Abstract: A system and method for enabling communication is disclosed, wherein the system may include a plurality of media devices configured to cooperate within a media delivery environment; at least one of the media devices having a wireless communication transceiver coupled thereto; a database for storing device-specific command data for the plurality of media devices; and a computing system operable to (a) receive a request from a first media device to interact with a second media device; (b) convert the interaction request into device-specific command data for the second media device; and (c) transmit the device-specific command data to the second media device.

Abstract: A system of low-orbiting communication satellites that can share radio spectrum with geostationary satellites and methods mitigating interference to enable sharing are disclosed. In some embodiments, the satellite progressively tilts as it travels along its orbit, or its transmission beams are mechanically or electronically tilted. As a consequence of the tilting, as a satellite approaches the equatorial plane, its transmission beams are aimed more and more toward the equatorial plane, compared to when the satellite is far from the equatorial plane. Using this technique, an angular separation sufficient to prevent interference between the satellite's radio signals and GEO radio signals at all satellite positions is maintained, and, as a result good coverage is provided to all ground locations.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling communication between a first communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus are disclosed, wherein the method may include reading identification information from a data medium associated with the first communication apparatus with a data medium reader incorporated within a personal communication device; uploading the first-communication-apparatus identification information from the portable communication device to a computer system over the internet; storing the first-communication-apparatus identification information in a database accessible by the computer system; and configuring authentication data for the second communication apparatus to recognize the first communication apparatus, using the first-communication-apparatus identification information.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling communication is disclosed, wherein the system may include a plurality of media devices configured to cooperate within a media delivery environment; at least one of the media devices having a wireless communication transceiver coupled thereto; a database for storing device-specific command data for the plurality of media devices; and a computing system operable to (a) receive a request from a first media device to interact with a second media device; (b) convert the interaction request into device-specific command data for the second media device; and (c) transmit the device-specific command data to the second media device.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling communication is disclosed, wherein the system may include a plurality of media devices configured to cooperate within a media delivery environment; at least one of the media devices having a wireless communication transceiver coupled thereto; a database for storing device-specific command data for the plurality of media devices; and a computing system operable to (a) receive a request from a first media device to interact with a second media device; (b) convert the interaction request into device-specific command data for the second media device; and (c) transmit the device-specific command data to the second media device.

Abstract: A system and method of communication disclosed which may include establishing a telephone call for a cell phone at a first end of the call to a second end of the call, the cell phone receiving communication service from a cellular phone network; substantially continuously detecting a signal level of the cellular phone network available to the cell phone; and transferring the telephone call from the cellular phone service to a second network having a link back to a core network of said cellular phone network only if the detected signal level of the cellular phone service falls below a specified threshold.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that may include a system and method for transmitting user data from an initial satellite in a first constellation located conveniently to an origination user terminal to a destination satellite in the first constellation located conveniently to a destination user terminal, the method including transmitting the user data over an optical link from the initial satellite in the first constellation to a first satellite within a second satellite constellation; conveying the user data over an optical link from the first satellite in the second constellation to a second satellite in the second constellation; and receiving the user data from the second satellite in the second constellation at the destination satellite in the first constellation.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which may include providing at least one satellite having a plurality of beamformers configured to provide a plurality of respective beams having a plurality of different respective fixed pitch angles about an axis of the satellite; causing the at least one satellite to move around the earth along a non-geostationary orbit; establishing a data communication path between a first of the beamformers on the satellite and a communication target, the data communication path having a satellite end at the first beamformer and an target end at the communication target; shifting the satellite end of the data communication path through a succession of the beamformers as the satellite moves along its orbit; and at least substantially reducing an amount of RF wave energy directed to beamformers of the plurality of beamformers not forming part of the data communication path.

Abstract: A system and method of communication disclosed which may include establishing a telephone call for a cell phone at a first end of the call to a second end of the call, the cell phone receiving communication service from a cellular phone network; substantially continuously detecting a signal level of the cellular phone network available to the cell phone; and transferring the telephone call from the cellular phone service to a second network having a link back to a core network of said cellular phone network only if the detected signal level of the cellular phone service falls below a specified threshold.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which may include providing a plurality of communication devices having access to the internet and respective GPS systems operable to communicate with a GPS satellite system; and each communication device transmitting a signal, indicative of GPS communication disruption, over the Internet to a back end system whenever (a) its GPS system is turned on; and (b) energy received through a GPS antenna of said communication device is below a level enabling a minimum signal to noise ratio needed for decoding GPS signal data.

