Patent Publication Number: US-2003231238-A1

Title: Mobile videoconferencing system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] The present application hereby claims the benefit of the provisional patent application entitled “Mobile Videoconferencing System” to Mark Chew et al., Serial. No. 60/388,448, filed on Jun. 13, 2002. 
    
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention relates, in general, to systems that transmit two-way video, audio, and data between a fixed site and a mobile site via a satellite link, and in particular to systems that further communicate to other fixed sites via the public telecommunications infrastructure.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] Increasingly, businesses rely upon two-way teleconferencing in lieu of the expense and inconvenience of travel. For instance, a large number of businesses and institutions use RS366 standard videoconferencing systems that communicate across ISDN (Integrated Switched Digital Networks) and telephone lines. In addition, as businesses upgrade their data transmission network capacity, there is a growing trend for using H.320/323 standard videoconferencing systems (Digital Visual Communication) that communicate across these digital networks. Such digital approaches allow integrating additional capabilities, such as telephone, data and document transmission between locations.  
       [0004] Communication infrastructures that use ISDN telephone and data networks are being installed in many locations. However, often such terrestrial communication links are unavailable. For example, ISDN access is limited to 18,000 feet from a central office, so in rural areas an expensive T1 link has to be installed. In particular, many areas are too remote or have not been retrofitted with such links. Even in highly industrialized countries, it may take weeks or months to schedule the installation of such communication links. In addition, a one-time or intermittent use of the facility for teleconferencing may not make it worthwhile to install such links.  
       [0005] Satellite communication been employed to a limited extent to overcome unavailability of terrestrial communication links and to provide immediate access to broadband communication. However, the available approaches are either technically inferior or prohibitively expensive and complicated.  
       [0006] As a low-end option, video and audio have been transmitted over satellite telephone or cellular telephone systems. The low bandwidth of these telephone system restricts the transmission to a very low-resolution video signal. Such systems have been conspicuously used by journalists in austere environments to provide a rudimentary video signal for news broadcasts.  
       [0007] At the other extreme, a satellite news gathering (SNG) broadcasting station is often installed in a full-length semi-tractor trailer to obtain a degree of mobility. A large satellite antenna communicates via a geosynchronous satellite to a fixed broadcasting location. Such full broadcast suites are driven around the country for use at sporting events, political conventions, and other regionally or nationally televised events. The emphasis is on providing broadcast quality video and audio one way back to the fixed broadcasting station. These trailers typically contract satellite operators for 4.5 to 18 megabytes per second of bandwidth, at a large cost.  
       [0008] Thus, there is a large terrestrial communication infrastructure of videoconferencing systems, telephone, data networks, etc. Businesses and institutions use these communication links for two-way high-resolution audio and video transmission, Internet access, presentation visual graphics, telephone communication, email, and facsimile documents. However, these land-based solutions are limited to fixed locations and require significant amounts of time to add new locations. Television broadcasters have elaborate mobile platforms that are capable of one-way high-resolution audio and video transmission to a fixed broadcast station. Service and equipment providers generally have expertise in either the terrestrial, videoconferencing and telecommunication systems or have expertise in satellite communication. No one provides a satisfactory end-to-end solution for business quality of higher remote videoconferencing.  
       [0009] In the recent past, we have discovered that satellite based communication is a feasible and economical approach to linking a remote site to a terrestrial videoconference site. We discovered that data latency end-to-end through such a system was not insurmountable. In particular, FIG. 1 depicts a universal conferencing system  10  that we built employing a two-way, bit-based satellite communication channel  12  between a remote bit-based system and a technical operations center (TOC)  16 . The TOC  16  arranges with a satellite operator to have two narrowband (e.g., 384 k-bits wide each) channels available on a geosynchronous communication satellite  18  during a given time slot, each channel with a carrier signal. One channel (“B1”) is for the TOC  16  to send video and audio to the remote bit-based system  14  and the other channel (“B2”) is for the TOC  16  to receive video and audio from the remote bit-based system  14 . The remote bit-based system  14  was advantageously installed in a truck van  20 .  
       [0010] The TOC  16  included an internal bit-based network  22  that interfaced the satellite communication channel  12  to a terrestrial communication network, depicted as an ISDN Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)  24 . Through the ISDN PSTN  24 , numerous fixed videoconference (VTC) stations  26  may be linked. Video and audio originating from the fixed VTC station  26  passes through the ISDN PSTN  24  to the internal bit-based network  22 , which comprises an IMUX (RS366-RS422) Interface  28  coupled to a bit-based satellite modem  30  coupled to a transceiver  32  coupled to a fixed satellite antenna  34 . The visual and audio data is thereafter uplinked from the fixed satellite antenna  34  to the satellite  18  and then downlinked to the remote bit-based system  14 . Similarly, video and data originating at the remote bit-based system  14  is transferred in the reverse direction through the same equipment and infrastructure, sans the buffer  52 .  
