Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F19/00—Complete banking systems; Coded card-freed arrangements adapted for dispensing or receiving monies or the like and posting such transactions to existing accounts, e.g. automatic teller machines
  • G07F19/20—Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F19/00—Complete banking systems; Coded card-freed arrangements adapted for dispensing or receiving monies or the like and posting such transactions to existing accounts, e.g. automatic teller machines
  • G07F19/20—Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
  • G07F19/211—Software architecture within ATMs or in relation to the ATM network
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07G—REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS
  • G07G1/00—Cash registers
  • G07G1/12—Cash registers electronically operated
  • G07G1/14—Systems including one or more distant stations co-operating with a central processing unit
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
  • H04B7/14—Relay systems
  • H04B7/15—Active relay systems
  • H04B7/185—Space-based or airborne stations; Stations for satellite systems
  • H04B7/18528—Satellite systems for providing two-way communications service to a network of fixed stations, i.e. fixed satellite service or very small aperture terminal [VSAT] system
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
  • H04B7/14—Relay systems
  • H04B7/15—Active relay systems
  • H04B7/185—Space-based or airborne stations; Stations for satellite systems
  • H04B7/18578—Satellite systems for providing broadband data service to individual earth stations

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to very small aperture satellite terminal (VSAT) networks, and more particularly it relates to an improved method and apparatus for transaction communications.
• VSAT very small aperture satellite terminal
• Verification terminals are often found in small and large retailers. They typically include a credit card reader and an optional keypad interface.
• the verification terminals at many retail stores comprise a small terminal mounted on a wall, which allows a retailer to pass, or "swipe", a credit card through the verification terminal or enter the equivalent data on an associated keypad.
• Verification terminals are widely distributed throughout the world. Verification terminals are the principle means of verifying credit card transactions by local retailers.
• the transaction terminals typically include a telephone interface and a dial-up connection with a communication company. Referring to Fig. 8, the transaction terminals 6, 8 are configured to automatically dial a 1-800 telephone number upon passage of a card through a card reader. The call to the 1-800 number is made via the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 60.
• PSTN public switched telephone network
• the call is typically routed through a local phone company which is part of the PSTN, to a national phone company and eventually to a communication company 300.
• the communication company 300 typically employs a modem bank 301 for processing the received calls.
• the modem bank answers each of the calls and forwards the requests to a protocol conversion device 302.
• the protocol conversion device determines the type of transaction, packetizes the data, and applies various protocol layers.
• the data is typically next logged in a host computer 303 and then forwarded via a leased line 305 to a financial company 304.
• the routing of transactions through the communications company to the financial company is not apparent to the retailer.
• the retailer or consumer is often charged based on transactions with the financial institutions, and is often not charged directly by the communication company.
• the retailer or consumer is communicating with a communication company hired by the financial institution in order to consolidate and route credit verification or ATM transactions from a plurality of different retailers.
• the financial institution hires the communication company and pays them from the fees collected from the retailers.
• a VSAT network may be connected between the retailer and the communication company or directly to the financial institution.
• the VSAT modem may include a reverse modem, which emulates the local loop of a PSTN.
• the VSAT network may be connected directly to the transaction terminal without modification or recertification of the transaction terminal.
• a further aspect of the invention is to incorporate a reverse modem and/or wireless LAN directly into the indoor unit (e.g., a satellite modem or settop box).
• a reverse modem and/or wireless LAN directly into the indoor unit (e.g., a satellite modem or settop box).
• the VSAT modem may provide the local retailer with telephone access, Internet access, and broadband mass media services such as music and streaming video.
• the VSAT local retailer may retrofit existing terminals and/or ATM machines which may render obsolete the retailer's need to have any services from the local phone company. This may be particularly important in rural areas and in developing countries where a local telephone network is not always as reliable as desired by the retailer.
• an interface for electronic card readers which may include, for example, a reverse modem which can be configured to emulate a public switched telephone network (PSTN)) at one interface and either a wireless LAN network or a VSAT modem on the other interface.
