Daniel B Linnihan

US Patent:

6970704, Nov 29, 2005

Filed:

Dec 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/029230

Inventors:

James W. Jensen - Satellite Beach FL, US
Daniel Linnihan - Richfield MN, US
Colin Gardner-Springer - Golden Valley MN, US
Amy Lynn Stifter - Robbinsdale MN, US

Assignee:

Satcom Direct, Inc. - Satellite Beach FL

International Classification:

H04Q007/20

US Classification:

455431, 455 121, 455 131, 370316, 370310

Abstract:

An automated communication system for communicatively connecting a caller with a communications device to an space craft. The system includes a port for accepting a call and a call management program that uses a spacecraft identifier to automatically effect the communication to the space craft via a ground earth station and a satellite. The satellite retransmits the communication to a dedicated spacecraft receiver in the space craft. The system provides Internet-based call monitoring and billing capabilities. The system reduces cost and overall connection time by using the Internet to verify the spacecraft's flying status through the ground station databases before initiating a call.

US Patent:

6400945, Jun 4, 2002

Filed:

May 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/303844

Inventors:

James W. Jensen - Cocoa FL
Daniel Linnihan - Richfield MN
Colin Gardner-Springer - Golden Valley MN

Assignee:

Satcom Direct, Inc. - Satellite Beach FL

International Classification:

H04Q 720

US Classification:

455431, 455445

Abstract:

An automated communication system for communicatively connecting a caller by means of a telephone to an space craft includes a port for accepting a telephonic call related to a specific space craft from the caller and having a machine readable call management program, the call management program automatically effecting a telephonic communication to at least one selected ground earth station responsive thereto. The ground earth station effects communication with at least one known satellite in an earth orbit responsive to the received communication from the port. And, the satellite retransmits the ground earth station communications to the space craft for reception by a dedicated receiver in the space craft, thereby establishing a telephonic communications link from the caller to the specific space craft. A method and a program for effecting global communications between a ground station, a plurality of global satellite systems and a space craft are included.