       [0011] The remote bit-based system  14  had an internal communication network  36  that coupled to the satellite communication channel  12 . Specifically, a remote videoconference (VTC) station  38  was coupled to a bit-based satellite modem  40  that was coupled through a transceiver  42  to a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) antenna  44  for transmission to and from the satellite  18 .  
       [0012] Aligning the VSAT antenna  44  was performed with reference to a map coordinate/satellite position lookup table  46 . By reviewing a map or Global Positioning System, the current latitude and longitude coordinates for the remote bit-based system  14  were ascertained. From these coordinates, the azimuth, elevation, and polarity of the satellite  18  are given by the table  46 . Then, manual motorized antenna positioning mechanisms  48  were adjusted to approximately position the VSAT antenna  44 . Then, small adjustments to the positioning mechanisms  48  were made to scan for the exact position while monitoring an Intermediate Frequency (IF) with a carrier signal analyzer  50 . The dual carrier signals may be inadvertently similar on multiple satellites. Consequently, it was imperative that the satellite  18  be confirmed with an elaborate frequency band depiction. Due to the time required for the bit-based satellite modem  40  to lock onto a signal, often the manual motorized alignment would require an hour or more, even by trained personnel.  
       [0013] Although alignment took some time, the teleconferencing system  38  from the remote bit-based system  14  successfully communicated with the fixed VTC  26 , albeit with several inconveniences. Occasionally, intermittent delays/jitter in the satellite communication channel  12  caused the communication to be lost, exceeding some handshaking requirement in the interchange. Consequently, we discovered that inserting a buffer  52  between the IMUX Interface  28  and the bit-based satellite modem  30  prevented these occasional drop-offs.  
       [0014] Another inconvenience was not so easily remedied. The bit-based satellite communication channel  12  did not provide the ISDN functionality for dialing the fixed VTC station  26 . Thus, personnel had to staff the TOC  16  when a VTC session was to be established. An ISDN dialing device  54 , such as a VT100 terminal set to terminal mode to avoid timing out and hanging up, was used at the TOC  16  to link to the desired fixed VTC station  26 , with the linking having to be completed within network time-out limits.  
       [0015] Additionally, often the preferred remote location is not readily accessible to the remote bit-based system unit  14 , requiring the remote VTC station  38  to be connected to the mobile unit  14  via a cable. In many instances, routing cable from the remote VTCN  38  to the mobile unit  14  may be undesirable.  
       [0016] Furthermore, although video and audio from a remote location is very desirable, often other types of communication from a remote site are needed. Many applications require exchange of documentary material, digital data, VOIP, Internet, etc.  
       [0017] Thus, although the bit-based universal conferencing system  10  had great utility, a significant need exists for an improved system that can interact with the large terrestrial communication infrastructure, yet be readily and economically set up at a remote locations for two-way, high resolution audio and video communication.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018] The invention overcomes the above-noted and other deficiencies of the prior art by providing a complete solution, taking advantage of the existing network of videoconferencing, telephone and digital data systems and satellite communications. Mobility and two-way video, audio and data communication are provided between two sites, at least one of which is at a remote site without access to terrestrial communication links, such as ISDN (Integrated Switched Digital Networks) or digital data networks (e.g., Internet, Ethernet Local Area Network). A system and method provide the full end-to-end solution including mobile satellite delivered communications to leverage the current ISDN and Digital Visual Communication (DVC) equipment that many companies and institutions currently have.  
       [0019] In another aspect of the invention, a remote teleconferencing system is presented for two-way audio, video and data communication with a videoconferencing device that is in electronic communication with a terrestrial communication network. A technical operation center exchanges the data communication between a communication satellite and the terrestrial communication network. A mobile teleconferencing system communicates with the communication satellite to the technical operations center, and thus to the terrestrial communication network. Thereby, the mobile teleconferencing system can take full advantage of resources on the terrestrial communication network.  
       [0020] In another aspect of the invention, a method is described for remote teleconferencing two-way audio, video and data communication. Communication is made between a communication satellite and a terrestrial communication network, and transmission is of two-way audio, video and data communication is made with the communication satellite from a remote location. Thereby, full advantage of teleconferencing is made at a remote site to the many resources on terrestrial communication networks.  
       [0021] In yet another aspect of the invention, a method is given for aligning a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) antenna for two-way video, audio, and data communication for remote teleconferencing. A determination is made of a first frequency and a second frequency characteristic of a two-way satellite communication channel. A scan is made of the VSAT antenna to detect a first carrier signal at the first frequency and the second carrier signal at a second frequency. Then a fine tune scan is made with the VSAT antenna to increase a sensed power of the first and second carrier signals. Thereby, the cumbersome and complicated monitoring of the Intermediate Frequency output of a receiver with an expensive spectrum analyzer is avoided. In addition, human error that results in an inappropriate transmission to the wrong satellite is also made less likely. Furthermore, trained personnel are not required to perform this setup.  
