Abstract:
A mobile terminal includes a detector that is configured to detect that the mobile terminal is proximate to a device that is situated in a building, to establish communications between the mobile terminal and the device that is situated in the building and to terminate communications between the mobile terminal and a device that is situated external to the building. Related systems, devices and methods are disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/096,862, filed Apr. 1, 2005, entitled Mobile Terminals and Set Top Boxes Including Multiple Satellite Band Service Links, and Related Systems and Methods, and claims the benefit of provisional Application No. 60/564,177, filed Apr. 21, 2004, entitled Mobile Terminals Including Multiple Satellite Band Service Links, and Related Systems and Methods, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in therein entirety as if set forth fully herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to wireless communications systems, methods and terminals, and more particularly to fixed and mobile wireless communications systems, methods and terminals. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Mobile terminals are widely used for communications, entertainment and/or data processing activities. As used herein, a mobile terminal includes cellular and/or satellite radioterminals with or without a multi-line display; Personal Communications System (PCS) terminals that may combine a radioterminal with data processing, facsimile and/or data communications capabilities; Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) that can include a radio frequency transceiver and/or a pager, Internet/Intranet access, Web browser, organizer, calendar and/or a global positioning system (GPS) receiver; and/or conventional laptop and/or palmtop computers or other mobile appliances, which include a radio frequency transceiver. As used herein, a mobile terminal may also include a satellite radio receiver, such as the widely used XM™ and/or Sirius™ satellite radio receivers. A mobile terminal may be handheld, portable and/or installed in a vehicle (aeronautical, maritime and/or land based). Conventionally, mobile terminals may be configured to receive large audio, video and/or data files from a satellite over a service link at relatively high bit or data rates. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Mobile terminals according to some embodiments of the present invention include a mobile terminal transceiver system that is configured to receive audio, video and/or data content from a first satellite over a first satellite frequency band, and to communicate with a second satellite, a terrestrial network and/or an ancillary terrestrial network over a second satellite frequency band and/or a frequency band that is not authorized for satellite communications, to control the receiving of audio, video and/or data content from the first satellite over the first satellite frequency band. In some embodiments, the first satellite is a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) and/or a satellite radio satellite, and the first satellite frequency band is a DBS and/or satellite radio frequency band. The second satellite is a Mobile Satellite System (MSS) and the second frequency band is an MSS frequency band and/or a frequency band that is not authorized for satellite communications. 
         [0005]    In some embodiments, the mobile terminal transceiver system includes a mobile terminal receiver that is configured to receive the audio, video and/or data content from the first satellite over the first satellite frequency band, and a mobile terminal bidirectional transceiver that is configured to bidirectionally communicate with the second satellite, the terrestrial network and/or the ancillary terrestrial network over the second satellite frequency band and/or over the frequency band that is not authorized for satellite communications, to control the receiving of audio, video and/or data content from the first satellite over the first satellite frequency band. The mobile terminal receiver and the mobile terminal bidirectional transceiver may be at least partially integrated in the mobile terminal. In still other embodiments, the mobile terminal also includes a mobile terminal controller that is configured to request the audio, video and/or data content from a content provider over the second satellite frequency band and/or over the frequency band that is not authorized for satellite communications via the mobile terminal transceiver system, to obtain an authorization for the audio, video and/or data content from the content provider over the first and/or second satellite frequency band and/or over the frequency band that is not authorized for satellite communications via the mobile transceiver system, and to limit the audio, video and/or data content from being received and/or used at the mobile terminal absent the authorization. 
         [0006]    In still other embodiments, the mobile terminal controller is further configured to preferentially request the audio, video and/or data content from the content provider via a set top box when the mobile terminal is proximate thereto, and to preferentially obtain the authorization for the audio, video and/or data content from the content provider via the set top box when the mobile terminal is proximate thereto. In yet other embodiments, the mobile terminal is also configured to preferentially receive the audio, video and/or data content from the content provider via a set top box when the mobile terminal is proximate thereto. In any of these embodiments, the mobile terminal may interact directly with the set top box when the mobile terminal is proximate thereto or may communicate with a relay device that itself communicates with the set top box when the mobile terminal is proximate to the relay device and/or the set top box. In still further embodiments, the mobile terminal is further configured to transmit remote control commands to the set top box, directly and/or via the relay device, when the mobile terminal is proximate to the set top box and/or the relay device. 
