Abstract: A mobile interactive satellite service includes a first satellite, a base station, and a ground station configured to provide respective and distinct first and second multicast content components to the first satellite and the base station. The first satellite communicates the first multicast content component in a first signal to a mobile device. The base station communicates the second multicast content component in a second signal to the mobile device, which can combine the received signals. For another embodiment, a mobile interactive service includes a mobile device, a first base station, a second base station, and a ground station configured to provide a first multicast content component to the first base station and a second multicast content component to the second base station. The first and second multicast content components are distinct, transmitted in respective first and second multicast signals and are combined by the mobile device.

Abstract: A system for providing mobile interactive satellite services includes a satellite operable to communicate with mobile units, a terrestrial base transceiver station operable to communicate with mobile units, and a ground station in communication with the satellite and the terrestrial base transceiver station to provide mobile interactive satellite services. The mobile interactive satellite services include a multicast component and an interactive component such that the ground station provides both the multicast component and the interactive component using the satellite, with the terrestrial base transceiver station used to provide an ancillary terrestrial component. A device for communicating with a mobile interactive satellite service system includes an antenna, a transceiver coupled to the antenna and operable to communicate with a mobile interactive satellite service system, a user input device, an output device, a processor unit, and a network interface.

Abstract: A system for providing mobile interactive satellite services includes a satellite operable to communicate with mobile units, a terrestrial base transceiver station operable to communicate with mobile units, and a ground station in communication with the satellite and the terrestrial base transceiver station to provide mobile interactive satellite services. The mobile interactive satellite services include a multicast component and an interactive component such that the ground station provides both the multicast component and the interactive component using the satellite, with the terrestrial base transceiver station used to provide an ancillary terrestrial component. A device for communicating with a mobile interactive satellite service system includes an antenna, a transceiver coupled to the antenna and operable to communicate with a mobile interactive satellite service system, a user input device, an output device, a processor unit, and a network interface.

Abstract: A computing device includes a display screen and is configured to generate and display an interactive map identifying at least one route segment. The route segment may be generated in view of a current location of the computing device and at least one of arises within a destination area, and/or connects the current location of the computing device with at least one destination or a service provider. The computing device may be configured to receive a selection of at least one of a route segment, a destination area, a destination, and a service provider and to activate at least one additional process for execution thereby. One additional process may include activating a navigation module configured to generate directions between the current location and the selection. The additional process may include outputting the directions in a humanly perceptible format. A route segment may be based on historical data.

Abstract: A mobile interactive satellite service includes a first satellite, a base station, and a ground station configured to provide respective and distinct first and second multicast content components to the first satellite and the base station. The first satellite communicates the first multicast content component in a first signal to a mobile device. The base station communicates the second multicast content component in a second signal to the mobile device, which can combine the received signals. For another embodiment, a mobile interactive service includes a mobile device, a first base station, a second base station, and a ground station configured to provide a first multicast content component to the first base station and a second multicast content component to the second base station. The first and second multicast content components are distinct, transmitted in respective first and second multicast signals and are combined by the mobile device.

Abstract: A method according to an embodiment of the invention is provided for identifying at least one routing option for use in routing a user from a current location to at least one destination comprising.

Abstract: A system for providing mobile interactive satellite services includes a satellite operable to communicate with mobile units, a terrestrial base transceiver station operable to communicate with mobile units, and a ground station in communication with the satellite and the terrestrial base transceiver station to provide mobile interactive satellite services. The mobile interactive satellite services include a multicast component and an interactive component such that the ground station provides both the multicast component and the interactive component using the satellite, with the terrestrial base transceiver station used to provide an ancillary terrestrial component. A device for communicating with a mobile interactive satellite service system includes an antenna, a transceiver coupled to the antenna and operable to communicate with a mobile interactive satellite service system, a user input device, an output device, a processor unit, and a network interface.

Abstract: A computing device includes a display screen and is configured to generate and display an interactive map identifying at least one route segment. The route segment may be generated in view of a current location of the computing device and at least one of arises within a destination area, and/or connects the current location of the computing device with at least one destination or a service provider. The computing device may be configured to receive a selection of at least one of a route segment, a destination area, a destination, and a service provider and to activate at least one additional process for execution thereby. One additional process may include activating a navigation module configured to generate directions between the current location and the selection. The additional process may include outputting the directions in a humanly perceptible format. A route segment may be based on historical data.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a controller to process a travel assistance request for communication through a satellite and terrestrial mobile communication network. Data related to multiple assistance providers can be received in response to the request. At least one criterion can be processed for the assistance providers based on, for example, historical trip data. The assistance providers can be graphically represented for user selection based on the criterion. Data related to a selected assistance provider can be displayed, including navigation data to and/or from the assistance provider. In another embodiment, the travel assistance request can be communicated to a service center through the network. The service center can communicate data related to an assistance provider, including navigation data to and/or from the assistance provider. A rating of the assistance provider can be communicated to a specified community-of-interest through the network.

Abstract: A method according to an embodiment of the invention is provided for identifying at least one routing option for use in routing a user from a current location to at least one destination comprising.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving network utilization data associated with an access network, determining an expected network utilization for a predetermined time period based upon the network utilization data, and determining pricing information for the predetermined time period based upon the expected network utilization. The pricing information includes at least one price rate for communication between at least one application and at least one client device utilizing the access network. The method further includes sending the pricing information to the at least one application.