       [0022] In yet an additional aspect of the invention, a mobile teleconferencing apparatus for communicating via a broadcast electromagnetic signal to a terrestrial communication network is described as including a satellite antenna, a transceiver coupled to the satellite antenna, a satellite modem operable to interface to the broad electromagnetic signals via the transceiver and satellite antenna, a remote data network coupled to the satellite modem; and a teleconferencing system coupled to the remote data network. Such an apparatus lends itself to ready transport to a remote site and is flexibly configured for using many systems that are already configured for use with a data network.  
       [0023] In yet a further aspect of the invention, a portable device for being worn by an individual, dog or remotely controlled platform is in wireless communication with a mobile teleconferencing apparatus. Thereby, videoconferencing capability may be delivered to otherwise inaccessible locations. For example, a rescue canine may be outfitted with a wearable interactive companion (WIC) portable unit. The audio and video transmitted by the WIC back to the mobile unit allows a user to direct the canine by return audio commands. Once the canine has reached a victim, a wireless display unit may be accessed by the victim to report back, not only to the mobile unit buck via satellite to any terrestrial teleconferencing system. As another example, an individual may walk or climb or perform other tasks yet be in full audio, visual and data communication via a mobile unit.  
       [0024] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
     [0025] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.  
     [0026]FIG. 1 is diagram of a bit-based mobile teleconferencing system that demonstrates communication between a terrestrial videoconference site and a satellite linked mobile videoconference site.  
     [0027]FIG. 2 is a diagram of a packet-based mobile teleconferencing system that demonstrates wireless two-way video/audio/data communication between an office-in-a-box portable unit to a mobile communication office (MCO) mobile unit, and satellite and terrestrial communication in turn to a terrestrial videoconference site, PSTN, or Internet/Intranet access.  
     [0028]FIG. 3 is a diagram of a packet-based mobile teleconferencing system with a transportable communication system (TCS) mobile unit and a video interactive companion (VIC) portable unit.  
     [0029]FIG. 6 is a diagram of a wearable interactive companion (WIC) portable unit for wireless two-way video, audio and data communication with a mobile unit.  
     [0030]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a sequence of operations performed by the packet-based mobile teleconferencing system of FIGS.  2 - 3  for communication between a terrestrial fixed video teleconference (VTC) station to a mobile unit and advantageously further to a portable unit.  
     [0031]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a sequence of operations referenced in FIG. 4 for aligning a mobile Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) antenna to the dual carrier satellite signal. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0032]FIG. 2 depicts a universal teleconferencing system  100  that provides two-way video, audio and data communication from a remote location to the numerous locations connected to the public communication infrastructure (e.g., tapping into all the standard H.320 video conferencing systems that currently exist throughout the world). Setting up at the remote site is simple and quick, even for a non-technically trained individual, including even satellite antenna alignment. The remote portions of the system are self-contained and readily movable. Clear audio and video quality is provided. Embodiments that are installed in a truck van take advantage of the small size of a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) antenna and the other equipment, thus, allowing a video teleconference (VTC) and other office accouterments inside of the van. Moreover, the end-to-end solution meets the long felt need with a cost effective approach, enabling use in a wide range of applications such as distance education, telemedicine, conferencing, legal consultations and proceedings, investigations, mishap/disaster response, maritime multi-format communication, and news reporting.  
     [0033] The universal teleconferencing system  100  employs an Internet Protocol (IP) packet-based satellite communication channel  102  between a Technical Operations Center (TOC)  104 , a geosynchronous communication satellite  106 , and a mobile unit, depicted as a Mobile Communication Office (MCO) mobile unit  108 . The IP-based satellite communication channel  102  supports high-quality video, audio and data content, including the ability to address public data networks, such as an Internet Service Provider (ISP)  110 , an ISDN (Integrated Switched Digital Networks) Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)  112 , and a Plain Old Telephone System (POTS)  114 . Thus, the mobile unit  108  is capable of initiating communications without having to contact the TOC  104  through alternate means, nor having to necessarily staff the TOC  104  for such purposes.  
     [0034] Recently, prototype packet-based satellite IP modems became available, such as the Comtech EF Data, Model CiM-550, Tempe, Ariz. We found numerous advantages by replacing our previous bit-based satellite modems with an IP satellite modem  116  at the TOC  104  and an IP satellite modem  118  in the mobile unit  108 . Specifically, the mobile unit  108  thereafter could address IP-based data networks, such as a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) through the ISP  110  to IP data  120  (e.g., web content) or to an IP Digital Visual Communication (DVC) system  122 . The IP satellite modem  118  also supports digital dialing by an ISDN/IP gateway through the ISDN PSTN  112  to a fixed VTC station  124 . The IP satellite modem  118  also supports analog dialing through a Voice-Over-IP interface through the POTS  114  to an analog telephone  126 .  
