Satellite based acknowledge-back paging system

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A paging communication system, comprising:

satellite based communication means for communicating paging information to at least one of a plurality of selective call receivers;

the plurality of selective call receivers, wherein the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers is operated for receiving the paging information from the satellite based communication means, and the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers includes means for acknowledging receipt of the paging information via the satellite based communication means; and

control means for communicating with the satellite based communication means and for determining where to deliver the paging information and whether to await acknowledgment thereof and for determining operational parameters for delivery of the paging information to the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers, wherein the control means operates responsive to the acknowledgement of the paging information to re-direct the paging information to another area.

2. A paging communication system, comprising:

satellite based communication means for communicating paging information to at least one of a plurality of selective call receivers;

the plurality of selective call receivers, wherein at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers is operated for receiving the paging information from the satellite based communication means, and wherein the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers includes means for generating an acknowledge signal to acknowledge receipt of the paging information via the satellite based communication means; and

control means for determining where to deliver the paging information and operational parameters for delivery of the paging information to the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers in accordance with information stored within a memory means, the control means being operably responsive to the acknowledge signal and the information stored in the memory means to re-direct the paging information to another area.

3. A method for providing a message to one or more areas on a celestial body, comprising the steps of:

at a control station:

(a) receiving the message;

(b) determining where to deliver the message and operational parameters for delivery of the message; and

(c) transmitting the message to at least one satellite orbiting the celestial body;

at the at least one satellite:

(a) receiving the message from the control station;

(b) determining whether to transmit the message toward the celestial body or another satellite;

(c) transmitting the message in accordance with the determination of step (b); and

(d) increasing transmitter power and re-transmitting the message if an acknowledge signal is not received; and

in at least one selective call receiver:

(a) receiving the message; and

(b) acknowledging receipt of the message.

4. A communication system operable on a celestial body having a plurality of individuals thereon, at least some of the individuals each having a selective call receiver operated for acknowledging receipt of a message from one of a plurality of terrestrial stations or from a satellite network orbiting the celestial body, the communication system comprising:

the plurality of terrestrial stations positioned on the celestial body for communicating the message to the selective call receiver and for communicating to a control means via at least the satellite network;

the control means for receiving the message, for determining where to deliver and whether to expect acknowledgment of the message and operational parameters for delivery of the message, and for transmitting the message to the satellite network orbiting the celestial body; and

the satellite network orbiting the celestial body comprising at least one satellite arranged to communicate the message toward at least a portion of the celestial body for reception by the selective call receiver or at least one of the plurality of terrestrial stations.

5. A paging communication system, comprising:

satellite based communication means for communicating paging information to at least one of a plurality of selective call receivers;

the plurality of selective call receivers, wherein the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers is operated for receiving the paging information from the satellite based communication means and includes means for generating an acknowledge signal to acknowledge receipt of the paging information via the satellite based communication means; and

control means for determining operational parameters for delivery of the paging information and where to deliver the paging information and whether to expect the acknowledge signal from the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers, wherein the determining is based at least in part upon information used to bill or invoice an operator of the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers for use of the paging communication system, and

wherein the satellite based communication means adapts at least a paging communication protocol in response to the control means determining the paging communication protocol is at least a portion of the operational parameters for delivery of the paging information.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the satellite based communication means adapts at least a paging communication frequency in response to the control means determining the paging communication frequency is at least a portion of the operational parameters for delivery of the paging information.

7. The system of claim 5, which includes a terrestrial based communication means for communicating the paging information received from the satellite based communication means to the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers designated to receive the paging information.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the terrestrial based communication means includes means for converting the paging information received from the satellite based communication means to accommodate the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers designated to receive the paging information.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the terrestrial based communication means is coupled to contemporary paging communication equipment.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers operate to monitor the terrestrial based communication means and the satellite based communication means.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the least one of the plurality of selective call receivers operate to preferentially monitor either the terrestrial based communication means or the satellite based communication means.

12. The system of claim 5, wherein the control means operates responsive to the acknowledge signal to re-direct the paging information to another area.

13. The system of claim 5, wherein the control means operates responsive to the acknowledge signal to control transmitting power of the satellite based communication means.

14. The system of claim 5, wherein the control means includes a memory means for storing operational parameter information therein, the operational parameter information representing a preferred paging area for at least some of the plurality of selective call receivers operative in the system.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the control means operates responsive to the acknowledge signal and the operational parameter information stored in the memory means to control transmitting power of the satellite based communication means.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the control means operates responsive to the acknowledge signal to over-ride the operational parameter information stored within the memory means to re-direct the paging information to another area.

17. The system of claim 5, wherein the control means includes a memory means for storing operational parameter information therein, the operational parameter information representing a preferred paging frequency for at least some of the plurality of selective call receivers operative in the system.

18. The system of claim 5, wherein the control means includes a memory means for storing operational parameter information therein, the operational parameter information representing a current location for at least some of the plurality of selective call receivers operative in the system.

19. The system of claim 5, wherein the control means includes a memory means for storing operational parameter information therein, the operational parameter information representing a preferred paging protocol for at least some of the plurality of selective call receivers operative in the system.