• PSTN public switched telephone network
• existing transaction verification equipment may be retrofitted with a VSAT network.
• the transaction terminal may connect to or be integral with a VSAT modem.
• a transaction interface module may emulate a public switched telephone network (PSTN) interface and include a second interface to translates the modem signals to a predetermined protocol such as an asynchronous protocol or a wireless LAN protocol for input into a VSAT modem.
• Software in either the interface or VSAT modem may repackage the data into another communication protocol such as IP, frame relay, cell relay, ATM, or other suitable protocol for transmission over the VSAT network.
• VSAT may include a demand assigned mode where uplink communications require greater bandwidth such as when the VSAT is used to upload files.
• an interface may becoupled to a transaction terminal 'to communicate with an IDU (In Door Unit) via a serial port, wireless LAN, fire wire interface, or other suitable communication link.
• IDU In Door Unit
• the existing phone line wires may be utilized to route the communication to/from the transaction terminals and the VSAT modem.
• a wireless LAN may be utilized.
• the advantages of the VSAT transaction system include: 1) avoiding the cost of developing the software associated with modifying a conventional transaction terminal; 2) avoiding the cost of downloading software and performing field upgrades of transaction terminals; 3) avoiding increased complexity and potential errors in upgrading the transaction terminals in thousands of different retail centers; 4) increasing the reliability of the communication connection between the retailer and the financial institution; 5) avoiding the reliability problems normally associated with a modem bank; 6) allowing phased implementation of the VSAT system by comiecting to the new VSAT connection while maintaining the old dial-up connection; 7) allowing the retailer the added benefit of being able to connect over either the telephone line or the VSAT modem; and 8) increasing the retailer's options without reconfiguring the transaction terminal ensuring substantially higher reliability levels.
• the VSAT modem may provide a reverse modem interface to any existing data networking equipment that has a modem interface.
• An example of such data networking equipment may be a set top box used for Internet- based television, such as AOLTV and WebTV. These boxes, which traditionally use an analog modem and telephone line to deliver data to a television set, may now be used with the VSAT modem.
• the VSAT system of the present invention may emulate a phone line interface which may be utilized, for example, for facsimile (fax) transmissions and voice over Internet (VoIP) applications.
• AOLTV, WebTV, and or other settop boxes may be configured to include an integral and/or attached wireless LAN interface.
• a single VSAT modem may support a plurality of settop boxes.
• Additional exemplary embodiments of the present invention include PCI bus adapter having a reverse modem.
• the data from the reverse modem may be transmitted to the PCI bus of a personal computer (PC) and processed for transmission by a satellite.
• Data from the attached transaction terminal may be output through the on-board serial port of the PC for transmission via satellite.
• the invention may further include one or more elements from the apparatus and methods described herein in any combination or subcombination. Accordingly, there are any number of alternative combinations for defining the invention, which incorporate one or more elements from the specification (including the drawings, claims) in any combinations or subcombinations.
• Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a VSAT transaction system in accordance with aspects of the present invention
• Fig. 2 shows a second exemplary block diagram of another embodiment of the VSAT transaction system in accordance with aspects of the present invention
• FIG. 3 shows a third exemplary embodiment in accordance with another embodiment of the VSAT transaction system
• Figs. 4-7 show alternative embodiments of a Transaction Interface
• Fig. 8 shows a typical arrangement with a communication company using 1-800 service to local retailers.
• a VSAT transaction system 1 may include at a remote user site 21, such as a retailer or other user, a transaction interface module 2, a VSAT modem 3, an antenna 4, and a plurality of remote terminal devices 5 such as an automated teller machine (ATM) 6, a phone and/or facsimile 7, verification terminal 8, a settop box 9, and/or a PC/cash register 10.
