United States Patent [19]
`Ulllted States Patent [19]
`Dao et al. (cid:9)
`Dao et al.
`
`111111111111111111111111111111j!1,1!1,!p11111111111111111111111111
`
`US005915207A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[n] Patent Number: (cid:9)
`[45] Date of Patent: (cid:9)
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,915,207
`5,915,207
`*Jun. 22, 1999
`*Jun. 22, 1999
`
`(cid:9) (cid:9)(cid:9) (cid:9)
`
`
`
`[54] MOBILE AND WIRELESS INFORMATION
`[54] MOBILE AND WIRELESS INFORMATION
`DISSEMINATION ARCHITECTURE AND
`[)ISSEMINATION ARCHITECTURE AND
`PROTOCOLS
`PROTOCOLS
`
`[75] Inventors: Son K. Dao, Northridge; Yongguang
`[75] Inventors: Son K. Dao, Northridge; Yongguang
`Zhang, Calabasas; Eddie C. Shek;
`Zhang, Calabasas; Eddie C. Shek;
`Asha Vellaikal, both of Los Angeles,
`Asha Vellaikal, both of Los Angeles,
`all of Calif.
`an of Calif
`
`_
`[ * ] Notice: (cid:9)
`[ T ]
`Notlce:
`
`[73] Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation, El
`[73] Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation, El
`Segundo, Cal1f.
`Segundo, Calif.
`_
`_
`_
`This patent issued on a continued pros-
`Th1s_ patent Tssufzd on a Con?rmed pros‘
`ecution application filed under 37 CFR
`ecutlon aPPhFatIOI} ?led under 37 CFR
`1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
`1.53(d), and 1s subJect to the twenty year
`patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`patent term provisions of 35 U.S.C.
`154(a)(2).
`154(21)(2)-
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/589,274
`[21] Appl. No.: 08/589,274
`Jan. 22, 1996
`[22]
`Filed:
`Jan. 22, 1996
`[22] Filed: (cid:9)
`
` H04B 1/60; H04B 7/216;
`[51] Int. C1.6
`[51]
`Int. Cl.6 ........................... .. H04B 1/60; H04B 7/216;
`H04B 7/212; H04Q 15/00
`H04B 7/212; H04Q 15/00
`[52] U.S. Cl.
` 455/9; 455/14; 455/447;
`[52] US. Cl. ............................... .. 455/9; 455/14; 455/447;
`455/461; 455/465; 375/206; 370/320; 370/337;
`455/461; 455/465; 375/206; 370/320; 370/337;
`370/338; 379/56.1; 379/379
`370/338; 379/56.1; 379/379
` 455/14, 9, 447,
`[58] Field of Search (cid:9)
`[58] Field of Search ................................ .. 455/14, 9, 447,
`455/461, 465; 370/447, 320, 338, 349,
`455/461, 465; 370/447, 320, 338, 349,
`337; 379 /94, 5 61, 379; 375 /2()6
`337; 379/94, 56.1, 379; 375/206
`
`370/338
`
`8/1997 Mahany et al. (cid:9)
`5,657,317
`8/1997 Mahany et a1. ....................... .. 370/338
`5,657,317
`5,684,801 11/1997 Amotay et al. (cid:9)
`
`370/447
`5,684,801 11/1997 Amotay et a1. .
`. 370/447
`5,689,547 11/1997 Molne (cid:9)
`
`379/94
`5,689,547 11/1997 Molne ........... ..
`379/94
`5,726,984
`3/1998 Kubler et al. (cid:9)
`
`370/349
`5,726,984
`3/1998 Kubler et a1. ......................... .. 370/349
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0 537 756 4/1993 European Pat. Off..
`0 537 756
`4/1993 European Pat- Off- -
`W093 09631 5/1993 WIPO .
`W093 09631 5/1993 WIPO .
`W095 32585 11/1995 WIPO .
`W095 32585 11/1995 WIPO .