     [0035] The TOC  104  interfaces between the IP satellite communication channel  102  and these terrestrial communication networks  110 - 114  with an internal digital network  128 , depicted as an Ethernet network managed by an Ethernet switch  130 . The IP satellite modem  116  communicates with the Ethernet switch  130  and also to a transceiver  132  that transmits and receives through a satellite antenna  134  to the satellite  106 .  
     [0036] The internal digital network  128  further includes a Voice Over-IP interface  136  that couples the Ethernet Switch  130  to the POTS  114 , an ISDN/IP Gateway (H.320/H.323)  138  that couples the Ethernet Switch  130  to the ISDN PSTN  112 , and a broadband IP router  140  that couples the Ethernet switch  130  to the ISP  110 . Thereby, the TOC  104  is fully interactive with a wide range of terrestrial communication networks that can be accessed by the mobile unit  108  as if the mobile unit  108  was co-located with the TOC  104 .  
     [0037] The MCO mobile unit  108  incorporates its own internal digital network  142  into a vehicle, such as truck van  144 , so that a user has available the full range of business communication means at whatever remote location is reachable by the van  144 . An Ethernet switch  146 , coupled to the IP satellite modem  118 , manages the internal digital network  142 . IP data is accessible in the MCO mobile unit  108  via a computer  148  that is coupled to the Ethernet switch  146 . One or more telephones  150  are coupled to the Ethernet switch  146  via a Voice Over IP (VOIP) interface  152 . Alternatively, IP telephones may be coupled to the Ethernet switch  146  directly. An illustrative depiction of twenty-four VOIP lines suggests applications such as mishap or disaster response when a command center is needed at a remote site.  
     [0038] One or more videoconferences may be merged by a VTC bridge  154  that is also connected to the Ethernet switch  146 . For instance, one VTC station  156  may be install in the van  144 . Advantageously, another VTC station  158  is coupled by wireless transmission to the mobile unit  108  via a portable unit, depicted as an office-in-a-box portable unit  160 . Thereby, even more remote locations may be reached that are not within proximity to the mobile unit  108 . For instance, an accident scene may not be accessible by vehicles. As another example, the remote site may be within a building and routing cables to the interior of the building is inconvenient. The wireless communication between the mobile unit  108  and portable unit  160  is facilitated in the mobile unit  108  by an access point  162  (e.g., Symbol Technologies, Inc., Model AP 4121 or 4131) coupled to the Ethernet switch  146 . Two diversity high-gain omni-directional antennas  164  coupled to the access point  162  optimize reception in azimuth by selective phase shifting between the antennas  164 .  
     [0039] The portable unit  160  as depicted having equipment selected to be hand carried in a single container. In particular, the portable unit  160  includes an internal digital network  166  facilitated by an Ethernet switch  168 . IP data is accessible via a laptop PC  170  coupled to the Ethernet switch  168 . An analog telephone  172  is coupled to the Ethernet switch  168  via a VOIP  174 . Alternatively, an IP telephone may be coupled to the Ethernet switch  168 . The wireless communication with the mobile unit  108  is provided by another access point  176  having a pair of diversity omni-directional antennas  178 . The portable unit  160  may be powered in various means, such as plugging the portable unit  160  into a wall outlet  180  and distributing the electrical power to the other components  166 - 178  via a power supply  182 , such as a surge protection power strip.  
     [0040] The internal data network  142  of the mobile unit  108  and the internal data network  178  of the portable unit  160  thus operate seamlessly via the wireless communication as a remote data network  183 . In some applications, additional wireless communication channels in either or both of the mobile unit  108  and the portable unit  160  would allow linking additional remote sites together into a larger remote data network  178 . For instance, one portable unit  160  that is closer to the mobile unit  108  may act as a relay for another portable unit  160  that is beyond wireless communication range with the mobile unit  108 . As another example, two mobile units  108  may wirelessly communicate with one another to expand the remote data network  183 .  
     [0041] The mobile unit  108  is coupled to the satellite communication channel  102  is a manner that allows a non-technically trained individual to quickly and accurately align a VSAT antenna  184 . This VSAT antenna  184  transmits and receives information in conjunction with a transceiver  186  coupled to the IP satellite modem  118 . In particular, a powered antenna positioning mechanism  188  receives a geographic position signal from a Global Positioning System (GPS) device  190 , a vehicle heading signal from a fluxgate compass  192 , and a carrier detect (CD) signal and automatic gain control (AGC) signal both from the IP satellite modem  118 .  
     [0042] The latitude and longitude information from the GPS  190 , the current heading information from the compass  192 , and the selected satellite orbital position is used to mathematically calculate the azimuth, elevation and polarity coordinates for the antenna position. The antenna positioning unit  188  internally senses an absolute elevation angle of the antenna  184 , thus allowing accurate pointing on uneven ground.  
     [0043] Once the antenna  184  is approximately positioned, the azimuth is varied automatically in a scan pattern to acquire the satellite  106 . The scan rate is based on the time required for the IP satellite modem  118  to acquire a signal. A rapid carrier acquisition time (e.g., less than a second) is thus very desirable in order to support practical antenna skewing rates. Once a CD signal is detected that indicates the appropriate dual carrier signal is sensed, then the scan is automatically fine-tuned to optimize the AGC signal. Until the correct satellite is confirmed, a manual or automatic transmit enable device  194  prevents inadvertent transmission from the mobile unit  108 , which could violate FCC regulations if interfering with the wrong satellite.  
     [0044] The carrier detect capability provides a high likelihood that the correct satellite has been acquired, especially in combination with approximate antenna positioning. An example of signal characteristics that are analyzed for detecting the carrier include a selected center frequency such as 14.0145 GHz, turbo product encoding, 460 kbits/sec data rate, three-quarters forward error correction, and quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK). This high confidence in satellite acquisition eliminates the need for an expensive spectrum analyzer and the need for trained personnel.  
     [0045]FIG. 3 depicts another version of the universal teleconferencing system  100  that advantageously illustrates even greater mobility and an alternative to permanent installation in a vehicle. Like components are given the same numerals as depicted in FIG. 2, and the description given above is generally applicable to FIG. 3. One departure from the MCO mobile unit  108  of FIG. 2 to a transportable communication system (TCS) mobile unit  196  of FIG. 3 is that the equipment is selected for being readily broken down for placement in shippable containers  198  or for being retrofitted onto a vehicle of choice (e.g., smaller car or truck, off-road vehicle, Satellite News Gathering (SNG) van).  
     [0046] The TCS mobile unit  196  advantageously includes a cost-effective manual antenna positioning mechanism  200  with a simplified means for aligning the VSAT antenna  184  over the generally known approaches. The antenna  184  is approximately positioned with reference to lookup tables and knowledge of the approximate geographic position and heading orientation of the antenna  184 . Then the positioning mechanism  200  is manually scanned until the CD signal activates a horn  202 . Thereafter, the alignment is fine-tuned by maximizing the power of the AGC signal with reference to a voltmeter  204 . It will be appreciated that the rate of manually scanning would be in relation to the acquisition time of the IP satellite modem  118 . Consequently, rapid carrier detect of less than a second is desirable. It should be appreciated that this cost effective approach to antenna positioning is quick and does not require trained personnel nor an expensive spectrum analyzer.  
     [0047] The universal teleconferencing system  100  of FIG. 3 further illustrates additional mobility by using a portable unit, depicted as a Video Interactive Companion (VIC) portable unit  206 . A self-contained power source  208  allows use in remote areas without an electrical outlet or generator (e.g., a construction site, accident/disaster location). In the illustrative embodiment, several rechargeable batteries  210  provide power to an inverter generator DC/AC  212  that produces single-phase  110  VAC power for the VIC portable unit  206  the internal digital network  166  and the VTC station  158 . Linear power supplies  214  regulate the power in a low noise fashion to avoid performance degradation, whereas some switching power supplies, for instance, may generate too much RF noise to be usable in this application.  
     [0048] The VIC portable unit  206  is intended for VTC use only, and as such the end user has access to the VTC station  158 , which is controllable by a VTC Infrared (IR) controller  216 . Display is provided by a video monitor  218  and audio by an audio speaker  220  amplified by an audio power amplifier  222 . The VTC station  158  is physically depicted as being mounted on a rollaway tripod  224  to allow easy movement and use, with a microphone  226  and an IR receiver  228  of the VTC station  158  positioned on the tripod  224 .  
     [0049]FIG. 4 an alternative portable unit  250 , depicted as a wearable interactive companion (WIC)  250 , achieves an even greater degree portability. In the illustrative version, an assembly of 11 lbs is affixed to straps or a harness for hands off use. Thereby, a user may walk, climb or perform other functions while in full interactive 802.11X wireless communication with other portions of a universal teleconferencing system  252  via a mobile unit  254  to receive public Internet, h.323/H.320 video conferencing gateway, or plain old telephone system (POTS).  