20. A paging communication system, comprising:

satellite based communication means for communicating paging information to at least one of a plurality of selective call receivers;

the plurality of selective call receivers, wherein the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers is operated for receiving the paging information from the satellite based communication means and includes means for generating an acknowledge signal to acknowledge receipt of the paging information via the satellite based communication means; and

control means for determining operational parameters for delivery of the paging information and where to deliver the paging information and whether to expect the acknowledge signal from the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers, wherein the determining is based at least in part upon information associated with the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers, and wherein the control means is responsive to a prior received acknowledge signal to re-direct the paging information to an area other than specified by the information associated with the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the satellite based communication means adapts at least a paging communication protocol in response to determination by the control means that the paging communication protocol is at least a portion of the operational parameters for delivery of the paging information.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the satellite based communication means adapts at least a paging communication frequency in response to determination by the control means that the paging communication frequency is at least a portion of the operational parameters for delivery of the paging information.

23. The system of claim 20, which includes a terrestrial based communication means for communicating the paging information received from the satellite based communication means to the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers designated to receive the paging information.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the terrestrial based communication means includes means for converting the paging information received from the satellite based communication means to accommodate the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers designated to receive the paging information.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the terrestrial based communication means is coupled to contemporary paging communication equipment.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers operates to monitor the terrestrial based communication means and the satellite based communication means.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers operates to preferentially monitor either the terrestrial based communication means or the satellite based communication means.

28. The system of claim 20, wherein the control means operates responsive to the acknowledge signal to control transmitting power of the satellite based communication means.

29. The system of claim 20, wherein the control means operates responsive to the information associated with the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers to control transmitting power of the satellite based communication means.

30. The system of claim 20, wherein the control means stores the information associated with the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers and also stores at least operational parameter information representing a preferred paging frequency for at least some of the plurality of selective call receivers operative in the system.

31. The system of claim 20, wherein the control means stores the information associated with the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers and also stores at least operational parameter information representing a preferred paging protocol for at least some of the plurality of selective call receivers operative in the system.

32. The system of claim 20, wherein the control means stores the information associated with the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers and also stores at least operational parameter information representing a current location for at least some of the plurality of selective call receivers operative in the system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to paging communication systems, and more specifically to wide geographic area paging systems, and is particularly directed toward a satellite based acknowledge-back (Ack-Back) paging communication system.

BACKGROUND

Historically, paging systems provided service to a limited geographic area using a relatively high-power centralized transmitting site. This arrangement worked well in small cities and municipalities, but often proved unsuitable for large metropolitan areas. To adequately serve a larger geographic area, paging systems began to simulcast (i.e., transmit the same message at substantially the same time) from several transmitters strategically positioned to provide wide-area coverage. In such a system, an individual having a selective call receiver (pager) could receive information anywhere in the metropolitan paging service area.

Today, the trend in paging communication is to provide even greater geographic coverage. Nationwide paging systems are often contemplated in an attempt to provide paging messages to customers without regard to where they are in the United States (for example). One known multi-city paging system employs satellites to transmit paging messages to ground repeaters in approximately eighty cities so that their customers can be paged while travelling in any of the covered cities. Regrettably, these contemporary satellite paging systems suffer from designed-in energy and paging traffic inefficiencies. That is, the system satellite link(s) often form a bottle-neck as regards delivering the paging messages. Also, these satellites are operated at full transmitter power, which is wasteful of energy, and degrades overall system efficiency. Accordingly, a need exists for a paging communication system that provides everyone with convenient, reliable and efficient paging service.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is a method for providing a message to one or more areas on a celestial body, comprising the steps of:

at a control station:

(a) receiving the message;

(b) determining where to deliver the message and operational parameters for delivery of the message; and

(c) transmitting the message to at least one satellite orbiting the celestial body;

at the at least one satellite:

(a) receiving the message from the control station;

(b) determining whether to transmit the message toward the celestial body or another satellite;

(c) transmitting the message in accordance with the determination of step (b); and

(d) increasing transmitter power and re-transmitting the message if an acknowledge signal is not received; and

in at least one selective call receiver:

(a) receiving the message; and

(b) acknowledging receipt of the message.

A second aspect of the present invention is a paging communication system, comprising a satellite based communication element for communicating paging information to at least one of a plurality of selective call receivers, and further comprising the plurality of selective call receivers. The at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers is operated for receiving the paging information from the satellite based communication element. The at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers includes an element for generating an acknowledge signal to acknowledge receipt of the paging information via the satellite based communication element. The paging communication system further comprises a control element for determining where to deliver the paging information, and operational parameters for delivery of the paging information to the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers in accordance with information stored within a memory element. The control element is operably responsive to the acknowledge signal and the information stored in the memory element to re-direct the paging information to another area.