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`"Workshop on Mobile Computing Systems and Applica-
`“Workshop on Mobile Computing Systems and Applica
`tions” 1994 IEEE Computer Society Technical Committee
`tions" 1994 IEEE Computer Society Technical Committee
`on Operating Systems and Application Environments
`on Operating Systems and Application Environments
`(TCOS) pp 57_62_
`(TCOS) pp. 57-62.
`
`Primary Examiner—William Cumming
`Primary Examiner—William Cumming
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—V. D. Duraiswamy; W. K.
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—V. D. Duraiswamy; W. K.
`Denson-Low
`Denson-Low
`[57]
`[57] (cid:9)
`
`ABSTRACT
`ABSTRACT
`
`A device for implementing a multimedia communication
`A device for implementing a multimedia communication
`dissemination system is disclosed herein. The communica
`dissemination system is disclosed herein. The communica-
`tion system integrates heterogeneous satellite transmission
`tion system integrates heterogeneous satellite transmission
`systems, local area computer networks, and the public
`systems, local area computer networks, and the public
`telephone system to implement a flexible, high-speed com-
`telephone system to implement a ?exible, high-speed com
`munication system. The preferred communication dissemi-
`munication System The Preferred Communication dissemi
`nation system includes a broadcast server for broadcasting
`nation system includes a broadcast server for broadcasting
`an information signal, a mobile base station for receiving the
`an information signal, a mobile base station for receiving the
`information signal broadcast from the broadcast server, and
`information signal broadcast from the broadcast server, and
`a local area network for distributing information received by
`a local area network for distributing information received by
`the mobile base station. The preferred mobile base station
`the mobile base station. The preferred mobile base station
`includes a receiver for receiving information signals trans
`includes a receiver for receiving information signals trans-
`mitted from a broadcast server, a network interface for
`mitted from a broadcast server, a network interface for
`distributing processed information signals, and a software
`distributing processed information signals, and a software
`proxy process for processing information signals. A software
`proxy process for processing information signals. Asoftware
`proxy process controls the dissemination of information
`proxy process controls the dissemination of information
`through the network. The software proxy process provides
`through the network. The software proxy process provides
`?lter and protocol functions to facilitate interconnection
`filter and protocol functions to facilitate interconnection
`between heterogenous communication systems.
`between heterogenous communication systems.
`
`14 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`14 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`[56]
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`U'S' PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,056,780 11/1977 (cid:9) Faulkner .
`4’056’780 11/1977 Fau1kner_
`4,284,848
`8/1981 Frost.
`4,284,848 8/1981 (cid:9) Frost .
`4,748,655
`5/1988 (cid:9) Thrower et al. .
`4,748,655
`5/1988 Thrower et al. .
`5,265,150 11/1993 (cid:9) Helmkamp et al. .
`5,265,150 11/1993 Helmkamp ct a1~~
`5,276,703
`1/1994 (cid:9) Budin et al. .
`52767703
`1/1994 Budin ct a1~ -
`5,408,515
`4/1995 (cid:9) Bhagat et al. .
`$408515 4/1995 Bhagat et a1"
`5,463,671 10/1995 (cid:9) Marsh et al. .
`ritstl'a'L '
`5,564,072 10/1996 (cid:9) Aguilera et al. .