     [0050] A lightweight internal digital network  256  is formed in part by a handheld PC  256 , such as a PANASONIC TOUGHBOOK, installed into a port replicator  260 , such as PANASONIC model CF-VEB071W. The wearer inputs audio via a microphone  266  and receives audio via either a headset  268  and/or a speaker  270 . Videoteleconferencing from the WIC  250  is from a portable VTC  272 , such as a POLYCOM VIAVIDEO. For zoom capability and increased performance in daylight environments, a zoom video camera  274  may advantageously be connected to the video input of the VTC  272 . A wireless LCD touch screen display  276  that is powered by a battery  278  includes a graphical user interface  280  for selecting control options  282 . Such an option may be a numeric or alphanumeric keypad  284  for dialing a VTC or POTS or URL location. The GUI  280  then displays video or data  286 . Power for the system is advantageously augmented by batteries  258 ,  
     [0051] It will be appreciated that a number of applications would benefit from such a WIC portable unit  250 . For example, a technician could repair a system at a remote location with a specialist remotely assisting. In addition, the wearer could hand the display  276  to another individual with the wearer then acting as cameraman. As another example, a rescue animal such as a German shepherd dog could wear the WIC portable unit  250  in order to access trapped individuals. Outside individuals would be able to communicate and assess the situation more fully. Moreover, a port on the port replicator could be connected to other devices, such as a transponder, that could be remotely released at the site so that human rescuers could locate the individuals.  
     [0052] It will be appreciated that the alignment of the VSAT antenna has been described above as both automatic and manual, with both versions assuming a stationary mobile unit  108 ,  196 . However, in some applications, the additional expense of a stabilized satellite antenna (e.g., a Sea Tel Inc., Series 96 or Series 97) would be warranted in order to be used on a moving vehicle or platform,. As yet a further alternative, an electronically steerable antenna (e.g., antenna phased array) may be used for either a stationary or moving mobile unit  108 ,  196 .  
     [0053] It will be further appreciated that the universal teleconferencing system  100  described above has a great many applications enabled by the simplicity, quality, flexibility and economy inherent therein. For example, distance education (e.g., grade school, high school, college, continuing and professional education) is enhanced by observing specific teachings without leaving the classroom. Through the use of live two-way video and audio it will greatly enhance the student&#39;s education and add much interest by two-way live interaction. Agriculture is a great example. The van  144  can be deployed in the middle of a cornfield and classes on Soil Management can be delivered. The same goes for classes on insect control, observation of construction tradesmen, and many others.  
     [0054] Many other interests such as engineering, construction, archeology and geology as the students will benefit from the mobility and capabilities of the van. The same for Engineering students such as Mechanical and Construction majors. This system will bring the students to the real world and give them an up close and a virtual hands-on experience anywhere. Teaching and administrative programs can perform live virtual tours, visits, or even interviews with the people and places that made a specific program successful. Continuing education for the teachers and administration themselves. Spontaneous virtual tours for students to enhance teacher efforts in the elementary and middle school classes. All of these applications increase the educators and students involvement because of the impact and participation that is apparent within the students and staff.  
     [0055] This is why “distance education” at fixed location end to end systems were installed—to increase student&#39;s participation, attentiveness and deliver to the student&#39;s course content they would not be able to receive at their current school. The universal teleconferencing system  100  allows mobility and allows the teachers and students live visual and audio two-way mobile communications. Distance education was originated to maximize educator&#39;s efficiency without increasing expenditures (reducing or eliminating travel expenses). Schools are finding new and creative ways to maximize their schools curriculum though distance education therefore, increasing applications for the van and the system. Schools will be adding many more video and audio conferencing systems (in almost all schools) in the next few years which when combined with a link up to a mobile system greatly increases possibilities to learn and observe live transmission thus making distance education the rule not the exception.  
     [0056] As another example, telemedicine applications are one of the areas where immediate impact can be seen through the use of the universal teleconferencing system  100 . The mobile unit  108 ,  196  is a flexible system. All of the electronic scopes and other technologies available for medical field use within video conferencing and other media&#39;s can be incorporated within the mobile unit  108 ,  196 . The mobile unit  108 ,  196  can be deployed to this accident and the connection back to a hospital can be made, basically, as quickly as an ambulance could reach the site. The ambulance itself could be even outfitted with the capabilities of the mobile unit  108 ,  196 . At the hospital, the specialized doctor or a group of doctors could visually assess the situation and determine the best treatment immediately. The doctors remain on staff, their duties interrupted for the least possible time and now they know exactly what to be prepared for and when the ambulance does arrive. Preparation for the patient can be done and staff can be put on notice.  
