Internet communications systems and methods using different wireless links for inbound and outbound data

Abstract

A hybrid satellite communications system provides communications, particularly Internet access, to computer users. The hybrid satellite communications system includes a satellite system and a terrestrial communications system. The satellite system includes two transceivers. The first transceiver receives and transmits a first set of signals received from the terrestrial communications system to a plurality of user units. In reverse fashion, the satellite systems second transceiver receives a second set of signals in a second frequency band from the user units and transmits those signals back to the terrestrial communications system. The first set of signals (downlink signals) are of much higher frequency than the second set of signals (uplink signals). Preferably, the first set of signals are relayed by a Direct Broadcast System (DBS) satellite in a frequency band between 12.2 GHz and 12.9 GHz, while the second set of signals are relayed by a Mobile Satellite System (MSS) satellite operating between 1.0 GHz and 3.0 Ghz, or relayed by a terrestrial node operating between 0.8 and 2.0 Ghz. The differences in frequency between the first set of signals and second set of signals is considered optimal for the transmission and receipt of communications between a computer user with the Internet. Moreover, the present invention is capable of using the present communications infrastructures dedicated to the satellite transmission of television via DBS satellites, satellite cellular communications via MSS satellites, and radio communications via terrestrial cellular systems.

1 . a user unit that provides internet access, comprising: 
 a wireless receiver that is configured to receive inbound data from an Internet service provider via a satellite; and    a wireless transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit outbound data to the Internet service provider via a wireless link that is independent of the satellite.    
     
     
         2 . A user unit according to  claim 1  wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit outbound data to the Internet service provider via a terrestrial wireless link that is independent of the satellite.  
     
     
         3 . A user unit according to  claim 1  wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit outbound data to the Internet service provider via a space-based wireless link that is independent of the satellite.  
     
     
         4 . A user unit according to  claim 1  wherein the satellite is a Direct Broadcast System (DBS) satellite.  
     
     
         5 . A user unit according to  claim 1  wherein the wireless receiver is a first wireless receiver and wherein the user unit further comprises: 
 a second wireless receiver that is configured to wirelessly receive inbound control data from the Internet service provider via the wireless link that is independent of the satellite.    
     
     
         6 . A user unit according to  claim 1:   wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to wirelessly transmit outbound data to the Internet service provider via the wireless link that is independent of the satellite in response to user input at the wireless terminal; and    wherein the wireless receiver is configured to receive inbound data from the Internet service provider via the satellite in response to receipt by the Internet service provider of the outbound data.    
     
     
         7 . A method of operating a user unit comprising: 
 wirelessly transmitting outbound data via a wireless link in response to user input at the user unit; and    wirelessly receiving inbound data at the user unit in response to the outbound data that was transmitted, the inbound data being wirelessly received at the user unit via a satellite link that is independent of the wireless link.    
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the following are performed between wirelessly transmitting and wirelessly receiving: 
 receiving the outbound data at a data provider;    generating the inbound data at the data provider in response to receipt of the outbound data; and    transmitting the inbound data from the data provider to the satellite link.    
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the wireless link comprises a terrestrial wireless link.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the wireless link comprises a space-based wireless link that is independent of the satellite link.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 7  wherein the satellite link is a Direct Broadcast System (DBS) satellite link.  
     
     
         12 . A method of providing Internet services by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) comprising: 
 receiving a request at the ISP from a user unit via a wireless link;    generating data at the ISP in response to the request that was received; and    transmitting the data from the ISP to the user unit via a satellite link that is independent of the wireless link.    
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the wireless link comprises a terrestrial wireless link.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the wireless link comprises a space-based wireless link that is independent of the satellite link.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the satellite link is a Direct Broadcast System (DBS) satellite link.  
     
     
         16 . A user unit comprising: 
 a wireless transmitter that is configured to wirelessly transmit outbound data via a wireless link in response to user input at the user unit; and    a wireless receiver that is configured to wirelessly receive inbound data at the user unit in response to the outbound data that was transmitted, the inbound data being wirelessly received at the user unit via a satellite link that is independent of the wireless link.    
     
     
         17 . A user unit according to  claim 16  wherein the wireless link comprises a terrestrial wireless link.  
     
     
         18 . A user unit according to  claim 16  wherein the wireless link comprises a space-based wireless link that is independent of the satellite link.  
     
     
         19 . A user unit according to  claim 16  wherein the satellite link is a Direct Broadcast System (DBS) satellite link.