`455/14
`
`5,603,080
`2/1997 (cid:9) Kallander et al. (cid:9)
`5,603,080
`2/1997 Kallander et a1. ...................... .. 455/14
`5,655,005 8/1997 Wiedeman et al. (cid:9)
`
`370/320
`5,655,005
`8/1997 Wiedeman et al. ................... .. 370/320
`
`/
`
`/
`/
`
`' Q 2/ f
`
`B
`
`B2
`
`l 30
`\
`\
`
`30
`\ 3°
`\
`\
`
`\
`\
`
`/
`
`32
`J32
`
`30
`30
`
`SPACE N 24
`SEGMENT
`
`36
`
`/
`
`/
`\
`
`22
`3' /(40
`2s
`K
`\ //
`BASE
`sTBLfTSEm ——_——-r—-—-j BROADCAST
`STATION
`34/
`BANDWIDTH
`BANDWIDTH
`34 '
`SERVER
`FILTERING
`B2,. FILTERING
`|
`
`Page 000001
`
`Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, Petitioner - Ex. 1037
`
`(cid:9)
`(cid:9)
`

`
`Jun. 22, 1999
`Jun. 22, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 of3
`Sheet 1 of 3 (cid:9)
`
`5,915,207
`5,915,207
`
`23
`
`22
`
`36
`
`r 24
`
`40
`
`s 7,
`
`34)
`
`20J
`
`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`FIG. I
`
`30
`
`26
`
`1;1
`30
`
`FIG. 2
`FIG. 2
`
`6 ill
`2/ 0 f 9.\\l 7 3 3
`lb]
`/._|»\._ _
`
`50 44
`
`4/ r _
`4 _
`w u
`
`24
`
`27
`
`4 _
`
`in Q
`
`L 7 _ M 2 _
`
`_
`
`- - - 7 - - -
`Tl/ _
`34,
`
`_
`
`33 39
`
`26
`
`3 \\ \ *
`3 \
`
`\ \
`
`\ 304-1
`
`— — --r
`
`32
`
`Page 000002
`
`(cid:9)
`

`
`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 1999
`Jun. 22, 1999 (cid:9)
`
`Sheet 2 of3
`Sheet 2 of 3 (cid:9)
`
`5,915,207
`5,915,207
`
`FIG. 3A
`FIG. 3A
`
`SPACE N24
`SPACE
`(N.- 24
`SEGMENT
`SEGMENT
`
`1 2I
`26 /B'/Q
`40
`/ \ \ K
`--. BASE
`* BASE _____T_____
`/
`STATION — — — — — —
`BROADCAST
`BROADCAST L
`STATION
`34 /
`34 I
`BANDWIDTH (cid:9)
`SERVER
`BANDWIDTH
`SERVER
`B2,,, FILTERING
`B2,. FILTERING
`" /‘
`'
`/ 1
`B2 f
`/
`B2
`B2
`/
`i
`B2
`j
`\
`I
`
`36
`(
`.1.6
`
`3.
`
`22
`22
`t (cid:9)
`
`IHI
`
`\
`\
`2
`IV?’
`/
`
`1
`1
`30
`30
`
`/
`
`/
`I
`
`3
`\ 30
`\
`
`\
`30
`\ 3°
`\
`\
`
`\ \ __ /
`
`FIG 38
`FIG. 3B
`
`7o
`
`BANDWIDTH
`
`OK?
`
`V72
`
`TRANSMIT
`TRANSMIT
`80“
`TO
`TO
`USER
`USER
`
`é
`ot
`
`DATA
`SELECTION
`
`~74
`
`DALA T
`
`DATA
`~76
`•,-76
`TRANSFORM
`TRANSFORM
`
`DATA (cid:9)
`DATA
`PRUNING
`PRUNING
`
`F.,78
`V78
`
`Page 000003
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent (cid:9)
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 22, 1999 (cid:9)
`Jun. 22, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 of 3 (cid:9)
`Sheet 3 of3
`
`5,915,207
`5,915,207
`
`FIG. 4
`FIG. 4
`
`1,..
`SPACE
`24
`SEGMENT
`
`5852551?“
`
`26 (cid:9)
`
`BI CtIO
`
`—--
`34]
`341
`
`c 22 (cid:9)
`
`36
`36
`L_
`X
`
`BROADCAST
`BROADCAST
`SERVER
`SERVER
`
`H
`
`B
`“298.5,.