     [0057] The mobile unit could be utilized as a mobile “doctors office”. With the aid of Registered Nurses or trained medical technicians, the doctors back at the offices or hospital could visually and electronically, diagnose and administer care for many different groups of people (nursing homes, elderly care facilities, children&#39;s homes, under-privileged families, special education facilities, and many more). Doctor signed prescriptions and other documentation could also be completed. This scenario maximizes doctor efficiency, minimizing hospital expenses for doctor travel time an off campus expenses. Diagnostic accuracy is enhanced by the interactive and real-time video and audio from the patient and attending staff.  
     [0058] Rural medicine in general has great needs for telemedicine. The current problem is that rural doctors do not have broadband capabilities at their rural locations. The mobile unit  108 ,  196  may be deployed to link with hospitals or rural offices to supply the care and doctor specialty that may be lacking within this scenario. The mobile unit  108 ,  196  delivers the doctor care and expertise needed to help these patients. Telemedicine for disaster scenarios lends itself to a mobile communication system. All of these applications for telemedicine do one main thing. Close or eliminate the gap between distance and time and immediate care.  
     [0059] Yet another example is general business usage wherein the mobile unit  108 ,  196 , with the additional option of the portable unit  160 ,  206 , may also be used as a medium to deliver video, audio, and data to an existing facility that may not have video conferencing capabilities or ISDN connectivity. In these types of circumstances external connections, media devices such as individual cameras, monitors or display devices, speakers and microphones can be delivered to an existing facilities boardroom, hotel meeting room, convention center, or a specific office. These business uses could include legal proceedings or consultations, sales training meetings, more personal visitations between deployed military and civilians with their families back home, intergovernmental or intragovernmental conferences, meetings held from construction sites, crime scene investigations, and rescue and recovery operations at aircraft or train crash sites.  
     [0060] The media devices could be deployed within a few feet or thousands of feet and the cabling or wiring technique can be used in conjunction with the wireless systems. The usage of a mobile unit for business usage provides flexibility and instant response time for many uses, which will also provide an extra benefit for permanent documentation and cost savings. Typical video conferencing sessions are conducted between two predetermined locations. This is called Point-to-Point. In the past these Point-to-Point sessions were limited to locations that currently have video conferencing equipment and digital telephone line service or ISDN service. This limited not only the effectiveness of video conferencing within this application area, but more importantly, the desire to use this technology. With the deployment of video conferencing equipment to business growing each year, some of the past anxieties have diminished, yet the flexibility to do video conferencing anywhere at anytime is still the desired need. This is why the van and the system will be successful for business use.  
     [0061] Typically within businesses, monthly, quarterly, bi-yearly, or yearly sales, product development, product engineering, marketing, and other meetings are held at a single location, usually a hotel. The hotel, food, car rental, general business expenses, and other related travel expenses that accompany these practices are very costly. Needless to mention that loss of productivity, which is virtually an unknown expense to a company. Each person will typically lose a day of travel in each direction and an average of two days with the meeting.  
     [0062] With the mobile unit  108 ,  196 , conducting videoconferences at company locations can minimize expenses. This could mean one van could visit of the regions individually or have multiple vans all connected together at the same time (turning a Point-to-Point video conferencing into a Multi-Point or in other words, “bridge” the video conferencing to include every location at once).  
     [0063] For occasional uses, the van could be delivered directly to a business for standard Point-to-Point video conferencing or multi-point. The participant(s) would then use the van itself as the meeting place or use a room within their own facility. The circumstance is used when a business with video conferencing wishes to connect to a customer or another business that does not have a video conferencing system.  
     [0064] Another application may be when the need does not allow enough time for ISDN or digital telephone lines to be installed. The van may also be used as a connection device until these ISDN or digital telephone lines can be installed. The system may also be used as a redundant system or back up for “high profile” type of applications. ISDN or digital telephone lines are more vulnerable to down time than satellite transmissions. Therefore, the need and desire to back-up this transmission is growing. Again, because the system is a Wireless Mobile Satellite delivered solution, all of these Business Forum Applications can be done within a moment&#39;s notice at any locations with the predetermined area (i.e. North America).  
     [0065] As yet a further example, accident and environmental mishaps may be more accurately surveyed by the appropriate personnel. For instance, insurance claims given to an insurance adjuster may be reviewed for an insurance loss by observing a live two-way interview over the system  100 . In addition, documenting the damage may be performed through a remote camera with the capabilities of recording live video and audio for their file. The system allows for still JPEG pictures as desired and the ability to collaborate on documents and/or drawings. In general, adjusters can adjust a claim at a distance. It can also be used to document fire scenes by fire trained Cause and Origin personnel. For an environmental or other biohazard (e.g., epidemic), decision makers may be kept up to date on the situation without risking their own health. As yet an addition example, disaster response may require that a large number of functions be set up in a remote location, or in a location that has lost its terrestrial communication networks.  