• the VSAT transaction system 1 may include at the hub site 20 an antenna 11, receiver circuitry such as receivers and a multiplexer/demultiplexer or switch 12, a Hub server 13, and a control unit 14.
• the Hub site 20 may be connected to the remote user site 21 via a satellite 40.
• the Hub site 20 may also be coupled (e.g.
• the Hub server 13 may also be connected to various networks 50 such as the internet, a public switched telephone (PSTN) 60.
• PSTN public switched telephone
• Fig. 2 shows a simplified block diagram of another embodiment of the VSAT transaction system 1.
• the ATM terminal 6 and/or verification terminal 8 may be incorporated directly into the VSAT modem 3. Alternatively, they may be coupled as peripherals via a transaction interface module 2.
• the transaction module 2 may be separate from or built into the VSAT modem 3.
• a card reader 80 may be integrated into one or more of the remote terminal devices 5 and/or VSAT modem 3.
• Fig. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the VSAT transaction system 1.
• the VSAT modem 3 may include either an integral or add-on wireless modem which communicates with one or more of the remote terminal devices 5.
• the remote terminal devices 5 may include a wireless LAN interface 39 and/or directly connect to the VSAT modem 3.
• the wireless LAN interface 39 may be variously configured as described in more detail below.
• Fig. 4 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a transaction interface 2 configured to be built into the VSAT modem 3.
• the VSAT modem 3 includes both the end user interface 74 such as a reverse modem and or wireless LAN as well as the VSAT modem circuitry 3A. In built-in configurations, both the VSAT modem circuitry 3A and end user interface 2 preferably share a single power supply 70 and common enclosure.
• the VSAT modem may alternatively be configured as an indoor unit and/or as a satellite settop device (e.g. a device capable of receiving digital satellite television signals).
• Fig. 5 illustrates a simplified block diagram of another embodiment of the transaction interface 2.
• the transaction interface 2 may beconfigured as a module in a stand-alone configuration.
• the transaction interface 2 includes an end user interface 74 and a VSAT interface 73.
• the VSAT interface 73 and the End User Interface 2 may share a common power supply and enclosure.
• the VSAT Interface 73 and/or the end user interface 74 may packetize and/or depacketize the data as well as add protocol layers prior to sending the data to the VSAT modem 3 and/or one or more of the remote terminal devices 5.
• Fig. 6 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a wireless remote terminal transaction interface module 39.
• the wireless transaction interface module 39 includes an end user interface 74 and a wireless LAN interface 39b.
• the end user interface 74 may be configured to assemble/disassemble the data as packets responsive to a suitable source/destination address.
• the end user interface 74 may also be configured to provide protocol layering for communication with VSAT modem 3.
• the remote terminal transaction interface module 39 may have a separate power supply 75 from the power supply 76 of the VSAT modem 3.
• Fig. 7 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a wireless remote terminal transaction interface module 39.
• This embodiment operates in a similar manner as described above with respect to Fig. 6 with the exception that a VSAT modem transaction interface module 39D may be disposed between the VSAT modem 3 and the wireless remote terminal transaction interface module 39.
• the wireless VSAT modem transaction interface module 39d may include a wireless LAN interface 39c and a VSAT interface 73 as described above. When protocol conversion and or packetization is employed, it may be performed in the VSAT interface module 73 the VSAT modem 3 and/or in the end user interface 74.
• the protocol conversion and/or packetization may alternatively be configured to perform switching and routing functions to a plurality of PC devices within a home or retail location.
• the identity of the remote terminal devices 5 may be included in the information sent to the VSAT modem. This allows the hub to correctly route the data.
• the VSAT transaction system 1 may include a reverse modem in the transaction interface 2 that receives calls from the ATM 6, phone/FAX 7 and/or verification terminal 8.
• the transaction interface module may also include either a reverse modem and/or other type of communication interface such as a LAN interface for communicating with one or more settop boxes 9 and/or one or more PCs/Cash registers 10.
