WHAT IS COMMUNICATIONS TERMINAL?

A mobile communication device is a small, portable electronic device, with wireless communication capabilities, which is easy to carry around. A mobile phone, which is also known as mobile terminal (MT), cellular phone, cell phone, hand phone, or simply a phone, is a device that can send and receive telephone calls over a radio link while being connected to a cellular base station operated by a cellular network operator. A subscriber identification module (SIM) is an integrated circuit that securely stores the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) and the related key used to identify and authenticate subscribers on mobile telephony devices. Mobile terminal modem unit interfaces with the cellular base stations, and sends/receives user information generated by the application unit. So it interacts with a base station using different cellular air interface standards like GSM, WCDMA, LTE etc. to send/receive information to distantly located called party or server.

Uses and Types of Terminals

The original Unix systems did not have consoles. Instead, people logged in and ran programs through terminals that were connected to the computer’s serial ports. It is quite similar to using a modem and some terminal software to dial into a remote system to do text-only work.

Today’s PCs have consoles capable of high quality graphics, but the ability to establish a login session on a serial port still exists in nearly every Unix-style operating system today; FreeBSD is no exception. By using a terminal attached to a unused serial port, you can log in and run any text program that you would normally run on the console or in an xterm window in the X Window System.

For the business user, you can attach many terminals to a FreeBSD system and place them on your employees’ desktops. For a home user, a spare computer such as an older IBM PC or a Macintosh can be a terminal wired into a more powerful computer running FreeBSD. You can turn what might otherwise be a single-user computer into a powerful multiple user system.

Dumb Terminals

Dumb terminals are specialized pieces of hardware that let you connect to computers over serial lines. They are called “dumb” because they have only enough computational power to display, send, and receive text. You cannot run any programs on them. It is the computer to which you connect them that has all the power to run text editors, compilers, email, games, and so forth.

There are hundreds of kinds of dumb terminals made by many manufacturers, including Digital Equipment Corporation’s VT-100 and Wyse’s WY-75. Just about any kind will work with FreeBSD. Some high-end terminals can even display graphics, but only certain software packages can take advantage of these advanced features.

Dumb terminals are popular in work environments where workers do not need access to graphic applications such as those provided by the X Window System.

PCs Acting As Terminals

If a dumb terminal has just enough ability to display, send, and receive text, then certainly any spare personal computer can be a dumb terminal. All you need is the proper cable and some terminal emulation software to run on the computer.

Such a configuration is popular in homes. For example, if your spouse is busy working on your FreeBSD system’s console, you can do some text-only work at the same time from a less powerful personal computer hooked up as a terminal to the FreeBSD system.

X Terminals

X terminals are the most sophisticated kind of terminal available. Instead of connecting to a serial port, they usually connect to a network like Ethernet. Instead of being relegated to text-only applications, they can display any X application.

We introduce X terminals just for the sake of completeness. However, this chapter does not cover setup, configuration, or use of X terminals.

A wireless communication terminal includes a wireless communication module and a controller. The wireless communication module is configured to communicate with other communication terminals over a wireless interface. The controller is configured to establish a connection with at least one participant wireless communication terminal via the wireless communication module, and to operate in each of a direct mode and, alternatively, a play list mode. When the controller is in the direct mode, the controller is responsive to a playback request from a participant wireless communication terminal to execute playback of a participant media file streamed to the wireless communication terminal from the participant wireless communication terminal without queuing the participant media file or a participant media identification corresponding thereto in a play list. When the controller is in the play list mode, the controller is operative to maintain a play list representing media files to be played, to receive a plurality of playback requests from at least one participant wireless communication terminal, each playback request including a participant media identification corresponding to a participant media file stored on the at least one participant wireless communication terminal, to add each participant media identification to the play list, to receive the participant media files from the at least one participant wireless communication terminal, and to execute playback of the participant media files in accordance with the play list.

1. A wireless communication terminal comprising: a wireless communication module that is configured to communicate with other communication terminals over a wireless interface; a controller that is configured to establish a connection with at least one participant wireless communication terminal via the wireless communication module, and to operate in each of a direct mode and, alternatively, a play list mode, wherein: when the controller is in the direct mode, the controller is responsive to a playback request from a participant wireless communication terminal to execute playback of a participant media file streamed to the wireless communication terminal from the participant wireless communication terminal without queuing the participant media file or a participant media identification corresponding thereto in a play list; and when the controller is in the play list mode, the controller is operative to maintain a play list representing media files to be played, to receive a plurality of playback requests from at least one participant wireless communication terminal, each playback request including a participant media identification corresponding to a participant media file stored on the at least one participant wireless communication terminal, to add each participant media identification to the play list, to receive the participant media files from the at least one participant wireless communication terminal, and to execute playback of the participant media files in accordance with the play list.