         [0007]    Mobile terminals according to still other embodiments of the present invention include a mobile terminal transceiver system that is configured to communicate with a first satellite over a first satellite frequency band and to communicate with a second satellite, a terrestrial network and/or an ancillary terrestrial network over a second satellite frequency band and/or over a frequency band that is not authorized for satellite communications. In some embodiments, the first satellite is a DBS satellite and/or a satellite radio satellite, and the second satellite is an MSS satellite. In other embodiments, the mobile terminal transceiver system may also be configured to communicate with a set top box and/or a set top box relay device when the mobile terminal is proximate thereto. 
         [0008]    Mobile terminals according to still other embodiments of the present invention include a mobile terminal transceiver system that is configured to communicate wirelessly using a terrestrial and/or satellite frequency band, and to communicate with a set top box when the mobile terminal is proximate thereto. In other embodiments, the mobile terminal transceiver system is further configured to communicate with a relay device that communicates with the set top box when the mobile terminal is proximate to the relay device. 
         [0009]    Set top boxes according to various embodiments of the present invention include a set top box transceiver system that is configured to receive audio, video and/or data content from a first satellite over a first satellite frequency band and/or via a wired connection, and to communicate with a relay device that is external to the set top box that itself communicates with a second satellite, a terrestrial network and/or an ancillary terrestrial network over a second satellite frequency band and/or over a frequency band that is not authorized for satellite communications, to control the receiving of the audio, video and/or data content. The set top box may include a set top box receiver that is configured to receive the audio, video and/or data content from the first satellite over the first satellite frequency band, and/or via the wired connection, and a set top box bidirectional transceiver that is configured to bidirectionally communicate with the second satellite, the terrestrial network and/or the ancillary terrestrial network over the second satellite frequency band and/or over the frequency band that is not authorized for satellite communications via the relay device, to control the receiving of audio, video and/or data content from the first satellite over the first satellite frequency band and/or via the wired connection. A set top box controller may be configured to request the audio, video and/or data content from a content provider over the second satellite frequency band via the set top box transceiver system and the relay device, to obtain an authorization for the audio, video and/or data content from the content provider over the first and/or second satellite frequency band and/or over the frequency band that is not authorized for satellite communications via the set top box transceiver and/or the relay device, and to limit the audio, video and/or data content from being received and/or used at the set top box absent authorization. In some embodiments, the set top box controller is further configured to request audio, video and/or data content from the content provider in response to a request from a mobile terminal that is proximate to the relay device and/or the set top box, and to provide the audio, video and/or data content to the mobile terminal via the relay device and/or the set top box. In still other embodiments, the set top box controller is further configured to receive remote control commands for the set top box via the relay device. In some embodiments, the relay device is at least partially integrated into the set top box. 
         [0010]    Set top box relay devices according to embodiments of the present invention include a set top box relay device transceiver system that is at least partially external to a set top box and is configured to communicate with the set top box over a wireless and/or wired connection, and to communicate with an MSS satellite, a terrestrial network and/or an ancillary terrestrial network over an MSS frequency band and/or over a frequency band that is not authorized for satellite communications. The set top box and/or the set top box relay device transceiver system may also be configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile terminal that is proximate thereto and/or with a remote control unit that is proximate thereto. 
         [0011]    Content providing systems according to various embodiments of the present invention can provide audio, video and/or data content to a mobile terminal. In some embodiments, these content providing systems include a first satellite that is configured to transmit the audio, video and/or data content to the mobile terminal over a first satellite frequency band, and a second satellite, terrestrial network and/or an ancillary terrestrial network that is/are configured to communicate with the mobile terminal over a second satellite frequency band and/or over a frequency band that is not authorized for satellite communications, to control the receiving of the audio, video and/or data content from the first satellite over the first satellite frequency band. The first satellite can be a DBS satellite and the second satellite can be an MSS satellite. The content providing system can include a content providing system controller that is configured to receive a request for the audio, video and/or data content from the mobile terminal over the second satellite frequency band and/or over the frequency band that is not authorized for satellite communications via the second satellite, the terrestrial network and/or the ancillary terrestrial network, and to provide an authorization for the audio, video and/or data content to the mobile terminal over the first and/or second satellite frequency band and/or over the frequency band that is not authorized for satellite communications via the second satellite, the terrestrial network and/or the ancillary terrestrial network. In other embodiments, the content providing system controller can refrain from providing the audio, video and/or data content to the mobile terminal over the first satellite frequency band via the first satellite if the request is unauthorized. In other embodiments, the content providing system controller can receive a request for the audio, video and/or data content from the mobile terminal via a set top box and/or a set top box relay device and can also provide the authorization to the mobile terminal via the set top box and/or the set top box relay device. 