• the transaction interface module collects data from the various remote terminals 5 and may either forward the data to VSAT modem 3 or operate on the data. Where the transaction module 2 operates on the data, it may be desirable to pocketsize the data into a suitable protocol such as IP, frame relay, cell relay, ATM, or other suitable protocol. In many embodiments, IP protocolmay beutilized since the data may then be routed over the Internet without further processing. If the data is not packetized and/or formatted in the transaction module 2, this packetization may optionally occur in the VSAT modem 3. In systems where only a single remote terminal device is present, adding address layers and/or packetization of data may or may not occur.
• the VSAT modem 3 transmits the data to the satellite 40 via antenna 4.
• the satellite 40 then relays the data to receiver circuitry 12 via antenna 11.
• the data may be recovered by receiver circuitry 12 and forwarded to the hub server 13.
• the hub server 13 may forward the data to the Internet 50, PSTN 60, leased line 32, and/or one or more private networks 34.
• the packetization and/or other protocol layers may be removed before forwarding to an external network.
• a digital link into the PSTN is often more desirable.
• Web requests may be sent to and received from the Internet.
• financial transactions may be forwarded to the financial center 30 via the Internet or other private network 34 and/or via a leased line 32.
• Communication in reverse direction operates as described above only in reverse.
• data such as acknowledgements and transaction verification may be sent from the financial center 30 via the leased line 32 and/or wide area network 34 to the hub server.
• the hub server may then format the data for distribution to remote user site via the receiver circuitry 12 (which also includes a transmitter), the antenna 11, and satellite 40. While there may be many remote user sites, usually the remote user site to which the transactions are address operates on the transaction.
• the transaction may bereceived by the remote user site via the antenna 4 and VSAT modem 3. Where there are several attached devices, data may be routed to the appropriate attached device via an address header.
• the data may be reformatted to communicate with the appropriate remote terminal device 5.
• the reformatting may, where a reverse modem is used, output the data in a DTMF or other suitable modem format to the remote terminal device 5.
• Fig. 2 operates in a similar fashion.
• the transaction interface 2 e.g., reverse modem or other suitable interface
• the VSAT modem may directly include one or more transaction terminals 6, 8.
• the modem may include a card reader 80 to read checking and/or credit/debit card transactions.
• the remote terminal devices 5 such as the phone, settop box 9 and/or the transaction terminals 6,8 may include a card reader 80.
• Fig. 2 may operate in a similar manner as described above with respect to Fig. 1.
• Fig. 3 may operate in a similar manner as described above for Figs 1 and 2, but with one or more of the remote devices being connected by a wireless LAN and/or another wired interface (e.g., LAN, telephone wire, and/or serial port).
• a wireless LAN packetization and encapsulation of the data (e.g., in IP, ATM, frame relay, cell relay, and/or other suitable protocol) may be desirable.
• packetization and/or encapsulation it may be desirable to incorporate the circuitry for encapsulation into the wireless remote terminal transaction interface 39 and or into the VSAT modem 3 and/or a module attached to the VSAT modem 3.
• Figs. 4-7 show alternate configurations of the end user interface 74, wireless LAN transaction interface modules 39B, 39C, VSAT interface 73, and/or VSAT modem 3.
• One or more of the configurations shown in Figs. 4-7 may be utilized with any of the VSAT transaction systems 1 shown in Figs. 1-3.
• the packetization and/or encapsulation/unencapsulation may occur in any one or more of: a)the end user interface 74, b) wireless LAN transaction interface modules 39B, 39C, c) VSAT interface 73, and/or d) VSAT modem 3.
• packetization and/or encapsulation it may be desirable to include a CPU, memory, and/or dedicated application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) in any one or more of the end user interface 74, wireless LAN transaction interface modules 39B, 39C, VSAT interface 73, and/or VSAT modem 3 to perform the packetization depacketization and/or encapsulation/unencapsulation functions.
• ASIC application specific integrated circuit
• the VSAT transaction system 1 may provide various services to the remote user site 21.