2. The wireless communication terminal of claim 1 including a mode selector operable by an operator to selectively set the controller in the direct mode and, alternatively, in the play list mode.

3. The wireless communication terminal of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to retrieve the participant media files from the at least one participant wireless communication terminal for playback when the controller is in the play list mode.

4. The wireless communication terminal of claim 1 including a memory and wherein the controller is configured to store the participant media files from the at least one participant wireless communication terminal in the memory for playback when the controller is in the play list mode.

5. The wireless communication terminal of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to retrieve and execute the participant media files from the at least one participant wireless communication terminal as a streaming file when the controller is in the play list mode.

6. The wireless communication terminal of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to send a playback signal to media player equipment to execute playback of the participant media file(s) on the media player equipment.

7. The wireless communication terminal of claim 6 wherein the wireless communication terminal is a modular media viewer adapter.

8. The wireless communication terminal of claim 6 including a video output configured to communicatively connect the wireless communication terminal to the media player equipment to display the play list on the media player equipment.

9. The wireless communication terminal of claim 1 including a laser projector configured to project an image onto a remote surface to provide a display.

10. The wireless communication terminal of claim 9 wherein the controller is configured to control the laser projector to project an image of the play list onto the remote surface to provide a display when the controller is in the play list mode.

11. The wireless communication terminal of claim 1 wherein the media files are song files.

12. The wireless communication terminal of claim 1 wherein: the wireless communication module is configured to communicate with other communication terminals over a direct point-to-point wireless interface; and the controller is configured to establish the connection with the participant wireless communication terminal(s) via the wireless communication module, to receive the participant media identifications from the at least one participant wireless communication terminal, and to receive the participant media file(s) from the participant wireless communication terminal(s) for playback all via the direct point-to-point wireless interface.

13. The wireless communication terminal of claim 12 wherein the wireless communication module includes a Bluetooth transmitter.

14. The wireless communication terminal of claim 1 wherein the wireless communication terminal includes a cellular telephone.

15. A system for playing back media files, the system comprising: at least one participant wireless communication terminal; a host wireless communication terminal, wherein the host wireless communication terminal includes: a wireless communication module that is configured to communicate with other communication terminals over a wireless interface; and a controller that is configured to establish a connection with the at least one participant wireless communication terminal via the wireless communication module, and to operate in each of a direct mode and, alternatively, a play list mode, wherein: when the controller is in the direct mode, the controller is responsive to a playback request from a participant wireless communication terminal to execute playback of a participant media file streamed to the wireless communication terminal from the participant wireless communication terminal without queuing the participant media file or a participant media identification corresponding thereto in a play list; and when the controller is in the play list mode, the controller is operative to maintain a play list representing media files to be played, to receive a plurality of playback requests from at least one participant wireless communication terminal, each playback request including a participant media identification corresponding to a participant media file stored on the at least one participant wireless communication terminal, to add each participant media identification to the play list, to receive the participant media files from the at least one participant wireless communication terminal, and to execute playback of the participant media files in accordance with the play list.

16. A method for playing back media files using a host wireless communication terminal, the method comprising: establishing a wireless connection between the host wireless communication terminal and a participant wireless communication terminal; receiving a selection from an operator between a direct mode and, alternatively, a play list mode of the host wireless communication terminal; and a) if the direct mode is selected: receiving a playback request from a participant wireless communication terminal; and responsive to the playback request, executing playback of a participant media file streamed to the wireless communication terminal from the participant wireless communication terminal without queuing the participant media file or a participant media identification corresponding thereto in a play list; and b) if the play list mode is selected: maintaining a play list using the host wireless communication terminal, the play list representing media files to be played; receiving at the host wireless communication terminal a plurality of participant media identifications from at least one participant wireless communication terminal, wherein each participant media identification corresponds to a participant media file stored on the at least one participant wireless communication terminal; adding the participant media identifications to the play list; and executing playback of the participant media files represented by the play list.