         [0012]    Mobile terminal communications systems according to other embodiments of the present invention include a first satellite that is configured to communicate with a mobile terminal over a first satellite frequency band and a second satellite, terrestrial network and/or an ancillary terrestrial network that are configured to communicate with the mobile terminal over a second satellite frequency band and/or over the frequency band that is not authorized for satellite communications. The first satellite frequency band may be a DBS and/or satellite radio frequency band, and the second satellite frequency band may be an MSS frequency band. The second satellite, terrestrial network and/or the ancillary terrestrial network may be configured to communicate with the mobile terminal via a set top box and/or a set top box relay device. 
         [0013]    It will be understood that embodiments of the invention have been described above primarily with respect to devices, such as mobile terminals, set top boxes, set top box relay devices, content providing systems and/or mobile terminal communications systems. However, other embodiments of the present invention can provide analogous methods. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIGS. 1-2  are block diagrams of systems, methods and devices according to various embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of operations that may be performed according to various embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4-9  are block diagrams of systems, methods and devices according to other embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Specific exemplary embodiments of the invention now will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 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. In the drawings, like designations refer to like elements. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected”, “coupled” or “responsive” to another element, it can be directly connected, coupled or responsive to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, “connected”, “coupled” or “responsive” as used herein may include wirelessly connected, coupled or responsive. 
         [0018]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0019]    Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
         [0020]    It will be understood that although the terms first and second may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first satellite below could be termed a second satellite, and similarly, a second satellite may be termed a first satellite without departing from the teachings of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The symbol “/” is also used as a shorthand notation for “and/or”. 
         [0021]    Moreover, as used herein, “substantially the same” band(s) means that two or more bands being compared substantially overlap in frequency, but that there may be some areas of non-overlap, for example at a band end(s). “Substantially the same” air interface(s) means that two or more air interlaces being compared are similar but need not be identical. Some differences may exist in one air interface (i.e., a satellite air interface) relative to another (i.e., a terrestrial air interface) to account for and/or accommodate different characteristics that may exist between, for example, a terrestrial and satellite communications environments. For example, a different vocoder rate may be used for satellite communications compared to the vocoder rate that may be used for terrestrial communications (i.e., for terrestrial communications, voice may be compressed (“vocoded”) to approximately 9 to 13 kbps, whereas for satellite communications a vocoder rate of 2 to 4 kbps, for example, may be used); a different forward error correction coding, different interleaving depth, and/or different spread-spectrum codes may also be used, for example, for satellite communications compared to the coding, interleaving depth, and/or spread spectrum codes (i.e., Walsh codes, long codes, and/or frequency hopping codes) that may be used for terrestrial communications. 
         [0022]    Some embodiments of the present invention provide mobile terminals that support multiple satellite band service links. A first service link may be provided that is configured to receive audio, video and/or data content from a first satellite using a first service link band. In some embodiments, this first service link may be a unidirectional service link operating at a relatively high bit rate. Mobile terminals according to embodiments of the invention are also configured to bidirectionally communicate over a second service link using a second satellite frequency band and/or a terrestrial frequency band. These bidirectional communications may take place with a second satellite over a second satellite frequency band, with a terrestrial network over a terrestrial frequency band and/or with an ancillary terrestrial network that uses at least some satellite band frequencies and/or other frequencies that are not authorized for satellite communications. The bidirectional service link may be employed to transmit authorization signals such as authentication signals, pay-per-view requests, purchase requests and/or other authorization signals from the mobile terminal to the system, and to receive acknowledgement signals, such as access codes, encryption keys and/or other acknowledgement signals from the system. Thus, in some embodiments of the present invention, a high bandwidth unidirectional service link may be provided for the mobile terminal to download audio, video and/or data content as large files, while a relatively lower bit rate link may be used for authorization and/or acknowledgement signals. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a mobile terminal  110  is configured to communicate with a first satellite (Satellite  1 )  120  and a second satellite (Satellite  2 )  130 . Communications with the first satellite  120  may occur over a first service link (Service Link  1 )  124 , which may be a unidirectional service link as shown in FIG.  1 , and which may be configured to communicate with the mobile terminal  110  at relatively high bit rates. Audio, video and/or data content may be downloaded from the first satellite  120  to the mobile terminal  110  over the first service link  124  using a first satellite frequency band F 1 , which may be a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), satellite radio and/or other satellite band(s) that is/are configured for high bit rate downloads of audio, video and/or data files. These audio, video and/or data files may be uplinked to the first satellite  120  via a satellite gateway  128 , ground station  126  and first feeder link (Feeder Link  1 )  122 . The first service link  124  may be received at the mobile terminal  110  via an antenna  116  and a receiver  112  that are configured to receive the first satellite frequency band F 1 . In other embodiments, Service Link  1  and/or Feeder Link  1  may be bidirectional. 