• a transaction terminal 6, 8 at a retailer's location may be connected directly to a VSAT network.
• the VSAT modem may be configured to emulate a telephone line interface using a reverse modem.
• a reverse modem For example, when the modem is taken off-hook and connected to a standard telephone line, a series of voltages may interact with the modem to provide a dial tone and allow the modem in the transaction terminal 6, 8 to dial a particular number.
• the VSAT may provide a reverse modem which includes all of the signaling necessary to communicate with a standard transaction terminal.
• the reverse modem may include suitable dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals in order to receive information from and transmit information to the transaction terminal.
• DTMF dual-tone multi-frequency
• VSAT virtual reality
• the replacement of the conventional communication line with a VSAT network has substantial benefits for the average retailer. For example, most retailers today require Internet access for business purposes.
• the availability of the VSAT providing communication to the transaction terminal also enables the retailer to have high-speed Internet access via, for example, a separate interface into the VSAT modem.
• the separate interface may include a local area network (LAN) interface, a serial interface, and or a standard modem interface.
• LAN local area network
• serial interface serial interface
• standard modem interface standard modem interface.
• Broadband Internet access allows the retail outlet to, for example, maintain a local web page describing the services provided by the local retailer, access the Internet to lookup inventory options, download software, and update remote databases, connect cash registers and/or PCs to a remote inventory system and other similar benefits.
• the local retailer may also utilize the VSAT for receiving E-mail from customers and maintain his WEB page in real time without having to tie up an existing phone line or pay the added cost of a DSL and/or cable modem.
• the VSAT connection allows the local retailer to receive broadband communications such as, for example, music channels and streaming video to be transmitted to the store and played for customers. In this manner, sports bars can receive audio and video sports channels.
• the local retailer may utilize the VSAT connection for other wide-area applications such as private communications with the retailers' headquarters. For example, a portion of the VSAT bandwidth may be dedicated to providing a private wide area network (WAN), allowing the local retailer a private network (e.g., tunneled) connection to the main office. This is helpful for various applications such as inventory management and sales reporting.
• a computer e.g., PCs/cash registers 5 located at the local retailers may appear to be located at the main office of the retailer.
• the local retailer would have all of the main office applications available locally as desirable.
• a gas station belonging to a company suph as Exxon, may have a direct access to Exxon's network.
• all dealers can e provided with specialized services from Exxon such as car repair mai als, inventory management, expected gas pricing trends, and other information.
• the private WAN may be encrypted and/or be provided with other secure tunneling techniques to communicate across the Internet.
• the retailer may share a single VSAT hub with many other retailers and have the communications to and from the head office "backhauled" over the Internet, a leased line, or other wide area network 34.
• the VSAT allows the local retailer to have a presence on the corporate WAN in a manner that may be completely transparent to the local retailer.
• the local retailer may also benefit from having Internet access and protection of local data via firewalls installed on the local retailers' computer equipment.
• the VSAT modem may also be utilized in other installations such as automatic teller machines (ATMs).
• ATM automatic teller machines
• An ATM may encrypt transactions going to and from the reverse modem and into the VSAT network.
• the VSAT network may use the private tunneling arrangements discussed above to communicate the transactions to the financial institution associated with the ATM.
• many retailers include both verification terminals 8 and ATMs 6. Both of these connections may be connected to the same VSAT modem.
• the VSAT modem may be utilized not only to service the bank's automatic teller machines, but also to provide a full range of communication services to the local branch.
• the VSAT may provide an Internet connection for the employees, phone connections, security connections to monitor employees, monitor for security such as break-ins/bank robbers, as well as connections to the main office of the financial institution.
• both an ATM and a verification terminal may be co-located in a local retailer store.
• the ATM may share the VSAT for providing secure communications to confirm ATM transactions at the same time that the transaction terminal shares the same VSAT modem.