Abstract: A system for providing mobile interactive satellite services includes a satellite operable to communicate with mobile units, a terrestrial base transceiver station operable to communicate with mobile units, and a ground station in communication with the satellite and the terrestrial base transceiver station to provide mobile interactive satellite services. The mobile interactive satellite services include a multicast component and an interactive component such that the ground station provides both the multicast component and the interactive component using the satellite, with the terrestrial base transceiver station used to provide an ancillary terrestrial component. A device for communicating with a mobile interactive satellite service system includes an antenna, a transceiver coupled to the antenna and operable to communicate with a mobile interactive satellite service system, a user input device, an output device, a processor unit, and a network interface.

Abstract: A system for providing mobile interactive satellite services includes a satellite operable to communicate with mobile units, a terrestrial base transceiver station operable to communicate with mobile units, and a ground station in communication with the satellite and the terrestrial base transceiver station to provide mobile interactive satellite services. The mobile interactive satellite services include a multicast component and an interactive component such that the ground station provides both the multicast component and the interactive component using the satellite, with the terrestrial base transceiver station used to provide an ancillary terrestrial component. A device for communicating with a mobile interactive satellite service system includes an antenna, a transceiver coupled to the antenna and operable to communicate with a mobile interactive satellite service system, a user input device, an output device, a processor unit, and a network interface.

Abstract: A system for providing mobile interactive satellite services includes a satellite operable to communicate with mobile units, a terrestrial base transceiver station operable to communicate with mobile units, and a ground station in communication with the satellite and the terrestrial base transceiver station to provide mobile interactive satellite services. The mobile interactive satellite services include a multicast component and an interactive component such that the ground station provides both the multicast component and the interactive component using the satellite, with the terrestrial base transceiver station used to provide an ancillary terrestrial component. A device for communicating with a mobile interactive satellite service system includes an antenna, a transceiver coupled to the antenna and operable to communicate with a mobile interactive satellite service system, a user input device, an output device, a processor unit, and a network interface.

Abstract: A system for providing mobile interactive satellite services includes a satellite operable to communicate with mobile units, a terrestrial base transceiver station operable to communicate with mobile units, and a ground station in communication with the satellite and the terrestrial base transceiver station to provide mobile interactive satellite services. The mobile interactive satellite services include a multicast component and an interactive component such that the ground station provides both the multicast component and the interactive component using the satellite, with the terrestrial base transceiver station used to provide an ancillary terrestrial component. A device for communicating with a mobile interactive satellite service system includes an antenna, a transceiver coupled to the antenna and operable to communicate with a mobile interactive satellite service system, a user input device, an output device, a processor unit, and a network interface.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving network utilization data associated with an access network, determining an expected network utilization for a predetermined time period based upon the network utilization data, and determining pricing information for the predetermined time period based upon the expected network utilization. The pricing information includes at least one price rate for communication between at least one application and at least one client device utilizing the access network. The method further includes sending the pricing information to the at least one application.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a controller to process a criterion for selecting a point-of-interest (POI). The criterion can be based on historical trip data. Data related to a POI, including a community-of-interest rating, for example, can be accessed through a satellite and terrestrial mobile communication network. Multiple POIs can be graphically represented for user selection based on the criterion and/or other data. Once a POI is selected, data related to the selected POI, including navigation data, can be displayed. In another embodiment, the controller can access navigation data to a specified destination. The navigation data can be based on historical trip data such as route segments and destination areas. The navigation data can be accessed from an in-vehicle system or from a navigation service provider and can be displayed to assist a user in reaching the specified destination.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a controller to process a travel assistance request for communication through a satellite and terrestrial mobile communication network. Data related to multiple assistance providers can be received in response to the request. At least one criterion can be processed for the assistance providers based on, for example, historical trip data. The assistance providers can be graphically represented for user selection based on the criterion. Data related to a selected assistance provider can be displayed, including navigation data to and/or from the assistance provider. In another embodiment, the travel assistance request can be communicated to a service center through the network. The service center can communicate data related to an assistance provider, including navigation data to and/or from the assistance provider. A rating of the assistance provider can be communicated to a specified community-of-interest through the network.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a controller to process a criterion for selecting a point-of-interest (POI). The criterion can be based on historical trip data. Data related to a POI, including a community-of-interest rating, for example, can be accessed through a satellite and terrestrial mobile communication network. Multiple POIs can be graphically represented for user selection based on the criterion and/or other data. Once a POI is selected, data related to the selected POI, including navigation data, can be displayed. In another embodiment, the controller can access navigation data to a specified destination. The navigation data can be based on historical trip data such as route segments and destination areas. The navigation data can be accessed from an in-vehicle system or from a navigation service provider and can be displayed to assist a user in reaching the specified destination.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes a controller to process a travel assistance request for communication through a satellite and terrestrial mobile communication network. Data related to multiple assistance providers can be received in response to the request. At least one criterion can be processed for the assistance providers based on, for example, historical trip data. The assistance providers can be graphically represented for user selection based on the criterion. Data related to a selected assistance provider can be displayed, including navigation data to and/or from the assistance provider. In another embodiment, the travel assistance request can be communicated to a service center through the network. The service center can communicate data related to an assistance provider, including navigation data to and/or from the assistance provider. A rating of the assistance provider can be communicated to a specified community-of-interest through the network.