         [0024]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the mobile terminal  110  is also configured to bidirectionally communicate with the second satellite  130  over a second, bidirectional service link (Service Link  2 )  134  using a second satellite frequency band, such as a satellite L Band, S Band or other band(s) that is/are used for Mobile Satellite System (MSS) communications, and/or for non-MSS communications, denoted by F 2 . A transceiver (transmitter/receiver)  114  and a transmit and receive antenna  118  are provided in the mobile terminal  110 , to bidirectionally provide communications over the second service link  134 . Communications are provided between the second satellite  130  and the ground via a second feeder link (Feeder Link  2 )  132 , a ground station  136  and a gateway  138 . Communications from the gateway  128  and/or gateway  138  may be relayed to a system operator via other wired and/or wireless networks  142  and/or  144 . 
         [0025]    It will be understood by those having skill in the art that, although a separate receiver  112  and transceiver  114  are shown in the mobile terminal  110  of  FIG. 1 , some or all elements of the receiver  112  and the transceiver  114  may be integrated or combined using well known techniques. Thus, the receiver  112  and transceiver  114  collectively form a mobile terminal transceiver system  113  that is configured to receive audio, video and/or data content from a first satellite  120  over a first satellite frequency band F 1 , and to communicate with a second satellite  130  and/or an ancillary terrestrial network (shown in  FIG. 2 ) over a second satellite frequency band F 2 , and/or to communicate with a terrestrial network over a terrestrial frequency band, such as, for example, a terrestrial cellular and/or PCS frequency band and/or an unlicensed frequency band (not shown), to control the receiving of the audio, video and/or data content from the first satellite over the first satellite frequency band. Similarly, although separate antennas  116  and  118  for the first and second service links  124 ,  134 , respectively, are shown, these antennas may be combined, at least in part, in a broadband and/or multi-band antenna. Moreover, the mobile terminal  110  may include other processors, such as data processors and/or digital signal processors, a man-machine interface and other radio frequency components, as is well known to those having skill in the art. Thus, for example, the mobile terminal  110  may also include a mobile terminal controller  115  that is configured to request the audio, video and/or data content from a content provider system controller  146  over the second satellite frequency band F 2  via the mobile terminal transceiver system  114 , to obtain an authorization for the audio, video and/or data content from the content provider system controller  146  over the first and/or second satellite frequency band F 1 /F 2  via the mobile terminal receiver/transceiver system  112 / 114 , and to limit the audio, video and/or data content from being received and/or used at/by the mobile terminal  110  absent the authorization. As used herein, “limit” means the use is restricted in some way, absent the authorization. For example, all use may be prevented or only a limited use, such as sampling, may be allowed. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of mobile terminals, methods and systems according to other embodiments of the present invention. In  FIG. 2 , the second service link  234  provides bidirectional communications with an ancillary terrestrial component  230  using satellite frequency band F 2 , which may be an L Band, S Band, any other Mobile and/or non-Mobile Satellite System band and/or other frequency band. The ancillary terrestrial component  230  may communicate via a terrestrial wired and/or wireless link  232  with other networks  144 . The ancillary terrestrial component  230  may be a part of an ancillary terrestrial network that is configured to communicate with mobile terminals by terrestrially reusing at least part of a satellite frequency band. 