• the VSAT modem may include two, three, four, or more reverse modem connections for respectively communicating with ATMs, transaction terminals, settop boxes, facsimile machines, etc.
• the ATM and the transaction terminal may share a single reverse modem in the VSAT modem such that software in each of the respective machines checks to determine whether the line is in fact currently off-hook before initiating the transaction.
• the VSAT modem may have any number of reverse modem connections, which allows a plurality of simultaneous connections to different transaction equipment to share the VSAT modem simultaneously. This has substantial advantages in that a small business such as a bar or other retail establishment may include a plurality of both ATMs and transaction terminals located throughout the establishment. In such a manner, a single VSAT connection may be utilized to replace numerous existing connections with transaction terminals and ATMs, all routed through the VSAT.
• the VSAT transaction system may be utilized to provide financial institution verification of scanned coding numbers on the bottom of a check. This enables a retail outlet to verify check purchases. Further, the retailer may enter in the amount of the check and have the amount deducted immediately from the account of the user shown on the check.
• a retailer who cashes paychecks for employees may include a connection between processing equipment that receives the scanned account numbers on the paycheck, verifies the monies associated with the paycheck, and allows the retailer to make instant payments to the employee associated with the paycheck.
• This system may also be connected to the VSAT via a reverse modem connection, serial connection, or other suitable connection.
• the retail outlets each require a telephone dial-up line that sends security signals back to a main office or to a security company.
• a local retailer may subscribe to a service whereby a camera may be connected via a reverse modem or other suitable connection directly to the VSAT network.
• This allows a centralized security system for the company to monitor the respective retail outlet locations at all times, regardless of whether the respective location is open for business or not.
• the respective retail outlets may also be monitored full time by a security company and part time by the main retail office to ensure employee honesty. These transactions may be processed simultaneously via streaming video.
• the retail company has the added benefit in that the retail company may not only ensure greater security and safety for its employees, but may also monitor its employees for improper practices with customers, abusive tactics with customers, and for the trustworthiness of their employees.
• the present invention may enable other devices already located in the retail outlets to be connected directly to the reverse modem without the substantial software upgrades and/or hardware upgrades. For example, where a gas station has each of its pumps connected to a modem for communication back to a central office, this service may now be performed by a VSAT modem by simply retrofitting the reverse modem and connecting to the telephone line that was previously connected to each of the pumps.
• an aspect of the present VSAT network may be to emulate via reverse modem the modem interface of the transaction terminal at the retailer as well as the interface between the modem bank and the communication company.
• the VSAT modem may encapsulate or configure the communications from the transaction terminal into a protocol format.
• the protocol format is IP.
• frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode, or other suitable protocol may be utilized for transmitting the data from the transaction terminals via a satellite to a hub location.
• the hub location is preferably co-located with the communication company's equipment and the hub location provides the output of all of the packets, frames, and/or cells from the various retail outlets directly into a protocol conversion device of the communication company.
• VSAT and the pre-encapsulated or pre- formatted data from the transaction terminal may eliminate the need for a modem bank at the communication compare as well as the need for a statistical multiplexer switch at the communications company.
• the use of the VSAT and associated pre-formatting at the retailer location eliminates the substantial expense of having and maintaining a modem bank with a plurality of modems and a statistical multiplexer at the location of the communication company.
• embodiments of the present invention also eliminate the 1-800 fees associated with the dial-up connections to the communications company. Additionally, the connections are of higher reliability because the modem bank is susceptible to a myriad of failures such as modems hanging up, modems with incomplete connections, a failure of the modem and associated processing equipment. Because of the number of modems required in the modem bank, the reliability is typically less than that of a VSAT network.
• the communication company increases reliability and decreases costs through the use of a VSAT connection while avoiding the large efforts required for recertification of the overall network.
• the communication company avoids the requirement for paying for a large number of local lines into the modem bank. For example, where the modem bank has 4000 modems, the communication company would require 4000 separate lines into the modem bank from the local phone company and then from the modem bank to the switch/statistical multiplexer and then into the protocol conversion.
