US5394561A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Networked satellite and terrestrial cellular radiotelephone systems
Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC
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Filing: 1993-07-22
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Granted: 1995-02-28
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Expires: 2013-07-22
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a mechanism for networking satellite and terrestrial networks. It comprises: maintaining subscriber-received power levels of terrestrial network transmissions about one order of magnitude above co-channel satellite transmissions to overcome interference and maintaining subscriber transmissions to terrestrial networks at power levels about one order of magnitude of the below co-channel transmissions to satellite networks to avoid causing interference at the satellite. Such power level maintenance is provided by the network in communication with such subscriber. Moreover, a non-orbiting ("grounded") satellite cooperates as a switching node of both the satellite network and a terrestrial network to relay information between a terrestrial subscriber and the satellite radiotelephone network over a terrestrial network. The terrestrial network and the satellite network may communicate via either the inter-satellite spectrum or the terrestrial-to-satellite spectrum.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas A. Freeburg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:55
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/185; H04B7/19; H04B7/18521; H04B7/1851; H04B7/18513; H04B7/1853; H04B7/18563
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of networking a satellite network and a terrestrial network comprising the steps of: communicating information with a subscriber over a terrestrial network: communicating a first portion of the information between a communications device of the terrestrial network and a first orbiting satellite of the satellite network over a first communication path; and handing-off the information such that a second portion of the information is communicated between the communications device and a second orbiting satellite of the satellite network over a second communication path.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of networking a satellite network and a terrestrial network comprising the steps of: communicating information with a subscriber over a terrestrial network: communicating a first portion of the information between a communications device of the terrestrial network and a first orbiting satellite of the satellite network over a first communication path; and handing-off the information such that a second portion of the information is communicated between the communications device and a second orbiting satellite of the satellite network over a second communication path.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of networking a satellite network and a terrestrial network comprising the steps of: communicating information with a subscriber over a terrestrial network; communicating a first portion of the information between a communications device of the terrestrial network and a first satellite of an orbiting satellite cellular radiotelephone switching network over a first communication path; handing-off the information such that a second portion of the information is communication between the communications device and a second satellite of the orbiting satellite cellular radiotelephone switching network over a second communication path.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of networking a satellite network and a terrestrial network comprising the steps of: communicating information with a subscriber over a terrestrial network; communicating a first portion of the information between a communications device of the terrestrial network and a first satellite of an orbiting satellite cellular radiotelephone switching network over a first communication path; handing-off the information such that a second portion of the information is communication between the communications device and a second satellite of the orbiting satellite cellular radiotelephone switching network over a second communication path.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of networking a satellite network and a terrestrial network comprising the steps of: controlling a terrestrial network transmission within a frequency band with respect to a satellite network transmission also within said frequency band to overcome interference and controlling a subscriber transmission to the terrestrial network with respect to the terrestrial network transmission to the satellite network to avoid causing interference at a satellite of the satellite network; and relaying information between a terrestrial subscriber and a satellite network via the terrestrial network.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of networking a satellite network and a terrestrial network comprising the steps of: controlling a terrestrial network transmission within a frequency band with respect to a satellite network transmission also within said frequency band to overcome interference and controlling a subscriber transmission to the terrestrial network with respect to the terrestrial network transmission to the satellite network to avoid causing interference at a satellite of the satellite network; and relaying information between a terrestrial subscriber and a satellite network via the terrestrial network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the step of relaying comprises the step of relaying the information via a non-orbiting satellite that is cooperating as a functional element of the satellite network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the step of relaying comprises the step of relaying the information via a non-orbiting satellite that is cooperating as a switching node of both the satellite network and the terrestrial network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein a communication link between the non-orbiting satellite and a first satellite of the satellite network is handed off to a second satellite in the satellite network.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for networking a satellite network and a terrestrial network comprising: first means for communicating information with a subscriber over a terrestrial networks; second means, coupled to the first means, for communicating a first portion of the information between a communications device of the terrestrial network and a first satellite of an orbiting satellite cellular radiotelephone switching network over a first communication path and for handing-off the information such that a second portion of the information is communication between the communications device and a second satellite of the orbiting satellite cellular radiotelephone switching network over a second communication path.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for networking a satellite network and a terrestrial network comprising: first means for communicating information with a subscriber over a terrestrial networks; second means, coupled to the first means, for communicating a first portion of the information between a communications device of the terrestrial network and a first satellite of an orbiting satellite cellular radiotelephone switching network over a first communication path and for handing-off the information such that a second portion of the information is communication between the communications device and a second satellite of the orbiting satellite cellular radiotelephone switching network over a second communication path.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-02-27 | 1998-08-29 | 1999-02-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-02-27 | 2002-08-29 | 2003-02-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-02-27 | 2006-08-29 | 2007-02-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |