Abstract:
A portable satellite data communication device that provides data communication capabilities to cellular only smartphone and similar device globally. The portable satellite data communication device is equipped with a short range wireless transceiver such as Bluetooth for communication with the smartphone and a satellite data transceiver for communication with the satellite. The device acts as network bridge between the smartphone and the satellite network. Using that device allows smartphone users to keep sending and receiving data messages like emails anywhere in the world even if there is no cellular coverage. The portable satellite data communication device also has built-in functionalities for monitoring the satellite signal and the arrival of new messages at the satellite gateway.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of PPA 61/249,821 filed on Oct. 8, 2009 by the present inventor, which is incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for the transmission of data messages through satellites in remote areas. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of Prior Art 
         [0005]    Earlier cellular phones functionalities were limited to voice calls and SMS messaging. Nowadays, new devices like the Smartphone are available. A smartphone is a mobile phone offering advanced capabilities, often with PC-like functionality. Apart from making phones calls, Smartphones are used for sending and receiving emails and text message (SMS). They are also used for Internet Web browsing, GPS tracking and multiple other functionalities available as Apps. In fact, their PC-like functionality allows software developers to create various applications. 
         [0006]    For most Smartphones, network functionalities can only be used however if the device is within a region with cellular coverage. Unless the Smartphone is equipped with an internal Satellite Transceiver, the device is basically useless outside cellular areas. 
         [0007]    Because of this limitation, individuals traveling in remote areas where cellular wireless coverage is not available have been mostly using satellite phones as a portable device for communication needs. Other satellite devices are available but are usually considered too bulky or expensive for personal use. 
         [0008]    Satellite phones that operates on the Iridium, Globalstar, Inmarsat or Thuraya satellite networks for example share the same operational limits. Satellite phones requires a direct line of sight with satellites for establishing communication. Therefore one must be physically outside and hold or install the phone in particular way to satisfy this requirement. This can be difficult and inconvenient particularly if the weather or the climatic conditions are not favorable. 
         [0009]    Since the satellite phones must always have a direct line of sight with the satellite for proper operation, they are mostly used for making calls and not for receiving calls. In fact, circa 2009, receiving calls or SMS messages on an Iridium satellite phone is free of charge for the phone owner. Therefore, trying to call somebody travelling with a satellite phone can be difficult and multiple attempts may be needed. Sending an SMS message to a satellite phone owner may be a better solution if there is an urgent need to contact the individual. But still, the SMS message cannot be delivered if the Satellite phone is not powered up with direct line of sight with the satellite. 
         [0010]    Ideally, a Smartphone owner would have the have capability to keep sending and receiving information without having to buy an additional phone (Satellite phone) when they are in a remote area where there is no cellular coverage. Smartphone owners usually keep all their contact information within the smartphone and they send and receive emails using that same device. It is much more practical to keep using that same device for sending and receiving messages instead of relying on another independent device when there is a need for data communication. 
         [0011]    A personal locating device described in Published U.S. Patent Application No 2009/0121930 describe a small device that operates globally but it lacks the capability to communicate with an external device like a smartphone and it must held outside with a direct line of sight with the satellite. 
         [0012]    A communication system is described in Published U.S. Patent Application No 2005/0055407 but it is not portable and is targeted toward marine applications with integrated GPS and sensors. Moreover it does not interface with a smartphone or similar wireless device. 
         [0013]    It would therefore be desirable to have apparatus and methods that cost-effectively provides data communication capability to a smartphone outside cellular network coverage area. It would also be desirable to have apparatus and methods that enables a Smartphone to keep receiving and sending data messages even if the smartphone does not have a direct line of sight with the satellite and finally that apparatus would be small and portable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    In order to describe the manner in which the advantages and features can be obtained, a more particular description is provided below and will be rendered to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, implementation will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a general schematic view of a network configuration in accordance with the invention. It illustrates components of an exemplary satellite data transfer system for cellular only smartphones. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a schematic of the electronics employed in the portable satellite data communication unit 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating operations of the portable satellite data communication unit according to embodiments of the present invention 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram illustrating operations of the Smartphone application with the portable satellite data communication unit when sending data 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating operations of the Smartphone application with the portable satellite data communication unit when receiving data 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram that illustrate an exemplary process, which the processing center or back office may perform for sending a data message from an external computing device to the satellite gateway. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram that illustrate an exemplary process, which the processing center or back office may perform when receiving short burst data messages from the satellite gateway. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary satellite data transfer using a cellular smartphone and the portable satellite data communication unit. 
       
    
    
     GLOSSARY 
       [0023]    Data message: In the context of this invention, a series of bytes or characters to be transferred between a computing device like a smartphone and a processing center such as a back office server. A data message may be for example the characters of an email, a GPS position report, an SMS message, a weather update, etc. 
         [0024]    Short Burst Data message: A series of bytes or characters encapsulated in a message specially formatted for transmission over a low bandwidth satellite network service. 
         [0025]    Satellite short burst data transceiver: A satellite data transceiver optimized for sending and receiving short data messages under approximately 10,000 bytes in burst with low power requirements and requiring only a small compact satellite antenna. 
         [0026]    Bluetooth: a short range wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances 
         [0027]    Smartphone: A smartphone is defined as a computing device comprising mobile phone functionality and offering advanced capabilities, often with PC-like functionality. In the context of this invention, the smartphone is portable and equipped with a cellular wireless transceiver and a short range wireless transceiver such as Bluetooth. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
         [0029]    The apparatus, systems and methods function to provide consumer satellite messaging and low bandwidth data transfer using a smartphone or a similar device such as a laptop computer or the like equipped with a Bluetooth transceiver. That capability can be provided by using a satellite transceiver and the required software and firmware to enable the smartphone to send and receive data using that satellite transceiver instead of the cellular network. 
         [0030]    Referring to the drawing figures,  FIG. 1  illustrates components of an exemplary satellite data transfer system for cellular only smartphones. A user  102  located in a remote area without cellular coverage has a smartphone such as a BlackBerry  104  loaded with the appropriate communication software sends a data message such as en email. The smartphone  104  establish Bluetooth pairing  106  with the portable satellite data communication unit  108  and convert the data message in a format suitable for transfer over the satellite network  110 . Once the Bluetooth pairing is establish between the smartphone and the portable satellite data communication unit  108 , the portable satellite data communication unit  108  behave as a slave of the smartphone  104 . The smartphone  104  software verify that adequate satellite signal is available and request the portable satellite data communication unit  108  to send the data message using satellite communication  112 . A satellite network such as Iridium  110 , 112 , 114  with satellite data service such as Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) is used for the data transmission. 
         [0031]    Once the data message arrive at the satellite gateway  114 , it is forwarded to the Back Office server  118  using an internet protocol such as TCP/IP  116 . The message is reconstructed by the back office server  118  and sent to the recipient using the appropriate Internet protocol  120 . The recipient device may be a Laptop computer  132 , another smartphone  130 , a tablet computer  128 , a desktop computer  126  or another server  134  or any device connected to the Internet. The back office server  118  can also send the data message to a cellular phone  124  if it is an SMS message  122  using an SMS Gateway. 
         [0032]    Since the system is fully bidirectional, a data message such as an email message received at the back office server  118  can be forwarded to the smartphone  104  using the satellite network  110 , 112 , 114  and the portable satellite data communication unit  108 . The data message is first converted in a format suitable for transfer over the satellite network  110  by the back office. If the portable satellite data communication unit  108  is powered up and as a satellite  110  in view, it will receive the data message and forward it to the smartphone  104  using Bluetooth  106 . If the portable satellite data communication unit  108  is unable to receive the data message, the data message will standby at the satellite gateway until the portable satellite data communication unit  108  is ready to receive it. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  illustrate a schematic of the electronics employed in an exemplary portable satellite data communication unit  108 . The portable satellite data communication unit  108  comprises a housing  232  which is preferably made of plastic and of small size to be portable. The housing  108  is preferably waterproof. A plurality of buttons  210 - 211  are provided on the housing  232  for selection of the operation mode and to switch the unit On and Off. A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs)  202 , 204 , 206 , 208  are provided on the housing to monitor the operational activity of the portable satellite data communication unit  108 . 
         [0034]    The electronic circuitry includes a microcontroller  218 , a short range wireless transceiver module such as a Bluetooth transceiver module  226 , a satellite short burst data transceiver module  224 , a battery  212 , a power jack  213 , a low current power supply  220 , a high current power supply  22 , a plurality of light emitting diodes (LED)  202 - 208  and a plurality of buttons  210 . LED  202  turn solid red when power is applied to the portable satellite data communication unit  108 . LED  204  turn solid green when a satellite is in view and the signal strength is adequate. LED  206  is yellow and blinks every 2 seconds when a new short burst data message is standing by at the satellite gateway. LED  208  turn solid blue when Bluetooth pairing has been successfully establish between the portable satellite data communication unit  108  and a Bluetooth capable smartphone  104 . 
         [0035]    In this exemplary embodiments, the Bluetooth antenna  228  and the satellite antenna  230  are located inside the housing. However, the Bluetooth antenna  228  and the satellite antenna  230  can be external to the housing and connected to the Bluetooth Transceiver module  228  and the Satellite Short burst data transceiver module  224  using coaxial cables (not shown). A car power adapter  214  or an AC 100V-240V power adapter  216  can be used instead of the battery  212  for powering the electronic circuitry. 