17. A wireless communication terminal comprising a laser projector configured to project an image onto a remote surface to provide a display, wherein the wireless communication terminal is a modular media viewer adapter.

Features of Wireless Communication

The evolution of wireless technology has brought many advancements with its effective features.

• The transmitted distance can be anywhere between a few meters (for example, a television’s remote control) and thousands of kilometers (for example, radio communication).
• Wireless communication can be used for cellular telephony, wireless access to the internet, wireless home networking, and so on.
• Other examples of applications of radio wireless technology include GPS units, garage door openers, wireless computer mice, keyboards and headsets, headphones, radio receivers, satellite television, broadcast television and cordless telephones.

ADVANTAGES OF COMMUNICATION TERMINAL

In remote locations around the world, Companies are looking at new and improved ways of upgrading their communications. High speed data is common place in the terrestrial sector however off the grid, it’s a rare commodity. Fast moving data is a necessity in remote areas to allow businesses to stay on top of potential network and/or equipment issues in real time. One of the most popular ways the satellite industry is impacting global business is via the BGAN Satellite Terminal, or Broadband Global Area network, a high speed satellite broadband modem that transmits simultaneous voice and data from anywhere, to any location on the planet when terrestrial connectivity is not an option.

We have put together a list of ten reasons why it’s should be a requirement of every business operating in remote locations of the world that need to access critical network and equipment data, to consider the BGAN Satellite Terminal.

Customization– The BGAN terminal comes in different styles and sizes of varying degrees of bandwidth capability depending on the requirements with the particular business application. In the Utilities or energy industry for example, a Wifi capable terminal is ideal for a Smart Grid Meter application that is often installed anywhere from 20 to 30 feet high. On the other end of the spectrum, an adventurer that is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and wishes to stay in contact with relatives and buddies and update his blog daily may only require to be hard wired in through an ethernet cable to his computer from the terminal.

Global Coverage – operates off of the I-4 satellites which are  geosynchronous birds that function via the Inmarsat network covering the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean Regions. This group of satellites covers the footprint of 95% of the earth?s surface. BGAN Satellite is truly a worldwide communications solution.

Simple-To-Use – BGAN terminals are developed to be a streamlined and user-friendly technology, making even complex data transfers a simple task. With no technical expertise required, and less than 5 minutes to establish voice or data communications, these terminals bring with them convenience and ease-of-use

Unobtrusive and Adaptable– There are many options when it comes to portable, fixed or vehicular BGAN terminals. This ability to decide the role the terminals will play, provides organizations with the features and performance options to suit many different operational needs. BGAN is extremely flexible in the various roles that it can play to meet the demands of unique organization applications.

Various Applications– It’s amazing how 1 BGAN unit, basically the size of an average laptop, can do so many things. Some of the applications that BGAN is most utilized for are email, browsing the web, secure VPN, SMS, videoconferencing, file transfers, live video streaming and remote surveillance, just to name a few.

Mobile Work Force– In big cities, WiFi does exist however it is the victim of range challenges. As long as the end user is outside, with direct line of site to the I4 satellites, broadband global area network is not plagued by these range issues.

Designed for All Industries– Developed with every possible scenario in mind, BGAN Satellite terminals have the potential to be used by any industry that has a need for remote communications where cell phones and Wifi access points don’t exist. Industries such as Mining, Oil/Gas and the Utilities, as well as for individual projects for journalists, aid workers, and engineers, everyone who requires dependable and secure broadband data and voice access.

Simultaneous Voice and Broadband Data– With a single BGAN terminal, you can access data applications in remote areas at high speeds, while making a phone call at the same time. You are able to select guaranteed data rates on demand with voice and data capability.

Performance – Data connection speeds of up to half a megabit are common in BGAN terminals. Add to that a portfolio of IP streaming rates of 32, 64, 128, 176, 256, and BGAN X-Stream, along with an ability to support ISDN at 64 kbps, you have some of the fastest world-wide communications technology around. This bandwidth capability is more than enough to meet the needs of most businesses that require a virtual remote office.

Network Reliability and Longevity -The geostationary location of satellites mean that service is not affected by typical terrestrial outages, which are commonly experience with cellular technology, particularly in extreme weather or when communications are compromised from a natural or man-made disaster for example. BGAN terminals provide the reliability you need to be confident in your business.

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