`STATION
`MEMORY /5o
`50
`MEMORY
`51
`f:71*--82 -6 USER
`._B2_+ USER
`./ 5'
`FILTER
`FILTER
`,
`Bé I
`130
`B2
`B2
`B2
`1
`I30
`
`1
`
`130
`
`30
`
`FIG. 5
`FIG. 5
`
`SPACE
`SPACE ~24
`24
`SEGMENT
`SEGMENT
`
`Bl /
`B I
`40
`26
`40
`2s
`\ M
`I
`BA
`BASE
`SE
`STATI ON
`STATION —————— —-
`MEMORY
`50
`MEMORY A. 50
`51
`TJ- B2-,
`USER
`‘v51
`~—B2+ USER
`FILTER
`FILTER
`\
`t
`;
`30 (cid:9)
`IA
`B2 T
`30
`82 Ft/ B2
`/ B2
`
`5
`90
`90
`
`22
`36
`22 36
`I
`1
`l
`
`ACTIVE
`-——-\----- ACTIVE
`BROADCAST _
`34
`BROADCAST
`SERVER
`SERVER
`
`30
`30
`
`\
`30
`
`Page 000004
`
`

`
`5,915,207
`5,915,207
`
`1
`1
`MOBILE AND WIRELESS INFORMATION
`MOBILE AND WIRELESS INFORMATION
`DISSEMINATION ARCHITECTURE AND
`DISSEMINATION ARCHITECTURE AND
`PROTOCOLS
`PROTOCOLS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates in general to information
`The present invention relates in general to information
`communication systems, and more particularly, to a wireless
`communication systems, and more particularly, to a Wireless
`communication system architecture and protocols.
`communication system architecture and protocols.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The advent of powerful, loW-cost minicomputers enabled
`The advent of powerful, low-cost minicomputers enabled
`the evolution from centralized mainframe computer archi
`the evolution from centralized mainframe computer archi-
`tectures to distributed computer architectures connected
`tectures to distributed computer architectures connected
`over high-speed data netWorks. Distributed computer archi
`over high-speed data networks. Distributed computer archi-
`tectures now range from local networks of computers within
`tectures noW range from local netWorks of computers Within
`a single office, to wide-area networks covering miles, to
`a single of?ce, to Wide-area netWorks covering miles, to
`satellite transmission systems covering entire global regions.
`satellite transmission systems covering entire global regions.
`In contrast to distributed computer architectures, infor-
`In contrast to distributed computer architectures, infor
`mation databases have primarily remained in a centralized
`mation databases have primarily remained in a centraliZed
`architecture. Database information is therefore typically
`architecture. Database information is therefore typically
`disseminated to the distributed computers over communica-
`disseminated to the distributed computers over communica
`tion data links. Thus, modern distributed computer systems
`tion data links. Thus, modern distributed computer systems
`often require the installation of high-speed data links to
`often require the installation of high-speed data links to
`transmit information betWeen processing sites. To meet
`transmit information between processing sites. To meet
`these transmission requirements, high-speed data netWorks
`these transmission requirements, high-speed data networks
`have been developed to link centraliZed information data
`have been developed to link centralized information data-
`bases With distributed computer processing sites. Installation
`bases with distributed computer processing sites. Installation
`of high-speed data links, hoWever, often requires costly and
`of high-speed data links, however, often requires costly and
`time consuming setup of high-capacity communication
`time consuming setup of high-capacity communication
`lines. Moreover, deployment of high-speed data links in
`lines. Moreover, deployment of high-speed data links in
`remote ?eld locations not served by the eXisting communi
`remote field locations not served by the existing communi-
`cation infrastucture is extremely dif?cult.
`cation infrastucture is extremely difficult.
