System and Method for Mobile Terminal Initiated Communications

Abstract

A system and method for improving efficiency of satellite communications is described. In one embodiment, efficient satellite communications is enabled through event-driven reporting by a mobile terminal.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method performed by a mobile terminal, comprising:
 awakening, by the mobile terminal, from a sleep mode;   analyzing activity on a communication timeslot that is assigned to mobile terminals and on a communication timeslot that is not assigned to mobile terminals;   identifying, based on the analyzing, either the communication timeslot that is assigned to mobile terminals or the communication timeslot that is not assigned to mobile terminals as a usable communication timeslot; and   transmitting a report based on the identified usable communication timeslot.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the identifying comprises identifying a communication timeslot of a scheduled reporting communication timeslot type that is assigned to mobile terminals. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein transmitting comprises transmitting the report to an operation center on a timeslot of the scheduled reporting communication timeslot type. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the identifying comprises identifying a communication timeslot of an unscheduled reporting communication timeslot type that is not assigned to mobile terminals. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the analyzing comprises analyzing time division multiplexed timeslots. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting on a time division multiple access timeslot. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the identifying comprises identifying a communication timeslot of an event reporting timeslot type. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the identifying comprises identifying a communication timeslot of a scheduled reporting timeslot type that is not currently assigned to a mobile terminal. 
     
     
         21 . A mobile terminal, comprising:
 an awake state and a sleep mode;   a communication timeslot identifier configured to analyze, upon transition from the sleep mode to the awake state, activity on a communication timeslot that is assigned to mobile terminals and on a communication timeslot that is not assigned to mobile terminals, and to identify, based on the analyzing, either the communication timeslot assigned to mobile terminals or the communication timeslot not assigned to mobile terminals as a usable communication timeslot; and   a transmitter configured to transmit a report on the identified usable communication timeslot.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the communication timeslot identifier is configured to identify a communication timeslot of a scheduled reporting communication timeslot type that is assigned to mobile terminals. 
     
     
         23 . The mobile terminal of  claim 22 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the report to an operation center on a timeslot of the scheduled reporting communication timeslot type. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the communication timeslot identifier is configured to identify a communication timeslot of an unscheduled reporting communication timeslot type that is not assigned to mobile terminals. 
     
     
         25 . The mobile terminal of  claim 21 , wherein the communication timeslot identifier is configured to analyze time division multiplexed timeslots. 
     
     
         26 . The mobile terminal of  claim 21 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit on a time division multiple access timeslot. 
     
     
         27 . The mobile terminal of  claim 21 , wherein the communication timeslot identifier is configured to identify a communication timeslot of an event reporting timeslot type. 
     
     
         28 . The mobile terminal of  claim 21 , wherein the communication timeslot identifier is configured to identify a communication timeslot of a scheduled reporting timeslot type that is not currently assigned to a mobile terminal.