         [0027]    Satellite radioterminal communications systems and methods that may employ terrestrial reuse of satellite frequencies are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,684,057 to Karabinis, entitled Systems and Methods for Terrestrial Reuse of Cellular Satellite Frequency Spectrum; 6,856,787 to Karabinis, entitled Wireless Communications Systems and Methods Using Satellite-Linked Remote Terminal Interface Subsystems; 6,859,652 to Karabinis et al., entitled Integrated or Autonomous System and Method of Satellite-Terrestrial Frequency Reuse Using Signal Attenuation and/or Blockage, Dynamic Assignment of Frequencies and/or Hysteresis; and 6,785,543 to Karabinis, entitled Filters for Combined Radiotelephone/GPS Terminals; and Published U.S. Patent Application Nos. US 2003/0054761 to Karabinis, entitled Spatial Guardbands for Terrestrial Reuse of Satellite Frequencies; US 2003/0054814 to Karabinis et al., entitled Systems and Methods for Monitoring Terrestrially Reused Satellite Frequencies to Reduce Potential Interference; US 2003/0073436 to Karabinis et al., entitled Additional Systems and Methods for Monitoring Terrestrially Reused Satellite Frequencies to Reduce Potential Interference; US 2003/0054762 to Karabinis, entitled Multi-Band/Multi-Mode Satellite Radiotelephone Communications Systems and Methods; US 2003/0224785 to Karabinis, entitled Systems and Methods for Reducing Satellite Feeder Link Bandwidth/Carriers In Cellular Satellite Systems; US 2002/0041575 to Karabinis et al., entitled Coordinated Satellite-Terrestrial Frequency Reuse; US 2003/0068978 to Karabinis et al., entitled Space-Based Network Architectures for Satellite Radiotelephone Systems; US 2003/0153308 to Karabinis, entitled Staggered Sectorization for Terrestrial Reuse of Satellite Frequencies; and US 2003/0054815 to Karabinis, entitled Methods and Systems for Modifying Satellite Antenna Cell Patterns In Response to Terrestrial Reuse of Satellite Frequencies, all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosures of all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if set forth fully herein. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of operations that may be performed for mobile terminal communications according to various embodiments of the present invention. These operations may be performed by the mobile terminal controller  115  and/or a content providing system controller  146 . It will be understood by those having skill in the art that the content providing system controller  146  may be a standalone controller, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , or may be integrated and/or distributed at least partially in the other networks  142 ,  144 , the gateways  128 ,  138 , and/or other infrastructure components of the content providing system and/or the system comprising satellite  130  and/or ancillary terrestrial component  230 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , at Block  310 , authorization/request signals are transmitted to the second satellite  130  and/or ancillary terrestrial component  230  via the second service link  134  and/or  234 . It will be understood that the authorization signals may include any type of information which may be used by a subscriber to identify the subscriber and/or to make requests for service(s), such as request(s) to modify subscriber programming, request(s) for pay-per-view programming, request(s) for parental controls, request(s) to initiate, alter or maintain communications, etc. The authorization signals may also include information for authenticating the user&#39;s access to the audio, video and/or data files. 
         [0030]    Still referring to  FIG. 3 , at Block  320 , acknowledgement is received from the second/first satellite  130 / 120  and/or ancillary terrestrial component  230  via the second/first service link  134 / 124  and/or  234 . The acknowledgement may include passwords and/or enablement signals that allow the mobile terminal  110  to receive the requested audio, video and/or data files. Finally, at Block  330 , the audio, video and/or data files are received from the first satellite  120  via the first service link  124 . 
         [0031]    Accordingly, mobile terminals  110  of  FIGS. 1  and/or  2  can receive information from a first satellite  120 , typically at relatively high bit rates, over a first service link  124 . The mobile terminal  110  is also operative to communicate bidirectionally with a second satellite  130  and/or an ancillary terrestrial component  230  (and/or a terrestrial network other than the terrestrial network comprising the ancillary terrestrial component; not shown), typically at relatively low bit rates, over a second service link  134  and/or  234 . Embodiments of the present invention may be configured to transmit to the mobile terminal  110  specific information (audio, video and/or data content) via the first satellite  120 , and the mobile terminal  110  may be configured to receive the specific information from the first satellite  120  in response to a specific request that is sent to an infrastructure element by the mobile terminal  110  via the second satellite  130  and/or the ancillary terrestrial component  230 , and/or in response to an acknowledgement that is sent from the system to the mobile terminal  110  via the second/first satellite  130 / 120  and/or the ancillary terrestrial component  230  (and/or the terrestrial network other than the terrestrial network comprising the ancillary terrestrial component; not shown). A relatively high bit rate unidirectional service link  124  may thereby be used to transmit relatively large audio, video and/or data files to the mobile terminal  110 , whereas a relatively low bit rate service link with a second satellite and/or an ancillary terrestrial component, may be used to transmit and receive requests, responses, confirmation, configuration, handshaking, housekeeping, acknowledgement, and/or other signals. 