`Today’s communication infrastructure also includes vari
`Today's communication infrastructure also includes vari-
`ous communication systems intended to serve other com-
`ous communication systems intended to serve other com
`munication needs. For example, broadcast and cable televi-
`munication needs. For example, broadcast and cable televi
`sion systems enable television programming to reach
`sion systems enable television programming to reach
`millions of vieWers. In comparison, the public telephone
`millions of viewers. In comparison, the public telephone
`network allows one subscriber to connect with another
`netWork alloWs one subscriber to connect With another
`subscriber. Cellular telephone networks have extended tra-
`subscriber. Cellular telephone netWorks have eXtended tra
`ditional telephone service beyond the home and office to
`ditional telephone service beyond the home and office to
`mobile subscribers. In addition, orbiting earth satellites can
`mobile subscribers. In addition, orbiting earth satellites can
`communicate with virtually unlimited numbers of users over
`communicate With virtually unlimited numbers of users over
`large geographical areas, including areas not reached by
`large geographical areas, including areas not reached by
`traditional terrestrial communication systems. Service pro-
`traditional terrestrial communication systems. Service pro
`viders have also made extensive local and wide-area com-
`viders have also made eXtensive local and Wide-area com
`puter network systems accessible to the public. Such com-
`puter netWork systems accessible to the public. Such com
`puter networks now allow users access to on-line news,
`puter netWorks noW alloW users access to on-line neWs,
`sports, video and audio programming, information
`sports, video and audio programming, information
`databases, and other computer resources such as the Internet.
`databases, and other computer resources such as the Internet.
`These communication system are primarily designed to
`These communication system are primarily designed to
`operate as an independent system with a transmission band-
`operate as an independent system With a transmission band
`Width capacity appropriate to serve the intended application.
`width capacity appropriate to serve the intended application.
`For eXample, telephone systems are primarily designed to
`For example, telephone systems are primarily designed to
`handle loW-bandWidth voice and data traffic. Accordingly,
`handle low-bandwidth voice and data traffic. Accordingly,
`telephone systems typically be support relatively loW
`telephone systems typically be support relatively low-
`bandwidth transmission at 9.6 kilo-bits per second (kbps). In
`bandWidth transmission at 9.6 kilo-bits per second (kbps). In
`comparison, computer netWorks designed to process real
`comparison, computer networks designed to process real-
`time data or handle large amounts of digital data, such as an
`time data or handle large amounts of digital data, such as an
`information database or graphical images, usually operate at
`information database or graphical images, usually operate at
`a higher transmission bandwidth. A typical Ethernet com-
`a higher transmission bandWidth. A typical Ethernet com
`puter netWork, for eXample, transmits at 10 mega-bits-per
`puter network, for example, transmits at 10 mega-bits-per-
`second (mbps) for enhanced netWorks. Satellite communi
`second (mbps) for enhanced networks. Satellite communi-
`cation systems designed to transmit full-motion digital video
`cation systems designed to transmit full-motion digital video
`images may require even higher bandWidth equipment
`images may require even higher bandwidth equipment
`capable of transmitting 10 mbps or more.
`capable of transmitting 10 mbps or more.
`In addition, communication systems may employ differ
`In addition, communication systems may employ differ-
`ent methodologies to distribute information. Telephone net-
`ent methodologies to distribute information. Telephone net
`
`2
`2
`Works primarily form point-to-point connections to connect
`works primarily form point-to-point connections to connect
`a single subscriber to another subscriber. Computer net-
`a single subscriber to another subscriber. Computer net
`works typically allow a number of network nodes to access
`Works typically alloW a number of netWork nodes to access
`a number of other network nodes. In comparison, broadcast
`a number of other netWork nodes. In comparison, broadcast
`5 systems, such as a television or satellite broadcast system,
`systems, such as a television or satellite broadcast system,
`typically allow one communication source to communicate
`typically alloW one communication source to communicate
`with a large number of receivers.
`With a large number of receivers.
