Abstract: A portable telephone apparatus includes an external separate assembly acting as a power storage device with charger circuit and as a satellite transmitter/receiver unit for text communications in the event that the cell signal for the telephone is not available. An app uses the processing capabilities of the cellular telephone to create communication data where many functions of the satellite transmitter/receiver of the external assembly are controlled by the cellular telephone app to reduce the functions in the external device to receiving and transmitting capability and a controller to queue data and control transmission and reception. The the external assembly operates both the functions of a satellite transmitter/receiver unit and the power storage device simultaneously and independently of one another without requirement for switching.

Abstract: A telephone network provides a system which overcomes the problems with roaming charges and loss of service encountered by users by providing an alternate data message path through Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks such as Iridium Satellite or Globalstar, or through geosynchronous satellite networks such as Terrestar or Inmarsat. The system includes a cellular telephone handset enhancement to include specific satellite network communication capabilities that work in unison with a novel message routing system to handle the multiple message transport paths available for use by the cellular telephone. Each field user device includes a message exchange delivery algorithm which operates to set the delivery route of messages to select either the cellular telephone network or the satellite network.

Abstract: A mobile communication device includes a GPS system and a communication system through a low-earth orbit communication satellites or geosynchronous satellite. The processing system periodically calculates from GPS a current position which is compared to a saved position and saved if the amount of movement is greater than a set distance and also transmits each calculated position. In order to reduce power consumption, in the event that at least one and preferably several calculated differences between the current position and the previously saved position is less than the predetermined set distance, the processing system is placed in an idle mode in which position is transmitted at a lower frequency. The position is periodically calculated and as soon as the position changes the system is returned from idle. In order to keep remote recipients informed signals indicating entry into and return from the idle mode are transmitted with the position signals.

Abstract: A portable communication device has a first system for receiving signals from GPS satellites and a second system for communication with multiple satellites of a low orbit communications system. The device is arranged, at a time of required transmission, to monitor the elevation and azimuth of the GPS satellites in view so as to generate an elevation mask of where the sky is open at the time and to commence a required transmission only if the calculation prediction indicates that at least one of the satellites of the low earth orbit communication satellite system is in view.

Abstract: A mobile communication device includes a GPS system and a communication system through a low-earth orbit communication satellites or geosynchronous satellite. The processing system periodically calculates from GPS a current position which is compared to a saved position and saved if the amount of movement is greater than a set distance and also transmits each calculated position. In order to reduce power consumption, in the event that at least one and preferably several calculated differences between the current position and the previously saved position is less than the predetermined set distance, the processing system is placed in an idle mode in which position is transmitted at a lower frequency. The position is periodically calculated and as soon as the position changes the system is returned from idle. In order to keep remote recipients informed signals indicating entry into and return from the idle mode are transmitted with the position signals.

Abstract: A portable communication device has a first system for receiving signals from GPS satellites and a second system for communication with multiple satellites of a low orbit communications system. The device is arranged, at a time of required transmission, to monitor the elevation and azimuth of the GPS satellites in view so as to generate an elevation mask of where the sky is open at the time and to commence a required transmission only if the calculation prediction indicates that at least one of the satellites of the low earth orbit communication satellite system is in view.