• the VSAT network may be able to replace the current communication network of a plurality of retailers without having the retailers renegotiate their relationship with the particular financial institutions.
• a VSAT company may contract with a number of communication companies such that the VSAT company has an access port into the communication company's internal network.
• the VSAT company may thereafter supply a large number of retailers with a VSAT transaction system such that the retailers utilize the VSAT company's network to provide their transactions to the communication company without ever impacting the relationship that the retailer has with .the financial institution.
• a VSAT company that contracts with each of the communication companies has access to substantially all retailers.
• the VSAT network in accordance with the present invention renders land lines currently associated with virtually every retail location obsolete.
• the communications company itself may determine to provide VSAT networks to various retailers. For example, retailers that have high call volume may benefit substantially from using a VSAT network.
• the communications company may either provide the VSAT network between the retailer and the communications company or alternatively may target certain retailers for direct communications with the financial institution via the VSAT network. This saves substantial backhaul charges by the communication company and allows the communication company to route high transaction volume retailers to the point of presence closest to the financial institution, minimizing or eliminating backhaul charges.
• the financial institution may be desirable to incorporate within the VSAT hub the protocol conversion necessary to communicate directly with the financial institution thus avoiding the necessity of going through the communication company.
• the financial institution may maintain a direct relationship with its retailers, particularly those retailers with high call volumes, and bypass the charges associated with the communication company. This allows the financial institution to offer credit card transaction services to the retailer at a lower percentage of the transaction, avoiding the fees associated with the communication company.
• the reverse modem is packaged separately in a reverse modem module for co-location next to the transaction terminal or automatic teller machine.
• the reverse modem module may include a standard RJ11 telephone connection for plugging directly into the transaction terminal or ATM.
• the reverse modem module also includes a wireless LAN connection for communicating in a wireless manner with the VSAT modem.
• a power supply may be included for powering the reverse modem and wireless LAN.
• the reverse modem module may be made today for as little as $15. It is anticipated that the reverse modem module price will decrease over time.
• the use of the reverse modem module facilitates the sale of the VSAT in kits for installation by the local retailer. Even if professionally installed, it is often cost effective to use the reverse modem modules to wirelessly connect to the VSAT rather than use existing cabling or rewire the retailer.
• the reverse modem may be utilized with conventional phones or IP phones to provide a total solution for the retailer, bypassing the local phone and cable company altogether.
• Figs. 4-7 Various embodiments for providing this functionality are described in Figs. 4-7.
• the interface device may be integrated into a adaptor card for use in a PC or configured as an add-on unit plugging into a serial port of an existing satellite modem.
• the VSAT modem may be reconfigured as a direct satellite settop terminal.
• the interface module may be integrated directly into the settop terminal and provide a router device for use in a retail outlet, business, or home.
• the router may route television signals and/or data to any of the connected devices via the wireless LAN. While the present invention is most useful in the context of a retail outlet, other applications may be envisioned.
• the wireless LAN is integrated into the settop terminal, it is desirable to locate one or preferably two antennas outside of the settop box and shielded from the receiver circuitry associated with the satellite receiver.
• the wireless LAN circuitry may be shielded from the circuitry associated with the satellite receiver.
• the wireless LAN may be co-located with and/or integral with the antenna dish. In these embodiments, a cost savings is provided because the satellite receiver, LNB, antenna, and/or LAN are located proximate to each other and/or share the same housing. Further, any number of settop boxes or other remote terminals may be located throughout the retail, business, or residence for receiving data, audio, and/or video signals from the antenna.

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• 2002
  • 2002-05-14 WO PCT/US2002/015122 patent/WO2002093303A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2002-05-14 EP EP02736795A patent/EP1402658A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2002-05-14 AU AU2002309774A patent/AU2002309774A1/en not_active Abandoned

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