A third aspect of the present invention is a paging communication system, comprising a satellite based communication element for communicating paging information to at least one of a plurality of selective call receivers, and further comprising the plurality of selective call receivers. The at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers is operated for receiving the paging information from the satellite based communication element. The at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers includes an element for acknowledging receipt of the paging information via the satellite based communication element. The paging communication system further comprises a control element for communicating with the satellite based communication element and for determining where to deliver the paging information and whether to await acknowledgment thereof and for determining operational parameters for delivery of the paging information to the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers. The control element operates responsive to the acknowledgement of the paging information to re-direct the paging information to another area.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a communication system operable on a celestial body having a plurality of individuals thereon. At least some of the individuals each have a selective call receiver operated for acknowledging receipt of a message from one of a plurality of terrestrial stations or from a satellite network orbiting the celestial body. The communication system comprises the plurality of terrestrial stations positioned on the celestial body for communicating the message to the selective call receiver and for communicating to a control element via at least the satellite network. The communication system further comprises the control element for receiving the message, for determining where to deliver and whether to expect acknowledgment of the message and operational parameters for delivery of the message, and for transmitting the message to the satellite network orbiting the celestial body. The communication system also includes the satellite network orbiting the celestial body comprising at least one satellite arranged to communicate the message toward at least a portion of the celestial body for reception by the selective call receiver or at least one of the plurality of terrestrial stations.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a paging communication system, comprising a satellite based communication element for communicating paging information to at least one of a plurality of selective call receivers, and further comprising the plurality of selective call receivers. The at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers is operated for receiving the paging information from the satellite based communication element and includes an element for generating an acknowledge signal to acknowledge receipt of the paging information via the satellite based communication element. The paging communication system further comprises a control element for determining operational parameters for delivery of the paging information and where to deliver the paging information and whether to expect the acknowledge signal from the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers. The determining is based at least in part upon information used to bill or invoice an operator of the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers for use of the paging communication system. The satellite based communication element adapts at least a paging communication protocol in response to the control element determining the paging communication protocol is at least a portion of the operational parameters for delivery of the paging information.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is a paging communication system, comprising a satellite based communication element for communicating paging information to at least one of a plurality of selective call receivers, and further comprising the plurality of selective call receivers. The at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers is operated for receiving the paging information from the satellite based communication element and includes an element for generating an acknowledge signal to acknowledge receipt of the paging information via the satellite based communication element. The paging communication system further comprises a control element for determining operational parameters for delivery of the paging information and where to deliver the paging information and whether to expect the acknowledge signal from the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers. The determining is based at least in part upon information associated with the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers. The control element is responsive to a prior received acknowledge signal to re-direct the paging information to an area other than specified by the information associated with the at least one of the plurality of selective call receivers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an orbiting satellite network in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating system operation in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a satellite of FIGS. 1 or 2.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a satellite transmission footprint.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating satellite communication paths and links.

FIGS. 6a-6d are flow diagrams outlining the operation of the satellites of FIGS. 1, 2 or 5.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the control station of FIGS. 2 or 5.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating the operation of the control station of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an optional ground station in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 10a and 10b are flow diagrams illustrating the operation of the ground station of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a selective call receiver (pager) in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Fundamentally, the present invention provides a world-wide communication system designed to call (page) individuals having a selective call receiver (pager). According to the invention, the selective call receiver (pager) disclosed herein may be operated within the system to control the satellite's transmitter power via the pager's acknowledge-back signal.

THE SYSTEM

Referring to FIG. 1, the inventive communication system of the present invention can be seen to be based on a network of satellites 102 disposed about a celestial body 104. Preferably, seventy-seven (77) satellites are deployed in various orbits about the celestial body (or planet) so as to be able to communicate a signal to a receiver (e.g., pager) anywhere on the planet. Of course, more or fewer satellites could be used depending on the transmission capabilities of the satellites and the desired communication coverage of the planet. According to the invention, the seventy-seven orbiting satellites are arranged in seven (7) orbit planes to form a satellite network so as to provide communication regardless of whether the receiver is operating on a land mass, on a body of water, or traveling by aircraft (provided that the aircraft is within the beam of the transmitting satellite).

Referring still to FIG. 1, three of the satellites are illustrated as communicating with a respective area 106a-106c of a land mass 108. Each area 106 is commonly referred to as the "footprint" of the transmitting beam of each satellite. According to the present invention, each satellite is capable of transmitting paging information either to paging receivers, or to ground stations located within the footprint of a particular satellite. Additionally, acknowledge-back signals from the pagers are received and processed by the satellites to control the transmit power of the satellites as will become hereinafter apparent. In the preferred embodiment, the transmission footprint of each satellite comprises thirty-seven (37) individual transmission lobes that allow the transmission power and footprint of each satellite to be controlled and fine tuned to deliver a paging message.

Within the satellite network, each satellite operates substantially independently of the others; although the entire network is coordinated by a centralized control facility. To provide a global paging system capable of accommodating the various operational protocols developed for paging receivers and systems, the present invention is capable of adapting a portion of itself for each paging event to the receiver (or receivers) designated to receive the paging information. That is, for example, paging receivers operating in area 106a may receive paging information directly from the satellite using Golay Sequential Coding (GSC). Simultaneously, paging receivers operating in area 106b can receive information from its satellite, or a terrestrial base station (or both), using the well known POCSAG protocol. Further, selective call receivers (pagers) operating in area 106c may comprise existing tone-only or tone-and-voice paging receivers that receive information relayed from the satell