`The differences betWeen communication systems in band
`The differences between communication systems in band-
`Width rates and distribution methodology limits the inter
`width rates and distribution methodology limits the inter-
`connection and integration of heterogenous communication
`10 connection and integration of heterogenous communication
`10
`systems. For eXample, communication systems of different
`systems. For example, communication systems of different
`bandwidth rates typically cannot be connected without com-
`bandWidth rates typically cannot be connected Without com
`pensating for their different transmission rates. A 2 Mbps
`pensating for their different transmission rates. A 2 Mbps
`communication netWork, for example, cannot directly
`communication network, for example, cannot directly
`15
`15 handle the volume of data transmitted from a faster 10 mbps
`handle the volume of data transmitted from a faster 10 mbps
`system. In addition, consideration should also be given to
`system. In addition, consideration should also be given to
`the different manner in which systems disseminate informa-
`the different manner in Which systems disseminate informa
`tion. Communications transported via broadcast systems are
`tion. Communications transported via broadcast systems are
`typically be modi?ed to integrate With point-to-point com
`typically be modified to integrate with point-to-point com-
`munication systems. Compatibility issues thus arise When
`20 munication systems. Compatibility issues thus arise when
`interconnecting systems With different bandWidth rates and
`interconnecting systems with different bandwidth rates and
`different distribution schemes. Connectivity betWeen differ
`different distribution schemes. Connectivity between differ-
`ent communication systems may therefore be limited.
`ent communication systems may therefore be limited.
`Furthermore, communication systems suffer from inher
`Furthermore, communication systems suffer from inher-
`25
`ent transmission propagation delays associated With trans
`25 ent transmission propagation delays associated with trans-
`mitting information over long distances and processing
`mitting information over long distances and processing
`delays in distributing updated information across the system.
`delays in distributing updated information across the system.
`For eXample, transmitting a data signal up to a geosynchro
`For example, transmitting a data signal up to a geosynchro-
`nous satellite orbiting 35786 kilometers above the earth's
`nous satellite orbiting 35786 kilometers above the earth’s
`30 equator and back down to a receiving earth station incurs
`equator and back doWn to a receiving earth station incurs
`about a quarter second transmission propagation delay.
`about a quarter second transmission propagation delay.
`Transmitting a return signal from the receiving earth station
`Transmitting a return signal from the receiving earth station
`incurs another quarter second delay. In addition to transmis
`incurs another quarter second delay. In addition to transmis-
`sion propagation delays, distributed information systems
`sion propagation delays, distributed information systems
`35
`35 may also incur processing delays in distributing updated
`may also incur processing delays in distributing updated
`information to users. A typical distributed information sys-
`information to users. A typical distributed information sys
`tem requires users to specifically request or poll the infor-
`tem requires users to speci?cally request or poll the infor
`mation source to receive updated information. Waiting for a
`mation source to receive updated information. Waiting for a
`speci?c polling request, hoWever, delays the distribution of
`specific polling request, however, delays the distribution of
`40 updated information. While transmission propagation delays
`updated information. While transmission propagation delays
`are inherent to the transmission of signals and cannot be
`are inherent to the transmission of signals and cannot be
`eliminated, a communication system architecture and pro-
`eliminated, a communication system architecture and pro
`tocols can be implemented to minimize the effects of pro-
`tocols can be implemented to minimiZe the effects of pro
`cessing delays in distributing updated information to users.
`cessing delays in distributing updated information to users.
`
`45
`45
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`55
`55 (cid:9)
`
`The present invention relates to an architecture and pro-
`The present invention relates to an architecture and pro
`tocols for a flexible multimedia communication dissemina-
`tocols for a ?exible multimedia communication dissemina
`so tion system which combines satellite transmission systems,
`tion system Which combines satellite transmission systems,
`terrestrial Wireless netWorks, and the public telephone sys
`terrestrial wireless networks, and the public telephone sys-
`tem. Providing for the interconnection and integration
`tem. Providing for the interconnection and integration
`between these various communication systems allows a
`betWeen these various communication systems alloWs a
`high-speed communication system to be quickly deployed.
`high-speed communication system to be quickly deployed.
