The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 26, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 30, 1996
James Frederick Bradley, Middletown, NJ (US);
Paul W Cooper, Red Bank, NJ (US);
AT&T Corporation, Middletown, NJ (US);
Abstract
A fixed terminal forms a highly directed beam toward a satellite and adaptively maintains a beam to track the satellite as the satellite moves relative to the fixed terminal. The fixed terminal includes a database that contains the positional information of all potential communication satellites. The fixed terminal antenna system provides for both simple auto-steering on installation for ease of use and terminal access to multiple satellite services. The proximity detector detects objects that may interfere with the antenna beam. The proximity detector includes infrared sensors, sonar detectors, motion detectors and optical devices to determine a range and bearing of objects that may interfere with the antenna beam. When an object may be harmed or interfere with the antenna beam, an alarm may be activated to warn the user and/or the object of potential harm from the electromagnetic energy transmitted by the directed antenna.