Receiver For Satellite Broadcast Patents (Class 455/3.02)
  • Patent number: 8646001
    Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Personalized Media Communications, LLC
    Inventors: John Christopher Harvey, James William Cuddihy
  • Patent number: 8644774
    Abstract: Secured broadband devices and methods for providing broadband communication are provided. A broadband device may include a housing, at least one broadband component, and a securing mechanism. The at least one broadband component may be situated within the housing and configured to receive a broadband signal. Additionally, the at least one broadband component may be configured to output at least a portion of the broadband signal for receipt by one or more external devices. The securing mechanism configured to secure the housing to an electrical outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Edgar V. Shrum, Jr., Francisco Gonzalez, John Civiletto
  • Patent number: 8639179
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for auto-installing an integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) includes issuing an auto-installation command from the IRD to an outdoor unit (ODU) and receiving a plurality of tones from the ODU in response to the auto-installation command, each tone representing a center frequency of available user bands (UBs). The auto-installation also includes acquiring a UB center frequency by the IRD, requesting the ODU to confirm a UB number corresponding to the acquired UB center frequency, and receiving confirmation from the ODU that a UB number corresponds to the acquired UB center frequency. The auto-installation also includes sending an acceptance of the assigned UB number from the IRD to signal the ODU that it may mark the assigned UB as assigned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Entropic Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Wong, Troy Brandon, Jon Huss
  • Patent number: 8639255
    Abstract: A simulation apparatus according to the present invention performs propagation simulation regarding the radio wave quality of a base station radio wave in a specific area. The apparatus includes: a receiving unit configured to receive, from a plurality of mobile terminals existing in the specific area, measured results of the radio wave quality of a base station radio wave from a base station around the mobile terminal, the field intensity of a GPS wave from a GPS satellite, and a position of the mobile terminal; and a simulating unit configured to identify a mobile terminal having the measured result of the field intensity at or above a predetermined value from the plurality of mobile terminals and correct a propagation equation used for the propagation simulation using the measured result of the radio wave quality at the position of the identified mobile terminal for performing the propagation simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Inaba
  • Patent number: 8639178
    Abstract: An end user can sample a radio or television broadcast, generate a user representation of the broadcast sample, and send the user representation to a comparison system, which also receives known representations of content broadcast by multiple different stations. The known representations are stored in a continuous fashion, and represent actually broadcast content. The comparison system identifies the source of the broadcast sample by comparing the user representation to the known representations associated with each of the different stations. By comparing two representations of content that was actually broadcast, a broadcast source can be identified without requiring the use of watermarks, timestamps, or a database of discreet content items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Clear Channel Management Sevices, Inc.
    Inventors: Dyon Anniballi, Philippe Generali
  • Patent number: 8634760
    Abstract: A system for allowing ground terminals, mobile or stationary, to dynamically and electronically re-align signal polarizations to match that of incoming signal polarizations from transmitting sources. An adaptive re-orientation technique utilizes a cost minimization function to determine the difference between actual orientation values and desired orientation values. Calculations of satellite and ground terminal orientations and bearings to create weighting components allow a mobile ground terminal to electronically realign itself to the signals of a transmitting source, thereby eliminating the need for physically re-orienting the antenna array through mechanical processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventors: Donald C. D. Chang, Frank Lu, Yulan Sun
  • Patent number: 8630578
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented to allow one receiver architecture to be used for the reception of two different SDARS signals. Common receiver functions can be utilized to process each signal, thereby obviating the need to duplicate hardware elements. For example, it can be assumed that both signals will not be received at the same time, thus allowing for considerable hardware reuse and lowering the cost of an interoperable receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sirius XM Radio Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Scarpa, Edward Schell
  • Patent number: 8626097
    Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods and apparatus for identifying signal degradation in a receiver. A process for identifying signal degradation includes determining a first signal strength of a signal received by the receiving device at a first time and determining a second signal strength of the received signal at a second time. The process further includes calculating a signal strength difference between the first signal strength and the second signal strength and determining whether the signal strength difference is greater than a first decision value. The process further includes outputting for presentation a message responsive to determining that the signal strength difference is greater than the first decision value, the message indicating to a user the degradation of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: EchoStar Technologies L.L.C.