`In one aspect of the invention, the communication system
`In one aspect of the invention, the communication system
`includes a broadcast server for broadcasting an information
`includes a broadcast server for broadcasting an information
`signal, and a mobile base station for receiving the informa-
`signal, and a mobile base station for receiving the informa
`tion signal broadcast from the broadcast server. A local area
`tion signal broadcast from the broadcast server. A local area
`netWork distributes information received by the mobile base
`network distributes information received by the mobile base
`60 station. In the preferred embodiment, the broadcast server
`station. In the preferred embodiment, the broadcast server
`includes a satellite uplink facility capable of accessing an
`includes a satellite uplink facility capable of accessing an
`information database and transmitting an information signal
`information database and transmitting an information signal
`over a space segment. The mobile base station receives the
`over a space segment. The mobile base station receives the
`transmitted information signal and operates the local area
`transmitted information signal and operates the local area
`65 network. The local area network is preferably a wireless
`netWork. The local area netWork is preferably a Wireless
`65
`communication network which disseminates information to
`communication netWork Which disseminates information to
`a number of mobile users.
`a number of mobile users.
`
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`In another aspect of the invention, a mobile base station
`In another aspect of the invention, a mobile base station
`includes a receiver for receiving information signals trans
`includes a receiver for receiving information signals trans-
`mitted from a broadcast server, a network interface for
`mitted from a broadcast server, a netWork interface for
`distributing processed information signals, and a softWare
`distributing processed information signals, and a software
`proxy process for processing information signals transmitted
`proxy process for processing information signals transmitted
`from the broadcast server. In the preferred embodiment, the
`from the broadcast server. In the preferred embodiment, the
`mobile base station receives an information signal transmit-
`mobile base station receives an information signal transmit
`ted via the space segment. The netWork interface preferably
`ted via the space segment. The network interface preferably
`implements a mobile Wireless netWork to alloW ?exibility in
`implements a mobile wireless network to allow flexibility in
`deploying the local area network. The mobile network also
`deploying the local area netWork. The mobile netWork also
`enables users to use the system in different locations. The
`enables users to use the system in different locations. The
`softWare proxy process provides the interface betWeen the
`software proxy process provides the interface between the
`mobile base station and the local area network.
`mobile base station and the local area netWork.
`In yet another aspect of the invention, the mobile base
`In yet another aspect of the invention, the mobile base
`station includes a software proxy process to control the
`station includes a softWare proxy process to control the
`dissemination of information through the netWork. The
`dissemination of information through the network. The
`softWare proxy process provides ?lter and protocol functions
`software proxy process provides filter and protocol functions
`to facilitate interconnection between different communica-
`to facilitate interconnection betWeen different communica
`tion systems. A bandWidth-based ?ltering process matches
`tion systems. A bandwidth-based filtering process matches
`the bandwidth of the space segment to the bandwidth of the
`the bandWidth of the space segment to the bandWidth of the
`local area network. A user-based filtering process minimizes
`local area netWork. Auser-based ?ltering process minimiZes
`the bandWidth impact upon the space segment bandWidth
`the bandwidth impact upon the space segment bandwidth
`when a number of mobile users are accessing similar data-
`When a number of mobile users are accessing similar data
`base information. An active broadcast protocol minimiZes
`base information. An active broadcast protocol minimizes
`latency delays associated With updating information across
`latency delays associated with updating information across
`a distributed network.
`a distributed netWork.
`The present invention alloWs several heterogenous com
`The present invention allows several heterogenous com-
`munication systems to be integrated to form a high-speed
`munication systems to be integrated to form a high-speed
`communication system capable of transmitting multimedia
`communication system capable of transmitting multimedia
`data. Differences in bandWidth capacity and distribution
`data. Differences in bandwidth capacity and distribution
`methodology may be resolved by the softWare proxy of the
`methodology may be resolved by the software proxy of the
`mobile base station. The software proxy process integrates
`mobile base station. The softWare proxy process integrates
`heterogenous communication systems and reduces the over
`heterogenous communication systems and reduces the over-
`all netWork load by reducing unnecessary transmissions.