         [0032]    Accordingly, a mobile terminal controller  115  according to some embodiments of the invention may be configured to request the audio, video and/or data content from a content provider controller  146  over the second satellite frequency band F 2  via the mobile transceiver system  114 , to obtain an authorization for the audio, video and/or data content from the content provider controller  146  over the second/first satellite frequency band F 2 /F 1  via the mobile terminal transceiver system/receiver  114 / 112 , and to limit the audio, video and/or data content from being received and/or used at the mobile terminal  110  absent authorization. The content providing system controller  146  may also be configured to receive a request for the audio, video and/or data content from the mobile terminal  110  over the second satellite frequency band F 2  via the second satellite  130  and/or the ancillary terrestrial component  230  (and/or via a terrestrial network other than the terrestrial network comprising the ancillary terrestrial component; not shown), and to provide an authorization for the audio, video and/or data content to the mobile terminal  110  over the second/first satellite frequency band F 2 /F 1  via the second/first satellite  130 / 120  and/or the ancillary terrestrial component  230  (and/or the terrestrial network other than the terrestrial network comprising the ancillary terrestrial component; not shown). In other embodiments, the system controller  146  can refrain from providing the audio/video and/or data content to the mobile terminal  110  over the first satellite frequency band F 1  via the first satellite  120  if the request is unauthorized. 
         [0033]    It will also be understood that the operations of  FIG. 3  may be performed out of the order shown in  FIG. 3 . For example, operations of Block  320  may be performed after those of Block  330 , where the received files are stored, at least partially, but are not accessed until acknowledgement is received. Moreover, embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 2  may be combined to provide communications over both of the second satellite  130  and the ancillary terrestrial network  230  and/or the terrestrial network other than the terrestrial network comprising the ancillary terrestrial component  230 ; not shown. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are block diagrams of yet other embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments may be used with a set top box  410 , such as, for example, a television set top box, that is used to receive DBS and/or cable broadcasts in the home or other structures. As is well known to those having skill in the art, a set top box is an electronic device that is connected to one or more communications channel(s), such as, for example, a phone, ISDN, cable and/or satellite channel(s), and produces output on a television and/or computer screen. A set top box may be a standalone system and/or may be integrated into a television, digital video recorder, computer and/or other device. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the set top box  410  includes a receiver  412  that is configured to receive audio, video and/or data content from a satellite link  124  and/or from a wired link (such as a cable television, telephone and/or data link not shown). 
         [0035]    In embodiments of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a relay device  400  is provided that acts as an intermediary device between the set top box  410  and the second satellite  130  ( FIG. 4 ) and/or the ancillary terrestrial component  230  ( FIG. 5 ). The relay  400  may communicate with the set top box  410  over a bidirectional link  434  that may be wireless (using terrestrial licensed and/or un-licensed frequencies and/or satellite frequencies and/or infrared transmission) and/or wired. 
         [0036]    Some embodiments of  FIGS. 4 and 5  may arise from a recognition that it may be difficult for a set top box  410  to communicate directly with the second satellite  130  and/or the ancillary terrestrial component  230 . Accordingly, a relay  400  may be provided that can act as an intermediary to relay return link communications from the set top box  410  to the second satellite  130  and/or ancillary terrestrial component  230 , and to also relay forward link communications from the second satellite  130  and/or the ancillary terrestrial component  230  to the set top box  410 . The relay  400  may be placed adjacent a window or on a rooftop and, in some embodiments, may be integrated, at least in part, with an out-door unit structure that the set top box  410  uses, and located so as to increase or maximize the ability of the relay  400  to communicate with the second satellite  130  and/or the ancillary terrestrial component  230 . 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, the relay  400  can act as a non-regenerative repeater or as a regenerative repeater. As is well known to those having skill in the art, a non-regenerative repeater receives and retransmits a signal without demodulation and/or regeneration. In contrast, a regenerative repeater demodulates and decodes a received signal and then re-codes and re-modulates the demodulated and decoded signal for retransmission. 
         [0038]    In some embodiments of the present invention, the relay  400  may operate in full duplex mode, with transmitting and receiving occurring simultaneously. However, other embodiments of the present invention may operate the relay  400  in half duplex mode based on a recognition that the communications between the set top box  410  and the second satellite  130  and/or the ancillary terrestrial component  230  may be in the form of short bursts of authorization signals and acknowledgement signals. Accordingly, potential interference and/or antenna isolation concerns may be reduced by allowing some embodiments of the relay  400  to operate in a half duplex mode. Thus, for example, the relay  400  may be operated to receive an authorization signal such as a request from the set top box  410  over the link  434 . This signal may then be stored and the relay receiver associated with link  434  may be shut down for a predetermined interval of time. The transmitter in the relay  400  associated with link  134 / 234  may then be configured to transmit the received and stored signal, during the predetermined interval of time, to the second satellite  130  and/or the ancillary terrestrial component  230  over the return link portion of the second service link  134 / 234 . Similarly, the relay  400  may be configured in a receive mode to receive an acknowledgement from the second satellite  130  and/or the ancillary terrestrial component  230  via the second service link  134 / 234 . The receiver of the relay  400  associated with service link  134 / 234  may then be shut down for a predetermined interval of time and the transmitter of the relay  400  associated with link  434  may be activated to transmit, over the predetermined interval of time, the acknowledgement from the relay  400  to the set top box  410  over the link  434 . By reducing or preventing simultaneous transmission and receiving by the relay  400 , potential interference and/or antenna isolation concerns, in some embodiments, in the relay  400  may be reduced or eliminated. 