    Inventors: Edmund F. Petruzzelli, Joseph E. Tomko, Scott George Fillingim
  • Patent number: 8627399
    Abstract: A computer-readable medium is disclosed and includes processor-readable instructions executable by a processor to perform a method. The method includes sending a request for television content from a first device that is not equipped with a television tuner to a second device that is equipped with at least one television tuner via a wireless local area network (WLAN). The method also includes receiving the television content at the first device directly from the second device via the WLAN. The television content is received at the second device via the at least one television tuner. Further, the method includes outputting the television content at the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Scott White, James L. Cansler, Ian C. Schmehl
  • Patent number: 8620207
    Abstract: A wireless cellular or other device to control distribution and presentation of audio, video, or combined audio and video content transmitted from a content server and delivered to at least one contiguous device at substantially the same time. The cellular device sends control signals via various wireless communication protocols based upon user input. The control signals are sent to a content server attached to a TCP/IP network. The wireless cellular device and the content server interact through a request and reply interface, located within the wireless cellular device, based on inputs from the wireless device user. Content available for transmission from the content server is displayed and subsequently selected by the user. Separate audio and video content may be distributed to individually distinct rendering devices contiguous to and selected by the user. During or after the content is transmitted, the user may interact with the content through the wireless cellular device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Michael D. Harold
  • Patent number: 8615780
    Abstract: An Internet protocol low noise block downconverter (IP LNB) assembly, which is within a satellite reception assembly, may be operable to determine location information and/or time information of the IP LNB assembly. The IP LNB assembly may provide services based on the determined location information and/or the determined time information of the IP LNB assembly. The location information and/or the time information of the IP LNB assembly may be determined via a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) module in the IP LNB assembly. The IP LNB assembly may communicate the determined location information and/or the determined time information to a wireless communication device for determining location information of the wireless communication device. The IP LNB assembly may determine location information of a wireless source device based on a signal received from the wireless source device, the determined location information and the determined time information of the IP LNB assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventors: Curtis Ling, Timothy Gallagher, Glenn Chang
  • Patent number: 8611838
    Abstract: An HD radio receiver includes a storage unit for carrying out tuning at a time when autostore is activated and for storing broadcasting station data about a terrestrial digital radio broadcast received by the tuning, a reception quality detecting unit for detecting reception quality of the radio broadcast received, and a control unit for deciding the number of broadcast programs of multicasting that broadcasts a plurality of programs on a single frequency from the terrestrial digital radio broadcast received and for registering in the storage unit broadcasting station data with a greater number of decided broadcast programs in preference to broadcasting station data with better reception quality detected by the reception quality detecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Yozo Kanayama
  • Patent number: 8611809
    Abstract: A broadcast satellite single wire interface comprises a low noise block amplifier module having multiple outputs, a plurality of filter banks, each filter bank coupled to each of the outputs of the low noise block amplifier module in a respective fashion and comprising a plurality of filters, and a plurality of analog-to-digital (A/D) converters, each A/D converter coupled to a filter in the plurality of filters in the plurality of filter banks in a respective fashion, wherein the A/D converters directly sample incoming downconverted broadcast satellite signals and the sampled incoming downconverted broadcast signals are output on a single wire in a stacked output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Popoli
  • Patent number: 8608439
    Abstract: A system for arranging and operating an array of wind machines to protect crops from damaging weather conditions, such as freezing frost, rain and heat. The method includes a wind machine positioned to force air across the crop. The wind machine is preferably a propeller/tower configuration. The operational method of the wind machine array includes the steps of sensing ambient meteorological and the hardiness of the crop to withstand a particular adverse weather condition and operating the wind machines in response to these factors. Multiples of wind machines are employed in the preferred embodiment of the method, the siting of the wind machines preferably based upon topographic and historical meteorological conditions. The operation of the wind machines can be automatically and remotely operated with the aid of satellite communications including internet links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Daryl G. Hill
  • Publication number: 20130332967
    Abstract: A signal reception assembly may comprise a housing configured to support receipt and handling of a plurality of signals, including signals from different sources. The different sources may correspond to satellite and non-satellite (e.g., terrestrial) broadcasts. The signal reception assembly may comprise a satellite reception assembly. The housing may comprise circuitry incorporating an integrated stacking architecture for supporting and/or providing channel and/or band stacking whereby particular channels or bands, from satellite signals that are received via a satellite capturing component (e.g., satellite dish) and from terrestrial signals that are received via a terrestrial reception component (e.g., diversity terrestrial antenna), may be combined onto a single output signal that may be communicated from the signal reception assembly to a gateway device (e.g., STB).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Glenn Chang
