the operation of the network accessible computers. A method for providing access to host computers by client computers over a computer network includes receiving a request for a host computer coupled to a computer network from a client computer coupled to the computer network, wherein the relationship of the host computer to the client computer is to be such that after the client computer becomes associated with a host computer, an input device of the client computer can be used to generate inputs to the host computer, and such that image information generated by the host computer can be viewed by the client computer. Next, a suitable host computer for the client computer is determined, and the client computer is informed of the network address of the suitable host computer.

Claims

1. A satellite transmission system comprising:

an air-borne node configured to transmit and receive TCP/IP protocol data packets;

a plurality of earth-orbiting satellite nodes configured to transmit and receive TCP/IP protocol data packets; and

an earth-borne node configured to transmit and receive TCP/IP protocol data packets;

wherein the air-borne node is in TCP/IP protocol communication with at least one of the plurality of earth-orbiting satellite nodes and the earth-borne node such that at least one temporary TCP/IP packet path is provided, wherein the air-borne node, the at least one of the plurality of earth-orbiting satellite nodes and the earth-borne node comprise a dynamic TCP/IP protocol network,

wherein in response to the plurality of earth-orbiting satellite nodes hearing the earth-borne node, sending TCP/IP compatible packets by each of the plurality of earth-orbiting satellite nodes to the earth-borne node at a substantially same time, and

wherein the earth-borne node is configured to handle duplicate sent TCP/IP compatible packets.

2. The system of claim 1,

further comprising a second air-borne node configured to transmit and receive TCP/IP protocol data packets in TCP/IP communication with the air-borne node.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of earth-orbiting satellite nodes are in a non-geosynchronous orbit.

4. A satellite transmission system comprising:

a plurality of earth-orbiting satellite nodes, each configured to transmit and receive TCP/IP protocol data packets, and in response to hearing an earth-borne node, each of the plurality of earth-orbiting satellites configured to send TCP/IP protocol data packets to the earth-borne node at a substantially same time as each other;

wherein at least one of the plurality of earth-orbiting satellite nodes is in TCP/IP protocol communication with an air-borne node and the earth-borne node such that at least one temporary TCP/IP packet path is provided,

wherein the air-borne node, the at least one of the plurality of earth-orbiting satellite nodes and the earth-borne node comprise a dynamic TCP/IP protocol network, and

wherein the earth-borne node is configured to handle duplicate sent TCP/IP protocol data packets.