Abstract: A system and method of communication disclosed which may include establishing a telephone call for a cell phone at a first end of the call to a second end of the call, the cell phone receiving communication service from a cellular phone network; substantially continuously detecting a signal level of the cellular phone network available to the cell phone; and transferring the telephone call from the cellular phone service to a second network having a link back to a core network of said cellular phone network only if the detected signal level of the cellular phone service falls below a specified threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling communication is disclosed, wherein the system may include a plurality of media devices configured to cooperate within a media delivery environment; at least one of the media devices having a wireless communication transceiver coupled thereto; a database for storing device-specific command data for the plurality of media devices; and a computing system operable to (a) receive a request from a first media device to interact with a second media device; (b) convert the interaction request into device-specific command data for the second media device; and (c) transmit the device-specific command data to the second media device.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling communication between a first communication apparatus and a second communication apparatus are disclosed, wherein the method may include reading identification information from a data medium associated with the first communication apparatus with a data medium reader incorporated within a personal communication device; uploading the first-communication-apparatus identification information from the portable communication device to a computer system over the internet; storing the first-communication-apparatus identification information in a database accessible by the computer system; and configuring authentication data for the second communication apparatus to recognize the first communication apparatus, using the first-communication-apparatus identification information.

Abstract: A system and method for a ticketing system to sell seating rights for a venue, wherein the method may include the steps of offering a ticket for sale by a ticketing system to the public; receiving an instruction to purchase a ticket to reserve a first seat in a venue for a specific event from a first customer at the ticketing system; upon receiving the purchasing instruction, the ticketing system offering an option to keep a second seat proximate to the reserved seat vacant in exchange for value from the first customer, in the event that no ticket for the second seat is sold prior to an occurrence of the specific event.

Abstract: A communications system and method are disclosed that may include a constellation of satellites operating in a substantially equatorial, non-geostationary orbit; a plurality of ground stations configured to communicate with the satellites, at least one given ground station of the ground stations lacking a wired connection to any global communications network; and at least one gateway station coupled to a global communications network and to at least one said satellite, wherein each satellite includes at least one antenna having a steerable beam, the antenna being controllable to continuously direct a concentrated spot beam toward the given ground station.

Abstract: A communications system and method are disclosed that may include a constellation of satellites operating in a substantially equatorial, non-geostationary orbit; a plurality of ground stations configured to communicate with the satellites, at least one given ground station of the ground stations lacking a wired connection to any global communications network; and at least one gateway station coupled to a global communications network and to at least one said satellite, wherein each satellite includes at least one antenna having a steerable beam, the antenna being controllable to continuously direct a concentrated spot beam toward the given ground station.

Abstract: An antenna and method of using the antenna is disclosed, that may include a feed assembly including a plurality of feed horns disposed at a plurality of different respective angles within the antenna; a detection system for tracking a movement of a satellite through a tracking range of the antenna; and a switch for transferring a communication path through a succession of the feed horns based on data obtained by the detection system.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which may include a plurality of ground stations operable to transmit and receive analog signal energy; at least one satellite in orbit around the earth and in communication with at least two ground stations, wherein the satellite comprises: a plurality of transponders, wherein at least two transponders are configured to communicate with at least two different transceiver stations; at least one routing mechanism for routing each analog data packet signal received at the satellite to a selected one of said at least two transponders based on a transmission frequency of each said analog data packet signal.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which may include providing at least one satellite having a plurality of beamformers configured to provide a plurality of respective beams having a plurality of different respective fixed pitch angles about an axis of the satellite; causing the at least one satellite to move around the earth along a non-geostationary orbit; establishing a data communication path between a first of the beamformers on the satellite and a communication target, the data communication path having a satellite end at the first beamformer and an target end at the communication target; shifting the satellite end of the data communication path through a succession of the beamformers as the satellite moves along its orbit; and at least substantially reducing an amount of RF wave energy directed to beamformers of the plurality of beamformers not forming part of the data communication path.