  • Publication number: 20130331025
    Abstract: Systems and devices for controlling frequency drift in satellite broadcast systems. A receiver antenna system for a direct broadcast satellite signal communications system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises an oscillator, a mixer, coupled to the oscillator, for converting satellite signals at a first frequency to signals at an intermediate frequency, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, coupled to the mixer, for receiving the signals at the intermediate frequency and for converting the signals at the intermediate frequency at near-real-time to a digital data stream, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), coupled to the A/D converter, for processing the digital data stream, and a drift estimator, coupled to the DSP, the drift estimator determining a frequency drift of the oscillator, wherein the receiver antenna system corrects the frequency drift of the oscillator using the determined frequency drift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert F. Popoli
  • Patent number: 8606172
    Abstract: A data receiving and recording method and data receiver are provided for receiving data coded by a predetermined method and copyright information attached to the data. While recording the received data on a predetermined recording medium, the copyright information is recorded into a predetermined area of the recording medium. Preferably, the data consists of audio data of the song, lyrics data of the song and image data relating to the song and the copyright information is allotted respectively to the audio data, lyrics data and image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shintaro Tsutsui, Susumu Nagano, Yasushi Katayama
  • Patent number: 8600292
    Abstract: A satellite communication system designed to communicate with wireless communication devices (WCDs) by use of a mosaic pattern of signal beams uses multiple beams to augment the communication with individual WCDs. In addition to communication with a WCD through a primary beam for that WCD, adjacent beams are used, but with signals utilizing circuit parameters assigned to the primary beam. The signals from a given WCD are relayed in a backhaul, either as an aggregate signal processed by the satellite, or as backhaul communication signals to be combined or separated on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Ahmad Jalali
  • Patent number: 8594559
    Abstract: A satellite digital radio receiver for receiving first and second radio services. The first and second radio services are broadcast in first and second respective different radio frequency bands. At least one radio programme is broadcast substantially simultaneously on both radio services and one of the frequency bands can produce interference in the other frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: NXP, B.V.
    Inventor: Andreas Hans Walter Wichern
  • Patent number: 8594661
    Abstract: A method for establishing radiofrequency links via a telecommunication satellite having several spots, designated a multispot satellite, between at least one terrestrial station and a service area composed of a plurality of elementary covering zones, designated cells, each cell comprising a plurality of terrestrial terminals is disclosed. This type of satellite allows the use of several spots of antennae on board the satellite to cover contiguous geographical zones or cells, instead of a single broad spot. Each cell is associated with a spot to which a frequency band is attributed. In the case of the loss of a spot associated with a cell, designated a faulty cell, the spot (FR1, FR2, FB1, FB2, FV1, FV2) associated with at least one contiguous cell (CR1, CR2, CB1, CB2, CV1, CV2) to the said faulty cell is likewise associated with a part of the said faulty cell so that the area (CPJ?) of said faulty cell is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Eutelsat SA
    Inventors: Hector Fenech, Emmanuel Lance, Jacques Dutronc
  • Patent number: 8588678
    Abstract: A data receiving and recording method and data receiver are provided for receiving data coded by a predetermined method and copyright information attached to the data. While recording the received data on a predetermined recording medium, the copyright information is recorded into a predetermined area of the recording medium. Preferably, the data consists of audio data of the song, lyrics data of the song and image data relating to the song and the copyright information is allotted respectively to the audio data, lyrics data and image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shintaro Tsutsui, Susumu Nagano, Yasushi Katayama
  • Patent number: 8583029
    Abstract: A satellite system for transmission of signals of two different frequencies and polarizations simultaneously, and will accommodate two different polarity commands from different sources at the same time. The satellite system includes a satellite antenna that receives signals. A head-in frequency processor enables the different frequencies and polarizations to be transmitted simultaneously via a single coaxial cable. This single coaxial cable is coupled to a head-out receiver processor which is connected to a receiver. This configuration provides for the system that will permit for satellite broadcasting in locations that are not in the line-of-sight path to the satellites such as high-rises, hospitals, condominiums, schools, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Global Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Green, Sr., Austin S. Coker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8583028
