Patent ID: 8713324

Claim:
A method for allowing a user to access control of one or more steerable antennas on a communications satellite in a satellite communications network, the method comprising the steps of: a) receiving, from the user, a request to access control of the one or more steerable antennas, wherein the user enters geoposition data corresponding to the desired area of satellite coverage into an initiating terrestrial terminal; b) sending from the initiating terrestrial terminal to the communications satellite a request signal comprising the user's request and a user identification with a user privilege level, or a terrestrial terminal identification with a terminal privilege level, wherein: the initiating terrestrial antenna automatically transmits geoposition data to the communications satellite when the initiating terrestrial terminal moves; and the communications satellite (i) receives, demodulates and unpacks the request signal and routes the request to a software engine on-board the communications satellite, (ii) uses the geoposition data to change the pointing direction of the one or more steerable antennas, and (iii) further transmits geoposition data of the one or more steerable antennas to the initiating terrestrial terminal; c) receiving, by the communications satellite, the request signal comprising the user identification or the initiating terrestrial terminal identification; d) determining whether the user or the initiating terrestrial terminal is authorized to send the request; e) using the software engine on-board the communications satellite, identifying a required privilege level for accessing control of the one or more steerable antennas on the communications satellite; f) comparing the privilege level associated with the user or with the initiating terrestrial terminal to the required privilege level; g) determining from the request signal whether the initiating terrestrial terminal or the user has a privilege level corresponding to, or exceeding, the required privilege level; and h1) if the determined privilege level meets or exceeds the required privilege level, sending a confirmation of service signal to the initiating terrestrial terminal to permit the user to access control of the one or more steerable antennas on the communications satellite, or h2) if the privilege level determined from the request signal does not meet or exceed the required privilege level, sending a denial of service signal to the initiating terrestrial terminal, wherein the confirmation or denial of service signal is sent by the software engine on board the communications satellite to the initiating terrestrial terminal, and wherein the user's control of the one or more steerable antennas is based on billing information.