`all network load by reducing unnecessary transmissions.
`The integration of heterogeneous communication systems
`The integration of heterogeneous communication systems
`enables high-capacity data netWorks to be quickly deployed.
`enables high-capacity data networks to be quickly deployed.
`Remote installations may be reached by a satellite covering
`Remote installations may be reached by a satellite covering
`a large geographical area. Wireless and mobile technology
`a large geographical area. Wireless and mobile technology
`alloWs the system to be rapidly deployed With minimal
`allows the system to be rapidly deployed with minimal
`equipment installation requirements.
`equipment installation requirements.
`It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
`It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
`description and the following detailed description are exem-
`description and the folloWing detailed description are exem
`plary and explanatory and are intended to provide further
`plary and explanatory and are intended to provide further
`explanation of the invention as claimed. The invention,
`explanation of the invention as claimed. The invention,
`together With the further objects and intended advantages,
`together with the further objects and intended advantages,
`Will best be understood by reference to the folloWing
`will best be understood by reference to the following
`detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accom-
`detailed description, taken in conjunction With the accom
`panying draWings.
`panying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a communication system
`FIG. 1 is a diagram shoWing a communication system
`constructed in accordance With the teachings of the present
`constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
`invention.
`invention.
`FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the mobile base station
`FIG. 2 shoWs a block diagram of the mobile base station
`and local area network of FIG. 1.
`and local area netWork of FIG. 1.
`FIGS. 3a-3b show diagrams of the bandwidth-based
`FIGS. 3a—3b shoW diagrams of the bandWidth-based
`filtering of the mobile base station of FIG. 1.
`?ltering of the mobile base station of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 4 shows a diagram of the user-based filtering of the
`FIG. 4 shoWs a diagram of the user-based ?ltering of the
`mobile base station of FIG. 1.
`mobile base station of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 5 shows a diagram of the active broadcast protocol
`FIG. 5 shoWs a diagram of the active broadcast protocol
`of the mobile base of FIG. 1.
`of the mobile base of FIG. 1.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a com-
`Referring noW to the draWings, FIG. 1 illustrates a com
`munication system 20. The system 20 preferably includes a
`munication system 20. The system 20 preferably includes a
`
`4
`4
`broadcast server 22, a space segment 24, and a mobile base
`broadcast server 22, a space segment 24, and a mobile base
`station 26. The mobile base station 26 disseminates infor-
`station 26. The mobile base station 26 disseminates infor
`mation to the mobile users 30 through a local area network
`mation to the mobile users 30 through a local area netWork
`32. The broadcast server 26 uplinks an information signal 40
`32. The broadcast server 26 uplinks an information signal 40
`5 via space segment 24 to transmit information to the mobile
`via space segment 24 to transmit information to the mobile
`base station 26.
`base station 26.
`The communication system 20 enables mobile users 30 to
`The communication system 20 enables mobile users 30 to
`access and transmit information from a source or database
`access and transmit information from a source or database
`36 through the mobile base station 26. The broadcast server
`36 through the mobile base station 26. The broadcast server
`10 22 accesses the information source or database 36 contain-
`10
`22 accesses the information source or database 36 contain
`ing different types of information required by the mobile
`ing different types of information required by the mobile
`users 30. The broadcast server 22 preferably transmits the
`users 30. The broadcast server 22 preferably transmits the
`information database 36 via the space segment 24. Broad-
`information database 36 via the space segment 24. Broad
`cast server preferably compresses, error-codes, multiplexes,
`cast server preferably compresses, error-codes, multiplexes,
`and ampli?es an information signal 40 for transmission via
`15
`15 and amplifies an information signal 40 for transmission via
`the space segment 24 using conventional digital satellite
`the space segment 24 using conventional digital satellite
`transmission techniques. Broadcast server 22 preferably
`transmission techniques. Broadcast server 22 preferably
`includes a high-poWer ampl