Patent ID: 6246873
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: H04N,H04W

Abstract:
A conference station for use in a system for enabling a conference by satellite using at least one satellite communication channel comprising:means for receiving communications on at least one satellite communication channel allocated to the conference station and having a given frequency;means for transmitting communications on at least one satellite communication channel allocated to the conference station and having a given frequency;means for controlling access from the conference station to the satellite communication channel or channels allocated for transmissions from the conference station comprising means for detecting whether a communication is being received on an allocated satellite communication channel, means for determining that a satellite communication channel allocated for use by the transmitting mean, is free for use or unoccupied when the detecting means does not detect a communication from another conference station on that channel, and means for enabling transmission by the transmitting means of a satellite communication on a communication channel allocated for use by the transmitting means when that communication channel is determined to be free whereby a participant at the conference station can speak in a conference when a satellite voice communication allocated to the conference statice is free;means responsive to a data signal received on a satellite data channel from a conference control station for controlling the satellite communication receiving means to adjust the allocated satellite communication channel frequency or frequencies on which the receiving means is arranged to receive communications; andmeans responsive to a data signal received on a satellite data channel from a conference control station for controlling the satellite communication transmitting means to adjust the allocated satellite communication channel frequency or frequencies on which the transmitting means is arranged to transmit communications.