Low earth orbit communication system

• US 20050055407A1
• Filed: 09/09/2003
• Published: 03/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Skymate Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Skymate Incorporated
• Inventors: Tandler, John, Michaud, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US10/658,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20050055407A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18595 Arrangements for adapting broadband applications to satellite systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/222 using geographical location information, e.g. messages transmitted or received in proximity of a certain spot or area

Abstract

A method for sending email from a remote location. The method includes generating an electronic mail message using a personal computing device, transferring the electronic mail to a satellite data communicator configured to provide communication with a low earth orbiting satellite, and sending the electronic message to a low earth orbiting satellite using the satellite data communicator and an antenna coupled to the satellite data communicator.

Claims

1. A method for sending email from a remote location, comprising:

generating an electronic mail message using a personal computing device;

transferring the electronic mail to a satellite data communicator configured to provide communication with a low earth orbiting satellite; and

sending the electronic message to a low earth orbiting satellite using the satellite data communicator and an antenna coupled to the satellite data communicator.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic mail includes a request for weather information.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the method further includes receiving a responsive email containing text weather information.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the method further includes receiving a responsive email containing graphical weather information.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the graphical weather information contains dynamic weather information and not a map.

6. The method of claim 5, further including the step of applying the received dynamic weather information to a map stored on the personal computing device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic message includes a text message to be converted into a voice message.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic message includes sensor data received from sensors on a transportation mode.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the personal computing device is configured to generate and transmit the electronic mail on a periodic basis.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic message includes a position information obtained from a global positioning satellite.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the personal computing device is configured to generate and transmit the electronic mail on a periodic basis.

12. A system for providing information to a user in a remote location, the system comprising:

a communicator, the communicator including

a personal computing device;

a satellite data communicator; and

an antenna; and

an application server system, wherein the application server system is configured to send and receive email with the communicator through a low earth orbit satellite system.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the communicator is coupled to sensors on a transportation mode.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the communicator is configured to transmit an electronic mail containing information received from the sensors to the application server system.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the electronic mail is transmitted periodically.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the electronic mail is transmitted based on the information received from the sensors.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the application server system is configured to perform an action based on the contents of the electronic mail.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the action includes converting at least a portion of the electronic message into a voice message and transmitting the voice message.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the action includes initiating an emergency response.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the action includes processing position information included in the electronic mail.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein processing position information includes forwarding position information in a generated electronic mail to a pre-selected group.

22. The system of claim 12, wherein the application server system is configured to automatically compose and transmit an electronic mail to the communicator based upon user defined preferences.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the user defined preferences include a selection of at least one of a news topic, a sports team, and a stock.

24. The system of claim 12, wherein the communicator is configured to display an indicia to indicate that an electronic mail has been received from the application server system.

25. A system for providing information to a user in a remote location, the system comprising:

a communicator means configured to transmit and receive electronic mail over a low-earth orbiting satellite system from a remote location; and

an application server means configured to perform an action based upon the contents of an electronic mail message received from the communicator means.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the communicator means is coupled to sensors on a maritime vessel.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the communicator means is configured to transmit an electronic mail containing information received from the sensors to the application server means.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the electronic mail is transmitted according to a defined period.

29. The system of claim 27, wherein the electronic mail is transmitted based on the information received from the sensors.

30. The system of claim 25, wherein the action includes converting at least a portion of the electronic message into a voice message and transmitting the voice message.

31. The system of claim 25, wherein the action includes initiating an emergency response.

32. The system of claim 25, wherein the action includes processing position information included in the electronic mail.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein processing position information includes forwarding the position information included in the electronic mail in a generated electronic mail.

34. The system of claim 25, wherein the application server means is configured to automatically compose and transmit an electronic mail to the communicator means based upon user defined preferences.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the user defined preferences include a selection of at least one of a news topic, a sports team, and a stock.

36. The system of claim 25, wherein the communicator means is configured to display an indicia to indicate that an electronic mail has been received from the application server means.