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and method for facilitating a purchase in conjunction with media content information. The apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive a transmission of media content, information regarding the content, and information for facilitating a purchase of at least one of a copy of the content, a good, and/or a service. The content may include broadcast media content and entertainment media content. The apparatus also includes a processor configured to process the information regarding the content and the information for facilitating a purchase of the copy of the content, the good, and/or the service. The apparatus also includes a display device for displaying information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Alexander I. Poltorak
  • Patent number: 8577282
    Abstract: A method for reporting multi-address information comprises a step wherein each of mobile stations (UE) obtains the positional information relating to the mobile stations (UE) and manages information relating to the obtained positional information, a step for reporting multi-address information provided with an electronic signature to each of the mobile stations (UE), a step wherein each of the mobile stations (UE) verifies the multi-address information by use of the electronic signature provided to the received multi-address information, a step wherein each of the mobile stations (UE), when the verifying is successful, compares positional information contained in the multi-address information with the positional information being managed, and a step wherein each of the mobile stations (UE) performs processing in response to the multi-address information on the basis of the result of comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Wuri Andarmawanti Hapsari, Itsuma Tanaka, Minami Ishii, Alf Zugenmaier
  • Patent number: 8577317
    Abstract: A broadcast receiver and a method for setting the broadcast receiver, comprising receiving a primary broadcast sent by a broadcast station and retrieving program associated data made available by said broadcast station. The method comprises a first channel, a primary broadcast channel BC, and a second channel, an interaction channel, for retrieving the program associated data (PAD) from the broadcast station, whereby a browser sends an HTTP or a WAP request using an Internet connection. The method comprises retrieving a uniform resource locator of the program associated data (PAD) as station associated data (SAD) from a station associated data site (SADS) the station associated data comprising program associated data relating to the primary broadcast, coverage information and frequency information of included broadcast stations and the broadcast receiver being capable of setting the browser and the broadcast receiver unit by suing this SAD information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Manor Research, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Stefan Strandberg, Johan Sjoblom
  • Patent number: 8571465
    Abstract: A computer based multi-channel radio system (200) can include a computer (214) coupled to a display (215) and having a graphical user interface (500) and a radio receiver (100) coupled to the computer for receiving a plurality of channels and data associated with the plurality of channels. The graphic user interface can selectively display at least a portion of the data associated with the plurality of channels. The data associated with the plurality of channels can be simultaneously updated. The radio receiver can include an output port (207) that enables the system to stream data or audio or video from a selected channel among the plurality of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Sirius XM Radio Inc.
    Inventors: Neil S. Eastman, Michael Zingman, Michelle Sammartino
  • Patent number: 8571464
    Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing coverage and throughput in a wireless communication system. An antenna for use in a wireless communications system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a plurality of antenna elements, an antenna selection switch, coupled to the plurality of antenna elements, and a control system, coupled to the antenna selection switch, wherein the control system selectively energizes the plurality of antenna elements to create a communications link to a device in the wireless communications system through the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Norin
  • Patent number: 8571153
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating interference in a satellite signal receiver is described. The satellite signal receiver receives satellite signals from a plurality of satellites. In one example, a control signal is transmitted to the satellite signal receiver upon occurrence of data transmission from a wireless transceiver operating in proximity to the satellite signal receiver. Signal integration within the satellite signal receiver is gated in response to the control signal. In another example, one or more values of satellite signal samples are selected from a plurality of possible values. Signal integration within the satellite signal receiver is gated in response to a percentage of satellite signal samples taken over a predefined period exceeding a predefined threshold. In yet another example, a gain setting of an automatic gain control circuit within the satellite signal receiver is adjusted in response to detection of interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Global Locate, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles Abraham
  • Patent number: 8565670
    Abstract: A device, referred to as a satellite grid, includes a plurality of reception and storage ground stations (5) provided with a storage unit (13), each station (5) including elements for receiving observation data from at least one satellite orbiting around the Earth. Each station (5) is connected to at least one digital network (15) and includes at least one management module so that the different stations cooperate together in order to provide a permanent and transparent shared access to the observation data coming from at least one satellite and stored in the different stations (5), wherein the satellite grid is adapted to be accessible and viewed as a single computer resource from any access point in the network (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES)
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Antikidis
  • Publication number: 20130273832