         [0036]    The microcontroller  218  is coupled to and drives a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs)  202 - 208 . The microcontroller  218  is coupled to and receives signals from the plurality of buttons  210 - 211 . The microcontroller  218  communicates with the satellite short burst data transceiver  224  using serial communication. The satellite short burst data transceiver  224  may be for example a 9602 Iridium Short Burst data Transceiver. The satellite short burst data transceiver  224  communicates with satellites  110  through the satellite antenna  230 . The satellite antenna  230  is of small size and is preferably a patch antenna. The microcontroller  218  communicates with the Bluetooth transceiver  226  using serial communication. The Bluetooth transceiver  226  may be for example the LMX9830 from National Semiconductor. 
         [0037]    The low current power supply A  220  provides power to all electronic components but the Satellite Short Burst Transceiver  224 . The High current power supply B  220  provides power to the satellite short burst data transceiver  224 . 
         [0038]    The portable satellite data communication unit  108  is configured to operate as a function of the programming of the microcontroller  218 . The microcontroller  218  is programmed to implement various operating mode of the portable satellite data communication unit  108 , which respond to mode selection button  211 , commands from the smartphone  104  through the Bluetooth Transceiver  226  and activation of the appropriate LEDs  202 - 208  to notify the user. Operation of the portable satellite data communication unit  108  and the different operating modes that the microcontroller  218  may be programmed to provide are discussed in more detail below. Such programming is generally routine for those skilled in microcontroller and microprocessor programming and specifics regarding the programming will not be discussed in detail herein. 
         [0039]    A reduced-to-practice embodiment of the portable satellite data communication unit  108  has 2 main operating modes that can be selected using the mode button  211 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram that illustrate the 2 main operating modes. After powering ON the portable satellite data communication unit  108  using the ON/OFF button  210 , the microcontroller  218  check the mode selection button  211 . If the selected mode is “Slave”  302 , the Satellite Short Burst Data Transceiver  224  is activated  316  and the Bluetooth Transceiver  226  is also activated  318  using the Serial Port Profile (SPP). The Bluetooth Transceiver will then wait for a pairing request from the smartphone  104 . Once the request has been received, it will be validated and established  320 . The portable satellite data communication unit  108  will then put itself into a slave mode  322  where it will forward smartphone  104  instructions to the Satellite Short Burst Data Transceiver  224 . The Satellite Short Burst Data Transceiver  224  which can be for example a 9602 Iridium Short Burst data Transceiver accept industry standard AT commands for establishing communication with the satellite  110 , sending short burst data messages, receiving short burst data messages and monitoring satellite signal. 
         [0041]    If the selected mode is “Check for new incoming data”  302 , the Satellite Short Burst Data Transceiver  224  is activated  304  and instructed using AT commands to register itself on the satellite network and check for new short burst data messages standing by at the satellite gateway  306 . If a new short burst data message is standing by at the satellite gateway  114 , the Satellite Short Burst Data Transceiver  224  will notify the microcontroller  218  and the LED  206  will start blinking  314 . Other embodiments of this invention could also implement additional notification methods. 
         [0042]    If there a no new short burst data message standing by at the satellite gateway  114 , the portable satellite data communication unit  108  will enter into a low power mode  308  to reduce power consumption. The microcontroller  218  will keep monitoring the Satellite Short Burst Data Transceiver  224  for RING message however  308 . RING messages are generated every time a new short burst data message arrives at the satellite gateway. The satellite antenna  230  must keep a direct line of sight with the satellite however for proper operation of this function. 
         [0043]    Once a RING message has been received  310 , the LED  206  will start blinking  312 . Other embodiments of this invention could also implement additional notification methods. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram that illustrate an exemplary process, which the smartphone  104  may perform for sending data messages over the satellite network. The smartphone  104  will need to be loaded with a special software for enabling data communication with the portable satellite data communication unit  108 . Smartphone manufacturers usually provide an Application programming Interface (API) for developing new smartphone applications. Such software programming is generally routine for those skilled in cellular phone and embedded device programming and specifics regarding the programming will not be discussed in detail herein. 
         [0045]    The process may begin with an application such as an email client trying to send a data message through the wireless network. If there is cellular coverage and the smartphone is registered on this cellular network, the built-in cellular wireless transceiver will be utilized  404 . If there is no cellular wireless coverage  402 , the smartphone Bluetooth transceiver  406  will be activated using the Serial Port Profile (SPP). If a portable satellite data communication unit  108  is within the Bluetooth protocol range and it is activated in the “slave” mode  302 , the smartphone  104  will try to establish pairing  408  with it. Once the pairing has been completed, the portable satellite data communication unit  108  will behave as slave of the smartphone and will forward all instructions to the satellite short burst data transceiver  224 . 
