초록 ▼

A communications system (10) includes at least one satellite (105), at least one terrestrial gateway (103) capable of being bidirectionally coupled to the at least one satellite, at least one terrestrial paging system (109), and at least one user unit (106) capable of being wirelessly coupled to the

A communications system (10) includes at least one satellite (105), at least one terrestrial gateway (103) capable of being bidirectionally coupled to the at least one satellite, at least one terrestrial paging system (109), and at least one user unit (106) capable of being wirelessly coupled to the terrestrial gateway, through the at least one satellite, or to the terrestrial paging system. The gateway includes a paging system (300) for receiving a page message for the user unit, for storing the received page message, and for selectively delivering the received page message to the user unit through the satellite system or through the terrestrial paging system. The gateway is bidirectionally coupled to the terrestrial paging system through the at least one satellite, a virtual gateway (107), and a pager interface unit (108). The pager interface unit includes a pager message and retrieval system (108a) for storing a page message until it is determined that the page message can be one of successfully delivered or not successfully delivered to the user unit via the terrestrial paging system. Stored page messages can be later recalled and delivered to the user.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A communications system, comprising:a satellite system component that includes at least one satellite; andat least one terrestrial gateway that comprises a transmitter and a receiver for being bidirectionally coupled to said at least one satellite;said communications syst

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A communications system, comprising:a satellite system component that includes at least one satellite; andat least one terrestrial gateway that comprises a transmitter and a receiver for being bidirectionally coupled to said at least one satellite;said communications system further comprising at least one terrestrial paging system; andat least one user unit for being wirelessly coupled to said at least one terrestrial gateway, through said at least one satellite, or to said at least one terrestrial paging system; whereinsaid at least one gateway comprises a paging system for receiving a page message for said at least one user unit, for storing said received page message, and for attempting to selectively deliver said received page message to said user unit through one of said at least one satellite or through said terrestrial paging system; andfurther comprising at least one virtual gateway that is bidirectionally coupled to said terrestrial paging system and to said at least one gateway through said at least one satellite, said virtual gateway being responsive to an assignment of satellite system component resources from said at least one gateway through said at least one satellite for using the assigned satellite system component resources for receiving a page message for said at least one user unit, and for inputting the received page message into said terrestrial paging system.