    Abstract: A portable audio recording device is provided for selectively recording analog and digital audio signals. The device is removably insertable into a recess in an automobile dashboard. Several mounting harness connections protrude from the recess and operatively engage with ports disposed on the back side of the device. Once the recording device is properly connected, audio can be played over the automobile sound system or saved for later playback. Additional files are transferred to and from the device via removable storage media or over wireless connections. Users can record radio programming, store their music collection and transport the entertainment device to different locations. The invention is thus a device and system for facilitating highly transportable audio recording, storage, and playback in a variety of environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Sarah Coleman
  • Patent number: 8559871
    Abstract: Provided are a satellite VSAT apparatus and a control method thereof. The satellite VSAT apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can switch a modulation type of a signal to be transmitted from an indoor unit (IDU) to the outdoor unit to a linear or non-linear type in a case in which outputting of a transmitted signal is not controlled to an outdoor unit due to limitations, that is, there is no function such as an automatic signal level control in a block up-converter (BUC), a case in which transmission output limitation is large due to a lot of interference requirements for an adjacent channel, a case in which the number of adjacent channels (carriers) is large, or a case in which adjacent channel interference is large due to a frequency in a satellite multi-beam environment and polarization reuse, in a satellite VSAT apparatus system which aims at a low-priced user terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Pan Soo Kim, Jae Hee Han, Dae Ig Chang, Ho Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 8538323
    Abstract: A method is presented for transmitting data in a satellite system having multiple spot beams comprising (1) sending a broadband signal in a forward direction from a gateway terminal to a communications satellite for relay to at least one subscriber terminal, (2) receiving the broadband signal at the communications satellite, wherein the communications satellite comprises a bent pipe repeater having a plurality of satellite-based transmission amplifiers, (3) using one of the plurality of satellite-based transmission amplifiers to amplify the broadband signal and no other broadband signal from the gateway terminal, to produce an amplified broadband signal, (4) sending the amplified broadband signal as one of a plurality of service spot beams to the at least one subscriber terminal, and (5) receiving and retrieving data from the amplified broadband signal at the at least one subscriber terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: ViaSat, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Dankberg, Mark J. Miller, Steven R. Hart, Kristi Jaska, Robert Wilson
  • Patent number: 8538322
    Abstract: A system for performing transmit power and admission control for a satellite based wireless communication systems. Admission control uses centralized admission and distributed admission controls. Centralized admission control uses a maximum persistence value broadcasted from a hub to terminals. Persistence is the probability that a transmission will timely occur. Each terminal transmits a persistence that is no greater than the maximum persistence value. If the transmission fails, the transmission is repeated using the same probability. Lowering the persistence introduces a delay for alleviating congestion. Power control is performed using centralized and distributed power control. Centralized power control uses power control commands transmitted from the hub to each terminal. When an acknowledge is not received, a backoff and recovery procedure is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Franklin P. Antonio, Ilan Kessler, Ze'ev Roth, Ephraim Zehavi
  • Patent number: 8538388
    Abstract: A system and method for automated activation of a radio, or content receiver, used to receive subscription radio services such as XM or Sirius radio. A wireless communications device with a short range data link wirelessly communicates with the content receiver to control the content receiver and receive a unique identification code from the content receiver. The wireless communications device also has its own unique identification code. The wireless communications device transmits an activation request message over a long range wireless communications link to a control station. The activation request message contains the receivers unique identification code and the communications device's own unique identification code. The control station maintains a database of valid identification codes that is used to authenticate the request. If the control station receives a valid request, an activation signal is sent to the receiver to allow operation of the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Sirius XM Radio Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. De Luca
  • Patent number: 8538326
    Abstract: The invention is about a method and apparatus for grouping multiple satellite transponders with both (LP) polarization formats in different frequencies through Wave-Front (WF) Multiplexing (muxing) techniques for ground terminals with incompatible (CP) polarization formats. As a result of this invention, linear polarized (LP) transponders can be accessed and efficiently utilized by circularly polarized (CP) ground terminals and vice versa. This invention consists of conventional ground terminals, a unique organization of space assets, and a unique polarization alignment processor. The applications of wavefront multiplexing techniques to satellite communications offer many potential advantages, including improved flexibility and utility efficiency of existing space assets. Our proposed “Polarization Utility Waveforms” is an entirely new concept in VSAT and Earth Station Antenna diversity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Donald C. D. Chang
  • Patent number: 8533762
    Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver and a control method thereof are disclosed. The control method of the digital broadcast receiver includes receiving a broadcast signal into which mobile service data and main service data are multiplexed, extracting TPC signaling information and FIC signaling information from a data group in the received mobile service data, acquiring a program table defining a mapping relation between each of all ensembles transmitted at a physical frequency and at least one virtual channel corresponding to the ensemble, using the extracted FIC signaling information, and detecting IP address information required for channel tuning to the at least one virtual channel corresponding to the ensemble, using the acquired program table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hyup Lee, In Hwan Choi, Chul Soo Lee, Jae Hyung Song, Jeong Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 8526876
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for determining a location of a satellite radio receiver and directing advertisements to the satellite radio receiver based on its current location. The current location of the satellite radio receiver is determined through communication with a wireless mobile device and a wireless communications network where the wireless mobile device is located in close proximity to the satellite radio receiver. Once a location is determined, a database of satellite radio advertisements is searched to identify advertisements directed towards a specific location, and these advertisements are transmitted to the satellite radio receiver across a satellite radio network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Johnson, Michael Williams, Roy Joseph
  • Patent number: 8526985
    Abstract: An application server in a communication network receives a plurality of data streams from a plurality of mobile stations that include a client for the application server. The data streams may be video, audio or a combination thereof and include an indicator of originating location of the data stream. A subset of the plurality of data streams that originates from an area are determined. The first set may also be determined based on a tag that is included in each of the data streams of the first set, the tag indicating a sharing status for a respective data stream and/or a subject of the respective data stream. A first data stream of the first subset transmitted to a service subscriber having an interest preference corresponding to the tag of first set data streams. The transmitted first data stream may include overlay content associated with the service provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Bruce R. Cilli, Charles Payette, Narayan Raman
  • Publication number: 20130217319
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices and/or apparatus relate to vehicle media and communications systems and/or providing communications network and/or satellite network access in a vehicle. Specifically, the disclosed methods, systems, devices and/or apparatus relate to providing access to data, communications and/or satellites using a modular vehicle media and communications system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS COMPANY OF AMERICA, DIVISION OF PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
    Inventor: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
  • Patent number: 8515475
    Abstract: A mobile communications device with a wireless module and a controller module is provided. The wireless module receives a connection release message for leaving a connected mode from a wireless network. The controller module in response to the connection release message, keeps radio resources of a multimedia broadcast and multicast services (MBMS) service unreleased and releases all radio resources other than the MBMS service. Thereafter, the controller module enters an idle mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventor: Te-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 8515336
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods operable to distribute targeted content. Additionally, disclosed are corresponding apparatus and methods operable to selectively choose and cache selected ones from among the distributed targeted content, and to further choose ones from among the cached content to present on a device. In some aspects, selective caching of content may be based upon a match between predetermined content attribute information and predetermined profile information. Further, in some aspects, an indicator is operable to trigger the selective inclusion of one or more of the cached content in a presentation of other content, which may be based on a match between a desired content attribute associated with the indicator and the respective predetermined content attribute information of the cached content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Bruce Collins, Gordon Kent Walker, Jeffery N. Brown, Jun Wang, Christopher John Bennett, Charles N. Lo, Haipeng Jin, Lakshminath Reddy Dondeti, Randall Gellens, Mark A. Maggenti
  • Patent number: 8514966
    Abstract: A method for communication includes modulating data to produce a series of symbols defined in a signal space. The symbols are pulse-shaped using a given pulse shape. A signal, which includes a sequence of the pulse-shaped symbols (104A . . . 104C) transmitted at a symbol rate that is higher than a Nyquist rate defined for the given pulse shape, is transmitted to a receiver (40). Prior to pulse-shaping the symbols, Inter-Symbol Interference (ISI) in the signal is pre-compensated for by applying a lattice precoding operation to the symbols. The lattice precoding operation confines the symbols to a predefined volume (110) in the signal space and is computed independently of any feedback from the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Novelsat Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel Wajcer, Uri Beitler
  • Patent number: 8515342
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system providing power to Low Noise Block Amplifiers (LNBs) in a satellite signal receiving system wherein at least one receiver provides power to the LNBs. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises a first stage of power regulation, coupled to the at least one receiver in a respective fashion, wherein the first stage of power regulation comprises linear regulation, and a second stage of power regulation, coupled between the first stage of power regulation and the LNBs, wherein the second stage of power regulation comprises a switching power regulator. Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a first stage of power regulation, coupled to the at least one receiver in a respective fashion, wherein the first stage of power regulation comprises a switching power regulator, and a second stage of power regulation, coupled between the first stage of power regulation and the LNBs, wherein the second stage of power regulation comprises a linear regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Kesse Ho
