Importance

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Abstract

Subscriber units (26) in a satellite communication system (10) send and receive data messages at optimum times. Each subscriber unit (26) has a pre-programmed database that includes a collection of messages (302), such as data (314), fax (316), pre-recorded voice (318), pager (320), or video files (322). Pre-programmed times include low traffic times (404) and/or most economical times (406) at the point of origination and/or destination. Low traffic time information (404) and most economical time information (406) are stored in the subscriber unit (26) and may be updated by the communication system (10). The subscriber unit (26) sends and receives messages at either a pre-programmed or low traffic time (404) or most economical time (406). The satellite communication system (10) calculates message delivery time when different from a user's time zone. A user is notified when a message is sent and received. The subscriber unit (26) stores the messages for future access. The message storage system (55) is reusable in other communication system equipment.

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First Claim