Patent ID: 6278861
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
In a mobile satellite system, a mobile communication system comprising:a user interface system providing a user interface through which a user has access to services supported by the mobile satellite system;an interface system providing an interface between the mobile communication system and the mobile satellite system, receiving a first satellite message from the mobile satellite system and converting the first satellite message into at least one of voice, data, fax and signaling signals for transmitting to the user interface system;a logic and signaling system, operatively connected to said interface system, configuring said interface system for reception and transmission of the at least one of voice, data, fax and signaling messages,said logic and signaling system providing a communication function permitting the mobile communication system to alternately communicate between the mobile satellite system and a terrestrial based communication system responsive to predetermined selection of a primary service and an alternate service, wherein upon the loss of the primary service, the mobile communication system attempts to communicate with the alternate service in accordance with predetermined criteria; anda digital terminal equipment unit. operatively connected to said logic and signaling system, initiating a call release for said mobile communication system by issuing a release command to said logic signaling system. and when the call release is initiated by a public switched telephone network, said logic and signaling system issues a no carrier indication to said digital terminal equipment, and continuously transmits an on hook status until at least one of receiving an on-hook acknowledgment and expiration of a predetermined time interval.