         [0039]    Relays  400  of  FIGS. 4 and 5  were described above as single function regenerative and/or non-regenerative repeaters. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the relay  400  may include other functions. For example, the relay  400  may be integrated into a set top box remote control unit, such as, for example, a television remote control unit, and can be used to relay user remote control commands to the second satellite  130 , to the ancillary terrestrial component  230 , to a terrestrial network (not shown) and/or to the set top box  410 . In still other embodiments, the relay  400  may be configured to also accept remote control commands from a separate television or set top box remote control (RC) unit  440  via, for example, infrared links  442  (and/or other wireless and/or wired links), and to relay these commands to the set top box  410 , the second satellite  130 , the terrestrial network (which may also be connected to the content providing system controller  446 ; not shown) and/or the ancillary terrestrial component  230 . 
         [0040]    Operations of embodiments of  FIGS. 4 and 5  may proceed as was described above in connection with  FIG. 3 , except that the transmission of Block  310  and receiving of Block  320  may occur via the relay  400  instead of directly to or from the second satellite  130  and/or ancillary terrestrial component  230 . The remote control unit  440  may also communicate directly with the set top box  410  as is conventional using wired and/or wireless link  448 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 6-9  illustrate other embodiments of the invention. Embodiments of  FIGS. 6-9  may operate in a similar manner as embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , when the mobile terminal  110  is remote from the set top box  410 . However, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , when the mobile terminal  110  is proximate to the set top box  410 , the mobile terminal  110  may preferentially communicate with first and/or second satellites  120  and/or  130  via one or more wireless links such as the wireless link  634  that is established between the mobile terminal  110  and the set top box  410 , rather than communicating directly with the first and/or second satellites  120 ,  130  or the first satellite  120  and the ancillary terrestrial component  230 . In some embodiments, the mobile terminal  110  may continue to communicate directly with the ancillary terrestrial component  230  and/or with a terrestrial network (other than the terrestrial network that includes the ancillary terrestrial component  230 : not shown) even though the mobile terminal  110  is proximate to the set top box  410 . In some embodiments, the link  634  may be a broadband wireless link that can accommodate transmission of the audio, video and/or data content and can also accommodate the authorization signals and/or acknowledgments that were described above. In other embodiments, the link  634  may include separate narrowband and/or wide band links. The link(s)  634  may use terrestrial and/or satellite (direct broadcast and/or mobile) frequencies and/or may use short range and/or ad hoc wireless network protocols and/or frequencies, such as WiFi, WiMAX, Bluetooth or ultra wide band protocols and/or frequencies. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate other embodiments of the present invention, wherein the mobile terminal  110  communicates with the set top box  410  via the relay  400  when proximate to the set top box  410  and/or relay  400  using one or more wireless links  834 . Link(s)  834  may be configured as was described above in connection with link(s)  634 . Combinations comprising link(s)  634  and  834  may also be provided in some embodiments. 