  • Patent number: 8510781
    Abstract: The present invention provides a data processing method includes receiving a broadcasting signal where mobile service data are multiplexed with main service data, extracting transmission-parameter-channel signaling information and fast-information-channel signaling information from a data group within the received mobile service data, parsing first program table information describing virtual channel information of an ensemble and a service provided by the ensemble using the fast-information-channel signaling information, the ensemble corresponding to a virtual channel group of the received mobile service data, obtaining permission information of broadcasting contents included in the mobile service data from the first program table information and controlling the contents included in the mobile service data in accordance with the permission information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jeong Woo Kim, In Hwan Choi, Chul Soo Lee, Jae Hyung Song, Young Hun Song
  • Patent number: 8509687
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device comprising a receiver port configured to be operatively coupled to a local receiver antenna; a transmitter port configured to be operatively coupled to a local transmitter antenna and to receive signals received by the local transmitter antenna at least for a portion of time while the local receiver antenna is not operatively coupled to the receiver port; and a quiet spot determination unit configured to receive signals received by the local receiver antenna at least for a portion of time while the local receiver antenna is operatively coupled to the receiver port, receive signals received by the local transmitter antenna at least for the portion of time while the local receiver antenna is not operatively coupled to the receiver port, and determine a quiet spot frequency. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Clement, Lydi Smaini
  • Publication number: 20130203338
    Abstract: A satellite reception assembly may comprise a first module operable to demodulate a first one or more channels of a signal output by a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) low noise block downconverter (LNB). The first module may output a signal to a second module which may demodulate a second one or more channels of the signal output by the DBS LNB. The second module may be installed after the satellite reception assembly has been deployed upon a number of clients served by the satellite reception assembly reaching a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Curtis Ling, Timothy Gallagher, Glenn Chang
  • Publication number: 20130203337
    Abstract: An Internet protocol low noise block downconverter (IP LNB) assembly, which is within a satellite dish assembly, may be operable to collect information received from one or more sensors that are integrated within or coupled to the IP LNB assembly. The IP LNB assembly may provide data and/or services associated with the satellite dish assembly based on the collected information received from the sensor(s). The collected information may be stored locally or remotely. The sensor(s) may comprise a camera, an atmospheric sensor, a motion sensor, a directional sensor, an insolation sensor, an acoustic sensor and/or a seismic sensor. The IP LNB assembly may communicate, to at least a user, one or more alarms based on temporal or spatial changes in the collected information. The sensor(s) may perform infrared (IR), cosmic radiation, ultraviolet (UV), far infrared (FIR), terahertz (THz) radiation, millimeter wave (MMW) and/or microwave sensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Curtis Ling, Timothy Gallagher, Glenn Chang
  • Publication number: 20130201905
    Abstract: A satellite dish assembly may comprise a reflector, feed horn, receive module, and wireless module. The reflector and feed horn may be operable to receive satellite signals. The receive module may be operable to recover content from the received satellite signals. The wireless module may be operable to communicate the content directly to a mobile device via a wireless connection between the mobile device and the system. The wireless module may be operable to communicate directly with a service provider network via a wireless connection between the satellite dish assembly and the service provider network. The communications with the service provider network may be to obtain security information for descrambling and/or decrypting the content and/or for providing billing information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Curtis Ling, Brenndon Lee, Prithvi Thomas
  • Patent number: 8503957
    Abstract: A host system for processing radio data system (RDS) data includes a host processor. The host system further includes a data processor configured to receive the RDS data, configured to filter the RDS data to allow the host processor to receive a selected set of the RDS data, and configured to reduce the number of interrupts to the host processor. A method is also provided for processing RDS data within a host system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: James Tadashi Masamoto
  • Patent number: 8494476
    Abstract: A low noise amplifier (LNA) comprises: a plurality of FETs (F1, F2, F3, F4) arranged to process signals received by the amplifier; a power input (10) arranged to receive electrical power to operate the LNA; and a monolithic support integrated circuit (IC). The monolithic support IC comprises: a FET control circuit (2) arranged to monitor and control the drain current of each FET; a FET selection circuit (3, 24, 22) arranged to detect the level of a DC component of a voltage signal supplied to the power input and to provide a FET selection signal to the FET control circuit (2) according to the detected DC level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Diodes Incorporated
    Inventor: David Bradbury