     [0066]FIGS. 5 and 6 depict a sequence of operations that illustrate the universal teleconferencing system  100  of FIGS.  2 - 3  in use. With particular reference to FIG. 5, a method is depicted for remote-to-terrestrial two-way video, audio and data communication (block  300 ). Two narrow-band satellite channels are allocated from an operator of a communication satellite (block  302 ). These bands are narrow as compared to traditional satellite video broadcast, although the amount of bandwidth acquired would be commensurate with the anticipated communication demand. For example, additional bandwidth may be required if operating a deployable command center with a large number of telephones.  
     [0067] The remote satellite antenna is then aligned to the communication satellite (block  304 ), which is described in more detail in FIG. 6. Then, the packet-based satellite communication channel is established between the technical operations center and the mobile unit (block  306 ). The technical operations center is interfaced to one or more terrestrial communication networks (ISDN, POT, ISP) (block  308 ). Similar, the mobile unit is also interfaced to a mobile communication network at the remote site, such as equipment installed aboard a van, ship or assembled in the field (block  310 ). Advantageously, the mobile unit may further expand the reach to another remote site via a wireless two-way transmission to a portable unit (block  312 ). Then, the two-way communication (e.g., video, audio, data) is conducted from either or both of the mobile unit and the portable unit to a terrestrial communication network using the satellite communication channel (block  314 ).  
     [0068]FIG. 6 describes block  304  of FIG. 5 for remote satellite antenna alignment. It will be appreciated that the steps described herein would be performed continuous or at least intermittently for application wherein the position of either or both of the communication satellite and the satellite antenna is not stationary during transmission. Beginning in block  320 , transmission is disabled to avoid inadvertent interference with another system. The geographic location and heading of the antenna is obtained (block  322 ). This may be a manual procedure of referring to a map, compass, and satellite reference table. This information may be provided by navigation equipment (e.g., GPS, inertial navigation unit, etc.).  
     [0069] The antenna is then approximately positioned to the approximate position of the satellite (block  324 ). The scan volume depends on the uncertainty in the azimuth and elevation information available and the accuracy in positioning the antenna to the selected position. For example, lack of any heading information may require scanning a complete circle in azimuth. Similarly, having no elevation information (e.g., a MCO mobile unit parked on an inclined surface), may necessitate scanning a larger volume.  
     [0070] Then, a systematic coarse scan is performed over the scanning volume (block  326 ). This could include an outward spiral pattern or a raster pattern, for instance. While the coarse scan is underway, the carrier detect signal is monitored, wherein the specific frequency and other modulations characteristics of the dual carriers are detected (block  328 ). Once detected, fine-tuning of the antenna position is performed (block  330 ) by scanning a smaller volume about the detected position. Once a maximized carrier signal power is detected (e.g., power falls off in any direction in azimuth and elevation from this point) (block  332 ), then the satellite antenna is enabled for transmission (block  334 ). The antenna is maintained in this position as required (block  336 ), especially for moving platforms.  
     [0071] While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications may readily appear to those skilled in the art. For example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous arrangements of an internal digital network  128  may be used consistent with aspects of the invention. Moreover, the connections to depicted terrestrial communication networks  110 - 114  is illustrative only and that other fewer or additional connections to various types of communication networks. For example, the TOC  104  may further facilitate communication between two mobile units  108 , or with another type of communication network (e.g., cellular telephone).  
     [0072] As an additional example, some applications will require different combinations of communication systems at the remote location. For example, a multiple number of VIC portable units  206  may be used in combination with a MCO mobile unit  208  having additional wireless channels (i.e., additional access points  162  and diversity omni-directional antennas  164 ).  
     [0073] As yet a further example, although a geosynchronous communication satellite  18  is advantageously described herein for relaying a satellite communication channel, aspects of the present invention may include other broadcast electromagnetic communication links between the TOC and the mobile unit, such as a nongeosynchronous communication satellite and an airborne communication relay. Moreover, the wireless communication channel between the mobile unit and the portable unit may comprise various electromagnetic frequency bands, such as a modulated coherent light source or sources, a microwave frequency band, a Radio Frequency (RF) band, etc.  
     [0074] As yet an additional example, the wireless communication channel may have advantageous use in some applications even without a satellite communication channel. For instance, a facility may have access to a terrestrial communication network with a desired teleconferencing site spaced from the access point. Thus, a wireless communication channel, such as to a VIC portable unit  206 , may allow convenient positioning of the teleconferencing capability. In this instance, the mobile unit would be in communication with the terrestrial communication network.  
     [0075] Alternatively, a number of teleconferencing remote sites may all be within wireless communication distance from a mobile unit, which establishes the wireless communication channels between these plurality of portable units. Such a scenario would have direct application to a natural disaster wherein coordination amongst people within a relatively small geographic area is required. Biological hazards, destroyed local telephone systems, or impassable roadways may make an in-person meeting or traditional communication impractical.