         [0043]    Embodiments of the present invention that are described in  FIGS. 6-9  may arise from a recognition that satellite frequency communications may be degraded when a mobile terminal  110  enters a home or other structure due to signal blockage and/or attenuation of satellite signal(s). However, when in the home or other structure, the mobile terminal  110  can wirelessly communicate with the set top box  410 , directly and/or via the relay device  400 . Thus, a seamless handoff for content delivery may be provided in some embodiments of the present invention, between direct communications with the first and/or second satellites ( FIGS. 1-2 ) and communication with the first and second satellites via a set top box  410  and/or relay  400  ( FIGS. 6-9 ). Connections are, therefore, preferentially established with the set top box  410  and/or relay  400  when the mobile terminal  110  is proximate to the set top box and/or relay, according to some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, a mobile terminal  110 , a set top box  410  and/or a relay  400  may each include an identifier that establishes an identity, subscription, family and/or group of the mobile terminal  110 , the set top box  410  and/or the relay  400 . This identifier may be communicated between the set top box, relay and/or mobile terminal when the mobile terminal is proximate to the set top box and/or relay. The communicated identifier information (or at least a measure thereof) may further be communicated by the receiving device (the set top box, the relay or the mobile terminal) to a system element, such as, for example, to the content providing system controller  446 , and/or other system element. A linkage, hand-shake, configuration and/or presence between the three (or more) devices (a set top box, a relay and/or one or more mobile terminals) may thus be established. In such embodiments, the mobile terminal  110  may be configured to receive service only from a set top box  410  and/or relay  400  that include(s) an identifier that matches and/or correlates in a predetermined way with the identifier of the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal is proximate to the set top box and/or relay. The set top box and/or relay may also be configured to provide service only to a mobile terminal (or mobile terminals) that include(s) an identifier that matches and/or correlates in a predetermined way with the identifier of the set top box and/or relay when the mobile terminal (or terminals) is/are proximate to the set top box and/or relay and request(s) service from the set top box and/or relay. 
         [0045]    In other embodiments, a mobile terminal  110 , a set top box  410  and/or a relay  400  may each include an identifier that establishes an identity, subscription, family and/or group of the mobile terminal  110 , the set top box  410  and/or the relay  400 . This identifier may be communicated between the set top box, relay and/or a mobile terminal when the mobile terminal is proximate to the set top box and/or relay and the mobile terminal, set top box and/or relay may communicate at least a portion (and/or a measure) of the received identifier information to a system element, such as, for example, the content providing system controller  446 , and/or other system element. A linkage, hand-shake, configuration and/or presence between the three (or more) devices (a set top box, a relay and/or one or more mobile terminals) may thus be established. In such embodiments, the mobile terminal  110  may be configured to receive service from any set top box  410  and/or relay  400  that has received a valid identifier of the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal is proximate to the set top box and/or relay. The set top box and/or relay may also be configured to provide service to any mobile terminal (or mobile terminals) that transmit(s) a valid identifier to the set top box and/or relay that matches and/or correlates in a predetermined way with, for example, a data base of system identifiers when the mobile terminal (or terminals) is/are proximate to the set top box and/or relay and request(s) service from the set top box and/or relay. 
         [0046]    Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , the mobile terminal transceiver system  414  may be configured to communicate with a set top box  410  when the mobile terminal  110  is proximate thereto, either directly or via a relay device  440 . The set top box  410  may also be configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile terminal  110  that is proximate thereto. The set top box relay device  400  also may be configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile terminal  110  that is proximate thereto. The content providing system  446  may be further configured to communicate with a mobile terminal  110  via a set top box  410  that is proximate to the mobile terminal  110 . 
         [0047]    In some embodiments of the present invention ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ), the mobile terminal controller  115  is further configured to preferentially request the audio, video and/or data content from the content provider  446  via a set top box  410  when the mobile terminal  110  is proximate thereto, and to preferentially obtain the authorization for the audio, video and/or data content from the content provider  446  via the set top box  410  when the mobile terminal  110  is proximate thereto. The mobile terminal controller  115  may also be configured to preferentially receive the audio, video and/or data content from the content provider  446  via the set top box  410  when the mobile terminal  110  is proximate thereto. In still other embodiments ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ), these preferential requests and receipts may be performed via a relay device  400  that communicates with the set top box  410  when the mobile terminal  110  is proximate to the relay device  400 . In further embodiments, the mobile terminal controller  115  is further configured to preferentially request the audio, video and/or data content from the content provider  446  via the satellite  130 , a terrestrial network and/or ancillary terrestrial component  230  when the mobile terminal  110  is proximate to the set top box  410  and/or relay  400 , and to preferentially obtain the authorization for the audio, video and/or data content from the content provider  446  via the satellite  130 , a terrestrial network and/or ancillary terrestrial component  230  when the mobile terminal  110  is proximate to the set top box  410  and/or relay  400 . The mobile terminal controller  115  may also be configured to preferentially receive the audio, video and/or data content from the content provider  446  via the set top box  410  when the mobile terminal  110  is proximate thereto. In still other embodiments, the preferential receipt of the audio, video and/or data content from the content provider  446  may be performed via a relay device  400  that communicates with the set top box  410  when the mobile terminal  110  is proximate to the relay device  400 . 
         [0048]    In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.