Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for distributing configuration data to one or more mobile terminals. An embodiment of one method of the invention includes receiving from the host application a request from a client to transmit a configuration data value to a mobile terminal. The configuration data value can include a designation of a new precedence level for a mobile terminal corresponding to a new operating characteristic of the mobile terminal. The method can include the step of transmitting from the NMC a configuration data value including the new precedence level to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal can include a mobile application defining a previous precedence level such that the mobile terminal loads the configuration data in response to the new precedence level different from the previous precedence level.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and methods for upgrading software on a mobile terminal. The system includes a network management computer (NMC) adapted to receive a plurality of software upgrades and to transmit one of the plurality of software upgrades to one of a plurality of mobile terminals through a satellite link. The mobile terminal can include an upgradeable component, which in turn includes a detachable device descriptor (DDD) corresponding to operating characteristics of the upgradeable component. According to the present invention, the NMC is adapted to transmit the one of a plurality of software upgrades to the mobile terminal in response to the DDD of the upgradeable component. Methods employing similar features and advantages are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide a virtual network interface. In an aspect, a method includes receiving a request to access content on a Non-IP network, wherein the request comprises an IP address and a quality of service (QoS) profile associated with the content, mapping the IP address and the QoS profile into a Non-IP network content identifier, and obtaining the content from the Non-IP network based on the Non-IP network content identifier. In an aspect, an apparatus includes an application interface configured to receive a request to access content on a Non-IP network, wherein the request comprises an IP address and a QoS profile associated with the content, mapping logic configured to map the IP address and the QoS profile into a Non-IP network content identifier, and processing logic configured to obtain the content from the Non-IP network based on the Non-IP network content identifier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for fast channel switching between real time content on a device. In an aspect, a method includes receiving a channel selection indicator that identifies a channel comprising real time content to be rendered, determining whether the real time content can be rendered using an existing rendering pathway, and inputting the real time content into the existing rendering pathway if it is determined that the real time content can be rendered using the existing rendering pathway. An apparatus includes a user interface to receive a channel selection indicator that identifies a channel comprising real time content to be rendered, processing logic to determine whether the real time content can be rendered using an existing rendering pathway, and a rendering interface to input the real time content into the existing rendering pathway if it is determined that the real time content can be rendered using the existing pathway.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and methods for upgrading software on a mobile terminal. The system includes a network management computer (NMC) adapted to receive a plurality of software upgrades and to transmit one of the plurality of software upgrades to one of a plurality of mobile terminals through a satellite link. The mobile terminal can include an upgradeable component, which in turn includes a detachable device descriptor (DDD) corresponding to operating characteristics of the upgradeable component. According to the present invention, the NMC is adapted to transmit the one of a plurality of software upgrades to the mobile terminal in response to the DDD of the upgradeable component. Methods employing similar features and advantages are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and methods for upgrading software on a mobile terminal. The system includes a network management computer (NMC) adapted to receive a plurality of software upgrades and to transmit one of the plurality of software upgrades to one of a plurality of mobile terminals through a satellite link. The mobile terminal can include an upgradeable component, which in turn includes a detachable device descriptor (DDD) corresponding to operating characteristics of the upgradeable component. According to the present invention, the NMC is adapted to transmit the one of a plurality of software upgrades to the mobile terminal in response to the DDD of the upgradeable component. Methods employing similar features and advantages are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for distributing configuration data to one or more mobile terminals. An embodiment of one method of the invention includes receiving from the host application a request from a client to transmit a configuration data value to a mobile terminal. The configuration data value can include a designation of a new precedence level for a mobile terminal corresponding to a new operating characteristic of the mobile terminal. The method can include the step of transmitting from the NMC a configuration data value including the new precedence level to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal can include a mobile application defining a previous precedence level such that the mobile terminal loads the configuration data in response to the new precedence level different from the previous precedence level.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide a virtual network interface. In an aspect, a method includes receiving a request to access content on a Non-IP network, wherein the request comprises an IP address and a quality of service (QoS) profile associated with the content, mapping the IP address and the QoS profile into a Non-IP network content identifier, and obtaining the content from the Non-IP network based on the Non-IP network content identifier. In an aspect, an apparatus includes an application interface configured to receive a request to access content on a Non-IP network, wherein the request comprises an IP address and a QoS profile associated with the content, mapping logic configured to map the IP address and the QoS profile into a Non-IP network content identifier, and processing logic configured to obtain the content from the Non-IP network based on the Non-IP network content identifier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for fast channel switching between real time content on a device. In an aspect, a method includes receiving a channel selection indicator that identifies a channel comprising real time content to be rendered, determining whether the real time content can be rendered using an existing rendering pathway, and inputting the real time content into the existing rendering pathway if it is determined that the real time content can be rendered using the existing rendering pathway. An apparatus includes a user interface to receive a channel selection indicator that identifies a channel comprising real time content to be rendered, processing logic to determine whether the real time content can be rendered using an existing rendering pathway, and a rendering interface to input the real time content into the existing rendering pathway if it is determined that the real time content can be rendered using the existing pathway.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and methods for upgrading software on a mobile terminal The system includes a network management computer (NMC) adapted to receive a plurality of software upgrades and to transmit one of the plurality of software upgrades to one of a plurality of mobile terminals through a satellite link. The mobile terminal can include an upgradeable component, which in turn includes a detachable device descriptor (DDD) corresponding to operating characteristics of the upgradeable component. According to the present invention, the NMC is adapted to transmit the one of a plurality of software upgrades to the mobile terminal in response to the DDD of the upgradeable component. Methods employing similar features and advantages are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically entering information into formatted messages. A communication terminal comprises a receiver for receiving a formatted message, the formatted message comprising a message identification code and a plurality of information fields. A memory contains field-mapping information corresponding to various message identification codes, the field-mapping information indicating which fields of a particular formatted message are to be copied into information fields of a response message to the formatted message. When a response to the formatted message is desired, a processor determines which formatted message to respond to and its corresponding message identification code.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically entering information into formatted messages. A communication terminal comprises a receiver for receiving a formatted message, the formatted message comprising a message identification code and a plurality of information fields. A memory contains field-mapping information corresponding to various message identification codes, the field-mapping information indicating which fields of a particular formatted message are to be copied into information fields of a response message to the formatted message. When a response to the formatted message is desired, a processor determines which formatted message to respond to and its corresponding message identification code.