         [0046]    Short burst data satellite services such as the Iridium Short Burst Data service have a limited payload in terms of bytes that can be transmitted per satellite short burst data message. Therefore if the data message to be transmitted over the satellite network exceed the maximum payload of a short burst data message, the data message must be segmented and each of the segments must be sent in separate short burst data message. When the separate short burst data message are received, the segments may be combined to reconstruct the original data message. Software programming of functions to segment and reconstruct data messages is generally routine for those skilled in the software engineering art and specifics regarding the programming of these functions will not be discussed in detail herein. 
         [0047]    The smartphone  104  software will prepare the short burst data messages  410  and will check if the Satellite short burst data transceiver  224  is ready for sending the data  412 . If the satellite signal is inadequate, it will display a notification  414  and retry later for a maximum of 3 attempts. If the signal is adequate, the smartphone  104  will instruct the Satellite short burst data transceiver  224  to send the short burst data messages  416 . If an error occur during the sending, it will retry 3 times before displaying a failure notification. If a short burst data message is received from the satellite gateway  114  while transmitting the short burst data message  418 , it will be processed  420  and stored in the smartphone  104  memory. 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  is a flow diagram that illustrate an exemplary process, which the smartphone  104  may perform for receiving data messages over the satellite network. Once the Bluetooth pairing has been completed between the smartphone  104  and the portable satellite data communication unit  108  as in the steps  402 ,  406  and  408  of  FIG. 4 , the smartphone  104  will listen for RING messages  502  produced by the Satellite short burst data transceiver  224 . RING messages are generated by Short Burst Data Transceiver like the 9602 Iridium Short Burst Data Transceiver to indicate that a new short burst data message has arrived at the satellite gateway  114 . The smartphone  104  will then check if the Satellite short burst data transceiver  224  is ready for communication  504 . If the satellite signal is inadequate, it will display a notification  506  and retry later for a maximum of 3 attempts. If the signal is adequate, the smartphone  104  will instruct the Satellite short burst data transceiver  224  to start retrieving short burst data messages  508 . Once the short burst data messages have been received successfully, they are processed and the data message is reconstructed  510 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram that illustrate an exemplary process, which the processing center or back office  118  may perform for sending a data message from an external computing device like an internet server  134 , a computer  126 , a tablet computer  128 , a smartphone  130  or a cell phone to the satellite gateway  114 . 
         [0050]    The data message which may be for example an email message is received at the back office  602 . If the data message is too large to be sent in one short burst data message, it is segmented in multiple short burst data messages  604  and the resulting messages are sent to the satellite gateway  606 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram that illustrate an exemplary process, which the back office  118  may perform when receiving short burst data messages from the satellite gateway  114 . 
         [0052]    The short burst data messages are received at the satellite gateway  702  and the data message is reconstructed from the short burst data messages  704 . If the short burst data message contains all the information necessary to reconstruct the data message then aggregation of multiple short burst data messages is not necessary. Once the data message has been fully reconstructed, it is sent to its destination  706 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary satellite data transfer using a cellular smartphone and the portable satellite data communication unit. 
         [0054]    For example, a user in a remote area without cellular coverage would like to transmit its current GPS coordinate for display on a web service like Google Map. A smartphone equipped with a GPS receiver triangulate the current position using GPS satellites  602 . The location data is processed by the smartphone  104  and the data is embedded into a short burst data message. The short burst data message is sent over Bluetooth  106  to the portable satellite data communication unit  108 . The portable satellite data communication unit  108  send the short burst data message to the satellite  110  and the satellite forward it to the satellite gateway  114 . The satellite gateway forward the short burst data message to the back office server  118  using TCP/IP socket communication  116 . The back office server  118  extract the location information from the short burst data message and send it to its destination which may be a corporate server  604  or an internet server  134 . 
         [0055]    Since the system is bidirectional, a data message such as an email can be sent to the smartphone  104 . The data message arrive at the back office  118  and it is segmented if necessary into multiple short burst data messages. The short burst data messages are sent to the satellite gateway  114  using TCP/IP socket communication  116 . The satellite gateway  114  send a RING notice to the satellite data communication unit  108 . The smartphone  104  is notified of the RING notice and request the portable satellite data communication unit  108  to recover the short burst data messages. The short burst data messages are received at the smartphone  104  using the Bluetooth link  106 . The smartphone  104  reconstruct the data message from the short burst data messages. 
         [0056]    Bluetooth is used throughout the description of this exemplary embodiment but other short distance wireless protocol like Wireless USB or WIFI could also be used. 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0057]    Systems, apparatus and methods for sending and receiving data messages with a cellular only smartphone in a remote area without cellular wireless coverage have been disclosed. Although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of some of the many specific embodiments that represent applications of the principles discussed above. Clearly, numerous other arrangements can be readily devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.