SATELLITE COMMUNICATION CENTRE

• US 20140227967A1
• Filed: 09/17/2012
• Published: 08/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Excelerate Technology Limited
• Original Assignee: Excelerate Technology Limited
• Inventors: Savage, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,596,023 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/12.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/02 using mechanical movement of antenna or antenna system as a whole
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18515 Transmission equipment in satellites or space-based relays
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18517 Transmission equipment in earth stations

Abstract

The invention provides a computer-implemented system (and corresponding method) arranged and configured to manage, manipulate or monitor a plurality of devices provided in association with a unit. The unit may be a vehicle or structure, such as an automotive vehicle, a boat, a trailer or building. The vehicle or structure may be an incident command unit. The invention enables a user to monitor or manage the plurality of devices via a consolidated interface. The plurality of devices may include a satellite support mechanism supporting satellite-related equipment provided in association with the unit; and the system may comprise a satellite controller component to enable a user to manipulate and/or re-orientate the satellite support mechanism via the consolidated interface.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented system arranged and configured to communicate with a plurality of devices provided in association with a unit comprising:

a consolidated interface to enable a user to monitor, manipulate or manage the plurality of devices via the interface; and

a satellite controller;

wherein the plurality of devices includes a satellite support mechanism supporting satellite-related equipment provided in association with the unit; and

wherein the satellite controller component is arranged and configured to enable a user to manipulate and/or re-orientate the satellite support mechanism via the interface.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the unit is selected from the group consisting of an incident command unit, a mobile unit, a vehicle, a fixed structure and an emergency response vehicle.

3. The system according to claim 1 further comprising at least one monitoring component arranged and configured to assess the respective status of the plurality of devices.

4. The system according to claim 3 further comprising at least one monitoring component configured to control or adapt the status of at least one of the plurality of devices.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the current status pertains to the orientation, position or operational state of the device

6. The system according to claim 3 further comprising a microprocessor arranged and configured to execute at least one monitoring component.

7. The system according to claim 3, wherein at least one monitoring component is arranged and configured to receive data from the device and/or send data to the device.

9. The system according to claim 3, wherein at least one monitoring component is arranged and configured to perform one or more of:

detect whether data is being transmitted across a communications channel;

detect whether a device is operational or not operational; and

measure one or more operational parameters. strength.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one device of the plurality of devices is selected from the group consisting of a telecommunication device, a mechanical device and a computing device.

11. The system according to claim 3 wherein the monitoring component is selected from the group consisting of:

a power control component arranged and configured to enable a user to power at least one device on and/or power it off;

a call connect component arranged and configured to enable a user to manage, control or coordinate communications made via telephone and/or radio equipment provided in association with the unit;

a screen selector component arranged and configured to present a view of all video devices associated with the unit, along with their display outputs and configurations; and

an environment monitoring component arranged to monitor and/or measure data relating to the environment in which the unit is located.

15. The system according to claim 1 wherein the system is arranged and configured to store data received from the plurality of devices and automatically upload said data to an alternative location.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the consolidated interface comprises a navigation tool, the navigation tool comprising at least one icon representing a page to which the user can navigate, the page presenting information relating to the activity of at least one of the plurality of monitored devices.

17. An incident command unit comprising the computer-implemented system of claim 1 arranged and configured to manage, manipulate or monitor the plurality of devices provided in association with the incident command unit.

25. The system according to claim 1 further comprising a presentation device for presenting the consolidated interface.

26. The system according to claim 3, wherein the monitoring component comprises one or both of a hardware device and software component.

27. The system according to claim 3, wherein the consolidated interface comprises a representation of the current status of each device as assessed by the monitoring component.

28. The system according to claim 25, wherein the presentation device comprises a graphical display device.

29. The system according to claim 27, wherein the representation comprises a graphical representation of the device.

30. The system according to claim 1, wherein the user can monitor or manage at least one device of the plurality of devices via the consolidated interface from a remote location relative to the mobile communications unit.

31. The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one device of the plurality of devices is selected from the group consisting of a telephone, a body worn-camera, a touch screen, an antenna, a meteorological device, a compass, and a camera.

8. (canceled)

12. The system according to claim and 1 further comprising one or both of a backup independent network capability and battery backup component.

13. The system according to claim and 1 further comprising at least one input device operable to set the power state of the plurality of devices or the system itself.

14. The system according to claim 13 wherein at least one input device is a button or switch arranged and configured to illuminate and is configured to provide a visual indication of the power state of the devices or system.

18. A computer-implemented method to manage, manipulate or monitor a plurality of devices provided in conjunction with an incident command unit, the method comprising:

permitting a user to monitor the plurality of devices via a consolidated interface wherein; and

enabling a user to manipulate and/or re-orientate a satellite support mechanism via the consolidated interface with a satellite controller component;

wherein

the plurality of devices includes the satellite support mechanism supporting satellite-related equipment provided in association with the incident command unit.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the incident command unit is a vehicle.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

providing at least one hardware or software-based monitoring component arranged and configured to assess the current status of each of the plurality of devices; and

presenting the consolidated interface to the user on a presentation device, the interface comprising a representation of the current status of each device as assessed by a monitoring component.

21. The method of claims 18 further comprising providing at least one hardware or software component configured to control or adapt the status of at least one of the plurality of devices.

22. A computer-implemented system arranged and configured to manage, manipulate or monitor a plurality of devices provided in association with a water-based vehicle, such that a user is able to monitor or manage the plurality of devices via a consolidated interface, wherein:

the plurality of devices includes a satellite support mechanism supporting satellite-related equipment provided in association with the water-based vehicle; and

the system comprises a satellite controller component arranged and configured to enable a user to manipulate and/or re-orientate the satellite support mechanism via the consolidated interface.

23. A computer-implemented system for managing, manipulating or monitoring a plurality of devices provided in association with a communications unit, the system being arranged and configured to permit a user to monitor or manage the plurality of devices via a consolidated interface.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the communications unit is selected from the group consisting of:

a mobile unit;

a fixed structure;

an emergency response vehicle; and

a water-based vehicle.

32. The system according to claim 24, wherein:

the mobile unit comprises a vehicle;

the fixed structure comprises a building; and

the water-based vehicle comprises a boat.